Hobbs Parker’s autumn classic car sale looks set to be another busy affair for the Ashford auction house, with over 140 entries at the time of writing

As usual, Hobbs Parker’s next sale will take place on a timed online basis, with physical viewing available on the weekdays leading up to the sale.

Prestige brands feature heavily, including no fewer than seven Mercedes. These are headlined by a 1964 230SL that’s had over £70,000-worth of restoration work, and could sell for as much as £60,000. Potentially more affordable is a R107-genetration 380SL dating from 1981, which is guided at £8000-£10,000, and there are several later cars too. A W210-series E36 AMG catches the eye, as does a 2000 CLK 55 AMG Coupe.

Bentley is also well represented, again with seven examples. The selection ranges from a 1953 MkVI standard steel saloon and an R-Type from the same year through to a 2007 Continental GT, with a couple of Arnages and a very early Turbo R from 1985 sandwich in-between. For those preferring a Rolls-Royce, a 1983 Silver Spur has been consigned, as has an early Silver Shadow II from 1977, which is estimated at a modest £4000-£5000.

Fans of American muscle are well catered-for, too. Entries include a 1968 Buick Wildcat and Oldsmobile Toronado dating from the following year, but it’s Fords that dominate. A 1966 V8 Mustang guided at £20,000-£25,000 joined by an intriguing 1934 Flathead V8 Roadster, which is unusual in being right-hand drive. You’ll also find a 1950s F100 pick-up, a 1974 F250 and a 1969 Thunderbird 429 coupe, which is guided at £8000-£10,000.

There’s plenty of room for British Fords too, with a lovely Cortina Mk1 1500 GT included, plus a couple of Capris. But our attention was drawn to one-owner Mk1 Escort van from 1969, thought to be a Ford experimental vehicle and expected to sell for as much as £18,000. It’s joined by a 1993 Vauxhall Astra Van, which is still in its grey BT livery and has been part of a collection since 2013.

More traditional entries included a Triumph TR2, a GT6 and an MG TD, and there are at least four Morris Minors. Projects are also in abundance, with a Land Rover Series 3, a Rover P6, a Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5, a 1951 Sunbeam Talbot 90, a 1934 Austin 10 and a couple of Wolseleys among the many entries crying out to be taken on as winter restoration. For the full list of entries, see hobbsparker.co.uk

 

  • This 1977 VW Beetle 1303 Convertible could prove to be real bargain. The car was subject to nearly £20,000-worth of mechanical and body restoration at VW specialist in 2022, with a further £3000 spent on the interior, yet it’s guided at a mere £8000-£10,000
  • A late example from 1980, this Triumph Dolomite Sprint has MoT certificates back to 1988 and has been treated to plenty of recent work. It looks very smart in yellow, and is very reasonably guided at £7000-£9000
  • A real stand-out is this 1969 Ford Escort Mk1 van, which has been in the same family since new and has several features that mark it out as a Ford experimental vehicle, such as the suspension set-up from a Twin Cam. It was restored in 2011 and is guided at £15,000-£18,000
  • One of at least four Morris Minors in the sale, this 1966 Traveller was previously sold by minor specialist Charles Ware, which fitted a new midnight blue interior. It’s said to boast excellent woodwork and is estimated at £8000-£10,000
  • This 1996 Rover 820i hatch is a rare survivor and has been fastidiously cared-for by its most recent keeper. An automatic example, it shows 79,100 miles and comes with plenty of paperwork. It’s estimated at a mere £1500-£2500
  • This 1969 Ford Thunderbird 429 coupe is one of several American classics in the sale. It was imported to the UK in 2018 and was subject to body restoration work in 2022. It’s estimated at £8000-£10,000
  • One of the potential headliners is this 1964 Mercedes 230SL. A bereavement sale, it had been with its owner since 1984 and had been treated to £70,000-worth of restoration work since 2018. It’s expected to sell for £50,000-£60,000
  • This 1984 BMW E30 320i is a rare Baur cabriolet model that predates the launch of BMW’s own fully open version. Looking smart in red and MoT’d until next March, it’s expected to change hands for a tempting £5500-£6500
  • A South African import, this 1974 Volkswagen Beetle 1600 looked smart on Empi-style wheels and had de-bumpered to give it a smoother look. It had been recently treated to an engine rebuild, and despite being offered with no reserve, changed hands for £5280