CLASSIC MINI COOPER S WAVES THE FLAG AT BARONS’ BRITISH HERITAGE, CLASSIC & SPORTS CARS SALE JUNE 4, SANDOWN PARK

CLASSIC MINI COOPER S WAVES THE FLAG AT BARONS’ BRITISH HERITAGE, CLASSIC & SPORTS CARS SALE 

 JUNE 4, SANDOWN PARK

After consolidating its strong start to 2019 by selling 63% of the lots on offer in its April sale, Barons is now looking forward to its British Heritage, Classic & Sports Cars sale next Tuesday, June 4 at Sandown Park.

Appropriately, in the 60th anniversary year of one of the most famous British cars of all time, one of the featured lots is a charismatic 1966 1275cc Austin Mini Cooper S. This lovely little car has recently been re-commissioned, has a Heritage Certificate confirming its originality and has a guide price of £38,000-£45,000. The sale also includes a 1970 Morris Mini Cooper S complete with Union Jack roof. Comprehensively restored ten years ago and fitted with a Richard Longman fast road 1380cc engine with Omega pistons, built into a chemically cleaned and crack tested A+ block, the car has only covered around 6,000 miles since restoration and has been used mainly in the dry. It has a guide price of £18,000-£24,000.

One particularly notable British machine is the 1975 MG BGT V8. Powered by the 3,528 cc Rover V8 engine, this extremely rare factory MG BGT V8 has just been recommissioned and is in its original colour of Tundra Green. The last registered owner in the log book owned the car from 1982 and covered a genuine 79,000 miles in 44 years. Guide price: £16,000-£20,000.

The 2006 TVR Tuscan Mk 3 in the sale is the last Mk 3 to come out of the TVR gates before the factory closed its doors forever. Only 26 Mk3s were built. This very desirable British sports car has a guide price of £28,000-£34,000.

Other British entries include a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine Series V GT with a meticulously maintained history file documenting the car’s car by a small series of long-term owners (£9,000-£12,000) and, for those looking for a potential future classic, a 414bhp 2007 Vauxhall VXR8 (£11,000-£14,000).

Non-British cars going under the hammer on June 4 include a handsome and rare 1931 Nash Eight-90 series limousine in superb condition. It has resided in the UK since the 1940s and been owned by the same family ever since it was imported. It carries a guide price of £28,000-£34,000. Another rarity is the 1982 Bitter SC (£12,000-£15,000), one of only 29 made for the UK market, and the dealer demonstrator car for the then importer/distributor Woodhouse. Designed with the help of legendary designer Giovanni Michelotti and produced in Turin Italy, just 461 examples were built between 1979 and 1984.

The sale also features a stunning American ‘muscle car’. The rare 1973 454 (7.4 ltr) big block manual Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Targa is from the last year of factory chrome bumper models and has a guide price of £25,000-£29,000.

For more information, please visit www.barons-auctions.com.

Barons’ April 30 sale continues strong 2019 trend

British cars also fared well in Barons’ April Spring Classic sale, with a 1972 Jaguar E-type V12 convertible achieving the highest price of the day, exceeding estimate to sell for £46,200, and Land Rover, Aston Martin and MG all featuring in the top ten results.

Another notable Jaguar result was the 1973 XJ Series 2 pre-production coupé, chassis number 2, used by Jaguar’s then Chief Engineer Jim Randle as his company car and subsequently owned by Thoroughbred and Classic Cars magazine, where it featured many times. In need of full restoration and offered at no reserve, this ‘garden find’ sold for £5,830.

Other interesting lots sold in April included a remarkably original 1967 MG 1100 which has clocked up just 27,500 warranted miles and sold for £8,250 and a 1992 Rover Maestro whose owner has transformed it back to its original state; it was a police vehicle with the Lancashire Constabulary! This ‘arresting’ machine was taken into custody by its new owner when it sold for £3,850.

