Anglia Car Auctions: The Rat Queen Didn't Marry. But the Mice Dance.

Many people were curious to see what a £500,000 estimated Aston Martin DB5 was doing at the ACA weekend of June 22-23, amidst the plethora of low-priced cars for sale: 283 cars for £2,277,050, averaging £8,046 each. 81 of the 283 cars for sale were without reserve, more than a quarter of the total. The auction raised £1,569,704 from 222 sold lots, with an actual average price of £7,071 per car.

Let's get back to our unexpected top lot, a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 “Saloon.” The color was the famous Silver Birch with black leather, essentially the James Bond combination with matching numbers. The estimate of £450,000-550,000 would have likely made it the most expensive car ever sold by the English auction house. Was it sold? You probably guessed from the turnover and average lot price: No. The offer was £380,000, not negligible considering RM (much more accustomed to selling such high-caliber pieces) sold a similar one for slightly more just days before.

1964 Aston Martin DB5 went unsold at £380,000 (€449,500).

At that point, the top lot was a 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet. Equipped with the less powerful 2.8-liter engine, its history before 2003 was incomplete. However, numerous works had been carried out afterward, the latest just a couple of months ago. The color combination, white exterior with black top and interior, was correct and the estimate of £55,000-75,000 was quite attractive considering this model is rapidly increasing in value. The price exceeded all expectations: £79,920.

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Cabriolet sold for £79,920 (€94,500).

The second most expensive car was the 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. A black specimen with typical Recaro seats of the era, this sporty "neighborhood bully" has become a classic after thirty years, especially considering its massive spoiler, and ACA has proven to be its ideal hunting ground. The estimate of £28,000-34,000 was literally pulverized at £50,760.

1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth sold for £50,760 (€60,000).

And the cheapest? Let's start with an Audi TT Roadster. Not just any, but a 3.2 V6 Quattro from 2005. I've long been convinced I should buy one, but only with the rare 250 BHP V6 engine and all-wheel drive because I’m certain it will appreciate in the future. Classic lines, a Roadster (which always makes you dream), estimated at just £4,000-5,000. Tell me that's not a bargain. The selling price was £4,212. Reasonable today but by 2030 will we have to add a few digits?

2005 Audi TT V6 3.2 quattro sold for £4,212 (€5,000).

The surprise of the auction came from Audi. Not exactly a collectible car, the 2004 Audi A6 Allroad with a 2.5 TDI engine is a true workhorse, goes anywhere, requires zero maintenance and seems unstoppable. This model, with just 78,000 miles and always garaged, looked like it had just left the showroom. The estimate of £2,000-4,000 was correct, but a bidding storm saw it sell for £9,504, nearly five times the minimum estimate. Perhaps with three inches of mud and a tow hitch, it could have reached £10,000!

2004 Audi A6 Allroad 2.5 TDI sold for £9,504 (€11,250).

A perfect car for parties or weddings? A pink 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow (a first series). Not inspected since 2018, which might alarm some but in England, remember, there is no mandatory inspection. Sold without reserve for £4,968, with the plate “OLD 17P” alone possibly worth a few thousand pounds.

1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow sold for £4,968 (€5,875).

The deal of the day was probably the 1951 Studebaker Commander V8 with the famous “bullet nose,” completely preserved. Imported from the USA in 2019, cleared customs and registered for use, this authentic style icon with its V8 engine was never restored. At £5,184, it was a must-buy.

1951 Studebaker Commander V8 sold for £5,184 (€6,125).

We conclude this automotive world tour with a car that will surprise many. The Hyundai Atoz (or Atos in continental Europe) was one of those cars no one ever hoped to encounter because it was typically owned by a ninety-year-old lady who drove to the store once a week. Top speed: 30-35 km/h. Probably the ACA model had a similar history since it has only driven 3,873 miles since 1998 and not a scratch. Even now, its quirky style and “cheap” finish don’t make it a top collectible car, but I’d take a chance on it, even just as a curiosity. After all, the risk is burning £1,160, the price of a high-end smartphone. At worst, you take it to the Festival of Unexceptional and probably win the class.

1998 Hyundai Atoz sold for £1,160 (€1,375).