Fifties family saloons for all tastes at Historics

There's lots to be said for driving fast in a classic sports-car, but sometimes it's nice just to sit back, relax on a big, soft bench seat and cruise along. Besides which, it's good to share our hobby sometimes with friends and family, and that's why everyone needs a classic saloon. They make great daily-drivers, too - they're weatherproof and their boots can hold plenty of shopping bags, so there's really a lot to be said for them.

Now that you've realised you want to buy a(nother) saloon, what ought you to go for? It's our own opinion that those of the '50s and early '60s are the most attractive, and it just so happens that a fine selection is to go under the hammer with Historics at Ascot on 8th April. Let's take a closer look...

1960 Jaguar Mk. IX (£14,000-18,000)

The Mk. VII, VIII and IX Jaguars are beautiful cars indeed, really encapsulating the Jaguar slogan of 'Grace, Space, Pace.' Though visually identical, the Mk. IX differed from the VIII by having the 3.4-litre engine bored out to 3.8 litres, with four-wheel servo-assisted disc brakes and power steering becoming standard equipment. This beautiful example looks superb in British Racing Green with a Suede Green interior. It was sold new via Henlys in London and fortunately still retains its original number plate. Amazingly, it was placed into storage in 1971 (the odometer reading of 58,608 miles may well be genuine) and has only recently been recommissioned. It survives as an excellent and wonderfully original example. With such a combination of luxury, beauty and performance, it looks like great value for money.

1956 Jaguar Mk. I (£14,000-17,000)

While Jaguar Mk. IIs sell for silly money, you could be both discerning and frugal and plump for this lovely early Mk. I, a better-looking car in our opinion with the elegant steel wheels and narrow grille. It was Jaguar's first attempt at a smaller saloon, and it was a great performer with the 3.4-litre straight-six hustling it along to 120mph, all in the same sort of Old English, leather-and-walnut luxury as one would have found in its larger siblings. This example has the smaller 2.4-litre engine but, after extensive bodywork and cosmetic attention, it looks sublime, though the brakes may require attention. If you fancy something a little sportier or easier to store than a Mk. IX, and you want to stand apart from the Mk. II crowd, what could be better?

1958 Chevrolet Impala (£37,000-47,000)

Of a totally different character from the Jaguars, this Impala has a fantastic presence and inspires thoughts of American Graffiti and simpler, more carefree times. The styling was Harley Earl's swansong - he retired in mid-1958 - and ranks among his greatest works. It is at once both optimistic and futuristic in its Tropic Turquoise paint, and is really one of the archetypal cars of the rock 'n' roll era. We've seen some American cars which are run on a shoestring and look a little less attractive when you seem them close-up, but this isn't one of them. A former exhibit on the Goodwood Festival of Speed Cartier Style et Luxe lawn, it is believed to be an original 13,000-mile car and is said to be one of the best in the country, if not the world.

1955 Vauxhall Velox (£32,000-37,000)

If you like the rock 'n' roll styling of the Chevrolet but haven't the garage space in which to park an American land-yacht, this Vauxhall Velox is the answer: the proportions and economy of a British car, matched with styling brought over from across the Atlantic. Bullet-shaped rear lights and maroon paint seemingly modelled on Marilyn Monroe's lipstick place it a world apart from the austere, black, upright saloons of earlier in the decade. Being a part of the General Motors family, the Vauxhall may be thought of as the Chevrolet's English cousin, and while it doesn't quite have V8 power, it's no sluggard, either, having quite a capable straight-six under the bonnet. It's another genuine low-mileage car at 34,052 miles, and while an estimate of £30,000 for a Vauxhall does require a double-take, it has been restored to show-winning standard but with its original interior preserved, so you definitely get what you pay for.

1954 Austin A30 (No reserve)

Perhaps you don't want a show-winner. Perhaps you don't want to worry about rain and scratches. Perhaps you just want a fun, characterful car you can scoot around in without it costing lots of money, and that's why the Austin A30 should never be underestimated. The A-series engine, though small, is a marvellous bit of engineering, and with the A30 being so light it really flies through second and third gear (first being mostly superfluous). They're easy to work on and tune, too, so it's no wonder they're so popular with saloon-car racers. This one would benefit from some cosmetic attention - the matt black brightwork is not an improvement on chrome - but so what? It'll whizz you around town with a smile on your face. It really should be considered as a daily-driver, or even as a first classic for a young enthusiast.

Published:

Thursday March 30th, 2023