Surrey, England, October 7, 2008 — Entries for the Barons sale of classic, historic and sports cars at Sandown Park, Surrey (October 20th/21) close on Monday, October 13. This penultimate sale of the year promises to be a stylish and sporty affair, headed by a stunning 1933 Cadillac 370C Fisher-bodied V12 Sedan, a 1998 Ferrari 355 F1 GTS with Formula One paddle-style gear change, and a superb 1953 Austin Healey 100/4.
Cadillac was the only American automotive manufacturer to make a profit during the Great Depression, and the luxurious machine on offer at Sandown Park was built during the worst year of those financially turbulent times. This particular 370C Fisher-bodied V12 Sedan would have cost just under $4,000 new, at a time when the average annual income in the US was $1,550. It spent six years in a Manchester museum, after being imported by Thornbury Classics, and has more recently been in a private collection.
The sports cars on offer include a 1998 355 F1 GTS with a Formula One-style paddle-shift semi-automatic transmission, which has covered just 22,250 miles from new. It also features an uprated suspension, steering and brake calipers, and the factory-fitted Fiorano handling kit.
Historic British sporting machines are represented by an immaculate 1953 Austin Healey 100-4, which has benefited from a Stage One engine by the great marque specialist Denis Welch and a comprehensive restoration, while slightly more contemporary British sports car style can be found in the form of a head-turning supercharged 1990 Morgan Plus 8.
Fans of American muscle cars will be drooling over the 1966 Mustang, a genuine factory 4-Speed manual rebuilt as a Hertz GT350 H, which will have covered less than 200 miles since being completed. The car has been stripped to a bare shell, repainted in Ford metallic black with gold Le Mans stripes and GT350 H side decals,and has the correct Shelby period alloy wheels, steel-framed, lightweight hood, ‘perspex’ rear quarter windows, side scoops, Cobra air cleaner, Cobra alloy rocker covers, Shelby chassis plate, Shelby sill plates, Shelby fuel filler cap and Shelby internal decals. This machine has a freshly rebuilt 302 engine, which is mated to the rare and desirable 4-speed, manual gearbox. The car is offered complete with a original Hertz color advertisement for the Shelby GT350 H.
Those who prefer a little more sedate – though no less stylish – form of transport also have much to choose from, including a fine 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible, which has recently benefited from over $13,000 worth of expenditure.
Classic Mk II Jaguars are always popular, and the highly original 1960 3.8 auto example on offer should have a strong appeal. Finished in green with suede green interior, the car has been cosseted and never taken out in wet weather. If this is too rich for your wallet, there is also a very nice 1963 Daimler 2.5 V8 Saloon on offer, which has had just two owners in the last 28 years. It is finished in black and sits on chrome wire wheels.
Would-be buyers can bid in the saleroom on October 21, over the phone or bid and buy online, via www.i-bidder.com. The i-bidder process is simple and convenient, allowing buyers to see the lots on their home or office computer at the same time as they appear in the sale room, and make real-time bids on them.
Viewing is on Monday, October 20 from 3pm to 7:30pm and Tuesday, October 21 from 9am. The sale starts at 1:30pm on the 21st.
To consign a car for this auction, or to find out more about the cars already consigned, visit www.barons-auctions.com, or email [email protected].