Historics hosted its winter sale in front of a packed auction hall at Mercedes-Benz World on November 23.
A total of 154 varied classics passed across the rostrum over the course of six hours, with a sale rate of 70 per cent. In all, the gross sale revenue was £3.4 million from the 107 consignments passing to new owners, with a record online performance at a shade under £1million.
Great British marques really made an impression, with significant collectible classics from the likes of Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce amongst the whopping 43 brands represented. Upholding pre-war honours was a magnificent 1926 Bentley 3-Litre Open Tourer, which finished at a shade under £221,000. In all, seven out of the 10 Bentleys sold, including a 2006 long wheelbase Bentley Arnage GL with just 39,000 miles selling estimate at £42,560.
It was a clean sweep for all five Rolls-Royces in the sale, headlined by 1976 Phantom VI Limousine by Mulliner Park Ward that changed hands for £126,000. A 1937 Phantom III Sports Saloon attracted significant attention before settling at £75,000, while a 1994 Silver proved offered a more affordable option at a shade under £13,000.
Top honour on the day, however, went to a Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman, selling for an impressive £240,000. In all, 31 Mercedes-Benz models went under the hammer, with more than two-thirds finding new homes. Of particular note was a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL Roadster that demolished its estimated value of £23,000-£27,000 to finish at £41,440.
With plenty of bargains also changing hands on the day including a Range Rover Suffix A at an alluring £24,640, a 1976 Triumph Stag owned by Ex-England football captain Gerry Francis for a mere £12,000 and a brace of MGB Roadsters both selling for sub-£10,000 figures, there were entries to suit a wide range of budgets. The full sale results can be viewed in detail at www.historics.co.uk.
Amongst the 31 Mercedes-Benz included in the sale was this 1989 300 SL R107 Roadster. Finished in metallic Nautical Blue with a tan leather interior, it was previously owned by singer Heather Small of M People and has spent much of its life garaged. With a mere 35,944 miles on the clock and plenty of factory options, it sold for £36,512 against a £26,000-£32,000 estimate.
Looking resplendent in its bright Mango paint, this matching numbers 1969 Jensen Interceptor FF Mk1 is one of just 193 manufactured. It was subject to a restoration around 10 years ago, and having only covered 2500 miles since, was still in excellent condition throughout. Its rarity value saw it sell for £71,960.
There was enormous interest surrounding this no-reserve E9 BMW 3.0CSi. In the hands of just one owner since it was bought new in 1972, the car been stored in a heated garage for a decade following a restoration. Sustained quick-fire bidding in the hall, on the telephone and online culminated with it passing to its new keeper at an impressive £48,160 – way beyond its £18,000-£23,000 guide price.
Minis performed extremely well in the sale, with a 1967 Austin Mini Cooper MkII selling for £39,200 – remarkable for a non-S model. Perhaps even more notable, however, was this 1992 Rover Cooper SPi in rare Storm Grey. Fully restored and showing 52,000 miles, it changed hands for an impressive £12,600.
Featuring the iconic rally-themed combination of blue paint and gold wheels, this 2002 ‘bugeye’ Subaru Impreza WRX STi showed just 38,500 miles from new. In superb condition throughout, it had also been treated to a recent cambelt and came with an extensive service history. At £11,872, it performed well against its £10,000 lower estimate.
For those looking for a more leftfield choice, this 2002 Renault Avantime Privilege offered an interesting opportunity. The 3.0-litre V6-powered example presented very well in the rare colour combination of purple with a silver roof, and came with its original leather file packed full of paperwork. Offered with no reserve, it sold for £6,160.
Offered for sale for the first time in 60 years, this 1925 Bentley 3-Litre Open Tourer had been subject to a £150,000 restoration. Its four-seater tourer body was fitted in 1952, and four years later it appeared at Pinewood Studios as an extra in the Douglas Bader biopic Reach for the Sky. The restoration commenced in 2007 and was completed over four years. At £220,740, it just exceeded its upper estimate.
A very late example of the Austin Healey 3000, this 1967 Mk3 example was once part of the renowned Arthur Carter collection and has been described by many as the most original Healeys in the world. It’s covered a mere 16,000 miles and still has all its original panels, as well as most if not all of its original Colorado Red paint. A rare opportunity, it soared past its £59,000 lower estimate to sell for £67,760.
