The year is set to start strongly for WB & Sons as the Newcastle auction house prepares to kick off 2024 with an eclectic mix of lots

Words: Joe Miller

British classics are a favourite of WB sales, and this occasion will be no exception. The selection includes a 2000 Rover Mini Cooper with just 60,000 miles, guided at £5000–6000, while another standout is a 29,000-mile 1998 Lotus Esprit GT V8. It’ll require some work having been off the road for nine years, but projects don’t come much more exciting, and the £18,000–20,000 guide price is a tempting one.

A 1980 Triumph TR7 Roadster offers a more affordable British sports car project, estimated at £2000–4000, whereas brave restorers might fancy a 1964 Bentley S3. It needs a full respray and a complete interior, but will be a glorious car once finished and is offered with no reserve. Somewhat humbler and ready to go is a 1957 Standard 8 with a £3000-£4000 estimate, while a £6000–8000 guide is given to the equally charming 1964 Austin A35 Van.

There’s plenty of luxury and prestige on offer too, with a 1992 Mercedes R129 SL500 guided at £8000–10,000 joined by a 2005 Jaguar XJ8 with a temptingly low £2000–4000 estimate. There’s even a 2005 Bentley Continental GT, which boasts 44,000 miles on its twin-turbo W12 engine and carries a £15,000–20,000 guide price.

In the midst of winter, 4x4s are bound to be popular too – there are two 2014 Land Rover Defender 110s, one a heavily-modified single-cab van guided at £18,000–22,000, the other an XS crew-cab, with a £30,000–32,000 estimate. The off-roader that caught our eye, however, was a 1974 Range Rover. Originally delivered to Tasmania, the Bahama Gold two-door has only been in the UK since 2022 and is said to have covered just 26,000 miles. It garners a hefty but justified £45,000–55,000 guide price.

There are also sports cars from all eras and to suit all budgets – a 2006 Mazda RX8 offered with no reserve appears free of any worrying rotary engine issues, but far more eye-catching is a 1992 Pontiac Firebird. With the 5.0-litre V8 engine, metallic red over grey spec and just 25,000 miles showing, the £3500–4500 guide seems great value. In addition, A 2006 Mazda MX-5 with an impressive 188,000 miles on the clock and has a modest guide of just £800–1200. For the full catalogue, head to wbandsons.com

  • With VolksWorld Show fast approaching, this 1976 T2 Bay-Window Bus could be the perfect candidate. Supplied new in South Africa before being imported in February 2022, it boasts a rebuilt engine, extensive recent mechanical improvement and tidy bodywork, earning it a £10,000-£12,000 guide.
  • Another repatriated South African car, this 1985 Ford Sierra has just 51,000 miles on the clock, includes original documentation and appears immaculate. With a £5000-£6000 guide price, it’s surely a unique auction opportunity.
  • Next to the popular W123, this 1975 Mercedes W115 is a real rarity. Offered in 230.4 guise and resplendent in Primrose Yellow with caramel MB-Tex interior, it’s guided at a very reasonable £5000-£6000.
  • This 1963 Morris Oxford presents beautifully, and shows just 36,000 miles owing to it spending 10 years on display at the Beaulieu Motor Museum. It’s offered with no reserve and is fit for museums, shows and regular use alike.
  • WB always manages to provide a few American offerings, and this time the highlight is this 1992 Pontiac Firebird. It looks tidy and supposedly has just 39,000 kilometres on its 5.0-litre V8. It’ll need an MoT test, but a £3500-£4500 guide price looks mighty tempting.
  • The 1275GT is amongst the most sought-after Minis, but this 1976 example needs some love. It was last on the road 36 years ago and requires extensive restoration, but the £1500-£2500 guide price will doubtless attract plenty of Mini fans.
  • This 1998 Lotus Esprit S4 V8 is the rarer GT specification and with just 29,000 miles on the clock, is a real rarity. It hasn’t been on the road since 2015 and so will require recommissioning, but the £18,000-£20,000 estimate is certainly appealing.