Chasing Cars
Bizarre behaviour at both ends of the market for both Italian and British auction offerings
Russ spies a radar-ducking Mercedes and notes movement in the values of Porsche 356s and Fiat Pandas
RM Sotheby’s, Essen, April 12
Quite possibly the ugliest car you could blow the best part of a million pounds on, but the 500bhp S4 was all about ability, not beauty. This is one of the 200 homologation cars that Lancia struggled to sell. With fewer than 2200km, the £390k-475k estimate looked like plenty, but two very keen buyers on the day were willing to prove otherwise. An amazing result – would you choose it over a Merc Gullwing or Ferrari F40?
H&H, Buxton, April 10
The coupé versions of the Imp range have long looked worth more than the five grand ceiling they’d been stuck under for years. This result, on the same day a less than perfect Singer Chamois version made £5825, shows they’ve broken through – in some style. This was a lovely example, bare-metal painted very eye-catchingly eight years ago and with less than 40k miles. The CC Price Guide is being suitably adjusted.
Brightwells, Bicester, April 10
It’s amazing that a British classic with seemingly so much going for it can be bought so cheaply. The open version of the Scimitar has always carried a premium, and this was chassis 001, the first built and Reliant’s motor show car. Two owners, 81,000 miles, well-documented history and a repaint – what’s not to like? The only modification is a welcome five-speed gearbox – those Wolfrace alloys were factory-fitted.
Anglia Car Auctions, King’s Lynn, April 13
The march of the mild-mannered family classic continues. To be fair, this was a lovely Minor, with popular upgrades of 1098cc engine, matching gearbox, and post-1962 lights. Much had been spent over the last decade, backed by receipts and photos. It’s also the rarer fourdoor model, and I appreciated the correct ‘no border’ rear numberplate. Way over its £4500 top estimate, but still a nice buy.
RM Sotheby’s, Essen, April 12
This Fulvia was far from top drawer until you delved into the ownership documents – it was previously steered by Prince Rainier III of Monaco. That justifies spending a few grand on smartening it up. There appeared to be nothing much beyond cosmetics to deal with, and a believable 85,000km on the dial. The buyer snapped it up as a ‘no reserve’ offering at way below the £17-26k estimate.