Scottish racers hit £8.8million
Eight vehicles from the famous Ecurie Ecosse race team break auction records.
All eight cars in British connoisseur Dick Skipworth’s collection from the legendary Ecurie Ecosse outfit sold on at Bonhams’ Oxford auction on 1 December 2013, fetching £8.8 million between them.
The team’s 1952 Jaguar C-type went for than £2.9 million, while the 1956 Jaguar D-type ‘Shortnose’ sold for £2.6 million. Both went to a buyer in the United States.
The Ecurie Ecosse three-car Transporter, a unique 1960 Commer TS3 with a two-stroke engine – immortalised by the Corgi toy – exceeded all expectations. It was eventually sold to the same US buyer for £1.8 million, after a twentyminute telephone bidding war, making it the most valuable historic commercial vehicle ever sold at auction.
It had been hoped by many that the entire collection would remain in the UK, with export licences being deferred in the same way that the legendary Henry Birkin Bentley ‘Blower’ was dealt with in 2013, but this did not come to pass.
James Knight, Group Director of Bonham's Motoring Department said: "We always knew that today's sale had the potential to be a roaring success, but nobody quite anticipated the incredible atmosphere in the saleroom that saw so many truly historic cars go for such astounding prices. The Jaguars especially were exceptionally popular, and I am delighted that the transporter will still be carrying two of its original Ecurie Ecosse racing cars."
The Skipworth Jaguar XK120 Roadster made a record £707,000, while other vehicles sold included a 1951 Jaguar XK120 roadster that went for £630,000 and a 1959 Tojeiro-Jaguar Sports-Racing Prototype that fetched £340,000. The 1960 Cooper Monaco rearengine racing car famously campaigned by Sir Jackie Stewart sold for £195,000, a 1962- 63 Tojeiro endurance racing coupe made £190,000, while a 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite two-seat grand touring coupe was bought for £54,000.
Scottish businessman and amateur racing driver David Murray founded Ecurie Ecosse in Edinburgh in November 1951. Proudly liveried in Scots Blue, the team took on and beat some of the biggest names in world motor racing, and won the Le Mans 24 Hour race for Jaguar in 1956 and 1957. In just ten seasons, Ecurie Ecosse secured an impressive 68 victories.