1930 NASH WITH FASCINATING HISTORY, AND PART-COMPLETED E-TYPE RESTORATION PROJECT HEAD ENTRY FOR BARONS' SPRING CLASSIC

Early entries include a magnificent 1930 Nash 494 Straight Eight Sedan seven-seater limousine with Sedanca de Ville bodywork, a car with a fascinating history. It was bought new in 1930 by Frederic S Bennett, the Englishman who reversed the global fortunes of Cadillac 110 years ago.

In 1903 Bennett had imported the first Cadillac into the UK, demonstrating the marque's reliability and durability by taking it on an eight-day, 1,000-mile reliability trial, which became known as the Bennett Run. By 1907 Cadillac's sales worldwide were falling dramatically, so Bennett decided to enter that 1903 car in the gruelling Dewar Trophy, the award for innovation in car manufacture. The Cadillac won the event, which allowed the manufacturer to claim that they set the 'Standard for the world', and the company's sales took an upturn as a result. In 1953 - at exactly 50 years later to the very hour - the 79-year old Bennett recreated his original time trial in the same 1903 Cadillac, with the aid of a young racing driver called Stirling Moss. Bennett said he had trained for this 1953 endeavour 'on Coronation beer and an early morning swim.'

Bennett owned the 1930 Nash for 26 years, and it is believed to be the only remaining example. It has undergone a full restoration with new ash frame, won the coveted Best of Show award in the Classic American Auto Club National in Brooklands in 2008, and carries an estimate of £40,000-£50,000.

The E-type restoration project is perfect for the enthusiast who wants the satisfaction of seeing a restoration come together without the need to strip down and restore all the key elements - as most of this has already been done! The 1966 Series 1 FHC has already had many hours lavished on it. The bodywork has been taken to bare metal by hand and rust-proofed and primed, the interior components reupholstered to original spec and colour and a brand-new engine frame re-manufactured and stamped with the chassis number. 90% of all components supplied are original, and the project comes complete with a brand-new £7,000 set of triple SU carburettors with inlet manifold etc. from SNG Barratt. Each part removed has been labelled, bagged and carefully stored. At £30,000-£40,000 it should prove a highly satisfying and rewarding project for the successful bidder.

There's also a four-car private collection going under the hammer - a 1994 MG RV8 (£15,000-£20,000), a 1972 Triumph GT6 which has covered just 50 miles since undergoing a comprehensive restoration (£14,000-£16,5000), a 1972 Triumph TR6 that has covered 4,000 miles since restoration (£14,000-£18,000) and a rare 1983 Citroen GSA Pallas, which is offered at no reserve.

For further information or to consign a vehicle to the sale please visit www.barons-auctions.com.

Photo credit: Barons
posted on conceptcarz.com

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