Latest news with #HistoricsAuctioneers
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Impeccably restored Ford Escort kept in same family for 50 years finally sells for staggering 6-figure sum
AN impeccably preserved Ford Escort which was in the same family for nearly 50 years has been sold for a staggering sum. The 1976 Ford Escort Mk II RS 1800 was kept off the road in a barn for most of its life. 4 1976 Ford Escort Mk. II RS1800 sells for a staggering sum at an auction Credit: Historics Auctioneers 4 The rare car was kept in the same family for 50 years Credit: Historics Auctioneers 4 The vehicle sports a low mileage as it was kept in a barn for most of its life Credit: Historics Auctioneers The amazing vehicle was purchased in 1977 for an unknown amount but the owner only drove it for ten years. The motor then underwent a restoration and was hidden in a barn for over 35 years. After the owner's recent passing, his widowed wife has put the Ford up for sale at auctioneers Historics, of Iver, Bucks. The exceptionally rare vehicle sparked a bidding war and went under the hammer for a whopping £276,000. read more on motors His ' pride and joy' was originally registered to the Ford Motor Company and one of just five cars used by Ford as a Press car. There were only 109 examples manufactured all together of the model which enjoyed huge rallying success in the late 70s and early 80s. Its rallying abilities were enhanced by the 1.8-liter Cosworth BDA (Belt Drive A-Type) engine which generated over 240bhp. The lightweight and nimble chassis and suspension of the Mk. II were carried over from its predecessor. Most read in Motors Its responsive handling and balance, especially on loose gravel surfaces, made it a driver favourite thanks to its rear-wheel-drive setup. The white car with the small strip of bright and dark blue paint above the wheels has only travelled a total of 24,186 miles, or 500 miles annually on average. Iconic 1965 Ford Racer that starred in Top Gear is so rare only two in the world exist - but could be yours at auction The sought-after Ford has undergone a second revamp before the auction but has to be treated gently due to its low mileage. A Historics spokesperson said: "Beyond its rallying success, the Escort RS1800 Mk II remains a cherished car among enthusiasts and collectors. "Its combination of performance, history, and timeless design continues to captivate fans. "Restored and modified examples are frequently seen in classic car rallies and events, a testament to its enduring legacy. "The car sat in a barn for 35 years with the rebuilt engine sat on a pallet next to the RS1800. "Time had taken its toll and another restoration project was undertaken, with the plan to present the car in the best possible condition. "The registered keeper sadly passed away and the car is now registered in the name of his widow. "It runs beautifully although needs to be treated gently as it has only done less than 50 miles since the rebuild." 4 The iconic Ford has undergone two revamps to bring it back to its full glory Credit: Historics Auctioneers
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Impeccably restored Ford Escort kept in same family for 50 years finally sells for staggering 6-figure sum
TURBO HERO Impeccably restored Ford Escort kept in same family for 50 years finally sells for staggering 6-figure sum Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN impeccably preserved Ford Escort which was in the same family for nearly 50 years has been sold for a staggering sum. The 1976 Ford Escort Mk II RS 1800 was kept off the road in a barn for most of its life. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 1976 Ford Escort Mk. II RS1800 sells for a staggering sum at an auction Credit: Historics Auctioneers 4 The rare car was kept in the same family for 50 years Credit: Historics Auctioneers 4 The vehicle sports a low mileage as it was kept in a barn for most of its life Credit: Historics Auctioneers The amazing vehicle was purchased in 1977 for an unknown amount but the owner only drove it for ten years. The motor then underwent a restoration and was hidden in a barn for over 35 years. After the owner's recent passing, his widowed wife has put the Ford up for sale at auctioneers Historics, of Iver, Bucks. The exceptionally rare vehicle sparked a bidding war and went under the hammer for a whopping £276,000. His 'pride and joy' was originally registered to the Ford Motor Company and one of just five cars used by Ford as a Press car. There were only 109 examples manufactured all together of the model which enjoyed huge rallying success in