Barn-find classics generated lots of interest at ACA’s latest sale on August 19–20. Here are our highlights

Words: Jeff Ruggles

The final Anglia Car Auctions sale of the summer took place on August 19–20 and attracted a great deal of attention, primarily thanks to a group of barn-find classics that ACA unearthed in the weeks prior to the sale. Known as the David Brown Collection, they included several AC and Jaguar classics which had not seen the light of day since the 1970s. Estimated to be worth in the region of £200,000 collectively, the no reserve lots generated a great deal of interest and actually made £358,908 combined. Leading the charge was a 1957 AC Bristol that once belonged to British racing driver, Betty Haig, which sold for £156,600 including buyer’s premium.

Alongside the excitement of the barn find lots came many interesting classics ranging from the 1930s to the 1990s and beyond. Two Renaults caught our eye in the run-up to the sale; a 1980 18 GTS and 16TS. The former was given an estimate of £4000-£6000 and made just over that at £6156, while the latter was the recipient of fevered bidding, bringing the hammer down at £11,448 – £3448 above its upper estimate. A 1979 Datsun 240K Skyline GT coupe was another interesting lot, finding a new home for £14,256 to underline the popularity of rare Japanese classics.

Several smaller classics in this sale took our interest too, amongst them a no-reserve Ford Anglia 105E dating from 1962, which had been in the same family from new and sold for £5076. In addition, a 1988 Austin Metro City that had traveled 25,083 miles in the hands of just one owner went for £2484 – bang in the middle of its guide. Finally, a roadworthy 1960 Austin A40 Farina Mk1 was all done at £2160, representing something of a bargain against its estimate of £2500-£3500.

BMWs also offered a mixture of bargains and top performers. A 1993 E30 318i Touring unused since 2011 went for just £1660, but a low mileage E31 8 Series reached £29,160 – well above its estimate. And, at £38,340, a 1999 Z3 M Coupe with just 31,800 miles went £4000 over its upper guide price.

At the time of writing, the sale rate over the two days was over 80 per cent ahead of further deals being concluded, with 228 of the 284 entries having sold. ACA’s next sale takes place on November 4-5. Keep an eye on angliacarauctions.co.uk for details.

  • This 1957 AC Bristol was the best performing lot from a barn find collection hidden since the 1970s. Formerly owned by British racing driver, Betty Haig, it made a huge £156,600 including the buyer’s premium.
  • Described as a “very pretty, usable classic car that drives beautifully,” this largely original 1969 Austin 1300 Countryman automatic went to a new home for a bargain £2592 against an estimate of £3000-£4000.
  • Displaying just 38,676 miles from new, this 1998 BMW 840CI Sport was always going to generate interest. It smashed its £18,000-£20,000 guide price achieving £29,160.
  • One of the auction’s bargains was this 1955 Ford 103E Popular showing just 10,245 miles from new but missing its V5C document. Estimated at £6000-£7000, one happy bidder made it theirs for just £4968.
  • Another lot from the David Brown barn find collection, this rather sad-looking 1969 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 2 came complete with a Heritage Certificate confirming its year of manufacture. Last taxed in 1984, it sold for £35,640.
  • One of a few 190E models in this sale, this 1989 2.5-16 ‘Cosworth’ stood out having undergone notable restoration work. Perhaps its 159,361 miles influenced a sale price of a mere £7776 – just under the lower estimate.
  • One of only 70 left on the road, this striking Renault 16TS – said to be in “in perfect order” –underwent a restoration in 2021. It outperformed its upper estimate of £8000 to make £11,448 including fees.
  • There’s a healthy appetite for a good Suzuki SJ, evidenced by this 1985 example presented in excellent order and showing just 28,151 miles. Estimated to make between £3000-£5000, it sold for £7776.