25 affordable classic cars for sale this month

Old-school charm on a budget

Away from the headline-grabbing, multi-million-dollar car auctions which take place around the world, there are also plenty of more affordable options where enthusiasts can get their fix on a more accessible budget.

The Classic Car Auctions sale at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, in the UK, on September 28, 2024, is one of them.

And there is still lots of variety: it includes everything from a pre-war Austin to 1990s German sports cars.

Presented in chronological order, here are 25 of our favorite classic cars with pre-sale estimates of no more than £15,000 (around US$19,800) in that auction.

All pre-sale estimates are in Pound Sterling, because the auction is being held in the UK

1. 1926 Morris Cowley 13.9hp Tourer (est: £10-12,000)

The oldest car in the Classic Car Auctions sale at Stoneleigh Park is this near-100-year-old Morris.

Cowley and Oxford models are also known as Bullnose cars because of their rounded radiators.

A recent £30,000 (cUS$39,600) restoration included switching this example’s original chassis for a 1924 replacement after it was deemed irreparable.

2. 1936 Austin Seven Opal (est: £4-6000)

The Austin Seven is one of the go-to pre-war cars for enthusiasts on a budget.

This two-seater Opal model (sold alongside Ruby and Pearl variants) was built in 1935 and spent its early life in southern England.

It was restored between 2014 and 2018.

3. 1948 Standard 8 Tourer (est: £10-12,000)

Although this 1948 Standard was built nearly 10 years after the Austin on the previous slide, this four-seat Tourer is based largely on a pre-war design.

Powered by a 28HP ‘four’, this three-owner car has been maintained and refurbished by its last two custodians, the latter a retired technician.

4. 1952 Humber Super Snipe MkIII (est: £10-12,000)

This large, chrome-laden Humber is certainly a stylish way to get around.

Its luxurious interior includes red-leather seats, a polished-wood dashboard and a Bakelite steering wheel.

Power comes courtesy of a 4-liter, straight-six engine, it has a four-speed, column-change manual gearbox and it is fitted with a set of whitewall tires.

5. 1955 Fiat 1100 pick-up (est: £6-8000)

The Fiat 1100-103 was available in a range of body styles, including this load-lugging workhorse.

Offered with no reserve, this pick-up’s current owner, British TV chef Jamie Oliver, became the Fiat’s third custodian when he bought it in 2012.

6. 1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S (est: £12-15,000)

How about this modified Mercedes-Benz Ponton, that is going under the hammer with Classic Car Auctions on September 28?

Its original, six-cylinder engine has been swapped for a 250S sedan’s more powerful, 2.5-liter unit.

In addition, the rear axle, clutch, brakes and exhaust system have recently been rebuilt or refurbished.

7. 1961 Morris Minor Convertible (est: £10-12,000)

This Old English White Morris Minor started life as a two-door sedan, but it was later turned into a convertible by a marque specialist.

It’s since had a new fabric roof, an unleaded-head conversion and its original dynamo upgraded to an alternator.

The sale also includes an extensive history file.

8. 1964 Ford Cortina 1200 Deluxe (est: £6-8000)

Another car being offered in Classic Car Auctions’ Stoneleigh Park sale with no reserve, this Ford Cortina is a fantastic everyday classic.

The 30,000-mile car’s first keeper held onto it for 53 years, before selling it to the current owner.

9. 1964 Morris Mini Minor Super De Luxe (est: £6-8000)

In need of a bit of tender, loving care, this Morris Mini has covered fewer than 1000 miles since 1974, but now it’s for sale with no reserve.

Partially restored by its last owner, it’s well on its way to becoming a fun, usable classic car once again.

This blue-on-blue example retains its original A-series engine and comes with some old MoT certificates.

10. 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I (est: £6-8000)

Sub-£10,000 classic Rolls-Royce caution aside, this Regal Red Silver Shadow is a tempting buy.

Offered with no reserve, the 63,761-mile sedan was added to the late owner’s collection in 1994.

This Silver Shadow has been in storage for the past 18 months, but it’s been maintained and occasionally driven.

11. 1972 Triumph TR6 (est: £10-12,000)

Based on its condition, the seller believes this near-70,000-mile, Pimento Red Triumph TR6 was restored before the late owner bought it in 2010.

It heads to auction on September 28 with a 1969-’76 TR6 parts catalog, as well as some older invoices.

The car belonged to the consignor’s husband, who died 18 months ago.

Since his passing, it has been dry stored, maintained and started on occasion, but this straight-six-powered classic might need some recommissioning before it returns to the road, which should be factored into any bid.

12. 1973 MGB GT (est: £10-12,000)

Professionally restored some years ago, this blue MGB has been used sparingly during the past eight years.

Maintained by its current owner, a retired engineer, the MGB has recently had its carburetors rebuilt and the braking system refreshed.

Now it’s ready to be enjoyed.

13. 1978 Mercedes-Benz 350SE (est: £12-15,000)

The 116-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class was the flagship of the marque’s sedan range.

This two-owner, Astral Silver example apparently remains in fantastic shape and shows just over 40,000 miles on its odometer.

