A wide variety of classics awaits bidders at the next SWVA sale, including our old Jaguar project car. Here are our lots to watch out for

Seldom do we look through an auction catalogue with as much intrigue and interest as we did with the entry list for SWVA’s next classic sale as its base near Poole. Such was the interest consignments were halted early, but not before a superbly varied line-up of cars were consigned for the auction on July 25.

British classics feature heavily, with the oldest a 1932 Austin Seven Special estimated at £5500–6500. You’ll also find a rare 1953 Triumph Mayflower that could go for as little as £1500, but at the other end of the scale, the likely headliner could be a very honest and original Jaguar XK140 dating from 1955. One of just 839 fixed-head coupes produced in right-hand drive, it’s guided at £41,000–46,000. Or if you prefer taking that lineage on a few years, a 1968 ‘Series 1.5’ E-Type 2+2 is estimated at £40,000–45,000. In all, there are eight Jaguars including our very own 2003 XJ8 Sport, which has been part of the Classics World fleet for seven years and is offered with no reserve.

Other intriguing Brits include an early Austin Seven-badged Mk1 Mini, a 1970 Mk3 Mini Cooper S, two Singer Vogues dating from 1963 and 1965, pre- and post-war Morris Eights, and a Vanden Plas Princess 3 Litre from 1964. An outlay of £5000 could be enough to secure an attractive 1969 Triumph Vitesse in green, while £4000–6000 is the guide price for a very smart Riley One-Point-Five dating from 1958. We also like the look of a 1962 Lotus Seven S2, which is estimated at £20,000–22,000 and joins an Elan S4 from 1970 that’s attractively guided at £15,000-£17,000.

There are some excellent ‘80s and’90s stalwarts too, with a couple of Vauxhall Novas joined by a rare Mk2 Cavalier Cabriolet that could be yours for under £3000. Blue ovals are also prominent, with a 2002 Focus RS likely to be the headliner at a predicted £12,500–15,000. However, we particularly like a humble 1975 Mk2 Capri 1600 XL automatic, which shows just 20,441 miles and is guided at £10,600–12,600. For fans of Sierras, a 1989 2.9i Ghia 4×4 Estate shows a mere 50,000 miles and is guided at £5500–6500, while a 1992 P100 turbodiesel pick-up could be yours for £3500–4500.

With oddballs such a VW Camper-aping Subaru Sambar, plus prestige entries that include no fewer than nine Mercedes, this looks set to be a cracking sale.

Head to swva.co.uk for the full catalogue.

  • Famous for its curious mix of sharp and soft styling cues, the Triumph Mayflower is a real rarity nowadays. This 1953 example is a later car and looks well cared-for, making the £1500–2500 estimate look very attractive
  • Among no fewer than nine Mercedes entries is this 1990 R129-genetaion 500SL-32. Showing 83,532 miles from new, it comes with a huge history file including a service book displaying 26 stamps, and is guided at £7500–8500
  • Said to be one of just 26 examples left on British roads, this 1975 Peugeot 304 S Cabriolet is a UK-supplied example in right-hand drive, and looks great in blue with a brown leather interior. It also benefits from a recent gearbox and repaint, yet carries a modest £2250–3250 estimate
  • We saw this 20,441-mile Mk2 Ford Capri 1600 XL automatic in SWVA’s winter auction, but since then it’s been treated to a bare metal repaint in its original hue of Sebring Red and a full recommissioning. A real time warp, it’s guided at £10,600–12,600
  • This 2003 Jaguar XK8 Sport may look familiar to regular readers, as it’s been part of the Classics World fleet for the past seven years. Treated to lots of work in recent years including a respray, it’s tantalisingly offered with no reserve
  • One of two Mk1 Toyota MR2s in the sale, this 1986 car is the earlier of the pair. The 74,000-mile example has had just two previous owners, plus bills for £7000 of expenditure. It looks to be excellent throughout and is estimated at £7500–9500
  • Resplendent in green with the trademark yellow nosecone, this 1962 Lotus Seven is one of just 1310 S2 cars produced. Once kept in a museum, it benefits from a recent new hood and carries a £20,000–22,000 estimate
  • Thought to be one of just 29 open-top Mk2 Vauxhall Cavaliers left on our roads, this very tidy 1987 example features the 1.8-litre engine and comes with a sizeable history file. The modest £1900–2900 guide will surely prove very tempting