HISTORICS RETURNS £2.83 MILLION AND 65% RATE AT FLAVOURFUL BICESTER HERITAGE SALE
With the cost of living taking centre stage in the news, the resilience of the classic car market was under scrutiny by the time of Historics’ inaugural sale at Bicester Heritage on Saturday, 24th September.
Yet after the gavel fell on the last of the 153 varied lots in the vast auction hall, Historics returned an impressive £2.83 million gross result with a 65% rate of sale.
The new Historics venue attracted a sea of fresh faces to the bustling auction hall which, over the three viewing days and auction day itself, was visited by over 2,000, doubtless drawn by Historics’ eclectic entry, represented by 43 different car marques. In addition, the sale attracted some 400 registered online international bidders, with 40% of lots selling online.
153 lots spanning nine decades passed across the auction rostrum on the day, a 1933 Pierce Arrow Brougham Coupé (Sold: £30,240) setting the timbre for pre-war motoring against one of the most iconic of modern classics in the shape of the dramatic 2005 Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Coupé (Sold: £277,340).
Entries in higher value categories performed well, with all four Ferraris – headed by a blisteringly quick 730bhp 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta (Sold: £140,000) passing to new owners. Meanwhile, a 1982 Porsche 911 SC Targa Restomod proved the demand for exceptionally-presented, bespoke classic Porsches. Following two equally fine example sold by Historics in recent sales, the elegant Targa soared to £100,800. Not long before, a fine, matching numbers FIA-papered 1969 Porsche 911E settled at £73,000.
Of the 18 Mercedes-Benz examples entered, 14 sold (78%), illustrating the marque’s enduring appeal in so many age and value categories, with a total yield of close to £850,000 and an average sale price of over £60,700. Within the entry was also a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL which soared well above estimate to £140,000 (£95,000-£110,000) and a 2000 Mercedes-Benz G500 first owned by Mr. ’Slowhand’ Eric Clapton, making top estimate at £37,356.
Aside from the popularity of German classics, a wonderful example of contemporary British craftmanship in the guise of a rare 2015 Evanta Barchetta brought a rousing round of applause as the hammer came down at £67,920, nearly twice its mid-estimate. Equally impressive was a one-off, lusty, 400 bhp 1972 AC Aceca Cobra Coupe, completed in its current specification in 1982, which rumbled gloriously to £106,400.
The sale also included plenty of choice for those interested in more affordable classics, including those with an eye for the extraordinary...Indeed, whilst the Morris Six showcased the company’s post-war interest in larger cars than the ubiquitous Minor, the 1949 example of the ‘Six’ on sale here was big in other ways...hiding beneath the elegantly re-trimmed leather interior was a window-rattling 7.6 litre Ford V8, quickshift auto, vented discs and all sorts, which doubtless helped propel it to a worthy £14,560.
Meanwhile, a Morris of a wholly different kind was a 1950 Morris 8/40 Coupe Utility built under licence in Australia. In Heritage Green and fully restored, it features a charming locally-built wooden rear body, and doubtless will deliver enormous enjoyment to its new owner at a shade over £9,000.
Finally, and staying with British classics, following Historics’ previous success with Triumph TR8s, a very fine ex-factory 1980 demonstrator – just one of four RHD automatic examples - passed to a new owner for £24,640. It’s pristine condition was a stark contrast to the 1961 Jaguar ‘flat-floor’ Series I E-Type Roadster restoration which settled on £61,600 .
Full results from the Bicester Heritage sale can be viewed at www.historics.co.uk.
Historics is now consigning for its final sale of the year at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands on Saturday 26th November. To consign a vehicle, call 01753 639170 or email
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