MotorMartin has followed the fortunes of a variety of recent classic car auctions over the last few months and they have proved to be an accurate window into the fortunes of the classic world. Even more surprising is the variety of classic Motors that are still turning up in Garages and barns around this green and pleasant land. In a slight change fromte norm, this 1963 Jaguar E-Type has been found under a hedge in the village of Bisley in Surrey and could sell for thousands of pounds at an international car auction in London next week.
E-Types have become extremely popular with collectors over the last couple of years and this car, which shows just 44,870miles on the clock and still has the last tax disc on the windscreen which expired in November 1969, is already attracting attention from around the world.
“It is ideal for restoration and is extremely rare,” said valuer James Good at international auctioneers COYS to MotorMartin, “It has a great history, including racing, which collectors love.”
Incredibly, the car’s first owner in May 1963 was Ivor Arbiter. Ivor owned Drum City and Sound City in London and was at the centre of the 60s music scene. He was the designer of the ‘drop – T’ logo for The Beatles.
Beatle’s Manager Brian Epstein requested that the band’s name appeared on the bass drum so Arbiter sketched the “drop-T” logo on a scrap of paper with the capital B and dropped T to emphasize the word ‘beat’. Drum City was paid £5 for the design and it was hand painted by local sign writer, Eddie Stokes, who painted bass-drum heads for the store during his lunch hour.
James said: “The Beatles logo is now recognised as one of the most significant and widely reproduced logos in history, and the fact that it was designed by the first owner of this E-Type is not insignificant.”
Research completed before the sale means that we know the car changed owners a couple of times between 1965 and 1967, when it moved to its last owner Frank Riches. Frank was a keen motorsport enthusiast and raced both the E-Type and his MGTF at Oulton Park, Brands Hatch and Blackbushe between 1967 and 1969. Frank would drive the E-type to the circuit with the MG behind and would then race both cars and drive home.
James added: “This wonderful Series 1, 3.8 E-Type is in original condition, with matching numbers and has never been restored. It retains all the features it carried in 1969 and is possibly one of the most original examples remaining today. The car needs a total restoration but it has all the ingredients to make a superb car – this is a true rarity!”
COYS have confirmed to MotorMartin that this fantastic E-Type comes with its original brown log book, V5 and V5C, its last MOT certificate dated November 1968, the sales invoice to Frank Riches for £855 along with the Heritage Certificate confirming all the important details. It also has its original Operating Maintenance & Service Handbook, Service Manual and Spare Parts Catalogue and even the original jack.
Of interest to car fans the world over will be the news that the Spring Classics auction also features a selection of important classics and collectors cars, including a 1967 Porsche 912 SWB Coupe (estimated at £28,000 to £35,000), a 1965 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III (£30,000 a £35,000), a 1935 Jaguar SS1 Sports Tourer (£65,000 to £70,000) and a 1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupé Coachwork by Carrozzeria Frua (£30,000 to £40,000). It would be worth going just to look at these amazing motor cars.
Other important lots include a 1979 Maserati Khamsin (£95,000 to £105,000), a VCC Dated 1901, London-to-Brighton Run eligible, 1901 Delin 4HP Voiturette (£58,000 to £70,000) and a 1926 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Open Tourer By Thrupp & Maberly (£55,000 to £65,000).
COYS are also confident that collectors on the lookout for the next multimillion-pound Ferrari will find a number of sought-after examples from the Mackley-North Collection, which are likely to increase in value in the years to come.
The range of Ferraris in the sale include a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe (£75,000 to £90,000), a 1992 Ferrari 512TR, 8,000 KM from new (£150,000 to £170,000), a 1971 Ferrari Dino 246GT Coupé Coachwork by Scaglietti and design by Pininfarina (£220,000 to £240,000), a 1997 Ferrari 456 GTA, 27,000 miles from new (£48,000 to £58,000), a 1994 Ferrari 348 TB Speciale that is one of only four cars delivered to the UK (£50,000 to £60,000) and a 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale (£160,000 to £180,000).
Sharing the news with MotorMartin, Chris Routledge, CEO of COYS, said: “Spring Classics has always been a popular event and a herald of the upcoming spring and summer classic motoring season. Collectors will find a wide range of classic cars of offer and, who knows, they could leave the auction room in the car they are going to drive in their next international tour!”
So what are you waiting for? Get along to the COYS Spring Classics auction and that takes place at the Royal Horticultural Society, Lindley Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, London, on Tuesday, March 8th at 7pm.
Viewing takes place on Monday 7th March from 12.00 noon to 8.00pm and on the day of the sale from 10.00am to start of sale.
Where will you go?
For more information on both auctions and full catalogues, visit www.coys.co.uk.