13 unusual classics for sale – all with no reserve

Do you dare to be different?

Next time you hit the road and drive to a classic car meet in your pride and joy, how about knowing that there’s a good chance that despite hundreds of other attendees, few are likely to bring a car of the same model or even make as yours.

Cool, eh? We thought so…

With this in mind, we’ve scoured the lot list at the forthcoming RM Sotheby’s Auburn Fall sale on 3-5 September and found a bunch of classics that, well, you just don’t see too often. Some need a bit of TLC, others are ready to roll.

What’s more, although we’ve given their pre-sale estimates, all are being offered without reserve – what’s not to love?

1. 1942 Crosley Convertible Coupe (est: $15-20,000)

Let’s start with that lead car – when did you last see a Crosley? Exactly. That’s the small, independent American auto maker, not the (now also defunct) English firm Crossley Motors.

In fact, a Crosley Hot Shot was victorious at the first race held at Sebring, a six-hour enduro on New Year’s Eve 1950, and this cute Convertible Coupe was one of its predecessors. 

1942 Crosley Convertible Coupe (cont.)

Its spartan cabin is not devoid of character, though, especially that funky ball on the top of the gearlever, and while the 35cu in air-cooled, two-cylinder unit might not be the last word in performance, that’s less of a worry when the car weighs under 500kg.

And, as you can see, this little Crosley is going to auction in a very presentable ‘as-restored’ condition 

2. 1952 Kaiser Manhattan Sedan (est: $8-12,000)

The fact that Kaiser was just a fleeting name in the car market accounts for why these aren’t common classics, especially here in the UK.

But in this shade, you can’t miss this Manhattan Sedan.

1952 Kaiser Manhattan Sedan (cont.)

The auction house hasn’t supplied any information about this lot, but by the look of it, it could do with a little TLC.

However, it appears to offer a cigar-holder, as well as period tobacco and gum, which you can’t say for every classic car for sale.

3. 1972 Honda Z600 Coupé (est: $5-8000)

Here’s another pop of colour with our next oddball, no-reserve lot – and another with a dinky engine.

Powering this diminutive two-door is a 36cu in, two-cylinder unit. In case you’re wondering, the ‘Z600’ name is derived from the fact that the engine is 598cc.

1972 Honda Z600 Coupé (cont.)

This city car has a four-speed manual gearbox, a radio, a heater, a defroster and an optional roof rack; fancy.

And if you want to know more about these pint-sized Japanese classics, the good news is that this car will go to its next owner with the car’s service manual and information about the model.

4. 1953 Kurtis 500 B Indianapolis (est: $350-450,000)

With the 2020 Indianapolis 500 this weekend (23 August), we had to share this four-time competitor.

What’s more, this one-of-eight racer claimed third at the ’55 Indy 500, driven by Jimmy Davies.

1953 Kurtis 500 B Indianapolis (cont.)

That was on its third attempt – on its fourth, now with Al Herman driving, it crashed on the 74th lap. And it remained in its race-ruined state until in the late ’80s/early ’90s current keeper Bill Akin embarked on an exacting restoration to ’55 spec.

Which would account for why, although being offered without reserve, it carries a higher estimate than many of the other lots here – and why it has been a class winner at Pebble Beach and Amelia Island concours events.

5. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Beauville (est: $30-40,000)

We know that in the US this might not be so rare, but you don’t see these family-friendly classics for sale too often in the UK – especially not in the seemingly excellent condition that this one appears to be.

So if you want to stand out on the show field and you need to cart kids and other clobber from A to B, might this be the answer?

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Beauville (cont.)

This interior is just a wonderful slice of ’50s Americana, and manages to be stylish, colour-matched and practical all at once.

With bench seats front and rear and a good-sized, red-trimmed boot, this 40,300-mile wagon appears picture perfect.

6. 1966 Lancia Flavia Coupé (est: $20-25,000)

Our first European car of this list and it is a Pininfarina-penned two-door, no less.

With an odometer reading of a little over 84,000 miles, this flat-four-engined coupé is thought to be in original and unrestored condition.

1966 Lancia Flavia Coupé (cont.)

With that in mind, although it is being auctioned with no reserve, any prospective bidder might be wise to keep in mind what he or she will be likely to spend post-sale to bring it back to best, and factor this into the price they’re willing to pay.

An attractive classic, it is surely loaded with potential.

