Classic Car Auctions to showcase an eclectic range of cars for their final auction of the year.

• 130 ‘everyman’ classics will be offered at auction at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre on Saturday 3^rdDecember.
• Lots include a 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo, a 1973 Jaguar E-Type SIII V12 Roadster barn-find, the first ever 1977 Vauxhall Chevette HS and a special VW Beetle charity lot.
• The sale is the auction houses’ final event of 2016 and includes a special viewing day on Friday 2^ndDecember.

Classic Car Auctions returns this weekend with its final auction of the year and a catalogue of 130 quality ‘everyman’ classics for sale on Saturday 3^rd December at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.

With a diverse mix of traditional and modern classics on offer, buyers can expect everything from rare, low mileage collectibles, to eighties performance icons, timeless, restored classics and ready for restoration ‘barn finds’, offering the chance to buy some of the most desirable cars on the market, along with some healthy investment opportunities, given the growth in the sub-£100k market.

 

Proving popular at CCA sales, a number of iconic, modern performance cars headline the sale including a remarkable UK supplied, right-hand drive 1992 Honda NSX, finished in striking metallic black with a black leather interior. Supplied with a perfectly suited registration plate, 'J13 NSX', it is estimated at between £30,000 and £35,000.

Another iconic model, a 2001 Subaru Impreza P1 2.0T 4WD 2DR, number 524 of just 1000 limited editions by Prodrive, and with just one previous registered owner, offers great value to buyers with a sale estimate of £10,000 to £12,000. A supercharged 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG, with incredible performance and luxury, also offers buyers exceptional value, with a sale estimate of £8,000 to £10,000.

Fans of British performance models have the chance to own a 1999 Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo, with both low mileage and recent servicing, estimated at between £26,000 and £30,000.

A fantastic choice of Porsches are also available, with a right-hand drive 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo finished in Tahiti Blue and maintained in excellent condition, estimated at between £55,000 and £65,000.

A very well cared for 1983 Porsche 944 Lux, finished in Guards Red with a leather and pinstriped velour interior, and reading just 61,000 miles, is estimated at between £8,000 and £10,000. Also, an attractive 1980 Porsche 911 3.0 SC Targa which has benefitted from much recent expenditure, is expected to achieve between £20,000 and £25,000 on sale day.

Barn-find E-Types are now a regular at CCA, commanding elevated sale prices over the last year, and a UK, right-hand drive 1973 Jaguar E-Type SIII V12 Roadster barn-find, ready for restoration, is therefore sensibly guided at £25,000 to £30,000.

Other highlights of the auction include a 1977 Vauxhall Chevette HS 2.3, a genuine part of motoring history as the very first example off the production line and now fully restored, estimated at between £18,000 and £22,000.

An unusual 1985 Mercedes-Benz 250 Limousine formerly owned by the United Arab Emirates Embassy will be offered at ‘No Reserve’.

Finally, the auction house will be offering a special charity lot, a 1975 Volkswagen 1303 Beetle Convertible, with all proceeds to be donated to 'Bloodwise', to end a year of fundraising for the blood cancer charity.

“We pride ourselves on the variety we offer our customers at our sales, and this one is no exception as one of our most exciting catalogues yet,” comments Guy Lees-Milne, auction manager at CCA. “We welcome all car fans, young and old, to our sales and we’ll be getting into the Christmas spirit early, so if you’re looking for a festive day out, or to buy the ultimate Christmas present, we can promise a very exciting auction.”

A special viewing afternoon will be held on Friday 2^nd December at the auction venue, near Leamington Spa. The sale itself begins at 12.30pm on Saturday 3^rd December. 

And the number one Ford Car from TV and Film has been named as...........

• Mustang GT 390 from ‘Bullitt’ named Britain’s favourite film Ford
• Opportunity to see the famous car at FordFest, Santa Pod, Beds, on Sunday, September 18
• Sweeney’s Consul and Professionals’ Capri top UK’s favourite TV Fords
• Last chance to buy advance discount tickets

The Highland Green Mustang GT 390 from the movie Bullitt has been named the all-time star Ford of the silver screen, following a survey carried out by one of the country’s leading events for the Blue Oval, FordFest.

Ahead of the Ford scene season closer, which takes place at Santa Pod, Beds, this weekend, the organisers ran a public survey to find out which of the famous Fords of film and TV resonates most with the British public – and the star of the show will be a replica of the iconic Bullitt Mustang itself, alongside its Dodge Charger nemesis.

