A rare survivor saved
Why one buyer landed a top deal on this ‘60s special
CAR 1962 Martin Ford Special SOLD £5850 ORIGINAL ESTIMATE No reserve, H&H Classics, 6 October
It’s more sought after than you’d think – so to get it below estimate was a good deal.
This might have been a no-reserve buy but H&H guided it at £6-8k ahead of its Buxton sale, and the buyer did well to get it for less. It might appear niche, but these Ford specials enjoy a very strong following, and rightly so. Many of them had short lives and those that survive are sought after by classic fans.
Not only was it rare, but it was in good nick.
H&H reckons this is one of five known surviving Martins, and it has stood the test of time well, including being treated to a restoration back in 2016. The dark green paint was deep and reflected well, with no apparent crazing. Fly screens offered minimal protection against the elements but were a good touch, as were the in-period wing mirrors and fuel filler. Other than those and the rear numberplate light, there was no brightwork to speak of. The engine bay was perfectly presentable, with no unsightly loose wiring or leaks.
Like the exterior the interior was a simple, no-frills affair but it was pleasingly functional and well turnedout. Black seats and carpet were piped in green and the dashboard, faced up in black vinyl, was in good order.
Its past wasn’t too murky.
It came with some paperwork, including correspondence with the still-extant Martin Plastics. A 1939 Prefect had been the donor car but the mechanicals had been updated, using an 1172cc 100E engine running twin SU carburettors. It had been registered in 1962, the body having been bought six years earlier.
Being no-reserve helped make it a better deal.
OK, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but postwar Ford specials were an important part of British motoring back then and are rightly celebrated today. There was plenty in this little delight and being offered sans reserve added bidder encouragement. In all, an unusual, affordable classic, and what’s wrong with that?