Silverstone Auctions has enjoyed another hugely successful Race Retro Sale with celebrity cars showing star appeal and attracting bidders from around the world at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire last Saturday.
Joined by hundreds of historic motorsport and classic car enthusiasts, Friday’s Competition Car Sale achieved a very respectable 63 per cent sales rate, followed by the Classic Car Sale on Saturday when 70 per cent of lots were sold, lifting the overall sales total to a heady £3.7 million.
Undoubtedly taking centre stage was the 1969 Dodge Charger ‘Bullitt’ spec previously owned by Hollywood film star Bruce Willis and pop legend Jay Kay of Jamiroquai, which sold for £94,500, almost double its lower estimate.
Meanwhile, a superbly maintained 1997 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550-Manual formerly owned by music royalty Sir Elton John CBE achieved one of the highest sale prices of the afternoon at £219,375.
However, two rare and modern classics from the personal collection of British actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson CBE were not to be outdone. With both cars offered at no reserve, the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E provoked a lively bidding war selling for a mighty £71,300, while the 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32 sold for an impressive £29,813.
Nick Whale, managing director at Silverstone Auctions, said: “Our Race Retro Sale has always been popular and this year’s was no exception. It was particularly pleasing to see a number of celebrity cars selling well, with respected and well-known collectors such as Rowan Atkinson and Jay Kay trusting Silverstone Auctions to achieve the best possible sale price for their cars.”
Away from the celebrity glitz and glamour, fast Fords also proved that demand remains strong. Among those selling for above their estimates were a 1980 Escort RS2000 Mk2 selling for £50,525, a 1974 Escort Mk1 RS2000 for £37,125, a 1986 Sierra RS Cosworth achieving £41,625 and a 1996 Escort RS Cosworth selling for £58,500, almost £15,000 above its lower estimate.
Other highlights included a one of 90 ‘road spec’ 1987 Ford RS200 achieving £157,500, a rare 1969 Aston Martin DBS reading just 58,000 miles selling for £99,000, more than £30,000 over its lower estimate, a 2004 Honda NSX (facelift) also exceeding its estimate, selling for £84,375.
There was also fast and furious bidding for competition cars including the 1990 BTCC Championship winning Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 ‘Group A’ model driven by Robb Gravett which sold for £182,250, and a ready to compete 1970 Lola T210 SL210-07 that fetched £146,250.
Nick added: “Our Race Retro Sale was a great success but we’ve no time to rest on our laurels as we’re now inviting entries for our next auctions, A Sale of Ferraris in association with Ferrari Owners’ Club GB and our annual May Sale, which take place on 18th and 19th May. Anyone who is interested in selling at these sales should contact Silverstone Auctions early to avoid disappointment.”
To see the full results of the Silverstone Auctions Race Retro Sale, please visit https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/race-retro-classic-car-sale-2018 and https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/race-retro-competition-car-sale-2018.