Review: ACA

Hardy punters brave a soaking to shift a shedful of cars

Anglia Car Auctions’ last sale of the year was proof it draws in the hardiest of punters. The inclement weather should have put people off, but they arrived in droves, content to look at cars that weren’t under cover even if that meant the risk of getting a soaking.

But the King’s Lynn auctioneer again did what it always does well: pack in a large number of cars (even though the numbers were slightly down on what’s been seen recently) of all ages and all conditions and let them fly out the door – which 85 per cent did, sold under the hammer. There were plenty of strong prices, the 1980 Alpina B7, off at £31,500, raising two fingers at the ‘experts’ who doubted that such a sum could be achieved.

Cheaper cars also performed well, with numerous projects – not just those from a local Norfolk collection but others found buried in a closed public convenience – making strong money. Among the large Alvis offering was the last car built which, while needing some fettling, drew £39,900, way ahead of the £18,000 upper estimate.

Two Jon Culshaw MkIII Cortinas were away for more than £11,000 apiece while a 1981 Datsun Bluebird SSS Coupé wasn’t dear at just over £5500, showing that Datsun 240 and 260Zs and Honda S800s are not the only prized Japanese cars.

This was a first-rate end to ACA’s 2017, but there’s little respite for the business as its first 2018 sale will be held on 27 January. 01553 771881 angliacarauctions.co.uk