Summer value at Historics' first sale of 2014

The Historics of Brooklands crew had cause for some celebration following its first sale of the year - of the 110 cars offered, there was a 79% sell-through rate to raise a total of £1.77m.

The majority of the interest at the sale seemed to be focused on open-opped cars - the much-fancied 1949 Talbot Lago 26 Record Cabriolet topped the sale at an impressive £120,960. It was followed by a 1964 MGB for a strong £13,440, a 1954 Triumph TR2 performing similarly at £33,600, and almost £60,000 for a left-hand drive 1962 Austin Healey 3000 MkII. 

The staple fare of these auctions, the Jaguar E-type was out in force. Five passed under the hammer, with top price going to a 1965 Series I (below) at £91,840, while a similar model, except for beign right-hand drive trailed it home at £87,360.

Mercedes-Benz cars are always a strong presence at Historics, and of the 15 cars offered, 13 sold. Top Benz was a sympathetically-restored 1968 280SL Pagoda, which moved home for a strong £73,360. Another interesting car was the 1968 Volvo Amazon, which sold for an above-estimate £9500. At the other end of the scale, a wholly-original 1963 Austin Mini (bottom) that has covered just 24,500 since new, made its way for £10,304.

Post-sale, Historics’ Auction Director, Edward Bridger-Stille, said: 'Interestingly, more than 30% of our 110 consignments were soft-tops and I’m delighted that virtually all found new UK owners – Thankfully, our home-grown love affair for open-air motoring has not been dampened by recent conditions.'

For full auction results, see Historics at Brooklands’ website, www.historics.co.uk.