15 fab classic cars for sale this week

Start saving – or keep dreaming!

Whether you’re looking to add to your classic car collection in 2021, considering your first foray into older cars or you just can’t resist window shopping, the good news is that not even a pandemic can stop classics changing hands with auction houses and dealers the world over.

Here we’ve gathered 15 great-looking classics that caught our eye – and the best bit is they’re all for sale right now!

So if you’re in the market for something or you just need some escapism while stuck at home during lockdown, we hope these picks, at a variety of price points, will hit the spot.

Prices/estimates listed, if supplied by the vendor; all times stated are GMT

1. 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 (est: £1.75-2m)

Yes, we’ll admit we are setting the bar pretty high with our first car, a Scaglietti-bodied, V12-engined stunner that has been consigned to Gooding & Company’s second UK auction that’s running until this Friday, 5 February.

This car was exhibited by Jacques Swaters’ Garage Francorchamps at the 1967 Brussels show, and in its 54 years it has never been fully restored.

It was, however, reupholstered in striking green leather in 2020, while in 2015 it gained that all-important Ferrari Classiche certification.

2. 1964 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII (est: £49-64,000)

The good news is that you shouldn’t need millions of pounds to call this Big Healey your own – and it must be a rather special example, given that online auction house The Market, where it’s listed for sale, has awarded it a 9.8 rating out of 10.

A restored example, it is said to drive brilliantly, its Colorado red and Old English white paint looks fantastic, it has covered fewer than 63,000 miles and as soon as non-essential journeys are permitted here in the UK, it would be an utter joy for roof-down fun.

Bidding closes at 7:30pm on 4 February 2021.

3. 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16

We love sleeper saloons and this homologation-special three-pointed star is one such car – that at the time of writing it had already attracted 41 bids on online auction website Collecting Cars demonstrates clearly how popular these models still are.

This lot has done 64,751km (that’s around 40,200 miles) and was first registered in Malta, where it remained until 2013.

Right-hand drive with the wonderful, oh-so-period chequered interior, it has spent the last five years in dry storage, is said to be rust-free and has a fresh MoT. Bidding ends on Sunday 7 February at 7:10pm.

4. 1972 Rover P6 3500 (€24,950)

We spotted this lovely looking P6 being sold by Gallery Aaldering via our very own classifieds website and simply had to take a closer look.

This left-hand drive, Dutch car has been carefully and comprehensively restored in its past, and today presents in fine fettle, its original paintwork said to be in good condition and its reupholstered cabin ready for use.

Having done only 66,000km (41,000 miles), we’re sure this V8-powered classic saloon is primed for many more.

5. 1953 Bentley R-type (est: £20-30,000)

It is not hard to see why this caught our eye – not least because it is being offered without reserve.

When new, it was Shell Grey with red upholstery and when it was about 20 years old it was owned by former Formula One driver, 1970 Targa Florio winner and double 12 Hours of Sebring victor Brian Redman – indeed, he sold it to US motorsport supremo Carl Haas.

As you can see, it is now back in the UK and ready to be enjoyed. The vendor says there are a few small jobs to tackle, but these don’t have to be done right away.

This auction ends at 7:30pm on 5 February 2021. 

6. 1966 Ford Mustang

Or how about this Springtime Yellow over black vinyl ’66 Mustang notchback?

Still finished in the same colours it left the factory and powered by a 289cu in V8, the odometer shows 33,000 miles, it has a four-speed manual gearbox and a smart-looking set of grey Torq Thrust wheels.

It’s currently listed on Bring a Trailer and the auction ends on Monday 8 February.

7. 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental (est: £450-650,000)

There might be no estimate supplied for that Ford Mustang, but we know you’ll have to dig quite deep if you want to be the winning bidder of this 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental, part of Gooding & Company’s UK-based European Sporting & Historic Collection sale that closes on 5 February.

But then this 91-year-old car is rather special, because it is clad in an experimental, lightweight body by Barker that contested the 1933 edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally.

It also did the 1932 RAC Rally and completed the Peking to Paris rally in 2013.

