131 MILES IN 28 YEARS - ‘TIME-WARP’ PEUGEOT HEADS THE ‘LOW-MILEAGE LOTS’ GOING UNDER THE HAMMER AT BARONS ON TUESDAY

131 MILES IN 28 YEARS - ‘TIME-WARP’ PEUGEOT HEADS THE ‘LOW-MILEAGE LOTS’ GOING UNDER THE HAMMER AT BARONS ON TUESDAY

An immaculately-preserved, totally original one-owner 1991 Peugeot 309 GTi with a remarkable 131 warranted miles on the clock is among the early entries for Barons’ Classic Winter Warmer sale at Sandown Park next Tuesday, February 26.

The vendor bought the car new in 1991 but was working overseas a great deal and had a second car, so the Peugeot was barely used, as the mileage so clearly shows. Throughout its life the car has been kept garaged and it is in showroom condition. Engine, electricals, interior, bodywork etc. are as-new and, with a guide price of £8,000-£11,000 it represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a ‘new’ classic family saloon that can only prove to be a sound investment for the future.

While none can rival the Peugeot for such extraordinarily low mileage, there are several other classics in the sale which have also covered significantly shorter distances than you might imagine, given their age...

The 1960 Morris Mini Minor De-Lux is a beautiful little machine, presented in wonderfully original condition. Thanks to its first, lady, owner, who never used the car, and a subsequent owner who displayed it in the Alford Grampian Transport Museum, it has clocked up less than 29,000 miles in just under 60 years. Guide price: £9,000-£12,000.

Until the vendor acquired it in 2017, the 1964 Morris 1000 Traveller in Tuesday’s sale had been in one family ownership since new and has covered less than 40,000 miles. This is a really charming car, in great condition, and is just waiting for another enthusiastic family to ‘adopt’ it. Guide price £6,000-£8,000.

Tuesday will also see two Jaguars showing particularly low mileages go under the auctioneer’s hammer. The 1966 S-type 3.8 litre is accompanied by a substantial amount of paperwork which appears to verify the displayed mileage of 31,000, while the odometer on the handsome 1951 Mk V saloon, which spent half a century in the dry, sunny Australian climate, displays 55,535 miles. Barons points out, though, that while the history and documentation for both cars supports the mileages, they cannot be warranted. The S-type carries a guide price of £14,000-£17,000 and the Mk V is estimated at £23,000-£28,000.

Just outside the ‘extraordinarily low mileage club’, but not exactly overused either is the 1964 Morris Mini Cooper Mk1 998cc. With 95,000 miles on the clock, this nippy little motor has been cherished over the decades, and still boasts the original shell, engine and interior. It comes complete with a huge history file and the original handbook and BMC Passport to Service books - a fantastic buy for a Cooper fan, at £17,000-£21,000.

For more information about Baron’ February 26 Sandown Park Classic Winter Warmer sale, please visit www.barons-auctions.com.

CONCOURS-READY CLASSICS LEAD BONHAMS 8TH GRAND PALAIS SALE

CONCOURS-READY CLASSICS LEAD BONHAMS 8^TH GRAND PALAIS SALE

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé sold for €1,207,500

Yesterday, 7 February, Bonhams held its eighth sale at the magnificent Grand Palais. The marathon sale saw more than 140 cars crossing the rostrum over several hours and spirited bidding taking place beneath the cavernous glass domes of the Grand Palais. The top lot of the sale was the imposing and elegant 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A, formerly owned by His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal, former King of Jordan. It sold for €1,581,250to a European bidder in the room.

Following closely behind was the immaculate 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé which sold for €1,207,500 – a testament to its absolutely pristine condition. Concours-ready motor cars were of great interest in the sale. The 1950 Porsche 356 Split-Window ‘Four-Digit’ Coupé boasted wins at both Zoute and InterClassics Brussels and sold for €805,000 to a European bidder.

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A sold for €1,581,250

Bentleys were popular throughout the sale, and one of the lengthiest bidding battles of the sale was the competition to own the impressively original 1928 Bentley 6½-Litre Four Light Weymann Fabric Sports Saloon. It eventually sold for €1,150,000 to an online bidder. The 1931 Bentley 8-Litre Sports Tourer also performed strongly, achieving €787,750.

