14 eye-candy classic cars for sale now

Is now the time?

Spring has sprung, we’re starting to see more of that burning orb in the sky and, even better, COVID restrictions are starting to ease, meaning the prospect of truly enjoying the open road once again is edging ever closer.

Great news – but do you have the car for the job?

If not, fear not! We’ve scoured the internet to find some eye-catching classic cars for sale right now. None appear to need a lot of work, but some will require bigger pockets than others.

Which is your pick?

1. 1966 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback

We don’t see these too often so we had to include this sweet station wagon.

With a little more than 53,000 miles on the clock, it’s surely got a lot of life left in it.

It has apparently been taken care of, including a respray in 2015 to this shade of Lotus White, while it’s had a few 21st-century upgrades including front disc brakes and a ‘Freeway Flyer’ transmission.

1966 Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback (cont.)

Air-con is another addition in a cabin that has been retrimmed in Teak Brown with ‘fat biscuit’ vinyl upholstery.

This three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel isn’t original, but the original item will be included in the sale.

Interested? This VW is listed with Collecting Cars and while we can’t be sure what you’ll need to spend, we know that bidding closes at 7:50pm on Tuesday 13 April 2021.

2. 1990 Mazda MX-5

For the amount of sheer joy these cars bring, it’s always amazing how little they can be picked up for – just £5250 in the case of this example listed in our very own classifieds.

And, yes, we say MX-5, but this is actually a Eunos, imported to the UK in 2004, then bought by the vendor’s father-in-law, the latter’s passing being the unfortunate reason for this sale.

1990 Mazda MX-5 (cont.)

Since 2004 it has always been garaged and, according to the advertisement, it has ‘wanted for nothing, and has always been correctly maintained regardless of mileage and only occasional use’.

Sounds rather good. What’s more, it has fewer than 57,000 miles on its odometer.

3. 1960 Lotus 19 Monte-Carlo

You’ll need a lot more money if you’re to call this your own, but you are getting some serious motor-racing provenance with your purchase.

How serious? Well, it has been raced by Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Innes Ireland, Stirling Moss, Olivier Gendebien, Tony Maggs and Masten Gregory – Clark even scored a victory in it, at Oulton Park in 1964.

1960 Lotus 19 Monte-Carlo (cont.)

Powered by this Coventry-Climax 2496cc unit, it is said to be race ready, but would still need a shakedown by its next owner.

So much style, so much potential and so much to say that you might want to check out its full story.

How much? Well, this lot went unsold at Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro sale last month, so its ‘buy it now’ price is £385,000.

4. 1968 Jaguar Mk2

Described by the vendor as ‘an extraordinarily well-sorted Jaguar’, this elegant, Honey Beige Mk2 does appear to live up to its billing. But then it has been professionally restored over the last decade, at quite some expense.

Its new MWS wire wheels glisten and there’s even a Webasto sunroof so you can let the spring sunshine pour into the cabin.

1968 Jaguar Mk2 (cont.)

Rather than the faux-hide fitted as standard, this example now has a leather-upholstered interior, this covering the seats, the centre console, the central armest and the radio panel and side trims, matching leathercloth used elsewhere.

According to The Market who’s selling this Jag, ‘work to do is minimal’ and the firm estimates this car will sell for £26-34,000.

Bidding is open now and closes on 12 April at 7:30pm.

5. 1971 Triumph TR6

This Saffron Yellow TR certainly brings the sun, doesn’t it? And the good news is that even if conditions are less than favourable, in addition to its black fabric roof it comes with a colour-matched hardtop, too.

A 76,000-mile example that has never been restored, it was imported to the UK in 2016 from Sweden.

1971 Triumph TR6 (cont.)

It is said to run and drive smoothly, ‘without fault’, and will be sold with its original handbook and logbook, and its black tonneau cover.

And there’s more good news in the fact that it has a brand-new set of tyres.

This TR6 is currently listed on Collecting Cars, the sale ending at 7:35pm on 13 April – which is next Tuesday.

6. 1989 Volkswagen Golf Clipper Cabriolet

Here’s another droptop option and the second Volkswagen in our list.

It has some billing to live up to, given the seller is describing it as ‘100% mint’, but then it was the subject of a bare-metal respray and restoration six years ago, since when it has done just 1240 miles, taking its odometer up to 121,290.

1989 Volkswagen Golf Clipper Cabriolet (cont.)

The interior looks smart and is completely original, apart from the rather bright ball on the gearstick and the similar treatment to the window winders, but the original items will be sold with the car if you’d rather swap them.

It certainly appears to be a super-smart Mk1 Golf that’s had all the hard work done, meaning you can just enjoy it.

It’s currently listed on C&SC’s classifieds website, here.

7. 1967 Lancia Fulvia

This first-series Lancia Fulvia is picture-perfect in Grigio Vinovo with gold wheels and a red-leather-trimmed interior, and we find it hard to resist.

Not a concours queen, it’s said to show some signs of use but has recently benefited from some mechanical fettling – the vendor says there’s no visible corrosion.

And although it is MoT exempt, it passed the test last month with flying colours.

1967 Lancia Fulvia (cont.)

This Lancia lived in Italy until imported to the UK in 2016 and has clearly been cared for throughout its life.

Quite why its current keeper is parting company with it after less than a year we don’t know, but this Fulvia appears to be thoroughly charming and will be sold with two original sets of keys, its original Italian registration documents, original toolkit and more.

Fancy it? Collecting Cars’ auction runs until 7:30pm on 13 April.

8. 1984 Mercedes-Benz 230CE

While the saloon and estate versions of Mercedes’ 123-series are forever celebrated as being ‘built to last’, their coupé stablemates can boast the same claim but with the added bonus of having a pillarless, two-door profile.

