WB & Sons’ first sale of 2022 was a strong one that saw an interesting variety of classics going under the hammer
Newcastle upon Tyne auction house WB & Sons began its 2022 programme with a very robust performance on February 12. Almost 130 lots went under the hammer for the public-facing sale, which saw some impressive results including what must surely be a record for a Bedford HA van.
The 1979 example was used for only two years before being stood up until 2010 and fully restored. It was estimated at £8000-£9000 but soared to a remarkable selling price of £15,050. What’s more, it wasn’t the only HA in the sale, having been joined by a rare 1974 Double Plus model with folding rear seats, which also outperformed expectations to sell for £11,018.
Other now rare sights to perform well included a 1979 Fiat Strada, which is thought to be one of just two 75CL Automatic models licensed and sold for £5050. An early Mk3 Vauxhall Cavalier CD registered within three months of the model’s launch looked a good buy at £2166, with a 1986 Ford Orion showing just 11,000 miles also finding a new home for £4250. Elsewhere, the pre-war contingent included an attractive 1938 Morris 8 that sold above its upper estimate at £4675.
For those preferring a little more sporting character, a Rover Mini Cooper BSCC special edition imported from Japan soared to a very strong price of £15,400 and a 2002 Alfa GTV Cup sold mid-guide at £8950. Perhaps more of a wildcard was a 1991 Peugeot 205 GTI fitted with a 3-litre V6 motor from a 406 Coupe, which was expected to change hands for £3000-£5000 but managed £5375. In addition, a standard 1.6 example also sold above estimate for £6380.
The sale featured several American classics too, with a 1925 Studebaker Special Six, a 1938 Packard Super Eight Touring Limousine, a 1950 Dodge Business Coupe, a 1951 Mercury Sedan, a 1965 Chrysler Imperial Crown Coupe, a 1976 Ford F100 Custom Pick-up and a wacky 1997 Lincoln Town Car Lowrider all finding buyers. The best performer of all, however, was a 1956 Buick Super Riviera, which sold for £27,500. Offering a significant contrast was a 1980 Rolls-Royce Corniche, which sold for an impressive £31,000.
With bargain starter classics including a 1990 Toyota Corolla for £715 and a Mk5 Ford Escort Cabriolet for £550 joining great projects like a Jaguar XJC for £4200 and a 1960 Lancia Flavia for £1050, this was a sale to appeal to a wide range of tastes and pockets. WB & Sons’ next sale takes place on March 26 – visit wbandsons.com to see the catalogue build.
