Speed And Style Take The Lead For Barons' September Sale

LONDON – Sept 13, 2011: Jaguar, Bentley and Rolls-Royce lead the entry for Barons’ British Heritage + Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy/Classic & Prestige sale at Sandown Park on September 20th.

In the 50th anniversary year of the E-type Jaguar, it’s only fitting that Barons should celebrate by offering an exceptional example. One of just 50 limited edition models built to mark the final production of this legendary British sportscar, this was the 12th from last ever built. Formerly owned by Allen Lloyd, then president of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, it is in truly outstanding condition. It won the accolades of Best E-type and Car of the Day at the Jaguar Drivers Club International E-type Day at Prescott in June 2010, and was later displayed at the Champion of Champions concours at the NEC (£140,000-160,000).

Other Jaguars in the sale include a 1971 E-type V12 Roadster with the registration number ’53 CAT’ (£35,000 to 45,000), a rather special 1960 MkIX with Jaguar V12-engine (£29,000 - 34,000), and a 1963 MKII 3.8 Sports Saloon which has been the subject of a £50,000 restoration and upgrade (£28,000 to 35,000).

The Rolls-Royce and Bentley entry is headed by a magnificent and powerful 1950 Bentley Park Ward Mark VI sports saloon with unique four-door, all-aluminium coachbuilt body. Built for a Manchester textile company in 1950, it features very rare Macassar ebony veneer woodwork and two cocktail cabinets - brandy in the driver's door and whisky on the passenger side – and the original valve radio, which still works (£87,500-97,500).

For exhilarating yet stately 'wind in the hair' motoring it's hard to beat a Bentley Continental Convertible. The 1990 example on offer on September 20th has covered a mere 30,000 miles from new. Finished in beautiful Astral blue with magnolia hide interior, piped blue, it is complete with original tools and handbook and is said to be in outstanding condition throughout (£70,000-75,000).

The 1959 Bentley (Hooper) Continental Saloon is one of only six produced with Hooper coachwork, making it one of the rarest Bentley Continentals produced. It is also one of the most flamboyant – with a history to match. It was supplied new to Hugh Fraser, Chairman of House of Fraser in July 1959, the same month his company purchased Harrods. The second owner was mining tycoon Gordon Richdale, who registered the car to his London residence at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London (£35,000-40,000).

There’s also a very attractive 1937 Mulliner Rolls-Royce 25/30, originally commissioned by Sir August Cayzer Bart, son of Sir Charles Cayzer, 1st Baronet and head of the ship owners Cayzer, Irvine & Co (£28,000-31,000).

Britain’s motoring heritage is also represented by Jensen, AC, Morris, Rover, Riley, Aston Martin, Austin and Triumph. The rare and striking 1963 Jensen CV8 MkI carries an estimate of £16,500-£18,500, and there’s a trio of Morris Minors, including a rather jaunty blue Traveller (£2,750-3,750).

Two very different – but equally immaculate - cars wave the flag for Triumph. The 1954 Triumph TR2 was used by Triumph as the factory press and marketing car throughout 1955. It also featured in 'Motor' magazine and in Bill Piggott's book ‘Triumph by Name, Triumph by Nature’ (£30,000-34,000). And the stunning 1968 2000 MkI has to be one of the best examples of this popular family saloon. Originally destined as an export model to Bermuda, it boasts all the options available at the time (£7,000-9,000).

There are two interesting restoration projects in the sale. The ‘time warp’ 1952 AC 2-litre had been in the same ownership for several decades until recently, when it was unearthed from barn storage. A worthy restoration project, the car is presented in 'as found' condition, complete with cobwebs and hay. £4,500-5,500. The 1937 Riley Adelphi 12/4 has been dry-stored since 1974 and is said to be complete, apart from the exhaust system (£2,000-3,000).

One unusual entry is the very rare 1960 Seven Hamblin Special Cadet hillclimb car. Reputedly based on a 1930s Austin Seven chassis, it’s just the thing for Prescott (£11,000-£13,000).

Finally, the Classic & Prestige element of the sale is headed by a beautiful 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale - possibly the best Alfa Giulietta SS in the UK. The owner conducted a 10-year search to find the best example he could, and this car is highly original, totally rust-free and beautifully presented, with just 40,000km from new. Estimated at £40,000-44,000, it looks like excellent value against the $209,000 recently paid for the ex-