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England - Classic Car Auctions (CCA) held its biggest sale of the year last weekend at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show where 130 out of 161 cars classics on offer were sold, resulting in an impressive 81% sales rate.
The total value of the cars sold reached £2.1-million over the two-day sale at the NEC in Birmingham on 24th and 25th March.
While there was frenetic bidding for many cars, notable lots included the highest price paid at the auction for a restored 1972 Alfa Montreal which sold above its upper estimate for £59 400. It was followed by another Montreal project car from the same year which sold for £28 600 to an internet bid from New Zealand, again above its upper estimate.
1948 Jaguar 3.5-litre Mark 'IV'
A 1948 Jaguar 3.5-litre ‘Mark IV’ Drophead Coupé sold for £40 700 to the Czech Republic, for more than double the upper estimate.
Image: Newspress
1972 Alfa Montreal
An outstanding condition, restored 1972 Alfa Montreal sold above its upper estimate for £59 400.
Image: Newspress
1964 Morris Mini Cooper
A 1964 Morris Mini Cooper 970 ‘S’ in a very rare original colour sold for £40 700, almost £10 000 above its upper estimate.
Image:Newspress
Meanwhile, a stunning a stunning 1948 Jaguar 3.5-litre ‘Mark IV’ Drophead Coupé stole the limelight on day two of the sale when it sold for more than twice its upper estimate for £40 700, to an on-line bidder in the Czech Republic.
Proving that good things come in small packages was a 1964 Morris Mini Cooper 970 ‘S’ in a very rare original shade of blue which sold for £40 700, almost £10 000 above its upper estimate.
Other cars which caught the attention of bidders and selling above upper estimate included a rare 1975 Vauxhall Firenza 2.3 ‘Droopsnoot’ which sold for £18 150, and a 1975 Jensen Interceptor SIII 7.2-litre which was hammered away for £56 100.
Fast Ford fever was high with a 1987 Ford Capri 280 ‘Brooklands’ Turbo Technics selling above its upper estimate at £26 400, while other modern classics also achieved strong results, including a 1973 Datsun 240Z sold for £10 000 above its lower estimate for £24,750 and a 1990 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera Targa 4 which sold well above its upper estimate for £36 850.
Celebrity cars were also not to be outdone. A 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL once owned by music legend Sir Barry Gibb sold above its upper estimate for £17 600, while a 1995 BMW E38 750iL previously owned by rocker Francis Rossi OBE fetched £7 150 and a 1985 Bentley Turbo R, once the property of global superstar Sir Elton John CBE, sold for £10 120.
Gary Dunne, sales manager, Classic Car Auctions, said: “This is a fantastic start to the year for CCA and we’re absolutely delighted with the results, as well as the huge turn-out in the auction hall.”
There was a lot of variety in the cars on offer and demand proved high across the board, and from across the globe. The dust may have only just settled on this sale but we’re straight onto the next, so I encourage any prospective vendors to come forward early to avoid disappointment.”
