Barons are offering just over 60 cars at their traditional Christmas auction, their last UK sale in 2006. There’s a good entry to appeal to the Classic Driver reader, with several Rolls-Royce, Bentleys and this 1979 Aston Martin V8 Volante.
The catalogue points out that when new, the last cars made cost over £140,000, so I suppose this Series One version, finished in Royal Blue with magnolia hide piped blue and a power hood represents a considerable saving. The car is said to have covered just 48,000 miles in 27 years, a figure that is supported by all previous MoT certificates. There’s also an example of the mighty supercharged Aston Martin V8 Vantage, a 1995 car estimated at £47,000 – 53,000 that’s been upgraded to Stage 1 V600 specification (conversion from 6- to 5-speed transmission, replacement of the torque tube, and changing the final drive ratio).
Always an alternative to Aston is of course another great British marque carrying a winged badge; Bentley. Barons have several examples in the sale, your author’s favourite being the silver with burgundy leather 1963 ‘Chinese Eye’ Mulliner Park Ward Continental Sports Saloon. Enthusiasts for older Bentleys will also like the green 1965 Bentley S3 Standard Steel Saloon you can see above, at £22,000 - 27,000, and the 1971 Bentley TI Saloon for £5,000 - 7,000.
 1971 Bentley TI Saloon - £5,000-7,000 |
 1968 Mercedes 250SL "Pagoda" - £18,000-21,000 |
There are five Rolls-Royce catalogued, and pick of the bunch would be a model that is becoming more appreciated as the years pass by, the 1967 Rolls-Royce Mulliner Park Ward Coupé; this one estimated at a modest £11,750 - 14,000. This very early car was originally supplied to a London-based member of a Middle Eastern Royal Family, who then relocated to Rhode Island, USA, taking the car with him. After approximately 10 years it was returned to the UK and sold, the current vendor describing its condition as “being in very good condition, showing little sign of any obvious wear despite approaching its 40th anniversary”.
Barons generally have a good selection of Mercedes-Benz and this last sale for them of 2006 is no exception. Gracing the catalogue are two 1968 250SL ‘Pagodas’, one for £12,000 - 15,000, and the other, a ‘rust-free’ ex California, LHD example that was imported into the UK in 2003, for £18,000 - 21,000.
 1970 Jaguar E-Type S2 2+2 Coupe - £12,000-15,000 |
 1962 Bentley S3 MPW Continental - £25,000-30,000 |
Of the other entries, mention must be made of that understated alternative 1960s’ Gentleman’s Carriage, the 1960 Alvis TD21 DHC Auto at £19,000 - 22,000, a car that the catalogue describes "would happily take you and three passengers to Le Mans or Llanelli but it will not win a concours cup. It is however a fine looking motor car, which drives well, is taxed, tested and ready to use".
Originally designed by Swiss coacbuilder Hermann Graber and shown at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, the TD to TF Alvis was a handsome motor car. After an initial production run at coachbuilder Willowbrook, all subsequent cars were made by Mulliner Park Ward. The MPW bodies gave greater rear legroom and headroom, and a more traditional dash. The rear glass area was redesigned, neater bumpers fitted and a few other cosmetic changes were made. MPW also introduced a convertible version, which is what is offered here.
This Alvis last changed hands in 1989. Since then, it has undergone much improvement, including much work by marque specialists Red Triangle in the 1990s. In August 2006 the car was overhauled, receiving new exhaust front pipes, re-machined exhaust manifolds, exhaust manifold gaskets and a good servicing. The car was then sent to the body-shop for a full repaint in the original Opalescent Metallic Blue. This involved stripping the car down, screen out, doors off, bonnet off, boot off and all brightwork removed. The alloy skinned doors were re-hung and adjusted, the hood treated with Renova and many other small items attended to. The result is a very attractive and sound Alvis drophead, which offers outstanding value.
Equipped with the 2993cc, straight six engine, three speed automatic transmission, wire wheels, light blue carpets, cream leather and a navy hood. The car is offered complete with an extensive history file, current MoT, historic tax and the current Red Triangle catalogue.
As the entries will be coming in right up to near the date of the sale, don't forget to check on www.barons-auctions.com for the latest news.
