DUXFORD.- There were several new auction world prices set on Wednesday April 20th 2016 at the H&H Classics sale.

Company founder Simon Hope and assistant auctioneer Julian Royse wielded their gavels to great effect in a packed saleroom made even more crowded by the presence of several TV crews.

The vehicle sale rate was 74% with 175 of the 238 motorcars and motorcycles on offer finding buyers. Negotiations are still underway on the 1956 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback and 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT but as of Friday April 22nd the gross sale total stood at over £5,000,000.

The 1954 Lagonda 3 Litre MKI Drophead Coupe built to the special order of HRH, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh and retained by him for seven years, attracted worldwide media interest. Selling for an all-inclusive £346,800, it eclipsed the next highest price achieved for the model at public auction by some £270,000!

The very first competition E-Types were the seven cars completed to Jaguar’s internal Project ZP537/24 specification. Supplied new to John Coombs and sister car to ‘4 WPD’ which became the first Lightweight, chassis 850007 was campaigned in period but achieved more notable results in historic events such as the Goodwood Revival and Le Mans Classic. A historically significant E-Type, it fetched an all-inclusive £858,000.

Sold within estimate post-auction, the 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II spearheaded results for the marque which also included £211,640 for a freshly refurbished 1954 DB2/4 MKI and £52,624 for a restoration project 1973 V8. Both Bentley S3 Continentals on offer found new homes with the Park Ward Drophead Coupe making £188,760 and the H.J. Mulliner Flying Spur £178,464. Fitted with a Cobra body in period and correct-type replacement engine, the appealingly patinated 1962 AC Ace Bristol commanded £137,280.

Among the most photographed lots to go under the hammer, the 1978 Ford Capri 3.0S featured in The Professionals TV series smashed its estimate to fetch £54,912, while an enthusiast paid £85,000 for the 1977 Ford Capri 2.0S and 1981 Daimler Sovereign 4.2 that had starred in the Minder TV series.