Barons’ Auction Manager Tim Gascoigne commented “We’ve been really pleased with our first two sales of the year, with good amounts of buyers attracted by a diverse selection of lots with broad appeal. We’re now looking forward to June 4 for our annual British Heritage, Classic & Sports Cars sale.”

Results, Barons April 30 2019

YEAR	MAKE	MODEL	Sold Inc
1972	Jaguar	E-Type V12 Convertible	£46,200
1997	Ferrari	348TS	£42,900
1963	Mercedes	230SL	£39,600
2009	Land Rover	Defender 90 SVX Soft Top	£33,550
2007	Aston Martin	DB9 Volante	£30,800
1970	MG	C GT	£22,000
2000	Aston Martin	DB7 Vantage	£20,900
1950	Ford	Pilot V8	£19,580
2001	Range Rover	Sport HSE Autobiography	£17,600
2005	Porsche	911 996 C4 S Tiptronic	£13,530
2007	Vauxhall	VXR8	£13,420
1961	Austin	Seven Mini	£9,350
1996	Mercedes	W124 E220 Convertible	£9,240
1967	MG	1100	£8,250
2015	Land Rover	Discovery TD5 ES	£8,250
1995	Renault	Clio Williams 2	£7,700
1990	Renault	5GT Turbo	£7,700
1975	MG	BGT	£6,930
1988	Mercedes	W124 E200 T Estate	£6,160
2005	Rover	75 4.6 V8 Connoisseur SE	£6,050
2001	Bentley	Brooklands	£5,830
1974	Jaguar	XJ Series 2 Coupe	£5,830
1992	Daimler	Double Six Series 3 V12 5.3	£5,720
1981	Reliant	Scimitar GTC	£5,500
1995	Jeep	Wrangler	£5,500
1997	Mercedes	280SL	£5,225
2001	Mercedes	CLK 320 Avantgarde Convertible	£4,620
1996	Jaguar	XK8	£3,850
1992	Rover	Maestro Police Car	£3,850
1991	Mercedes	W124 230E Saloon	£3,630
2000	Mercedes	E240 2.6 Elegance Estate	£3,575
2003	BMW	E46 318 2.0 M-Sport	£3,520
1954	Austin	A30 Seven	£3,410
2003	BMW	E39 520SE Estate Touring	£3,300
1987	Vauxhall	Cavalier Cabriolet	£3,080
1995	BMW	520i	£3,080
1998	Daimler	V8	£2,970
1999	BMW	Z3 Convertible	£2,860
1989	Nissan	Bluebird 2.0 GL Estate	£2,750
1989	Nissan	Sunny 1.4LS	£2,750
1972	MG	Midget	£2,420
2002	Peugeot	406 Coupe	£2,310
2000	Mercedes	SLK230	£2,310
1990	Mitsubishi	GTO Twin Turbo	£2,200
2004	Land Rover	Freelander TD4 S/W A	£2,200
2001	Volkswagen	Golf 2.0 Avantgarde Convertible	£1,760
1966	Triumph	Herald 12/50	£1,705
1991	Mitsubishi	GTO Twin Turbo	£1,650
1983	Volkswagen	Golf Avantgarde GE Cabriolet	£1,450
1996	Jaguar	Sovereign LWB	£1,000
2006	MG	TF	£950
	Jaguar	Brochures	£92
	Jaguar	Brochures	£86

A (SILVER) GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS

A (SILVER) GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

Whether you’re a long-time classic car owner looking to add to your collection, are about to take your first steps into the joy of classic car ownership or are planning to delight someone by presenting them with their own piece of four-wheeled history for Christmas, Sandown Park race course is the place to be on Tuesday, December 11th, when a diverse selection of classic and collectors’ cars go under the hammer at Barons’ Christmas Classic Sale. With everything from starter classics and stately 1920s and 30s limousines to sleek sports cars and a fine array of future-classics, the sale entries have a wide appeal.