the late 70s and early 80s. Its rallying abilities were enhanced by the 1.8-liter Cosworth BDA (Belt Drive A-Type) engine which generated over 240bhp. The lightweight and nimble chassis and suspension of the Mk. II were carried over from its predecessor. Its responsive handling and balance, especially on loose gravel surfaces, made it a driver favourite thanks to its rear-wheel-drive setup. The white car with the small strip of bright and dark blue paint above the wheels has only travelled a total of 24,186 miles, or 500 miles annually on average. Iconic 1965 Ford Racer that starred in Top Gear is so rare only two in the world exist - but could be yours at auction The sought-after Ford has undergone a second revamp before the auction but has to be treated gently due to its low mileage. A Historics spokesperson said: "Beyond its rallying success, the Escort RS1800 Mk II remains a cherished car among enthusiasts and collectors. "Its combination of performance, history, and timeless design continues to captivate fans. "Restored and modified examples are frequently seen in classic car rallies and events, a testament to its enduring legacy. "The car sat in a barn for 35 years with the rebuilt engine sat on a pallet next to the RS1800. "Time had taken its toll and another restoration project was undertaken, with the plan to present the car in the best possible condition. "The registered keeper sadly passed away and the car is now registered in the name of his widow. "It runs beautifully although needs to be treated gently as it has only done less than 50 miles since the rebuild."
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Top WWII general's Rolls Royce that was modified so Churchill could smoke cigars sells for eye-watering price
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GENERAL Montgomery's wartime staff car that was modified at Winston Churchill's request so he could smoke his cigars has sold for more than £100,000. The 1936 Rolls Royce Phantom III Touring Limousine was requisitioned at the start of the war and assigned to Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Winston Churchill owned one of the very few Rolls-Royce Phantoms in existence Credit: Historics Auctioneers 5 Churchill had the car fitted with unique features Credit: Historics Auctioneers 5 The car is in an incredible British Racing green Credit: Historics Auctioneers As well as Churchill, it also transported King George VI and US General Dwight D Eisenhower in the lead up to D-Day as planning for Operation Overlord intensified. The wartime British prime minister insisted that a custom electric cigar lighter was fitted in the rear compartment for his personal use, which is still there today. The VIPs were driven in it to Southwick House near Portsmouth where the planning for D-Day took place. British Army supremo Monty's chauffeur-driven vehicle became known as the 'Green Car' due to its British Racing Green and black livery. Read More on UK News SHINDIG FOR VICTORY! Brits party like it's 1945 as UK marks VE Day 80 with proper knees-up After the war ended, it was reassigned to the Chief of Staff of the US Army Air Force, General Carl Spaatz. In the 1950s, during the Suez Crisis, the car was purchased by a rubber-planter in Malaya and shipped to Penang. The last owner bought the car, which is the only pre-war Rolls Royce powered by a V12 engine, at auction eight years ago. And has now sold it with auctioneers Historics, of Iver, Bucks, who described it as an 'extraordinary piece of history'. The car sold to a UK buyer for over £100,000. A Historics spokesperson said: "It is an extraordinary piece of history, with direct connections to some of the most iconic figures of the Second World War, including Field Marshal Montgomery and Winston Churchill. "Montgomery used the Phantom III extensively, travelling between his homes in Virginia Water, Surrey, and London, as well as during his time at Southwick House near Portsmouth in the crucial months leading up to the D-Day invasion of Europe. "This car was part of the tight security and secrecy surrounding those meetings. "A particularly fascinating detail is the custom electric cigar lighter fitted in the rear compartment for Churchill's personal use, still in place today." Mathew Priddy, Historics' Head of Auctions, said: "We were thrilled to bring this hugely historical motorcar to auction and delighted that it has found a new home here in the UK. "It's exceptional to offer for sale a car which has such unparalleled provenance connected with British royalty and military leaders, particularly at the time of the 80th anniversary of VE Day." A total of 710 Phantom IIIs were built before production ceased due to the war, with fewer than 300 examples thought to exist today. 5 The motor has been described as needing to be shown to the 'world' Credit: Historics Auctioneers