And with these cars becoming increasingly expensive to restore, finding a nice-looking example might be just the ticket.

Indeed, this 230CE is currently being sold via The Market and the listing describes it has having ‘nothing to hide’.

1984 Mercedes-Benz 230CE (cont.)

Finished in silver with a blue-cloth interior, it is said to still have supportive seats and the original Blaupunkt Melbourne radio is still in the dash.

The engine bay appears tidy and while the car has had little recent work, back in 2016 maintenance carried out included battery and fuel-pump replacement, as well as an overhaul of the brakes.

If you’re interested, be sure to place your bid on The Market before 8pm on 12 April – the auction house predicts this 230CE will achieve £8-12,000.

9. 1967 MGB GT

Showing 13,656 (unwarranted) miles and described as ‘a turn-key example’, this lovely-looking MGB caught our eye as a perfect summertime classic.

Last serviced just a few weeks ago at which point it also received a fresh MoT (despite not needing one), from its 14-inch wire wheels to its slender steering wheel, it looks every bit the quintessential British classic it is.

1967 MGB GT (cont.)

This MG is consigned to Collecting Cars whose comprehensive description does concede that there is minor pitting on the bumper overriders, a few stone chips around the front, and that the seats and switchgear show signs of age-related wear – not concours-spec, then, but ready to be enjoyed.

This auction runs until 7:35pm on Monday 12 April.

10. 1978 Ford Escort RS2000

The unmistakable lines of the Ford Escort are a sure-fire hit in many classic circles and maybe this car, which has been completely rebuilt, could be your perfect post-lockdown transport?

From its 2.0-litre Pinto ‘four’ to the 13-inch, four-spoke alloys and the retrimmed Recaro front seats, it appears that no stone has been left unturned in bringing this now 78,395-mile RS2000 back to best.

1978 Ford Escort RS2000 (cont.)

Iconic badging sits on the Snow White body – it was black when it left the factory, but a previous owner resprayed it white and this was retained during its latest, six-year rebirth.

During this RS2000’s rebuild it gained a K&N air filter and a quick-shift mechanism for its four-speed manual ’box, so it should go just as well as it looks – it certainly appears raring to go. 

The auction on Collecting Cars closes on 12 April at 7:15pm.

11. 1971 Triumph GT6

Ever fancied a Triumph Spitfire with an elegant, Giovanni Michelotti-penned two-door body and a six-cylinder engine? Enter the GT6. And this red Mk3 certainly looks the part.

A 66,000-mile example, it was restored five or six years ago and in the last 20 years it has only had two owners.

1971 Triumph GT6 (cont.)

Red with a black interior featuring red piping, the vendor says the recent restoration work elevated this car to ‘showroom standard’ and that it ‘drives incredibly well’.

We spotted it on our own classifieds site, where it is being sold via Essex-based dealer Fairmont Sports and Classics.

12. 1988 BMW M3 Evolution 2

Not ‘just’ an E30 M3 but also an Evo 2, this one-of-500 classic BMW is currently listed with auction house The Market where it’s predicted it will sell for somewhere in the region of £60-80,000.

Unlike other cars we’ve highlighted here, it could do with a little work and definitely a thorough check-over before being driven in anger, having been woken from a five-year slumber prior to this sale.

1988 BMW M3 Evolution 2 (cont.)

Some recommissioning has been done and it had a new gearbox in 1998, there are a few stone chips and the vendor says ‘there are signs of surface corrosion on some of the car’s underside’. But what a prospect.

The auction ends on 12 April at 7:45pm – find out more here.

13. 1984 Range Rover Classic with 1960 Lotus Elite racing car

We’re counting this as one car because it is one lot, but you’re getting two for one with this – and could it be perfect timing with COVID restrictions easing, motorsport returning and a new season of racing just getting started?

The 112,000km Range Rover was sold new to Switzerland and today is described as having a ‘unique individual specification’ and is said to be very well presented – well, having been restored twice, you’d hope so!

1984 Range Rover Classic with 1960 Lotus Elite racing car (cont.)

Sitting atop a bespoke Humbaur trailer is this Type 14 Elite that was first sold to former BRDC member and racing driver Max Payne, who owned it from new until 2010.

A specialist rebuild between 2010 and 2016 should ensure it is still in fine fettle today and ready for track days or even competition.

This set failed to find a buyer at Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro sale in March, so you can now by the lot for £100,400, the Range Rover on its own for £44,700, or the Lotus and its trailer for £61,400 – find out more.

14. 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary

We finish where we started with this striking Lamborghini that’s one of 67 right-hand-drive examples and has done 40,143km (fewer than 25,000 miles) from new.

It’s rare, then, but its bespoke paint finish – in Rolls-Royce Brewster Green – ups the ante yet further, the interior colour-matched to it with distinctive deep-red piping.

A letter from the manufacturer in the car’s history file confirms its specification which doesn’t include that big rear wing – that’s an OEM item fitted in 1998, also detailed in the accompanying paperwork.

1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary (cont.)

The 15-inch OZ split-rims were refurbished in 2011 and appear in good shape today, indeed having been part of a cosseted collection, this classic supercar has been well cared for and a few weeks ago sailed through its MoT.

Its front tyres were last changed in 2011 and the rears in 2013, but are said to have a decent amount of tread, given the car’s low mileage in the last decade.

Not for the shy and retiring and definitely for the deep of pocket – it was at £175,500 at the time of writing – bidding on this Lamborghini listed with Collecting Cars closes at 7:20pm this Sunday, 11 April.