1928 Bentley 6½-Litre Four Light Weymann Fabric Sports Saloon sold for €1,150,000

Other highlights included:

• 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer sold for €278,300
• 1937 Alfa Romeo 6C-2300 Berlina by Stabilimenti Farina achieved €264,500
• 1939 BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet sold for €212,750
• 1934 Lagonda M45 T7 Tourer realised €212,750
• The ex-Toyota Team Europe, Didier Auriol/Bernard Occelli, 1994 Toyota Celica ST185 Turbo Group A Rally Car achieved €207,000

Philip Kantor, European Director of Motoring, commented: ‘The top lots of the sale perfectly illustrated the diverse range of Bonhams expertise. We offered everything from pioneering veterans to ultra-luxurious, concours-ready classics to an enthusiastic, international crowd. The top lots such as the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing, the Mercedes-Benz 540K, the Porsche 356 and the Bentley 6½-Litre were all outstanding examples of some of the most desirable and iconic models in the automotive world and rightly commanded impressive prices. The Grand Palais is one of the most astonishing auction locations in the world, and we were proud to offer such a high calibre of motor cars and automobilia.’

BLUE BEAUTY! RARE AZZURRO FERRARI DINO GALLOPS TO AUCTION AT RACE RETRO

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23rd

BLUE BEAUTY! RARE AZZURRO FERRARI DINO GALLOPS TO AUCTION AT RACE RETRO

Silverstone Auctions will auction one of only 235 the UK, right-hand drive Ferrari Dino 246GTs at its sale at Race Retro powered by Motor Sport at Stoneleigh Park on 23rdFebruary 2019.

Rarer still, the 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Coupe is believed to be one of only two or three examples finished in Azzurro Dino. Presented in highly original condition and accompanied by its Classiche 'Certificate di Authenticity', it will be offered at the auction with a sale estimate of £240,000 to £280,000.

“This stunning E-Series Dino has to be one of the most original and unmolested 246GTs anywhere”, comments Guy Lees-Milne, general manager, Silverstone Auctions. “The Dino is a very popular model among Ferrari enthusiasts, and given that this example is one of so few finished in the stunning Azzurro Dino blue and has been Classiche awarded, it’s a perfect example for collectors.”

The rare Dino was delivered new in December 1971 with a Nero leather interior and optional radio, nose bar and electric windows. It has since been enjoyed by just four registered keepers and has enjoyed regular maintenance by marque specialists, reading a total of just 51,786 miles today.

In 1991, the cars long-term owner treated it to a major overhaul, an engine rebuild, and a paint refresh, all of which was photographed and documented in a leather-bound photo album containing 232 pictures.

On account of its originality, rare colour and low ownership, this exceptional example was selected as the 'Definitive Dino' by the Haynes National Motor Museum and exhibited there. It has since been featured in a number of classic car magazines and was a 'Cover Car' in Classic & Sports Car (November 2012) and featured in the Classic & Sports Car Calendar. It was also described by Autocar magazine as "one of the one hundred most beautiful cars in pictures."

Last year the Dino received an overhaul of the suspension and brakes, as well as other minor works, at a cost of almost £10,000. More recently, it was treated to new seats, new carpets, and a dashboard and interior re-trim in the correct, factory-supplied, ‘mouse hair’.

The Dino is also supplied with its Classiche 'Certificate di Authenticity', issued on 25th July 2016, which is presented in a beautiful bespoke red box with enamel badge.

In addition to the photograph album and Classiche Presentation box, the car is also accompanied by an 80-page, bound owner's file, original Bill of Sale (£5,124.17), V5C, invoices, historic MoTs, and the original leather wallet with Operating Manuals, original Warranty Card, and wiring diagram. The boot of the car also contains the tool roll and jack, which is also finished in Azzurro Dino.

To find out more about the 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT Coupe for auction visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1972-ferrari-dino-246gt-coupe-.

MASTERPIECES OF GERMAN ENGINEERING STAR AT BONHAMS GRAND PALAIS SALE

MASTERPIECES OF GERMAN ENGINEERING STAR AT BONHAMS GRAND PALAIS SALE

On 7 February, Bonhams will hold its annual Paris auction, Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais under the imposing wrought-iron domes of the Grand Palais. The 2019 sale marks Bonhams eighth sale at the landmark Parisian building and will feature some of the most sought-after classic, collectors’, and competition motor cars in the world.

