20 tempting classics for sale this Saturday

Expect the unexpected

Bonhams MPH, the famous auction house’s department specialising in younger and/or more affordable classics, is bringing an eclectic lot list to its Bicester Heritage base this Saturday, 21 March – and we think there’s plenty to get excited about.

From hot youngtimers to suave, usable classics – plus a few seldom-seen surprises – it’s an interesting bunch. Here we’ve picked 20 we think are worth checking out.

And if any of these really do get you reaching for your wallet, with telephone and online bidding open (as well as the chance to do it in person if you’d rather), you could bag your next classic from the comfort of your sofa. 

1. 1993 Aston Martin Virage Volante (est: £60-80,000)

We had to start with this because, well, just look at it! And with its £60-80,000 estimate, it could be one of the day’s top sellers.

That it has covered a mere 31,000 miles in its 27 years won’t hurt its cause.

1993 Aston Martin Virage Volante (cont.)

It is also described as being in ‘outstanding’ condition inside and out, but then it has been stored in a heated dehumidified garage and lovingly cared for during the last 23 years.

What’s more, it will be sold with both grey and magnolia half tonneau hood covers, its Aston Martin toolkit, an unused spare tyre and changing mat, its workshop manual and two sets of keys.

2. 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (est: £55-75,000)

Forgive us if we go weak at the knees, but this pin-up of a classic with that unmistakeable silhouette is sure to do just the same to many at the Bonhams MPH sale this weekend.

And that the pre-sale assessors have awarded it full marks for its exterior and interior condition should only whet your appetite further.

1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (cont.)

Chassis number WF0ECCGBBEGR93447 is a c50,000-mile example with seemingly pristine alloys, bag-free seats and unblemished paintwork.

Have you already started raiding your piggybank?

3. 1969 Jaguar E-type S2 Roadster (est: £50-60,000)

If the whitewall tyres didn’t give it away, then peer inside – this drop-top E-type is left-hand drive.

An American market model, it had two owners in Tennessee, before returning home to the UK with its current owner.

1969 Jaguar E-type S2 Roadster (cont.)

Sold with soft- and hardtops, so prepared for whatever the Great British weather chucks its way, it might not be the most pristine example, but it’s said to run and drive well, meaning it is ready to be enjoyed.

And, being left-hand drive with a luggage rack, it’s perfect for a European road trip, roof down, sun streaming into the cabin – forgive us while we get distracted!

4. 1981 Ferrari 208GTB (est: £45-50,000)

You know the drill by now: love them or loathe them, every self-respecting classic car sale has at least one Prancing Horse, right?

But being one of just 160, we think this one definitely deserves a few moments of your attention.

1981 Ferrari 208GTB (cont.)

This Italian-market, Pininfarina-bodied 208GTB was brought to the UK in late 2014 and had its engine rebuilt the following year.

Finished in the classic red with a black interior, nevertheless it’s not ‘just another red Ferrari’ – after all, when did you last see one of these?

5. 1988 Ferrari 412GT (est: £40-50,000)

Who knew rarely seen Ferraris were like buses – that’s right, in the Bonhams MPH auction this Saturday you’ll also find this on the lot list.

And it is thought to be one of just 21 built with a manual gearbox.

1988 Ferrari 412GT (cont.)

Powered by a fabulous five-litre V12, the 412GT is a true grand tourer and another Pininfarina-penned feast for the eyes.

Described as being ‘smart and usable’ rather than concours-ready, it is, nonetheless, very much a head-turner.

6. 1969 Jensen Interceptor (est: £40-50,000)

From one big-engined grand tourer to another – and this Jensen packs a 7.2-litre unit under its shapely bonnet.

It also heads to auction with a few modifications that should improve its usability, such as a fast road cam, uprated four-piston AP brakes and Koni shock absorbers. It glistens nicely, too, thanks to the rechroming work.

1969 Jensen Interceptor (cont.)

And there’s more. This Interceptor’s leather-upholstered cabin has been retrimmed, the seats are said to still hold their firmness, and the carpets and wood apparently present well, too.

It is estimated it will achieve £40-50,000 on Saturday.

