Very rare, twin-engine, four-wheel drive 1965 Citroen 2CV Sahara for auction.

• Very rare, twin-engine, four-wheel drive 1965 Citroen 2CV Sahara for auction
• Believed to be one of only 100 left, this example has crossed the Sahara desert twice
• To be auctioned with a sale estimate of £60,000 to £65,000 at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show Sale on 1st – 2nd April at the NEC, Birmingham.

Classic Car Auctions (CCA) has consigned a rare 1965 Citroen 2CV Sahara with an unusual, globetrotting past to its biggest ever sale taking place at the NEC, Birmingham.

This particular example was delivered to Nigeria in December 1965 and first registered to an Englishman working as an anthropologist at the Ahmadu Bello University of federal government research in Zaria. 

Allegedly, he chose the car for travelling to remote villages because he found that if he used a Land Rover he was regarded as being a Government inspector, whereas the charming Citroen was seen as far more friendly.

When the Nigerian Civil War broke out in 1967, he set about making arrangements to return home. He looked no further than his trusty 2CV. He then began an amazing journey back to the UK driving an incredible 1,000 plus miles across the Sahara desert, loaded with as much fuel and water as possible, enduring sandstorms and even a broken hydraulic pipe on the journey. Built especially to cope with difficult terrain and climate, the car proved to be the perfect companion.

Returning to Nigeria after two years, the car made its second arduous journey across the Sahara. It was later sold to its second owner in the 1970s, a doctor of medicine also at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital.

In 1980, the car and its original owner were reunited. Returning to visit Nigeria he found the car barely used and practically abandoned, so decided to have it flown back to the UK for repairs.

It was registered in the UK in March 1981, but sadly plans to restore the car were never realised due to the lack of availability of spare parts. The car was then sold to its third and current owner soon after. Finally, 47 years after its delivery to Nigeria, the car was subjected to a full body-off restoration here in the UK in 2012.

It appears today with its distinctive red seating, removable rear bench, full length folding roof and original rear engine, and an auction guide price of £60,000 to £65,000.

The car is number 657 of only 694 examples of one of the more unusual of the many 2CV variants built. Featuring one engine to power the front wheels and a second to drive the rear, twin fuel tanks located beneath the front seats and countless other modifications, the cars were intended for use by the French colonies in Northern Africa.

“There are believed to be less than 100 examples left of these unusual 2CVs, maybe 30 of which are in running condition, making this a truly rare vehicle,” explains Nigel Gough, classic car specialist, CCA.

“Not only is it a rare 2CV, but also has a unique past and fascinating story, one that will certainly appeal to collectors. With such limited numbers these models are now internationally sought after, and have achieved some seriously high prices at auction. This one will definitely get people talking,” concludes Nigel.

The car will be supplied with its original front engine, replacement crankshaft and crankcase halves, as well as the original registration document from Nigeria, several photos of the car during its trip across the Sahara desert, French language 2CV Sahara and period English language 2CV brochure and owner’s manual.

Time Warp 1968 Mini Van with 300 miles to go under the hammer at the Silverstone Auction.

Virtually unused for 47 years, a ‘time warp’ 1968 Austin Mini Van is set to be auctioned at Silverstone Auctions’ Practical Classics Restoration Show Sale on March 28^th, at the NEC, Birmingham.

The car, estimated at between £23,000 and £25,000, was first registered on the 14^th March 1968. It was bought new for a mere £400 by a Miss G. Crumcott from Northern Ireland so she could learn to drive. Miss Crumcott never managed to pass her driving test however, so the car was kept unused in her garage for nearly 30 years.

The car was then bought in July 1997 by a local BMC Mini dealer, Mr T. Turkington, who placed it in the Mini centre’s showroom until 2006 before selling it onto another collector in Northamptonshire. It has now been brought back onto the market, and, with so few owners, it is no surprise the car has covered a miniscule and very desirable 302 miles.

The charming classic is in remarkable unrestored original condition, right down to the seat protectors and rubber floor mats. Still retaining its original crossply Dunlop tyres and spare wheel, all of which are unused, the motorcar has been so carefully stored it has also preserved its initial exhaust and sealed Lucas battery. The car is also supplied with its original toolbox, which remains unopened; a delightful added extra. All in all, the van is in perfect running order.

Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, said: “We are thrilled to be offering this virtually unused and untouched Austin Mini Van at our sale on March 28^th. This rare find is in ‘as new’ condition and is surely an alluring, promising prospect for Mini or other collectors in the market.”

Built on the longer Traveller chassis but without side windows, the Mini Van proved popular in 1960s Britain as a cheaper alternative to the car. It was classed as a commercial vehicle and as such carried no sales tax.

The Austin Mini Van joins nearly 70 other cars on offer in the sale, including a beautifully presented 2001 BMW Z8, a restored 1980 Aston Martin V8 and a 1969 Porsche 912 Restoration Project.

Nick added: “Our sale at the Practical Classics Restoration Show is the perfect place to find your next project or road ready classic car and this very special Mini is sure to attract much interest when it goes under the hammer.”