British Motor Heritage now provides a full body shell for the MK 1 Mini, awesome to keep these cars on the road.

The values of MK1 Minis continue to rocket, increasingly justifying the cost of the part or total restorations that will be required for most examples sooner or later. 

British Motor Heritage (BMH) has long since been at the forefront of supplying individual panels for all marks of classic Minis, and complete bodyshells for models from 1976 onwards. 

What’s been missing until now is the Holy Grail, a full replacement shell for the MK1, but the wait is now over!

Mini enthusiasts were given a glimpse of what was to come on BMH’s stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show last November, and the response was universally positive. The first production batch of 15 bodies will therefore commence in April, with deliveries occurring through May and June. The launch price is £9,950 inc. VAT and the company is accepting orders accompanied by a 25 percent deposit.

The early body is markedly different from its later counterparts. The major variances include:

• Smaller: door aperture with different step profiles; sliding window doors with external hinges; rear window; rear side windows; rear light mountings
• Different: ‘A’ panels and hinge reinforcements; cant rails; floors; sills; front and rear parcel shelves; switch panel; boot panel, bonnet and inner valences; front valance and number plate mounting

Since creating the prototype body, BMH has commissioned additional tooling to refine the finish and improve the build quality. 

The company is indebted to M-Machine for allowing it to use their MK 1 floors and sills, as the cost of retooling these items would have made the project unviable. BMH has also used the later front bulkhead crossmember assembly as retooling for this non-visual part would have been prohibitive, and opted not to form the rotodip hole in the rear seat squab; recognising that a significant element of demand for the new shells will almost certainly be for historic motorsport.

The last Silverstone Auctions takes place at the Classic Motor Show, with some seriously special cars on sale.

• 123 highly collectible classic and modern sports cars will be offered at Silverstone Auctions’ final sale of the year.
• Cars to be offered include Lady Diana’s 1994 Audi Cabriolet, HM the Queen’s 2012 Bentley Mulsanne and the first ever production Lotus Elite Series I.
• The auction takes place at the UK’s biggest classic car show, the Classic Motor Show, at the NEC, Birmingham on 12^th and 13^th November.

Preparing for its final classic car auction of the year, specialist auction house Silverstone Auctions is offering 123 best of breed cars, as well as three classic motorcycles, luxury lifestyle and automobilia items, in its two-day sale at the Classic Motor Show, at the NEC, Birmingham, on 12th and 13th November.

Headlining the sale is a very special, private collection of cars formerly owned by world royalty, politicians and celebrities; the Jewels in the Crown collection. 

The collection includes 12 cars of the most exclusive provenance, such as Princess Diana’s famous 1994 Audi Cabriolet, estimated at £50,000 to £60,000, HM the Queen’s 2012 Bentley Mulsanne estimated at £215,000 to £235,000, and Sir Elton John’s 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom estimated at £135,000 to £155,000, which are expected to attract buyers from across the globe.

Historic racing enthusiasts and fans of Channel 4’s For the Love of Cars, are in for a treat as the very first production 1958 Lotus Elite Series I, bought new and raced by jazz legend Chris Barber, and recently restored by Ant Anstead, is estimated at between £75,000 and £100,000. A beautifully presented 1969 Aston Martin DBS 6 in desirable Vantage spec, also restored by Ant Anstead and featured on the television series, is estimated at £140,000 to £160,000.

Another highly collectible car on offer is a rare 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S, one of just 105 examples built, which will be offered at an estimate of £350,000 to £400,000, the highest valued lot in the auction.

An elegant 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet, one of only 68 right-hand drive cabriolets produced by the factory, will be offeredin restored condition with an estimate of £220,000 to £240,000.

Suitably offered just miles from the home of Land Rover itself, are five classic Land Rovers. Among them an early, truly historic 1948 Land Rover Series I in superb order offered at a sale estimate of £26,000 to £29,000, a concours winning 1950 Land Rover Series I estimated at £25,000 to £28,000, and a 1990 Land Rover 110 V8 County Station Wagon, believed to be the lowest mileage (15,020 miles) and the most original of any 110 V8 in the country, estimated at £23,000 to £28,000.

