There also is a Mk IV Mini 1000 that belonged to the late singer and TV personality Cilla Black. It was bought for her in 1977 by her husband and manager Bobby Willis, who had taken over looking after Black’s career following her and the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein’s death in 1967. The Mini he bought was not only brand new but extensively upgraded by Wood & Pickett on Abbey Road, near the famous recording studios. The upgrades included solid black paintwork, extended wheel arches, Margrave leather interior and a walnut dashboard. Adding to the allure this car has been recently restored and 2019 of course is the Mini’s 60th anniversary year. The car is estimated to sell for between £30,000 and £40,000.
Or if you prefer the pomp of 10 Downing Street then you can bid for the ministry vehicle used by 1960s and ‘70s UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson. It is a Vanden Plas Princess R that was registered in late 1967. It has a mere 8500 miles on the clock and this piece of political history could be yours for between £15,000 and £20,000. There’s also a touch of royal pomp at the auction as a 1995 Lotus Elan is also going under the hammer, that was–celebrating the 50,000th Lotus factory car produced–donated to The Prince’s Trust and accepted on its behalf of by HRH Prince Charles. It then was entered into a lottery-style competition, raising over £85,000 for the charity. Yet the auction isn’t all about celebrity owners, and it has also several examples where the car firmly is the star. Among these there is a fabulous 2005 Porsche Carrera GT supercar expected to go for between £650,000 and £750,000 as well as a concourse-ready and comprehensively-restored 1962 Aston Martin DB4 anticipated to fetch £400,000 to £450,000. Images courtesy ofLondon Classic Car Show
