With a focus on quality classics across a range of price brakets, there’s something for everyone at the upcoming SWVA auction on October 29

The October sale catalogue may be slightly slimmer than some lately but chatting to the team at SWVA revealed the emphasis this month at SWVA is firmly on quality, with a couple of high-end lots paired with an intriguing selection of more attainable classics.

Stars of the high end lots for us are the Mercedes ‘Pagoda’ SL and the Mk2 Escort RS1800, both with extensive restorations behind them. A more traditional counterpoint to the Mercedes is an early Jaguar E-Type coupe which has been carefully refurbished mechanically but which needs attention to its paintwork, alongside a Morris Traveller which has clearly had a lot of love lavished on it to create what to us seemed like a potential show-winner.

More affordable but just as appealing was an ex-South Africa Frogeye Sprite which looked like a lovely original example even if the paintwork did need some attention and the roof replacing after a life under the hot sun. From a similar era but very different is the unusual Austin A40 Sports, the example in this sale sporting the common engine upgrade, while a rare survivor from the Rootes years comes in the shape of the Arrow-generation Singer Vogue at £1500-£2000. The sale also includes no less than three Mini commercials: two vans and a Pick-up.

Of the more modern fare, we were intrigued by the £3000-£4000 Mk3 Toyota Supra, an MG Maestro at £4000-£5000 and a pair of Aston Martin DB7s in V12 convertible and Jaguar-engined coupe form, both looking very nicely presented. As you might expect, there’s a handful of Stags and MGBs to be had, while another South African import had us intrigued in the shape of an early four-door Range Rover offering the classic style with a more affordable price tag.

The sale starts at 10am on October 29, with viewing by appointment on the Monday to Thursday beforehand. Check out our star lots below, or see the full catalogue here.

  • One of three Morris Travellers in the sale, this ’57 car is an early curved-screen model and has been beautifully restored to concours level. it’s estimated at £12,500-£15,000.
  • Mechanically spot-on but with the paintwork now needing some cheering up, this 1962 E-Type is said to drive nicely and having been off the road from 1981 to 2015, the 46,823 miles could well be genuine. Budget on £52,500 to £55,000.
  • The E36 generation BMW convertible is increasingly sought-after and this honest and tidy 323i auto comes with six-cylinder power and just 78,000 miles for an estimated £4500-£5500.
  • A rare early Custom-spec car, this RS1800 estimated at £70,000 to £75,000 has received a professional restoration retaining the original bodyshell and all the important identifying details.
  • Pagoda SL is a 1967 example of the rare 250 and comes with photographs of an extensive restoration. An estimate of £51,000 to £59,000 puts it up there with the E-Type.
  • This 1979 Mini Pick up looked flawless in the metal and is bound to justify its £9000-£10,000 estimate.
  • A great early Sixties counterpoint to the E-Type, this 1964 Corvette came to the UK in 2014 and was restored in 2015, the paintwork still looking flawless today. Running the four-speed manual and 5.7-litre small block V8, it’s estimated at £37,000-£39,000.
  • An interesting take on the classic Range Rover, this ex-South Africa 1984 four-door shares the plain style of the two-door models but is estimated at just £6950-£7950.
  • One of two Aston Martin DB7s in the sale, this manual 1996 coupe is really tidy inside and out and has received several performance upgrades. With just under 70,000 miles it’s estimated at £15,000-£16,000.