Retro performance classics ready for online auction

Iconic performance cars from the 1980s and ‘90s are set to form part of the varied selection at the H&H Classics Live auction.

Taking place on Wednesday, 19th August, a wide range of cars, motorbikes, and automobilia form part of the collection. 

The selection of metal is certainly varied. A modern 2017 Dodge Charger on the same virtual billing as a true barn-find 1951 Lagonda. 

Below are three retro cars that have caught our eye, along with their estimated auction price.

1983 Audi ur-Quattro 10v – £35,000 to £40,000

One of the stars of the sale is this rare UK-supplied Audi ur-Quattro. It represents one of the earliest right-hand drive models, being fitted with the analogue dashboard. Later versions used a LCD digital display, making this something of a collectors item.

Built at the peak of the ur-Quattro’s World Rally Championship dominance, this example uses the 10v five-cylinder turbocharged engine. Around £8,000 has been spent on maintenance since 2018, including a new timing belt and new injectors. 

New carpets have also been fitted, with the exterior graphics refreshed and the wheels repainted. Service and MOT records back to 1987 are included, helping demonstrate the 110,000 miles shown on the odometer.

1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo – £26,000 to £30,000

Nostalgia for cars from the 1990s continues to rise, and the Nissan 300ZX has proven popular with North American enthusiasts. Rarer on this side of the Atlantic, this example is a genuine UK model with just one owner from new. 

A quad-tailpipe exhaust was fitted when the car was relatively new, but it has otherwise been left unmodified. That makes it stand out from the plethora of boosted and stanced examples often found on the market. 

The twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 produces a substantial 300 hp, allowing for a top speed of 155 mph. Having covered just 34,500 miles, this 300ZX is a well-preserved and original example. Included is the dealership order form and hire purchase agreement, plus the factory titanium key.

1989 Ford Escort RS Turbo – £18,000 to £22,000

Fast Fords have been a major auction attraction for a number of years. A low-mileage RS Turbo achieved more than £60,000 at auction in 2015. It makes this later Series 2 example look something of a bargain.

Currently owned by a Ford enthusiast, this car has had five previous owners, and covered just over 89,000 miles. It has managed to swerve the dodgy modifications many suffered in the 1990s, presenting as if it had just rolled off the production line. A full exterior respray and interior refurbishment certainly help it look fresh. 

A 132 hp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine may not sound much today, it would let the RS Turbo hit 124 mph. For less than the price of a new Ford Focus ST, you could buy this and recreate memories of the 1980s.

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