Brightwells has a reputation for offering unusual curios at its classic car auctions – and its first sale of 2024 looks to be no exception
Words: Joe Miller
Brightwells’ first sale of the year is a timed online affair, with bidding starting on Saturday, February 10 before closing on Valentine’s Day from 2pm.
The Online Garage sale of modern classics meanwhile closes on Monday, February 19 from 2pm.
There should be ample to chance to find a perfect partner, too. A quartet of American cars headline the sale, the oldest being a 1951 Ford Custom Coupe. Boasting a 255 Mercury V8, five-speed manual gearbox and a 12-volt electrics conversion, its bodywork looks superb and sports ‘shaved’ door handles, culminating in a tempting £7000–9000 guide price. A 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback complete with heavily modified 351 V8 looks something of a weapon and is estimated at £39,000–41,000, while a 1966 Corvette C2 Sting Ray is offered in rare ‘350 manual’ guise and earns itself a chunky £55,000–60,000 guide price. Perhaps even more striking, however, is the 2002 Ford Thunderbird – an unusual sight in Britain, the 14,274-mile example has been pampered throughout its life and is estimated at £10,000–15,000.
A brace of Brits come next, starting with a pleasingly original 1964 Singer Gazelle that’s recently been subjected to an extensive recommissioning of its suspension and brakes. Altogether more prestigious is the 1975 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 1, with just 67,000 miles to its name and a recent £6000 specialist bill including four new tyres and a new radiator. A reassuringly sizeable history file confirms it’s been well cared-for, and it could be a bargain with its £8000–12,000 estimate. At the other end of the size scale is a charming 1954 Austin A30, offered in the excellent colour combination of grey-over-red. History is minimal, but the £3000–3500 guide price looks awfully tempting.
For fans of diminutive sports cars, a 1972 MG Midget Mk3 that’s been fully restored with a Heritage bodyshell by its owner of 22 years is surely one of the best on the market, and justifies a £10,500–12,500 estimate. If you prefer your British sports cars more muscular, there’s the 1996 TVR Chimaera. With just 69,000 miles, a fresh advisory-free MOT and soundtrack to die for, it’s awfully tempting with a £5000–7000 guide price.
Almost bookending the Mini’s 41-year production run, a 1962 Mini-Minor Deluxe with a Cooper S engine is estimated at £18,000–20,000, while a 25,000-mile 2000 Rover Cooper carries a £7000–8000 guide. Meanwhile, a comprehensively restored 1972 Range Rover is joined a Series 3 109-inch Landy of the same vintage, the latter benefitting from a body-off restoration and estimated at £8500-£9500. For the full catalogue, head to brightwells.com
