Back to back: Woody creatures great and small

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Bonhams Beaulieu sale of the coming weekend is almost as impressive as the autojumble itself, with a massive amount of automobilia, bikes and cars on offer – catalogue here. The majority of the four-wheelers dates back to days before the War, but there are enough interesting specimens from PostWarClassics aficionados too. We take a look at two 'woody’ estate cars. Having said that, this designation is also just about the only thing they share, for they are worlds apart

First of them, lot number 517, is a 1951 Invicta Black Prince. And if that’s not obsolete enough, this particular example is an ultra-rare shooting brake version. A total of 16 Black Princes is believed to have been made, with this being one of 12 supposed survivors. Aimed in between Jaguar and Bentley, a 1950s Invicta was an unusual car on its own, with the make being resurrected from death a couple of years earlier. The Black Prince certainly was prestigious with three-litre six-cylinder featuring twin overhead camshafts, twin-plug ignition plus electrically operated automatic gearbox, built-in jacks and trickle charger and various electric heaters.

This ultra-rare shooting brake version was bodied by Associated Coach Builders in Sunderland for Jeffrey Dixon of Durham, who took delivery of it on 3 November 1951. Original logbook and sought-after Black Prince mascot are there. The car was restored over a long period of time in the 1970s and 1980s using some upgrades to the chassis and suspension while the engine was replced by a Hilman Hunter mill. The estimate of £22- to 26,000 seems fair?

Thirty lots further along the line, we find a Ford Squire Estate, which Bonhams offer as a 1956 100E example. We’re not so sure about that, but fall hard for the little estate car nevertheless. It is quite a lot cheaper than the Invicta (estimated at £8- to 12,000) but in our opinion least as attractive. If not adorable, it is a very humble car. Powered by the well-known 1,172cc sidevalve four, mated to a modest three-speed gearbox, it could do 60mph flat out and 35 miles to the gallon in quitter pace - in saloon-guise. A ‘Squire’ estate car with timber embellishments to the sides, available from Ford’s itself, must have been significantly slower and thirstier, too. The car seen here is offered for sale by a private collection and said to be restored in Ireland in 2016 by NVD of New Ross. The MOT reports show that in the last sixteen years it drove a mere 21 miles. Time for some use. We just ask you: what is your favourite of these two woodies?

(Words editor, pictures courtesy Bonhams Auctions)

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