Motoring: The car that saved Longbridge enjoys its moment in the sun
A HUMBLE slice of Midlands motoring history proved to be one of the major attractions at a special classic car auction.
Lining up alongside vintage supercars and celebrity-owned specials at the CarFest South event was a little Austin Metro Vanden Plas 500 which first rolled off the production line at Longbridge in 1983.
Despite its age, the rare car was in near-perfect condition having covered just 741 miles and had just one registered owner since new. For many years the car has formed part of the famous Patrick Collection in Birmingham.
Going under the hammer, the hatchback sold for £7,700 – way beyond its forecourt price 32 years ago. Classic Car Auctions, which conducted the auction has not disclosed the name of the car’s new owner.
For CCA, the sale was its best ever with more than 70% of the lots being sold, realising a total sales value in excess of £900,000.
Thousands of festival goers had descended on the two-day auction at Chris Evans’ weekend festival, which took place at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire.
The fantastic selection of cars, aided by CCA’s generous customers helped raise £25,000 for BBC Children in Need.
Topping the bill at the auction was another, slightly more desirable piece of Midlands-produced motoring memorabilia, a beautiful 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Roadster, which sold for £58,300 including premium. Another classic Jaguar, a low mileage 1988 XJS V12 Convertible, was offered without reserve and sold for more than £17,000.
From the small screen, a special 1965 Morris Mini Moke, which starred in cult TV series The Prisoner, sold for £13,750 including premium.
A highly collectable 1972 BMW 3.0 CSA, once owned by the actor Michael York and Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes, sold for £30,250 – more than £10,000 over its estimate. However, this wasn’t the only classic BMW that caught the eye of bidders. A highly original 1989 BMW Z1, one of the earliest built, sold for £23,320.
There was also frenzied bidding on the Ultimate F1 Scalextric track, the biggest track Scalextric had ever created. The track was designed by F1 commentator Martin Brundle and featured corners from every one of the former driver’s favourite Grand Prix circuits.
Donated into the auction by Hornby, the track was eventually sold for £11,220, with all the proceeds going to Children in Need.
