More than 86 per cent of cars on offer find new homes
Auction achieves total sales of more than £1.3 million
A 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL sells for £139,500, the highest price of the day
Worldwide interest in cars on offer
Image: A 1989 Audi UR Quattro ex press car was among the 86 per cent of cars sold on the day
86 per cent of the classic, collector and performance cars offered for sale by H&H Classics were successfully hammered away at its latest auction on 24th July, for a combined total of more than £1.32 million.
Such was the level of interest in the cars on offer that the auction’s saleroom at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, was packed to full capacity, with hundreds of other enthusiasts also joining in via multiple online bidding platforms or on the phone. Indeed, more than 900 individuals registered to bid at the auction with bids coming in from as far afield as Australia, Malaysia and the United States of America. Meanwhile, winning bids were successfully placed from France, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, underlining the global interest and reach of H&H Classics.
“We’re delighted with the results in our latest auction,” comments James McWilliam, sales manager, H&H Classics. “They show that the market remains lively, not just in the UK, but around the world too. Having over 900 registered bidders and a very strong sales rate shows that enthusiasts are still buying cars with sensible estimates and careful sale curation. We’d like to thank everyone who entered a vehicle, bid on one of the lots, or simply attended and help us create a wonderful atmosphere on the day.”
The car taking the top price was a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL, selling for £139,500. The UK-market, highly specified, fully-restored example came from 50 years’ ownership, helping it achieve an impressive £40,000 over its lower estimate.
While the Mercedes-Benz 250SL achieved the highest price, a former UK press fleet Audi Quattro UR – one of four used for media duties – took much of the pre-sale interest. Coming to the sale fresh from an overhaul, the modern classic eventually sold for a healthy £56,250, more than £16,000 above its lower estimate.
An Aston Martin DB6 project proved the enduring popularity of this model selling for £76,500. Much work had already been completed on the matching-numbers, manual gearbox model but with more to do, the new owner can now complete it to their ideal specification.
Another lot selling for well over its lower estimate, and just behind the DB6 value-wise, was a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 230SL, which was hammered away for £69,750.
Among the pre-war selection, a 1929 Lagonda 2-litre Tourer with much supporting history and in previous long-term ownership, sold for £51,750, some way past its £40,000 lower estimate.
Other notable lots included a fully restored 1959 Ford Zephyr, which achieved £20,812, and a 1995, 2300km from new, MG RV8 that sold for £31,500.
The collection of the late renowned enthusiast and engineer David Lucas brought a variety of British classics from the 1920s to the 1980s to the sale. All required restoration or renovation and were offered at no-reserve. Among the collection, a 1936 Armstrong-Siddeley 17hp Foursome Drophead Coupe sold for £8,550, a 1964 Triumph Herald 1200 Coupe for £6,975 and a 1975 Triumph 2000 MK2 Estate for £2,812.
For a full list of the results from H&H’s auction, visit handh.co.uk.
Meanwhile, owners of classics and collectibles looking to benefit from the high levels of interest in H&H’s auction by selling with them at their next sale at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, on 9th October, can contact the team to discuss their entry on 01925 210035 or email sales@handh.co.uk.
