Rare cars, plates go under the hammer

AUCTIONEERS Stephan Welz & Co are set to stage another classic car auction in Joburg where they will put a rare Jaguar XK, a RollsRoyce Corniche and a personalised GP number plate (and the car it’s attached to) under the hammer.

Valued at between R2.4 and R2.8-million is a concourse condition 1955 Jag XK 140. This imperial maroon with biscuit tan interior example has undergone a 20 year restoration, and comes with chrome wire wheels, new tyres and a complete tool kit.

The 2001 Rolls Royce Corniche is valued at similar money, and has only 40 800km on the clock. This car is one of only four known in South Africa, and one of just 35 right-hand drive versions ever built. It’s finished in metallic silver with cream leather interior and a blue mohair roof, and includes every possible option at the time, including two umbrellas under the bootlid. Factory-fitted seat covers mean no bum has ever sat on the original leather.

The auction of the JHB 1 GP number plate follows the recent Stephan Welz & Co sale of number plates 1 GP through to 8 GP, which were all sold for R1 890 000. The number 9 GP, owned by late Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen and bearing his playing jersey number, was sold at the same auction for R167 000 a few months before he passed away.

JHB 1 is expected to reach around R250 000, but bidders will have the option to also buy the car it’s registered to - a 1958 Morris Minor 1000 two-door saloon, estimated to be worth around R60 000 on its own.

The auction will take place on March 28 and 29 at the Nelson Mandela Square South Tower, with pre-event viewing on March 2. Visit www.stephanwelzandco.co.za or call 011-880-3125 for more information.