Trio of starter classics set for Barons sale

A trio of ‘starter classics’ are set to go under the hammer at Barons’ Classic Winter Warmer sale in February.

The 1974 Fiat 500 (£4500-£5500) looks smart and would be great fun on classic car runs, while the 1973 MGB Roadster (£4000-£5500) has benefited from a substantial restoration, since when it has been kept garaged when not in use and never driven in the wet. There’s also a 1968 Vanden Plas Princess 1300 (£1500-£3000) that could provide affordable family classic motoring.

If your budget can be stretched upwards, then the 1998 Mini Paul Smith Special Edition looks like a good buy. This Japanese import is based on a standard Cooper. Just 300 were produced for the UK market and 1500 scheduled for Japan. It has a host of special features, including gold plated Paul Smith bonnet badge, special dash clocks, air conditioning and one-off Paul Smith blue paint. Expect it to make £6000-£8000.

Grabbing all the headlines, however, are two 1920s Rolls-Royces, including one that starred in a film alongside Alec Guinness. The blue 1928 Rolls-Royce 20 featured in the 1955 romantic comedy To Paris With Love, in which it was driven to Paris by Alec Guinness. In 2000, the car emerged from a £257,000 restoration. It is estimated to fetch up to £85,000.

Meanwhile, a 1926 Phantom 1 Open Tourer LWB Pullman De Ville by Barker was built for Lady Hudson of London, and subsequently owned by Lord David Sainsbury. One of the first Phantom 1s ever built, it carries chassis number 69. Its top estimate is £110,000.

The sale also features a 1968 Jaguar E-type Series 1.5 California FHC. Finished in Primrose Yellow, the car has been fully restored and carries a high estimate of £73,000.

The sale takes place at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, on Tuesday, 23 February. For more information, visit www.barons-auctions.com.