Fun and bargains at the ACA and CCA auctions
12 July 2023 3 min read 9 images
Photo credit: ACA Anglia Car Auctions, CCA Classic Car Auctions
Cliff Goodall’s view
450 cars on offer make for an exciting sale, but 450 cars whose average price is about £10,000 and none exceeding £75,000 represent a fantastic opportunity for car enthusiasts to indulge their passions without breaking the bank.
As always, ACA and CCA, delivered impressive results in their respective auctions on the 10th and 11th June and the following Saturday, 17th June. These auctions were designed to appeal to all, and it comes as no surprise that CCA proudly boasts the slogan “Everyman Classics”, hitting hit the mark once again.
ACA successfully sold 217 out of the 281 cars on offer, achieving an impressive 77.22% success rate. The total sales over the two days amounted to £1,685,712, slightly lower than the estimated £2,185,000, while the average price of the vehicles was a “budget-friendly” £7,768.
Any additional words would be redundant and take away from the individual cars, so here they are:
ACA’s highest-priced car was a red 1965 Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 Coupe. Originally estimated at £38,000-£48,000, it ended up changing hands for £59,400. On the other hand, CCA featured a recent 2009 Ferrari California in a soft metallic blue. Sold for £72,000, perfectly in line with its estimate.
At ACA, in the “rich” category, the most intriguing car was a Morgan Aero 8. Built in 2008, it was exported to Australia and then brought back to the United Kingdom earlier this year. However, its 4.8 V8 engine had covered more nautical miles than road miles, with just 2,301 km on the clock. At the time, these cars were both expensive and quite rare, more than justifying the estimated value of £52,000-£58,000. Therefore, the final price of £56,160 was absolutely correct.
As for CCA, my attention was immediately drawn towards a 1990 Audi Quattro 20V. Or rather, not the entire car, but a single word in its description: unrestored. Gone are the days when these vehicles were heavily customized, used at local tuning events, and then forgotten. Nowadays, there is a growing appreciation for preserving these vehicles in their original state, both for sentimental and financial reasons. The estimated value of £55,000-£65,000 and the final sale price of £56,250 exemplify the increasing value placed on these unrestored gems.
These auctions are places where dreams come true. What could be better than a £5,000 Lotus convertible? A 1991 Lotus Elan SE Turbo is still a thrilling little toy to have. This particular example had undergone recent work, including a head gasket replacement, radiator refurbishment, and brake service. The car was ready to be enjoyed, and its rare Steel Blue paint scheme was an exceptional choice. The pre-sale estimate put it within everyone’s reach: £4,750-£5,750, and the final price did not disappoint, selling for £5,616. And if you didn’t like the colour, for £800 more you could get a red one with 72,000 miles on the clock.
Another great deal in the “low budget, high emotions” category was the 1964 Renault Dauphine Gordini at CCA. Back in the day, it was the equivalent of a Peugeot 205 GTI, an average car with a surprisingly powerful engine... 37 hp (but the standard version had 50% less, 26 hp). Although it may seem modest, the combination of a rear engine layout and a weight of 650 kg makes the car incredibly fun – and at the time, quite dangerous. Factor in its rarity and charming appearance, and the mix becomes perfect. This car also had a slightly interesting history: It was unclear who the seller was, but from the photos, it appeared to come from the Jaguar-Land Rover collection. With some restoration required after being stationary for a decade, the asking price was £5,000-£7,000, and someone managed to take it home for £5,062.
And how about a Fiat 900 Beach Van? The best of both worlds, combining the charm of a camper van with the joy of a beach cruiser. With the launch of the new Topolino (with rope instead of doors), this iconic type of vehicle has made a comeback. CCA had a 1983 van on offer, converted in Italy but still in need of some finishing touches. It’s a unique example, so it has no terms of comparison. However, considering that even “fake/converted” Fiat 500 and 600 Jolly models are valued at over £60,000, the estimated price range of £3,000-£5,000 for this lot was an absolute steal, despite the remaining work required. And for the fortunate buyer, it proved to be an even greater bargain: £2,475
Speaking of curiosities, or rather incomprehensible figures, the gold medal goes to the 1960 Ford Anglia 105E. For comparison: a meticulously restored one, with the 1500GT engine from the Cortina and a host of other (expensive) modifications, sold for £8,640. So, how much would you expect this completely unrestored version without any particular history to go for? Perhaps £2,000-£3,000, or even less. I puzzled over why it fetched £12,420 (slightly above the estimated £10,000-£12,000), but then I read that it had a personalized license plate, “WJN 1.” How much can a license plate alone be worth? Probably £12,420, with the car thrown in as a bonus.
Bidding wars are rarely seen at auctions like these, as the typical buyer is not a millionaire who can afford to casually throw money around. Every pound counts for this target audience, making the performance of a 1983 Vauxhall Astra MkI GTE all the more surprising. As the hot hatch version of the Astra (and right now the hot hatches are ... hot), it certainly had its appeal. However, that’s where the allure ended, as this particular car, parked since 1998, required more than just a simple cleaning – it needed a complete restoration. The estimated value of £9,000-£12,000 was accurate, but a passionate enthusiast paid £19,008 for it. While not exactly a new record for the model, considering its condition, it’s very, very close.
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