KEY POINTS:
Here's a chance to buy yourself an early Christmas present. Turners Auctions is having a classic and prestige auction this month at its Penrose branch. Listed below are some of the cars up for grabs.
2004 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
The Gallardo was the first to feature the new Lamborghini V10 engine - only the third engine made by the firm. Many reviewers said the Gallardo was the most user-friendly Lamborghini built to date for driving in traffic.
It is also much more practical to use in bad weather than many other super cars, thanks to a specially developed rear-based, all-wheel drive.
To the disappointment of some Lamborghini fans, the Gallardo does not have scissors-doors as found on the Countach, Diablo and Murcielago models. This upholds the Gallardo's image as a more composed super car. New Zealand new with service history makes this example desirable.
1969 E TYPE JAGUAR 2+2
The E-type revolutionised sports car design with performance, handling and looks well ahead of its time. It was priced well below the competition, helping it to achieve high sales, especially for a performance car. The E-type was initially designed and shown to the public as a grand tourer, two seater coupe with a fixed head (FHC) and as a convertible. The 2+2 version with a lengthened wheelbase was released several years later.
When launched, Enzo Ferrari called it the most beautiful car ever made.
This example of a 2+2 has undergone a major restoration with the car being stripped back to a shell and refurbished. Mechanicals have all been done including engine rebuild, suspension, wheels, tyres, brakes. The car has been reupholstered in Connelly leather, new carpets, head lining and it's New Zealand new.
1965 HILLMAN MINX
Todd Motors was the New Zealand agent for English Rootes vehicles in the early 1930s.
Once its assembly plant was constructed in 1935, the Hillman Minx became its best-selling line. It was so successful, in fact, that in 1938 a second assembly plant was added just for Hillman and Humbers. By 1937, the plant had expanded and was producing 12 cars a day.
This outstanding example of the Hillman Minx was built by Todd Motor Industries in Petone.
The car has only had three owners and the doors push shut with two quiet clicks, just as they would have the day it rolled out of the factory.
The interior is unmarked, the body work is amazing for is age - definitely worth a look.
2004 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT
The company was founded in London by Walter Owen Bentley immediately after World War I in January 1919.
The first car went into full production in 1922 and, in 1924, Bentley scored the first of a series of five wins at the 24-hour Le Mans Endurance Race.
The new Bentley organisation returned to Le Mans and won for a sixth time in 2003.
The Bentley Continental GT represents the relaunch of the Bentley marque under its new ownership.
Volkswagen has sympathetically avoided interfering with the highest quality traditions of this classic British car manufacturer, while providing generous funding to enable the continuing development of the mark.
This new example, in black with black leather trim, is a stunner. This car is loaded with all the gadgets one would expect from such a marque.
With a six-litre twin-turbo engine, it not only looks good but it's got get-up-and-go.
Comes complete with full service history - which makes this is a very attractive proposition.
* For more information on these or other cars to be auctioned at Turners, December 15, contact Andrew Bain on 09 580 9877, or visit the website at www.turners.co.nz
