Six sub-£50k beauties coming up for auction | GRR
We’ve written about the Mercedes 630K that’ll be up for grabs at Bonhams’ auction at the Autoworld Museum in Brussels on Sunday 6th September, but at £540,000 it is a rather high-ticket item. Thankfully, if the Merc is too rich for you Bonhams has plenty more suggestions for classic car fun – and competition – at more accessible prices.
One such car is a 1958 Peerless GT. A rare left-hand-drive example with a race-prepared Triumph TR3 engine, it would be a fine steed to compete in at the Goodwood Revival or Le Mans Classic. The Peerless GT is no stranger to La Sarthe in fact. In 1958 a solitary GT, and the only four-seater in the field, finished the 24 Hours in 16th place overall. It has an estimate of €40-60,000.
The Peerless is the top bargain choice of the sale by Bonhams Brussels car specialist, Gregory Tuytens. “The 1958 Peerless was revolutionary at the time,” he tells us. “Despite a favourable reception and racing success Peerless ceased production in 1960 after around 325 cars had been made. Today the car remains largely unknown and yet it is an extremely elegant model with the benefit of space as well as a quick Triumph 2.0-litre engine. Finding one in as good condition as this one is extremely rare.”
We asked Gregory what his other sub £50,000 picks of the auction were…
1958 Austin-Healey Sprite 'Frogeye' Mk1
Estimate: €20-25,000
This small but hot-engined (1,275cc) example is a joy to drive, well-balanced, feeling fast and precise on winding roads. The more standard Frogeyes can be found quite easily on the market but they often need a lot of work which can quickly bring the price up. Buy the best you can is the golden rule.
1957 Simca Aronde Plein Ciel
Estimate: €25-35,000
The elegant Plein Ciel coupe model, styled by Facel, was relatively rare compared to other variations of the Aronde and very few remain on the market today. This particular example is one of the survivors and has an incredibly honest feel to it, thanks to a sympathetic restoration by the late owner in the 1990s. It has been well looked and you can just turn the key and go.
1988 Porsche 928 S4
Estimate: €35-45,000
A piece of modern art on wheels and a work of incredible technical innovation, the 928 is an underrated modern classic that is increasingly seen as offering exceptional value for money – particularly when it is in as good condition as this. This lovely 928 has a reasonably low mileage and features all the specifications one wants – manual transmission, sunroof, limited-slip differential, EU-delivery and a lovely colour scheme.
1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint
Estimate: €45-65,000
As an Alfisti (the Giulia Sprint GT or GTA remaining my absolute favourite), it is impossible for me not to choose a 1960s Alfa Romeo as one of my top picks. Only around 7,000 Sprint coupes were produced between 1962 and 1966, and today these hitherto under-appreciated models are becoming increasingly sought after. Featuring the elegant Bertone design, this four-seat cruiser combines the seductive lines of the ‘60s with a smooth feel and a lovely sound.
1933 MG J2
Estimate: €60-70,000
This lovingly restored J2 is slightly over €50,000 but it’s one of my favourite cars in the auction. The little pre-war sports car with its supercharged engine was very quick car for its time, despite its small engine, and today is a good all-rounder and event car suitable for rallying or touring – and a ‘must-have’ car for starting a collection.