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© Bonhams
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Well worth a bid
Winter is gradually being consigned to the rearview mirror and the incarceration of lockdown is finally being eased, so there can be few finer ways to make the most of 2021 than with a classic car of your own.
The forthcoming Bonhams MPH auction on 20 March is an ideal place to invest in your perfect classic car, no matter what your budget.
Even better, the sale is being held entirely online, so you can make that all-important purchase from the comfort of your own sofa, with a brew in your other hand.
We’ve given ourselves a maximum budget of £20,000 and have chosen 20 fantastic options, both mainstream and leftfield, to get your bidding fingers twitching.
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1. 1963 Vauxhall VX 4/90 (est: £2-3000)
After a little bit of recommissioning to get it back into fine fettle following a period of storage, you could simply get into this VX 4/90 and enjoy it whenever you like.
It isn’t perfect, but it wears its years with pride, being clad in what is believed to be its original paint, and even with its original His Master’s Voice valve radio. Patina and unmolested paint always help to give a car a little extra touch of desirability.
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2. 1990 Volkswagen Scirocco Scala (est: £2-4000)
This is one to go into with your eyes open, but what a classic you could have at the end of an extensive restoration.
‘Tatty’ best describes both the exterior and interior of this VW Scirocco, and you’ll need to get the spanners out to rejuvenate the mechanicals, but you could end up with a classic you can regularly use without any worries.
The current owner bought this as a restoration project but hasn’t found the time. Do you have the enthusiasm and time to take it on?
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3. 1958 Austin A35 (est: £3-5000)
The Austin A35 was the higher-performance replacement for the A30, and as such could cover the 0-60mph sprint in around 30 secs. Woo. Still, A35s regularly feature in races at Goodwood, so it must be fun.
This example has been well cared for throughout its life and was restored some time ago.
It is supplied with an extensive paperwork file, and has been stored for some time, so will require recommissioning.
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4. 1968 Triumph TR250 (est: £5-8000)
The TR250 was the US-market version of the TR5. It had to meet strict Stateside emissions requirements, so had Stromberg carburettors instead of the fuel injection the rest of the world enjoyed.
This particular example was imported from a dry US state back in 2011, and comes with an extensive file, including bills for an engine rebuild just before it was shipped to the UK.
It is said to run and drive perfectly well, but, as you can see, it will require some cosmetic work.
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5. 1972 Datsun 1600 SSS (est: £12-16,000)
The Datsun 1600 SSS was something of a trailblazer for the company, because it marked its entry into the international motorsport stage with victory in the 1972 East African Safari Rally.
This replica has seen plenty of competition in Sweden and, as you can see, it was driven with some vigour by Rauno Aaltonen at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
It has been stored since 2016, so will require some work on the brakes before it can be driven in anger once more.
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6. 1973 Jaguar XJC Prototype (est: £8-12,000)
This car represents a significant part of Jaguar’s history, because it was the prototype that helped engineers get on top of the window-sealing issues suffered during development of the XJ coupé.
As if that wasn’t hard enough for it, it then spent some time as a press loan car. But it also enjoyed some time in the limelight, when it was shown at the London Motor Show in October 1973.
Restoration work on it has begun, and the body is described as straight and covered in a primer coat.
After that, the world is your lobster, as a famous Jaguar-driving car salesman once said.
The car also comes with a wealth of spare parts.
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7. 1964 Mercedes-Benz 220SEb ‘Fintail’ saloon (est: £4-6000)
With its wide grille, wraparound windscreen and discreet tailfins, this Mercedes-Benz 220SEb ‘Fintail’ would have stolen the scene in any movie in which it appeared. Probably driven by the suave hero.
It’ll be a while before this one can be driven though, because while the engine apparently holds good oil pressure, the rest of the car needs a complete restoration.
Still, invest the cash and you’ll eventually be able to live out your fantasies of being a Cold War spy on every journey.
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8. 1931 Standard 9hp 111 saloon (est: £4-6000)
This 9hp 111 saloon represents the efforts of two companies, Standard and Swallow; the former produced the chassis and the latter the body.
This one has been part of a museum collection for many years, and is ripe for either full-on restoration, or to be rejuvenated to ‘running well’ condition.
Either way, it has the potential to be a very elegant conveyance.
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9. 1970 Austin Mini (est: £3-6000)
What is there to say about the Mini, which was the epitome of ‘Cool Britannia’ long before that was even a thing. Twiggy, John Lennon, James Hunt and many more were all fans of the little Austin, and millions of drivers have cut their teeth in one since.
This one has had a comprehensive restoration in the past, and has also been fitted with a Clubman front end, which has been known to divide opinion. Still, it runs on a few (but not all) cylinders, and even has the original owner’s manual present.
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10. 1954 Morris Minor Series II four-door saloon (est: £2500-3500)
You could almost see the Morris Minor as designer Alec Issigonis cracking his knuckles in preparation for his real star, which was the Mini. But that would be to do the car a disservice, because it provided roomy, economical transport for doctors, district nurses and vets all over the land for many years.
