Waiting for the hammer to fall
Do you have a hankering for your next – or first – classic?
While life continues to get back to some sort of normality, the 2021 edition of the Classic Car & Restoration Show wasn’t able to go ahead this year – instead, it’s set to return in 2022. Fortunately, the show’s auction element is still on this year’s calendar – in fact it’s being held this Saturday (25 September 2021), at Stoneleigh Park, from 11am.
There’s a diverse range of lots in this auction, ranging from a couple of nearly new Toyotas (yes, really) to a Riley Special from 1949, many of them with oh-so-low pre-sale estimates.
We’ve highlighted 24 we like the look of, each of which is expected to go for no more than £20k – are you tempted?
1. 1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16 (est: no reserve)
The Pininfarina-penned Peugeot 405 made its debut in 1987, the 1.9-litre, four-cylinder-engined Mi16 variant (with its 16 valves) arriving a year later – and this sports saloon still has a great reputation.
The sober colour helps give this example serious undercover performance potential. It was taken out of storage last year, it has been given a full brake overhaul, plus in January it passed its MoT with no advisories.
It’s covered 130k miles and comes with a stamped service book.
2. 1967 Ford Cortina Lotus Twin Cam (est: £24-28,000)
Yes, we know, we are being cheeky here, given our imaginary budget is £20,000, but this isn’t too far off – and we couldn’t resist.
You’d be forgiven for thinking the Cortina Lotus was available in any colour as long as it was white, but others shades were available. It’s just that most owners preferred this car’s Ermine White and Sherwood Green flash.
This example has had an engine rebuild, with a resulting power hike to 140bhp, as well as a stainless-steel exhaust manifold and a new brake servo.
3. 1984 Fiat Strada Abarth 130TC (est: £10-12,000)
Fiats of the 1980s didn’t tend to last long in the UK because of dreaded tin worm, but this Strada’s body looks to be in fair condition, having had some recent attention and a repaint.
The TC might have ‘only’ 128bhp but it could cover the 0-60mph sprint in just 7.6 secs – impressive for the mid-’80s. This example has also had its Solex carbs replaced with Webers.
4. 2000 Land Rover Defender Heritage SWB (est: no reserve)
The latest Defender might be the version that’s grabbing all of the headlines at the moment, but the original (and, we think, best) workhorse has a massive fan base – so it’s a bit surprising that this one has no reserve, and we’ll be interested to see what it fetches.
The Heritage Edition celebrated 50 years of the Defender. This one-owner example has a full service history and less than 80k on the clock.
5. 1975 Ford Transit Mk1 LWB Panel Van (est: £10-12,000)
Every lot in this Classic Car Auctions 25 September sale is special in its own way, but we’re particularly taken with this Ford Transit.
It’s quite imposing in gloss black (which has been redone), and with smart reupholstered seats and new carpet.
It’s had a partial engine rebuild (it’s a 2.0-litre petrol) and would make a really eye-catching classic company van – or (and here’s a thought) is a fine base for a professional motorhome/campervan conversion.
6. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 (est: £12-15,000)
There are no fewer than three W108s in this auction, and all have the same estimate, so you stand a good chance of driving away in one if it’s the Merc for you.
The others are in blue and red, but we’re partial to this one in fetching Moss Green metallic with its Magnolia interior. There’s a 3.5-litre V8 under the bonnet that could waft this car from 0-60mph in 9.3 secs when it was new. And it will still turn heads today.
7. 2020 Toyota GR Yaris (est: £28-34,000)
Yes, we know we have a few matters to address here…
Firstly, of course, this falls into the ‘future classic’ category, but we make no apologies for including the GR Yaris in our picks. Make no mistake, this is not your average shopping car – it had loads of input from rally supremos Jari-Matti Latvala and Tommi Mäkinen, and has sublime handling.
Secondly, yes, this is a fair bit outside our budget, but you never know your luck!
