Vauxhall tipped to break price record

T here’s a raft of seriously tempting classic machinery at Manor Park’s summer sale, and with several at no-reserve there’s the possibility of bagging a bargain.

Manor Park will be expecting something good from the 34,000mile 1993 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton in original condition. While they’re not an unusual occurrence in classic sales this example is a little-seen opportunity and has been given a £90,000-110,000 estimate.

Offering almost as much gravitas is a 1987 Bentley Turbo R that’s covered a documented 33,000 miles from new and was in one family’s ownership until 2018. The theme is maintained with a 1997 Maserati Quattroporte that comes to market after two years in a collection.

The sale also includes that most significant but also low-key of all fast Fords, an Escort Twin Cam MKI. The 1969 example offered has had a £14,000 engine re-build this year. Not quite so rapid but likely to fire up interest is a 1976 Capri; MKIIS are few and far between in classic sales and this example, which began life as a 1300, now runs a 1600 engine. There’s also a Capri 1.6 Laser that’s been in one family’s ownership since they bought it new in 1986.

Keeping the focus on engines, a 1976 Triumph Stag features its original powerplant but if buyers want the sound of a seriously pokey twin cam but don’t fancy the Escort, a 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce should fit the bill, Manor Park describing theirs as ‘the finest example we have ever seen’.

A no-reserve 1938 Lanchester offers plush pre-war motoring while a 1963 Alvis TE21 that’s been with one family for 47 years offers equally dignified upper-echelon travel. And for those wanting to get stuck in (or plunge into their wallets) a 1970 Rolls-royce MPW fixed-head coupé throws down the gauntlet, but with the plus-points of having an excellent bodyshell and coming complete with engine, gearbox and drivetrain.

Manor Park banks on a big result for infamous Lotus Carlton 'bahnstormer