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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Barons British Heritage Auction

Barons is celebrating its 10th anniversary in style, with a British Heritage sale at Sandown Park on September 8th/9th at which, for the first time, buyers will be able to bid over the internet via www.i-bidder.com . In a contrast to the 21st technology of the online bidding process, the sale includes some charming pre-war cars, notably a very rare 1933 Aston Martin and a 1939 Salmon-Tickford bodied Rover 14 Drophead Coupe which was formerly owned by the Gaydon Collection. And one lucky Pamela – or the owner of a Porsche 956 – has the chance to pick up a personalised registration number: PAM 956.

i-bidder brings Barons’ sale to buyers
The i-bidder process is simple and convenient, allowing buyers to see the lots on their home or office computer at the same time as they appear in the sale room, and make real-time bids on them.

Buyers simply register for free on www.i-bidder.com , then register for Barons’ sale. They can view the lots beforehand on Barons’ comprehensive website or on Barons’ online catalogue on www.i-bidder.com , and can even set an audible alarm on their computer, which will sound when the lot they are interested in is about to go under the hammer. They bid and buy online at the click of a mouse. The live bids are relayed directly to the auctioneer, and an audio feed allows the bidders to hear bids from the room.

Barons’ Managing Director, Laurence Sayers-Gillan, said, “We’ve always been quick to embrace new technology – we were the first auction house to allow vendors to enter their vehicles into sales via a website – and we believe that online bidding, in real time, will become increasingly popular.

“Although many people will always prefer the atmosphere in a live saleroom, it’s not always feasible for them to be present. Bidding online, while seeing the lots on their computer screen and hearing the bids from the saleroom, is about as close as they can get to being there.”

Pre-war charm
The September sale features a fine range of pre-war cars, headed by one of just 24 Aston Martin 15/98 LWB 4 Seat Tourers built between 1936 and 1940. Only six of these lovely cars remain, and the very original 1938 example on offer at Barons has been in the hands of father and son for 47 years and was in use up until March 2008 (estimate: £26,000-£32,000).

The 14 Drophead Coupe was one of the last cars to be built by Rover in 1939, before factory production switched to wartime duty. The Salmon-Tickford bodied cars, which could be fully closed, landau style or fully open, are particularly rare, and the one offered at Barons was once owned by the Gaydon Collection, who paid $100,000 for it in 1995 (£15,000-£20,000).

The charming and unique six-wheel 1933 Austin 7 Pick-up is believed to have had just two owners in its long life (£6,000-£8,000), while the oldest car in the sale, the delightful 1926 Singer 10/26 Two Seat Roadster, is believed to be the only surviving, genuine, two seater roadster (£8,000-£10,000).

Post-war style
As befits a British Heritage sale, several Jaguars are on offer, including a simply outstanding 1972 E-Type S3 FHC (£25,000-£29,000) and a very original MkX 4.2 saloon, complete with 8-track stereo (£9,000-£11,000), while MG is represented by a 1953 TD, recently reimported from Japan (£8,000-£10,000) and – a great ‘starter classic’ – a 1978 Midget (£1,200-£2,200). And a trio of Triumphs is on offer: a 1959 TR3 with overdrive (£8,500-£10,500), a 1965 TR4 (£9,000-£11,000) and a 1973 Stag (£5,500-£6,500).

The auction also includes an immaculate 1978 Daimler Double Six Coupe, which has been in the same ownership for 38 years (£9,000-£11,000). Finally, Morgan brings the British Heritage section (relatively) up to date, with a head-turning 1990 Plus 8, with attitude. That attitude comes from the 3.9 litre V8 and the Supercharger bolted to it by a Morgan dealer (£21,000-£23,000).

One of the stars among the non-British classics, is the 1966 Ford Mustang GT350H replica, which has been recreated from a genuine factory 4-speed manual and has done zero miles since completion this month. There are also three Ford (of Europe) Capris (including a 1984 Touring Car), while the three-pointed star is represented by no less than seven SLs, including a very attractive 1966 230SL ‘Pagoda’ (£18,000-£22,000). A trio of Porsche 356s is also on offer: a 1962 356B T6 Cabriolet ‘barn find’ restoration project (£8,500-£10,000), a rally-prepared 1959 Porsche 356 T5 Coupe (£11,000-£14,000), and a beautiful 1962 356B T6 Cabriolet (£27,000-£32,000). And Porsche fans may also be interested in the ‘PAM 956’ registration number, on retention certificate, which carries an estimate of £3,000-£5,000.

For further information, visit www.barons-auctions.com , call 08454 306060 or email [email protected] .