Queen’s Mini beach car sells for £100k

1962 Austin Mini Riviera

Sold by Bonhams Cars Online, £97,650

Fiat’s doorless Jolly beach cars crop up for sale quite often. But when did you last see an example of Austin’s attempt at evoking the Riviera vibe? Probably never, since a mere 14 were made from 1961-62, 13 of which were sent to the US. This one remained on home soil and was loaned to the Queen who is said to have used it on the Windsor and Sandringham estates. The unique Alamo Beige car was returned to Longbridge in 1968, from where it was bought by the vendor’s grandfather – who had worked in the BMC experimental department with Mini designer Alec Issigonis.

2021 Ford GT ’66 heritage edition

Sold by Bonhams, £450,000

This second-generation Ford GT was among 50 ’66 Heritage Edition cars built to commemorate the original GT40 achieving a 1-2-3 finish at Daytona in 1966, led by the car of Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby.

1988 Yamaha XT500

Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £73,100

The price of this big thumper trail bike was accounted for by the fact that it was as brand new – still in its transport crate and with all its ancillary parts packed in the original polystyrene tray.

1959 Austin-Healey Sprite

Sold by Broad Arrow, £37,530

This pristine ‘Frogeye’ Sprite was especially built for Le Mans legend Jacky Ickx who has pledged to donate the entire sale proceeds to a Rwandan charity. Its tweaked engine was good for 75bhp.

2002 BMW Z3M

Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £110,085

Finding a low-mileage Z3M that hasn’t been thrashed is no easy task – which explained why this mint Phoenix Yellow model made its money. It was fitted with the rare, desirable 325bhp S54 engine.

1975 Ducati 900SS

Sold by Bonhams, £40,250

This came from the first year of ‘square case’ engine production and is believed to have been owned from new by the much-missed collector and Le Mans racer Alain de Cadenet who died in 2022.

1964 Mini Cooper S

Sold by Dore & Rees, £24,640

Finding an original 1071cc Cooper S is difficult, but to discover one that has been in the same family ownership from new is truly rare. This has been used both for daily driving and competition.

1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E EVO II

Sold by Bonhams, £540,000

This sale reinforced the EVO II’s position as one of the most coveted modern classic Mercedes-Benz models of all. Having passed through the hands of three very restrained owners it had clocked up just 110 miles and was described as “factory new”.

Forthcoming sale highlights

• Barons, Southampton, November 29
  Although Barons was bought by Manor Park Classics almost a year ago, regular sales are still held under the Barons banner. This one could be a useful hunting ground for anyone looking for a historic racing support van for next season – so far, a 1972 Morris half-tonner and a 1959 Ford Thames are up for grabs. Both appear Goodwood Revival-ready.
• RM Sotheby’s, Phoenix, Arizona, January 23
  If the grey winter of northern Europe is getting you down, head to the warmth of Arizona and the annual January sales. This one is set to include a host of 1960s sporting classics, including a superb Shelby Cobra with the lovely, 289ci engine. It’s been restored in its factory colour scheme of Vineyard Green and could be yours for a predicted £1m.
• Artcurial, Paris, January 27
  Artcurial’s Automobile Legends sale takes place at the plush Peninsula hotel and will be highlighted by the Ferrari F92A F1 car gifted by the marque to French star Jean Alesi at the end of 1992. Since then it has resided in the gymnasium of his home near Avignon, unused and untouched, and is said to be in exactly the condition as it was in when he received it.
• Bonhams, Paris, January 29
  If being in the thick of the Rétromobile crowds gets too much, head to the Polo de Paris, one of the world’s most historic venues of the ‘sport of kings’. There you’ll find a selection of 80 classics and modern supercars in the Bonhams auction tent – including a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing in rare black. It’s tipped to fetch up to £1.3m.