US auto style, British and Continental classics under the hammer at Barrons

SANDOWN PARK AUCTION THIS SATURDAY

Visitors to the all-American Buster Lang Classic Car Show at Sandown Park this Saturday, August 13th can do more than admire the US ‘metal’ on show – they can acquire their own American automobile at Barons’ sale that afternoon. And, if British or European classics are what they’re looking for instead, they will find plenty to choose from in the sale.

Packed with a fantastic array of chrome, fins, muscle power and all-American styling, the sale showcases the diversity of motor cars that have been produced across the Atlantic over the decades, and includes items such as a ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ Mustang GT 500 Eleanor – number 50 of just 50 commissioned for the blockbuster movie – and a Chevrolet Camaro that starred in the film ‘Fast & Furious Six’.

Classics built outside of the USA are also on offer, including a superb 1978 Aston Martin V8, a charming and elegant 1950 Fiat Topolino and a future collector’s item in the form of the 2014 Land Rover FCX Autobiography Edition Defender.

US-style

The 1967 Mustang GT 500 Eleanor - the last of 50 commissioned from CVS Cinema Car Services in Los Angeles for ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ - was intended for use as the promotional car for the film. It has acquired just six miles on the clock since its rebuild, and can definitely be described as being like new. Estimate: £170,000-£190,000.

Another car with Hollywood connections – this time with an on-screen history – is the first-generation 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS seen in ‘Fast & Furious Six’. An original right-hand drive car, it was imported from Australia into the UK in 2004 and has undergone a full nut and bolt restoration at a cost of over £41,000. Since then it has covered just 140 miles. The only known RHD Camaro muscle car in the UK, it carries an estimate of £45,000-£55,000.

The Ford Mustang is perhaps the quintessential American car, and Barons’ sale features a number of these hugely popular machines, including a very special 1966 GT Coupe with rare front bench seat option. It has been the subject of a meticulous, 500 man-hour, restoration costing over £29,000. Estimate: £27,000-£32,000.

Even by the early 1930s American cars had a distinctive style all of their own, and the 1932 Buick Model 65 in the sale amply demonstrates this, with its whitewall tyres, sweeping wings, large chrome headlamps and tall body. It doesn’t take much of a stretch of imagination to envisage a 1930s movie star – or gangster – being transported in this particular car. A US barn find it still has its original interior, and has an estimate of £9,000-£11,000.

The massive fins and classic lines of the 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special, 1956 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday and 1960 Plymouth Fury really evoke the early years of rock ‘n roll (£11,000-£13,000, £18,000-£21,000 and £15,000-£18,000 respectively), while the trend for ‘rodding’ or customizing early American vehicles is well represented at the sale. There are two ‘rodded’ Model A Fords on offer: a gleaming, metallic purple 1930 example (£28,000-£32,000) and 1931 Ratrod (£29,000-£33,000), and – demonstrating how car design evolved in the subsequent decade or so – a 1942 Pontiac Silverstreak Fastback Street Rod (£12,000-£15,000) and 1946 DeSoto Custom (£13,000-£15,000).

Classic & Collectors’ cars

Resplendent in British Racing Green livery, with red leather interior, the 1978 Aston Martin V8 – from the final year of production of the Series 3 cars – has been dry stored for many years. It has covered 77,000 miles from new, and has an estimate of £60,000-£70,000.

The 1950 Fiat Topolino was in the hands of the same collector for 47 years and, while it has undergone some restoration over the decades, it has a fine patina as befits its age. Estimate: £11,000-£14,000. Another charming Italian 1950s classic is the 1959 Lancia Appia, from a UK private collection (£10,000-£12,000).

One unique item is the 2014 Land Rover FCX Autobiography Edition Defender. When it left the factory is featured every available upgrade, and FCX then took the car to whole new level, fitting £6,000 original Land Rover Recaro suede-backed racing seats, upgrading suspension and exhaust, fitting a £7,400 full leather interior and £4,900 aftermarket stereo system and even a Bentley grille conversion! Estimate £35,000-£40,000.


Related Market and Auction Articles

4,930 articles