Evryone loves an auction these day, just look at the popularity of Homes Under the Hammer for confirmation but here at MotorMartin Towers it’s auctions of the automotive type that catch the eye. And today, news has reached MotorMartin of the latest results from Silverstone Auctions where, in front of hundreds of historic motorsport fans, Silverstone Auctions achieved strong results in three days of auctions at Race Retro this weekend with total sales of £4.7million, more than £1.3million up on last year’s total.
Amazingly, securing a brand new world record price, an incredibly special 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II, with just 1,723 miles recorded, sold for a wallet busting £292,500. With phone and online bids coming in from all over the world, as well as plenty of admirers in the room, the car sold to rapturous applause for more than double its lower estimate.
Setting another world record price, quite correctly in MotorMartin’s opinion, a 1987 Ford Capri 280 ‘Brooklands’ with a similarly low mileage of just 936 miles, sold for £54,000. Fast Fords proved popular across the board with a best of breed a 1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth LUX selling for £52,875 and an exceptional 1972 Ford Escort Mexico selling for £43,875, more than £16,000 over its lower estimate.
Speaking after the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, shared with MotorMartin the following: “I’m delighted we have achieved these fantastic prices on behalf of our vendors. Once again we’ve been able to host a highly successful auction with both happy sellers and happy buyers and have broken world records by offering some of the finest cars available in the market, with a special combination of auction atmosphere and customer service.”
As well as classic road cars, more than £580,000 worth of competition cars were also sold at the historic motorsport event on Friday 26th February in the first separate race car auction at Race Retro. Some serious money spent then.
Unsurprisingly, given the nature of the sale, other road cars that sold well included a 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 MKIII Saloon that had been in the same family ownership for nearly six decades, selling for £208,125. The car had benefitted from a significant restoration and been cossetted throughout its life. Buyers were clearly impressed and the car smashed its estimate by nearly £50,000.
Iconic supercars were also in much demand at the show. A 2004 Porsche Carrera GT that had come from a significant private collection sold for £427,500, while a 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S, one of just seven right-hand drive models produced, sold for £213,750. A well cared for 1994 Jaguar XJ220 sold for £275,625, and a highly topical 2001 Honda NSX sold for £69,750, nearly £15,000 over its lower estimate.
Accordingly, Ferrari 550 Maranellos are proving to be the next big thing in the classic Ferrari market, and a 1999 example reading only 21,000 miles and presented in the special order colour of Canna di Fucile sold for £110,250, more than £30,000 over its lower estimate.
For those inspired by the amazing vehicles on offer through Silverstone Auctions, their next sale takes place this Sunday, 6th March at the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show with 70 cars on offer at the NEC, Birmingham.
Nick concluded: “I look forward to welcoming many more buyers at our next sale in less than one week’s time and expect to see a similar level of excitement around the cars for sale.”
For those wishing to plan and build their dream garage, MotorMartin urges you to crank up the laptop or tablet and view the full results from Silverstone Auctions’ sale at Race Retro. Visit https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/race-retro-classic-car-sale-2016/view_lots.
So there you have it, confirmation that class will always find the correct buyer at any price. Well done Silverstone Auctions.
Where will you go?