Christmas is a popular time for ghost stories, and Barons will have a very special Silver Ghost at Sandown Park. The 1921 RHD Rolls-Royce is one of just two built in the American Springfield factory that was equipped with artillery wooden wheels. This wonderfully-original Willoughby-bodied Pickwick Town Car has covered less than 26,000 miles in its 97-year history. It spent over 45 years in a museum in the USA and has covered just over 5,000 miles since 1989. Guide price: £125,000-£150,000.

Always fancied owning your own ‘Panda’ car?  You have two to choose from! The 1968 Morris Minor is the real deal - an ex-Scotland Yard vehicle that served with the Met until 1977. ‘Bobby’ has undergone a bare shell restoration and is just yearning to go out on patrol with a new owner.  The 1963 Morris Mini Police Van is a more theatrical version - unlike the Morris Minor it’s not been on the Force, but it has played a Police vehicle on TV, featuring in ITV’s hugely popular ‘Heartbeat’ series.  ‘Bobby’ has a guide price of £4,000-£6,000, while the little TV star Mini has a guide price of £8,000-£10,000.

Early cars in the sale also include a trio of 1930s Vauxhalls - a 1933 Cadet (£12,000-£15,000), and two BXL Grosvenor limousines; a 1936 example (£14,000-£17,000) that is one of one nine Grosvenor Westminster Limousines ever built and a BXL from 1939 that still features its WW2 Army number under the bonnet (£13,000-£17,000).

Joining the Silver Ghost and the three Vauxhalls in the ‘venerable’ section of the sale is a splendid 1928 Nash Open Tourer. This handsome machine was built in the USA for the Australian market so is RHD. It could be a memorable addition to any wedding. Estimate: £23,000-£27,000.  

Barons’ Christmas Classic features two very rare Austin Princess Vanden Plas Limousines, which are also ideal for weddings.  The 1954 example (£9,000-£12,000) managed to escape the fate that befell so many of its fellows, that of being converted to a taxi, while the 1960 version is an even more rare Landaulet limousine (£11,000-£14,000).  Another very fine wedding car is the 1952 Humber Pullman. It is believed that only eight examples still exist, and this good-looking machine has a guide price of £12,000-£15,000.

The sale also includes two Range Rover Classic restoration projects, which are each offered at no reserve, an early four-door 1983 example and a 1992 example is a rare manual petrol version, of the type that saw military use, particularly with the Special Forces.

Sports and GT cars also feature strongly on the December 11 line-up, including a very rare and very original 1974 Audi 100S Coupé sports fastback which has recently been imported from South Africa (£9,000-£12,000).  Another rarity is the stunning and incredibly low-mileage 1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (£15,000-£17,000). This has been the subject of a full glass and interior out respray and a sympathetic recommissioning to keep the car as original as possible and has covered less than 23,000 miles since 1982. And the 2007 Aston Martin DB9 is a glamorous future classic that, at £28,000-£32,000, should provide many years of stylish and powerful motoring for the lucky buyer.

BMW fans have several to choose from, including a 1973 2002 Baur Convertible ‘barn-find’. This lovely little car is hoping for her own Christmas present - a new owner who will enjoy restoring her and taking her out and about.  Estimate £5,000-£6,000. There’s also a great selection of Mercedes to pick from, including a truly magnificent 1968 250SE with just 48,000 miles on the clock (£15,000-£17,500).

There’s plenty to choose from in the sub-£3,000 range, too - a great ‘shopping mall’ for would-be first-time classic or ‘future-classic’ owners.  Lots include the low-mileage 1974 MGB GT (£2,000-£3,000), 1997 Jaguar XJ Executive (£1,500-£3,000), 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor roadster (£1,500-£2,250) and the 1995 MG FG 1.8i, one of the first 4,500 off the line at Abingdon (£900-£1,200).

For further information please visit www.barons-auctions.com.

BARONS CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY AT AUTUMN CLASSIC SALE - SANDOWN PARK, OCTOBER 27TH

BARONS CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY AT AUTUMN CLASSIC SALE - SANDOWN PARK, OCTOBER 27TH

In a fitting celebration of its 20th anniversary, reflecting the wide range of vehicles that have gone under the hammer in its saleroom over the last two decades Barons is offering a diverse and highly collectable selection of classic and collectors’ cars at Sandown Park this Saturday, October 27th. And, as part of the birthday festivities, entry to the saleroom is free.

