Classic vintage cars – big and small – worth tens of thousands of pounds have been uncovered in a Derbyshire barn.
And for any motoring enthusiast worth their salt, such is the prize on offer, the chance to own one could spark the auction bidding battle of their life.
All the vehicles, which were found near Repton, belonged to car enthusiast Peter McManus, a man who ensured his love of motoring did not exclude his children. If he could have a Jaguar, so could they.
Two of the children’s cars, a 1960s Cheetah Cub D-Type Jaguar and an Austin Pathfinder pedal car, converted to a petrol-engine, sold for £2,500 and £2,700 respectively in Hansons’ Januaryu 20, 2022 Toy and Models Auction.
A promotional leaflet with the Cheetah declared: ‘The miniature sports car children can really drive. Based on the famous E Type Jaguar, the Cheetah Cub is any child’s dream car. With the small petrol-driven engine it will give them all the thrills of race-track driving in complete safety’.
As if that wasn’t enough, two full-size original classic cars, one which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2022, are set for auction in spring. Perhaps the star find of this spectacular collection is a 1960 Mark II Jaguar with only 50,000 miles on the clock. It was owned by Peter from new.
Finds like this in original condition, stored with care in a clean and dry outbuilding, don’t come along often. This curvaceous classic is a delight to behold, a design gem of its time. It will go to auction with an estimate of £20,000-£30,000. The same sale will include a 1922 Bullnose Morris, £15,000-£20,000.
According to the sellers, Peter’s son and daughter, all the cars represent family togetherness, high days, holidays and happy memories. They have decided the time is now right to sell their late father’s classic cars and the miniature motors they were lucky enough to drive as children.
They explained that Peter was a keen motor car enthusiast. In 1960 he bought the Jaguar Mark II from new. He treasured it so much, it was only ever used on ‘high days and holidays’, including some New Year trips to Scotland, hence its low mileage.
Even though it went to Scotland, it was carefully garaged away while they were there. The family took two cars on the trips north. Dad drove the Jag while the sellers’ mum followed in the family Mini. But this did cause issues. Going uphill, the Mini needed a run-up. However, their dad only needed to press his foot down on the Jag’s accelerator for it to gently glide up hill. Unfortunately, this thwarting his wife’s efforts to get a run-up as she followed in the Mini! The Jaguar went on family holidays until the early 1980s.
Its garage-mate was the Bullnose Morris which has had three owners from new. It was sold by G H Robbins of Evesham in 1922 and registered in July that year. Mr Robbins bought it back in 1939 and kept it until he passed away in the 1960s. In 1963 it was purchased by Peter.
We’re told he loved its simplicity and ease of use. His children say people used to smile and wave at them when they were out and about in it. They recall their father driving them to a sweet shop in Rocester, Staffs, to buy sherbet fountains and sunny picnics in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The Bullnose was also used as a wedding car when the car enthusiast’s daughter married.
But, as previously mentioned, this car-loving dad made sure his offspring enjoyed motoring magic too. He bought them an extremely rare child’s Cheetah Cub Jaguar at London’s Earls Court Motor Show in the early 1960s. It went on to be used by his daughter’s children. A retired Rolls-Royce engineer replaced its petrol engine with an easy-starter Honda. However, the original Villiers engine comes with the car.
The children’s Austin Pathfinder is also a joy to behold. It was converted by a renowned motorcycle engineer from Derby who built it for his son. Later, he was persuaded to part with it by Peter. His son recalls, ‘I had many happy times driving it. When dad taught me to use it, I wanted to drive to Derby to pick up mum and couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t let me. He took his eyes off me for a minute, and I drove it into the garage wall! Nevertheless, the little engine just kept on going. I was then grounded until mum got home’.
The Pathfinder pedal car with petrol engine conversion was made during the 1950s. It has its original steel body plus a Villiers 75cc petrol engine. It requires minor recommissioning and new tyres but, with a little TLC, could motor on for many years to come.
It will be an honour to celebrate Peter’s love of cars at auction. Though born in Rhyl, Wales in 1923, his family were from Shardlow, Derbyshire, and his grandfather had a butcher’s shop in Kegworth, Leicestershire. Peter undertook an apprenticeship in engineering in Derby and, during the Second World War, worked on Merlin engines at Rolls-Royce. He died at the age of 94 in 2017.
The Bullnose Morris and Jaguar Mark II will be offered in Hansons’ Fine Art Auction on March 31. Catalogue due live March 24 at www.hansonslive.co.uk. To find out more or to arrange a free valuation, email: [email protected].