Dave Redhead’s Mustang is period correct in every detail, while Chris How’s black 440 R/T Dodge Charger is identical to the one that duelled with Steve McQueen as Frank Bullitt in the most famous car chase of all time.

Hot on its heels, true to form, were detectives Regan and Carter in the Roman Bronze Consul 3000 GT made famous by the Seventies cop drama, The Sweeney, while fellow 1970s law enforcers Bodie and Doyle, The Professionals, were in hot pursuit in the series’ famous silver Capri 3.0S.

Police officers from both sides of the Atlantic completed the top five, with DI Gene Hunt’s Mk 3 Cortina fromLife on Mars in fourth position, and US crime enforcement duo Starsky and Hutch in their distinctive red and white Gran Torino filling the next two positions. 

The top 10 film and TV Fords were:

1.       Mustang GT 390, Bullitt

2.       Consul 3000 GT, The Sweeney

3.       Capri 3.0S, The Professionals

4.       Cortina 2000 GXL, Life on Mars

5.       Gran Torino, Starsky and Hutch

6.       Shelby Mustang (Eleanor), Gone in 60 Seconds

7.       Escort XR3i Cabriolet, Dempsey and Makepeace

8.       Capri Mk 2, Minder

9.       GT40, Le Mans

10.     Anglia 105E, Harry Potter

As well as the Bullitt pairing, FordFest will pay tribute to some of the other cars that made the Fords on Film top 10, such as the Ford Mustang GT500 ‘Eleanor’ from Gone in 60 Seconds, the 3.0S Capri from The Professionals and the famous red and white Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch, along with a replica of the ‘Interceptor’ Ford Falcon from Mad Max, which came in just outside the top 10.

Based at the world famous drag strip in Podington, Beds, FordFest’s first year saw incredible attendance, with over 1,700 club cars on display, and 2016 looks set to be even bigger and even better.

From Anglias to Zodiacs, via Mondeos and Mustangs, Fords of all eras will be in display as both club and individual entries, while the drag strip itself will be active, with a Ford-themed ‘Run what Ya Brung’ event taking place, with recent and classic Fords going head-to-head in a new vs. old face-off.

As well as the ‘Run What Ya Brung’, the drag strip will also play host to Fireforce 3, Santa Pod’s very own Jet Car, capable of a sub-six second quarter mile and speeds in excess of 300mph.

A substantial retail village, full of new and used parts, clothing and souvenirs is also a major highlight, as is the party atmosphere of the event itself, with camping available from midday on Saturday September 17, plus a bar and live entertainment.

Other highlights include the massively entertaining Drift Trikes (at just £10 a go), a Show and Shine, entrance photography by Photography UK and stands from the leading Ford titles, Fast Ford and Classic Ford.

FordFest is part of a family of Ford events celebrating Europe’s love for the famous blue oval brand, including the International Ford Show, Classic Ford Show, The Ford Summer Festival and Ford Fair.

What must surely be the best MK1 Ford Cortina from 1963 is up for auction at Historics at Brooklands.

Historics offers for sale arguably the finest remaining 1963 Ford Cortina, that’s travelled an average of one mile-a-day in its 53 years

‘Exclusive’ isn’t a word that best describes the Mk. I Ford Cortina after sales that crested one million.  Nevertheless an early, immaculate, and very original example of the 1500 GT model that comes to sale at Historics at Brooklands major classic car auction near Weybridge on Saturday, August 20^th is a wholly different matter, having travelled an average of just one mile a day since it left the Dagenham factory 53 years ago.

Fitted with a tuned 1,498cc engine, the 1500 GT was the top specification model of the day, its  zesty 78bhp sufficient to propel the svelte four-door to 95mph, with a 0-60 acceleration time of just 14 seconds… leaving the Morris Oxford of the day some five seconds in its wake.

Despite its performance, when it appeared in the Ford showroom at a princely £748, this 1963 Cortina 1500 GT would have played second fiddle on the attention stakes to the fleet of Mk.I’s that starred in the saucy ‘Carry on Cabby’ film that screened at the time, helping to secure valuable awareness for Ford’s new model.  

However, since it was first registered on 4^th July 1963, the fastidious care and obsessive attention paid to it by its two owners – the last acquiring the car 27 years ago - makes this 19,244 warranted mile car arguably the finest and most original Mk.1 Cortina remaining today.

This multiple concours* winner, ARE 163A, features superb Goodwood Green coachwork, and the interior is utterly as-new. The dashboard, featuring the early strip speedometer and pod-mounted rev counter, has no age-related blemishes and the seating, trim and and original carpets are unmarked.  

