SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT BARONS’ SPRING CLASSIC SALE

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT BARONS’ SPRING CLASSIC SALE

Following a strong start to 2019 with its Classic Winter Warmer sale in February, Barons is now presenting a really diverse and interesting line-up of cars for its Spring Classic sale at Sandown Park on April 30.

Notable entries include the 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280SLK with just 25,000 warranted miles on the clock. This immaculate car was bought new by actress Sheila Hancock. In 1984 it was purchased by the vendor’s aunt, who has kept the car in a heated garage ever since, taking it out only to drive to the local Mercedes dealership for its annual service and for a very occasional trip to the shops. The estimate for this beautifully-presented bright red convertible is £28,000-£33,000.

The 1967 Fiat 500 Radbourne Racing Abarth is perfect for historic motorsport. The official UK Abarth importer Radbourne Racing of Wimbledon converted RHD Fiat 500s using genuine Abarth parts. The engine of the standard Fiat 500 was bored to give 689cc and 38hp, wheel arches were widened and Borrani steel wheels fitted. This potent, nimble little machine is a huge amount of fun and has competed at Prescott Hilliclimb and in the Crystal Palace Sprint. Guide price: £15,000-£18,000.

The 1971 MG B roadster in the sale has covered just 13,900 miles in 48 years and comes complete with almost all MOTs since 1975 and a meticulous service history. It is particularly rare as it has an automatic transmission. Guide price: £17,000-£22,000.

The remarkably original 1967 MG 1100 is another low-miler, having clocked up just 27,500 warranted miles. One of only 149 examples shown by the DVLA as still on the road, it is offered complete with a newspaper article dated March 1994 stating the mileage then as 21,000. This lovely little car would make the perfect museum exhibit or much-treasured classic. Guide price: £6,000-£8,500.

The 1973 XJ Series 2 pre-production coupé, chassis number 2, was built as a left-hand drive machine but converted by the Browns Lane factory to RHD and registered by them in 1974, after which it was used by Jaguar’s then Chief Engineer Jim Randle as his company car. The XJ was subsequently owned by Thoroughbred and Classic Cars and featured many times in that publication during the 1980s, when it was the company car of the journalist Roger Bell. It was recently found languishing in a garden and needs full restoration. It is offered at no reserve.

The 1961 Austin Seven Mini Mk 1 was rescued from a dry barn last year and has undergone a sympathetic restoration, keeping as much of the original as possible. It appears to have had only two owners in nearly 60 years and still bears its original number plates. Guide price: £9,000-£12,000.

In the market for a ‘modern classic’ such as a 2004 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, 2003 Maserati Spyder 4.2 Cambio Corsa or 2005 Porsche 996? You’re in luck - Barons has plenty to choose from, with a good sprinkling of BMWs and Mercedes thrown in for good measure. One particularly unusual modern entry is the 2009 Land Rover Defender 90 SVX Soft Top Thor GTS Super Sport by Brittle. The SVX Defender were special models produced to celebrate Land Rover’s 60th anniversary in 2008. The vehicle on offer at Barons on April 30 was upgraded by Brittle Bespoke Defenders with upgrades including Brittle Diamond leather interior with Recaro heated seats, 18" spoke alloys, performance brake kit with upgraded callipers, lower suspension kit with Koni shock absorbers, stainless steel sport exhaust, and mohair hood. It has covered just 10,500 miles in ten years and has a guide price of £22,000-£25,000.

For more information, or to consign a vehicle to the sale, please visit www.barons-auctions.com.