Out of the coop, ready to roam

Overseas collectors took advantage of the weak pound to snap up a selection of British classic cars at auction last week — including 10 Jaguar E- Types.

H& H Classics said its car auction at the Imperial War Museum Duxford “brought in additional new foreign buying interest” as overseas investors jumped at the opportunity to strike while the pound is plunging.

The sale attracted 800 bidders, though much of the activity took place over the phones and online, the auction house said.

Included in the sale was a barnfind 1964 3.8- litre Jaguar E- Type coupe that sold for double its estimate.

The auction of 138 cars and 61 motorcycles made $ 8.53 million, with 70 per cent of the lots finding new owners. Many of the vehicles were British icons — 10 Jaguar E- Types, six Aston Martins and an array of classic Bentleys, RollsRoyces and MGs.

H& H Classics said: “The sale showed an ongoing interest in classic cars from collectors and investors. Interestingly, the relatively weaker pound brought in additional new foreign buying interest.

“Strong bidding in the room was matched by online and telephone bidding from around the world.”

The most expensive model was a 1924 Bentley 3/ 4.5- litre Tourer, which went under the hammer for just shy of $ 511,400.

A 1959 Jaguar XK150 SE 3.4- litre This 1964 3.8- litre hardtop Jaguar E- Type looked a sorry sight but sold for $ 138,000. DHC sold for over $ 426,000.

Of the 10 E- Types for sale, it was a neglected one that was most eagerly anticipated.

The car, a 1964 3.8- litre hard- top had been in a shed for 40 years, gathering dust and moss.

It sold for $ 138,000 — significantly more than its pre- sale estimate of up to $ 77,700.