Records galore at the Classic Motor Show Sale!

In front of a crowd of hundreds of classic car fans, international bidders online and on the phones, Silverstone Auctions broke several world records and achieved its best ever result at the event, in its two-day sale at the Classic Motor Show on 12/13th November 2016.

Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham, 80 per cent of the vehicles on offer were successfully sold, for a total sales value of £5.8million.

With cameras fixed firmly on the auction rostrum, Silverstone Auctions were joined by Channel 4, Ant Anstead, Phil Glenister and the team from ‘For the Love of Cars’ to see the very special 1958 ex-Chris Barber Lotus Elite Series I sell for a new record auction price of £121,500. Sold to rapturous applause for more than £40,000 over its lower estimate, the car, and auction, has featured in a one off special of the popular Channel 4 TV on Sunday 20th November at 8pm.

Another car restored by Ant Anstead and his team, a stunning 1969 Aston Martin DBS 6 Vantage Spec, sold online for a highly significant world record market price of £174,375 including premium to a buyer in Austria.

Becoming something of a speciality for Silverstone Auctions, some incredible Porsches sold for new benchmark prices. After a fierce bidding war, a 1985 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo SE Flatnose, the first UK car, sold for a new world record auction price of £202,500. However it didn’t last long as just half an hour later a right-hand drive 1989 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo Flachbau was offered, this time in Guards Red, selling for £211,500 and a new world record price.

Porsche collectors were truly spoilt and many couldn’t resist bidding on the beautiful and highly collectible 1957 Porsche 356A T1 Speedster, which sold for £306,563, the highest value lot of the sale.

Speaking immediately after the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “What a sale! One of our best ever and the most successful we’ve had at the Classic Motor Show since we first hosted the auction back in 2012. I’m delighted that we’ve achieved such strong prices for our vendors and it’s a delight to see buyers going home so pleased with their new purchases. I’d like to say a special thanks to all those involved in helping put the sale together and make it such a phenomenal success.”

No less than seven Jaguar E-Types were offered and amazingly all sold for above their pre-sale estimates.

A 1962 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster, owned by the vendor for 43 years and starring in an official Jaguar video with model David Gandy, had seven phone bidders as well as buyers in the room trying to purchase the car. It eventually sold for an amazing £171,000, nearly £80,000 over its lower estimate.

With everything about the car ‘just right’, a 1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series I Roadster sold for £146,250, more than £50,000 over its lower estimate, and a ‘barn-find’ 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series III Roadster sold for £69,750, nearly double its lower estimate.

It wasn’t only E-Types that proved popular with Jaguar fans. A 1977 Jaguar XJ12 Coupe, a winner of over 18 national concours events, achieved a new world record price, selling for £43,875.

Raising £12,938 for Prostate Cancer UK, a 1969 Morris Mini Super Deluxe, with a fascinating story and restored by Lancaster Insurance to its former glory, was sold to a very generous buyer in the room.

Silverstone Auctions’ first sale of 2017 takes place at Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire over three days, between the 24th and 26th February, including a dedicated competition car sale and two-day classic road car sale. Entries are now invited into the auction and potential sellers are invited to speak with Silverstone Auctions as soon as possible.

Nick added: “We’ve sold even more fantastic cars this year and look forward to next year’s sales and speaking with prospective sellers soon.”

To view the full list of results from Silverstone Auctions’ Classic Motor Show Sale please visit: https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/nec-classic-motor-show-sale-2016/view_lots/pn/all.

Porsche Sale with Porsche Club GB - October 15th

Silverstone Auctions was back at Silverstone circuit for the final time this year to host its second annual Porsche Sale, in conjunction with Porsche Club GB, on Saturday 15th October. A significant number of international bidders online as well as hundreds of Porsche enthusiasts and Porsche Club GB members joined the specialist auction house, which sold 70 per cent of the cars on offer for total sales of £2.5million.

As one of only 50 UK cars and with just 21,000 miles from new, it was anticipated that the 1986 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo 'Flachbau' would be taken seriously by buyers and indeed it was, selling for £140,630, more than £40,000 over its lower estimate. A similarly low mileage, sparkling 1989 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo, UK supplied with just 24,000 miles from new, sold for £151,880 including premium.

Lightweight 911s, the favourite of Porsche purists, proved some of the most popular cars in the auction hall, with a 2010 Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS - Gen II, finished in the distinctive colour combination of Carrera White with Red wheels and decals, selling for £168,750, more than £30,000 over its lower estimate.

Arguably the most driver focused 911 of all time, a superb 1991 Porsche 911 (964) Carrera RS NGT, sold for £157,500, more than £20,000 over its lower estimate. A rare and very early example, a 1999 Porsche 911 (996.1) GT3 Clubsport drew many admiring glances and sold for £70,130, £15,000 over its lower estimate.

Offered to the open market for the first time in over 30 years and a prime candidate for restoration, a 1973 Porsche 911 2.4T MFi Coupé was incredibly hard fought over between phone bidders and those in room. After a long bidding war it eventually sold for £45,000, three times its lower estimate.

