Charterhouse had a treasure trove of interesting barnfinds on its hands with its latest private collection sale. Here’s what you missed

We’ve seen a few intriguing private collections come to market this year and the Brian Antill sale handled by Charterhouse had us all interested.

Amassed by Brian over several years, the collection of cars and parts had grown to such a level that he’d even had to construct additional barns to store it all, although several outwardly presentable-looking cars didn’t seem to have turned a wheel in a long time, including a 4.2-litre Jaguar E-Type roadster, an XK140 and several 3.8-litre Mk2s in desirable manual overdrive spec.

All told, the premises contained 20 vehicles and a pair of motorbikes, ranging in condition from complete and original to basket case restoration prospects as well as workshop equipment.

Alongside the Jaguars, MGAs were also popular, with six in the sale including rarities like the Twin Cam and the Deluxe, while the collection also included no less than three Rover P6Bs – all in desirable 3500S manual spec.

Having viewed the sale in person, we reckon some of the lots looked like temptingly straightforward recommissioning projects, although others were clearly full restoration prospects.

Here’s what caught our attention.

  • Another left-hand drive MG, this MGA was one of several in the sale and although it was very much a restoration project it came with a right-hand drive steering column for a conversion. Apparently imported in 1989, it was unregistered in the UK and sold for £4000
  • The sought-after manual overdrive 3.8-litre version of the Jaguar Mk2, this 1965 example looked to need more than a little recommissioning, having last been taxed in 1981. The carbs had been removed but otherwise it looked like a straightforward project for the £6800 hammer price
  • A 4.2-litre Jaguar E-Type roadster for £42,000 is a pretty sweet deal, especially an original car showing 19,019 miles. Last on the road in 1979, it was an unknown quantity and Charterhouse noted they hadn’t even tried to start the engine
  • A 1961 example of the rare MGA ‘Deluxe’ featuring disc brakes and knock-off wheels, this was a left-hand drive car imported in 1988 and most of the restoration work and RHD conversion had already been completed to a high standard. Unregistered and without a chassis plate, it still made £17,000
  • It seems unbelievable now, but back in the ’70s it was common to use tatty Big Healeys as donors for kit cars, one of the most popular being the Lenham, which was reminiscent of the Healey Silverstone. Built by Brian in 1980 using a 1954 100/4 as a base, it sold for £17,400
  • At odds with the rest of the collection was this 2003 VW Golf R32, owned by Brian and his wife from new and MoT’d until next April. The less common four-door model, it sold on the hammer for £10,200
  • Driven into the barn in 2008 and left with the roof down and the keys in the ignition ever since, this 1975 Stag came in desirable manual overdrive spec but was a non-runner. Offered with a hardtop, it made £5500
  • This 1972 Lotus Elan 4 convertible was said to be a Sprint and was last taxed in 1989 but looked complete and at least won’t have any body rot. It was sold for £16,000
  • Left-hand drive MG roadster is allegedly a 1962 example, making it one of the very earliest. Very much a basket case, it nevertheless looked to be complete and was taken on by a brave bidder for £780
  • Once used by Brian as a daily driver and tow car, this Rover P6 3500S was one of three in the sale but hadn’t been on the road since 2017. Seemingly complete, it was going to need some work but looked like a good buy for £780