Last weekend marked Race Retro, Silverstone Auctions first classic car sale of 2017 hosted at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry. Not ones to let their first foray into 2017 slip under the radar Silverstone auctions amassed some truly special cars on the day as well as a host of automobilia for the crowd’s delectation. In total 76% of the lots were sold and the total sale price was £5.7 million, £1m more than their equivalent sale this time last year.
A goodly auction, then, with some big sales and interesting cars. We’ve outlined our favourite sales from the day below.
1971 Mercedes 280SE 3.5L V8
There’s something appealing about a big Merc, a sense of status and power that comes with having a 3 pointed star on the nose of a big, beautiful car. This gorgeous, silver land yacht has benefitted from a full restoration and period enhancements. Although the coupés command a lower premium than their soft topped sisters this slice of seventies style sold for £70,313
1973 BMW 2002 Tii
One of the burgeoning desirable classics of the moment, the BMW 2002 and Neue Klasse cars are known for being some of the most engaging classics to drive. This beautiful orange Tii, 2.0L sport injection version is the pick of the ‘regular’ ’02 series before entering into extremely limited editions. This 1973 round tail light version benefitted from extensive work and restoration courtesy of Jaymic, a known BMW specialist. This little sports car sold for £20,250 and supports the rising trend in 2002 prices.
1964 Jaguar E-Type S1 3.8L roadster
We don’t need to tell you about the recent craze for the Jaguar E-Type, and if we do, click here to see what on earth is going on with these cars. A desirable S1 roadster in Silver blue was never going to leave the auction room quietly or without kicking up a fuss, and it did just that. In the end this striking British gem sold for £123,750 and supports the current ascension in E-Type prices. There are whispers that 2017 could see the first E-Type sell for over £200,000 and with price increases like this, we are cautiously optimistic.
1988 Ford Escort RS Turbo S2
Much like the bomb in E-Type prices we are seeing fast fords take over the auction room. Nippy performance branch cars with a blue oval are the new black and enjoying quite the rise in price. This tidy 1988 Escort RS Turbo exemplifies what the UK market loves at the moment. Silverstone auctions are discouraged from using the words ‘immaculate’, ‘mint’ and ‘unflawed’ so suggested that viewers come and see the condition for themselves. The car wasted no time in selling for £27,000 which is a truly incredible figure for an incredible retro Ford.
1974 Ferrari Dino
The current darling of the retro prancing horse collectors the Ferrari Dino was once seen as the ugly duckling of the family. From ugly duckling to the darling of the auction house, it seems every big collector wants a Dino and now is the time to fill that spot in the garage. This gorgeous 1974 model was exceptionally well documented and specified model with rare flared wheel arched has undergone extensive loving restorations in excess of £40,000 and is one of only 13 in the UK. The hammer fell for this well loved Ferrari at £439,875 making it the most expensive car at the auction and one of the most expensive Dino’s sold in the UK.
So there we have it, some of our favourite sales from the Race Retro auction and where they sit compared to others. Disagree with us? Let us know in the comments. To view the full lot listing click HERE.