8. 1978 Austin Mini Clubman Estate (est: £14,500-20,000)

You’ve a little longer to get your bids in on this Snapdragon Yellow Mini – its auction on The Market closes at 7:45pm on Monday 8 February.

But it’s not just its bright paintwork that caught our eye. The auction site says this 45,000-mile example ‘has to be one of the best Clubman Estates around’, thanks to work undertaken by its fourth owner who bought it in 2009.

Upgrades include a 1380cc custom engine (that is estimated to give 100bhp) and gearbox by A-series specialist Bill Richards Racing, upgraded servo-assisted brakes and a Sony radio/CD player.

9. 1967 Fiat 500

We find it hard to resist this cute-as-a-button Fiat 500, with its white body, red and white vinyl interior, red sunroof and wicker basket.

It has recently benefited from a lot of work, including gaining fresh body panels, plus refreshed brake and suspension items.

It’s for sale on Bring a Trailer until Monday 8 February 2021.

10. 1979 MG Midget 1500 (£6495)

Let’s stick with more diminutive classics for a little longer with this MG spotted on our own classifieds website, for sale with Shropshire-based Classic Motor Cars.

A very late-model example, it appears to present extremely well and is said to have done fewer than 10,000 miles.

Which of course means it has a lot of motoring still ahead of it – and all for less than £7000.

11. 1978 Ford Escort RS 1800

This Group 4 Mk2 Escort is loaded with presence – and it has the pedigree to back that up. How come? Its chassis number and registration are that of the original ex-Malcolm Wilson and Terry Harryman ‘Total Team Gold’ RS 1800 so while, yes, it has been reshelled, it has a direct link to current World Rally Championship team owner Wilson.

It has been campaigned in the last decade, yet still is said to be in ‘superb’ condition. Now powered by an Alan Sherwood-built 2.0-litre ‘four’ (it originally had a 1.8-litre unit), it has a five-speed ZF manual transmission, while we love the gold Minilites and flared arches.

A very attractive historic rally car, then. Bidding closes on Collecting Cars on Sunday 7 February at 7pm.

12. 1958 Buick Special Convertible

Another pick with presence is this ’58 Buick, for sale on Bring a Trailer until Monday 8 February 2021.

From its whitewall tyres with 15-inch wire wheels, to its reupholstered red-and-white vinyl interior with a large, thin-rimmed wheel and horizontal speedometer, it simply oozes classic Americana. According to its build plate, it left the factory finished in Blue Mist over Silver Mist, with a black and white interior, but we find it hard to fault its current colour scheme.

Under the bonnet is a 364cu in V8 which sends power to the rear wheels via a two-speed auto, plus it has powered steering and powered brakes.

13. 1966 Triumph TR4A

From a very American drop-top to a quintessentially British one – and one that is ready to be enjoyed.

The vendor admits it is not a concours-ready example, but perhaps the bonus is that its next keeper won’t be afraid to use it, while any maintenance and restoration work can be carried out as/when funds permit.

Its pale Wedgewood Blue paintwork is one of the colours most associated with this model and suits it so perfectly. Inside is a blue-leather trimmed cabin with matching carpets, plus it will be sold with its two-piece hardtop.

Bidding closes on Collecting Cars at 7:50pm on Friday 5 February.

14. 1991 Lotus Elan SE Turbo (est: £8-12,000)

It’s hard to believe this is a 117,000-mile car.

Yet coming with a chunky history file, it is clear that in its three decades it has always been carefully cared for. Its Calypso Red paint pops so well thanks to a respray in 2017, while it rides on its original, 15-inch, seven-spoke OZ alloys, which have recently been refurbished and fitted with fresh rubber.

It is being offered with no reserve on The Market until 7:45pm on Friday 5 February 2021.

15. Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (est: £900,000-1.2m)

Let’s finish where we started with this eye-catching three-pointed star – and that’s its original shade, matched with a biscuit interior.

Granted, the colour might not be to everyone’s tastes and its pre-sale estimate at Gooding & Company’s European Sporting & Historic Collection sale means it isn’t for mere mortals like us, but it comes with its original, matching factory hardtop, toolkit, jack and fitted luggage, and it is one of just 26 built in the final year of production.

Bidding ends on Friday 5 February 2021.