Barons brings out Christmas crackers

Barons has some cracking cars entered in its Yuletide Sale at Sandown Park on December 9th. If a loved one has been dropping hints about wanting a very special four-wheeled Christmas gift, where better place to find that perfect present?

From sprightly starter-classics to exotic performance cars, and from barn finds to concours-standard beauties, there should be something to suit every taste and fit most garages (if not under most Christmas trees).

There’s even the ultimate present for a sporting wife - a 1962 Jaguar E-Type SI 3.8 FHC, chassis no. 232, which is being offered complete with the unforgettable registration number WAG 7. This glamorous machine has been stored since 1981. Now fully re-commissioned and MoT'd, it is a completely unrestored, original example. Estimate: £25,000-30,000.

Entries include a number of restoration projects, ideal for those looking for something to work on in 2009, including a ‘barn find’ 1979 Morgan 4+4 Sports (£8,500-10,000) and a 1956 Bentley S1 Standard Steel Saloon (£6,000-9,000).

The stately 1950 Daimler DB18 DHC (£14,000-16,000) should turn some heads, and there’s a whole bunch of stylish sporting and performance machines. These include a brace of Aston Martins - a 2002 DB7 Vantage Volante V12 estimated at £28,000-32,000 and a 1973 DBS V8i (estimate £25,000- 35,000). The latter has covered just 27,000 miles from new, and has a fascinating history. It was once owned by a gentleman who kept it under a dustsheet in his billiard room, and was subsequently owned by a Red Arrows pilot.

Motorsports fans - or Austin Healey collectors/specialists - could well find themselves charmed by the 1960 Austin Healey Sprite Pickup belonging to Austin Healey works driver Clive Baker, which was built by world-renowned marque specialist Brian Wheeler as a parts carrier (£4,000-6,000). And those looking to move into classic saloon car racing may be tempted by the 1972 Ford Escort Mexico, which has been the subject of a major restoration and conversion to FIA race car specification (£8,000-10,000).

The sale is being held in the 25,000sq ft Surrey Hall at Sandown Park. The 'big brother' of Barons’ usual venue, the Esher Hall, the Surrey Hall can comfortably accommodate 100 cars under cover.

For further information, visit barons-auctions.com