Classic Car General Information

At SWVA we pride ourselves on providing an excellent service, from entering the car, through marketing and promoting, and on to the auction itself. Our friendly, knowledgeable team are always happy to help, no matter what your experience with cars and classics may be.

“Apart from a visit to an auction S.W.V.A some years ago whilst on a family holiday in Christchurch, I had little knowledge of car auctions. However, due to the loss of garage accommodation, I decided to sell my Rover P6 3500 and Wolseley 6/110 and subsequently spoke to Chris, who guided me through the Auction process. Chris proposed a realistic reserve for both cars and was able to reassure me that my cars would be kept in storage at S.W.V.A premises. The advantage of consigning the cars early in the process ensured that the cars would be given maximum publicity. This proved to be the case when I saw the cars featured in ‘Classic Car Weekly’ in the lead-up to the Auction. I would like to thank Chris, Owen and all the team for their efforts including the photography and previews. I would have no hesitation in recommending S.W.V.A. to others looking to sell their classic cars via the auction process”

Stephen sold his 1967 Wolseley 6/110 and 1972 Rover P6 3500 in our April 2022 Auction

“Thank you for selling my Mercedes SLK 320 recently. From dropping the car off to receiving the sale proceeds I have been very impressed by your professional approach. I was particularly pleased with the way you represented the car in the photographs and video, and also your attention to detail when setting an estimate and reserve, I will certainly use you again when I’m selling another classic car!”

Peter sold his 2002 Mercedes SLK 320 in our April 2022 Auction

“Thanks for all your help and advice associated with selling the MGB in the recent classic auction. I confirm it is ok for you to pass on Jean, the previous owner’s, and my contact details to the purchaser of the car, Lot 1, in case they are interested in any more information on the car. I am happy to discuss in detail what I did from my first sight, some 3/4 years ago, to the day SWVA collected it on the low loader”

Roy sold his 1961 MG B Roadster in our July 2021 Auction

“After just seeing the Kougar sell for £22,500 I wanted to say a huge thank-you to you and your team for all the patience, advice, support, and professionalism you put into the process.  You have been very generous with your time on various calls with me since last November, which really helped me put together a workable plan.  I particularly valued the speed and standard of the production of photos and video on your site, and your advice on writing her up for prospective buyers.

I wish you and your business all the best for the future, and much motoring fun along the way!”

Rod sold his 1965 Kougar Sports in our July 2021 auction

After our March 2021 Classic auction, we received a letter from Mr John Washington, The Treasurer of the Vanden Plas Owners Club with his thanks and appreciation for SWVA’s help with entry and sale in the auction. To see the full letter click here.

The Vanden Plas was sold in our March 2021 auction

“Thank you and all your staff for their courtesy and helpfulness in relation to the sale of our 1957 Landrover on 26 June 2020. Watching the Auction online was very interesting and successful Excellent service. Thank you”

Gordon sold his Land Rover in our June 2020 auction

“Due to changed circumstances I reluctantly had to sell my much loved Jaguar E-Type. We were in the middle of the Covid-19 lockdown, I didn’t want to deal face to face by selling privately so decided to try SWVA. Although in the past I have bought many cars from them, I had never sold one at auction, so this was a new experience. I phoned & was asked to email details & photos to Chris, their valuer & auctioneer I remembered from years ago. He called me back, we spoke about my car and how he felt the next online & telephone only auction was likely to be a good one. We arranged a date & time to bring the Jag to him at SWVA.

The day came, I drove it in, Chris arrived on time for the viewing. He gave me a rough idea on pricing but as the auction was turning out to be really big it was likely the bidding would be considerably higher. He assured me that vehicles in their possession were fully insured so I agreed to leave it there and enter it in their next classic auction.
I wrote a description of the car, handed over the history file & the keys. Alice corrected my ramblings and made my description sensible. She also read through the history file and detailed the work done to the car. The photos and description of the car posted online & printed in the brochure were excellent.
I checked on various classic car websites and could see my car & the auction date listed.
Apparently there were many ‘socially distanced’ viewings before the sale date, I was pleased there was some interest.
The day came, I watched online, 99 cars were going under the hammer & they were fetching good prices.
My car eventually cruised in, the auctioneer opened the sale, bidding went crazy, although I was sad to be selling it, I was amazed how many bidders there were, Chris was right, this was the right sale for the car, I’d been given good advice.
Eventually the hammer fell & my car had been sold for a good price.
I received the funds within their timeframe as promised, it couldn’t have been easier, all the hard work was done for me.
Thankyou to all at SWVA for a great job.”

