Set among the drama of a historic motorsport meet, Hampson Auctions’ July sale was packed full of similarly exciting lots

Hampson Auctions’ latest sale took place as part of the Oulton Park Gold Cup on July 27. A much-loved historic motorsport meeting, the event brings classic racing, retro-themed fun and a wealth of car clubs to the Cheshire venue, with the auction only serving to add to the enjoyment.

The entry list included everything from potential no-reserve bargains though to prestigious, premium brands. One of the headliners was a 1976 Ferrari 308 Vetroresina, which was one of just 154 right-hand-drive examples produced and sold for £73,125. Alongside, a 1978 Aston Martin V8 Series 4 ‘Oscar India’ that had been with its vendor for nearly three decades was temptingly offered with no reserve, and ended up changing hands for £55,125.

Fords always part a major part in Hampson sales, and this occasion was no exception. An Escort Mk2 RS2000 presented in full period Rothmans livery, and boasting an outstanding specification, sold for £30,375 having been offered without reserve. Not too far behind at £23,625 was a 1987 Ford Capri 280 ‘Brooklands’, while one of our favourites was a Ford Anglia 105E ‘restomod’. Fitted with a 2.1-litre Pinto fed by twin Weber 48 DCOEs, it was an impressive sleeper and changed hands for £11,025.

Hot hatches also proved popular, with a late Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 from 1994 that showed just 45,000 miles going for £20,812, and a rare Suzuki Swift GTI from 1989 making £5625. For those who prefer their GTI without a tin top, a 1988 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet changed hands for £8775.

Other notable sales included an imported Toyota MR2 Turbo, which dated from 1994 and was snapped up for £9562. Elsewhere, £4050 was enough to buy an older example of its Celica stablemate – specifically, a 1987 ST162 model that had covered a mere 52,000 miles from new. Not made in Japan but sold there new was a 1995 Rover Mini Cooper with JDM luxuries such as air-conditioning. Imported to the UK in 2021, it sold for £7875.

With oddballs such as Yamaha R1-powered Bedford Rascal that sold for £4725, a host of 1970s stalwarts and an XJ40-based Jaguar XJR TWR that sold for a mere £3600, this sale had plenty to keep the crowds entertained. Overall, over 80 per cent of the lots were sold, which represents a very robust result. For the complete list of sales, head to hampsonauctions.com

  • Offered with no reserve, this 1978 Aston Martin V8 Series 4 'Oscar India’ had been with its vendor for nearly three decades. It came with an extensive history file and sold for £55,125
  • A rare and unmodified example of the fourth-generation Toyota Celica, this 1987 ST162 model had covered just 52,000 miles and had benefitted from an extensive mechanical refresh. A former category D insurance loss, it was offered with no reserve and sold for £4050
  • One of the biggest oddballs was this 1990 Bedford Rascal. Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Hulk’, it had been re-engineered and fitted with a Yamaha YZF R1 superbike engine, creating a unique flatbed machine that thankfully had uprated brakes too. For such craziness, £4725 changed hands
  • Imported to the UK in 2014, this Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am came equipped with the much-sought-after 6.6-litre V8 motor. The well-presented 1979 example had also been treated to a full suspension overhaul, and went on to sell for £18,167
  • Thought to be one of only 40 remaining XJ40s given the XKR treatment by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), this 1988 example had been the subject of much recent mechanical work. With just two owners from new, it looked a real bargain at £3600
  • Among the 1970s stalwarts was this four-door Vauxhall Viva HC. The 1978 example was in tidy condition throughout and showed a mere 56,000 miles. Offered with no reserve, it changed hands for £3375
  • This 1994 Peugeot 205 GTI ticked all the boxes. Presented in rare Mayerling Green, the 45,000-mile run-out example was originally sold in Japan and had air-conditioning and power steering, but had also been professionally converted from automatic to manual. It sold for £20,812
  • We loved this 1968-registered Ford Anglia 105E, which looked remarkably restrained externally (aside from the bold colour) but boasted a 2.1-litre Pinto engine with twin Weber 48 DCOE carbs and mapped ignition. With a five-speed gearbox and countless further upgrades, it looked a lot of fun for £11,025