Competition-spec Ferrari 250 GT California Spider sells for £18.8m

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Competizione

Sold by Gooding Christie’s, £18.8m 

There were gasps of amazement at RM Sotheby’s Maranello sale in 2012 when Chris Evans splashed out a record £5.5m on a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider originally owned by actor James Coburn. Fast-forward 13 years and that sum seems peanuts compared with what an anonymous buyer paid for this example of the same model – one of only two alloy-bodied versions that left the factory in full competition specification. Original owner, German entrepreneur Ernst Lautenschlager, used it for hillclimbs and circuit racing.

1961 Deep Sanderson

Sold by Iconic auctioneers, £37,125 

Created by Formula Junior builder Chris Lawrence, the Deep Sanderson was a tiny racer powered by a rear-mounted Mini engine. This steel bodied prototype ran at Le Mans in 1963 and 1964.

1960 Porsche RS60 Spyder

Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £2.6m 

The RS60 represented the final evolution of Porsche’s competition spyders that began with the 550 of ’53. This example was one of six sent to the US and competed in more than 20 races in period.

1970 Ford Capri Perana

Sold by Bonhams Cars Online, £45,528 

The Perana was the only Capri sanctioned by Ford for a V8 engine conversion. Work was carried out by Jo’burg dealer Basil Green, who produced the cars between 1970-72 for the South African market.

1974 BMW 2002

Sold by Iconic auctioneers, £24,750 

This 2002 was developed over 13 years by an in-house BMW engineer. Flares and spoiler were all parts for the factory Turbo, with mechanicals upgraded to give modern-day performance.

1998 Ducati 916

Sold by Iconic auctioneers, £67,850 

Ducati’s 916 has gone down as one of the best-looking motorcycles created – but this unused example had the added attraction of being number one of the 202 made to honour racer Carl Fogarty.

2020 Bugatti Divo

Sold by Bonhams, £6.3m 

Seven of the top 10 lots sold at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge sale in Monterey were no more than eight years old. This Divo was one of just 40 made that paid tribute to Targa Florio winner Albert Divo.

1919 Bugatti Avio 8C

Sold by Bonhams, £211,800 
When it comes to making power, the Americans used to say, “Ya can’t beat cubes,” and this 106-year-old Bugatti had them in spades, thanks to its experimental, straight-eight aero engine displacing 14.7 litres. Its 200bhp reached the rear wheels via twin chains.

Forthcoming sale highlights

• Bonhams, newport, Rhode Island, October 3
  Bonhams sets out its stall at this year’s Audrain Concours, the fast-growing event that has spawned its own Rhode Island motor week. Among the more stately lots will be a 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi de Belges tourer. Cars from the collection of former Cartier boss Bernard Fornas will also be up for grabs, including a 1963 Corvette ‘Split Window’.
• Bonhams, Stafford, October 11-12
  Bonhams’ bi-annual motorcycle sales at the Staffordshire County Showground fall in the spring and autumn. This year’s edition of the latter includes plenty of restoration projects, but the top lot is likely to be a 1929 Brough Superior SS100 that was previously owned by Le Mans competitor Alain de Cadenet. It could realise as much as £200,000
• H&H, Buxton, Derbyshire, October 15
  We’re all familiar with the adage about waiting ages for a bus, and then two arrive. Well, if you’ve been waiting for a Land Rover featuring the elusive Searle Carawagon conversion, your patience could be rewarded at this sale – where two have come along. Other, similarly un-common lots include a Jensen-Healey Mk1 and a Daihatsu Copen Kei car.
• Gooding Christie’s, Paris, January 28-February 1
  It might seem a long way off, but if you’re hoping to attend the Rétromobile classic car show now is the time to make arrangements. Artcurial, for years the event’s official auction house, has now been replaced by Gooding Christie’s which marks the event as its first outing on European soil since Gooding & Company was acquired by Christie’s in 2024.