Ferrari surges ahead at the NEC
The highest price at Silverstone Auctions’ Autosport International fixture on 12 January was paid for a lovely Ferrari 365GT 2+2. An original Uk-supplied, right-hand-drive example, attractively finished in Azzurro Hyperion with blue hide, the matching-numbers GT last changed hands more than 20 years ago and raised £200,250 – bang on the money against a pre-sale guide of £190-220,000.
At an estimate-busting £196,875 (£160-180,000), a 2005 Mercedesbenz SLR Mclaren was the second most expensive lot of the event, while joint third went to a brace of competition machines: a ’66 Lotus Cortina and an ’85 MG Metro 6R4. At £168,750 apiece, however, both cars failed to reach their guide price (£180-200k each) in spite of being notable examples. The Cortina was a former works racer that had been driven by Jim Clark, Jacky Ickx, Sir John Whitmore, Graham Hill and Peter Arundell, while the MG had previously belonged to Williams GP Engineering and had covered a mere 175 miles since new.
A significantly better result was achieved by a 1935 Mercedes-benz Type 290 Cabriolet B. Powered by a 67bhp 2867cc side valve ‘six’, the imposing right-hand-drive drop-top had been well maintained but little used since being restored in the ’90s, and was the talk of the sale when it doubled its catalogue figure of £60-70,000 to go to a new home for £121,500.
Other success stories included one of only 21 right-hand-drive AC Cobra MKIV Lightweights, which raised £139,500 against a £90-110k estimate. A 1969 Ford Cortina II Lotus also attracted keen bidding; thought to be one of four originally finished in metallic Fern Green, and 400 miles out of restoration, it raised £40,275 (£25-30k).