Bonhams staged its inaugural MPH auction, a sale featuring a docket of “modern and affordable classics,” this past weekend at Bicester Heritage in England and reported an 82 percent sell through, though it did not report the total sales amount.
It did say that a 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth was the top-seller, bringing £49,500 ($60,828).
The car was “highly original,” had been driven only 38,000 miles and had been owned by the vendor for more than 20 years, including the last decade in storage, Bonhams said.
“Other modern classics proving popular included a 2016 Audi A4 RS6 TFSI V8 quattro which achieved £38,250 ($47,005), and a 2006 Renault Clio V6 255 Sport, which found a new owner for the sum of £37,125 ($45,620),” the company said in its post-sale news release.
“Today’s sale proves that there is an increasing appetite for ‘youngtimers’ in the market,” said Rob Hubbard, head of Bonhams MPH division. “Drivers who remember such ‘poster’ cars from their childhood are now coming of age and have the means to buy their youthful ‘dream cars.’
They also offer more driver engagement and character, compared with brand new cars, but are more reliable than older classic cars.”
Among other sales highlights were a variety of ex-military Land Rovers, including an ex-SAD 1993 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 SOV truck utility that sold for £49,500, another ex-SAS 1985 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 SOV truck utility that went for £48,375 ($59,445), and one of only 20 remaining iconic “Pink Panthers” — 1968 Land Rover Series 2a 109, bringing £47,250 ($58,063).
Among older vehicles, a 1936 Ford Model 68 cabriolet sold for £47,250 ($58,063).
Bonhams plans another MPH auction at Bicester on November 26, and will stage a valuation day on October 25 for potential consignors at the historic car center as well.