David sold his E Type in our June 2020 auction

“I have just sold my 1937 Rolls Royce 25/30 Limousine. I wanted to thank Chris for finding the time to visit me and my car at home to advise on the sale and to Alice for making all the smooth running on the day. Chris has a wealth of knowledge regarding classic cars and I was confident it would sell. My confidence was not misplaced; he has a sound business model with SWVA and I would not hesitate using them again or recommending to friends and fellow classic car enthusiasts”

Richard sold his Rolls Royce in our January 2020 auction

“I am truly grateful for the enthusiasm you have shown towards my Maserati Ghilbi and I thank you for being so encouraging about the potential price that might be achieved. It clearly generated quite a bit of interest and whilst I don’t know who the bidders were I did have 2 separate offers in excess of £10k but I made it quite clear I wasn’t going to undo the work you had done.”

John sold his Maserati Ghibli in our July 2019 auction

“i just wanted to drop you a note to say a huge thank you to you both for all your help and support with the sale of my Austin car recently. I have never sold a car through auction before so it was all a bit daunting and a little terrifying to see my beautiful car being taken away and displayed!
However, you both were very re-assuring / supportive and made it all incredibly easy for me. The car was very well looked after and cared for. Looked great on sale day. The final hammer sale price achieved was amazing and truly beyond my expectations. One or two people have mentioned the “write-up” about the car and how interesting it was. I think this played quite an important part in the sale, so once again many thanks to you both.
The massive pre-sale publicity was also all very very good. You really are running a fabulous and very professional operation there.
So many thanks for a job very well done and best wishes for the future.”

David sold his Austin Westminster in our January 2019 auction

“We were delighted with the professional care taken with the sale of our Herald 13/60 in July and the ease of the transaction.”

Maggie sold her Triumph Herald in our July 2018 auction

“I was the proud owner of a Ford Escort White van for nearly 30 years. In that time we drove together 19675 miles and not a scratch, or mark, did she have inside or out.
As we both got a little older I decided we should part company. I had heard of South Western Vehicle Auctions, a well established family run business, which had a good reputation.
I telephoned their office in Poole, Dorset where a polite lady took all the details, and within a short time I received a call from their managing director and principle, Mr Christopher Wright-Holmes.
The next day he kindly came to my home, and inspected my white van and agreed to sell it for me in their classic car section of the auction.
The day arrived at the end of July 2018 when the sale was due. My grandson and I arrived early so we could inspect the fantastic display of classic cars they had for auction. It was a sunny day and their seemed to be hundreds of people climbing inside and under the cars like ants!
This being my first car auction, I was not sure what to expect. One at a time the cars were all driven into this large building, open at both ends. As the first car arrived what a surprise I had at the speed of the auctioneers conducted the bidding and very professionally.
My heart stopped a beat when my little van arrived, would I be taking her back home! I should not have worried as the bidding started to rise well above the guide price and she was sold to a collector who told me he would be showing her at meetings.
I would like to thank Christopher and his team for he very professional manner in which they carried out the sale of my little white van.”

Charles sold his Ford Escort Van in our July 2018 auction

“I was very pleased with the way that SWVA handled the pre auction publicity and then auction of my 1949 Triumph Roadster 2000. The original photos and later ones showed off the car to very good effect. Likewise the supporting text and later inclusion of the model’s history I am confident considerably helped the interest in bidding. The band range estimate that you provided as to what the car might achieve proved accurate so who could ask for more. Please thank your staff for their helpful understanding and response to my queries and comments. So for overall service and attention to detail I give SWVA an A1* rating.”

Richard sold his Triumph Roadster in our July 2018 auction

“I was very pleased with the way that SWVA handled the pre auction publicity and then auction of my 1949 Triumph Roadster 2000. The original photos and later ones showed off the car to very good effect. Likewise the supporting text and later inclusion of the model’s history I am confident considerably helped the interest in bidding. The band range estimate that you provided as to what the car might achieve proved accurate so who could ask for more. Please thank your staff for their helpful understanding and response to my queries and comments. So for overall service and attention to detail I give SWVA an A1* rating.”

Richard sold his Triumph Roadster in our July 2018 auction

“Firstly, I think you all did a great job at the Auction. Getting bids was hard work! GTs are currently plentiful & your efforts are what sold the car. Not the other way round! I look forward to using your excellent “facility” in the near future.”

David sold his MG B GT LE in our July 2018 auction

“Dear Chris, Many thanks to yourself and the team for all your hard work. The vehicle was very well presented and achieved more than I expected.”

Ian sold his Jaguar XK150 in our January 2018 auction

“Dear Chris, I want to thank you in the way you handled the sale of my Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV. Firstly in the way you visited my house and gave me expert advice on the value and your professional manner, which gave me confidence in your company. Your price was spot on!”

