Skip to content

Not Saved for a Rainy Day

  • by

 [DISPLAY_ULTIMATE_SOCIAL_ICONS]

Two classic cars entered into the Charterhouse sale on Sunday 4th November have rather unusually not seen a drop of rain on their bodywork for decades.

“Interestingly both cars are open topped sports cars and both will appeal to very different car enthusiasts.” Commented Matthew Whitney. “The 1960 Fairthorpe is easy to see it has not seen a drop of rain in years as it is covered under decades of dust and is stored in a barn, the other is a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL which its meticulous owner bought in 1997 and has not been in the rain since then.”

The Fairthorpe Electron Minor has been in just one family ownership since new in 1960. A rare little car, fitted

with a Shorrocks supercharger, it was put in a barn in the early 1970’s where it has languished gathering layers of dust over the decades. Now requiring restoration, the Fairthorpe Electron Minor is estimated at £3,000-4,000.

 

Moving forwards a few decades and it is a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL which has not seen rain for over the past 20 years. Purchased in 1997 the owner did not take his beloved convertible out in the rain or if there was the slightest possibility of rain. This fine until Matthew Whitney visited the owner, who lives near Swindon, to value and photograph the vehicle as it was raining on the day and he was not allowed to take the car out of the garage for even 10 minutes as it was pouring with rain!

This classic and vintage car auction, which is being held in conjunction with the Bristol Classic Car Show, is at The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN where hundreds of thousands of pounds of classic cars will be going under the Charterhouse hammer, is on Sunday 4th November at 12 noon.

Viewing for the auction is on Saturday 3rd November and on the 4th until the sale starts at midday. Catalogues are available from Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3BS 01935 812277 or you can see all the cars entered on www.charterhouse-auction.com where live internet bidding is also available.

Charterhouse are now accepting entries into their next specialist auctions of classic cars and classic motorcycles in February and for their huge two day November auction of jewellery, watches and silver on 15th November followed by antiques and interiors with a selection of wine, port & whisky on 16th November.

To enter items into this auctions, contact Matthew Whitney or Richard Bromell and the team of specialists at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 or via email info@charterhouse-auction.com to arrange a home visit.

 

Captions:

Dry Stored for Decades:
1985 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL £16,000-18,000
1960 Fairthorpe Electron Minor £3,000-4,000