Another celebrity car, this time from sporting ‘royalty’, is footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed. Owned by the world famous Portuguese player during his stint at Manchester United football club, the luxury car is estimated at £50,000 to £60,000.

Some very desirable, low mileage modern classics also star in the auction with an exciting choice of fast Fords. A UK, right-hand drive 1993 Ford Escort Cosworth Lux showing just 20,600 miles from new is estimated at £35,000 to £40,000. An original 1990 Ford Escort RS Turbo S2 reading 12,000 miles and with just one owner previous owner is estimated at £15,000 to £20,000, and an exceptionally rare find, a 1991 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo in outstanding original condition and reading just 12,000 miles, is estimated at £15,000 to £20,000.

Another modern classic with extraordinarily low mileage is a 2003 BMW Z3 M Coupe S54. As one of only 165 right-hand drive, S54 examples, and with just 11,000 miles on the clock, it will be offered with an estimate of £45,000 to £50,000.

Silverstone Auctions will also offer a special ‘life saving’ Mini to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. Known as ‘Margo’, the 1969 Morris Mini Super Deluxe was found by Lancaster Insurance in 2015 and restored by the MG Owners’ Club Workshop. The car will be offered without reserve with one hundred per cent of proceeds going to the charity,

Speaking ahead of the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale said, “We’re delighted to be returning to the Classic Motor Show for another year and with what I would say is our most special and varied catalogue of cars yet, from Her Majesty the Queen’s personal conveyance, to a very special Lotus Elite race car. It will be an honour for our team and, we hope, a landmark sale for Silverstone Auctions.”

For more information and or to view all the lots in Silverstone Auctions’ Classic Motor Show Sale please visit http://silverstoneauctions.com/nec-classic-motor-show-sale-2016/view_lots/pn/all.a

Vauxhall to showcase a Ground Up two year restoration of the Viva GT HB, it looks stunning, a job well done !!!!

• Newly-restored rare Viva GT takes bow at this year’s Classic Motor Show
• Two-year, ground-up resto undertaken by Vauxhall Heritage’s skilled team
• Set to be highlight in ’50 Years of Viva HB’ section of Vauxhall’s ten-car stand

The restoration of a rare model, which turned in to a labour of love for Vauxhall’s Heritage team, will see the light of day for the first time at next week’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, held at the NEC.

A centre-piece of Vauxhall’s multi-themed stand this year, the gleaming Monza Red Viva GT will take pride of place in the area, celebrating 50 years since the Viva HB model was launched. 

The ten car stand also features displays based around Vauxhall’s vast export history, and 85 years since the birth of Bedford, its commercial vehicle division.

Restored on and off over a two-year period by Andy Boddy and Terry Forder (with assistance from their apprentice, Chris Smith) the 1970 Mark 1 ½ GT is believed to have been registered by Vauxhall as one of its company cars back in the day (its ‘YXD’ suffix makes this likely) and was purchased by Vauxhall from the partner of its late owner, Steve Walton, in June 2014.

Remarkably, the GT had just one other owner before Steve bought the car, making its history relatively easy to plot. Originally painted Sebring Silver, the team opted for a more vibrant hue and settled on Monza Red, which would have been available when the car was new. But before painting, the surprisingly sound body was stripped and acid-dipped at Enviro Strip in Tamworth, after which it was returned to Luton for some sheet metal work.

Since many HB panels, especially around the chassis, inner wing areas and in the boot floor, are difficult to source, specialist Keith May was brought in to painstakingly craft new metalwork from scratch, helped by the Heritage Centre’s apprentice, Chris Smith.

After a final visit to Enviro Strip for a further acid dip and etch priming, the body was prepared for paint, including long-blocking the shell. Automotive Refinish in Milton Keynes – part of the BASF group, Vauxhall Heritage’s regular paint supplier – undertook the priming and final colour coats. Such was the VH team’s attention to detail, that they tasked AR with applying the Viva GT’s Tasman Orange stripes – but these weren’t mere graphics, they were actually painted on.

