Market indicators
Rarity and history still attract bold bidding, but stunners are slipping through at bargain prices
1973 MGB GT V8 £34,524 South West Vehicle Auctions, Poole, Oct 25
The final lot at SWVA’S last sale of 2019 proved worth hanging on for – it was also the car of the sale. Not only was this V8 a very well preserved sub-50k-miler, it also had proper history. Best of all is that it was first registered to Kenlowe Accessories (makers of the well-known fans) as a company car for the founder’s son. The £18,900£19,900 estimate was a bit of a tease, but even so the price paid was a jaw-dropper.
1989 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 Cabrio £41,400 RM Sotheby’s, Olympia, London, October 24
Classics are increasingly being offered at no reserve to keep the metal moving, but it can prove risky. Just look at the price paid for this rare rhd Turbo Cab compared to its £80-130k estimate. And no, it’s not a pile of junk but an original, unrestored two-owner car. There were no promises about the indicated 26,500 miles and it could bear a little freshening up – but the buyer can do all that and still be laughing.
1965 Ferrari 275GTB ‘Alloy’ £2,529,500 Bonhams, Zoute, Belgium, October 11
As noted elsewhere, much of the Ferrari market is hurting at the moment. But not the bluechip stuff, and an alloy-bodied 275GTB is quite the thoroughbred. This one had the platinum bidding paddles twitching, despite (or perhaps because of) its mild race mods and appearances at Spa, Le Mans and more. The estimate was of the ‘refer department’ type (‘If sir has to ask…’) but the price paid was a notch above top book.
1971 Ford Capri 3000GXL £30,375 H&H, Duxford, October 16
The knee-jerk reaction to seeing a MKI Capri sell for over £30k without the letters ‘RS’ attached to its name has to involve an exclamation mark. But this car deserves it. Apart from the period alloys, it is remarkably correct and well-specced, boasting just one owner and 38,000 miles. GXLS were quite common in their day, but only something like 84 remain and this could well be the best.
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza £12,330 Artcurial, Paris, October 27
You may not think of going to France to buy an American car, but this shows what a good idea it is. There are plenty there, and it’s comparatively cheap and easy to get them home. This one was imported five years ago and it’s a fine example, worth bringing over. But the price paid in Paris – £5k below the overcooked low estimate – is about what you’d pay in Pennsylvania. Food for thought?