11 eye-catching classic cars for sale now

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

We find it hard to resist scrolling through pages of classic cars for sale, dreaming of what we could afford, if only… We’re sure you know the feeling!

Of course, sometimes you’re searching for a particular make or model, other times it’s a car to fit a specific budget or to fulfil a certain role.

And then there are those cars that you weren’t looking for, but they can’t help but catch your eye. Here are 11 such classics that we just had to share, all of which are for sale right now. Could you be tempted?

1. 1972 De Tomaso Pantera

We’re starting in serious dream-car territory with this 5.8-litre Ford Cleveland V8-engined De Tomaso Pantera that has been in the UK since it was imported from the US in 2018.

This early example has just over 55,000 miles on its odometer and still wears its original magnesium Campagnolo wheels.

However the vendor concedes it has been off the road for a few years so a mechanical inspection prior to being used again is advised.

1972 De Tomaso Pantera (cont.)

But it’s an exciting prospect for this largely original, left-hand drive Pantera – in fact, it is thought that its only non-original part is the aftermarket four-spoke steering wheel, pictured here.

It is currently for sale with online auction website Collecting Cars. At the time of writing, bidding had reached £20,350 – and it closes on Monday 11 October at 7:25pm BST.

2. 1980 Toyota HJ45 Land Cruiser

You can’t get much more different from that Pantera than with our second pick, a Toyota that’s been on the receiving end of a c$60,000 restoration – that’s around £44,200.

Vendor The Market estimates it will sell for £35-45,000.

1980 Toyota HJ45 Land Cruiser (cont.)

This Japanese-production two-door left the factory finished in Dune Beige and it now wears a darker shade, with a white roof, however it still uses its original 3.6-litre straight-six diesel engine and has period-correct drum brakes all round.

It has had a few subtle upgrades, such as the addition of a Bluetooth-enabled radio with USB connectors, but with the ability to seat so many, perhaps it is no bad thing that you can keep everyone happy, listening to their favourite music or podcast.

Bidding ends on the evening of Tuesday 12 October on auction website The Market.

3. 1939 Morris Eight Series E

This rare two-door example of the Morris Eight Series E caught our eye because – well, just look at it!

It might be 82 years old, but it is loaded with charm and character, thanks to its waterfall-style grille and sweet, two-colour paintwork.

Yes, this is a thoroughly pre-war design, but it has aged so well.

1939 Morris Eight Series E (cont.)

Pace will be leisurely, courtesy of that 29bhp flathead engine, but this is not a classic for rushing about in, it is more about enjoying the view and giving others the chance to see such a car on the road.

This little Morris is for sale on Classic & Sports Car’s very own classifieds website, via Pioneer Autos in Berkshire, and wears a £6950 price-tag.

4. 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

There’s no getting away from it, there’s quite a change of pace between our last pick and this, but we think it is fabulous for a whole different bunch of reasons.

It is a 22,825-mile 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth that has been with its current owner for three and a half years, and it is finished in the lovely shade of Moonstone Blue, that sits very well its grey-toned interior.

1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (cont.)

Those chequered grey, fabric-upholstered Recaro seats would surely be a comfy place from which to enjoy this utterly ’80s cabin, while the vendor says the dashboard’s plastics are ‘in great shape’.

Collecting Cars, which is selling this Cossie, also thinks that the paintwork is original, states that it still has its original Ford stereo, electric windows and a sunroof, and describes it as ‘a fantastic example of the renowned modern classic hot hatch’.

Dare we say it is being offered with no reserve? Bidding closes on Sunday 10 October 2021 at 7:15pm BST.

5. 1978 MGB Roadster

We have been enjoying a little autumnal sun here at C&SC, so maybe it is no surprise that this MGB attracted our attention. A little wind-in-the-hair motoring always appeals.

This Damask Red example was restored back in 2014, work which included an entire respray, plus the brightwork was either brand-new or rechromed.

Speaking of the chromework, this 1978 car left the factory with rubber bumpers, but these were swapped for chrome items at its aforementioned restoration seven years ago.

1978 MGB Roadster (cont.)

This MGB is listed with The Market with an estimate of £8500-12,000 and it certainly presents very well.

And it has a mohair soft-top for those days when you need to raise the roof.

Bidding closes on 11 October.

6. 2001 Subaru Impreza P1 Limited Edition

We’re a broad church here at C&SC and we have a soft spot for Imprezas – who doesn’t love that burble, not to mention the fabulous performance and brilliant roadholding.

Finished in the iconic shade of Sonic Blue, this is a rare, WRC-inspired performance car, one of 1000 two-door cars commissioned by Subaru and built by Prodrive as a swansong for the first-gen Imprezas in the UK.

