The last WB & Sons sale of the year looks set to be a great one. Here are some stand-out lots set to go under the hammer next month

Words: Joe Miller

WB & Sons has enjoyed perhaps its best year yet, with its December 2 auction set to finish 2023 in fine style. As ever for the Newcastle auction house, variety proves the spice of life, with projects through to potential museum pieces set to cross the block.

British luxury is especially plentiful, with a 2001 Jaguar XKR showing just 64,000 miles guided at £3500-£4500, and a 2003 example of its X350 XJ stablemate complete with an extensive history carrying the same estimate. In addition, a rare 2003 Bentley Arnage R is predicted to change hands for £15,000-£20,000.

More traditional Brits are prevalent too, with something for all tastes and budgets. The Hillman Minx remains an affordable entry to classic motoring, with a gorgeous blue 1957 example available in this sale guided at £2500-£3500. A 1953 Rover P4 75 offers a more prestigious experience for a tempting £4000-£6000, while a pair of MGB GTs are set to be offered too. The first is an MoT’d 1973 example with extensive history that carries an £8000-£12,000 estimate, whereas an honest 1975 Jubilee Edition with just 56,000 miles has a guide of £2000-£3000.

Minis are often present at WB & Sons sales, with this auction’s highlight being a Japanese-market 1994 Rover Cooper showing 46,000 miles and boasting the desirable air conditioning. Finished in the tasteful colour combination of British Racing Green with white roof, it’s expected to change hands for £9000-£11,000. Another British icon on offer is a 1969 Land Rover Series 2A, sporting charmingly patinated bodywork as well as a Ford 2.8-litre V6 engine conversion. Said conversion and a substantial history file make a £7000-£9000 extremely tempting, but our interest is piqued by something rather humbler – a 1989 Austin Metro CityX with just 3000 miles on the clock, a near-complete history and an MoT until October 2024. Metros this mint rarely come up for sale, so an £8000-£10,000 guide price could well be shooting low.

Classic commercial fans are well catered-for too, with a 1964 Austin A35 van bearing a £6000-£8000 estimate and 1972 Ford Transit Mk1 – guided at £2000-£4000 – joining an immaculate 1987 Citroën Acadiane that carries a £7000-£9000 guide. Elsewhere, a brace of 1990s sports cars is headlined by a tidy 1994 Suzuki Cappuccino, which is joined by a one-owner 1995 Honda Accord Coupe with a £2000-£4000 estimate and 44,000-mile Vauxhall Calibra that’s guided at £4000-£5000.  For the full catalogue, head to wbandsons.com

  • This 1957 Standard 8 looks a charming and inexpensive way into classic motoring with its £3000-£4000 guide price. A four-speed synchromesh gearbox makes it useable,and the spotless bodywork makes it show-ready come spring.
  • Rare in any condition, let alone this tidy, is this 1987 Citroën Acadiane, the van derivative of the 2CV’s Dyane sibling. Sporting repainted immaculate bodywork and the later 602cc engine, a £7000-£9000 guide price makes this classic commercial great value.
  • WB has form with tidy Triumph Stags and this 1972 example is no exception. Having recently benefitted from a bare-metal respray, interior retrim and new soft-top, it includes the desirable hardtop and very much deserves its £14,000-£16,000 estimate.
  • Easily the lowest-mileage car in the sale is this 1989 Austin Metro 1.3 CityX, with a mere 3000 miles covered. The extensive history includes the original sales invoice and almost every MoT certificate, including the current test to October 2024. An outlay of £8000-£10,000 is expected to secure it.
  • Mk2 Vauxhall Cavaliers are increasingly rare nowadays, so this 1988 five-door hatch is a pleasing sight. The injected 2.0-litre engine and plush CD trim make this the perfect daily-driver classic, especially with a tempting £2000-£4000 guide price.
  • Featuring the lovely 4.0-litre AJ6 engine, this 1991 Jaguar XJS has just 55,000 miles on the clock. A smart exterior, an honest but tidy interior, an MoT long into 2024 and a £4000-£6000 guide price make it a tempting example.
  • Sports cars don’t come much smaller or more fun than this 1994 Suzuki Cappuccino. With just 48,000 miles showing and a fresh MOT, this Japanese import appears rust-free and is guided at £4000-£6000.
  • Another affordable classic comes in the form of this 1987 Mercedes 190E, offered with no reserve. The 2.0-litre petrol engine and manual gearbox pair well ,and given an enthusiastic buyer, will make for the perfect winter project.