Heading the day’s prices was one of two Austin Seven ‘Gordon England Cup’ replicas, the 1927-dated chassis sporting recently recreated bodywork and making £12,760 gross.

Much viewed was a 1949 MG TC, one of the last of the type. At the kill though, the repaint over bumpy wings and the original, though unexceptional bench seat hide did not inspire punchy bidding and in the event, £12,100 with premium bought it. An open 1928 Triumph Super Seven for four realised a forecast £7700, and a 1929 Morris Minor ‘overhead camshaft’ saloon £7150.

Sadly, there were no sponsors in the yard for a once dashing Frazer-Nash 320/1 two-door sports-saloon of 1938 vintage. Although abandoned mid-restoration circa 1978, and with some loose parts laid out, the 1971cc ‘six’ reportedly ran with good oil pressure and it had a current V5C. Nobody here however was prepared to get into what could become a very deep pit.

Having been fast asleep since 1982, a 1962 Heinkel-Trojan Model 603 three-wheeler with damaged rear window also failed to realise the £2000 or more pre-sale estimate. By contrast, a 1963 Model 601 three-wheeler, that had been last on the road in 1997, did sell for £4400. It was left, therefore, to a 1937 Austin Seven Ruby to be the least expensive mechanical challenge to be taken up. For having clearly suffered greatly through a dreaded ‘fallen tree onto garage roof’ event causing long-term leaky storage, and, in turn, body panel decay and interior deterioration, the rusting remnants were bravely taken on for £2420 with premium.