Exported to the US in 1956 and still left-hand drive, a Jaguar XK140 roadster with only fair paintwork following restoration in the past realised a just over forecast £56,100 including premium, and a 5000 miles since restoration and still very sharp 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL roadster on Weber carbs with hardtop made £55,000, £15,000 above the guide price. Also making the DVCA podium at the West Country firm’s end of 2011 season sale was a mostly good 1964 Bentley S3 sold for £23,650.

Considerable pre-sale interest had been generated by a 1954 Elva MkI B that had come to market here after 28 years ownership by one family. With a twin Weber Ford overhead-valve 1300 replacing the original side-valve 1172, the brakes upgraded to discs and the wings widened to cover more modern tread widths, this early example of the Sussex-manufactured sportscar from Frank Nicholls’ rival marque to Lotus cost a new owner £13,475.

A 1980 MGB MkIII that had been treated to a Rover V8 conversion during restoration in the late Eighties was also much viewed meanwhile and duly performed well under Fabian Hine’s gavel, selling for £11,825 including premium.

Being of 1949 vintage, a Series 1 Land-Rover with 80-inch wheelbase was certainly an early one, hence the £10,670 valuation. Although requiring re-commissioning, a 1934 Snipe 80 saloon offered much pre-war Humber quality for the £9075 paid.

A Ford Zephyr MkIV with 2-litre V4 under its bonnet has certainly become a rarity these days. With only 27,000 total mileage from new in 1966 displayed, and looking extremely original, the last of the all-British big Fords cost the fifth custodian here £3300, and a 1980 Triumph TR7 convertible with five-speed gearbox and long MoT did not seem to be unreasonable for £1320.

By close of play, 19 of the 32 classics in the tent had sold for £215,615 and there were also buyers for both motorcycles offered. The DVCA team next go into bat on Dorset-Somerset borders turf in the Spring on March 22, with further summer, autumn and winter fixtures scheduled for 2012: June 14, September 20 and December 6.