Classic for under £10K

[white exec]

A rare thing, Mick. I drove a ZX auto (1.9D) from new to 90k miles as a work car. The auto box was fine, and never gave a problem. Car felt exceptionally solid and taut. Always liked the rear end (solid GRP tailgate), with its XM-estate family rear light clusters. Comfortable torque-rod rear suspension iirc, with passive rear-wheel steering.

My only reservation was the front seats. Driver's seat was a tad short in the squab (the bit you sit on) for my 6' frame. Looks as if that one might have been addressed.

[mickthemaverick]

Yes I remember the seat squab issue from my time with one. I only owned mine for a few months before a friend talked me into selling it to him and buying a Honda CRX!! Yes, I did say friend! It was used for 'on road' competitive events known as 12 car rallies and treasure hunts. The other problem I remember having was the security keyboard, nothing wrong with it but it took up a few seconds when getting in and out on treasure hunts which was a pain!! This car's Xantia front seats have been replaced with the originals since the photos were taken so that will need addressing, as will the aircon and paint issues but I am still tempted!! My main problem is having no workshop to use at the moment. Our mancave is full of Landy and Dave's enormous ski boat and my garage at home is just not wide enough. I may see if I can get someone else interested who can provide space and we could share the car for general car show days etc.

[white exec]

I had forgotten that the my Avantage had A/C. It just worked, and rather well, iirc.
Keypads are removable, if the same type as XM/Xantia — although for a cherished car, I'd rather have one.
Not good on treasure hunts, or for getaway cars...

[Gibbo2286]

Many years ago I sold one of those with low mileage to one of my lady customers, she drove it like the Stig. and eventually into the ground, then bought a Ford Ka......no t much different . I bought the Ka off her when she emigrated to South Africa.

[mickthemaverick]

Another little yellow runabout at Mathewsons next weekend:

BFTW

https://mathewsons.co.uk/auctions/aucti ... o-sporting

[CitroJim]

Another little yellow runabout at Mathewsons next weekend:



https://mathewsons.co.uk/auctions/aucti ... o-sporting

I'm trying to like it but struggling, despite it being yellow! I've never had a lot of love for Fiats, except perhaps the X1/9...

[NewcastleFalcon]

Mathewson's sale coming up tomorrow and Saturday. Their catalogue has been posted up on Glenmarch here. Bit of an easier run through than on the Mathewson's site, and allows a bit of sorting if you so wish. Glenmarch ignore the bikes and memoribilia.

Glenmarch-Mathewson's catalogue

I think at the moment I am comfortable in my motoring needs being satisfied with the Leaf and the Micra so I am very much a window shopper. The one I picked out as the catalogue was building was this little Austin Healey Sprite. Buy it enjoy it, sell it you wouldn't lose much.



Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

The excitement and buzz in little Thornton-le-Dale on Auction Day with the punters packed in and around the little village hall across the road, have been replaced with the online auction with the odd old fashioned telephone bid, and the even more old fashioned commission bid. Will the performer on the rostrum with the actual hammer like Derek from Mathewsons or Jim at ACA with the banter and the drama go the way of effectively an e-bay style auction.

I pondered such matters as I checked on one of the on-line bidding platforms Mathewsons use, and find that in spite of the physical auction kicking off for the little Austin Healey Sprite on Saturday morning sometime, the on-line bidding has already started. Just a few moments ago it had hit £4,500 the estimated price and only going one way.

i-bidder link

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

If you want to follow the auction live from 9.00am there is a "Watch Auction as a Guest" link here

i-bidder link

Have to say the Bangers and Cash Series 4 Episode 3 aired this week was excellent. Available on UKTV Play

https://uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/bange ... tch-online

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Sorry to say I won't see much of this weekend's auctions, it being FA Cup quarter final time. Plus Sky are showing my second team's game today and the car needs a wash, being black it can't wait! SWMBO has spotted me getting the hose and extension lead ready and deviously parked her baby just far enough behind mine for me to be able to 'add an extra few feet while I'm at it' soooo that's my day sorted!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Too much interest in the little blue Austin Healey Sprite for it to go for a bargain price. Estimate £4.500 was bid up to and sold at £8,250 hammer price. Add commission, on-line commission and commission VAT £9,240 to take it away.

You could almost buy a 30 kWh Leaf for that

Looks like the market price for a nice Austin Healey Sprite is over £8,000, the other one, est £6,250 sold for £8,000 hammer price.

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

A few interesting lots in next week's sale at:
https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/ev ... -2021/cars

Alongside the Renault 18 Neil posted a few weeks ago here there are these 4 I've picked out for various reasons:

Something different:

BFTW Allard P4 (Lexus LS400 base)

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/ev ... exus-ls400

Something lovely:

BFTW Citroen DS31 Super 5

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/ev ... -d-super-5

Something for fun:

BFTW Peugeot 205 GTi

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/ev ... ot-205-gti

And finally something to qualify for the 'burgundy with shiny ears' club:

BFTW Rover Van den Plas 3500 V8 Auto

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/ev ... -plas-auto

[white exec]

Oh dear, the interior of that SD1 hasn't fared at all well.
And is that a tail pipe —- or a chimney!?

[mickthemaverick]

It certainly looks more like a chimney , a downside of the old V8 style instead of the 2/4 pipes of more modern V8's!!

[CitroJim]

I do like the 205GTi They look stunning in Miami Blue