Juliette sold her Alfa Romeo in our July 2017 auction

“Thank you very much for the proffessional way in which you sold my TR4 this morning and hanging on for any further offers, you did your very best. It is kind of you to reduce your commission to meet the reserve”

Judy sold her TR4 in our April 2017 auction

“On behalf of the Bournemouth Carnival Band words cannot thank you all enough, for achieving a fantastic price for the sale of the Batmobile.The price you achieved is beyond our wildest dreams. Once again a big thanks to you all”

Bournemouth Carnival Band sold their Batmobile in our January 2017 auction

“Many thanks for the excellent result you received with my mgb roadster. I am delighted with your great service, advertising and customer care. l will highly recommend you and your team in the future.”

Robert sold his MG B Roadster in our October 2016 auction

“Great service, sound advice, competitive rates and hassle-free process. I would whole-heartedly recommend SWVA.”

Charles sold his MG Midget in our October 2016 auction

“We bought the 1954 Sunbeam Talbot 90 at your January 29th auction and came to pick it up from you on Friday February 26th. After a fraught introduction and getting to grips with the column change amidst the Friday traffic chaos we travelled back on the ferry Saturday morning to Cherbourg and drove her back gently, arriving home here in South West France mid-Monday afternoon. A little over 470 miles. The battery just needed a good run and held charge. The trafficators stopped working on the first day (suspect just a fuse) and the French do NOT do hand signals! She did 25 mpg on super unleaded – not bad for an old girl! She is now tucked up in the garage and will be sorted, bit by bit. We are very pleased with the car and have been in touch with the previous owner who has given us some useful background. Just thought you’d like to know what happened to one of your cars.”

We are very pleased with the car and have been in touch with the previous owner who has given us some useful background.

“My lovely 1975 MG Midget (which I had owned for 20 years) ended up at SWVA because I was going to lose her garage and she deserved to continue to have dry storage. I chose SWVA based on feedback from my brother and his son-in-law who have both visited and/or bought from SWVA.
After emailing SWVA with details and a few picture of my car, I was promptly contacted by Chris who reassured me as to the process and guided me as to an appropriate price range for listing. (He even helped me with the best route from Middlesex to Poole!).
On delivering my car, I was promptly dealt with and I was reassured to know that my car would be safely locked away until auction. Additional photos were taken of the car and she was quickly listed and advertised elsewhere. I was really pleased to know that SWVA have a file/box folder for each car, so that owners can include any history they have on the vehicle (and I had lots!).
I didn’t go to the auction on the day but my brother did and he was able to relate the day’s events to me. Payment was prompt after my car’s sale.
In summary, I am very happy that I chose SWVA. There was never a time when I felt uninformed/concerned and the whole process was very smooth and efficient. Many thanks.”

I am very happy that I chose SWVA. There was never a time when I felt uninformed/concerned and the whole process was very smooth and efficient

“I would like to put on record my appreciation of the result of the sale of my Healey 100M at the SWVA sale today. I believe that the sale was greatly due to the superb presentation of photographs and description which did full justice to this unique Healey . I am pleased that the new owner will appreciate that he has a unique Warwick built Healey 100 Le Mans which has been cherished and cared for since 1955 and trust this will continue under his ownership”

Trevor sold his beloved Austin Healey 100M in our July auction and it made a record price of £164,300

“I was very impressed with the advertising / publicising of my car.”

After placing my Mercedes SL60 AMG with South West Vehicle Actions in August to be sold in the October auction I was very impressed with the advertising / publicising of my car. SWVA managed to reach many more interested people than I could have if I had sold the car privately, this reflected in the price the car sold for, much to my benefit. The car went under the hammer looking fantastic but the auctioneer left nothing to chance and did a great job talking the car up…
Mick sold his Mercedes SL60 AMG in our October classic auction.

“well organised and ran like clockwork”

Rodger bought the 1951 MG TD in our October classic auction.”I am writing to let you know how much I enjoyed the auction. It was well organised and ran like clockwork. All the staff were very friendly and courteous it was a pleasure to be there especially as I managed to buy the MG TD. The auctioneers both worked extremely hard, were humorous, and kept the auction running smoothly. Afterwards the office staff very kindly allowed me to use their computer system so that I could transfer money and pay for my purchase.”

“The vehicles are driven through, giving a buyer more confidence.”

Jon Filby is a classic car collector and dealer who has sold many of his classics at our auction.”I have always found the staff at SWVA to be knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.The commission rates are very reasonable and, unlike many classic venues, the vehicles are driven through, giving a buyer more confidence. A great service all round, an excellent breakfast to be had, and the best tea – in a proper old fashioned mug!”

