LONDON.- If something different, unique and unusual appeals to your taste then the next H&H Classics Auction Online on May 1st may have just the thing for you - this bright red 1982 AC 3000 mid engine MKII prototype estimated to sell for £18,000 to £22,000. And you don’t have to leave home to bid thanks to H&H Classics Auction Online sales.

Although, the AC 3000 ME prototype debuted at the 1973 Earls Court Motor Show, difficulties in obtaining Type Approval meant that it would be another six years before the mid-engined sportscar entered production.

Hailed as the British equivalent of the Lancia Stratos - both machines feature wedge-shaped styling, fibreglass bodywork and proprietary V6 engines - its 'bathtub' steel chassis played host to substantial front / rear subframes and features an integral roll-over bar.

Damian Jones of the H&H Classics team, says: “Riding on fresh tyres and sporting a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system, 'VPC 634X' is said to 'have plenty of performance and to sound like an Italian thoroughbred'. A fascinating glimpse into what might have been, this historic and unique AC is offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, history file and its initial Alfa Romeo 2500cc V6.”

With some 138bhp and 192lbft of torque on tap, the lightweight 3000ME (1085kg) was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds and over 120mph. Some seventy-six cars were produced at AC's Thames Ditton factory before manufacture switched to AC (Scotland) Ltd in 1984 where another thirty were built. For many the last true AC - and certainly the final model in which the Hurlock family had a hand - the 3000ME has long been collectible.

This particular example - chassis 129 - is unique among the total production run in having been actively involved in both eras of the story. Originally the Thames Ditton factory demonstrator, it was adopted for a time by AC's Managing Director Andrew Hurlock for his personal use, and was therefore still on the company's books when the project relocated to Scotland.

And for those who prefer something timeless and classic the H&H Classics Auction Online sale offers this beauty – a 1951 Bentley MK VI H.J. Mulliner Saloon estimated to sell for £20,000 to £24,000.

This regal beauty is fitted with handsome six-light saloon coachwork by H.J. Mulliner (Body Number 5216). It was repatriated from California and dry stored for over 30 years.

It is said to 'run and drive with sound bodywork and paint and good chrome' but to 'need a re-trim'. It was formerly UK road registered as 'XHX 1'.