A selection of high-quality and historically important high-performance Fords will be auctioned at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham on the weekend of 14-15 November.
The auction line-up will see a number of Fords from the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties go under the hammer by Silverstone Auctions; each of which has been carefully selected by the specialist auction team based on their history, provenance, low-mileage status and condition.
One of the most significant cars being auctioned is a 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500. The car is one of just 500 examples sold in Britain and is one of the more powerful ‘Evolution’ models. The car is finished in white, one of just 56 examples finished in this colour, and is presented in ‘time warp’ condition having covered just over 13,000 miles. It will be auctioned with a guide price of £70,000 – £80,000 and comes from a significant classic car collection.
A 1996 Ford Escort Cosworth Lux also forms part of the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale and follows its legendary Eighties Sierra namesake. The highly desirable Lux variant has covered just 7,700 miles from new and has had just five previous owners (three in the same family). The car in question was one of the last examples to leave the production line and will be sold for £38,000 – £44,000 after an extensive service and cam belt change.
Another last of the line example is a well-presented 1993 Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4×4. This particular understated four door, four-wheel drive was the last of its type to leave the production line, as confirmed by a letter from Ford Genk. The car has covered just 20,006 miles and the Mallard Green paintwork gleams, while the black leather Recaro seats show little wear. The car is estimated to sell for £27,000 – £29,000.
The auction will also see two iconic Fords be sold without reserve. Lucky bidders will get the chance to buy a 1985 Ford Escort Turbo Series I that has covered just 5,568 miles. Described as being in Concours/factory-fresh condition, this particular example is believed to be the lowest mileage Series 1 RS Turbo in existence.
Another important car being sold without reserve is one of the most famous and historically important Ford Capris. The 1978 3.0 S example is a pre-production vehicle and has been on the cover of many automotive magazines throughout its life. The car was used as a test-bed for tuning and was once a long-term test car for Autocar; it was even owned by John Miles – ex-Lotus Formula 1 driver and journalist. Having been professionally restored, the bespoke one-of-one paint colour was preserved, and engine was rebuilt using a 3.2-litre engine and WMD crank.
Finishing off the collection of iconic Fords at the auction is two restored Seventies Capris. The first of which is a 1970 Capri RS2600, which is believed to be one of three factory prototypes. The car has undergone a significant restoration to exacting factory specification and is ready to be enjoyed for many years to come. The car is expected to sell for £26,000 – £30,000.
The second of the Capri line-up is another restored example with a story. This 1974 Capri RS3100 was bought later in in 1981 by Dennis Sellers, ex-Chairman of The Ford RS Owners Club who restored it using original Ford body parts and fittings but later sold it as a complete but unfinished project. Twenty years after the sale, the Capri was finished; including a complete engine rebuild. Having completed only running-in mileage since its restoration, this particular example is believed to be one of the best examples available on the current market today. It will be sold at the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale with an estimate of £45,000 – £50,000.
Silverstone Auctions will also be exhibiting at Classic & Sports Car – The London Show, held at Alexandra Palace from 30 October – 1 November as auctioneers for the silent auction. The auction house will be exhibiting two cars on their stand, as well as offering on-site valuations to show visitors.
For the full list of lots in The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale, please visit:http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/nec-classic-motor-show-sale-2015/view_lots/pn/all