Century of motoring history represented at H&H auction

12/06/2024    

 

  • More than 100 classic, collectible and performance cars to be offered at auction
  • Lots include cars with star appeal and celebrity connections
  • Collection of early Lotus models from Caterham Cars founder Graham Nearn among the cars on offer

 

More than 100 classic, collectible and performance cars with a combined estimated value of more than £4m will be offered for sale at H&H Classics next auction taking place on 19th June at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.


The sale offers a cornucopia of classics, whether Veteran, mainstream or modern, with every decade from the 1900s through to the 2000s represented. Lots include early Lotus models from the late Graham Nearn’s collection, a Triumph Stag featured in the Dennis Waterman television series ‘New Tricks’, a Mercedes-Benz 500SL first owned by motorsport legend Sir Stirling Moss, rare limited-edition specials as well as concours standard restorations.


“Enthusiasts and collectors looking for the next addition to their garage are sure to find something which appeals in our upcoming auction,” comments Damian Jones, director, H&H Classics. “As well as offering some fantastic and rare motorcars, there is also a host on offer which have fascinating histories and stories to tell, representing some of the iconic and golden days of motoring. Given such quality and variety, we can look forward to some furious bidding and action on the saleroom floor.”


The oldest car in the sale is a 1904 Bayard Type AC2K twin-cylinder rear entrance tonneau which is estimated between £80,000-100,000. The car has been dated by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain and finished numerous London to Brighton Veteran Car Runs. Featuring some useful upgrades, including a starter motor and a windscreen wiper, it requires some re-commissioning after several years in a private collection.


The SS Jaguar 100 is one of THE archetypal pre-war British sports cars and for someone seeking out a fine, original matching-numbers model, H&H’s 1938 2 ½-litre is the answer. The highest value lot of the sale, estimated at £230,000-270,000, it was in one family’s ownership from 1938 until 2002, and a second family from 2002 to 2022. A recent engine overhaul and mechanical work further add to its appeal.


Meanwhile a younger, matching-numbers 1958 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Drophead Coupe is one of very few specified with automatic transmission. It was supplied new to Ireland and returned to the UK in 1989 - it has been in the vendor’s tenure for 23 years, during which time it has been fitted with some sensible upgrades. Said to have an excellent engine and gearbox the vendor notes that even the clock is working, the car is estimated to fetch between £70,000-80,000.


For fans of one of the most iconic British car marques, a matching-numbers 1967 Aston Martin DB6 offers much swinging-‘60s British glamour. Coming to the sale with an estimate of £180,000-220,000, in the past two decades it has enjoyed a re-paint and partial re-trim.


Speed 25 SC Charlesworth saloon, estimated between £60,000-70,000, and registered in October 1940 is the last pre-WW2 Alvis built. In recent years it has seen £58,000 worth of work, that including an engine overhaul and front suspension refurbishment, along with some attention to the bodywork.


Offering a different take on the four-door saloon theme is a 1970 Ford Cortina 1600E ‘World Cup’. Ford supplied 30 examples to that year’s England squad, this example being loaned to striker Franny Lee, who subsequently bought it for his wife. The Cortina, which was thoroughly restored in the 1990s, is estimated at £50,000-60,000.
For lovers of Lotus, a trio of early models from Caterham Cars founder Graham Nearn offer much marque-related provenance. The oldest car, a 1952 MkVI prototype has a competition past and is estimated at £40,000-50,000. A 1953 MkVI ‘works demonstrator’ that was raced at Goodwood in 1953 by Colin Chapman has a £35,000-40,000 estimate, and a 1960 7 Series 1, that has featured in many Lotus books, is estimated at £25,000-30,000.


Keeping with well-known names – but in this case acting rather than automotive – the sale includes the 1975 Triumph Stag driven by actor Dennis Waterman in the BBC series ‘New Tricks’, which graced the small screen between 2002 and 2015. The car, estimated between £18,000-22,000, also featured at the actor’s memorial service where it was joined by the Ford Consul GT from ‘The Sweeney’ and the Ford Capri from ‘Minder’. The history file goes back to 1982, and it should be noted there’s still a Dennis Waterman cigarette burn on the driver’s seat, sustained during filming.


Also enjoying a showbusiness connection is a restored 1972 Lancia Fulvia Sport 1600 Zagato originally owned by radio and television broadcaster David Jacobs. It enters the sale with a £23,000-27,000 estimate.

 

The sale includes more than a dozen no-reserve cars including a 1927 Rolls-Royce 20hp fabric saloon that has not been seen publicly since then 1970s. A 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V (restored in the 1990s), a 1959 Alvis TD21 and a 1989 ERA Mini Turbo are also offered at no-reserve.
All lots can be viewed in person from midday on Tuesday 18th June with the sale commencing at 1pm on Wednesday 19th. Anyone looking to bid on any of the vehicles can do so in person, online, by telephone or commission bid. To register to bid or to view more details about any of the lots on offer, visit www.handh.co.uk

 -ENDS- 

Ref: 7352/110624

 

 
 

 About H&H Classics

Established in 1993, H&H Classics is the longest continually trading specialist automotive auction house in the UK and Europe. With centuries of collective market expertise in the classic and collector vehicle industry, H&H Classics prides itself on delivering the highest levels of  service to its buyers and sellers, ensuring an experience which is easy and enjoyable.Over the past 31 years, H&H Classics has achieved world record prices for classic motorcycles, cars, and competition cars such as a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB, 1968 Lotus 49B, 1996 Subaru Impreza WRC, as well as royal cars including Queen Elizabeth II’s Daimler, Prince Phillip’s Lagonda and Princess Anne’s Bentley.

 To find out more about H&H Classics, upcoming auctions or for enquiries, please visit www.handh.co.uk

 

 
 

 

Useful Links:

 

H&H Classics – https://www.handh.co.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HHClassicsLtd/

X - https://twitter.com/handhclassics

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/handhclassics/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/HandHAuctions

 

 
 

 Pictures:

A full set of high resolution images to accompany this release can be found at the following Dropbox.

 

 
  
 

 

A 1934 SS Jaguar 100 2½ litre is the highest estimated lot of the sale at £230,000-270,000

 

 
  
 

 

A 1904 Bayard Type AC2K twin-cylinder rear entrance tonneau is the oldest lot of the auction