TO STAR AT H&H’S CHATEAU IMPNEY SALE

With the world focusing on the thrilling battle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for the 2014 Formula One World Championship, on 3 December 2014 H&H will offer one of the first Grand Prix cars of the modern era to bear the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star - a 1993 Sauber C12A.

The display car is built around a genuine tub and carries the chassis number 93.C12A.04. Rather than make simple glassfibre replicas, at the end of 1993 Sauber produced a series of five sponsors cars that included a high percentage of original race components. The Ilmor V10 engine is essentially a ‘shell’, but carries the correct ‘S’ logo on its cam covers, and the single-seater is depicted as a 1994, Tissot-liveried car with ‘Concept by Mercedes-Benz’ script on its flanks.

Whoever is crowned World Champion after the season decider in Abu Dhabi on 23 November, their multi-million-pound car will have cost far more than the modest £18,000 - 25,000 estimated for H&H’s Sauber.

Other early entries at the Chateau Impney, Worcestershire, sale range from a cute 1970 Fiat 500 L (£4,500 -6,500) to a classic British sports car from the 1930s, the £28,000 - 32,000 1934 MG PA.

Before then, on 12 November, H&H will return to its popular Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, venue where it will offer over 80 classics at prices to suit all pockets. One of the highlights is another Mercedes-Benz, the left-hand-drive, ex-California 1962 220 SE Coupé estimated at £16,000 - 20,000.

For further information  see www.classic-auctions.com