Its blue MB-Tex interior looks as good as new and its latest MoT test in June reported no advisories.

14. 1980 Lancia Beta Spider 2000 (est: £10-12,000)

This targa-top Lancia is a rare survivor.

The current owner spent more than £10,000 on the car, bringing it up to a very high standard. 

Their hard work was rewarded with an award at the Lancia Motor Club National Rally in 2021.

15. 1982 Porsche 924 turbo S2 (est: £8-10,000)

Turbocharging the Porsche 924 helped shake off the model’s entry-level image.

A few visual clues – including extra air intakes, a NACA duct on the hood and 15in alloys – give the game away, but the main difference is the punchy, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.

This Guards Red S2 example has fewer than 90,000 miles on the clock, a cabin trimmed in gray cloth and comes to auction from long-term family ownership.

It is being offered, by Classic Car Auctions on September 28, with no reserve, and might require some fettling before being put to regular use.

16. 1988 Fiat X1/9 Bertone (est: £12-14,000)

This Bertone-badged Fiat X1/9 (the coachbuilder built the car from 1981 onwards) appears to be a fantastic example of the mid-engined sports car.

Finished in dark-blue metallic, this example has covered just 14,172 miles, and the auction house describes it as being in ‘superb and original condition throughout’.

17. 1990 BMW 320i Convertible (est: £10-12,000)

Straight-six power, eye-catching Brilliantrot paintwork and last serviced around 1000 miles ago, this convertible could be a great introduction to the E30-generation BMW for its winning bidder.

This 120,000-mile drop-top was supplied new from Altwood BMW Maidenhead in 1990.

It was the current owner’s company car until they bought it in ’96.

18. 1990 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet (est: £5-7000)

Another bright-red convertible, but this one has a Blue Oval badge on its hood.

For sale with no reserve, this Ford Escort XR3i’s Radiant Red paintwork has recently been refreshed.

Classic Car Auctions’ condition report gives this Ford a rating of 81 out of 135, it has covered just shy of 62,200 miles and it has an MoT that runs until April 17, 2025.

19. 1992 Volkswagen Golf MkII GTI (est: £12-15,000)

Following in the footsteps of the genre-defining Volkswagen Golf MkI GTI, the MkII GTI was another hot-hatch hit.

Amazingly, this VW was so loved that its first owner bought it new in 1992, and kept it until 2022, when her (lucky!) grandson inherited it.

This 1.8-liter classic has the optional electric front windows and 15in BBS alloy wheels, and there is that very period, rainbow-striped upholstery.

It has always been serviced by VW and is being sold with a chunky history file, both original keys and an MoT certificate valid until March next year.

20. 1994 TVR Chimaera 400HC (est: £8-10,000)

This no-reserve TVR Chimaera is another tempting, affordable(ish) sports car in the Stoneleigh Park sale.

First registered in 1994, it was enjoyed for 12 years before being put into storage.

It was given a refresh and returned to the road in 2017.

21. 1997 Toyota Celica ST (est: £2-3000)

Black is an understated shade for a Toyota Celica ST, but we think it rather suits this 64,000-mile coupe.

With 1.8-liter, twin-cam power, this could be a punchy, entry-level, modern classic.

If it takes your fancy, note that although it is said to drive well, this Toyota will need some work before it is roadworthy, so be sure to set aside some funds for that.

22. 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL280 (est: £10-12,000)

With Mercedes’ Bruno Sacco-penned, R129-generation SL now a bona fide modern classic, this low-mileage example could be a great buy.

The SL280 is road-trip royalty, and this car’s tan-leather interior looks like a comfortable place from which to explore some of your favorite roads.

Since 2016, it’s always been kept in a garage and under a dust sheet when not in use.

23. 1999 Porsche 911 (est: £10-12,000)

Porsche purists might have scoffed at the 996 generation when it was released, but it turns out they had little to bemoan.

The marque’s first water-cooled 911 packed plenty of charisma and the 'fried-egg' headlamps have aged pretty nicely, too.

Early 996s still represent decent value for money, and this well-loved example – fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and with almost 108,000 miles under its wheels – is certainly enticing.

24. 2003 Land Rover Freelander 1 G4 Kalahari (est: £4-6000)

A bright-orange Land Rover Freelander might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but this modified off-roader deserves your attention.

It’s a factory-built tribute to the 2003 G4 Challenge competition, a spiritual successor to the famous and famously grueling Camel Trophy.

This example will need some work to make it pass an MoT test, though, so be sure to factor that into your sums before bidding.

25. 2004 MG ZT 260 V8 SE (est: £12-15,000)

The MG ZT 260 answered a question not many people had asked: what would happen if you shoehorn a Ford Mustang’s V8 engine into an MG sedan?

The answer was a rear-wheel-drive four-door that was massive fun.

This example is thought to have been an MG management car, it has covered little more than 20,000 miles and, since 2020, it’s been part of a private collection.

If you’d like to find out more about any of the lots in this gallery, or you want to see what else is for sale, click here to view the entire catalog for the Classic Car Auctions sale at Stoneleigh Park on September 28, 2024.

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