Look on the bright side: September 2021 auction results
Simon de Burton rides the rainbow in his round-up of racers, classics and curios
1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport
Sold by Bonhams, £21,744
It might have been out of production for more than 25 years, but many people still regard Porsche’s stripped-out 968 Club Sport as one of the best road-going track cars you’re likely to find. Produced from 1993-95 with a mere 1923 sold, it eschewed luxuries such as electric windows and rear seats, was supplied with minimal soundproofing and tipped the scales at 100kg less than the standard car. This example in desirable Speed Yellow had covered a minimal 47,250 miles from new and was offered at ‘no reserve’ – but it was never going to be a bargain.
1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTSSold by Silverstone Auctions, £388,125
Staged as part of National Ferrari Owners’ Day at Sywell Aerodrome, 30 Ferraris crossed the block, including this Dino 246 GTS in original Nocciola Metallizzato (that’s hazelnut metallic).
1937 Indian Four
1937 Indian FourSold by H&H, £95,450
H&H’s latest auction at the National Motorcycle Museum was topped by the sale of this Indian Four. It had been bought in ’67 and used regularly before it was treated to a concours restoration.
1974 Ford Escort RS2000
Sold by The Market, £23,250
It’s increasingly difficult to find a Mark I RS2000 that has been left un-restored and ‘lived in’. This one was converted for competition use from an early age and driven enthusiastically ever since.
1996 Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI
Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £680,743
Hailing from the end of the four-year era of the 155 racers, this was driven to victory by Nicola Larini at Mugello and Interlagos. It returned to form in 2019 winning its DTM Classic debut.
1983 Renault 5 Turbo
Sold by Bonhams, £90,217
There can be few surviving mid-engined Renault 5 Turbos in as excellent, original condition as this. Having had just two owners from new, it was sold with only 35,000 miles on the clock.
1946 Merlin V12 aero engine
Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £46,900
Anyone who has seen the YouTube footage of Guy Martin enthusing about his fully operational Merlin might wish they had one of their own. This example, however, was sold for static display only.
1969 Ford GT40
Sold by Gooding & Company, £2.5m
This was completed in 2009 using the last of the 20 MkIII chassis commissioned by Ford Advanced Vehicles to make road versions of the race car. Just seven were built under the ’60s programme.
Forthcoming sale highlights
H&H, Buxton
August 11
August is a quiet month on the UK saleroom scene, but H&H is among a few auctioneers giving an opportunity for insatiable collectors to keep on buying with this ‘live online’ sale. Taking the firm’s ABC (automobilia, bikes, cars) format, it is expected to feature 100 lots each of cars and bikes, and more automobilia.
Bonhams, Quail Lodge, California
August 13
Fans of the rare Riley MPH will lust after the 1934 example crossing the block here. It was the original London Motor Show car and remained in the hands of its previous owner for 65 years. Just 16 MPH cars were made; the last at auction fetched £636,000 in 2016.
Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach, California
August 13-14
Among the eclectic array will be six cars that belonged to the late Neil Peart, drummer with rock band Rush. Dubbed ‘the Silver Surfers’ the collection includes a 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (£870,000-£1.1m) and a 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 (£650,000-£720,000).
RM Sotheby’s, Auburn, Indiana
September 2-5
This auction is significant because of the remarkable collection of more than 100 vehicles squirrelled away over a 65-year period by the late Glen Hague. The lifelong Ford salesman had a soft spot for FoMoCo products, but his hoard also included a selection of Cushman scooters – 44 of them.