EDITOR’S CHOICE
DAVD SIMISTER,
David’s taken a closer look at the 200 classics going under the hammer next weekend – these are the three cars that he reckons are going to get bidders talking…
1958 LOTUS ELITE
‘Ant Anstead restored this Elite on For The Love A Cars a couple of years ago and subsequently went on to break a model world record at auction. Could it be about to do the same again at next weekend’s sale?’
1980 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
‘Last Editions are particularly sought-after in VW circles – and another example, sold by Silverstone this time last year, holds the UK auction record. This one’s been in storage for 29 years, and should attract a flurry of bids.’
1981 TRIUMPH TR8
‘ This TR8, bought straight from the factory during a BL clearout, has never been registered and has 124 miles on the clock – hence the £35-40k estimate. This deserves to take pride of place in a museum or a starring role at shows.’
If this Almond Green/Old English White Mini seems familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen its on- screen transformation on the Channel 4 series For the Love of Cars. The episode, which originally aired in 2014, documented this Mini’s incredible restoration at the hands of Ant Anstead and Mini expert Keith Calver.
This celebrity connection is certainly a factor in our decision to highlight it here, but much more so is that same history that attracted the For the Love of Cars team: two years after it was built, it was taken to Downton Engineering where its engine was enhanced with a polished and gasflowed cylinder head with larger valves, a Downton manifold and twin SU H4 carbs.
The car had been standing in a barn in Ireland since the late Nineties but was structurally sound. Keith Calver re-built the engine and running gear with AVO dampers and SuperPro bushes added, before the Mini underwent a total re- spray at Evanta with Dunlop D1 alloys fitted. Inside, the Knighton seats with original covers and Les Leston wood rim wheel and gear knob have been retained.
The restoration has held up during the intervening six years – this is most certainly a Mini with the ‘ wow’ factor. The bodywork and interior are immaculate, but what really impresses is just how quick this featherweight classic feels from behind the steering wheel.
It’s as if all the qualities of the original Cooper-tuned A- series engine have been turned up to 11. Throttle response is instant and acceleration doesn’t seem to tail off at any point. This a genuinely quick car.
The noise entering the cabin is undampened and there’s now a rev counter in front of the driver, primarily to serve as a reminder not to rev the 998cc unit past 6000rpm – as recommended by Downton itself in a series of letters within the history detailing the work carried out.
Impressive performance is allied to the expected precise and direct steering that allows the driver to slalom along even poorly- surfaced roads with ease without feeling that they’re ever likely to find the limits of this Mini’s incredible handling.
The work by Downton, which also included fitting AP front brake discs and a Kenlowe fan, cost £166 in 1966 – to our mind, it remains money well spent.