Paul Jolly on Classic Car Auction in Poole this week

Classic Car Auctions are a great way to get a feel for this market and are generally free to attend. One exciting such auction is on this week in Poole on Thursday 25th April with prior viewing days. The auction starts at 10am and you need to register before the sale if you plan on bidding.

Remember there is a 10% buyers commission to add onto your bid. South Western Vehicle Auctions (google SWVA) has a good website which shows the 87 cars on offer with video and still photography. There is a superb mix of cars from Ferraris to Minis and MGs to Triumph sportscars with a 1936 Austin 7 in the mix. There is even a 1950 David Brown tractor!

Unlike some of the more prestigious auction houses in London, what is on offer here is a wonderful mix of Everyman Classics as well as some exotica. Many have no reserve and a large number will be under £5000. You can even drive your new car away if successful on the day so come with an open mind and a willing wallet. Once registered, you are free to bid on any car that takes your fancy and there is nothing like the adrenaline rush as you bid. Do your research beforehand but a great deal of information is posted against each entry on line.

One incredibly rare car with a guide of £8000-10500 is the Hillman Avenger GT in Sundance yellow. There are only 6 left on the road today and these were highly unusual in 1972 when new. Another that caught my eye is the 1990 Saab 900S Aero Turbo 3 door with a guide of just £2000-£3000. With 173 bhp, these were flying machines in their day and are still a fast car by anybody’s standards today. Part of a deceased estate, this entry is one to watch and if it comes for anything like the estimate, will be the bargain of the sale.

Lot 43 is a lovely and useable Morris 1000 Traveller guided at £5000-£6000 with all proceeds going to a local hospice charity.