Classic Car Weekly (UK)

BOOMING BOOMERS

Don’t dismiss British cars from the immediate post-war Baby Boom years – auctiongoe­rs are catching on that many of them make good classic buys

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‘These British cars offer usable and affordable classic motoring’

One of the British motor industry’s most interestin­g periods is the decade after the war finished; the motoring world changed greatly between 1945 and 1955, as some smaller companies that could just get by immediatel­y after 1945 collapsed, while bigger businesses strengthen­ed their grip on the market.

This was also the time when car makers were coerced into exporting as much of their output as possible: the more they exported, the greater amount of steel the Government would allow them. In the meantime, with a domestic market desperate for new motors, the easiest solution was to reintroduc­e cars being made before hostilitie­s began.

It’s easy to think solely of the famous three from 1948 – Jaguar XK120, Land Rover and Morris Minor – and early examples of these models (the 120 in particular) make regular auction appearance­s. But this period also saw companies hanging on bravely – Lea-Francis carried on until the end of the 1950s, and Allard soldiered on for much the same time.

However, today numerous other British cars, particular­ly saloons, from the post-war period offer usable, reliable and affordable classic motoring. South West Vehicle Auctions sold a very good 1951 MG YA for £18,360 in April and Brightwell­s offered a tidy, muchloved 1952 model in May, which sold for £7700.

Anglia Car Auctions offered a little-seen 1949 Vauxhall Wyvern in its April sale, and while in need of work, it was well bought at £2520. In the same sale ACA offered a pair of 1954 Morris Minor four-doors, one making £4620 and the other £5250.

Compared with Morris Minors, Austin ‘county’ cars are far rarer, but H&H’s National Motorcycle Museum sale came up with the goods – a 1954 A70 Hereford from an Irish collection, it was in very good order, with paint, body and interior all in highly presentabl­e condition. It was good enough to make £8437.

Riley offered a more sporting take on saloon cars and its combinatio­n of looks and performanc­e has ensured a good following for models that are often seen in the same light as Lancias from the same era. ACA sold a 1953 RMF in January for £15,540 and Charterhou­se a 1954 RME for £10,080, while the following month Herefordsh­ire Vintage Auctions’ reasonable 1954 RME went for £8600.

So while the post-war period might seem something of a Dark Ages for British classics, a fantastic selection of cars built then still makes for interestin­g buys today.

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