Classic car buyers defy the economic gloom

More than £200,000 bid on one day at BCA Classic Sale proving that not everyone is tightening their purse strings.

There will be some bulging Christmas stockings this year after British Car Auctions final Classic sale of the year at BCA Blackbushe late last month. Nearly 500 buyers turned out to bid on an impressive selection of vehicles, ranging from Vintage and pre-war models to sports cars and low mileage modern classics. In all 38 vehicles sold on the day, generating a turnover in excess of £200,000, which defied all the current economic predictions of doom and gloom.

1963 Alfa doubles catalogue estimate
One of the strongest selling cars was the 1963 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Sprint. One of just a handful imported to the UK and converted to right hand drive by Ruddspeed of Worthing, this was a model rarely seen at auction. Brightly finished in Alfa red, the car had been in storage for some time and required recommissioning. Following some very competitive bidding it sold for £8,300, nearly twice the top estimate in the catalogue.

New York Mayor’s Sedan
A star of the sale was a 1934 Packard Eight Sedan, selling for £19,250. The car was originally supplied to Fiorello H. LaGuardia, a prominent political figure in the US who served three terms as Mayor of New York from 1934 to 1945. Imported to the UK and restored some years ago, this imposing sedan had been part of an impressive collection of Packard motor cars.

Bentley Saloon the best seller
A Bentley 3½ Litre Saloon by Mann Egerton was the top seller of the day, realising £23,100. First registered in 1936, this Bentley had been refurbished some years ago and was in good presentable order, finished in British Racing Green over Woodland Green, with its original light tan interior trim.

60’s Jag exceeds estimate
A 1961Jaguar Mk 2 3.4 also sold very strongly. Having spent the last 35 years with the one owner, this Jaguar had been cosseted and maintained to the highest standards. Finished in Cotswold Blue with grey leather trim, a detailed restoration had been undertaken between 1996 and 2000, with the car winning various concours awards as well as being featured on the cover of Jaguar Enthusiast magazine in December 2003. Estimated in the catalogue to sell for around £16,000, it roared past this figure to realise £20,450.

Morris 100 Traveller – Just 3 careful owners!
Arguably the best buy of the day was a delightful Morris 1000 Traveller. Finished in Old English white and with a renewed timber frame, it had just three owners from new in 1967. It sold for £3,850.

Modern Classics popular too
Although less than a decade old, the original BMW Z1 sports cars have quickly attained classic status. A 1989 UK-spec’ model on offer at Blackbushe was finished in red with dark grey leather and had the desirable twin tailpipe design which was changed on later models to a single exhaust. It sold for £18,600.

The sale also included a number of good value ‘starter’ classics in the line-up. A low-mileage 1966 MG 1100 had covered just 27,000 miles in the past forty years and was in stunning condition. It was good value for its new owner at £2,850. Dating from 1965, an MG Midget Mk II offered lots of sporting potential. Nicely restored and finished in almond green it sold for £2,650.

Something for the kids too!
For the young at heart, the one-third-scale model of a Dodge Prowler and Trailer proved irresistible, selling for £1,250, while two Bembie child-size motorcycles made £500 apiece.

BCA has announced its classic programme for 2008. Three sales take place at BCA Blackbushe on 26 February, 7 October and 2 December, with a July summer evening event at Blackbushe on a date to be confirmed. BCA will also hold a classic sale at Bridgwater in the West Country on 22 April, with the Brooklands Tradition Sale taking place at Brooklands Museum on 5 June.