2011 Pilgrim Sumo

We’ve found that most enthusiasts fall into one of two camps: they either like to build and restore cars, or they like driving them and it’s rare for anyone to enjoy doing both.

Murdo took great pride in building his Sumo properly (“it took him years!” his daughter laughed) and even went to the trouble of finding and detailing a matching petrol pump to stand alongside it in his garage, which is a very cool thing to do.

But, when it was finished he then jumped in and drove it to the Le Mans Classic with his wife sitting beside him, during which “it never missed a beat”. As a member of the GRRC Murdo was also a regular at Goodwood, and the hardtop’s headlining has stickers for Cadwell Park.

Murdo did things properly.

Sadly, he’s since passed away and while ‘ACC 981A’ holds many dear memories for his family, his daughter told us that her dad would have hated to see it sitting unused in a garage and would want someone to enjoy it as much as he did.

Do you think you might be someone who could cherish it like he did? If so, please read on to find out more about one of the nicest examples of the breed we’ve seen.

We love seeing cars that are meticulously built or restored - and then driven hard and allowed to develop a little patina; after all, isn’t a large part of the reason we love classic cars the romance and history that comes with them?

If you feel the same then this Sumo is right up your street. Beautifully assembled and painted, the shutlines and panel alignment speak of long hours massaging the doors, bonnet and boot lid into position.

Countless hours preparing them for paint too, followed by hours more painting it and flatting it down before polishing it. 

Plus fitting the all-important decals that celebrate its specification and accomplishments, of course.

As for the 17-inch, split-rim alloy wheels, they’re flawless and fitted with a matching set of Toyo Proxes tyres, with 225/45ZR17 fitted on the front and 245/45ZR17 on the rear.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

It's also got the rare matching hardtop, which is as beautifully finished as everything else and adds a level of practicality to the car that most are missing. 

Speaking of practicality, the Sumo benefits from front and rear towing points, rear wing protectors, an external electrical cut-out switch, a handle for the on-board fire suppression system, and a pair of wind deflectors for the side windows. 

There’re reversing and fog lamps, too plus a pair of chromed door mirrors. This is a Cobra that’s utterly fit to meet the challenges of 21st century life on road and track.

As for its condition, we can’t see anything that needs your attention. With a great shine and nothing more than a few stonechips after a dozen years of enthusiastic use, this is a sportscar you could display at your local classic car show, tour Europe in, or compete at your local hillclimb.

Of course, it also comes with a matching petrol pump. It’s a display item only and has a fitting for a light bulb in it, which needs connecting but aren’t the pair just the coolest things you’ve ever seen?

The black bucket seats are piped in red and the cockpit even features height-adjustable headrests set in the roll bar. They’re all in great shape and the driver and passenger are held securely in place with four-point Sabelt harnesses.

The padded dashboard features comprehensive instrumentation that monitors  engine revs, speed, oil pressure and temperature, time, fuel level, water temperature, and battery voltage.

There’s a Moto-Lita steering wheel too, plus a period-style Cobra gear lever, a flexible map light, and a pair of Perspex sunvisors. It’s always the details that separate the great cars from the merely good, isn’t it?

For track use there is an OMP fire suppression system with the activation handle fitted within easy reach of the driver. There’s also an electrical cut-off switch and the controls for both are duplicated outside the car.

The precise specification is unknown but, as far as we can make out, it’s fitted with the 5-litre Small Block GM V8, which explodes into life with characteristic enthusiasm and a healthy oil pressure.

As you can see, it idles beautifully and revs like a demon. Half the fun of driving a car like this is the visceral engine and this one sounds – and feels – every bit as good as you’d hope; side-exit exhausts are never a bad idea and they’ve been put to good effect here.

There’s plenty of evidence of diligent engineering including a fuel pressure regulator and pressure gauge plus other good stuff like a K&N air filter, Odyssey battery, and silicone coolant hoses.

And, because Murdo did things properly, there’s a judicious sprinkling of chrome under the bonnet too, simply because.

The Pilgrim’s MoT certificate is valid until January 2025, and it was gained, just like the year before, with no advisories.

It’s first MoT was in 2014, and the date of first registration was 2011 and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

We love cars with history. 

Of course, condition, maintenance, and specification are important but once you’ve ticked those off your list – and you can do that here – then a car with some romance in its soul is what elevates a classic from a means of transport to being one of the family.

This Pilgrim Sumo was most definitely one of the family. Murdo spent many hundreds of hours building his dream car and then he and his wife spent many years enjoying the fruits of his labour.

His family are now hoping someone will step in to start the next chapter in his beloved car’s life.

As for what we think it’s going to fetch, we estimate the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £25,000 and £35,000, which seems like a small price to pay for such a beautifully built and presented example of a perennially popular muscle car.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.