7. 1977 Ford Escort RS2000 (est: £40-50,000)

There’s just one mile on this classic’s odometer. Why’s that? Because it is fresh from a nut and bolt restoration – which is why we had to share it with you.

What you see here is the result of two years of hard graft that have earned this Mk2 top marks from the auction’s pre-sale assessors who could find nothing to fault.

1977 Ford Escort RS2000 (cont.)

Outside, inside, within the engine bay and underneath, every aspect of this Escort is said to possess that fresh-from-the-showroom feel.

Let’s hope this labour of love finds the caring home it clearly deserves.

8. 1959 Jaguar XK150 (est: £38-45,000)

This well-travelled XK150 was sold new to Italy, before returning to the UK in 1970 and entering the custodianship of author James Leasor, then two owners later it was off to the US.

There’s then a period when its whereabouts are unknown, but in 2009 it was back in Blighty.

1959 Jaguar XK150 (cont.)

A restoration at that time, including a rebuilt engine and gearbox, means it is in decent condition today, its retrimmed interior a bonus.

Clearly a car that relishes adventure, its next chapter awaits.

9. 1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus (est: £30-40,000)

Now isn’t this consignment an evocative little thing? And it looks in pretty sweet health…

Well, it comes from a keeper for whom this was his or her fifth Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, so it’s fair to say he or she knows a thing or two about them and cherishes them, too.

1980 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus (cont.)

It was restored back in 2008/2009 to a usable road car spec, with a nod to the model’s competition heritage, and has since enjoyed road trips across the UK and Europe.

In fact, it looks like it’s raring to go on its next escapade – we wonder who its lucky companions will be.

10. 1992 Volkswagen Corrado VR6 Campaign (est: £28-35,000)

Now this is a rare modern classic. How rare? Just six were built – and, of those, there are just four survivors.

It has quite the story, too. This special-edition model was built as a prize, to be awarded to the dealership who sold the most Karmann-produced vehicles – it went to the Dovercourt dealership in St John’s Wood and its original tax disc is still visible.

1992 Volkswagen Corrado VR6 Campaign (cont.)

These six Campaign models handed out to the UK’s top six dealers are distinguished by their unique paint, trim and wheels – and you’re unlikely to ever see another quite like it.

Especially as this example has been restored to what the auction house is calling ‘concours condition’ with ‘first-class panel fit’. It’s quite a find, then, and is expected to achieve £28-35,000.

11. 1960 Daimler Dart SP250 (est: £22-28,000)

Spring is round the corner, so we couldn’t resist this lovely looking Dart – V8-powered, wind-in-your-hair motoring sounds just the ticket, right now.

It was restored in around 2000, with further work four years ago, making it a well-maintained and very usable classic.

1960 Daimler Dart SP250 (cont.)

This glassfibre-bodied roadster might split opinion, aesthetically, but with the 2.5-litre ‘eight’ on song when you’re sat behind the wheel, we’re sure you won’t care one bit.

12. 1976 Porsche 911 (est: £22-28,000)

We’re sure you’ll agree that this 911 is finished in a stunning shade – and we’re delighted to share that this is a much-enjoyed, much-loved classic.

Indeed, with 166,000 miles on its odometer, it really has been on a great many adventures. But any prospective bidder at Saturday’s sale should be reassured that it has been well cared for, too.

1976 Porsche 911 (cont.)

Since 1981 it has had just two owners, the last taking custodianship in June ’87, and it has been maintained by marque specialists, including an engine rebuild at 100,000 miles, in 1992.

You might not expect such a bright interior, but the retrimmed seats are said to present well and it’s great to see a sports car like this that has clearly lived such a full life – and with much left to give.

13. 1972 BMW 2002 restomod (est: £20-30,000)

This will not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, this eye-popping, customised classic is being offered with no reserve when it crosses the block at Bicester Heritage this Saturday.

There’s a complete photographic record of the work carried out that any interested bidder can inspect, but the starting point for this creation was a British-market BMW 2002.

1972 BMW 2002 restomod (cont.)

Changes include the addition of a deep chin spoiler, flared wheelarches, 15in cross-spoke alloys and adjustable coil-over suspension, plus the removal of the standard bumpers and chromework.

