Taking pride of place in the marquee at the DVCA October sale was a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. A convertible with only 22,349 miles, a comprehensive history and a selection of desirable extras and spares, it generated quite a bit of interest. But after bidding started at £30,000 it stalled at £41,000, a provisional sale. A particularly determined bidder then quickly negotiated a deal at £45,100, returning to a round of applause as the sale was revealed.
Similar speedy negotiations also secured the sale of a 1967 Austin A110 Mk II Westminster automatic saloon for £7040 while strongly determined bidding between two potential owners saw the hammer fall on a 1971 Sunbeam Alpine Fastback, one of the last models to carry the Sunbeam marque name, at £8250.
MGs were also popular, with a 1954 MG TF 1500 achieving £28,820, virtually 19 times the £1540 paid for a 1973 MG B GT in daily use but now a rolling restoration project. A 1962 MG A 1600 Roadster sold for £16,940 and a 1950 MG TD Midget for £21,460. Auction bidders have long been consumed by passion for British sports cars, so a 1966 Triumph TR4A that was a late addition to the catalogue found a new owner ready to pay £13,200.
“There was some very determined bidding and some frantic post-sale negotiating for cars that almost crossed the line and then sold successfully straight after,” said DVCA director Brian Chant. “Even though the weather rained on our parade, the crowd was keen. It bodes well for our next sale on Thursday March 19th, when a good collection of lots and the adjoining tea room will surely warm buyers’ hearts!”
More modern cars that have growing esteem among enthusiasts include the Alfa Romeo GTV T-Spark Lusso, a 2002 example that found a new owner for £2,420. The thrill of surefooted winter motoring will be enjoyed by the bidder who snapped up a 2004 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro for £2,035.
A piece of motoring history, a 1938 Rover P2 10 Two Door Coupe first registered in Coventry to a director of the Rover company, sold for £16,500. It was a rare version of the last small Rover to be built and again drew stiff competition from bidders.
This 1936 Packard Super 8 Touring Limousine was the third to be offered by DVCA recently. This one sold for £6600 to a telephone bidder. All three cars came from the same owner, who will now be offering a vast collection of spares at the next DVCA sale on March 19.
In a nice shade of Birch Grey, this 1963 Riley 1.5 Series III wanting for a little TLC but otherwise a solid example sold for £5650.
Imported in 2007, this Corvette String Ray was the star of the show but took one determined bidder to seal its fate. Will go with them including lots of history and accessories including a hard top stand and original sheepskin seat covers.
This splendid Bentley Brooklands was registered on the last day of 1993, now bought for £8360. Now LPG converted, comprehensively rust-proofed, and even been given tyre puncture prevention treatment, it’s very ready for the 2020 show season.
This well maintained 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280SL with desirable hardtop was well bought at £11,000, requiring very little attention for the foreseeable future having just had heaps of money and time thrown at it.
Perhaps the choice bargain of the event was this 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300E Auto Saloon, fastidiously kept and still gleaming like a new car, driven away for a pinch at £1,540.
