Jaguar E-type tops the score sheet at Barons

Barons' Spring Sale continued the trend moving into the show season of selling a hearty proportion of its cars to a competitive selection of bidders. For this sale, it hammered out 75% of the cars on offer with bidding coming from around the world, via telephone, online and commission. 

A 1963 Series I Jaguar E-type (above) took top honours at Baron’s Spring Classic sale at Sandown Park on 29 April making an estimate-busting £51,000, despite having a non-original engine block. Just behind it, was a 1967 Austin Healey 3000 MkIII, fetching £38,000 - again above the top estimate. The immaculate 1952 Jowett Jupiter that we quite fancied pre-sale also performed admiably, selling for £24,500. It was owned by Phil Green (Jowett's head test driver from 1951 to 1953), and is one of just 900 made.

Among the sellers watching their cars go to new homes, Brian Constable waved goodbye to the Mini Cooper S MKIII that he bought new in 1970, an enthusiastic bidder paying £10,500 for the privilege of becoming only the second owner in the car’s long life.

Barons is now gearing up for its annual Jaguar Heritage auction at Sandown Park on 24 June. Early entries include a barn find 1964 Series I E-type FHC. Carrying an estimate of £13,000-17,000, and requiring full restoration, it offers the perfect opportunity to create the ultimate E-type – and if the £51,000 achieved for the 1963 example at Barons in April is anything to go by, it could represent a sound investment.

More information at Barons' website.

Top 10: BARONS, SANDOWN PARK, 29 APRIL

1963 Jaguar E-type SI 3.8 FHC - £50,972
1967 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII - £38,092
1952 Jowett Jupiter MKI - £24,500
1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3 Coupe - £21,292
1973 Triumph Stag - £14,124
1963 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans - £13,452
1970 Austin Mini Cooper S - £10,500
1987 Audi Quattro UR Coupe - £10,372
1990 Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible - £9500
1992 Lancia Delta Integrale - £8,692