7. 1964 Nissan Cedric 1900 Deluxe (est: $3-4000)

It is obvious from the outset here that this classic is in need of quite a bit of attention.

But to British eyes it definitely ticks our ‘unusual’ box. Power comes courtesy of a 1883cc ‘four’, which in this example is mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

1964 Nissan Cedric 1900 Deluxe (cont.)

Inside, there’s a tri-tone vinyl interior, and cute ‘Cedric’ script on the dash where you’ll also discover a radio, a clock and a heater.

That it comes with a full-size spare wheel and a selection of spare parts means its next owner already has a head start on its restoration.

8. 1951 Crosley Super Sedan (est: $6-8000)

Remember way back near the start of this gallery where we asked when you’d last seen a Crosley? Well, rather like buses, as the saying goes, two have come along at once.

There appear to be a mere 3157 miles on this car’s odometer, but unlike the earlier example, this one would benefit from some freshening up.

1951 Crosley Super Sedan (cont.)

But given it is one of only 1077 built, for something a little quirky it could well be worth the time and outlay.

This car has a 44cu in four-cylinder engine, a three-speed manual ’box and the optional heater, and as well as being sold without reserve, it will go to its next keeper with its owner’s manual and associated literature.

9. 1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon (est: $70-90,000)

Again, these are less common in the UK than the US, but with is eye-catching wood-clad body, this 80-year-old Buick is a serious head-turner.

It is also one of the potentially more expensive cars we’ve plucked from RM Sotheby’s Auburn Fall lot list, but with it being offered without reserve, who knows what it will actually sell for.

1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon (cont.)

Wood is certainly the order of the day here – outside and in – so if you’re not a fan, move on!

The seemingly well-kept dashboard features a deep, glossy wood finish which sits neatly with the engine-turned elements and dials with Art Deco-style script, while behind the two rows of seats is a smart wooden (you guessed it!) load area.

10. 1966 NSU Prinz 1000 L (est: $10-15,000)

Here’s a slice of no-reserve Teutonic classic metal for you.

It might, once again, come with a small engine – this time an air-cooled, 1-litre ‘four’ – bit its sweet two-tone paintjob and cheeky styling will surely win someone’s heart during September’s RM Sotheby’s sale.

1966 NSU Prinz 1000 L (cont.)

It’s colourful inside, too, with two-tone vinyl upholstery and wooden trim detailing.

There’s also a factory Schaub-Lorenz radio, and it will go to its winning bidder with its tool roll, spare wheel, plus manuals and documentation.

11. 1976 Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar (est: $2-3000)

Are classic electric microcars that need bringing back to best right up your alley? Then step this way…

Several thousand might have been sold, but this certainly isn’t one of the biggest names in car manufacture – and it shows how far electric cars have come in the last four decades.

And it is sure to get a lot of people talking if you turn up to your local classic show in this. It’ll need to be local, too, range anxiety is real with this electric car. It can do around 40 miles on a single charge.

1976 Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar (cont.)

These were built for just three years, it has a neat, top-hinged opening rear window, power comes courtesy of a 5hp electric motor, and it even has a fan, a heater and a defroster.

Top speed? Around 40mph.

12. 1951 Salmson S4-61 Berline (est: $5-10,000)

Another consignment that will require some attention is this attractive French four-door – and according to RM Sotheby’s just 851 were produced.

And by ‘require some attention’, we probably mean a full restoration. But perhaps that’s the price one must pay for exclusivity on the car-show field?

1951 Salmson S4-61 Berline (cont.)

It’s powered by a four-cylinder engine that’s mated to a four-speed manual gearbox, and peering inside it appears to have done just shy of 95,000km, according to the odometer at the centre of its square speedometer.

A post-war classic with a pre-war feel, with the injection of a touch of French flair, let’s hope this late-model Salmson gets the love it deserves.

13. 1928 Chrysler Model 72 Roadster (est: $30-35,000)

We finish with our oldest pick and with its pretty, hand-finished paintwork and fantastic wood spoke wheels, we hope you’ll agree it looks super.

That there’s a ‘red head’ 249cu in ‘six’ under the bonnet doesn’t hurt, either.

1928 Chrysler Model 72 Roadster (cont.)

Inside is a charming tan-leather interior, plus out back there’s a rumble seat and a golf-bag door.

Of course, like the rest of the lots we’ve selected, it is being offered at the RM Sotheby’s Auburn Fall 3-5 September sale with no reserve.

And they aren’t the only ones! Take a look here.