On September 20, 2020, another MPH auction was held at the Bicester Heritage center, about 60 km northwest of London. Bidders were allowed to be on site, but were kept "socially distanced". Many interested parties preferred to participate remotely due to the pandemic. As always at MPH auctions, a wide variety of vehicles were on offer, including a fire engine and trucks. The consignors declared their cars themselves and the estimated values were determined in consultation.
At the auction itself, almost all the cars were driven up, with the drivers wearing masks. The auctioneer showed humor when he mentioned: "We could soon be in a lockdown situation again, so you need a project for the next few months". He was, of course, referring to one of the restoration projects. The auction took less than four hours to complete.
106 cars
A total of 105 four-wheelers with an average age of 50 years came under the hammer, including three commercial vehicles and several off-road vehicles. There were also a few license plates, trailers and a caravan as well as two boats up for auction. These will not be discussed below.
The 106 cars (including the trucks) represented a value of around £2.35 million. Each lot was therefore expected to fetch around £22,300. A glamorous offer with many super classics could of course be expected at this price level, but there were many bread-and-butter cars from back then for sale, which is what makes such auctions particularly appealing.
In total, 63 percent of the vehicles were sold, while 39 lots were left standing. The average sale price amounted to £18,633, with an average bid of 82 percent of the median estimate.
The stately Alvis Speed 20 SC
The most expensive classic car at the auction was the 1935 Alvis Speed 20SC, which sold for £78,750, just below expectations. According to the consignor, the convertible with a Charlesworth body was in very good condition and came under the hammer with a thick history file. Chassis 12050 has the proven six-cylinder engine under the hood.
Even more expensive than the Alvis was a McLaren 570S Spider from 2018. At £95,625, the (provisional) estimate was significantly exceeded.
Of the total of 18 pre-war cars, only six were sold, in particular several Rolls-Royces, but also a Belsize, a Renault Monosix and a Sunbeam from 1929.
Two E-Types at attractive prices
Two E-Type Coupés from the first series were auctioned off: a 3.8-liter from 1962, which found a new owner for £ 76,500, and a 4.2-liter from 1966, which found a new owner for £ 54,000, well below expectations.
However, the younger white car was also in less good condition than the red 3.8-liter, which also had an unusual history.
Two other E-Types with a V12 could not be sold.
British bread-and-butter exotics
The MPH auction was also interesting because of the wide range of vehicles rarely seen here.
This began with the MG Maestro 2.0 EFI from 1989, which was worth twice as much as estimated to the highest bidder. The new owner paid £6750 for the car.
While a pretty Vanden Plas 1300 Princess from 1972 sold for £ 5512, the two Wolseley 18/85 Saloon from 1969 and 6/110 Saloon from 1968 also generated some interest. The latter sold for a handsome £ 16,875.
Other Austin, Morris and Rover cars completed the line-up of former British everyday cars.
Valued Sunbeam Lotus
It was exciting to see a light blue Talbot Sunbeam Lotus from 1983, which presented itself in very good condition.
The rear-wheel drive "Hot Hatch" did not disappoint, £29,250 must have been one of the highest prices ever achieved for such a car.
In a similar category is the 1996 Subaru Impreza, which found its way into a new garage as a McRea edition for £ 15,750 after a lengthy bidding war well above the estimate.
Limousine opponents of the recent past
It is probably rare for the former rivals Mercedes-Benz S600 from 2003 and BMW 750iL V12 from 1997 to meet at auction.
However, they fared very differently. While the Mercedes sold for £14,062, well above the estimate, the new owner was able to take over the BMW for £10,125, half the estimate.
Bargain
Although only eight percent of the cars were auctioned without a reserve price, some buyers were still able to pick up some real bargains, at least if you compare the sale price with the estimate.
An Alfa Romeo Giulia Super from 1973 went for just £ 5062, an Austin Vanden Plas Princess from 1973 for £ 4500, a BMW 535i from 1997 for £ 1237 and an MGB restoration project for £ 1350.
The 1954 Heinkel Trojan 200 was also a real bargain at £11,250, especially as it had been completely restored but not moved for some time.
And a Porsche 944 S2 from 1989 can also rarely be bought for £ 6187.
Offered and Sold Vehicles
The following table lists all offered and sold vehicles with estimated prices, highest bids, and sale prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid on the auction day. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | CHF Est from | CHF Est to | CHF HP | CHF SP | EUR SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | BMW 500cc R57 | 1928 | 54'000 | 78'000 | 30'000 | N | |||
| 202 | BMW 494cc R42 | 1927 | 36'000 | 48'000 | 28'000 | N | |||
| 203 | BMW 735cc R11 | 1929 | 22'000 | 28'000 | 23'000 | 26'450 | 24'598 | +5.8%
|
V |
| 204 | BMW 494cc R51 | 1937 | 24'000 | 30'000 | 16'000 | N | |||
| 205 | BMW 597cc R66 | 1939 | 22'000 | 28'000 | 20'000 | N | |||
| 206 | BMW 750cc R71 & Stoye Sidecar | 1939 | 22'000 | 28'000 | 14'000 | N | |||
| 207 | BMW 494cc R51/3 | 1952 | 10'000 | 14'000 | 8500 | 9775 | 9090 | -18.54%
|
V |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
