£538K quicKfire auction
UK’s biggest single collection of workaday classic shifted in lorry sale
The biggest ever collection of ‘workaday’ classics including fast Fords and Land Rovers sold like hot cakes – thanks to a frantic, no reserve quickfire sale.
More than 70 classic cars went under the hammer with 130 commercial vehicles on 23 April at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, Cambs, in a Protruck Auctions sale.
All the vehicles belonged to Suffolk haulier Gary Cooper (see CCW, 30 March) Estimates ranged from £750 to above £20,000 and apart from a 1999 Bentley Turbo R once owned by Gary’s parents there was little by way of exotica – with Ford the most prominent marque. The car sales total on the day was £538,450.
Top of the pile was a Ford Cortina Lotus MkII with 4753 miles – after a frenzied bidding war between a buyer in the room and an online punter, the buyer in the room grabbed the car for £30,500 – nearly £10,000 more than its lower estimate. A selection of 2016’s must-have classic, the Capri, also sold well. A Capri 3.0 Ghia went for £11,750, a 3000GT was away for £13,250 and a 1600XL made £15,650.
Managing director of Protruck Auctions, Charlie Wright, says: ‘I’ve known Gary for the last 20 years, so when he wanted to sell his collection of cars he came to me. It’s certainly a bit of a coup for us.’
Auctioneer assistant Peter Thomas adds: ‘Our sales are a bit different to other vehicle auctions – ours are much quicker and that adds to the excitement. Our style has drawn in many new faces to the scene, as well as some dealers who are bidding online so they’re not seen to be buying auction cars.’ Murray Scullion www.protruckauctions.co.uk