The biggest entry (literally) in Barons’ sale at Sandown Park on Sunday June 9th is the charming 1958 open-topped double-decker bus. The full-fronted AEC Regent V – one of just three surviving examples – worked as a seaside bus on the Cinque Ports route in East Kent over half a century ago. Restored in 2008, and with an estimate of £12,000-£17,000, this delightful bus is only waiting for a new owner before it can take to the road carrying private passengers on jolly outings once more. Although still entirely in period on the outside, inside the accommodation is now highly contemporary, giving passengers and owner the best of both worlds; period charm and modern comfort.
In total contrast to large proportions and square lines of the Regent V bus, Barons is also offering a low, sleek prototype Piper GTR Le Mans. This hand-built replica is based on body moulds taken from an original 1969 Piper that was built to compete at the Sarthe circuit. The replica’s vendor and designer, Tony Claydon, owned and competed in one of the original cars in the 1980s, so took the moulds in case of accident damage.
The Piper GTR Le Mans was designed to be a very affordable track day or racecar. A new space-frame chassis was designed and built, aerodynamics improved, cooling sorted and an inexpensive engine/ gearbox package sourced that gives the car outstanding performance. Tony Claydon initially hoped to see the formation of a one-make championship, but since building this prototype in 2006, his time has been taken up with the development of a fully road-legal version.
The car is offered complete with a full set of moulds to enable a new owner to take the car into limited production or just to ensure the supply of panels in the case of over-exuberance at a track day. Estimate: £25,000-£35,000.
Other entries include a stunning 1966 Jaguar E-type S1 roadster (£55,000-£60,000), a highly desirable and extremely rare 1939 Freestone & Webb E4 Straight 8 Daimler Sports Saloon (£33,000-£38,000), and a very handsome 1968 Jaguar 420 Saloon which was the subject of a nut-and-bolt restoration just two years ago (£17,000-£19,000).
Finally, the sale also includes an affordable future classic; a 1992 Maserati Spyder E 2.8 Biturbo. This rare right-hand drive model has been very well maintained and is offered complete with a huge history file. And, with an estimate of £3,500-£4,500, it is extraordinarily good value for a coachbuilt Zagato Maserati.
