Five affordable modern classics to grab at the Bonhams MPH Auction

The new venture is called Bonhams MPH and it has its first auction on Thursday 26^th September at Bicester Heritage, that centre of all things classic automotive just off the M40 in Oxfordshire.

The auction is unique for Bonhams in many ways. Test drives may be available during the sale preview, while in the actual sale all the cars will be driven through the saleroom so buyers can see and hear them running. Bonhams is using a system of scores out of 100 to describe the condition of each car – though note these scores are provided by the vendor, not Bonhams. Still helpful, we reckon. There is bidding online of course and many of the cars come with no reserve price.

Bonhams is promising an informal, lively atmosphere with a streamlined buying and selling process and reduced auction charges. The emphasis in the MPH sales is on modern classics in the £5,000-50,000 area aimed at younger, often first-time auction buyers.  

As MPH’s Ron Hubbard says: "We're hoping to put the fun back into owning a classic car. We'll make it possible to buy something that can provide plenty of enjoyment, without breaking the bank or being too precious to really use."

Here are five lots from the first auction on Thursday, from the 114 cars for sale, that we reckon could put the fun back into our motoring…

2000 BMW Z3M, £35-43,000

Right-hand-drive, manual ‘box and just 13,100 miles are the headlines with this oddball but fine-driving Bimmer. Forget the “clown shoe” looks and enjoy deadly serious performance and handling thanks to the 317bhp, 3.2-litre straight-six from the E36 M3. As a coupe version of the Z3 roadster, it’s stiff enough to take the power, too, with nothing more than a slippery diff at the back end. It’s thought there are around 500 Z3Ms left in the UK, so it’s an uncommon sight, and getting rarer. Apart from its super-low mileage (backed up by comprehensive history file), this one has had just two owners. Vendor Score Total: 80/100.

2006 Renault Clio V6 255 Sport, £35-40,000

As Bonhams says, the day this car came out Renault created an instantly collectible modern classic. A hatchback turned two-seater with mid-mounted V6 – what’s not to like? And so it has proved. This one does sound special, too. Like the BMW it’s a two-owner car (the first was Renault UK) with low miles (26,500) and right-hand-drive. The steering wheel on the right makes it a rarity, as does the fitment of Clio V6 Evo induction kit and a KTR full exhaust system, the latter including manifolds and sport catalytic converters. The hottest ever Clio comes with the original book pack, all tools, eight expired MOT certificates and current MOT to February 2018. The owner scores it 75/100.

1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, £40-50,000

Everyone loves an Escort Cossie and some have sold for way more than this. Potent, all-wheel-drive and with a rear wing to die for, it’s an icon of the Blue Oval but one well up for everyday motoring. This model has a twin headlight conversion but otherwise its claim to fame is its originality with its original factory paint, alloy wheels and Recaro black cloth seats. The car’s covered 38,207 miles from new and has recently been recommissioned after being in storage for the past 10 years. Recommissioning meant a new cambelt, full fluid service and check over, plus a new MOT. The vendor, who bought the car as second owner in 1997, scores it 80/100.

1997 Toyota Supra, £18-24,000

The Supra’s back, but for many fans of the 1990s, 3.0-litre, twin-turbo Japanese coupé it never really went away, such has been its enduring appeal. This UK-registered car is a sought-after manual gearbox model that has been driven 64,472 miles and shows some signs of age in its paint and interior but, crucially, all the signs of being unmolested and un-hammered in circuit driving, unlike many Supras. It all stacks up according to the comprehensive history file that accompanies the car. The owner scores it 60/100.

1987 Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo, £11-14,000

Like the Supra, there’s a new, hugely acclaimed new Alpine model back on the roads and such comebacks inevitably shine a light on what went before. Like this ’87 GTA. Yes it’s French, rear-engined and was never the Porsche and Ferrari challenger it set out to be. But it’s rare, cool looking and overflowing with character. And maybe, at this price, set to keep its value as Alpine establishes itself again in the performance firmament. This 70,000-mile car in pearlescent white is a rare UK model with right-hand-drive. It has been subject to recent recommissioning work ahead of a forthcoming appearance on a TV classic car show. And how can anyone resist a car that comes with its own bespoke set of luggage? Owner’s rating? 57/100.

Images courtesy of Bonhams.