UK's biggest sale of classic cars approaches

By Greg MacLeman

| 26 Jan 2015

One of the largest single-day classic car sales the country has ever seen is due to take place in King's Lynn this month, with 230 vehicles expected to cross the block at ACA's 31st January sale.

The dizzying number of lots on offer is matched only by the variety, with everything from microcars to double decker buses featuring in the busy schedule.

ACA

Highest estimated is a 1936 Ford Model 48 V8 Roadster Deluxe, which has been retrofitted with a 59AB flathead engine and later '39 synchromesh transmission. The car is a fresh import from California, and the buyer will be required to register the car for use in the UK – potentially adding to its £65-68,000 price tag.

ACA

The Model 48 is closely followed by a Series 3 E-type roadster, which is estimated at £55-65,000. The 1973 car is now exempt from road tax and has covered less than 37,500 miles while in the care of its three owners – one of whom kept it from 1978 until last year. Its torquey V12 engine and automatic gearbox should make it an ideal long-distance cruiser.

ACA

A trio of Mercedes-Benz 280SLs is sure to excite Pagoda fans, with the priciest expected to achieve between £55-60,000. Recent work has been carried out to the 1969 example, including new brake calipers and discs, a new master cylinder and full service, with documents also showing its dual Spanish and English registration at MoT valid until September.

ACA

A red Pagoda – also from '69 – is thought to be worth a touch less, with a pre-sale upper estimate of £56,000. The unwarranted mileage of 88,819 miles is less than ideal, though it is supported by an incomplete run of 23 MoT certificates dating from 1981.

ACA

Just £1000 less is expected for a 1971 automatic version in the same sale.

ACA

Ferrari is well represented by a 1982 308GTSi and 400i, but the highest estimated Prancing Horse is a later 1991 Testarossa. The left-hand-drive car was originally delivered new to Germany – hence the addition of Gkat catalytic converters – but has spent the past eight years in the south of France. It's got just 54,000km on the clock and has had a new cambelt fitted within the past few months.

It is expected to fetch as much as £60,000.

ACA

Also sure to turn heads is a 1930 Ford Model A, which has travelled to the UK from Oregon and still bears its title from that state. The fully restored example has been fitted with new upholstery and retains its original rumble seat, while mechanical improvements include conversion to 12-volt electrics and the fitting of a new water pump. It is estimated at £45-47,000 which, given that ACA's estimates are usually conservative, suggests a very tidy example.

ACA

Away from the headline-grabbing star lots is a myriad of more affordable metal – something for which Anglia Car Auctions has come to be known for in recent years. Among the hidden gems on offer is a 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina.

The right-hand-drive car had four keepers prior to being bought by an Italian enthusiast who abandoned the car in London, after which it was bought at a police auction in 1983. It then made its way to southern Ireland and has recently been resprayed in Rosso Red. It could be a bargain at £6500-7500.

ACA

Also looking like great value is a 1970 BMW 2000 Auto, which spent a number of years in the stewardship of the same family. Described as being partly restored, the BMW nonetheless boasts 'a massive amount of documentation going back 40 years', and is sure to attract plenty of interest with a pre-sale estimate of £2500-3500.

ACA

Slightly newer, but every bit as exciting, is a BMW 318iS. With growing interest in modern classics and values of the 'baby M3' on the rise, its £3-4000 estimate doesn't look unreasonable.

ACA

A 1957 Daimler Conquest Century will appeal to those who enjoy a slightly slower pace of life. Estimated at £4250-5000, the car has been in the possession of the same owner for 19 years and, though not used for several year, is said to drive well. A decent winter project if you have a few spare weekends.

ACA

Similar money – £3-4000 – should be enough to buy a 1968 Daimler Sovereign 4.2 that has been off the road for the past three years. Just a few hundred miles has been covered since its last MoT expired in 2012.

ACA

Cheaper, less luxurious, but much more interesting is an Empolini Triplet three-wheeled pickup. The 50cc-powered runabout has covered less than 200 miles since it was first delivered around 1982, its lack of use owning to it being housed in the Sharpe Collection. The oddity is estimated at £2750-3750.

ACA

A scruffy Ford Anglia Estate with just two previous owners could sell for as little as £1000. It's described as being in running order and appears to be complete – even though a number of the parts come in a cardboard box!

ACA

Considerably more expensive but offering just as much value for money is '69 Lotus Seven, which is estimated at £10-12,000. The Series 1 car was raced extensively in the 1960s and wasn't registered for road use until 1969, going on to be rebuilt and modified in the late '80s.

ACA

It is fitted with a 1600 Crossflow engine from a Lotus 61 Formula Ford car with twin Weber 40 DCOE carburettors and a Kent rally camshaft added in the past 1000 miles. A lead-free cylinder head adds to the car's usability, while the original Seven Les Leston steering wheel is a nice touch.

Click here to see the full list of auction lots.