Henderson Auctions celebrates the best of Britain and America

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If there's a space in your garage that needs filling, why not head to the Barber Motorsports Museum in Alabama, where Henderson Auctions will be staging the next sale in its Collector Motor Series on 28th October?

Anyone with a penchant for classic Americana from the 1940s to the 1970s, that golden age of roadside diners and late-night cruising, will find plenty to whet their appetite, with beautifully restored examples of marques such as Cadillac, Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Plymouth, Lincoln, Dodge, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Studebaker and Willys set to go under the hammer. That's not all, though - if your tastes incline more towards European cars, you could enjoy some sporty motoring from behind the wheel of an MG TD, Jaguar E-type or Porsche 911, or you could glide along in the sumptuous luxury of a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. There's even an historic London taxi...

Here are some of our favourites.

1952 Studebaker Champion

Without doubt, some of the best-looking cars of the 1950s were the Studebakers penned in the design studios of Raymond Loewy. Low and graceful, they exhibited none of the bulk which would become typical of American styling in the late '50s, and generally appealed to a  discerning kind of car-buyer with more European sensibilities.

This Champion hails from Studebaker's centenary year - the company started as a carriage-maker - and is easily identified as a '52 by the one-year-only 'clam digger' grille. Evidently the recipient of a high-quality restoration, at no reserve it could be a real bargain.

1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

Studebaker had its Avanti, but it was Oldsmobile which fielded probably the single most intelligent and forward-thinking American design of the 1960s with the Toronado. Only available as a fastback hardtop in the personal luxury bracket, it matched striking styling with a 385 bhp, 425 ci V8 and a surprising front-wheel drive layout. With almost equal front and rear weight distribution, it was brilliantly conceived. Considering its size, its handling and traction were enviable, and it ran virtually in silence at 100 mph, with a top speed of 135 mph. It looked extraordinary, too, with its sleek profile, raised wheel arches and concealed headlamps. Henderson's Toronado hails from the first year of production and looks beautiful in its Tropic Turquoise.

1957 Austin FX3 taxi

One of the unexpected stars of the sale is the FX3. Instantly recognisable as one of London's famous black cabs, it's a rare sight today in Britain but must be especially so in America. If you're an American, chances are you might only ever have seen an FX3 in old films and television series such as The Avengers or Carry on Cabby, presenting an idyllic vision of London before all the skyscrapers went up. One little film that always springs to mind whenever we see an FX3 is the video for the Françoise Hardy song "Find Me a Boy", in which the lovelorn chanteuse sings from the back seat as her smart chauffeur negotiates Piccadilly Circus and sweeps round the Victoria Memorial. Who knows, this one might even have some cinematic provenance of its own? In exceptional condition, it's sure to generate a lot of interest at American shows.

And lots more...

Why not take a look at what else is on offer? The full catalogue can be viewed here.

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