Big-tailed Plymouth Superbird is an auction star

1970 Plymouth Superbird

Sold by Mecum auctions, £227,580
With its distinctive nose and towering rear wing, the Plymouth Superbird was not a car for the shy – especially when painted in colours such as Lemon Twist. Around 1920 Superbirds were built in order to homologate the regular Plymouth Road Runner for NASCAR racing, with each getting a souped-up engine to match its outlandish bodywork plus a special ‘beep-beep’ horn based on Road Runner of Looney Tunes fame. This was one of 308 examples produced to V-code specification and featured a 7.2-litre, 375bhp engine. It was among 13 cars sold by Texas-based collector Scott Lougheed.

2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG

Sold by Anglia Car Auctions, £3132
With its 350bhp engine and 155mph top speed, this original, AMG-tuned car represented a serious alternative to BMW’s E46 M3. It was probably worth the money just for that AMG growl.

1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia ti super

Sold by Bonhams, £21,850
FIA Historic Touring Car Challenge fans might recognise this as the racer campaigned by CKL’s Ben Shuckburgh. Bought by a new owner two years ago it had since seen little use.

1999 Rover Mini Cooper s Sport 5

Sold by Manor Park Classics, £27,025
This Mini might look like it was modded by a talented enthusiast, but it was actually number nine of just 25 factory-sanctioned Cooper S specials built by John Cooper Garages.

1978 Porsche 911 Turbo

Sold by Bonhams, £149,500
This was one of few RHD 911s with full, factory Martini trim – that means a red, white and blue interior as well as body stripes. Restored in 2005, it was used for promotional purposes by Porsche GB.

1988 Honda VFR750R RC30 

Sold by Bonhams, £59,800
Any RC30 is desirable – but this was the one used by Carl Fogarty to win the TT F1 world title in 1988 and ’89. Fogarty then sold the bike to collector Dale Winfield, from whose estate it was offered.

1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Sold by Bonhams, £36,800
Despite its exotic looks and Italian pedigree, Alfa’s Montreal has failed to achieve cult following – meaning prices have remained relatively stable. This had been in the same ownership for 45 years.

1969 Ford Transit camper van

Sold by H&H, £11,250
This Transit camper was restored to show-winning standard – complete with a paint job that made it the perfect support vehicle for a Lotus Cortina race car. An impressive array of auxiliary gauges and some exquisite wooden cabinetry were among its bespoke features.

Forthcoming sale highlights

• Barons, Marchwood, Southampton, June 14
  Following its acquisition at the start of the year by Manor Park Classics, Barons has upped the regularity of its sales, which are now held on the second Saturday of each month. The pairing promises to create a significant force in the market, not least since it is offering some of the lowest fees to both buyers and sellers. Viewing for this sale begins on June 7.
• Dore & Rees, Thruxton, Hampshire, June 21
  This year’s Thruxton Retro festival will offer all the usual attractions (which range from a variety of on-track events to motorcycle displays, a big top and live music) plus the new addition of an official auction. Dore & Rees from Frome has landed the task and will send an appropriate selection of classic cars and motorcycles across the block on Saturday.
• Bonhams, ChÉserex, Switzerland, June 29
  Bonhams returns to the foot of the Jura Mountains for the sixth edition of its popular Chéserex sale. With some of the best driving roads in Europe right on the doorstep, buyers should soon see the appeal of a 2021 Ford GT which will be up for grabs with an estimate of £610,000-£660,000. Finished in Triple Black, the car has covered 93 miles from new.
• Mecum, Kissimmee, Florida, July 9-12
  Running across thousands of lots, Mecum’s Summer Special sale promises something for everyone. Fancy a factory-built Mustang drag racer from 2012? Only 50 were built, but two are here. Other big beasts include multiple muscle cars and a host of Corvette Stingrays – with the opposite end of the automotive spectrum being represented by a 600cc Honda Acty van.