AUCTION NEWS

REVIEW: WB & SONS, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, APRIL 30

Despite hosting its April 30 sale a mere five weeks after the previous one, WB & Sons didn’t disappoint when it came to filling its auction catalogue. More than 90 entries crossed the block at its Newcastle base, with another great mix of established classics, performance models and intriguing rarities.

The sale offered further evidence that a dearth in the value of pre-war vehicles has been exaggerated. A 1929 Humber 9/28 was able to considerably top its £2000-£4000 guide price to achieve £6850, with a modified 1928 Ford Model A Roadster also impressing at £28,000.

Towards the other end of the scale, it was an exceptional day for sporty 1980s classics. A 1989 Mk1 Toyota MR2 showing just 37,000 miles sold above estimate at £10,450, with a very tidy Mk2 Ford Fiesta XR2 doing likewise by soaring past its £6000-£8000 guide to sell for £11,000. A 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 in five-door guise was another to beat expectations at £4300, and a late Opel Manta GTE from 1988 sold mid-estimate at £11,250. If those were a little too much for your pocket, then a very straight 1988 Saab 900i would surely have appealed at a mere £705.

Late-model Rover Minis have become something of a WB speciality, with a 1998 Cooper Sport in rare Amaranth selling for £13,168 and a Japanese-import BSCC edition with an automatic gearbox achieving £12,900. Classic Minis didn’t have it all to themselves though, as one of the first BMW-produced MINIs – a 2001 car wearing a coveted Y-reg – sold for £1612 despite needing some TLC.

Upping the prestige, a 1988 Mercedes 560 SEC in tidy condition easily beat its guide price to make £9675, while a Viano van converted into luxury transport for an unnamed VIP looked a rather nice way to travel at just £6390. In addition, a 2005 Aston Martin DB9 was exceptional value at £21,800, as was a 1993 BMW 325i with just 30,000 miles, which went for just under £5000.

With a strong conversion rate that also saw a Morris Minor with two front ends, a hot Caterham 7 and even a huge Plaxton trailer find new homes, WB & Sons is repeatedly turning on impressive performances as it begins its second year in the business. The next sale takes place on June 11 – to see the catalogue build, visit wbandsons.com.

Resplendent in rare California Sage, this Aston DB9 showed 74,000 miles and changed hands close to the middle of its guide price for £21,800.

This Morris Minor ‘2000’ with two front ends was converted in the 1990s. Restored in 2013 and fully road legal, it sold for £7525. Rover Minis in excellent condition are a regular feature of WB sales, and this 1998 Cooper Sport in rare Amaranth was no exception. Imported from Japan and thus boasting airconditioning, it beat its £12,000 lower estimate to achieve a sale price of £13,168.

The Fiesta XRV was based on a diesel van, but with extra RS accessories. Wearing an ‘XRV’ plate and showing just 37,000 miles, the restored example sold for £8500.

Recently renovated, this 1988 Opel Manta GTE hatch looked superb with wheels, lights, interior and tinted glass from the Excusive model. It sold for £11,250. 1929 Humber 9/28 was believed to be one of only 14 two-seaters made. It was able to considerably top its £2000-£4000 guide price to achieve £6850.

This restored 1989 Toyota MR2 had covered just 37,000 miles. It looked superb in red with a black leather interior and sold well above its £8000 estimate to make £10,450.