The Week In Deals

RICHARD BARNETT’S WEEK OF LOOKING AT THE MARKET

MONDAY

Brightwells has started to list cars for its 1 April sale and already interesting lots include a no-reserve 1981 Ford Cortina 1.6L estate. Having once owned a Cortina Crusader I have a lot of time for the final model, not only because they’re pretty good to drive but because they look pretty good, too. Some might be put off because it’s beige, but that’s their loss.

WEDNESDAY

I bet plenty of you will be looking at the unrestored Jag XJC in Bonhams’ 20 March sale – a prototype that appeared at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1973. It’s estimated at £8-12k, but I think that £8-10k is more realistic. The press history is interesting, but I don’t know if it adds much to the value of a project car like this. XJCs have always been far too cheap for what they are though they compare pretty well to a Rolls-Royce Corniche, in either six- or 12-cylinder form.

THURSDAY

Every now and then I’m reminded of just how long I’ve been watching historic motor sport. Barons’ next sale, for instance, includes a 1967 Jaguar 420 that raced in the 1980s and 1990s. I’m sure it was the one I saw a few times at Silverstone back in the day. Anyway, if you fancy giving this wonderful old campaigner (which includes a goodly host of period modifications) a home, it’s estimated at £9000-12,000, which sounds like good value to me.

SATURDAY

Staying with Jaguars, Historics’ sale includes a 1958 3.4 saloon. I prefer the MkI to its successor and this matching-numbers model in Sherwood Green with tan interior and body-colour wires looks an utter treat following a £20k restoration. In more recent times the MkI has found its way in the market – rightly so, I’d say.