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Ahead of its autumn auction, Historics at Brooklands believe a rising popularity in cult American cars is taking US classics from the fringes of the classic car scene, to centre stage.
This view, shared by the foremost magazine on American marques, Classic American, will be put to the test when Historics lines up its latest collection of cars at Brooklands, on Saturday 1st September.
Ben Klemenzson, Editor of Classic American magazine comments: “The prevalence of American cars in popular culture has helped tackle some of the snobbery towards US models, and highlighted how fun, affordable and easy to run they can be.
“They're also appreciating in value: cars like the Mustang, Corvette and most Mopars have more than doubled in value over the last decade. The trick is to buy the best you can and stick with what's popular: Mustangs, Corvettes, GTOs, Chargers, Challengers and Camaros,” he concluded.
Historics at Brooklands Auction Director, Edward Bridger-Stille, is equally convinced of the role popular culture has played in pushing American classics to the fore.
“Our white glove sale of all 56 vehicles offered from the big screen blockbuster, Captain America, back in our March 2011 sale, demonstrates how film and television has pushed these cars into the public conscience.”
He continued: “With parts often readily available, American cars are eminently useable, and we’re delighted to be able to continue offering the best US classics to our enthusiastic followers.”
The autumn auction will be no different, with a number of equally intriguing American classics already consigned to the catalogue.
Featuring fresh design cues over the 1965 model, of integral bumpers and grilles, more rounded wasp-waisted body contours and flared sculpturing of the door and rear three quarter sections, the 1967 Pontiac Catalina ‘Wide Track’ Convertible became one of the most sought-after 1960s American soft-tops.
Imported from Texas in 2011, Historics’ 1967 example is fitted with the 6 ½ litre 400 engine and Turbo Hydramatic automatic gearbox, while power front brakes provide suitable stopping power.
Finished in maroon with black interior, the car is accompanied by a complete service history including Texas registration certificate, and is estimated to fetch bids in the region of £29,000 - £35,000.
Equally eye-catching, Historics is also bringing a 1958 Buick Limited Riviera Sedan - lavished with every conceivable extra - to its September sale.
The Buick Limited series was touted as the ultimate Buick, and was typified by a healthy use of chrome, most noticeably on the grille, rear quarter panels and tail light housings. The style statement was backed up by quad headlights and ‘Dual Jet’ reversing lights.
Measuring a mighty 19 feet long, the four door pillarless sedan also boasts electric power windows, servo assisted brakes, power steering, electric antenna and factory fitted air conditioning.
A multiple award winner over the last two decades, the Buick Limited Riviera Sedan is in original condition and is anticipated to attract offers of between £18,000 and £24,000.
Like the Buick Limited, Chevrolet’s ‘Bel-Air’ typified the US public’s post-war preference for exclusivity over economy.
Automatic transmission, electric windows and electric seat adjusters were a mainstay, with the 1957 Two-Ten Station Wagon ‘Bel-Air’ consigned by Historics and offered at No Reserve, also boasting a resplendently restored interior.
