We’re never surprised to see a wide range of great cars at WB & Sons and the March auction was no exception

Modern classic prestige was in high demand, with a 2000 Jaguar XKR Convertible presenting well despite its 153,000 miles and beating its £1500–2500 guide to sell for £4088. A 2003 Mercedes SL500 offered another V8-powered GT drop-top with the bonus of a folding hardtop roof for £5250, while a 2005 Porsche 997 911 Carrera S Cabriolet offered perhaps the perfect all-round sports car and sold mid-estimate for £16,350. Elsewhere, a tidy 1995 Mercedes R129 SL320 included its factory hardtop and sold mid-estimate for £5668, while a 2009 Jaguar X358 XJR also caught our eye. Supplied new to Japan and boasting just 37,000 miles on the odometer, it stood out for its rare Black Bison bodykit and went on to sell for £18,530 against a £10,000–12,000 estimate.

There were several ‘70s icons on offer too. A 1979 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE6a looked striking in its two-tone beige and brown colour scheme and matched its £6000 lower estimate, with a 1979 MG Midget 1500 that had been converted to chrome bumpers and included a rare hardtop roof selling for £6450 – more than double its upper estimate. Other MGs included a 1971 B GT that beat its guide at £8556, and a smart black MGA roadster that sold for £19,620.

The main headliner was a fast Ford, with a fully restored 1979 Escort RS2000 Custom using its fantastic finish and rarity to good effect as it sold for £48,000. Alongside, a 1989 Sierra Sapphire Cosworth made an impressive £27,522, and those after something newer might’ve liked a 2003 Focus ST170, which had 64,000 miles to its name and sold for £3488. Indeed, hot hatchbacks were in strong supply, with the 2000 Rover 200 BRM selling mid-estimate for £3542, a 1995 Renault Clio Williams 2 project fetching £3815 and a heavily modified 1990 Fiat Uno Turbo beating its £3000–5000 guide to sell for £5123.

With spring here, convertibles proved popular too, with a no-reserve Lexus SC430 from 2005 selling for £3542 and a 2008 MINI One Cabriolet beating its £1000–2000 guide to sell for £2943. For the full list of results, head to wbandsons.com

  • Presenting beautifully in white-over-red and tastefully accessorised with a deeper front valance, spotlights and a bonnet strap, this 1971 MGB GT looked to be an excellent example. Accordingly, it beat a £5000-£7000 estimate to fetch £8556.
  • The Jaguar 420 offers an affordable entry to Mk2 motoring, with the added bonusses of independent rear suspension and the later 4.2-litre XK engine. This example looked smart, included a hefty history file and looked great value at £3815.
  • Sold in North America before being repatriated to Britain in the early-1990s, this 1958 MGA roadster had covered just 9000 miles since a bare-chassis restoration and included extensive photographic history. Tastefully finished in black-over-red, it sold mid-estimate for £19,620.
  • After years of values in the doldrums, the Ford Focus ST170 might finally be getting some appreciation. This 64,000-mile three-door example dating from 2003 had just one former keeper to its name, and beat its estimate to sell for £3488.
  • Converted from rubber to chrome bumpers, this 1979 MG Midget 1500 looked great in British Racing Green with a chrome mesh grille and Rostyle wheels. It flew past a £2000-£3000 estimate to sell for £6540.
  • Hard to miss thanks to its distinctive orange grille, this 2000 Rover 200 BRM was one of just 750 examples of the 200vi-based hot hatchback, boasting bespoke wheels and a quilted red leather interior. This 85,000-mile example sold mid-estimate for £3542.
  • Although the 37,000-mile odometer reading was unverified, this 1958 Austin A55 Cambridge looked immaculate enough for that to be genuine. Extensive history and just three owners in its 66 years helped it smash its £3000-£5000 guide to sell for £8175.
  • We had a feeling this one would do well. Recently restored to a fantastic standard, this 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom looked superb, and included extensive history and a photographic record of its rebuild and restoration. It sold for a strong but deserved £48,000.