Next stop the NEC Classic Car Show on the weekend of 11/12/13th November where 123 classic cars and 250 Lots of Automobilia will be offered, including the fabulous 12 royal cars from the "Jewels in the Crown"collection.

Salon Prive - Sell in September !

£3.4m worth of stunning classics were hammered away by Silverstone Auctions on the 5th September 2016, at picturesque Blenheim Palace - representing 70% of the Lots offered.

The one owner from new 1973 Jaguar E-Type, which featured in BBC TV's "Only Fools and Horses", sold for £115,875 - which was an amazing £40,000 over lower estimate to rapturous applause in the room.

Not to be outdone the equally stunning Jaguar XK150'S' Drop Head Convertible from 1959 sold for £189,000 - again £40,000 over lower estimate.

The magic of Porsche continues to cast its spell when a white 911 Turbo from 1988 sold for £171,000 and it's junior cousin the, 356B TG Super 90 Coupe, sold for £146,250. A well presented, but relatively plain, UK 911T sold for £69,750 and the super modern and v rare 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Litre, in left hand drive, sold for £208,125.

American classics are having their moment in the sun and the stunning Candy Apple Red Shelby Mustang GT500 sold for £142,875, probably the nicest Mustang we have ever offered for public sale.

Modern classics are the 'USP' of Silverstone Auctions, who were very proud to offer a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 Evo II that had covered just 800 miles from new and was successfully sold for £202,500. The even more modern 2010 SLS AMG Coupe (left hand drive) sold for £127,125, whilst a very rare SL60 AMG, one of just 49 cars produced, sold for £56,250.

BMW, the Munich legends of Motorsport, offered a very rare E30 M3 Convertible, fresh from the Martin Trainer collection, which sold well for £59,625 - over £20,000 over lower estimate.

From the delights of Blenheim Palace we return to our spiritual home at the Wing, Silverstone Circuit for the 'Porsche Sale' on Saturday15th October. Entries are open now and close on 22-9-2016 and I encourage you to contact me before that date if you wish to sell your Porsche and take advantage of the bull market in classic cars, which seems to be gaining strength post Brexit.

Many thanks.

Nick Whale

Silverstone Classic Sale brakes records!

Our biggest ever Sale took place at the end of July 2016 where 72% of the Lots were sold for a hammer price of £4.9m in 3 different Sales taking place over the weekend.

A stunning and v original 1958 AC Ace Bristol sold for £249,750 which was more than £80,000 over lower estimate.

A world record was broken when the Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI from 1989 sold to applause for £30,938 - more than £12,000 over lower estimate.

E-Types are always special and a lovely series 1, matching numbers, 1965 series 1 4.2 Coupe hammered for £123,750 - more than £48,000 over lower estimate. Meanwhile chassis no.62 ( a flat floor series 1 Roadster) hammered for £140,625 and needed a full restoration....
Bidding was equally hot for a pretty series 2 Fixed Head Coupe from 1970 which romped away to £118,125- again more than £30,000 over lower estimate.

The more modern classics continue to be popular as an incredibly rare Mercedes-Benz SL70 AMG sold for £51,188 - more than £15,000 over lower estimate and a 1984 Audi Quattro, ex Nigel Mansell, found a new home and looked good value for £26,438.

The Ferrari legend continues to grow as shown by our best of breed UK right hand drive 1994 512TR which sold for an excellent £162,000.

Additionally 11 race cars found new homes in the Race Car Sale, including a very rare 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTR which sold for £495,000 and a Zakspeed Escort which was bought from us and raced to third overall the very next day!

Another brilliant Silverstone Classic weekend for our vendors and our buyers who I thank most sincerely.

Nick Whale

Two Million Euro Sale at Aarhus in Denmark

The first foray in to Europe for Silverstone Auctions on 28/29th May produced a 2 million Euro hammer with over 100 Lots offered and just over 60% sold in Denmark.

The star of the Sale was a beautiful recreation of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, the car made famous by Sir Stirling Moss when he won the Mille Miglia in 1955, which achieved a sale price of 326,250 Euros. The Danish audience appreciated the depth and quality of the cars we offered and made the whole team feel welcome throughout the 2 day sale.

Other highlights included a 1964 Mercedes-Benz 600, formally owned by Danish travel tycoon, Simon Spies, which sold for 140,630 Euros - more than 20,000 Euros over the lower estimate. A remarkable, time warp 1974 VW Beetle barn find with just 90kms from new sold for 38,250 Euros while a 1991 BMW 850i with just 1 owner from new and a mileage of just 1750kms, sold for 87,750 Euros.

The legendary Ferrari brand continues to surprise when the 2003 Ferrari 456M with just 11,900 kms recorded from new sold for 90,000 Euros, more than 25,000 Euros over lower estimate.

So our first International Sale can be regarded as a success with over 60 cars finding new European owners. Silverstone Auctions next Sale is the famous Silverstone Classic taking place over the weekend of 30/31st July and entries are now invited.

Meanwhile Nick Whale Motorhomes took a record 42 motorhome to the Stratford upon Avon Show on the weekend of 18/19th June only to suffer with severe flooding to the whole show ground. Nevertheless, 3 sales were made and all customers offered a pair of wellies to borrow for viewing!
True British bull dog spirit!

