January 2022 auction results: Eleanor steals the show

1967 Ford Mustang ‘Eleanor Tribute’

Sold by Mecum, £253,000

This near-perfect recreation of the ‘Eleanor’ Mustang that served as the automotive star in the 2000 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, starring Nicolas Cage, came complete with a certificate of authenticity from the company that owns the licensing rights to the car’s distinctive look.

Accurate down to the exact body modifications, Pepper Grey metallic paint, flip-up fuel filler and rear-mounted nitrous oxide bottle (plus dashboard-mounted activation switch), the car was sold with an original promotional poster and signed photographs of Cage and co-star Angelina Jolie.

 

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1982 Jaguar XJS

Sold by H&H, £21,375

This Jaguar XJS had covered just 17,000 miles in the hands of the same family and had been preserved in superb original condition. Ziebart rust-proofed from new: it really worked, that stuff.

 

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IWC Pilot’s watch and Hot Wheels car

Sold by Bonhams, £70,000

This was the first of 50 limited-edition sets comprising an IWC Pilot’s chronograph and a Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL race car. Proceeds go to children’s charity Two Bit Circus Foundation.

 

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1984 Land Rover Series III ‘Military style’

Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £11,000

Anyone feeling victimised by road rage could have done worse than bid for this ex-military Land Rover that had been given an SAS specification makeover, complete with dummy machine gun.

 

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1912 Kissel Kar Model D-11 semi-racer

Sold by Bonhams, £56,930

This venerable 109-year old car was marketed as a ‘semi-racer’ by the Wisconsin-based manufacturer. Engineless prior to restoration, it was fitted with a marque-correct 5-litre four-cylinder lump.

 

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1998 Honda AC15 Dream

Sold by H&H, £8050

‘Jewel like’ serves as a fair description of the AC15 Dream that was built to commemorate the RC110 single-cylinder racer of 1962 that produced 9.5bhp at a startling 14,000rpm and could touch 90mph.

 

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Bell star twin-window race helmet

Sold by Gooding & Company, £19,520

The top lot in Gooding’s Geared Online sale, this sinister-looking race helmet belonged to Jacky Ickx and is believed to have been worn during the 1978 F1 season as well as at that year’s Le Mans.

 

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1986 Citröen BX 4TC Evolution

Sold by Artcurial, £354,000

This was one of seven survivors from Citroën’s 20 works Evo Group B cars. After competing in three 1986 rallies, it was acquired from Citroën by collector Michel Hommell who had owned it since.

 

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Forthcoming car sale highlights

RM Sotheby’s Online
December 1-8

Inaugurated in response to Covid putting the kibosh on live auctions, the online-only Open Roads sales have become a regular part of the calendar and are now recognised as excellent hunting grounds. Already consigned is a well-preserved 1990 Maserati Quattroporte Royale. Launched in ’86, just 53 were made.

Bonhams, London
December 4

Bonhams’ Bond Street Sale has become one of the indelible pre-Christmas fixtures. Usually a tightly curated affair featuring a limited number of lots, it frequently includes some real rarities. Look out for an elegant 1933 Bugatti Type 46S coupé and a single-owner quartet of ’60s and ’70s Astons.

Artcurial, Paris
February 4

After a two-year absence, the usually annual and always highly anticipated Paris Rétromobile is back on the agenda – and with it the official auction staged by French house Artcurial. Look out, too, for satellite sales by Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s away from the main Rétromobile venue.