The last word in luxury German road cars

Several of the most desirable lots in the sale are landmark examples from the finest German marques in the world. The 1957 BMW 507 is a Series 1 example (€1,800,000 – 2,200,000), meaning that it is eligible for some of the most prestigious events in the world including the Mille Miglia and the Tour Auto. It is one of only 34 Series 1 examples built and has matching numbers throughout. The interior is delightfully original, and the engine is effectively ‘as new.’ The eye-catching teal exterior makes this one of the most distinctive and attractive examples of BMW’s most beautiful model.

The second masterpiece of German engineering is the 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A (€1,700,000 – 2,300,000) that was originally owned by HRH King Hussein of Jordan and is being offered directly by his family. The rarest of the Cabriolet examples built by the German marque, the ‘A’ has the shortest chassis, lending the stately and imposing car a slightly sleeker silhouette.

Arguably one of the most recognizable and desirable classic cars in existence is the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing. The 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupé (€1,100,000-1,500,000) offered is in immaculate concours-ready condition and is believed to be the only Gullwing in the world fitted with a new factory-supplied aluminium engine. It has been exhibited and taken part in some of the most prestigious motoring events in the world including the Concours Arts et Elegance Richard Mille in Chantilly, the Flying Stars exhibition at Mercedes-Benz Paris showroom and the Spain Rally FIA.

A variety of important Porsches are included in the sale, such as the blisteringly fast 1997 Porsche Ruf CTR2 – for many years the fastest production vehicle in existence. Capable of reaching 69pm in under 3.5 seconds and with a top speed of 220mph, this is arguably the ultimate 90’s performance car. It outperformed the Ferrari F50, Jaguar’s XJ220 and equalled the astonishing Nissan R390 GT1. Rare, exotic and dazzlingly powerful.

A second interesting offering from the Stuttgart marque is the timeless 1950 Porsche 356 Split-Window ‘Four Digit’ Coupé (€800,000-1,100,000), a concours-ready example of one of the most iconic sports cars ever created. This seriously rare split windscreen version is thought to be one of only 30 survivors and has won prizes across Europe such as ‘Most Iconic Car’ at the Zoute Concours d’Elegance and ‘Best Restoration’ at InterClassics Brussels. It is in absolutely original condition and would make a remarkable addition to any collection.

SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS - RACE RETRO NEWS

WE HAVE AN EXCEPTIONAL COLLECTION OF Ex-COMPETITION CARS AND OUTSTANDING CLASSIC CARS UP FOR AUCTION AT RACE RETRO As the sale approaches, visit our website to view our full lot list of 30 competition cars, 70 classics, 9 motorcycles, 26 watches and more than 100 items of automobilia. Competition car sale: Friday 23rd February Classic car sale: Saturday 24th February  View Competition Car Lot List View Classic Car Lot List Highlight lots 1990 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 'Group A' Estimate (£):  175,000 - 220,000 1990 BTCC Championship-winning! A very special record-breaking touring car offered for public sale very first time.  1969 Dodge Charger 'Bullitt' spec Estimate (£): 50,000 - 60,000 This particular Charger is offered directly from the stable of rock legend Jay Kay of Jamiroquai. Acquired by him some 8 years ago direct from film legend, Bruce Willis.  ALSO ON OFFER AT THE RACE RETRO SALE

1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I Estimate (£): 160,000 - 190,000 1997 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550 Ex-Elton John  Estimate (£): 190,000 - 240,000 1956 Austin Healey 100M 'Le Mans' Roadster Estimate (£): 160,000 - 185,000 1983 Lamborghini Countach LP500S Estimate (£): 260,000 - 290,000 1966 Ford Mustang 'Fastback' V8 Estimate (£): 25,000 - 30,000 1999 Ford Focus WRC Rally Car - Ex-Colin McRae Estimate (£): 120,000 - 140,000 1993 Subaru Legacy RS Group A Ex-Prodrive Rally Car Estimate (£): 120,000 - 140,000 1970 Ford Escort Mk.I RS1600 FIA Race car Estimate (£): 85,000 - 100,000 1997 Nissan Primera Super Tourer Ex-David Leslie Estimate (£): 80,000 - 100,000 1999 Ford Mondeo' Super Tourer' Ex-Anthony Reid Estimate (£): 70,000 - 80,000

(+buyer’s premium of 15% including VAT @ 20%)