Car & Classic reaches new heights with its auction of last-remaining WACO OEC biplane

Car & Classic, Europe’s largest online marketplace for classic and niche vehicles is now taking to the skies, auctioning a rare, restored piece of American aviation history, a 1932 WACO OEC biplane.

This aeroplane is one of only three ‘OEC’ models from the Standard Cabin series of ‘Weaver Aircraft Company, Ohio’ (WACO) planes. Built in 1932, and following an extensive restoration in 2016, it is the only example that remains airworthy today, and one of the lowest-houred and earliest WACO Cabin aeroplanes anywhere in the world. With a factory-fitted 16 US gallon auxiliary fuel tank in the starboard lower wing and a hand-operated wobble pump to transfer fuel to the two upper wing tanks, the WACO spent its first eleven years racking up 771 hours flying the USA’s West Coast. Fitted with a 220hp Continental W-670 7-cylinder radial engine in the 1950s, though never flown, it was redesignated UEC before returning to the skies with an ex-US Navy Continental R670-11 engine and Sensenich wooden propeller. It flew in this configuration, taking total hours to 896 before being stored in 1984. Acquired by its current owner in 2014 in a dismantled state, the rigorous restoration was completed in the UK two years later.

The WACO’s interior is in beautiful condition and comfortably seats four on luxurious brown leather. The aluminium dashboard trim has been convincingly painted to evoke period-correct burr walnut, and the generous windows give panoramic views whilst in flight, creating a serene airborne experience.

The quality of the aircraft restoration is just as evident on the exterior, where the WACO wears its factory-specified vermillion and silver painted Cenonite, a more durable alternative to the linen used in its original construction. Its rarity and the quality of the restoration led to it appearing as the cover star for the July 2017 edition of Flyer magazine.

The biplane benefits from modern safety upgrades to make it more usable; today it’s used by its ex-Dreamliner pilot owner to head to pub lunches. These improvements include JASCO alternator, TRIG radio and transponder, four-place intercom and Cleveland brake discs to provide shorter stopping distances. Behind the two-blade Sensenich wood propeller is now a period specification seven-cylinder radial Continental W-670 engine, which produces 220bhp. Sourced in the US, and fitted in 2020, this engine has seen only 20 hours of flight time since then.

History and paperwork are extensive, stretching back to 1932 with the aeroplane’s original US registration. The original order, historic flight logs, service records and aforementioned copy of Flyer are also included, with the latest paperwork being its most recent annual inspection from May 2023.

The former RAF and Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot owner can offer flying lessons to the new keeper by separate negotiation.

“A first for Car & Classic, we’re pleased to present this historic piece of vintage aviation history,” says Car & Classic head of editorial Dale Vinten. “Extremely rare, and carefully restored, this example would be a fantastic addition to an existing collection, or a great way to begin a new one.”

Car & Classic’s 1932 WACO OEC biplane auction runs from 16 – 23 October and is expected to fetch between £70k and £80k.