Five of the Best: The Restoration Show Sale

The Steeple Times selects five of the best cars on offer at the 6^th March Silverstone Auctions’ Restoration Show Sale at the NEC in Birmingham

 

Today, Silverstone Auctions will sell a whole array of classic and modern cars at the NEC in Birmingham. Amongst the lots on offer – at prices to suit every budget – are some real stunners and here we choose five of the best at the The Restoration Show Sale 2016:

 

1957 Bedford CA van – £9,000 to £12,000 ($12,800 to $17,100, €11,600 to €15,500)

Used in the 2015 film The Lady in the Van as the home of Miss Mary Shepherd – played by Dame Maggie Smith – this previously restored light delivery van was “distressed” for the film it truly was the star of. It is said to be in “excellent” order despite Dame Maggie having covered it in yellow paint during filming.

 

1985 Aston Martin Lagonda – £80,000 to £100,000 ($113,800 to $142,300, €103,400 to €129,200)

Designed by William Towns and priced at £150,000 new (the equivalent of £410,000, $583,000 or €530,000 today), this left-hand drive four door saloon was produced specifically for the 1986 New York Motor Show. It has variously found itself in Newport Beach, California, the Netherlands and the UK and truly reflects the design style of top-end 1980s motoring.

 

1950 Land Rover Series I by Tickford – £35,000 to £40,000 ($49,800 to $56,900, €45,200 to €51,700)

Described as the model that represents “the first attempt to civilise Land Rover”, this coach-built vehicle was one of just 650 produced. A forerunner of the Range Rover in terms of featuring such things as a split tailgate, this 51,493 mile rarity was restored between 2004 and 2006 and has formed part of several notable collections.

 

1955 Land Rover Series I – £7,000 to £9,000 ($10,000 to $12,800, €9,000 to €11,600)

Originally purchased by the Rothschild family as a gift for Romulus Christie, the grandson of the founder of the Glyndebourne Festival, this “shabby chic” Land Rover – registration ‘ROM 418’ – is described by Silverstone Auctioneers as a “faithful servant who has fought valiantly for sixty years”. They add: “[She’d] be equally at home ‘picking up’ on Yorkshire moor or parked outside The Admiral Codrington”.

 

1988 Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign – £5,000 to £8,000 ($7,100 to $11,400, €6,500 to €10,300)

A one owner car from new and stored under a dedicated cover for its entire 28-year life, this 3.6-litre, automatic Jaguar is described as having “sparkling” Grenadier Red paintwork and an “outstanding… supple” soft cream leather interior. It cost £29,572 new (the equivalent of £71,528, $101,763 or €92,414 today) and is marketed as “pound for pound, one of the best value cars you [could] buy”.

 

Update: 6^th March, 6pm:

 

1957 Bedford CA van – Unsold.

 

1985 Aston Martin Lagonda – Sold for just £73,125 ($104,000 or €94,500).

 

1950 Land Rover Series I by Tickford – Sold for £38,250 ($54,400 or €49,400).

 

1955 Land Rover Series I – Sold for on estimate £7,650 ($10,900 or €9,900).

 

1988 Jaguar XJ40 – Unsold.

 

 

 

Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here: