10 £25k classic cars for sale now

Time for some window shopping

Have a spare £25k burning a hole in your back pocket? No, neither do we.

In the real world, that’s a lot of cash, but in the world of classic cars it is a relatively modest budget to go shopping with, so we’ve had a look around to see what it buys right now in 2022. Each of these cars could be yours for £25,000 – or, in some cases, significantly less.

Could you be tempted?

1. 1974 Rover P6 2200TC (£11,995)

We love the original and very period shade this classic Rover is finished in. Called Mexico Brown, it is the colour it has worn since it was registered new on 17 January 1974 to a Mr Veal, the first of its to date five owners.

Vendor KGF Classics says its panels are in ‘outstanding order’ and that the underside is likewise ‘superb’.

Meanwhile its four-cylinder engine is said to make this car ‘surprisingly swift and a real pleasure to drive’.

1974 Rover P6 2200TC (cont.)

There’s more classic ’70s within thanks to these Sandalwood nylon seats and matching doorcards – the interior is said to be in great condition.

Well, this Rover P6 has done only 42,465 miles in its 48 years. And now it needs owner number six. Find out more.

2. 1956 Berkeley Sports SE328 (£5500)

From a very well known British brand to one that was rather more short-lived.

Unlike this car’s current ownership period. It has been with the custodian it has today for 25 years, who gave it a full restoration and then, since July 2006, has enjoyed driving it – and sharing it, it seems, because the listing says it has been driven by the late, great Sir Stirling Moss.

Well, his sister Pat did campaign one in the 1958 Liège-Brescia-Liège rally.

1956 Berkeley Sports SE328 (cont.)

Power for this dinky sports car comes courtesy of an Excelsior Talisman twin 328cc two-stroke engine, and it will be sold with spare parts and a book in which the car features.

Finished in fetching blue, this is a rarity that will certainly get you noticed. And it is only being sold because its owner has a new project. Find out more.

3. 1994 Porsche 968 (£22,995)

This Speed Yellow classic Porsche will definitely get you noticed, too. And those colour-matched 17-inch alloy wheels certainly up the ante.

Still, this 119,000-mile Porsche 968 appears to have been cared for all its life, the vendor saying it has 22 service stamps in its ‘extensive’ history, all at main dealers or marque specialists.

1994 Porsche 968 (cont.)

Peek inside and you’ll see it has a six-speed manual gearbox, not to mention an apparently well-kept black-trimmed interior.

It also has electric windows and mirrors, as well as a sunroof. Find out more. 

4. 1995 Jaguar XJS Celebration Convertible (£25,000)

Yes, this classic Jaguar is right at the top of our £25,000 budget, but with just 45,691 miles on the clock and this eye-catching turquoise finish, we had to share it.

It’s being sold because its owner lives in London and the latest ULEZ rules have made keeping it too expensive, but don’t think that its city life has harmed it too much – The Market by Bonhams says the panels are straight, with just the odd scuff and parking ding.

Those alloy wheels have recently been refurbished, too.

1995 Jaguar XJS Celebration Convertible (cont.)

Being a Celebration-spec car, there are Jaguar leapers on the cream leather seats and it has a part-wood steering wheel and gearlever, and while some areas of the interior could, according to the listing, benefit from a little TLC, it is overall in very good and usable condition.

After three owners, this Jaguar is now searching for its fourth, who might also be interested to know that this car starred on the cover of the July 2002 edition of Jaguar World Monthly magazine. Find out more.

5. 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite (£25,000)

Also listed at £25,000 is this early, sweet-looking Austin-Healey Sprite.

It was first registered on 8 October 1958 at which point it was yellow and had the standard 948cc engine. By the ’80s it had an MG Metro’s 1275cc unit and a red paintjob. Then in 2017 it was upgraded further to specialist Frontline Developments’ 1380cc fast-road spec.

1958 Austin-Healey Sprite (cont.)

It goes rather well, then, this verified by its vendor. And with the complete specification set out in the accompanying history file, it may not be standard, but this Sprite’s next owner definitely knows what he or she is getting.

And we think it looks like they’ll be getting a whole load of fun. Find out more.

6. 1996 BMW 840Ci (£7995)

This BMW’s £7995 ‘buy now price’ feels like a lot of car for the money.

It’s not the 12-cylinder model like some of its stablemates, but a 4.4-litre V8 – here with a five-speed automatic gearbox – is definitely not to be sniffed at.

And with 144,330 miles on the clock, it seems this car’s previous owners have enjoyed it.

1996 BMW 840Ci (cont.)

So, yes, as the listing is clear, this 8 Series is a well-used car and it has had three owners.

The vendor describes the exterior condition as ‘very respectable’, noting some stone chips, scratches and blemishes, while there are some cracks in the leather interior, but the plastics on the dashboard are said to have worn well and the rear seats are described as seemingly ‘unused’.

Find out more.

7. 1951 Ford Pilot Limousine (£25,950)

Yes, we know this classic Ford just busts our £25k budget, but then you are getting a lot for that sum.

What we mean is, it stands 17 feet long, has six doors and three rows of forward-facing seats. Not your average classic, then, and one for making an entrance with.

1951 Ford Pilot Limousine (cont.)

Since being built by a model specialist, it has been used for shows and events only, and with modern additions including an electric fuel pump and electronic ignition, it is said to be a very usable car.

Assuming you have the space and a lot of friends. Find out more.

8. 1976 Audi 100 LS (£18,695)

You don’t see an Audi 100 LS too often in the UK – there are fewer than 20, according to howmanyleft.co.uk – and this could well be one of the finest.

Why? Well, it is being sold from Audi’s own heritage fleet, which only permits the best in its collection. Indeed, it had just one private owner before joining the marque’s line-up in 2008.

1976 Audi 100 LS (cont.)

That handsome Delft Blue exterior is apparently in very good nick, likewise the Smoke Blue PVC upholstery, as you can see here, described as being in ‘outstanding condition’.

Inside, everything works as it should, including the original pushbutton radio that was an option from the factory. What’s more, the factory stickers remain in the door shuts of this 55,927-mile example, plus the supplying dealer’s plaque is still affixed to the dashboard and the original tax-disc holder has been retained. Find out more.

9. 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 (£14,161)

This Triumph Spitfire is being sold in The Netherlands with a €16,950 price-tag which, according to rates at the time of writing, equates to £14,161.

It’s a restored, left-hand-drive car said to be in good condition and with 84,788 miles on its odometer.

1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 (cont.)

Classic black leather trim with white piping greets you inside this Triumph, while a boot-mounted chrome luggage rack could be an asset when on the road – and the black soft-top will definitely be needed when the rain comes.

Find out more.

10. 1981 Toyota FJ40 (est: £22-28,000)

We finish where we started with this charm-packed classic Toyota that’s currently the subject of a live auction with The Market by Bonhams, where it is estimated it’ll achieve £22-28,000, so there is a chance you could get it within our £25k budget.

But then, if its listing is anything to go by, it may be worth pushing the boat out for. It is a Japanese import in original condition that was first registered in the UK on 1 September 2019 and has had two owners since.

The work it’s received has mainly been mechanical recommissioning and it is only for sale because its owner has another project lined up.

1981 Toyota FJ40 (cont.)

Blue with a white hardtop is a fetching combination and it wears its fewer than 40,000 miles well.

The vinyl-wrapped seats have a gentle patina but are reportedly in generally great condition, with room for three across the front, then two side-mounted bench seats behind which can be strapped out the way to make space for luggage.

Bidding on this classic Toyota closes at 8pm on Tuesday 19 April 2022 – find out more.

So, have we tempted you?