Estimates Exceeded at Letchworth Motor Auctions' Classic, Retro & Performance Sales
Published: 17/03/2023
Letchworth Motor Auctions’ first Classic, Retro and Performance sale of 2023 saw a number of the cars sold exceeding their estimates.
Amongst those was a 1985 Renault 5GTL with motoring journalist, James Walshe from Practical Classics magazine, being one of the previous owners. There was a comprehensive history file and a tempting estimate of £3,500-£4,500, but on sale day it soared to an impressive £5,450.
Another excellent result was the £3,924 paid for a 158k-mile Saab 900S Aero Turbo that carried an estimate of £1,000-£2,000. Also flying past its upper estimate of £2,750 was the BMW 318 Convertible that fetched £3,270, with another German classic in the form of a Mercedes-Benz 190E also exceeding its £2,000 upper estimate to sell for £2,725.
An enthusiastic bidder parted with £12,971 for the Aston Martin DB7 that was estimated at £11,000-£14,000, while the lightly-restored 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500SL that was ready for summer motoring hit its lower estimate of £15,000.
More affordable was the £1,150 paid for a Jaguar XK8 Coupe, and the £500 fetched by a Morris Minor Traveller - both cars had been offered for sale at no reserve. Sold for just £1400, the Audi TT Quattro was comfortably within its estimate of £1000- £2000.
Those bidders looking forward to enjoying some summer fun were clearly tempted by the Alfa Romeo Spider that beat its upper estimate of £12,000 by selling for £12,753. More drop-tops found new owners, too, including a Ford Escort Ghia Cabriolet that sold for just above its mid-estimate at £1800, while the MG TF with just 25,000 miles on the clock and estimated at £2,750-£3,750 found a new home for £3,379.
Managing Director Simon Morgan said: “We were very pleased to offer such a strong variety of classics in our March sale, with sixty percent of the cars offered finding new owners. We would have liked that number to be higher, of course, but set against a backdrop of continuing economic challenges, we remain happy with the results. As financial pressures ease, we’re confident we can look forward to even stronger sales.”
Entries are now being invited for the next Classic, Retro and Performance sale which takes place on Saturday 13th May.
Owners who would like to discuss entering their vehicle into the November auction or a free valuation can contact Adam or Simon via email to sales@lmauctions.co.uk or by phoning 01462 480 499. Find more details about entering your vehicle at www.letchworthmotorauctions.co.uk/classic-auction.
