On June 14th at the famous Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire 132 iconic classic cars with a combined pre-sale estimate of more than £4m will go under the hammer at the H&H Classics auction. With vehicles chosen for the lineup spanning more than a century of automotive history, everything from vintage models to sports cars will feature and it is sure to be an auction with a strong British flavour. Nineteen Jaguars, fourteen Bentleys, seven Triumphs, four Lagondas and four Rolls-Royces are among the cars to go under the hammer as part of a catalogue that showcases the highest levels of craftsmanship.

Established in 1993, H&H Classics is the only employee owned, and longest continually trading auction house in the UK and Europe. Over the past 30 years, world record prices for classic cars, motorcycles and competition cars have been achieved at H&H, including a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB and a 1996 Subaru Impreza WRC. However, this year, it is the British that will take centre stage.

Damian Jones, senior motorcar specialist at H&H Classics said, “We are thrilled to present such a wonderful selection of British automotive icons at our upcoming Duxford sale. With 24 esteemed British manufacturers represented, it really does underline the strength of Britain’s motoring heritage and will no doubt evoke a range of emotions, passion and memories for those looking to add to their collections.”

Of the nineteen Jaguars available in Duxford, eight of these are E-types, undoubtedly one of the most iconic and elegant British cars in history. A painstakingly restored 1964 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe is expected to draw a sales price of between £100,000-£120,000. For half the price, a 1971 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Roadster valued between £50,000-£60,000 may be preferable for those that are more into a roadster.

For those with deeper pockets however, the standout Jaguar on offer is the 1936 Jaguar SS100 2.5 Litre Two-Seater Sports, which is expected to reach between £380,000 and £450,000 and be one of the most valuable cars on offer at the auction. The car has a racing pedigree, having competed at the 1937 Monte Carlo rally and won the RAC rally in the same year.

A car instantly recognisable to Bentley fans and coming to the market for the first time in decades, is a unique 1960 Bentley S2 Continental H.J Mulliner Coupe, customised by FLM Panelcraft to the special order of its first owner, Captain R.G. McLeod. The S2’s sheer rarity and uniqueness is expected to provoke a bidding war and its pre-auction estimated value is between £170,000 and £220,000.

In terms of non-British vehicles and having flicked through the catalogue myself, there is a lovely 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB ‘Vetroresina’. Styled by Leonardo Fioravanti of Dino, Daytona and Berlinetta fame and just one of 154 supplied to the UK, the 308 GTB is expected to fetch between £90,000 and £110,000 at the auction. If you’re looking for a more modern Italian offering, how about a 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C? Fitted with a Factory Racing Pack and with only 16,500 miles on the clock, this Alfa is estimated to reach between £45,000 and £55,000. Not bad for a car that while modern, is a rarity itself, with just over 500 understood to be registered in the UK.

Interested buyers and enthusiasts can follow the auction and participate both online or by telephone bidding and in person at the Imperial War Museum itself. The full catalogue provides further details about each car and its exclusive story.

Viewing at the Imperial War Museum is available on both Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th June with the sale commencing at 1pm on Wednesday the 14th.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: H&H Classics Ltd