This example has covered just 29 miles and was fitted with the Circuit Pack at the factory – this added £3500 to the list price and got you BBS forged alloy wheels, uprated suspension, red brake calipers, and front and rear Torsen diffs.
8. 1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce (est: £18-20,000)
We’re back on much safer footing here.
The 2000 GT took the best bits from its 1750 GTV predecessor (the coachwork) and added a more powerful, 132bhp 2.0-litre engine.
CCA’s car is in what we think is the best colour – Rosso Farina – and has black carpets, a classic black interior and a wood veneer dashboard. It also has a new fuel pump and battery, as well as a recent new grille and door cards.
9. 1986 TVR 350i Convertible (est: £15-18,000)
A CCA auction isn’t complete unless it has a TVR (or two) in it, and the 350i is a real classic Brit.
Its tuneful 3.5-litre V8 got it to 60mph in just 6.0 secs when it was new and this one probably won’t be far off that now, thanks to a comprehensive maintenance history – plus, it was one of the cover stars of the June 2019 issue of Classic & Sports Car.
With a new mohair top, a new paintjob, refurbished alloys and new tyres, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if this one exceeds £20k.
10. 1966 Volvo 1800S (est: £15-18,000)
TV show The Saint had a lot to do with ensuring the P1800’s success here and abroad, because Jaguar wouldn’t provide the show’s producers with an E-type.
This example got a new coat of paint in 2008, along with an overhauled brake and fuel system. It still needs a little more cosmetic work but it’s not far off, and CCA says its guide price for Saturday’s sale reflects that.
11. 1951 MG TD Midget MkII (est: £18-22,000)
As CCA says: “the TD-Series Midget was the first MG sports car to feature independent double-wishbone front suspension and rack and pinion steering, and the new model also had a hypoid-bevel back axle, a scuttle reinforcement hoop and twin leading-shoe front brakes.”
The TD in this auction has been fully restored at least once in its life, when it received a new ash frame. More recently, it’s had new brakes, new tyres, the underbody has been treated and it’s received a full service. Good to know.
12. 1967 Ford Mustang (est: £15-18,000)
The original Ford Mustang was built at several plants in the US. This one (there are a few Mustangs in this auction) was made in the San José factory, with a 200cu in (3.2-litre) V6 engine and – yes – a stick shift.
The Lime Gold Poly paint on this car suits it really well, we think; inside you’ll find Ivy Gold seats and Moss Green carpets, and the wheels are polished. It’s a tempting guide price for a Pony car in such apparently fine fettle.
13. 1991 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 (est: £10-£12,000)
If you’re in the market for a classic Golf GTI, chances are it’s a Mk1. But the Mk2 also has a sublime reputation, and this late 1.8-litre example looks terrific.
Its Tornado Red paint appears as if it’s just been reapplied, but no, it’s totally original. The same goes for the interior – this car has had three owners and all of them have cherished it.
The Golf comes with a stamped service book and passed its MoT last month.
14. 2002 Smart Crossblade (est: no reserve)
We will concede that this is a little left-field, but it could be more than a little fun, too.
You’re familiar with the Smart ForTwo Coupé and Cabriolet, but what about the Crossblade? It started life as a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2001, and Smart was persuaded to build 2000 of them.
The Crossblade didn’t get a roof or doors, so you’ll need to store it under cover and take it out when the weather’s fair. But the zingy engine and wind-in-the-hair motoring are guaranteed to put a smile on your face, at least until the flies hit your teeth.
15. 1986 Citroën CX22 TRS Series 2 (est: no reserve)
The successor to the DS may not have had similar swoon-inducing styling, but it was still well received and was made from 1974 until 1991.
The example for sale this weekend with CCA has a 2.2-litre petrol engine and manual gearbox, and is finished in Brun Maya metallic paint, with a similarly coloured interior – and the typical swoopy dashboard is still a thing to behold.
16. 1951 Ford F1 pick-up truck (est: £18-22,000)
Until the F1 arrived in 1951, Ford’s trucks were based on its cars’ chassis; the F1 was offered on no fewer than eight purpose-made chassis.
