Rare Prototype Sports Car Expected To Sell for Up to £85,000 in Ewbank’s First Car Auction
UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / August 25, 2021 / A rare Austin Healey Prototype used in trials throughout the 1960s will headline the first standalone car auction Ewbank’s in Surrey, on Sunday September 5.
Expected to fetch up to £85,000, the X300 was so important to the development of the marque that despite being constantly modified and changed as the manufacturers tested the car’s performance, it never transitioned from its experimental status into a road vehicle.
Its unusual features include a longer wheel-base than standard, a shorter overall length and double headlights.
“It really is a bit of history on four wheels,” said partner Andrew Ewbank. “The opportunity to buy something like this may not arise again.”
Other highlights in the auction range from a rare 1980 Ferrari to the ultimate retro camper van.
Arguably the best value in the auction is a fully restored 1989 Porsche 911 / 964 Carrera 2 Coupe in Baltic Blue, estimated at £40,000-60,000.
A 1980 Ferrari 308 GTSI left-hand drive California import in rare Nero Black bodycolour with a beige leather interior has just been serviced by a Ferrari specialist. With a new cam belt and fuel pump, and its original toolkit, it has just 38,000 miles on the clock. The guide is £48,000-55,000.
For those looking for something a little older and of more historical note, a 1939 pre-war Jaguar SS100 SE saloon should fit the bill. With a guide of £35,000-45,000, this delightful car, which is believed to have been in the same family since it was first on the road, has clearly been well cared or over the years.
The SE model was produced in very small numbers making this 1.5 litre example quite rare, according to the team at Ewbank’s. It has a steel sliding roof which works and is watertight.
“These pre-war SS motor cars are becoming very hard to find,” says Andrew Ewbank.
A more modern everyday classic is the 1986 Ford Capri. Here a D-registration model with an MOT until November and 93,000 miles on the clock is guided at £15,000-20,000.
An extremely rare righthand drive 1968 Fiat Gamine by Vignale is also attracting interest.
Fully restored, including upgraded Fiat performance parts and bespoke Italian wicker seats, this small rear-engined car was produced by Carrozzeria Vignale from 1967 to 1971, and is based on the Fiat 500. Unlike the 500, the Gamine had an open-top roaster structure and only two seats. The estimate is £25,000-32,000.
With staycations popular, two vehicles on offer should have extra appeal. The first is a Brazilian import VW Camper from 1975. The classic design in orange and cream colour combination, and with only one prior owner, it is pitched at £24,000-26,000.
Rare, but no less eye-catching is a 1967 For Transit, Jennings Coachbuilders Roadranger Original Motorhome. With just 67,000 miles on the clock, the estimate is £6,000-10,000.
The catalogue is not yet closed but can be viewed online.
Austin Healey
A rare Austin Healey X300 Prototype headlines Ewbank’s sale at £75,000-85,000. Probably an original Healey works’ experimental car, it may have been used in trials in the early 1960s and was constantly modified as part of the process.
Porsche
This fully restored 1989 Porsche 911 / 964 Carrera 2 Coupe in Baltic Blue, estimated at £40,000-60,000, has the best history file Ewbank’s have ever seen, with detailed records of the car's history and restoration by its previous owner.
Ferrari
Created by Ferrari to replace the 246 Dino, the 308 was designed by the talented Daytona creator Leonardo Fioravanti. Dating to 1980, the rare Nero Black bodycolour of this left-hand drive California import adds to its appeal. The estimate is £48,000-55,000
Jaguar
This 1939 Jaguar SS100s registration book shows that it has had one owner from new. It is clear from inspection that it has been well cared for over the years after spending its entire life with one family. The guide is £35,000-40,000.
Gamine
Having undergone a full nut and bolt restoration using its original panels, during the current keeper’s ownership across the last 15 years, the paperwork that comes with this 1968 Fiat Gamine includes a highly detailed photograph record of that work. The estimate is £25,000-32,000.
VW
A classic with the classic colour combination. This 1975 Brazilian Import VW Camper should be among the most popular lots and is pitched at £24,000-26,000.
Capri
This very original 1986 Ford Capri Mk3 example in Nimbus Grey sports Ricardo seats, sunroof, 7-spoke RS wheels, colour-coded grille and headlamp surrounds. In 2006 this particular example was put into dry storage in an Irish barn for 12 years until it was shipped to England where it was restored. The estimate is £15,000-20,000.
Opel
A highly original modern classic coupe with low miles, this Opel Manta sports a pacey 2.0 litre fuel-injected inline-four engine. In Monaco Blue and well maintained, it is priced at £9,000-12,000.
Camper
With just three owners from new and a new MoT, this 1967 For Transit, Jennings Coachbuilders Roadranger Original Motorhome, with an estimate of £6,000-10,000, is the perfect staycation retreat.
Velocette
Known as the Noddy bike, because officers were ordered to nod rather than salute when using it, this
1950 Velocette LE 200 Mk3 Police Bike has achieved classic status and is guided here at £2,500-3,500.
Renault
This fully restored left-hand drive 1964 Renault 8 Gordini Sports Saloon is a late entry to the catalogue but expected to do well with an estimate of £28,000-35,000.
Images courtesy of Ewbank’s Auctions.
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Ewbank’s Auctions
Ewbank’s are the Premier International Antiques and Fine Art Valuers and Auctioneers. Based near Guildford, they cover Surrey and South London, with registered bidders logging on from upwards of 50 countries on a regular basis to buy lots.
Having celebrated 30 years in business in 2020, Ewbank’s continue to offer all of the major collecting disciplines at auction, from Fine Art and Ceramics, to Silver, Coins, Clocks and Watches and Furniture and Works of Art, as well as 20th Century Art and Design, Asian Art, Militaria, Books, Garden and Architectural, Textiles and Fine Wine. The company has a turnover of £5 million a year.
The Entertainment, Cinema & Sporting Memorabilia department has become the UK market leader outside London in recent years, posting auction sales of £1.6m in 2020. Recent highlights include the Football Memorabilia of former Manchester United captain Norman Whiteside and the Bray Studios sale of Gerry Anderson memorabilia, relating to classics such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Terrahawks.
August 2021, Ewbank’s launched auctions in Trading Cards with Pokémon rarities, and this auction is their debut in the field of classic cars.
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