British luxury’s a hit with buyers
Riley, Daimler and Gordon Keeble among Dorset sale’s many and varied highlights
Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions’ early September sale saw a 1965 Gordon Keeble GK1 sell for £51,750, the price being driven by both online and telephone bids. Requiring re-commissioning, it was described as being in tidy rather than concours condition.
There was further true grand touring prowess with a 1976 Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Coupé, the plusher version of the Jaguar XJ Coupé. Said to be largely original – bar a re-paint – it certainly looked the part but a lack of use meant that some recommissioning was on the cards. It sold for £22,000.
An Austin A35 van in need of some re-freshing sold for £5280 and a 1967 Fiat 850 Coupé added some Italian glitz and was bought for £4620.
1976 DAIMLER SOVEREIGN COUPÉ
The plusher version of Jaguar’s XJ Coupé, Daimler’s two-door Sovereigns have a lower survival rate and so this example was bound to do well when it crossed the block. Said to have needed recommissioning but having been treated to a major restoration and re-spray in the hands of its previous custodian, this Sovereign deservedly sauntered well past its estimate on the day. A solid buy that was clerly good enough to do well.
1956 RILEY PATHFINDER
Cynics might have questioned the £5001000 estimate, knowing full well that big BMC saloons can – and often do – command strong money. That was certainly the case with this 1956 Pathfinder, a model that has slowly started coming in from the classic cold. It was described as standing well but needing paint, the engine starting and running well. Along the way a Ford gearbox had been fitted but was not selecting. Nevertheless, demerits did not deter DVCA punters who bid this Pathfinder to a goodly sum. A solid buy for its new custodian.