Historics will bring a star-studded line-up of auction vehicles to the forthcoming London Classic Car Show, which returns to the famous Olympia venue next weekend (February 24-26)

Historics will off its 2023 calendar off in fine style by bringing 100 enormously varied vehicles to next weekend’s London Classic Car Show, with the sale beginning at noon on the Saturday (February 25). Viewing of all entries is free to show visitors on the Friday beforehand, plus after the sale and on the Sunday.

Porsches feature heavily, with what is believed to be the earliest right-hand drive production 356 a possible headliner at an estimated £340,000-£370,000. And with the show celebrating the 60th anniversary of when the 911 was first publicly shown, a fittingly wide selection is headed by a 1969 911S estimated at £100,000-£125,000. More modern variants, meanwhile, include a trio of ’80s examples, a 1990 964 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and a 1996 993 Carrera S – one of just 251 manual RHD cars built.

Italian classics are also set to star, with a trio of late ’50s and early ’60s Alfa Romeo Giuliettas joined by a brace of Ferrari 246 GT Dinos from 1971 and ’73, a 10,000-mile 1986 328 GTS and a 205mph 599 GTB Fiorano F1 from 2006. In addition, there’s a 1972 Maserati Ghibli that’s one of just 13 delivered to the UK.

As ever at a Historics sale, there’s a host of Mercedes-Benz models offered, with no fewer than six 1960s SL ‘Pagodas’ encompassing 190SL, 230SL and 280SL variants. And desirable Brits don’t miss out either: a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 could sell for as much as £590,000, with other Astons including a DB6, a 1978 V8 ‘Oscar India’ and a 2002 Vanquish 2+2 that’s covered just 10,000 miles.

Alongside, an example of the holy grail of Jaguar E-Types – a flat-floor 1961 Roadster – is estimated at £180,000-£210,000, and is joined by several more E-Types, a couple of open topped XJ-S variants, a 1953 XK120 and a C-Type evocation. There’s also a 1968 Triumph TR5 restored by marque gurus, TR Bitz, plus an MGC GT of the same vintage and an aluminium-panelled 1957 Austin Healey 100/6 BN4 that’s been uprated to ‘fast road’ specification.

It’s not all top-end sports cars, though. A 1953 Ford Consul Mk1 Estate by Abbot of Farnham is a real rarity, while the honour of the quirkiest entry most surely goes to an amphibious 1965 Amphicar 770. For the full catalogue, see historics.co.uk.

  • Approaching 70 years old, this 1954 Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe is believed to be the earliest right-hand drive production 356 and thus possibly is the first RHD car sold with Porsche branding. It’s been fully restored and is expected to sell for £340,000-£370,000.
  • An excellent example of the famous amphibious car, this 1965 Amphicar 770 is thought to be one of only eight examples in the UK. Estimated at £38,000-£44,000, it has been restored in the past but you’ll need to cure a few leaks at the rear before you hit the water.
  • This 1966 Mk1 Austin Mini Cooper is being offered from the private collection of Jamiroquai front man, Jay Kay. Beautifully restored with excellent attention to detail, it’s said to want for nothing and carries an estimate of £30,000-£35,000.
  • Joining several prestige entries is this 1994 Bentley Continental R, which is presented in excellent condition and shows just 24,000 miles. Resplendent in Mica Red with Sandstone leather, it’s offered with no reserve.
  • Appropriately, given the proximity of the company’s former London showroom to the Olympia show venue, the sale includes a Bristol. This 1964 408 has covered just 474 miles in the last 19 years, but has been subject to much recent restoration work. It’s estimated at £20,000-£25,000.
  • A last-of-the-line Gran Finale model registered in 1990, this Fiat X1/9 has covered just 16,800 miles, but the engine has been rebuilt and rebored to 1518cc following a head gasket blow. The car remains in very good condition with its original Mica Blue paintwork, and is offered with no reserve.
  • It may look like a standard ‘Mk5’ Ford Cortina Ghia from the exterior, but this very smart 1982 example conceals a modified 2.0-litre Zetec engine producing 151bhp and a five-speed gearbox, plus uprated brakes and even ABS. It’s estimated at £15,000-£19,000.
  • Among a large selection of Mercedes-Benz models in the sale is this S123-generation 250T dating from 1981. The 75,000-mile example is presented in bold ‘Reinorange’ and is expected to sell for £14,000-£18,000.
  • Featuring coachbuilt estate bodywork by Abbott of Farnham, this 1953 Ford Consul formed part of the James Hull collection famously purchased by Jaguar Land Rover Heritage before being displayed at the British Motor Museum. Now recommissioned, it’s guided at £13,000-£19,000.
  • The show will celebrate the 60th anniversary of when the 911 was first publicly shown, and fittingly there are several examples in the sale. This 1969 911S is one of the last 2.0-litre cars produced before the capacity was increased to 2.2 litres, and is guided at £100,000-£125,000.