There’s been some underbonnet fettling, too, as well as the fitment of all-round disc brakes, a stainless-steel exhaust system and power steering – and then there’s the bespoke interior.

Will it find its perfect buyer this weekend?

14. 1988 Audi quattro (est: £20-30,000)

The groundbreaking Audi quattro celebrates its 40th birthday in 2020 and how better to mark the occasion than by taking ownership of one?

If that’s very much on your agenda, then this 70,000-mile example boasting a fresh MoT could be what you’re after.

1988 Audi quattro (cont.)

Bonhams says it’s in fine fettle, starting and running well despite three decades of enjoyment.

The wheels might benefit from being refurbished and some underbonnet detailing wouldn’t go amiss, but as values surely can only rise, these are matters this quattro’s new keeper might consider an investment.

15. 1988 BMW 635CSi (est: £15-20,000)

That profile – there’s nothing like it. It’s just one reason the 6-Series is still such a popular range for BMW enthusiasts.

Crossing the block at Bicester Heritage this Saturday will be this ’88 example with an automatic gearbox, finished in a sophisticated shade of pale-blue metallic – we think it suits its shape very well. 

1988 BMW 635CSi (cont.)

Achieving an 80% score from Bonhams’ pre-sale assessment team means this is a good example – despite its odometer reading an amazing 230,700 miles.

A well maintained grand tourer, then, just waiting for its next road trip.

16. 1964 Jaguar E-type project (est: £10-20,000)

There are no two ways about it – you’re going to need to be very resourceful, talented, deep-pocketed and maybe even brave to take this one on.

But if you’re up for a project, then a Series 1 E-type is a wonderful reward for your hard work.

1964 Jaguar E-type project (cont.)

Yes, this poor coupé needs a lot of love, care and attention.

That said, the auction house claims it is both highly original and solid, with no rust on the floor or underside – and the engine seems to be complete.

17. 1967 Honda S800 (est: £10-16,000)

You don’t see these diminutive sports cars in the UK too often, but here at C&SC we’re definite fans.

This ’67 example looks to be in decent fettle and with ‘c19,000’ miles on the clock, there is certainly plenty of life left in it.

1967 Honda S800 (cont.)

Even better, it has been restored and had an engine rebuild, details of the work undertaken in the car’s history file.

It sounds like it is ready to be enjoyed and is expected to fetch £10-16,000 this weekend.

18. 1961 MGA 1600 (est: £20-25,000)

This pretty little coupé was sold new to sunny California and has recently benefited from an extensive restoration – and now it is looking for its next keeper.

Seldom used and never exercised in the wet, this is a well cared for classic that is sure to make someone very happy.

1961 MGA 1600 (cont.)

It’s not even done 50,000 miles yet and, being left-hand drive, is perfect for long European tours, pampering its occupants in its retrimmed black seats with red piping.

And we love the elegant simplicity of those correct-specification hubcaps.

19. 1973 Triumph Spitfire (est: £6-10,000)

A well-sorted Spitfire is a wonderful thing and this 36,000-mile example consigned to Saturday’s Bonhams MPH sale seems to have bags of potential.

It definitely suits this bright green hue, too.

1973 Triumph Spitfire (cont.)

The vendor concedes that it could do with a little work cosmetically, but this two-seater is said to run very well and to have a nicely presented cabin, as you can see for yourself.

What’s more, it goes under the hammer with no reserve.

20. 1983 Fiat Campagnola Utility (est: £4-6000)

Our last pick from the Bonhams MPH 21 March sale is a bit left-field, perhaps, but in our opinion all the better for it – when did you last see one of these?

You have to admit that its cute-yet-rugged looks are quite fun – and by the time this vehicle was built, the model had already been in production for three decades. Wow.

Another bonus? It, too, will be sold without reserve.

1983 Fiat Campagnola Utility (cont.)

This Fiat will need some TLC to get it back in a roadworthy state, having been stored in recent years.

But being a tidy, presentable example, it has lots of potential as a quirky, do-everything classic.

So, have we got you excited? It all kicks off at 1:30pm on 21 March – click here for the full lot list and good luck if you’re bidding.