The weird and the wonderful: Under The Hammer

Forget the glitz of Pebble Beach, there's rarity and diversity at an auction much closer to home

Two weeks ago I was reporting on some of the most sublime machinery on the planet going under the hammer at Pebble Beach. While that heady smorgasbord of Ferraris and McLarens may not have reached their stratospherically high estimates, pretty much every gavel-bash set a new record.

Comes to something when this is the prettier car

So much for the sublime. Now it's time for the ridiculous to step into the spotlight, and there's a kooky carnival of that at the Historics at Brooklands auction www.historics.co.uk this Saturday at Brooklands Museum in Surrey.

Zagato's monsters
Topping my barking-mad bill are two Zagatos from the Italian design house's 'interesting' period - the early 90s. The Italians nicknamed Zagato's Alfa Romeo SZ coupe 'il mostro' - 'the monster' - but the convertible RZ is its even uglier sister. This one-owner, 12,000km RZ is an eye-popping sight, especially in that bright yellow.

But Zagato went even uglier. Values of Aston Martin Zagatos have well and truly headed skywards, but how about a bargain lookalike from 1990: the Nissan Autech Stelvio. Never heard of it? Don't blame you - it was only ever sold in Japan in tiny numbers.

Re-engined G55 could turn out to be a bargain

You'll probably look right past the subtle double-bubble roof as your eyeballs are assaulted by two rhinoceros-like appendages sprouting from front wings - yes, the entire front end was apparently designed around its wing mirrors. Get past the looks and Stelvio has class: unlike the plastic-unfantastic bodywork of the RZ, its body is hand-made in aluminium, and literally everything in the cabin is swathed in leather or suede, like some vintage Italian handbag.

Underneath lies a Nissan Leopard F31 platform (same as the Skyline R31) with a tuned 300ZX twin-turbo 3.0-litre lump pumping out 290hp. I've actually driven this car, and I can report it's lovely to pilot: refined, comfortable and with handling so chuckable that it wouldn't be embarrassed going up the Passo Stelvio.

A recreation, yes, but a sympathetic one

Both Zagatos are incredibly rare. The Stelvio is number 74 of 104 made, the RZ 145 of 284. Estimates of £17,000-£22,000 (Stelvio) and £28,000-£32,000 (Alfa RZ) don't look outrageous, and SZ/RZ values have remained static for years, so are surely long overdue for a spike.

Bonkers in blue
One of the most bonkers Mercs of recent years is the G-Class AMG. If you don't mind LHD, this 2008 G55 AMG with 6,749 miles on the clock looks, er, interesting in its mildly dubious bright blue wrap. It's had a brand new engine fitted recently, and has no reserve, so you might grab a bargain here.

Or how about this yellow BMW 2002 tii Alpina recreation with a smattering of genuine Alpina bits (decals, period arches, splitter, boot spoiler, alloys, rocker cover and oil cap). Tiis are fast appreciating, so £16,000-£22,000 doesn't sound too rich for this.

Modernised Bedford camper is pure class

Boats, buses and... fire limos?
Fancy being Batman, circa 1966? How about a Glastron Bat Boat tribute - yours for an estimated £36,000-£42,000. A 1989 Dennis Campbell fire engine has actually been registered as a limousine and can be driven on a car licence - so it could make the world's strangest party hire vehicle for £3,000-£5,000.

I love the 1950 Bedford OB bus that's been done up as a spectacular luxury motorhome. Forget 1950s austerity - this beast has a 2006 Iveco chassis and diesel engine under the skin, plus a leather-swathed interior, walnut kitchen, en-suite facilities, retractable roof, Bose audio and even central heating. The perfect classic racer's motorhome?

Mangusta is a rare and alluring bit of exotica

OK, let taste back in
It'd be wrong to suggest this auction is only full of the bizarre. There are some very tasty specimens up for grabs, too. The star of the show may be a two-owner-from-new 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta. A real classic of Giugiaro penmanship - but evil-handling in a way that only Lancia Stratos owners can understand - it's ultra-rare, which is reflected in a steep estimate of £210,000-£240,000.

But my pick of the auction is a cracking 1981 Porsche 930 Turbo, which at £40,000-£48,000 looks superb value alongside £100k+ early 70s 911s, and is a sure-fire ticket to appreciate.