A ROARING TRADE IN RUNCORN

Strong sale rate and estimate-busters show there’s plenty of demand for classics as summer approaches

Big blue skies, plenty of sunshine and a good selection of classics put Manor Park’s second 2022 sale on pole position with those ready for a spend-up.

Variety makes a sale and the Cheshire crew had assembled a choice that ranged from a former show-winning Riley 4/72 (away for a possible price record of £14,720) to a tidy 1964 MGB Roadster and a Mercedes-benz 190SL.

Deciding what car could be the star lot can often be tricky and Manor Park created something of a quandary with a 1961 Mercedesbenz 190SL, a left-hand-drive 1970 Mercedes-benz 280SL and an early-consignment 1931 Lagonda 3-litre tourer, which was offered in pleasing ‘just found’ order. All three sold, the 190 for a healthy £130,000, the 280SL for £75,000 and the Lagonda for £110,400.

In the modern classic field a 2003 Rover 75 Connoisseur SE longwheelbase offered carriage tradeearning potential while, staying with Rovers, a 1982 2000 in rarelyseen Billy Basic form attracted much interest. A 1975 Jaguar XJ6 3.4 offered more upmarket motoring, and its aftermarket wing mirrors, glass sunroof, front and rear foglights, towbar and front door wind deflectors reminded those of a certain age of accessory shops in the glam-to-punk decade.

One of the sale’s earliest lots was a 1993 Mercedes-benz 190E 2.6 Sportline and its presence fired-up both in-room and cyber-bidding. On-the-pace punter action saw its price cruise comfortably beyond the £4000-6000 upper estimate to a healthy £10,688.

An almost-completed 1971 Ford Escort Mexico also offered serious estimate-breaking. The work carried out was to a very high standard and it came with a £24,000-28,000 estimate. Manor Park punters saw things differently because it was off for £34,500.

There were some eminently affordable lots for those with more constricted funds, with two Austins being notably good value. A tidy 1953 A40 Somerset that was tidy throughout made a great buy for someone at £3680, while a presentable Isle of Man-registered 1933 10/4 Sherborne in need of some re-commissioning but with a re-trimmed interior was firstrate at £2990, particularly when club and spares support is taken into account. The same sum also bought a 1953 Austin A30 recently imported from South Africa.

With post-sale figures suggesting 72 per cent of cars offered sold at or above estimate, Manor Park had a good result, which it will be looking to repeat at its next sale on 9 July.

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