Consignm. | Title | S/N | Low Estimate (£) | 3495 | 1938 Lea-Francis 12hp Sports Roadster by Carlton | 52 | 38,000 | 3496 | 1962 Jaguar Mk. II 3.8 litre Saloon | 209221BW | 28,000 | 3497 | 1926 Fiat 507 Torpedo Tourer | 7202620 | 19,000 | 3498 | 1966 Triumph TR4A IRS | CTC657690 | 11,000 | 3499 | 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL60 AMG | WDB1290672F119240 | 14,000 | 3500 | 1967 Pontiac Catalina ‘Wide Track’ Convertible | 252677P267137 | 29,000 | 3501 | 1936 Alvis Speed 20 SD by Vanden Plas | 13026 | 65,000 | 3502 | 1984 Volkswagen Scirocco Mk.II Storm | WVWZZZ53ZEK034825 | 5,000 | 3503 | 1964 Aston Martin DB5 | DB5/1635/R | 230,000 | 3504 | 1991 Bentley Continental Convertible | SCBZD00A5LCH30130 | 55,000 | 3505 | 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL | WDB12603722029019 | 4,000 | 3506 | 1981 TVR Tasmin 280i Series II Convertible | DH5144F1 | 6,000 | 3507 | 1957 Chevrolet 210 Station Wagon ‘Bel-Air’ | VB57S27124 | | 3508 | 1932 Alvis 12/50 TJ Ducksback by Lambourne | 9705 | 35,000 | 3509 | 1958 Buick Limited Riviera Sedan | 8E6017033 | 18,000 | 3510 | 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG F1 Performance Package | WDB2304742F087303 | | 3511 | 1995 Mercedes-Benz E220 Cabriolet | WDB1240622C245424 | 6,000 | 3512 | 1996 Mercedes-Benz S500 Limousine | WDB1400512A330478 | 9,000 | 3513 | 1978 Ferrari 308 GT4, Series II | 13540 | 16,000 | 3514 | 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster Keswick Town Car | 237AJS | 58,000 | 3516 | 1963 Jaguar E-Type Convertible 5.3L series III | 861085 | 28,000 | 3518 | 1968 MG Roadster | GCN1U2681G | 18,000 | 3519 | 1925 Alvis SC 12/50 Open Tourer by Cross & Ellis | MB8006 | 28,000 | 3520 | 2002 Maserati 4200 Spyder | ZAMBB18C000005256 | 12,000 | 3521 | 1988 Porsche 911 3.2 litre Carrera Targa Sport | WPOZZZ91ZJS140985 | 15,000 | 3522 | 1947 Allard K1 | 71K/467A | 65,000 | 3523 | 1934 Lagonda Three Litre Continental Open Tourer | 210882 | 65,000 | 3524 | 1989 Porsche 911 Targa | WPOZZZ91ZES140966 | 10,000 | 3525 | 1958 TVR Grantura Mk. I | 7/FS/112 | 14,000 | 3526 | 1991 Ferrari Mondial T Coupé | ZFFKD32C000086189 | 16,000 | 3528 | 1939 Alvis 12/70 Competition | 15882 | 85,000 | 3529 | 1965 Bentley S3 | B60HN | 14,000 | 3530 | 1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN2 to 'M' specification | BN2L233104 | 28,000 | 3531 | 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Two Seat Open Tourer by Rippon | 1557 | 450,000 | 3532 | 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk.III Phase II | HBJ8/30854 | 36,000 | 3534 | 1976 TVR 2500M | 3816FM | | 3535 | 1984 Porsche 911 Targa | WPOZZZ91ZES140966 | 12,000 | 3536 | 1960 Rover 100 | 650003483 | 8,000 | 3537 | 2004 Jaguar XJ8 3.5 SE | SAJAC72N73RG06817 | 4500 | 3538 | 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Limousine | WDB1260242A515525 | 7500 | 3539 | 1975 Volkswagen La Grande Bug | 1352248855 | 24,000 | 3540 | 1979 Volkswagen ‘Triple White’ Cabriolet | 1592039472 | 24,000 | 3541 | 1986 Porsche 911 SSE | WPOZZZ912GS101738 | 18,000 | 3542 | 1994 Porsche 993 Carrera Convertible | WPOZZZ99ZRS332577 | 12,000 | 3543 | 1935 Aston Martin 12/50 Standard | E5/574/L | 120,000 | 3544 | 1998 Aston Martin DB7 V8 Vantage | SCFAA1114SK100528 | 70,000 | 3545 | 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III | tbc | 38,000 | 3546 | 2003 BMW 330 Ci Sport | WBABS52060ET58295 | 13,000 | 3626 | 1993 Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL | WDB1400572A105972 | 9500 | 3634 | 1994 AC Cobra | SA9AK3024LA017351 | 48,000 | 3635 | 1970 Triumph Herald 13/60 Convertible | GE64334CV | 4,000 | 3636 | 1956 Austin-Healey 3000 BN2 Restoration | BN2L 233026 | 10,000 | 3675 | 1977 Maserati Merak SS | AM122A435 | 20,000 | 3676 | 1989 Bentley Eight | SCBZE00A9LCH31181 | 6,000 | 3677 | 1983 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur | SCAZN0002DCH06846 | 6500 | 3678 | 1971 Lotus Elan 2 130S | 7109150589L | 10,000 | 3679 | 1952 Bristol 401 | 401/1040 | 26,000 | 3680 | 1967 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Cabriolet | 1120232209839 | 45,000 | 3683 | 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa | WPOZZZ91ZJS141214 | 8,000 | 3684 | 1990 Bentley Eight | SCBZE00A2LCH32351 | 6,000 | 3687 | 1955 Jaguar XK | S817538 | 52,000 | 3688 | 1980 Ferrari 308 GTS | 30953 | 24,000 | 3689 | 1979 Chevrolet Corvette | 1287895404257 | 9,000 |
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