2001 Subaru Impreza P1 Limited Edition (cont.)

Of course, this wasn’t the first and wasn’t by a long shot the last limited-edition Subaru Impreza, WRC titles for Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg spawning some of them – and cementing the model’s reputation among its faithful followers.

Here we have a nearly 71,000-mile example that is said to have an aftermarket Alpine stereo and dump valve, as well as the optional Prodrive Recaro seats – and it has recently been serviced.

It is open for bidding on Collecting Cars until Monday evening (11 October).

7. 1974 Volkswagen Beetle Jeans ‘Frostrite’ Special Edition

Another model not known for shying away from special editions was Volkswagen’s Beetle.

This Jeans edition, based on the Beetle 1200, added items including black side stripes, with black bumpers and headlight surrounds to match – and, of course, a cabin upholstered in denim.

And the car we have here is a Jeans edition VW Beetle, but it is a ‘Frostrite’ car, a further special by Cambridge VW dealer Jack Frost, which took the limited-run model and added a black vinyl top, chrome rear grilles, a passenger sunvisor, a Blaupunkt Wolfsburg stereo and a fuel gauge set within the speedo, among other things.

1974 Volkswagen Beetle Jeans ‘Frostrite’ Special Edition (cont.)

What’s more, according to The Market, where this Beetle is currently for sale, it is the only one left.

This car’s current custodian acquired it in 1996 from its first owner, but he’s no longer able to enjoy it, which is forcing this sale.

His family’s restoration business ensures it looks, err, the business, too. And it is listed with The Market with a ‘buy now price’ of £10,000.

8. 2001 MGF

Our second MG and our second car from 2001 is this MGF that has had just one private owner in its 20 years and has covered a mere 7399 miles.

We reckon these are really coming into their own as usable modern classics, and this ‘unspoiled and prized’ example, to quote the vendor, certainly looks smarter than the average.

2001 MGF (cont.)

That vendor is KGF Classic Cars in Peterborough, and this car listed on C&SC’s classifieds website with a £5995 price-tag.

The paintwork is the optional shade of Anthracite Metallic, the cabin is covered in black cloth trim, and under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine with 112bhp – and it has recently had a major recommissioning service, so should be good to go.

9. Mercedes-Benz 300SLR Junior

Yes, we know this is a little silly, but we couldn’t resist, so please bear with us!

This is of course a children’s car, a tribute to the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR numbered 722 in which Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson scored their fabled victory on the 1955 Mille Miglia.

But seeing as that car has recently been retired by the factory and that kiddies’ classics seem to be in vogue, we thought it would be fun to find out more.

Mercedes-Benz 300SLR Junior (cont.)

This rear-wheel-drive example has a mighty 48cc engine and (incredibly) a 15mph top speed – a single disc with a mechanical piston caliper provides the stopping power.

It even has a plaque signed by the late, great Sir Stirling Moss and will be sold with a matching helmet.

Apparently sized for five- to nine-year olds, it has been consigned to Collecting Cars, its auction closing on Sunday 10 October.

10. 1989 Porsche 911 3.2 Speedster

Suitable for full-size classic car enthusiasts – and those with considerably larger wallets – is this Porsche 911. And we are sure you can see why we had to share it, this is seriously eye-catching.

This is a UK-model, right-hand-drive 911 3.2 Speedster that has had three owners, one of which was JCB’s Sir Anthony Bamford, and it has been with its current custodian since June 1993.

What’s more, vendor Collecting Cars says it is one of just 139 RHD examples, of the around 2100 built in total.

1989 Porsche 911 3.2 Speedster (cont.)

Its original Fuchs alloys are present, wrapped in Bridgestone tyres, while that Plum Red interior is believed to be original, too.

It is good to know it has a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and it has covered just fewer than 42,500 miles. It came from the factory with the turbo-look wide body and without its front and rear spoilers, as well as a shorter gearshift lever.

We think it looks very special – and it is listed on Collecting Cars, bidding open until 7:20pm on Tuesday 12 October.

11. 1998 BMW 840Ci Sport

We finish where we started with this 151,000-mile BMW that has been with its current owner since September 2016.

Despite that high mileage, vendor The Market describes this E31 as having ‘been fastidiously cared for by both the current and previous owners, as shown by the wealth of dealership and specialist paperwork in the history folder’. Which should reassure any potential bidders.

1998 BMW 840Ci Sport (cont.)

Its hearty V8 is said to pull well and having already covered so many miles, it would be a great shame if this BMW’s future didn’t involve more road trips – exactly what such a stylish and comfortable coupé was built for.

Fancy it? The Market is listing it with a ‘buy now price’ of £9995.