At the same time 120 out of 160 classic cars were sold by Classic Car Auctions (www.classiccarauctions.co.uk) up the road at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, near Leamington Spa, proving that sub £50,000 classics are very much still booming. A total hammer of £1.4m being their highest achievement to date, and the average price of the classic cars sold being just £11,650 each!

The Summer is a busy time all round for our team and they should all be congratulated on some truly outstanding results and thank you to all our valued customers for your support.

Nick Whale

Strong May Sale

Silverstone Auctions hammered £3.2m worth of classic cars on Friday 20th May at Silverstone Circuit, achieving an excellent 70% sales rate for vendors. Interest was strong across the board but only the 'best of breed' cars are finding new homes. The market is now more selective and prices are finally starting to level with a definite bias towards later classics from the 1980's and 1990's shining through.

Highest price paid was for the 1984 Lamborghini Contact 5000 S which sold for £281,250, followed by the last of line Contact Anniversary selling for £241,875. Not to be outdone by its expensive brethren, the only other Lamborghini - the 1988 Jalpa 3.5 Targa - also sold for £58,500.

Italian exotica delivered well when a rare 1964 right hand drive Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider made £30,000 over it's original estimate selling for a fantastic £82,688, and an equally rare Maserati Sebring series 1 excelled at £196,875.

Also noteworthy was the Mercedes-Benz190SL achieving £101,813 and the 280SL Pagoda selling for £60,750. Rare and genuine Mercedes-Benz models providing a solid and reliable investment, as well as a solid and reliable classic to drive.

The ex Prince Naseem Subaru Impreza 22BSTi  (one of just 400 worldwide) sold for a solid £73,125 and the collector markets favourite brand - Aston Martin - continued to stretch values with the 1955 DB2/4 selling for £151,875, the DBV8 Volante selling for £137,250 and the DBS V8 Series III selling for £82,800.

The Silverstone Auctions team now heads this coming weekend for a two day sale  (May 28/29th) in Aarhus, Denmark,  for their first European event, with a further 100 classics - mostly left hand drive -  to tempt our European buyers from Scandinavia and nearby Germany.

Our Motorhome team continue to excel themselves as the 'Show' season is now in full tilt. The same weekend as the May Sale detailed above saw our Motorhome team over at the Newbury Show and selling no less than 8 motorhomes to discerning new buyers.

Its a busy time of year for the Nick Whale team and long may it continue!

First Quarter 2016

Business as usual - that seems to be the sentiment in the classic car world at the moment as Silverstone Auctions continue to achieve both high sales rates and strong hammer prices.

The 2016 season started back at Race Retro in February with a total hammer price North of £4.7m which was more than £1.3m up on the same sale last year. Some extraordinary results included a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II selling for £292,500 and a 1987 Ford Capri 280 Brooklands hammering for £54,000.

Infact fast Fords seems to be a theme at Silverstone Auctions  recently with 1995 Ford Escort Cosworth achieving a final hammer price of £52,875,and a 1972 Ford Escort Mexico £43,875 - which was close to £20k over the original estimate of both cars.

Its always nice to see very original genuine classics, like the 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III, that had continuous family ownership for over 6 decades, sell for £208,125. Again this figure transcending the original estimate by over £50,000!

Other notable results was a Porsche Carrera GT selling for a strong £427,500, a Lamborghini Countach LP400 S selling for £213,750 and finally a Jaguar XJ 220 nearly surpassing its cost when new by selling for £275,625.

The team then moved on to the Restoration Show Sale at the NEC with a mix of barn finds and recently restored classics.

75% of the Lots sold for a hammer value of over £1.5m, including several Land Rover record prices.
A 1948 series I, chassis no.149, sold for £47,250 which was more than £20k over original estimate, and the highest price ever paid for a series I. At the other end of the age spectrum a 2016 Land Rover 110 Heritage Edition, one of only 400, sold for £42,188.

At the more modest end of the price range, but proving that a "best of breed" car will always sell well, a stunningly restored Volvo P1800E, with just 2 owners from new, took prices for that car in to new territory when hammered for £34,875.

Two important sales in May, one at our spiritual home of Silverstone Circuit on Friday May 20th and one at Classic Race Aarhus in Denmark on Sat, Sun 28/29th May, will hopefully continue the strong start to the year for the classic car team at Silverstone Auctions. Both Sales have attracted an extremely strong entry and an eclectic mix of exciting and prestigious cars.

Meanwhile Nick Whale Motorhomes are very proud to have secured the popular Auto-Sleeper franchise to compliment IH and WildAx motorhomes. Sales have started strongly and the team have been flat out at various shows up and down the country, including the main NEC Camping, Caravan and Motorhome Show.

Finally NW Sportscars continue to offer a varied selection of iconic brands from their new showroom in Evesham. These facilities are very much state of the art and are now alongside NW Motorhomes giving customers a chance to view both sportscars and motorhomes in a comfortable, warm  and relaxed environment.

I hope to see you, our valued customers, at either of the next two Silverstone Auctions Sales in May or perhaps at our Evesham showrooms browsing our stock.

Nick Whale