South Western Vehicle Auctions gets its 2026 calendar of classic auctions underway on January 29 with a varied sale at its base near Poole

Entries were still being added to SWVA’s catalogue at the time of writing, but there was already plenty to entice bidders to the south coast later this month.

As per usual, the sale gets underway with a succession of no-reserve entries, including a Mk1 Mazda MX-5 Eunos, a 48,000-mile BMW Z3 1.9 dating from 1998 and a smart 1995 Vauxhall Calibra. More unusual lots, meanwhile, include a quirky 1953 Triumph Mayflower that’s described as a rolling project and is estimated at a modest £1000-£1500, plus a rare home-market Austin Metropolitan dating from 1960, which is offered with no reserve.

Staying with 1960s classics, an Austin A60 Cambridge from 1961 is another offered without reserve, while a fellow Farina saloon in the shape of a 1968 Wolseley 16/60 looks to be a rewarding light project, and is again offered with no reserve. You’ll also find an older A55 Austin Cambridge from 1957, while sportier entries include a smart 1596cc Triumph Vitesse from 1966 and a lovely FB-series Vauxhall VX 4/90, which is show ready and is expected to sell for £8000-£10,000. Also catching the eye is a 1964 Mk3 Ford Zephyr Farnham Estate, which could be snapped up for as little as £5500.

Moving things forward a generation of two is a selection of powerful modern classics. A 1990 Ford Sierra XR4x4i with the 2.9-litre V6 carries a guide price of £4000-£5000, while a 78,000-mile BMW 540i dating from 1997 is bound to be popular too. This is joined by a very tidy E30 320i convertible estimated at £7000-£8000, and what is described as possibly one of the tidiest and most cherished Mk4 VW Golf R32s on the market. The 2003 three-door example shows 62,931 miles and is temptingly guided at £8000-£10,000.

Fans of Rovers are also well catered-for, with a 1962 P4 100 model that’s estimated at a mere £1500-£2000 joined by an example of the 1990s supermini carrying the same 100 name – in this case a 24,393-mile Kensington variant with no reserve. A 214 SE Cabriolet from the same year is guided at £1750-£2250, while Mini collectors will surely be keen on a 1998 Cooper Sport estimated at £8000-£10,000 – especially as it’s car number 23 of around 250 converted to S Works spec by John Cooper Garages.

For the full catalogue, head to swva.co.uk

  • A TVR for an estimated £3000-£4000? Yes indeed, and it’s ready to go too. Finished in British Racing Green, this 290S S2 dates from 1990 and is accompanied by invoices totalling over £17,000. It’s one to use and enjoy, with scope for light improvement along the way
  • An earlier 1.6-litre car, this 1966 Triumph Vitesse has been the vendor’s daily driver for the past three and a half years. It’s been well maintained and is said to be in excellent condition inside and out, making the £3000-£4000 estimate look very tempting indeed
  • Said to present in concours-level condition following a no-expense-spared restoration, this 1963 Vauxhall VX 4/90 is a wonderful example of the sporting FB-series flagship. It’s believed to be one of just three examples remaining on UK roads, and is guided at £8000-£10,000
  • Imported from the USA in 2016, this left-hand drive Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 looks great in pale Primrose Yellow with a biscuit leather interior. It’s accompanied by an excellent history file and receipts totalling around £17,000, making the £25,000-£30,000 guide look very reasonable
  • This Austin Metropolitan is a rare home-market, right-hand-drive car that catches the eye thanks to its turquoise and white colour scheme. With the vendor for the past decade and supplied with plenty of history, it’s described as a useable, presentable example and is offered with no reserve
  • A very tidy example of the later rubber-model, this 1979 MGB roadster looks great in Pageant Blue and benefits from a five-speed Mazda MX-5 gearbox conversion. It’s only had five owners from new and is expected to change hands for a modest £4000-£5000
  • Showing just 38,093 miles from new, this 1998 Cooper Sport is car number 23 of around 250 converted to 90bhp S Works spec by John Cooper Garages. It needs some cosmetic improvement but is temptingly estimated at £8000-£10,000
  • One of just 57 UK-delivered cars finished in Moonlight Blue Pearl, this desirable three-door Volkswagen Golf R32 is said to have benefitted from significant cosmetic and mechanical attention during its life. The 2003 example shows 62,931 miles and is guided at £8000-£10,000