This F1 has only been in the UK for three years, during which time it’s been restored, with new brakes and suspension, and the body stripped back. The 3.9-litre V8 has also been totally rebuilt. How about that for a practical classic?
17. 1971 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia camper (est: £18-22,000)
Few things shout ‘1970s’ louder than an orange and white VW campervan, and this one was born at the beginning of the decade and spent most of its life in the US until 2013. Since then its body has had some attention and the canvas roof has been retrimmed.
You could just get it for our self-imposed £20,000 budget and, if you do, it’s ready for your next staycation, with a hammock and working sink, while upgrades include an Empi gearshift.
18. 1981 Austin Morris Mini 95L pick-up (est: £12-15,000)
Is the Ford F1 we just looked at too big/expensive for you? This Mini could be just the ticket.
It’s an ‘L’ pack pick-up, which means it has hound’s-tooth cloth seats, carpets, extra soundproofing and a passenger sun visor!
We think it looks pretty tasty in dark blue with a white roof, plus Minilite-style wheels, a load cover and a big bore exhaust.
19. 1968 Jaguar 3.4 S-type (est: £15-18,000)
Morse’s Mk2 may get a lot of attention, but the S-type has more space for occupants and their luggage, and independent rear suspension.
This one also had 210bhp when new, courtesy of a 3.4-litre straight-six engine from the XK, and looks peachy in its deep blue paint, with its chrome wire wheels and cream leather interior.
According to Classic Car Auctions’ pre-sale estimate, this could be yours for £15-18,000.
20. 2005 BMW M3 (est: £22-26,000)
Think of a supersaloon from the noughties and there’s a good chance that one of M Division’s finest will be on the tip of your tongue, such as this modern classic in the CCA catalogue.
It is predicted to just go over our self-imposed budget, but you never know what will happen in the auction – and it sounds a treat.
The E46 M3 is powered by a 3.2-litre straight-six with 343bhp. This one has a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip diff, and we think it looks terrifically smart and understated in Titanium Silver metallic with black leather upholstery.
21. 1992 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 Phase 2 (est: £8-10,000)
Here is one of the cars in this list that you should easily be able to get for our £20k budget.
And this ’80s and ’90s king of the hot hatchbacks needs no introduction, other than to say that the Phase 2 models were the ones with clear front indicator lamps, smoked rear light clusters, black bumpers and black dash plastics.
Work completed on this example includes an engine rebuild, a new exhaust, refurbished wheels, and new suspension and brakes.
22. 1971 Jensen Interceptor II (est: £15-20,000)
We’re unashamed Jensen Interceptor fans and this one is not only lemon in colour, it has a ‘lemony’ history – but not in any bad sense, because this Interceptor’s first owner was a Californian citrus grower!
The ‘II’ has more power than the ‘III’ because it lacks the power-sapping emissions equipment the later car had to be fitted with. This car has its original paperwork, including the Routine Service Voucher booklet.
23. 2006 Audi S6 Avant V10 (est: no reserve)
A 429bhp 5.2-litre Lamborghini V10 engine sits beneath the bonnet of this unassuming estate car – it’ll get it to 60mph in 5.2 secs and on to a limited 155mph.
There are only 34 examples of the S6 Avant in the UK, and even fewer are totally standard, like this car. Recent work includes refurbished alloys, plus other cosmetic and mechanical refreshments. This could be a super modern-classic workhorse.
24. 1995 Aston Martin DB7 I6 (est: £20-25,000)
Everything about this manual DB7 appears to be spot on, from the turbine alloys and the Chiltern Green paint to the parchment leather interior and the manual gearbox. Yes, it is at the top of our budget, but you get a lot for the money.
It has a mixture of main dealer and specialist history (there’s masses of paperwork), and it’s just been serviced and given a new MoT. CCA’s Vendor Condition Report gives it an impressive score of 103 out of 135.
Check out this and all the other lots in Classic Car Auctions’ 25 September 2021 sale here.