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Top WWII general's Rolls Royce that was modified so Churchill could smoke cigars sells for eye-watering price
GENERAL Montgomery's wartime staff car that was modified at Winston Churchill's request so he could smoke his cigars has sold for more than £100,000. The 1936 Rolls Royce Phantom III Touring Limousine was requisitioned at the start of the war and Advertisement 5 Winston Churchill owned one of the very few Rolls-Royce Phantoms in existence Credit: Historics Auctioneers 5 Churchill had the car fitted with unique features Credit: Historics Auctioneers 5 The car is in an incredible British Racing green Credit: Historics Auctioneers As well as The wartime British prime minister insisted that a custom electric cigar lighter was fitted in the rear compartment for his personal use, which is still there today. The VIPs were driven in it to Southwick House near Portsmouth where the British Army supremo Monty's chauffeur-driven vehicle became known as the 'Green Car' due to its British Racing Green and black livery. Advertisement Read More on UK News After In the 1950s, during the Suez Crisis, the car was purchased by a rubber-planter in Malaya and shipped to Penang. The last owner bought the car, which is the only pre-war Rolls Royce powered by a V12 engine, at auction eight years ago. And has now sold it with auctioneers Historics, of Iver, Bucks, who described it as an 'extraordinary piece of history'. Advertisement Most read in Motors Latest The car sold to a UK buyer for over £100,000. A Historics spokesperson said: "It is an extraordinary piece of history, with direct connections to some of the most iconic figures of the Second World War, including Field Marshal Montgomery and Winston Churchill. "Montgomery used the Phantom III extensively, travelling between his homes in Virginia Water, Surrey, and London, as well as during his time at Southwick House near Portsmouth in the crucial months leading up to the "This car was part of the tight security and secrecy surrounding those meetings. Advertisement "A particularly fascinating detail is the custom electric cigar lighter fitted in the rear compartment for Churchill's personal use, still in place today." Mathew Priddy, Historics' Head of Auctions, said: "We were thrilled to bring this hugely historical motorcar to auction and delighted that it has found a new home here in the UK. "It's exceptional to offer for sale a car which has such unparalleled provenance connected with British royalty and military leaders, particularly at the time of the A total of 710 Phantom IIIs were built before production ceased due to the war, with fewer than 300 examples thought to exist today. Advertisement 5 The motor has been described as needing to be shown to the 'world' Credit: Historics Auctioneers 5 The car includes a vintage drinking tray Credit: Historics Auctioneers
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
The six used Jaguars to buy now before prices rise
In late 2024, when Jaguar previewed its new all-electric future, a publicity storm followed. Was it the last roll of the dice from a brand in its death throes, or marketing genius? Whatever, the 'copy nothing' relaunch featuring a pink-hued concept car is now estimated to have been seen by a billion pairs of eyes. Those images of the proposed car were also accompanied by news that Jaguar was stopping building cars as it regroups. With only used Jaguars available currently, we thought it timely to ask six experts for the models they would advise buying – those that might even appreciate in value over time. It's also a reminder that while it might have struggled to sell cars profitably, Jaguar still has a healthy back catalogue of fantastic machines. Jaguar E-Type Series 3 Years: 1961-1974 Price: £50,000-£80,000 Think Jaguar, and if you're of a certain age, you probably think E-Type. Launched in 1961 with coupé and convertible body shapes, Enzo Ferrari is said to have called it 'the most beautiful car ever made'. Despite that, E-Type prices have been depressed more recently. And that makes the less aesthetically desirable Series 3, with its 5.3-litre V12 engine and a bonnet so big it needs its own postcode, relatively affordable. Nathan Stride at classic car specialist Team Virtus in Pulborough, West Sussex, said: 'E-Types are currently towards the bottom of the value curve. I have a Series 3, which I sold three years ago for £110,000, and I'm now putting it in an auction and might get £75,000. 