THE first live auction held at a Fleet Motor Show witnessed fierce bidding and top prices paid for 150 pristine ex-fleet cars. British Car Auctions had constructed an entire auction facility at Donington Park, complete with rostrum and drive-through hall, and amassed a collection of immaculately prepared cars to go under the hammer.

Some 126 buyers registered at the sale of prime, hand-picked stock from some of the UK's leading fleets and contract hire and leasing companies, with virtually no two models the same. Vendors included AT&T, Arriva Automotive Solutions, Autolease, Axus UK, British Car Contracts, BCH Vehicle Management, Capital Bank Group, Dial, Evans Halshaw Vehicle Management Services, Fleetlease, Fleet Management Services, GE Capital Fleet Services, Godfrey Davis, Hartwell Motor Contracts, Honeywell Control Systems, the Inland Revenue, John Laing Construction, the Leasing Group, Lex Vehicle Leasing, Motability Finance, Motorent, PHH Vehicle Management Services, Philips Electronics, Siemens Group Services, Smithkline Beecham, Thorn and Vauxhall Master Hire.

Overall, the total sale achieved 101.48% of CAP clean, with a very high proportion of the cars selling. The sale was the first occasion that CAP 'clean' values had been displayed on a large screen neighbouring the auctioneers' rostrum, and marked the live auction debut for the CAP for Palm Pilot, unveiled at the show.