Around the Houses, July 2011

News from the main auction houses around the world

— SILITERSTONE AUCTIONS —

The new auction house based in Silverstone’s ‘Wing’ building has confirmed a few more interesting lots for its motorcycle sale on June 11 and its first car sale — the Silverstone Classic auction — on July 23.

For the former, Silverstone Auctions has consigned a 1960s helmet that was worn by Mike ‘The Bike’ Hailwood in numerous Isle of Man TTs and circuit races. The helmet — which still features all the original dents and scrapes including one with the caption ‘Brands Hatch 1963’ — is expected to fetch £4000. Other confirmed lots include a 1971 Kawasaki HR1A 500cc race bike (£21-24,000), a 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star 650cc (£18,500-22,000) and a 1926 AJS V Twin (£20-25,000).

On July 23 the auction house is selling the most famous of the Hesketh Formula 1 machines (above). Chassis 308/2 made 23 F1 starts and is the car that James Hunt drove to the team’s first, and only, Grand Prix win at Zandvoort in 1975, when the future champion held off the Ferrari of Niki Lauda. Silverstone Auctions expects it to reach up to £500,000. Also confirmed for the Silverstone Classic auction is one of only nine Costin Amigo cars. Car number six won at Thruxton in 1971 with Gerry Marshall at the wheel and was also raced in a three-hour race at Le Mans that year. It should sell at the £70,000 mark.

— RM AUCTIONS —

On June 23 RM Auctions will hold its third annual European sale at the Salon Prive luxury car show and Concours d’Elegance at Syon Park, Brentford, West London. An ex-works 1961 Sunbeam Harrington Alpine coupe, one of the Le Mans cars (£58-70,000), a 1939 Aston Martin 2-litre Speed Model (£320-380,000), a 1929 Bentley Speed Six ‘Le Mans’ VDP Tourer (£450-550,000) and a 1937 Jaguar SS100 21/2-litre roadster (£200-230,000) have all been confirmed for the sale.

RM Auctions held its Villa d’Este sale on May 21 after Motor Sport closed for press. There will be a full review in the August issue.

— RUSSO AND STEELE —

— The American auction house has confirmed a 1967 Pickett Racing 427 Corvette for its Monterey sale on August 1820. The car was raced by Dr Bill Green and Greg Pickett in SCCA National events throughout 1976 and was also raced in various Trans-Am and IMSA races that year. Two years later it won the last SCCA Regions A Production Championship at Sears Point. The estimate is available on request.

— GRAHAM BUDD —

Although some lots failed to find new homes at the Graham Budd Auctions memorabilia sale on May 10 and 11, a group of Nelson Piquet’s 1981 British RAC licences and medical card did sell for a hammer price of £270. All were signed by the triple World Champion.

— SHANNONS —

A Tarmac-rally prepared 1970 Ferrari Dino was the top seller at Shannons’ Autumn Classic Auction on May 2. The gavel finally dropped on the Dino at £110,500. The sale was considered a huge success by Shannons national auction manager Christophe Bonbon after 90 per cent of the lots offered in the auction sold.

— H&H SALES LTD —

On June 8 H&H will sell two 2003 BAR-Honda Formula 1 show cars at its Classic Cars and Automobilia auction at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton. Both are expected to sell for £20-24,000. The auction house has also confirmed a 1937 Bentley 41/4-litre Special (£45-55,000), a 1923 Bentley 3-litre TT Model Tourer (£135-155,000) and a 1947 HRG 1500 (£30-35,000).