Historic’s 2022 Opening Sale Features 172 Fine and Varied Classics


1972 AC Aceca ‘Cobra’

1972 AC Aceca ‘Cobra’

1962 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead Coupé

1962 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead Coupé

1974 Lotus Elite 502

1974 Lotus Elite 502

1992 Porsche 928 GTS

1992 Porsche 928 GTS

 

Historics launches its auction year on a high note at Ascot Raceourse on Saturday, 12th March, with an eclectic entry of 172 fine and varied classics to suit all tastes and pockets, from 42 different marques spanning ten decades, with some 50 offered without reserve.

AC

‘The AC Cobra that never was’ is a fair description of a unique AC on offer - a

1972 AC Aceca ‘Cobra’… Utterly bespoke and hand-built in 1972, its beautifully crafted aluminium body reflects the Cobra dynasty, featuring a 400bhp 302cu.in. V8 powerplant and a mouth-watering array of performance ancillaries. Est. £175,000-£200,000.

Bentley

Staying with British classics, a magnificent 1962 Bentley S3 Continental Drophead Coupé by Park Ward most surely deserves a large slice of the limelight. This, the first of just 27 righthand drive examples to be manufactured, is the sheer epitome of the most elegant British car-building craftsmanship. Est. £255,000-£280,000.

 

Moving on 40 years+, the contemporary iteration - the Bentley Continental GT - represents tremendous value for money and is represented here by four fine examples spanning 2004-2006, one with little more than 20,000 recorded miles since new.

Brabham

A 1972 Formula 2 Brabham BT38 single seater adds more than a splash of colour to the auction hall.  In fine condition and finished in period Motul livery and with all necessary papers, its ready to enjoy on the track. Est. £65,000-£75,000.

Jaguar

The popularity of the classic Jaguar marque is undisputed and, as ever at Historics auctions, there’s a mouth-watering selection, within 19 examples spanning six decades. This includes eight E-Types in Roadster, Coupé, and 2+2 guise.  Of particular note is a 1962 E-Type Series I FHC, one of the first 250 E-Types to be manufactured. Est. £66,000-£73,000.

Meanwhile, upholding post-WW2 style honours in fine fashion is a completely rebuilt 1947 Jaguar Mk.IV SE that languished in a museum for more than 30 years. Est. £47,000-£55,000.

Lotus

Lotus afficionados can’t fail to be impressed with the ex-Ronnie Peterson 1974 Lotus Elite 502 on sale, it’s stand-out looks in bright yellow coachwork eclipsed only by the fact that when it left the Hethel production facility, this example was gifted by Colin Chapman to ‘superswede’ Peterson whilst he was contracted to the Lotus F1 team. Temptingly, it is offered without reserve.

Mercedes-Benz

The enduring popularity of the classic Mercedes-Benz marque at Historics’ auctions is superbly reflected with some 28 examples, from 1964 to 2006. Hitting the spot on owner provenance and offered without reserve is a fine 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 L.  A limousine in the true sense of the word, it has enjoyed just one owner from new, by the name of Roger Taylor, better known as the drummer of rock band Queen. 

 Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda, a perennial favourite at Historics sales, is showcased by a superb 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL, fresh within weeks from a complete restoration, and sure to attract significant attention at £76,000-£90,000.

The same will most surely apply to an elegant and very desirable 3.5-litre 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupé from a private collection, offered at £97,000-£110,000.

And for sheer elegance, a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet is particularly noteworthy, especially as it features manual transmission. Est. £120,000-£140,000.

Modern Classics

Modern classics are increasingly on the collector car bubble and the large selection on sale won’t disappoint.  Indeed, 81 sale entries were first registered in 80s, 90’s and 2000’s. Amongst them is a very rare and immensely desirable 1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth. Est. £75,000-£85,000

There’s also plus a brace of 2006 Golf GTis, a 1989 Escort XR2,  a 1990 BMW M5 and 2009 BMW M3 heading a great selection from the Bavarian marque that also includes a very collectable 1988 BMW 325i Convertible with little more than 22,000 miles

Porsche

The evergreen Porsche marque is catered for with 14 noteworthy examples, including a trio of Porsche 944s from 1985-1991, the  earliest, a 1985 Porsche 944 with just 57,000 miles and highly affordable at £12,000-£17,000, whilst a feisty 1989 944 SE Turbo with similar mileage presents in best possible condition and is sure to draw attention. Est. £27,000-£32,000

Immensely collectable is a regal duo of a 1992 Porsche 928 GTS, est. £47,000-£56,000, and a very similar 928 GTS of 1994 vintage, est. £46,000-£54,000. Both are in supreme condition and exceptionally low mileage, whilst adding immeasurably to their appeal is the fact that they were both originally supplied to the Brunei royal family

Dates and Times

Three viewing days on the March 9th, 10th and 11th precede the Ascot Racecourse sale, which starts at 09:30 AM on Saturday, March 12th.