This one has little in the way of history, but its engine starts and runs well. The bodywork is fine in the main, but there are areas of corrosion that will require attention.
Still, the interior is in great nick. Perfect if you’re a budding Nurse Gladys Emmanuel.
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11. 1962 Ford Zodiac Convertible (est: £15-20,000)
The Ford Zodiac Convertible was designed to provide the glamour and style of the American west coast, with running costs from Essex.
And so it did, with a 2.5-litre straight-six engine and three-speed manual gearbox providing the ‘go’, and servo-assisted brakes providing the ‘stop’.
This example seems to be in superb condition, having been used on high days and holidays, and dry-stored the rest of the time.
It also features a power-operated hood and extra driving lights. Too cool.
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12. 1976 Renault 15 GTL Coupé (est: £4-5000)
How’s this for a unicorn? This is believed to be the last surviving Renault 15 GTL in the UK, so you’re extremely unlikely to see another when you’re out and about.
It also has an incredibly low mileage of just 12,094, so someone else has basically run it in for you, albeit over the course of 45 years.
It has been through the owner’s workshop, and is said to run and drive very well indeed. The blue-velour interior is also in fine order. Some minor corrosion below the rear window is reportedly the only area requiring attention.
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13. 1976 Mercedes-Benz 350SL (est: £10-15,000)
Remember Dempsey and Makepeace in the 1980s? New York cop moves to London and teams up with glamorous UK detective? Well, Dempsey drove an R107 SL just like this, so it must be cool.
According to the auction house, this Mercedes’ V8 runs and drives beautifully, and the body was given an extensive refurbishment in 2011. The owner’s handbook is also present and correct.
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14. 1928 Singer Junior (est: £9-12,000)
If you fancy something slightly different from the usual Austin Seven, this could be for you. Under the bonnet lies an 848cc overhead-valve engine that will hustle the car and four occupants along at a thrilling 45mph. You could still wear a hat at that speed.
The car comes with the original logbook and has a huge history file, including past MoT tests, and paperwork detailing previous care and maintenance.
It has been in storage since the owner passed away in 2019, but Bonhams says it runs and drives beautifully.
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15. 1983 Matra Murena (est: £10-15,000)
The Matra name may be synonymous with Formula One and sports prototypes howling their way around Le Mans in the 1960s and ’70s, but it also built what could be seen as the archetypal ’80s sports car. Pop-up headlamps? Tick. Four-cylinder 2.2-litre engine? Yup. Stripy interior trim? Oh yes. Three front seats? Wait, what?
This Murena is the only one on the UK’s roads with the 2.2-litre engine, which has been fully rebuilt to develop 144bhp. All the other examples have 1.6-litre engines.
The chassis has been Waxoyled, so the car is ready to be enjoyed.
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16. 1965 Saab 96 Monte-Carlo 850 (est: £18-22,000)
Okay, we’re pushing slightly beyond the upper end of our budget, but this has got to be worth it. This is a homologation special, built in homage to Erik Carlsson and Pat Moss (sister of the late Sir Stirling) for their successes in the Monte-Carlo rally.
This example has only 63,800 on the odometer and has been dry-stored for 20 years. It also has a comprehensive history, and should not require too much in the way of recommissioning before it can be enjoyed.
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17. 1971 Fiat 500L (est: £11-15,000)
In essence, the 500L was a well-equipped version of the standard Fiat 500. Think of it as a Fiat 500 Ghia and you’ll be getting close.
This model has been the subject of an extensive restoration earlier in its life and seems to remain in top nick.
It has been fitted with a 650cc engine, Fiat 124 pistons and a sports exhaust, so the driving experience should certainly be fun.
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18. 1991 Peugeot 309 GTI (est: £6-10,000)
The 309 GTI was the hot hatch for those whose circumstances had outgrown a 205 GTI, but who still wanted to be a bit of a hooligan on a Sunday morning. Indeed, some say (well, whisper) that it handles even better than its lauded little brother.
This example seems to wear its years well, with little work required on the bodywork. However, the mechanicals will need some fettling before the car can be used on a regular basis.
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19. 1946 Standard Flying 8 Tourer (est: £6500-8000)
This is a one-owner car from 1946. Yes, you read that correctly – there’s just one name on the logbook before yours. Wow.
The 1009cc engine still has its full complement of 28 rampaging horses, and the car has a full service history. Better still, it has always been kept in a garage, so the bodywork is, we’re told, in truly outstanding condition, and it is apparently the same for the interior.
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20. 1953 Ford Consul (est: £4-8000)
This Ford Consul is a rare beast indeed, because it has never fallen victim to the maelstrom that is the banger racing circuit, and yet it has also never been restored. It’s a true survivor and as such is ripe as a restoration project.
According to the auction house, the bodywork is good, the interior is in fine condition and, better still, the oily bits underneath run smoothly. It has only 76,735 miles showing, so has had a fairly easy life.
Check out all these and more in the catalogue for Bonhams MPH’s 20 March sale – there’s plenty to get stuck into!