Classic Car Auctions (CCA) returned to Birmingham’s NEC as part of the Restoration Show on March 23 and 24, with 229 cars going under the hammer

With 26,912 attendees attending the show over the duration of the weekend it was no surprise to see some impressive results in CCA’s latest sale – but there were also a host of bargain buys.

We’ll start with a headliner. A 1961 Ford Zodiac Mk2 in show-standard condition and showing only 20,370 miles was estimated at £14,000–16,000, but managed to achieve a sale price of £27,000, setting a new live auction world record in the process. It wasn’t the only the only Ford to hit the heights though, with the sole Ford Capri Mk1 V8 conversion produced by Super Speed of Essex beating its lower guide to sell for £33,750.

There were also surprises among a strong BMW contingent. A 1995 E32 750iL V12 was built for the Diplomatic Service, and despite requiring recommissioning, soared past its guide price to make £19,575. Other prestige cars to do well included a 2004 Bentley Continental GT showing 27,790 miles, which sold for £5000 more than its upper estimate at £27,000, with a Porsche 911 SC Targa beating its £28,000–32,000 guide to finish up at £39,375.

Further highlights included a 1990 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 in desirable Miami Blue, which sold above guide for £18,562, and there were numerous Minis too. The stand-out was a lovely 1964 Pick-up that sold for £21,375, but there was also a smart 1959 Austin Seven DeLuxe that made £16,875 and another Pick-up, this time from 1982, for £15,750.

One of the big attractions for Land Rover fans was no fewer than 34 examples in the sale. Of these, 19 were projects from the same collection, all offered with no reserve. A 1969 Range Rover assembled as a pre-production prototype had to be the highlight – Velar chassis number two, it was used for promotional work then selected for conversion to a rapid-response airport fire tender with six wheels. It made £29,250, but that was beaten by a tidy 1972 Suffix A that sold for £30,275. Others of interest included a 1986 Overfinch prototype at £5400, plus a Janspeed Turbo conversion from the same year, which made £3937.

While many lots beat their reserves, more cars than CCA would have liked either failed to match their guide or find a buyer, perhaps reflecting the current market. However, that did lead to some bargains; such as the 1939 Daimler DE27 Limousine possibly used by Winston Churchill, which sold for just £3938. And for a modern starter classic, how about a 14,700-mile Rover 100 for a mere £1012?

For the full list of results, see classiccarauctions.co.uk

  • One of our favourites was this late Mk2 MG Metro Turbo. The 1989 example showed just over 47,000 miles and benefitted from a fresh coat of paint in its original hue of White Diamond, earning it a sale price of £9563.
  • This 1964 Mini Pick-up looked superb with its Surf Blue paint, light grey interior and cream-painted steel wheels. It wasn’t completely original but had been restored to a high standard with correct period features, and sold above its guide for an impressive £21,375.
  • This curious looking six-wheeled Range Rover began life in 1969 as a pre-production prototype – Velar chassis number two, no less. Used for promotional work then later selected for conversion to a rapid-response airport fire tender (also a prototype), it made £29,250.
  • One of the auction’s stars was this 1961 Ford Zodiac Mk 2 ‘Lowline’. In show-standard condition and showing only 20,370 miles, it was estimated at £14,000-£16,000 but managed to achieve a sale price of £27,000, setting a new live auction world record in the process.
  • One of only 1200 ‘Phase 1.5’ limited edition cars, this 1991 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 showed just over 52,000 miles and was resplendent in desirable Miami Blue. It was in excellent condition and beat its upper guide price to sell for £18,562.
  • An Avenger is a rare sight at any auction, but this 1979 Talbot-badged LS 1600 Special Saloon certainly caught our eye. Showing 35,150 miles and previously owned by an Avenger enthusiast, it sold towards the top of its estimate for £4725.
  • This 1995 BMW 750iL was built for VIP security/the Diplomatic Service and featured rear curtains, pistol holders, armoured doors and an external speaker. Unused since 2019, it was offered with a guide of £6000-£10,000, but sold for an impressive £19,575
  • Believed to be a Series 1.5 fixed head Coupe and not registered until 1971, this Jaguar E-Type had been comprehensively rebuilt to fast-road specification, with upgrades including a later XK engine tuned to produce 265bhp and a five-speed gearbox. It sold for £61,875.