UK: Classic cars go under the hammer at Wymondham

From Norwich Evening News 24: Classic cars go under the hammer at Wymondham

Car enthusiasts will be heading down to the salesroom at Copper Smith Way, Wymondham, where East Anglian Motor Auctions will be hosting a classic car and motorcycle sale.

The auction, which is due to begin at midday following a viewing from 9am, will boast about 65 vehicles dating from the 1930s to the 1990s. But two, which both rolled out in the early 1980s, have already caught the eye of collectors due to their pristine condition and low mileage.

Tristram Smith, classic sales co-ordinator and auctioneer, predicts the bright yellow chassis of a Triumph Spitfire 1500 from 1980 will turn heads. The lot is anticipated to go for about £8,000 as it only has 2,702 miles on the clock.

A silver grey MG BGT LE from 1981 is also expected to attract interest as its mileage stands at just 556. It is estimated to attract bids of about £10,000.

Mr Smith said: “It was bought brand new with the owner purchasing it just to keep hold of it and not to use. He’s had it for more than 30 years. That is very, very rare. MGs are quite popular and because it’s a limited edition as well, then it will gain a lot of interest. Normally something like that would probably be a bit rusty and a bit decrepit. They would be worth about £3,000, but because of the history and mileage we’re expecting a lot more.” Mr Smith added that although cars from the earlier decades still remained popular, collectors were becoming more keen to get their hands on some of the iconic models from the 1970s and 1980s, possibly inspired by period television programmes such as Ashes to Ashes.

“They are coming in quite a lot now. But different people are into different vehicles. You’ve got the older people who want the old cars from the 40s and 50s, and then you’ve got people in their thirties who want to see models from the 70s and 80s, but there’s not much from the 80s in good condition left,” said Mr Smith. On being asked to auction the two cars, he added: “It’s nice to see as we get a lot of cars we would deem average and not too exciting, so to take something really different is great.”

For more on the auction, visit www.eama-norwich.co.uk