Interested parties should note that the car is currently fitted with a period Les Leston Grand Prix steering wheel, and that the original is sold with the car.

The scene under-bonnet is delightful and exactly as it should be, and ditto beneath the car, where the condition is as fine as topside, with the jack and tools - spotless and polished - all present and correct.

The garage owner who has conducted the majority of the MoT tests has re-affirmed the car’s magnificent condition, adding that he recalled a time when the previous owner refused to drive the car home after the test as it was raining, choosing to walk instead. He collected the car three days later… when the roads were dry.

Very substantial interest at the estimate of £24,000-£28,000 is anticipated in acquiring this very rare, superb 1963 Ford Cortina 1500 GT in time-warp condition. 

It is one of the highlights of the sale of 140 fine classic motor cars and motorcycles, across a wide range of values, marques and eras, on Saturday, August 20^th by Historics at Brooklands Museum, Surrey, where all consignments can be viewed on the Thursday and Friday prior.

*The current vendor has shown the car at a number of events, unsurprisingly with great success. The following are just some of the awards it has won:

1990 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Concours winner

1991 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Best GT (National Rally)

1992 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Concours winner

Ford 1600E Owners Club, Visitors - Concours winner

Auto-Glym Concours 1960-1970 - Classic saloons winner

1995 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club (National Rally) - Concours winner

An historic line-up of 40 Ford Fiestas came together in convoy to mark it's 40th birthday at the Ford Summer Festival.

• Convoy of classic and modern Fiestas attend 40^th anniversary event
• Run from Dagenham to Brighton ends at new Ford event
• Stunning selection of cars on display

An historic line-up of 40 Ford Fiestas came together in convoy to mark the model’s 40^th birthday at the Ford Summer Festival.

Setting off from Dagenham, the Fiesta convoy was made up of classic and modern Fiestas, driven by owners’ club members, Ford employees and prominent motoring journalists.

The cavalcade included some very special Fiestas, including the all-new ST200, a super-rare Mk 1 Fiesta Van, A Fiesta Fly Crayford Convertible and the last Fiesta to leave the Ford site at Dagenham, which – in 14 years - had covered a mere 17 miles from new before going on the run.

The run was also joined by a car that joined Ford’s heritage fleet just a day before the event – a silver Fiesta Mk 4 that was donated to the company by its previous owner, having covered only 22,000 miles.

“We got it on the ramp, put some new brake pads on it, and away we went,” said Ivan Bartholomeusz, who looks after the company’s heritage fleet.

Others from Ford’s own collection included two immaculate Mk 1s, a 17,000-mile from new Fiesta Mk 2 and a pair of original, unrestored XR2s, one of which was driven to the venue by a prominent European Car of the Year Juror who remembered driving it when new.

The birthday run concluded at Brighton Racecourse with a cake-cutting ceremony, while a display of even more classic Fords meant there was plenty for guests to look at.

The People’s Choice award for car of the day went to Dave Lane for his Mk1 Cortina Estate, while the award for furthest travelled went to Avelino Pirin, who had driven 235 miles to get to the event.

Organised by the team behind Fast Ford, Classic Ford, Fast Car and Retro Cars magazines, the event also featured live music for a Rod Stewart tribute act, a casino and a Scalextric competition, along with guest appearances from TV host Ant Anstead (who presented the awards) and former racing driver Barrie Williams, who has a long-standing history with the Blue Oval brand.

Event manager, Katherine Chappell, said: “The festival was a great opportunity for Ford to celebrate the 40^thanniversary of one of its icons, and we were delighted to have such an incredible turnout of Fiestas on the day.”

The International Ford Show will have a bespoke Ford auction, with most models up for auction.

The famous blue oval will be seen everywhere in Barons’ Sandown Park saleroom on April 30th, as Barons stages a dedicated Ford auction as part of the International Ford Show.

Barons has a fine selection of entries that really showcase the diversity of the Ford offering over the decades, from charming little Anglias to potent, American-built muscle cars and from a 1949 Thames van to an F150 Supercharged pick-up originally owned by David Beckham.

Ford’s muscle car heritage will certainly make itself felt at Sandown Park. The iconic Mustang is represented by four examples, including a rare right-hand drive 1971 Convertible 302. This unique machine was built in Dearborn as a special order for the UK, as a New Year’s present for the MD of Ford. (£30,000-£34,000). The sale also includes a 1965, ex-ICS Series racing car which has run very successfully in the Aston Martin Owners Club Intermarque Challenge (£55,000-£70,000).