In the meantime, back at the Heritage Centre, the GT’s 2.0-litre engine was being overhauled by Andy and the team, ready to be reunited with the rest of the car. The race was then on to have the GT ready in time for the show.

‘We’re now on the finishing straight with this restoration,’ said Andy. ‘It’s been a real labour of love for the team over the last couple of years, and sometimes quite a challenge when we have 70 other vehicles in the collection to maintain, too. But we’re confident that on Friday, November 11^th – the first day of the show – the car will be ready to take pride of place on our stand.’

Margo the Mini, the 1969 Morris Mini Super Deluxe is going under the hammer at the NEC CLassic car show for charity.

• Silverstone Auctions will auction a 1969 Morris Mini Super Deluxe at the Classic Motor Show on 12^th November to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.
• ‘Margo’ the Mini has been restored by Lancaster Insurance and is now ready to find a new owner.
• The 33,000 mile, one family owned Mini will be offered without reserve with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the charity.

Silverstone Auctions will be offering a special ‘life saving’ Mini for sale at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at Birmingham NEC on 12^th November to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Known as ‘Margo’ following a naming competition, the 1969 Morris Mini Super Deluxe was found by Lancaster Insurance in 2015 and has been carefully restored by the MG Owners’ Club Workshop since her first public appearance in November 2015 in her unrestored state.

A dedicated webpage

www.findminiahome.com has been created and members of the public have been able to donate to Prostate Cancer UK by selecting a part of Margo, such as wheel nuts and door hinges, each with a different value. Through JustGiving, the specific amount is then donated straight to the charity.  

Prior to her fundraising career, Margo was bought new by her first owner, Mrs Millie Properjohns, in 1969 and kept in Dartford. Millie drove her beloved Super Deluxe until she was 98 years old with the local shops being her main destination with the odd trip across Sussex and Kent to collect her grandchildren for holidays. Millie moved to Steyning in the early 80’s, and continued to use the car regularly around the area until she took the decision to stop driving simply because she worried that if she was involved in any form of accident she would automatically be blamed because of her age. Margo was eventually inherited by Mrs Properjohns’ daughter, Joan, when Millie passed away at the fine age of 100 years and six weeks, who stored the car in a garage in 2004. 

Now returned to her original condition in gleaming Tartan Red, the campaign will reach its climax when Margo tempts bidders at auction when offered without reserve as part of Silverstone Auctions’ catalogue at its Classic Motor Show Sale at the NEC.

“We’re delighted to be part of Margo’s journey and to be supporting Prostate Cancer UK at one of our biggest auctions of the year”, comments Nick Whale, Managing Director of Silverstone Auctions. “Margo has built up quite a following over the year and with no reserve at auction we expect plenty of bidders hoping to re-home her and support this very good cause at the same time, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to charity.”

Already in exceptional, well looked after condition, the restoration works included a full, engine out strip down, bare metal respray, refurbishment of the original carpets, replacement of both A panels, cleaning and replacement of interior, engine and brakes service and road wheels refurbishment.

Richard Morley, Operations Director at Lancaster Insurance comments “One family from new, low mileage classics make excellent auction cars, and everybody loves a British Mini. We are delighted to be supporting Prostate Cancer UK with this initiative, whilst at the same time bringing a classic car back to its absolute prime. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men with 47,000 men diagnosed every year in the UK. We hope to make as much money as possible for the charity, whilst also raising awareness of prostate cancer within the classic car community.”

With records being broken at this years Lancaster Insurance Classic motor Show, the event was hailed a success.

A frenzied bidding war which resulted in a world record auction price for a 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo Series 1 of £60,188, helped Silverstone Auctions to a magnificent total of £4.4 million at its sale at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show this weekend.

In total, 80% of the 95 lots on offer were successfully hammered away in the two-day auction at the NEC, Birmingham. 

Other fast Fords also proved extremely popular with the hundreds of buyers at the sale. A true time warp, 13,000 miles from new 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 sold for £90,000.