'They are cheap, relatively speaking, now, but they will go up. Choose one with a service history and use that to check that the mileage hasn't been tampered with.' Jaguar XJR (X358) Years: 2007-2009 Price: £15,000-£30,000 Jaguar has a storied history of fast saloons, and none more so than the XJ body shape. First launched in 1968, the XJ spawned four generations. The X358 is the final version of the third generation and, like other X350 models, has an aluminium body. Matthew Priddy, the head of auctions at Historics Auctioneers, said: 'I could mention E-Types and classic XKs, but based on recent results, my pick would be the supercharged XJR version of the X358. 'We recently sold a low-mileage example for double my expectations, so if I was to find another for what I thought was market value (£15,000), I would be snapping it up. A great engine, improved performance and luxury, I liken it to when Mk2 prices shot up to £50,000… A modern classic choice with space for you and three friends, ready for a trip to the Le Mans Classic.' Jaguar XK (X150) Years: 2006-2014 Price: £13,000-£20,000 When the first generation of XJS-replacing XK models was launched in 1996, its clumsy looks were a let-down. Its successor, first shown to the public in 2005, was a far sleeker offering. With its aluminium chassis and available with either a coupe or convertible body, the XK now represents a great used buy, according to Matthew Sweeney from Chiltern Jaguar and Land Rover Specialists in High Wycombe, Bucks. 'With the XK, you get so much car for your pound,' he said. 'I really believe the XK is a modern-day classic. It's cheaper than a Porsche 911 Turbo, but the XKR-S has almost comparable performance. And you can get a 4.2-litre for well under £20,000. But as with any high-performance car, you need to be sure that they've been looked after.' Jaguar XE Years: 2015-2024 Price: £8,000-£10,000 Recent versions of small Jaguar saloons haven't been rip-roaring sales successes; think X-Type and more recently the XE in the UK. But that's not to say the latter is a bad car. When it was launched, it was the first in its class to have an aluminium structure. And it was the first car to be built at Jaguar Land Rover's then-new Solihull factory. With a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or diesel engines, it was a direct rival to the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. 'As a used car, you get a lot more for the money with the XE compared with the equivalent BMW or Audi,' said Gary Stubbs from car dealership Westwell Jones in Farnborough, Hants. 'There are some models out there with a really nice spec. Ideally, you want a low-mileage example, but early (and therefore cheaper) models are increasingly hard to come by. The petrol 2.0-litre is the one to go for.' Jaguar XJS Convertible Years: 1992-1996 Price: £20,000-£30,000 The XJ-S (Ford dropped the hyphen when it bought Jaguar in 1989) had big E-Type-shaped boots to fill when launched by British Leyland in 1975. It didn't grab performance car lovers' imagination as the E-Type had, and production was even halted briefly in 1981 to shift surplus stock. Initially a V12-only, a 3.6-litre straight six-cylinder joined the XJ-S line-up in 1983. Ford replaced this with a 4.0-litre six-cylinder unit in 1992 and added a convertible to the range at the same time. It's this that classic Jag specialist Peter Thurston in Herne Bay, Kent recommends. He said: 'The 4.0-litre XJS is cheaper to run than the V12. It's a very reliable engine, very robust, and the car is nicely built; better than the Leyland XJ-S. I think the XJS will be the next E-Type. They haven't peaked yet, so if you buy one now and hang onto it for a bit, you're unlikely to lose money on it.' Jaguar XJ (X300) Years: 1994-1997 Price: £1,000-£8,000 Astonishingly, it took 18 years for a second-generation XJ to hit showrooms in 1986. Eight years later, under Ford's stewardship, this XJ40 was then facelifted into the model codenamed X300. Richard Gunn from Anglia Car Auctions believes the X300 XJ makes a great buy: 'By this stage, they were well built and pretty reliable. There's a choice of some quite potent engines and values are still pretty reasonable. 'X300 XJs are bargains at the moment. You can probably pick up one for a few thousand, but be wary: like most luxury cars, if a Jaguar has been run on a budget, they don't like it. If you find a cheap, high-mileage car that hasn't been properly maintained, you could be looking at a whole world of trouble.'
