H&H AMERICAN GEMS...

Despite the relative good news generally with auctions and car sales as outlined by Nigel Boothman on pages 8 and 9, there were a couple of attractive-looking American vehicles that didn't sell at H&H's recent online sale (May 27). One of them was this very clean-looking 1963 Ford Thunderbird (pictured below), powered by Ford's dependable big-block 390 FE engine and with only 31,000 miles on the clock (even second time round, that's not bad!).

And with only three keepers from new, it looks an attractive proposition - even more so painted in white, which would mean it could double up as a wedding car for those that like their classics to pay their way.

The reasons for not selling could be the car's location - Peebleshire in Scotland - or that it requires 'recommissioning', as well as some rather unpleasant-looking paint issues on the front of the car or even the very poor photography. Expect to see it offered again by H&H in a future auction.

However, it wasn't all bad news; someone got an absolutely stonking bargain with this 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 two-door fastback. Described as being 'finished in Wimbledon White, refreshed interior and new wheels and tyres', it also featured a 390cu in big-block VB motor, with a three-speed auto 'box and also showed 36,100 recorded miles (again, presumably around the clock) and had been imported into the UK in 2017.

According to its chassis number, the Ford was built in Atlanta, meaning one would hope it had spent most of its life in the rust-free southern states. Other positives included a new Edelbrock carburettor, alloy radiator, fuel pump and that it was located in Northampton, handy for southern bidders. Hammer price? £16k - now that is a bargain!