More than 90 entries crossed the block at WB & Sons on April 30, with a great mix of established classics, performance models and intriguing rarities

Despite hosting its April 30 sale a mere five weeks after the previous auction, WB & Sons didn’t disappoint when it came to filling its auction catalogue

The sale offered further evidence that a dearth in the value of pre-war vehicles has been exaggerated. A 1929 Humber 9/28 was able to considerably top its £2000-£4000 guide price to achieve £6850, with a modified 1928 Ford Model A Roadster also impressing at £28,000.

Towards the other end of the scale, it was an exceptional day for sporty 1980s classics. A 1989 Mk1 Toyota MR2 showing just 37,000 miles sold above estimate at £10,450, with a very tidy Mk2 Ford Fiesta XR2 doing likewise by soaring past its £6000-£8000 guide to sell for £11,000. A 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 in five-door guise was another to beat expectations at £4300, and

a late Opel Manta GTE from 1988 sold mid-estimate at £11,250. If those were a little too much for your pocket, then a very straight 1988 Saab 900i would surely have appealed at a mere £705.

Late-model Rover Minis have become something of a WB speciality, with a 1998 Cooper Sport in rare Amaranth selling for £13,168 and a Japanese-import BSCC edition with an automatic gearbox achieving £12,900. Classic Minis didn’t have it all to themselves though, as one of the first BMW-produced MINIs – a 2001 car wearing a coveted Y-reg – sold for £1612 despite needing some TLC.

Upping the prestige, a 1988 Mercedes 560 SEC in tidy condition easily beat its guide price to make £9675, while a Viano van converted into luxury transport for an unnamed VIP looked a rather nice way to travel at just £6390. In addition, a 2005 Aston Martin DB9 was exceptional value at £21,800, as was a 1993 BMW 325i with just 30,000 miles, which went for just under £5000.

With a strong conversion rate that also saw a Morris Minor with two front ends, a hot Caterham 7 and even a huge Plaxton trailer find new homes, WB & Sons is repeatedly turning on impressive performances as it begins its second year in the business. The next sale takes place on June 11 – to see the catalogue build, visit wbandsons.com

  • Offering a lot of car for the money was this 2005 Aston Martin DB9. Resplendent in rare California Sage, it showed 74,000 miles and changed hands close to the middle of its guide price for £21,800.
  • Showing 61,000 miles, this smart 1988 Fiesta XR2 in white was in remarkably tidy condition and very original. It was estimated at £6000-£8000 but proved to be one of the sale's best performers, selling for £11,000.
  • Pre-war cars seem to be back in vogue currently, as evidenced by this 1929 Humber 9/28, which was believed to be one of only 14 made in two-seater roadster form and the sole survivor. It was able to considerably top its £2000-£4000 guide price to achieve £6850.
  • A tidy example of the eminently capable W126-generation coupe, this 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC showed 147,000 miles and carried a very sensible estimate of £4000-£5000. However, it soared to a sale price of £9675.
  • Rover Minis in excellent condition are a regular feature of WB sales, and this 1998 Cooper Sport in rare Amaranth was no exception. Imported from Japan and thus boasting air-conditioning, it beat its £12,000 lower estimate to achieve a sale price of £13,168.
  • Perhaps most intriguing of all the lots was this Morris Minor ‘2000’ with two front ends, which was converted in the 1990s and looked ideal for those who don't know if they are coming or going. Restored in 2013 and fully road legal, it sold for £7525.
  • Manufactured by Torcars of Devon in 1971, this pop-top Morris A60 Sun-Tor camper seemingly retained all its period internal fittings and was ready for summer enjoyment. It looked very good value at £6600.
  • Recently renovated, this 1988 Opel Manta GTE hatch looked superb with its retro-fitted Exclusive wheels and headlights, plus its brown/grey exterior, matching interior and lightly tinted glass. It sold for an impressive £11,250.
  • A UK-supplied car with its original bill of sale, this restored 1989 Toyota MR2 had covered just 37,000 miles. It looked superb in red with a black leather interior and sold well above its £8000 lower estimate to make £10,450.
  • This special-edition Fiesta XRV variant was based on a normally aspirated 1.8-litre diesel panel van, but with extra RS accessories. Wearing an ‘XRV’ numberplate and showing just 37,000 miles, the neatly restored example sold for £8500.