Thursday 27th August 2015

Undervalued Italians: Under the hammer

It's not just the German classics appreciating at the moment...

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With prices of so many German performance cars going ballistic at the moment, Italian stallions are looking somewhat forgotten - and potentially a source of real bargains at auction, if estimates at the Historics at Brooklands auction on 29 August are anything to go by.

An Iso that isn't a Grifo? They do exist!

Semi-exotic bargains
It baffles me why the Alfa Romeo SZ hasn't seen stronger rises in value, but it's definitely starting to creep upwards. That makes the estimate of £18,000 - £20,000 for a seemingly sound 1990 example seem exceptionally low. I'm sure it'll go way higher than this but, with a low reserve, you never know - this could be a big bargain for someone.

For a slice of 1970s coupe cool, very little beats an Iso Lele. The Historics example is a genuine UK-registered 1975 Lele, one of only 50 right-hand drive cars (of a total of 280 Leles). At a £45K estimate, few 1970s Italian exotics are such good value, or so rare.

However, the Iso Fidia "restoration project" is surely only for the terminally brave, even with its 'no reserve' status. Is it just me, or is there not something utterly fabulous about this gigantic Giugiaro-penned four-door saloon? And you need to check out its Mr Benn-style psychedelic cabin.

Of course, you could be sensible and buy a Maserati Quattroporte MkI. This is not just any QP1, either: it's a rare RHD car originally bought by Prince Karim Aga Khan in 1967, and has done only 28,000 miles. These early QPs are superb to drive, and this seems like it might be a real steal at just under £50,000.

Also up at similar money is a restored Ferrari 308 GTS 1978. Sadly it's LHD (originally from Canada) but its low estimate does make it look tempting.

Pretty car

Italy's cheapies
Surely it's time that Alfa 916 GTV V6s started to appreciate in value. This 1998 3.0 with 41K miles is the nicer Phase Two car with the six-speed 'box and 220hp. OK, it was originally supplied to Cyprus, but the gorgeous cabin speaks volumes for how well it's been treated. Estimate: £4,000-£6,000.

I can't remember the last time I saw a non-Integrale Lancia Delta on the road, but this 1987 Delta GT with just 18,860 miles looks absolutely peachy - it even has its original plastic door trim covers on. And there's no reserve.

And from Britain & Germany...
There are plenty of interesting non-Italian lots going under the hammer. I've never seen a Hooper-bodied two-door Bentley Turbo R before. Fascinating car, and difficult to value, but £26,000-£30,000 is the estimate.

Hang on, something isn't quite right here

And how about a Rover 75 V8 (the 4.6-litre Mustang engined one)? This is an insanely rare car (probably fewer than 100 V8s were Rover-badged) and a sure-fire future classic. This looks a very good one, with just 23K on the clock, which justifies its estimate of £8K-£11K.

And finally, what car offers 603hp and 737lb ft of torque for just £10,000? A 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG, that's what. Apparently only 777 CL 65s were produced worldwide, of which fewer than 40 came to the UK. We all know that CLs are mega money-pits but the AMG 65 might actually justify it - especially at a lower estimate of £10K.

[urquattroGus]

SZ's have been tipped to rise In value for years now it seems.

I got serious about buying one about two years ago, 18-22K seemed to get a nice one, in the end I stuck to Plan A and bough a nice 1966 Giulia Sprint.

The parts availability and general Marmite looks scared me off a little, but part of me still wants one!