With SWVA now fully settled into its modern new premises, the Dorset auction house hosts its second classic sale of 2024 on April 25

Around 80 entries were set to go under the hammer at SWVA’s April sale at time of writing, and the variety is even more impressive than usual, ranging from pre-war Brits to a couple of Ferraris comprising a 1999 355 F1 Spider and a 2004 360 Spider.

Affordable 1990s favourites are in abundance, with a 1998 Alfa Romeo GTV TwinSpark, 1999 Ford Escort Mk6 Finesse, 1995 Rover 220 Coupe and 1998 Honda Prelude 2.0i all temptingly offered with no reserve, while a 1999 BMW E36 323i Convertible showing 78,000 warranted miles and is temptingly guided at £2500–3500.

Further open classics include a 1986 VW Golf GTI Convertible with a very tempting £750–1000 estimate, an early 1990 Mazda MX-5 Mk1 guided at £3500–4500 on account of its excellent unmodified condition, and a 1980 Mercedes R107 350SL that looks superb following a respray and is estimated at a very reasonable £9500–11,500. Elsewhere, a vast 1984 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible dwarves the lot and offers a truly unique drop-top cruiser for an estimate £8000–9000.

There are numerous British favourites available, including the 1976 Triumph Stag that benefits from a recent bare-metal respray in Carmine Red and an uprated ZF gearbox, guided at £7500–8500. A 1966 Morris Minor Traveller looks charming in Almond Green and sports a seemingly rot-free ash frame, with every penny of its estimated £5000-£6000 sale price being donated to Weldmar Hospicecare charity.

We were also taken by the delightful 1971 Austin 1300 in the unusual but tasteful colour combination of Elpaso Beige, complemented by a Snowberry White roof over a tan interior – it could be yours for a bargain price, given the lack of reserve. There are a couple of alluring 1970s rarities too, with a Hillman Avenger GT though to be one of just six left on UK roads guided at £8500–10,500, and a 1972 Ford Cortina 2000E estimated at £10,000–12,000.

Quicker lots include a 1975 Saab 96 V4 that’s been with the vendor since 1978 and is estimated £1500–2500, plus a Sebring MX Cabriolet that replicated the Austin-Healey 3000 replica and is powered by a 228bhp BMW 3.0-litre engine, which is guided at £6000–7000. Jaguar fans might be tempted by a 1968 Daimler Sovereign in Opalescent Silver Blue for an estimated £7500–8500, but we suspect a fully restored 1958 XK150 FHC will be one of the biggest headliners, with a £55,000–60,000 guide. For the full catalogue, see swva.co.uk

  • This 1995 Rover 220 Coupe might lack a turbocharger, but the 89,000-mile T-Series will surely still gives it ample shove. What’s more, with tidy looking bodywork, a hefty history file, excellent mechanical health and no reserve, it could be a bargain.
  • Supposedly used by the Post Office for delivery mail to the royal family, this 1968 Morris 8CWT Van is one of just 86 currently on British roads. It appears tidy inside and out, looks excellent in turquoise and carries a £5000–7000 guide.
  • This 1975 Ford Cortina 2000E looks excellent in ‘triple-black’ Special Vehicle Operations specification. With just two owners from new and coverage on Jonny Smith’s Late Brake Show YouTube channel, it looks to be an excellent example, deserving of its £10,000–12,000 estimate.
  • One of just 65 left in Britain, this 1968 Daimler Sovereign is a posher Jaguar 420, offering independent rear suspension and the 4.2-litre XK engine within the Mk2 platform. It’s resplendent in Opalescent Silver Blue following a recent recommissioning, and could be a bargain with its £7500–8500 guide.
  • The sale’s potential headliner is this 1958 Jaguar XK150 SE FHC. An original ‘matching numbers’ UK right-hand drive example, it’s been fully restored to a high standard and looks great in Cotswold Blue with a grey interior, justifying its £55,000–60,000 guide price.
  • Hot Vauxhall Novas are hot property, but with a modest £7000–9000 estimate, this 1989 GTE could be a bargain. Finished in Calypso Red, it shows 88,649 genuine miles and comes with a comprehensive history file compiled by its two previous long-term owners.
  • A V4-powered Saab 96 makes for the perfect daily classic, and this 1975 example looks smart in green. Owned by the vendor since 1978, it’s said to be an honest survivor and ready to enjoy, all for an estimated £1500–2500.
  • Surely one of the rarest cars in the sale is this 1968 Volvo Amazon 122S Estate. Sporting fresh carpets and extremely tidy-looking bodywork, it’s estimated at a very reasonable £8800–9800.