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H&H ENDS THE YEAR ON A HIGH AFTER STRONG BUXTON SALE

London, December 1, 2008: Amid the ongoing economic uncertainty, it seems that there are still plenty of people keen to buy and sell vintage and classic cars and automobilia. H&H's traditional end-of-year auction not only grossed in excess of £1.4 million, but also drew over 1,000 people to the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton (including some 400 registered bidders).

Auctioneer and Managing Director Simon Hope commented: "With interest rates widely predicted to fall still further, there are undoubtedly those who would rather have their money sat in something enjoyable or at least tangible. However, the old car and world has not divorced itself from the greater financial reality and this is increasingly a market in which quality counts - be it in terms of condition, provenance or both".

Highly original and one of the trio which secured a coveted Coupe des Alpes for the London-based marque on that year's Alpine Rally, the Vanden Plas bodied 1932 Talbot 105 Fox & Nicholl Team Car exceeded its top estimate to sell for £201,000. The same £201,000 was also achieved by the ex-concours entrant 1936 SS Jaguar 100. Supplied new to a Buxton resident, the car was the second earliest example of its type known to exist and had raced in America during 1938.

Equally historic was the ex-Patsy Burt 1966 McLaren M3A Formula Libre. Offered for sale by her family, the multiple trophy-winning and record-breaking single-seater had not been run in anger for many years but went to a very good home for £78,000.

Arguably requiring more work than anything else in the sale, the 1901 Decauville 8hp Tonneau surpassed all expectations to fetch £91,500 (more than six times its catalogue low estimate figure). The other three 'garage finds' from the same long-term private collection also beat their top estimate figures: 1913 Daimler 30hp Landaulette (£44,500), 1925 Daimler 20hp Landaulette (£15,500) and 1913 Argyll 25/50 Tourer (£37,900).

The similarly unrestored 1939 SS Jaguar 2.5 Litre Drophead Coupe, which had been in the same family since 1946, fetched £29,000. Surprisingly solid beneath its faded paint and cracked upholstery, the 1962 Aston Martin DB4 with Special Series engine may yet prove a canny buy at £82,500. Meanwhile, a declared engine fault did not deter bidding on the 1933 Alvis Speed 20 SA Tourer, which reached £37,900.

Proof that condition is a primary consideration at every price level, the 20,000 miles from new 1982 Lancia Montecarlo Spider commanded £10,000 and the nicely restored 1937 Packard Six 115C Touring Sedan took £10,500. Both the motorcycles which crept into a 'motor car only' catalogue sold, with the 1968 Cotton Trials (one family from new) making £1,780 and the 1989 BMW K1 reaching £2,550.

The number plates highlights included "MNC 1" (£10,500) and "24 DB" (£12,000). Notable results achieved during the automobilia sale included the following: Jaguar D-type sales brochure (£1,720), Mille Miglia Enamel Control Point (£1,490) and Michelin Illuminated Lightbox (£1,140).

Although the 1932 Alvis Speed 20 SA Competition Four-Seater, which had been commissioned for 'Tim' Birkin and was raced by Dudley Benjafield, failed to sell under the hammer, it has now found a new owner for an undisclosed sum, bringing the motorcar sale rate to 77% (56 cars sold from 73 offered, plus 4 withdrawn).

Prices quoted include buyers' premium and VAT, but have been rounded down.