A bustling Classic Motor Show played host to Iconic Auctioneers this year as per tradition, with Hall 2 hosting a display of 170 classics

A nod towards classics of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s was evident at Iconic’s headline sale at the NEC, but the selection across all decades was eclectic, with all major cornerstones of the classic car market represented.

Continuing trends see values for fast Fords and the evergreen Porsche 911 sticking relatively high, while low-mileage examples of popular 1990s and 2000s machinery seemed to perform particularly well. We were interested to see a standard 2002 BMW M3 go for £29,250 including premium, for example: a strong result that tallies with ever increasing interest in modern classics.

Group A and B or WRC heritage also seems to resonate with buyers, with appetite for great examples of the Lancia Delta Integrale, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Ford RS200 hitting big numbers over the course of the day.

Traditional classics were not ignored, of course, with decent results across the board accompanied by a few relative bargains – £24,750 for a 1959 Alvis TD21 DHC seemed good value to us, while the £81,000 paid for a stunning 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL in Taiga Green proved buyers’ continued fondness for iconic 70s classics.

Here are just some of the highlights from Ionic’s Saturday sale at the show. For full results and details of Iconic’s next sale, visit iconicauctioneers.com

  • Built and entered into the sale by Jaguar specialist Tom Lenthall Ltd, this 1977 Jaguar ‘XJC-R’ is powered by a 370bhp supercharged AJ16S straight six and sits on subframes and suspension from an X300 Jaguar XJ. Other modifications include a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox, X100 XJR Brembo brakes and a custom-made exhaust. Named in honour of Lenthall’s friend who passed away in 2023, Emma sold for a strong £63,000 including premium with all proceeds going to the RNLI
  • Finished in Caribbean Blue with matching Light Blue interior, this nicely presented 1975 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was chauffeur-driven until 1992 when it was then garaged and meticulously maintained by its next owners. With extensive history and low mileage of just over 40,000 miles, it changed hands for £30,375 including premium
  • Forming part of the ‘Grand Tourers Collection’ – a grouping of 38 cars curated by a now deceased owner – this unrestored 1966 Mercedes 230SL Pagoda was presented in honest, excellent condition with a shade over 35,000km on the clock and offered with no reserve. Its fourth owner took it home for £36,000 including fees
  • Japanese classics continue to perform well – these three Datsun 240Z examples sold for £32,625, £37,125 and £34,875 with premium respectively (front to back). Meanwhile, icons of the early noughties continue to excite; £90,000 was needed for a 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R in iconic Bayside Blue, while a collector-favourite Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Vl Tommi Mäkinen Edition made £74,812 including premium
  • Resplendent in period-correct Royal Mail livery, this Austin Seven Type AVJ van is one of the last to be made before the switch to rounded, Ruby-style vans in 1937. While not originally used as a post van, the vehicle was owned by Royal Mail and used from 1982 onwards to promote the arrival of postcodes to the UK. Eye-catching even in a room full of exotica, the Austin made £16,875 with premium
  • One of only nine homologation examples remaining, this 1967 Fiat Dino 2.0-litre Coupe came from the same family owners since 1976 and was presented in excellent condition. Its new owner did well to secure the rare car for £42,750
  • An early example of a Mk3 Ford Escort XR3 with just 6,420 miles under its wheels, this immaculate, unmodified South African import from 1981 didn’t quite match its estimate at auction and is available to buy now at time of writing for £17,500
  • One of just 101 right-hand drive examples sold new in the UK, this flat-twelve powered 1978 Ferrari 512 BB came fresh from a comprehensive restoration and complete engine rebuild by specialist Simon Campbell. It sold for £173,000 including premium, proving appetite for the most iconic models from Modena remains strong
  • With no reserve and exceptionally low mileage, this very late 1990 Citroën 2CV6 Spécial spent most of its life in storage and is incredibly original right down to its still-present quality control stickers. The lot was offered with no reserve and made £22,500 including fees
  • Sporty Ford models from the 80s and 90s sold very strongly, with multiple Escort generations, Sierra and even RS200 represented. Finished in rare Aubergine, this Escort RS Cosworth Lux sold for £70,875. A white Lux with just 2,221 miles wowed the crowd when the hammer dropped at £180,000 – that’s £207,000 including fees