While fast Fords proved popular throughout, a number of other significant results were seen at the sale. Achieving a believed UK auction record, a right-hand drive 1993 Ferrari 512 TR sold for £185,625, including premium, an amazing £75,000 over its lower estimate. Another Ferrari, a very special, last of the line 1999 Ferrari F355 F1 was hard fought over by bidders at the show, selling for £103,500.

The stunning 1991 Jaguar XJ220, formerly a part of the Brunei Royal family car collection, sold for a premium inclusive total of £315,000, while a beautiful 1956 Porsche 356A T1 Cabriolet was successfully sold for £196,875, more than £26,000 over its lower estimate.

Speaking excitedly immediately after the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic weekend here at the UK’s biggest classic car show. The atmosphere at the sale was electric and I’m delighted we’ve been able to secure such great prices on behalf of our vendors, as well as breaking a few records along the way. 

The key sign of a successful auction is when you have both happy sellers and happy buyers and this time we are proud to have achieved both!”

A pair of celebrity owned cars also found new homes. The ex-Peter Sellers 1966 Lotus Elan S2 sold for £50,625 and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, once owned by boxing legend Henry Cooper, sold for £30,938.

Befitting the location at the heart of the UK’s automotive industry, two luxury British classics more than outperformed expectations. A 1999 Bentley Continental Sedanca Coupe Auto sold for £108,000, more than twice its lower estimate. While a very beautiful 1979 Aston Martin V8 Volante was hammered away for £151,875, more than £50,000 over its lower estimate.

Nick added: “It’s been another incredibly busy and successful year for our team and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have attended one of our sales during the year and bought and sold cars with us. We look forward to seeing you at our sales in 2016, the full calendar for which is now confirmed.”

Silverstone Auctions’ next sales take place at Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on the 27^th and 28^th of February, and the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show on the 6^th of March back at the NEC, Birmingham. Entries are now being invited into both these sales so those looking to sell a classic car with the support and expertise of Silverstone Auctions are encouraged to get in touch soon.

A series of Ford hot hatches and super saloons goes under the hammer at the Silverstone Auctions next month.

• A collection of Ford hot hatchbacks from the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties will be auctioned at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show next month
• Low-mileage 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 expected to fetch £70,000 - £80,000 and a 1996 Ford Escort Cosworth Lux with 7,700 miles is estimated to sell for £38,000 - £44,000, meanwhile a 1993 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 is guided at £30,000 – £35,000
• Concours condition 5,568-mile 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo Series I and pre-production 1978 Ford Capri 3.0 S will be sold without reserve
• Joining the line-up is a suspected development 1970 Ford Capri RS2600 that is expected to sell for £27,000 – £29,000 and a restored 1974 Ford Capri RS3100, guided to sell for £45,000 - £50,000
• Silverstone Auctions’ two-day sale at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show held at the NEC, Birmingham on 14-15 November

A selection of high-quality and historically important high-performance Fords will be auctioned at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham on the weekend of 14-15 November.

The auction line-up will see a number of Fords from the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties go under the hammer by Silverstone Auctions; each of which has been carefully selected by the specialist auction team based on their history, provenance, low-mileage status and condition.

One of the most significant cars being auctioned is a 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500. The car is one of just 500 examples sold in Britain and is one of the more powerful ‘Evolution’ models. The car is finished in white, one of just 56 examples finished in this colour, and is presented in ‘time warp’ condition having covered just over 13,000 miles. It will be auctioned with a guide price of £70,000 - £80,000 and comes from a significant classic car collection.

A 1996 Ford Escort Cosworth Lux also forms part of the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale and follows its legendary Eighties Sierra namesake. The highly desirable Lux variant has covered just 7,700 miles from new and has had just five previous owners (three in the same family). The car in question was one of the last examples to leave the production line and will be sold for £38,000 - £44,000 after an extensive service and cam belt change.

Another last of the line example is a well-presented 1993 Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4. This particular understated four door, four-wheel drive was the last of its type to leave the production line, as confirmed by a letter from Ford Genk. The car has covered just 20,006 miles and the Mallard Green paintwork gleams, while the black leather Recaro seats show little wear. The car is estimated to sell for £27,000 - £29,000.

