RICHaRd BaRNETT

I’m not a great fan of applause at auctions, no matter how substantial the price made for the car under the hammer. But it was a great result – and one that thoroughly justified that impromptu rousing – when South West Vehicle Auctions sold the Rover 3500 VIP for £23,000 (sale review, page 18). Yes, it was a good result for the seller, but it was a great result for Poole, Dorset-based SWVA, whose classic sales seem to get better and better. They certainly attract enough punters – for later arrivals it was a case of parking where they could and having a walk to the auction. And lots of punters make for keen bidding and strong prices, although I was informed later that one customer was confused by SWVA’s estimated prices and reserve prices policy (see investigation next week).

Talking of strong prices, it’s not long until the Bonhams Aston Martin sale at the Aston Martin Works, Newport Pagnell, Bucks (see main story, right). There’s plenty to tempt the suitably wellheeled buyer, including the DB3S competition car, but there are projects too, and these always get the throng fired-up.