One of the particular pleasures that defines a passion for anything automotive is the joy of restoring a car to its former glory, and when it’s a marque that you’ve always been passionate about the pleasure is tripled. Each of these four ‘garage find’ discoveries will have a loyal fan base so bidding at the auction will be brisk no doubt.

Gary Dunne, Sales Manager at Iconic Auctioneers says: “There is such huge pleasure to be had in restoring a car you have loved, admired and coveted. A winter working on it in your garage might mean some hard months, facing technical challenges that come with a restoration – but think of the Spring when you take it out on the road for the first time!”

Offered from 28 years ownership, this recent garage find V8 is running and driving - an ideal entry into the wonderful world of Aston Martin ownership.

Unveiled in August 1973, the Series 3 differed from earlier cars with the arrival of four twin-choke downdraft Weber carburettors which replaced the previous Bosch fuel-injection system. To accommodate this new arrangement, the bonnet sported a distinctive bulge that continued to the trailing edge and a lip adjacent to the boot replaced extractor louvers behind the rear window.

Purchased by the vendor in 1997, this Winchester Blue Series 3 was in regular use between here and his villa in Marbella. The Aston's history file contains receipts for works over the years, old MOTs and an owner's manual.

Unused for some years, it benefited from a brake service in 2024 by Pilgrim Motorsport. It's currently running and driving but will need some recommissioning prior to returning to active use. An honest car, largely original condition and showing just some 50,580 miles from new

More information on this car can be found here: 1974-aston-martin-v8

Twin Cam-powered fourth generation Lotus Seven from very long-term ownership, now ready to be returned to active duty and offered without Reserve. This yellow Lotus and its late owner enjoyed years and years of fun together and now seems a great time to set it free it from storage, return it to top form. Hopefully this little Seven will be back on the hills or part of a relay team once again!

We understand that it competed mainly in Championships run by the HSCC, latterly the 1970s Road Sports Championship and remarkably took part in a number of Holly-Birkett 6-Hour team relay races.

The Series 4, introduced in 1970, marked a departure from earlier Lotus Seven models, featuring a wider body, improved amenities and an optional Twin-Cam engine capable of producing up to 120bhp. Finished in Lotus Yellow and in fast road-spec, this example was acquired in 1982 by our vendor’s late husband who cherished and enjoyed it for over three decades.

At some point during its ownership the Kent 1.6-litre cross-flow unit has been replaced with a Lotus Twin-Cam with appropriate clutch and gearbox. The original engine and gearbox will form part of the Lot, as will numerous other spares, tools, workshop equipment, roll-hoop, wheels, tyres etc., basically the entire useable contents of his garage! The car has not run since 2018 so will obviously need to be fully recommissioned. This 'Garage Find' is offered Without Reserve.

Sold directly from Land Rover to the vendor in 1994 after it completed the 1993 Camel Trophy in Sabah, Malaysia. A genuine factory-prepared expedition vehicle that is essentially original but is now in need of some TLC.

The 'Camel Trophy' originated in 1980 with three Jeep-equipped German teams exploring the Amazon Basin. After that first event, the organisers turned to Land Rover for support and the tobacco company, Camel, for primary sponsorship.

Over the course of the next 20 years, all of the Land Rover vehicle ranges were used - Range Rover, Land Rover Series III, Land Rover 90, Land Rover 110, Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Discovery and Freelander, with all vehicles appearing in the distinctive Camel 'Sandglow' colour scheme and were specially adapted for their role.

Some competitors purchased their vehicles and many remained in the host country. Consequently, those vehicles that returned to the UK are highly sought after having covered 'Camel Trophy miles'.

A genuine Land Rover-prepared Defender utilised as a medical support vehicle to the lead Discovery vehicles on the 1993 Camel Trophy in Sabah, Malaysia. Bought directly from Land Rover in 1994 by the vendor (original invoice confirms), who was an LR employee, then with just 2,000 miles. Subsequently it was used as his family vehicle for the next 20-plus years, and now shows 112,000 miles.

It comes to sale with lots of original off-road equipment, including the unique Safety Devices internal/external roll-cage, snorkel and winch, but sadly not its Brownchurch roof-rack. Regularly serviced by the engineer vendor and routinely garaged, but was 'parked-up' a few years ago - now in need of restoration but is a very worthy candidate, worthy of inspection.

More information on this Land Rover can be found here:1992-land-rover-defender-110-200tdi

Emerging from long term storage, this is a great opportunity to acquire a previously restored and well-preserved Capri 2.8 Injection with an interesting story. In 1982, Ford dropped the Capri's 3-litre V6 in favour of the all-new 2.8-litre injection Cologne V6, with a power output of 160bhp and a top speed of 130mph.

This example is finished in Signal Black with red and silver coach lines and sits on the correct SVE 13" Pepperpot alloys. Acquired by the vendor around 12 years ago, this super Capri has a very interesting history. Having purchased the car as something of a project, our vendor set about restoring it to a very high standard with all mechanicals and paintwork addressed. Unfortunately, he was then hit with the surprising news that the car had been reported stolen and the police became involved.

Having spent a serious amount of time and money on the car, a negotiation took place, and the original owner supplied the full history file for the car to the vendor, its now legal owner. Having been subject to considerable stress over a period of time, our vendor couldn't bring himself to drive the car and so it has sat in storage ever since and visited occasionally.

More information about this Capri can be found here:1984-ford-capri-2-8-injection

These four cars, along with another 160+ will be up for auction as part of a two-day Sale at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC, Birmingham on 22^nd & 23^rd March. Viewing is available from 10am on Friday 21^st March and from 9am on both the Saturday and Sunday. The auctions take place from 12noon on both the Saturday and Sunday. Registration for bidding is now open at iconicauctioneers.com or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Bidding is available in person, online, on the telephone or via a commission.

View all lots HERE