Two De Dion Boutons with a combined age of 210 are the oldest entrants in Barons’ sale at Sandown Park on June 24th. They are followed in age by three comparative youngsters – a charming 1934 Austin 10/4 cabriolet, an outstanding 1938 MG TA Midget and a rare, 1948 Mk IV Jaguar rolling restoration project. And on an auction day that also includes Barons’ annual Jaguar Heritage sale, it is only fitting that the registration number ’42 Cat’ is also on offer.
The first of the venerable veterans dates from 1906. This De Dion Bouton AM 7hp is in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition. It can comfortably accommodate four adults and, while just a year too young to take part in the London to Brighton run, it has taken part in many road runs. It carries an estimate of £28,000-£35,000.
Its slightly younger sibling is the 1911 De Dion Bouton CQ 8hp, a sporting two-seater which has taken part in many Veteran Car Club events while in the vendor’s 25-year ownership. Estimate: £25,000-£35,000.
Little Austins possess immense charm, and the 1934 10/4 cabriolet in Barons’ sale is certainly no exception. This charismatic car underwent a body-off restoration before the vendor acquired it in 2011 and since then the vendor has spent a further £10,000 on a complete mechanical restoration. Estimate: £9,750-£10,750.
The 1938 MG TA Midget has recently arrived from Australia, where it was owned by a well-known motor industry figure. It has covered just 4,000 miles since being the subject of an AUD $102,000 (approx. £55,000) restoration. This rare car is in superb condition and comes complete with original instruction manual and a detailed, hand-written account of its restoration, plus the certificate of merit confirming that it won first place in the MG Car Club, NSW, concours competition. It carries an estimate of £24,000-£27,000 and is offered with all duties paid.
June 24th is a two-part sale, with one part being Barons’ ever-popular Jaguar Heritage sale. Entries include the registration number ’42 CAT’ – which is likely to be of particular interest to owners of 4.2-litre Jaguars (estimate £15,000-£18,000).
Amongst the Jaguar cars on offer is a very rare 1948 Mk IV 3.4 DHF. Only 560 of this model were built, and the one going under the hammer at Barons is one of just 376 LHD examples. Originally supplied by Hoffman of New York, it has spent much of its life in California and is now a very sound, and usable, rolling restoration project. Estimate: £37,500-£45,500.
The sale also includes a 1970 Series 2 E-type FHC, which has recently been the subject of a meticulous bare-shell restoration which included the application of some 30 coats of primer, top coat and lacquer, full re-trim etc. Estimate: £37,500-£42,500. There’s also an outstanding 1974 Series 3 E-type Roadster which has been in the vendor’s care for 29 years and benefitted from the introduction of six Weber IDF twin-choke carburettors. Offered complete with factory hardtop, it carries an estimate of £45,000-£50,000.