WELL-heeled motoring enthusiasts are being enticed up the A19 after the opening of the latest venture from one of County Durham's most prominent businessmen.

Sir Peter Vardy has gathered together some of the finest machinery ever to grace the road in the hope of attracting car lovers to part with their hard-earned cash.

The businessman and philanthropist is synonymous with selling cars, but those available via his newly created Heritage Collection business are something a bit special.

The Northern Echo: A 1961 left-hand drive Porsche 350 Coupe

A 1961 left-hand drive Porsche 350 Coupe

Based near Seaham, the dealership has around 20 vehicles for sale, priced from £10,000 to £250,000 and including some of the most famous names in motoring.

Among the cars on offer are a stunning 1967 Porsche 911 priced at a shade under £249,000, a fabulous Shelby Ford Mustang, also from 1967, yours for nearly £170,000 and a sumptuous E-Type Jaguar, a snip at £79,995.

Classic car specialist Paul Cummings, who worked for Sir Peter for 16 years as a dealer principal in the company’s Rolls Royce and Bentley, Ferrari Maserati and Jaguar franchises, is heading up the Peter Vardy Heritage team.

"The Heritage team has assembled an absolutely fantastic collection of truly great cars, backed by the ultimate VIP service to ensure that every detail of our clients' motoring desire is fulfilled," he said.

“Classic cars not only offer great investment benefits, but can be driven and enjoyed without affecting their value.

"You could buy a classic car for £70,000 and in five years’ time it could be worth £145,000, plus you’ve had five years of fun driving it. Over the past decade classic cars have been one of the best performing investments with an average return of up to 469 per cent.”

Sir Peter said he had always been passionate about iconic cars, and starting a heritage arm to the business was something he had wanted to do for the last few years.

"I’m really excited to see where we can take it as it not only provides our current customer base with a completely new and unique offering, but will open up the Vardy name to a whole new client base right across the UK,” he said.

The business also has a dedicated concierge department offering personalised advice on investment, value creation, restoration, storage, maintenance and transportation.

The Peter Vardy Group employs more than 750 people at sites from Aberdeen to Glasgow, and operates the largest Jaguar Land Rover retailer in the UK.

For more on the Heritage Collection visit www.petervardyheritage.co.uk