A collection of pre-war and early post-war British classics from the late Brian Ford will be offered at Dore & Rees Motoring’s first auction of 2026, held at Concours House in Bradford-on-Avon on 14 March.
The Somerset-based enthusiast was a lifelong devotee of mechanical engineering. Beginning his working life as an aeronautical apprentice with Bristol Aerojet in the 1950s, Ford later became a driving instructor before entering the civil service. Throughout, his principal passion lay in restoring British cars of the 1930s through to the 1960s.
Ford was a serial restorer rather than a static collector. He sought out interesting but neglected examples, revived them and often passed them on, though a number remained in his private stable. Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and Lea Francis feature prominently, reflecting both his taste and his respect for traditional British engineering.
The headline lot is a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Limousine with Brewster coachwork, estimated at £25,000-35,000. It is joined by a 1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine (£10,000-15,000), reinforcing Ford’s affection for Derby-built cars of the inter-war period.
Jaguar is well represented, from a 1938 SS 2.5 Litre Saloon (£20,000-30,000) through three MkIV saloons – two 2.5 Litres and one 3.5 Litre, each estimated at £15,000-25,000 – to a 1958 XK150 Fixed Head Coupé (£15,000-20,000). Even a later XK8 Coupé (£2000-3000) features, illustrating the breadth of Ford’s interests.
Lea Francis models form a particularly distinctive strand within the collection. Three 12/40 P-Type variants – a Fabric Saloon (£6000-9000), Avon Tourer (£8000-12,000) and Coupé (£6000-9000) – underline his appreciation for the Coventry marque’s quality and relative rarity.
Rounding out the group is a 1936 Austin 12-4 Taxi (£13,000-18,000), a characterful reminder of Britain’s inter-war motoring landscape.
When not restoring cars, Ford was known for driving and enjoying them across the UK and Europe, and occasionally chauffeuring weddings in his Rolls-Royce or Lea Francis. The collection reflects that philosophy – practical classics maintained for regular use.
For more info, see drmotoring.com