The auction will also see two iconic Fords be sold without reserve. Lucky bidders will get the chance to buy a 1985 Ford Escort Turbo Series I that has covered just 5,568 miles. Described as being in Concours/factory-fresh condition, this particular example is believed to be the lowest mileage Series 1 RS Turbo in existence.

Another important car being sold without reserve is one of the most famous and historically important Ford Capris. The 1978 3.0 S example is a pre-production vehicle and has been on the cover of many automotive magazines throughout its life. The car was used as a test-bed for tuning and was once a long-term test car for Autocar; it was even owned by John Miles – ex-Lotus Formula 1 driver and journalist. Having been professionally restored, the bespoke one-of-one paint colour was preserved, and engine was rebuilt using a 3.2-litre engine and WMD crank.

Finishing off the collection of iconic Fords at the auction is two restored Seventies Capris. The first of which is a 1970 Capri RS2600, which is believed to be one of three factory prototypes. The car has undergone a significant restoration to exacting factory specification and is ready to be enjoyed for many years to come. The car is expected to sell for £26,000 - £30,000.

The second of the Capri line-up is another restored example with a story. This 1974 Capri RS3100 was bought later in in 1981 by Dennis Sellers, ex-Chairman of The Ford RS Owners Club who restored it using original Ford body parts and fittings but later sold it as a complete but unfinished project. Twenty years after the sale, the Capri was finished; including a complete engine rebuild. Having completed only running-in mileage since its restoration, this particular example is believed to be one of the best examples available on the current market today. It will be sold at the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale with an estimate of £45,000 - £50,000.

Silverstone Auctions will also be exhibiting at Classic & Sports Car - The London Show, held at Alexandra Palace from 30 October – 1 November as auctioneers for the silent auction. The auction house will be exhibiting two cars on their stand, as well as offering on-site valuations to show visitors.

For the full list of lots in The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale, please visit:http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/nec-classic-motor-show-sale-2015/view_lots/pn/all

Do you want a BRAND NEW 1980 Talbot Lotus Sunbeam, well you can.....

Silverstone Auctions is offering the chance to own a ‘brand new’ hot hatch icon, a 1980 Talbot Lotus Sunbeam, in its auction at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. The car is presented in immaculate, as new condition, has never been registered and has covered just 193 miles in its lifetime.

The left-hand drive, time warp car was discovered overlooked and ignored as part of a large private collection in Italy by the current vendor. Every single aspect of the car is factory standard and it appears like it has just rolled off the production line. It is estimated at between £24,000 and £28,000 and finished in the evocative colour scheme of Embassy Black with silver decals.

“It’s incredibly rare to discover a historic car that is ‘brand new’ but this is exactly what we have here. Sitting in this amazing example takes you right back to the late 70s and early 80s and the early days of the hot hatchback”, said Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions.

The Talbot Sunbeam-Lotus was one of the most exciting hot hatchbacks to emerge from the 1970s. It originally came about because Chrysler commissioned Lotus to produce an effective entrant for international Group 4 rallying. Lotus took a Sunbeam 1.6GLS shell and installed a 2.2-litre version of the Lotus 16-valve four-cylinder engine and a five-speed ZF gearbox. It proved very effective in rallying, winning the challenging 1980 Lombard-RAC event. The road-going version proved quick and balanced, although it was priced higher than the comparable Chevette HS or Escort RS2000.

Having never been registered, the buyer of this vehicle will be the first registered keeper in its history. Supplied with all hand books, service books and a fresh UK MoT, this 1980s icon is an incredible find for any collector of modern-classics.

“This really is a time warp car, immaculately preserved. Nothing has been modified and this must surely be the only unregistered and lowest mileage Talbot Lotus Sunbeam in existence”, added Nick.

The vendor describes this vehicle as in "perfect running order” and will be supplied with a NOVA certificate for the new owner to register the car. The car will be auctioned on the 16^th of November at the NEC, Birmingham as part of Silverstone Auctions’ two-day sale the Classic Motor Show.

For more information please visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/talbot-sunbeam-lotus.