An impressive 150 lots went under the hammer as WB & Sons’ hosted the latest of its regular sales at its Newcastle upon Type base on June 3.

The entry list was typically varied too, ranging from pre-war machinery to prestige modern classics. Most notable, however, was the performance of several hot hatches. A 1991 Peugeot 205 GTI in rare Sorrento Green managed to beat its £8000-£12,000 estimate to sell for an impressive £13,200, with a 1993 Vauxhall Nova GSI changing hands for £17,500 – a far cry from when Novas were a cheap boy racer favourite. Moving forward a decade, a sought-after Renault Clio 182 Trophy dating from 2005 beat its lower estimate to make £8800, and a modified 2003 Ford Focus RS went even better by sailing past its £14,000-£16,000 guide to sell for £19,350. Elsewhere, one of its forebears, a rare Mk2 Ford Escort Mexico, proved the enduring appeal of classic performance Blue Ovals by changing hands for £25,000.

It proved to be a good sale for traditional British classics too. The headliner was a 1968 Jaguar E-Type that sold for £75,250, but at the more affordable end of the scale, a 1959 Morris Oxford Traveller in exceptional condition impressed by making £13,400 against a top estimate of £12,000, while a 1966 Triumph 2000 in estate guise made a healthy £4000 against a predicted £2000-£3000. More modern examples included a couple of Jaguar XK8s that both found new homes above their guide prices, plus a 2005 MG TF Spark that proved to be a solid performer by selling above its £3500-£4500 estimate for £5250.

Among further impressive modern classic performances was an exceptionally original example of Toyota’s ST205-generation Celica GT-Four, which showed a mere 60,000 miles and comfortably sold above-estimate for £18,812. And there were some good performances amongst the German contingent too, with a stunning 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE making £21,500 and a very tidy 1984 BMW 320i selling at the top of its guide for £5912.

WB & Sons’ next sale takes place on July 15. To view the full catalogue as it builds, head to wbandsons.com.

  • Finished in white with a red interior, this rare and practical 1966 Triumph 2000 estate had only had two former keepers and was sold with receipts for recent servicing and maintenance. It beat its £2000-£3000 estimate to sell for £4000.
  • An exceptionally original example of the ST205 model, this 1996 Toyota Celica GT-Four had covered only 60,000 miles and had a comprehensive maintenance record. It was estimated at £10,000-£15,000 but soared to a final selling price of £18,812.
  • Registered in the last year of production, this 1993 Vauxhall Nova GSI was fastidiously maintained to its original specification and showed 86,000 miles. Good hot Novas are now hot property, and this one proved the point by selling for an impressive £17,500.
  • There are fewer than 100 Morris Oxford Travellers left on our roads, and this 1959 car offered a rare chance to purchase a wonderfully presented example. It had only had three former keepers and beat its £8000-£12,000 to sell for £13,400.
  • Good examples of the MG TF could be on the up if this 2005 run-out Spark edition is anything to go by. The immaculate 135 model had covered just 20,000 miles in the hands of two owners and beat its £3500-£4500 guide to sell for £5250.
  • Sold new in South Africa before being imported in 2016 and fully UK registered, this 1972 Mercedes 280 SE was a fuel-injected SE model and was resplendent in sought-after Caledonia Green with a Palomino Tan interior. It changed hands for £21,500.
  • The biggest hitter on the day was this 1968 ‘Series 1.5’ Jaguar E-Type roadster. It had spent most of its life in Florida before being repatriated in 2020 and subject to a full not-and-bolt restoration. It sold for £75,250.
  • One of several modern classic hot hatches, this Renault Clio 182 was a rare Trophy edition from 2005. It had been subject to some modifications and was missing its original Sachs dampers, but still managed to sell for £8800.