Here’s what you missed at the latest Historics sale packed full of interesting and rare classics and modern classics

A Historics auction is sure to yield quality, rarity and diversity in abundance, and the March 1 sale at Ascot Racecourse was no exception. A full auction hall, record online following, blue sky and sun were all very welcome features of the firm’s season opener, which saw 119 of the 188 entries pass to new owners – returning £2.14 million and a 63 per cent sale rate.

Top end sales included a 1994 Lancia Delta HF Integrale II, returning £88,0880, whilst in huge contrast, a brace of pre-war beauties from Lagonda soared to tremendous results. A 1931 2.0 litre ‘Low Chassis’ Speed Model settled at £83,500, and a 1933 M45 T7 Tourer crested £120,000.

It was a strong day for Rolls-Royce, with seven of the 10 offered passing to new owners, including a statuesque 1964 Silver Cloud III by Mulliner Park Ward that made nigh-on £63,000, plus a 1957 Silver Cloud 1 that sold for £20,592 and a newer 1997 Silver Dawn which, despite requiring some recommissioning, fetched £12,584. Alongside, a glorious 280bhp 1963 Jaguar Mk2 ‘Coombs Evocation’ settled above its top estimate at £55,000, and 1983 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 4.2 looked good value when it sold without reserve for £10,296.

Perennial favourite MG also proved strong, with a 100 per cent sale rate of the six cars offered.  There was much attention being paid to a 1980 MGB GT electric conversion, which charged along very nicely to settle on £21,700 – the same as a beautifully restored 1968 MGC Roadster.

There are always a few surprises at Historics’ auctions, and this time it came from a 1983 Ford Transit LWB that had only covered delivery mileage despite being made in 1983. Shattering its estimate, it returned what’s probably a record sale price of £42,328. In addition, £10,100 changed hands for a 12,500-mile P100 Pickup, and 1973 Morris Mini Van found a new home for £14,872.

Others to impress included a 1996 Land Rover Discovery 2 V8 with just 34,000 miles to its name fetched an impressive £18,876, while a surely unrepeatable 709-mile 1993 Peugeot 106 Key West was sold for £5034. Offering more pace was a 2004 BMW E46 M3 coupe with a desirable AP brake upgrade, which made a hefty £22,308, while a 1987 Mk2 Golf GTI 16V ‘small bumper’ managed an impressive £21,164 sale price and a quirky Renault Avantime Privilege which found a new home for £3718, proving there really was something for everyone.

For the full list of results, head to historics.co.uk

  • Recently imported from South Africa, this 1974 Alfa Romeo 1600 GT Junior had been upgraded to a 2000 engine and boasted lowered suspension and a stainless steel-exhaust. Sitting pretty on Minilite-style wheels, it changed hands for £25,000
  • The BMW E46 M3 is rapidly acquiring collectible status, and this 2004 coupe boasted rare options including 19-inch alloy wheels, Harman Kardon Hi-Fi and heated front seats to complement its exemplary condition. It changed hands for £22,308
  • We’ve seen six-pot E30s fetch big money, but this four-pot 318i convertible from 1993 surprised a few. Boasting just 31,500 miles and one owner from new, combined with incredibly tidy Brilliant Red bodywork, it sold for £20,020
  • We’re used to seeing Mk1 Golf GTIs fetch impressive sums, but this 1987 Mk2 16V was a real surprise – a Type 19 ‘small bumper’ model on its original bottle-top alloys, it looked in fantastic condition and changed hands for £21,164
  • Once common but now near extinct, this Ford Sierra P100 Pickup showed a remarkably low 12,500 miles. Benefitting from Waxoyl rustproofing and a smartened-up engine bay, its new owner paid £10,100
  • This stunning 1969 Rolls-Royce Corniche FHC was one of just 369 coachbuilt by Mulliner Park Ward and was subject to a sympathetic restoration in 2016. Sporting a subtle modern stereo system within its luxurious interior, it sold for £21,164
  • Classic commercials in mint condition are increasingly in-demand, and this 1983 Ford Transit Mk2 LWB proved it. With just 147 miles showing and its original sales invoice included, the immaculate van sold for an impressive £42,328
  • Spiritual successor to the rakish 262C, this 1990 Volvo 780 Coupe was imported from Japan in 2016 and believed to be one of four in Britain. Offered without reserve, it sold for £5720