Don’t tell anyone: the steals of the month are here

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The Ernie Warren Collection, to be sold by auctioneers Lacy Scott & Knight on the 13th of this month, can almost rival the Beaulieu Autojumble itself. Good Lord, did Mr Warren know how to amass interesting things! Apart from the expected petrol pumps and vintage enamel signs, you will find lawnmowers, age-old oak beams, cast-iron mangles, stationary engines, timber sections — well, what isn’t there that might interest the vintage motorist? In the auctioneer’s words: “A long-time friend and client of Lacy Scott & Knight, Ernie amassed an amazing collection of vintage cars, automobilia, live steam and static engines over the course of his life.”

Let us concentrate on the cars, then. No fewer than 38 pre-war vehicles are on offer, the oldest being a 1905 Darracq and the newest a 1938 MG VA. Between them is an excellent selection of two- and four-seater tourers, torpedoes and saloons. Let us take a closer look at a few of them, without necessarily cherry-picking the most expensive examples.

There is a charming 1914 Swift cycecalr with a 972cc two-cylinder engine and a leather-to-metal clutch, finished in a pretty shade of bluish-grey with red wheels. The only snag appears to be that the V5C incorrectly records its date of first registration as 1921. An equally appealing and ready-to-enjoy Darracq 16hp Torpedo Tourer comes with a large quantity of spares and suffers from the same administrative slip-up: it is registered as a 1914 car when it is, in fact, a 1913 model. Hardly enough to diminish its appeal. Another Darracq, a 1921 Talbot-Darracq, was last MoT-tested in 1982 and survives in wonderfully authentic ‘oily-rag’ condition.

There is also an attractive 1927 Rover 16/50 Coupé, finished in brown and black and powered by a 2.4-litre OHC engine. It was bought back by the Rover Company in 1972 and placed in its museum before being sold again in 2006. Another delightful Rover is the 1929 10/25 Sportsman Coupé, with its black Weymann body, largely fabric-covered construction, and contrasting red wheels and interior.

Some of the cars will require a degree of recommissioning, but overall it appears that little major work will be needed before they can be enjoyed. The only possible exception is a French Donnet C17G of circa 1932, which looks as though it has emerged directly from a French barn. Estimated at just £500 to £800, it would seem an excellent way to begin a pre-war motoring adventure, particularly with such a rare car. The estimates throughout the sale appear remarkably modest. Now, if we keep this between ourselves, this auction may well contain the bargain of the year.

Words by Jeroen Booij
Pictures courtesy of Lacy Scott & Knight Auctioneers

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