Classy pair of classics go under the hammer

TWO of the best examples of classics cars are going under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions.

The sale, on Saturday, July 27, will include a 1958 Jaguar XK150 S 3.4 Roadster and a recently restored 1962 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 Deluxe.

When the Jaguar XK 150 ‘S’ 3.4 Roadster was produced it was the fastest production car available. The same price is estimated at between £175,000 to £195,000. The car has benefited from a restoration project lasting nine years which was only completed in 2009.

The main reason for the incredibly low mileage is that its first owner, a Mr JJ Dolce of Salt Lake City, Utah, who was a speed enthusiast, barrel rolled the car at the Bonneville Speed Trial in 1959, not long after he took ownership. Following the spectacular crash, the car’s remains were bought in 1960 where it sat in dry storage for the next 40 years.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “This is the most amazing XK150 that Silverstone Auctions has ever seen. Not only is it in a superb condition thanks to a painstaking restoration project, but it also has a fantastic and fascinating story to tell.

“Also, with just 500 miles on the clock, this has surely got to be one of the lowest mileage cars of its type in existence, and we’re delighted to offer it at the Silverstone Classic Sale.”

Other Jaguars confirmed for the sale at the home of British motorsport include a 1969 E-Type Fixed Head Coupé Series II, estimated at between £30,000 to £35,000, a 1970 E-Type Series II Roadster, estimated at between £50,000 to £60,000, and a 1973 E-Type V12 Roadster, estimated at between £40,000 to £45,000.

The show-stopping 1962 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 De Luxe, estimated at between £30,000 to £35,000, is the very best of breed having had £55,000 lavished on it in a meticulous restoration project that’s only just been completed.

Nick Whale said: “It would be hard to find a better example anywhere in the world. As classic Beetle’s go, you simply don’t get any better than this, the restored 1962 model.”

In 2012, the car won the acclaimed Meguiar’s NEC Classic Motorshow concours where it easily beat a restored Ferrari 250 SWB. As the concours winner the car has been invited to take the prestigious display spot in the main entrance of the NEC at this year’s show. The car also took top honours at the Sandown Volksworld Show last year, being the highest scored car in the show’s history since 1992.

Sporting a ‘Resto-Cal’ look, this truly astonishing car was rescued from disrepair in 2009 by the current vendor and the decision was taken that a no limit or boundaries restoration was in order.

For more information about this stunning 1962 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 De Luxe, or any of the cars being offered at the Silverstone Classic Sale, visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/.