Entries received to date -
Please note:
The vehicle names/details below are as given by the auction house.
| Car | Estimate |
| 1996 Alfa Romeo RZ Roadster | £17000 - 20000 |
| 1960 Alvis TD21 DHC Auto | £19000 - 22000 |
| 1979 Aston Martin V8 Volante | £32000 - 38000 |
| 1995 Aston Martin V8 Vantage | £47000 - 53000 |
| 1962 Austin Healey 3000 MK2 2+2 | £16000 - 19000 |
| 1990 Bentley 8 | £8000 - 10000 |
| 1962 Bentley S3 MPW Continental | £25000 - 30000 |
| 1965 Bentley S3 Standard Steel | £22000 - 27000 |
| 1971 Bentley TI Saloon | £5000 - 70000 |
| 2001 MINI Cooper-The First ever John Cooper Works new MINI | £12000 - 14000 |
| 1979 Cadillac Gucci Deville | £2000 - 3000 |
| 1998 Cadillac Seville STS 4.5 V8 | £2500 - 4000 |
| 1966 (Donor) Dax AC Cobra Replica | £12000 - 14000 |
| 1979 Fiat 124 Spider | £1800 - 3000 |
| 1985 Ford Capri 1600 Laser | £1000 - 2000 |
| 1937 Ford 2 Door V8 Coupe | £11500 - 13000 |
| 1988 Jaguar XJS 5.3 Coupe | £2000 - 3000 |
| 1989 Jaguar 4.0 Sovereign | £900 - 1100 |
| 1967 Jaguar 420 Saloon | £4750 - 6750 |
| 1970 Jaguar E-Type S2 2+2 Coupe | £12000 - 15000 |
| 1993 Jaguar 4.0 Majestic-XJ Based-Factory built limo | £1200 - 2000 |
| 1961 Jaguar MKII 3.8 Saloon-Manual + O/D | £19000 - 23000 |
| 1967 Jaguar S-Type 3.4 Saloon | £6000 - 8000 |
| 1971 Jaguar E-Type S3 FHC | £1200 - 14000 |
| 1992 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 | £2500 - 3300 |
| 1971 Jaguar XJ6 2.8 | £9000 - 11000 |
| 1989 Jaguar XJRS Coupe | £5500 - 7000 |
| 1989 Jaguar XJS Coupe | £800 - 1200 |
| 1959 Jaguar XK 150 DHC | £34000 - 37000 |
| 1973 Jensen Interceptor III | £6000 - 8000 |
| 1974 Jensen Interceptor "J" Series Convertible | £17500 - 20000 |
| 1998 Lotus Esprit Turbo- | £7500 - 9000 |
| 1985 Mercedes 190E | £2000 - 3000 |
| 1982 Mercedes 230CE | £1800 - 2500 |
| 1990 Mercedes 230CE | £2500 - 3500 |
| 1970 Mercedes 250CE | £3500 - 5000 |
| 1968 Mercedes 250SL "Pagoda" | £12000 - 15000 |
| 1968 Mercedes 250SL "Pagoda" | £18000 - 21000 |
| 1992 Mercedes 300SL 24 Valve-LHD | £9500 - 11000 |
| 1977 Mercedes 350SL | £3750 - 4750 |
| 1992 Mercedes S Class 420 | £4000 - 5000 |
| 1983 Mercedes 500 SEC | £1750 - 2250 |
| 1992 Mercedes 560SEC | £3500 - 5500 |
| 1997 Mercedes CL420 Coupe | £6000 - 7000 |
| 1995 Mercedes E320 Cabriolet | £7750 - 9000 |
| 1972 MGB Roadster | £7000 - 9000 |
| 1980 MGB Roadster | £2000 - 3000 |
| 1984 Porsche 911 Super Sport Convertible-3.2 litre | £9500 - 11000 |
| 1986 Porsche 924S 2.5 | £1500 - 2000 |
| 1986 944 | £2000 - 3000 |
| 1991 Porsche 944S2 | £4750 - 5750 |
| 1972 Reliant Scimitar SE5A | £2300 - 3000 |
| 1980 Reliant Scimitar GTC | £3000 - 4000 |
| 1967 Rolls-Royce Mulliner Parkward Coupe | £11750 - 14000 |
| 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I-Ex Dick Lester | £4000 - 5000 |
| 1969 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow | £6500 - 8000 |
| 1985 Rolls-Royce Silver Spiri | £6000 - 8000 |
| 1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit | £6500 - 8500 |
| 1919 Singer 10hp Tourer+2 Seat+ Dickey | £7000 - 10000 |
| 1999 TVR Chimaera 4.0 V8-TVR | £7000 - 8000 |
| 2002 TVR Tuscan 4.0 | £19000 - 22000 |
| 2004 TVR Tuscan S | £27000 - 29000 |
Remember Barons are now able to offer pre-auction viewing on the Monday preceding their sales. This extra viewing period will run from 3pm to 7-30pm on the Monday and will be in addition to the 9am to 1-30pm currently offered on the sale day. Sales commence 1-30pm.
The sale will be held at the Esher Hall, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ.
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Barons (Auctioneers) Ltd
PO Box 243 Hythe S045 6WZ UK UK Tel: +44 (0)23 8066 8409 Fax: +44(0) 23 8042 8469 Email: [email protected] Website: www.barons-auctions.com |
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Barons