Barons is renowned for its expertise in and strong results for Jaguar cars, so it’s not surprising that a number of ‘big cats’ have been entered for the anniversary sale this weekend. Among the products of the Browns Lane factory featured is a 1970 420G which was only used from 1970 to 1979 and has been dry stored ever since. It was one of the last 420Gs ever built and its unusual backstory should give it great appeal to Jaguar fans looking for a rare car that’s in very good condition and only needs a few small jobs in order to be complete.

The sale also includes two beautiful LHD Series 2 E-type roadsters, both recently imported from the USA and each with a guide price of £60,000-£80,000.  The 1969 example has been owned by a judge in Indiana, USA, for the past 14 years.  It was resprayed last year in its original light blue colour.  The 1970 example has handsome maroon paintwork and is described as being in ‘approachable’ condition’ ideal for an owner who wants to thoroughly enjoy this very attractive machine.

The champagne gold 1969 Aston Martin DBS is a very glamorous car indeed. Originally fitted with automatic transmission it now has the desirable five-speed manual gearbox and drives very well, though would benefit from further cosmetic improvements. Guide price: £65,000-£80,000.

Range Rover fans are likely to make a beeline for the immaculate 1989 Vogue, which is in amazing original condition with an almost unmarked interior.  Maintained to the highest standards and stored in a heated garage it is a remarkable example of a very collectable 4x4 and has a guide price of £8,000-£11,000. Those in the market for a classic 4x4 restoration project could be tempted by the 1986 Toyota Land Cruiser barn find, which is offered at no reserve.

One quirky, eye-catching little number is the Police-liveried 1963 Morris Minivan that featured in many episodes of the popular TV series ‘Heartbeat’. It really is charming and, at £8,000-£10,000, offers a great opportunity for further television or promotional use.

The 1961 Daimler SP250 B spec is a beautiful and rare machine. In outstanding condition, it has had just four previous keepers and is one of only 1,445 examples built in RHD form. Guide price: £28,000-£35,000.

Formula Junior cars are hugely popular in historic racing and hill climb events and the 1955 Birsay/Triumph Formula 250 Junior would be eligible for Class G6 in that category.  This fascinating and ultra-rare survivor of the long-gone Formula 250 has a huge period of history and is just waiting for a new owner to fettle it for competition again.  Guide price £5,000-£7,000.

The vendor of the 1992 Ginetta G33 likes the car so much he has owned it three times in its life!  One of just 70 still in existence, it has been restored by the vendor to original specification and is a real showstopper (£17,000-£20,000).

Another lovely lot is the 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Mk2, which has recently emerged from a comprehensive restoration that included a body rebuild and bare-metal respray (£18,000-£23,000).

The 1947 Austin 8 is really charismatic. Presented in very good condition, its mileage of 61,000 is believed to be genuine (£7,000-£9,000).

Two unusual - and very different - lots are the Jaguar XK8-based 2000 Pro Drive racing Ferrari 550GTS Recreation and - the 1997 Mitsuoka View.  The ‘Pro Drive’ car is a recreation of the Ferrari 550 GTS that was sponsored by Red Bull and raced by Dart Racing in the FIA GT Championship in 2004. It was conceived, designed and built by renowned custom car builder Roy Kelly and won ‘Best in Show’ at Stoneleigh (£15,000-£20,000).  The Mitsuoka is a Jaguar Mk II-inspired micro car, based on a Nissan Micra 1.3 but with a Jaguar Mk II-styled front!  Guide price: £1,500-£2,500.

Barons’ Autumn Classic sale begins at 1pm on Saturday, October 27th at Sandown Park. Viewing is from 3pm to 7pm on Friday, October 26th and from 9am on the 27th.  For further information please visit www.barons-auctions.com