Every Wednesday, we’re highlighting an auction bargain that we reckon was well bought. Thanks to our friends at Classic Car Weekly, and its roving auction reporter, Richy Barnett, we’ll bring you some amazing cars at much lower-than-expected prices. This week, it’s a very nice example of the frankly bonkers Nissan Laurel – the Ford Granada-class challenger from Japan that marched to the beat of its own drum.

• Car 1987 Nissan Laurel

• Sold for £1720

• Original estimate £2000-£3000

• Anglia Car Auctions 2 November 2019

These cars have a following – but not massively so. It might be a smaller group than those chasing after British sports cars, but there is a growing following. Think about the values of Japanese sports cars, which were ignored for years, now firming up, and that’s where prices of these saloons will eventually head.

What helped to make this such a good deal is that it’s still a limited following, so these cars continue to offer great value as the money chases after, for example, Ford Granada Mk1 and Mk2 models, mid-sized Mercedes-Benzes and Rover SD1s.

The car’s history made it particularly good value... One registered owner from new was a good enough start, and the 144,000 warranted miles on the clock were a mere trip around the block for the 2.4-litre petrol engine. With plenty of bills from 1988 to 2009, the original service book and spare keys included, this was a very tempting motor for any lover of big saloons. ...as did its overall condition. The bodywork was generally pretty good, with no signs of rot in the wings, wheelarches or door bottoms.

Nissan Laurel price guide

• Concours £6000-£7750

• Good £3000-£4500

• Usable £1500-£3000

• Project £500-£1500

• THIS CAR £1720

Well bought Nissan Laurel: The verdict

In all, this 2.4 SGL was a cracking buy. Laurels are scarce but they offer characterful and reliable and classic saloon ownership. I reckon the buyer did more than well here.

The paint was mostly tidy too, with few scratches and knocks; an afternoon’s application of elbow grease would have improved it no end. The alloy wheels were good too. The interior was equally smart, the cloth seats and door cards being clean and tidy, as well as the headlining and trim throughout – all was in good order. It was a depreciation-free deal.

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