7 interesting classic oddities for sale next month

Daring to be different

No, your eyes don’t deceive you, that is a Range Rover limousine. And no, it’s not hard to see why it caught our attention.

But it’s not the only curious consignment at Silverstone Auctions’ forthcoming NEC Classic Motor Show sale on 9-10 November.

Here are seven cars that offer something a little different at next month’s auction – and are all the better for it.

1. 1994 Range Rover LSE Limousine

So let’s start with this gargantuan limo because, well, it’s hard to miss.

It was converted by Townley Cross Country Vehicles Ltd following a commission from the Sultan of Brunei, work which apparently totalled something in the region of £135,000.

1994 Range Rover LSE Limousine (continued)

The car was bought for the Sultan’s younger brother, Prince Jefri, and is finished in Rolls-Royce Mason Black, with the cabin upholstered in black-piped Oxblood Connolly leather with Wilton carpeting and Burr Walnut embellishment. Clearly, no expense was spared.

It even ferried World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Mike Tyson around Glasgow when he fought at the city’s Hampden Park in 2000, as the included press cuttings confirm.

It’s expected to sell for £18-£24,000 on 9 November.

2. 1962 BMW Isetta 300

From the very large to the very small, in the form of a BMW Isetta bubble car.

Assembled in Brighton, it’s thought its first owner lived in London, where we’re sure the Isetta was an ideal runaround.

It’s recently been resprayed, its underside cleaned and detailed, the chrome refreshed, a fabric roll-top sunroof added, and new tyres and exhaust fitted.

This picture-perfect piece of classic city chic could be yours for £16-20,000.

3. 1991 Golf GTI Rivage Cabriolet

You don’t see these too often – indeed, this is one of a mere 470 supplied to the UK.

It’s done 77,134 miles and has had only three owners, two of which were a wife and her husband.

The Golf is finished in Inca Blue, wears its original Le Castellet forged alloys and has a powered mohair roof, while inside are heated blue-cloth Recaro seats.

1991 Golf GTI Rivage Cabriolet (cont.)

Think it can’t get any better? It’s being sold with no reserve.

What’s more, all proceeds from the sale, including any auction fees, will be donated to the South Yorkshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

It even comes with a ‘hilarious’ registration number, if that’s something that appeals to you: J4 LOL.

4. 1978 Leyland Mini Jubilee

There’s nothing bizarre about the beloved Mini – but the patriotic paintjob on this example certainly helps it stand out.

Supplied by Henlys of Ashford as a Henlys Jubilee model and registered on 31 January 1978, its Union Jack livery was applied at the dealership.

1978 Leyland Mini Jubilee (cont.)

It’s being sold with a comprehensive service history and has recently benefited from some gentle restoration work.

And as if the Mini’s paintwork – and the fact that this year is the model’s 60th anniversary – weren’t reason enough to bid on it, a further bonus is that it’s being offered without reserve.

5. 1978 Ford Bronco

Here in the UK, a Ford Bronco is most definitely a seldom-seen vehicle, and this second-generation model is the rarest of them all, only built between 1978 and ’79.

As you’d expect, there’s a thumping great big V8 under the bonnet – 5.7 litres, no less – and it has a two- and four-wheel drivetrain and a manual gearbox.

1978 Ford Bronco (cont.)

This car made the trip across the Atlantic and was registered to Ford UK and its Dunton Technical Centre in Essex on 20 April 1978.

Its subsequent life and 33,750 miles are well documented in the accompanying paperwork and it has been lightly restored.

It’ll cross the block on Sunday 10 November with a £18-20,000 pre-sale estimate.

6. 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Knight Rider Homage

Sticking with Americana, this unmistakable but undoubtedly quirky classic might well attract attention a the NEC auction.

Of course, it’s a tribute to KITT, the car of David Hasselhoff’s character Michael Knight in ’80s TV series Knight Rider, based on a 1983 5.7-litre Pontiac Trans Am with a four-speed automatic gearbox.

1983 Pontiac Trans Am Knight Rider Homage (cont.)

It’s not UK road registered, nor is it taxed or MoTed, however it starts, runs and is drivable. About 20 cars were used for TV of which around five remain, so it’s no surprise there are plenty of replicas such as this one.

If cinematic automotive AI is your thing, this example could be yours for around £15-20,000.

7. 2015 Volkswagen XL1

This oddball isn’t (yet) a classic, but we couldn’t not include it.

Weighing a featherweight 795kg, this carbonfibre-reinforced polymer VW, with its gullwing doors and covered rear wheels, is one of only 200 built, has had just one owner and has covered fewer than 80 miles.

2015 Volkswagen XL1 (cont.)

It’s powered by a two-cylinder, common-rail diesel engine and an electric motor, and it’s said to be able to achieve over 300mpg!

What’s more, it has cameras in place of wing mirrors, and the XL1 will be sold with a crystal laser-cut 3D model, production artwork, all books, manuals, a charging station and a fitted car cover.

Its price? It’s expected to achieve £50-60,000 on Sunday 10 November.

Check out this and all the other lots in Silverstone Auctions’ NEC Classic Motor Show sale here.