Other representatives of Ford’s production from the other side of ‘the pond’ include a mighty 1969 Talladega (£32,000-£35,000) a 1972 Gran Torino Sport (£9,000-£11,000) and a rare, RHD 1963 Galaxie 500 Convertible.  All chrome and sweeping lines, this is a fantastic cruising car (£8,000-£10,000).

Ford’s commercial vehicle and pick-up side is highlighted through a number of entries. The 2002 F150 Supercharged Harley Davidson edition pick-up is a relatively modern example, with the interesting provenance of having originally been owned by David Beckham (£10,000-£12,000).  The 1958 F1 SWB pick-up is highly original, almost ‘time-warp’ (£10,000-£12,000), while the 1958 Ranchero V8 pick-up is a spectacular example of 1950s fins and chrome styling (£11,000-£14,000). In contrast, the 1949 Thames Van E83W is a charismatic and very British little machine. It has just one owner on the V5C, and was recently discovered having been tucked away unused for 20 years (£12,000-£15,000).

Numerous variations on the Cortina theme are on offer at Barons, including two Crayford Convertible conversions (£18,000-£22,000 and £7,000-£9,000), a handsome 1977 Ghia Mk 4 (£3,500-£4,500), an exceptionally rare Cortina De Tomaso (£20,000-£25,000) and a superb 1963 Mk1 Consul Cortina (£7,000-£9,000).

Two stately Consul Farnham Estates will also go under the hammer at Sandown Park. The 1960 example was supplied new to South Africa. It is highly original and in splendid condition (£17,000-£20,000). The 1957 Hi Line example is one of only two known to survive worldwide. It has an extremely rare Raymond Mays cylinder head and Handa overdrive (£17,000-£20,000).

Fans of Fiestas and Escorts won’t be disappointed either, with several on offer, from XR3i Cabriolets and RS Turbos to a sporty Fiesta XR2.

Brand new retro show to wow the crowds at Rockingham Motor Speedway in August - Don't miss it.

• Brand new show for Retro Cars, taking place on August 9, 2015
• Live demonstrations and chances to drive at Rockingham Motor Speedway
• Prizes for cars (and for best 80s throwbacks…)

A brand new interactive car show designed to celebrate all that’s great about retro and modified classics is set to take place next month. Retro Cars Live will be hosted at Rockingham Motor Speedway on the outskirts of Corby, Northants, on Sunday, August 9.

Unlike more traditional shows aimed at owners of older cars, Retro Cars Live is a dynamic show that allows visitors to try out their retro classics on the Rockingham circuit, alongside other interactive, live features.

Retro Cars’ John-Joe Vollans said: “Our aim is to bring together people who love old cars of all shapes, types and sizes in a festival-style environment. Retro Cars Live is something completely different to any other car show in the country – it’s entirely inclusive of all makes and models and anything goes, standard or modified. We’re there to have fun with cars, and that’s exactly the experience we want for our guests.”

Thousands of cars will be on display, both as individual exhibits and club displays from some of the world’s best-supported marques, including Ford, Vauxhall, VW, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The Rockingham circuit will be in use throughout the day, with a number of attractions including drifting displays from the Retro Drift Challenge for pre-1989 cars, NASCAR displays, a 0-60 Sprint and a round of the UK Classic VW Challenge racing series.

Other event highlights will include a special exhibition of Retro Cars Legends – a show-stopping display of classic cars arranged by era –along with the Retro Cars Magazine car paddock, where the star feature cars from the magazine will have a display area all of their own.

Low riders will also have their own display area, where they can strut their funky stuff in the infield, while a competitive element will be introduced courtesy of the ‘Rate my Ride’ competition, with prizes on offer in a number of different categories. Additional prizes will be fought for between event visitors who turn up in the best fancy dress – with a distinct 80s throwback theme for the inaugural event.

The ‘Village Green’ will form the heart of the show, with an interactive stage area featuring interviews and live music all day long, plus kids’ entertainment, drinks and refreshments.

Fans of kit cars will be able to find everything from the conventional to the wild and whacky in the Total Kit Car paddock, while there will also be a retail area and a cars for sale section, should you wish to take home a souvenir (or maybe something a little bigger…)

Those wishing to fully soak up the atmosphere promised by the UK’s only live, interactive celebration of all types and styles of Retro Car will be able to camp overnight on the Saturday within the Rockingham complex.