“They have acted in a thoroughly professional manner and shown the utmost care and consideration for my cars.”

John Keogh is another classic car collector who regularly attends our auctions to buy and sell.”SWVA have handled the sale of several of my classic cars, and I have been delighted with the results. They have acted in a thoroughly professional manner and shown the utmost care and consideration for my cars, together with quick settlement on completion of the sale. I would not hesitate to use their services again and can highly recommend them to anyone contemplating selling a classic vehicle.”

”The enthusiasm and persistence in closing the sale post auction is second to none.”

David Golding is another classic car dealer who sends us his cars all the way from Dublin, Ireland.“Just a short note to express how delighted I was with the highly personal and efficient service received when selling my cars with you recently. The enthusiasm and persistence in closing the sale post auction is second to none, followed by quick payment of the funds. I look forward to the next classic  auction and building up our relationship in the future.”

 “I thought the auctioneers were brilliant.”

One of our most recent vendors was Helen Mills, a local lady with a beautiful VW Beetle.“Thank you for a very  professional service and I look forward to receiving your cheque. Thought Darren and Chris were brilliant.”

“Pleased that it went for higher than the expected estimate.”

Jo & Mark from Southampton wanted a quick sale of their Sunbeam Alpine and were delighted with the result.“The customer service and communications between us and your staff was good. Despite the fact the car was entered into auction late, we were pleased that it sold. The value; again pleased that it went for higher than the expected estimate. We were especially pleased to receive a call from your team on the afternoon of the sale day as we were unable to make it to the auction. To know on the actual day is always better than having to wait the weekend.”

Saab 9000 CSE Anniversary edition was entered no reserve and the vendor was delighted with the result.

“The staff at SWVA were helpful throughout. A big bonus was the free dry storage. It was an easy sale and I am extremely happy with the result!”

“We are both very glad we chose you and your company.”

Lee and Eleana McGuckian sold their 1979 MG Midget 1500 at our October 2012 auction. They sent us this lovely letter.”Thank you for providing us with a very high professional service regarding the sale of our MG Midget at your Classic Car Auction. We are both very glad we chose you and your company. We also enjoyed the “day out” and experiencing what an auction is all about. Thank you again and thank you to all your staff involved in what was a fantastic day.”CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LETTER

“The best bit was the free storage”

Malcolm Collins entered his converted Mercedes 508D Camper Van into our April 2012 auction.”Very pleased with the amount of money achieved. The best bit was the free storage which meant that I could leave the vehicle there and not have to worry about it. Very good service and the money arrived very quickly.”

“thank you for getting such a good price for the car.

Robert Jordan sold his Renault GTA Alpine at our April 2012 auction and had this to say.”Just a short note to say thanks for the cheque which arrived today and to further thank you for getting such a good price for the car. I was most impressed with the way the sale was handled and would be happy to endorse your services to others. Many thanks once again.”

“SWVA could not have been more helpful and professional.”

Alison Harrold and her mother sold their Mercedes 500SL at our July 2012 auction.”We were worried that our mother’s classic car would not be sold, but within 5 minutes it was sold and for more than we were expecting.  From beginning to end, the whole process was easy and efficient, and SWVA could not have been more helpful and professional.  Plus, we had a very enjoyable day out at the classic car auction!”

“She brings a smile to everyone that sees her, cant ask for more than that!”

John Baldwin bought a Hilman Minx in our April 2014 auction.”Just to let you know that the little grey Hillman Minx convertible I bought from you is now on the road and bringing joy not just to me but to everyone who sees her. I can hardly take her out without getting into conversations from onlookers. She brings a smile to everyone that sees her, cant ask for more than that!”

“thanks for all the help and advice”

Ray Jones bought a Triumph Spitfire in our latest classic auction in July. “just a quick note to say thanks for the help and advice from people I spoke to during the classic car auction this morning, me and the spitfire drove the 200 miles home with no drama.” 

“your team made it a very simple and easy process for a newbie.”

James bought an MG B GT in our July 2014 sale.”I had wanted to bid in a classics auction for a while but never took the leap. And I am pleased to say your team made it a very simple and easy process for a newbie. I could not be there or be online so I left a bid over the phone on several cars I liked with the instruction to stop if I won one. My request was actioned just as I had instructed and I paid exactly what I wanted too. So great I will bid again! “

“I literally sat back and they did everything.”

Phillip sold his Triumph TR4A in our July 2014. “This has been a very enjoyable and easy experience from the first phone call through to the sale of the car. SWA staff are extremely friendly and efficient and I literally sat back and they did everything. They were confident of selling my classic car at auction and that paid off as it sold with a premium over the reserve price. Many thanks to you all for a great experience.”

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