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