AUCTION TRACKER MERCEDES 190E EVO II

We covered the history of this Group A homologation hero in Octane 212, and it’s certainly a car that has seen a monumental rise in prices during the past decade.

A limited production run of only 502 examples ensured demand outstripped supply at launch, with many heading straight to private collections – good news for today’s buyer looking for a timewarp Evo II with minimal miles. Silverstone

Auctions raised the bar in February 2016 when its 2772km car (pictured) blitzed the £140,000160,000 pre-sale guide, fetching £292,500. Six months later Silverstone was back in the market, offering a UK-supplied 885-miler that made a mid-estimate £202,500. An uptick at the start of 2020 saw Gooding & Company set a new auction record of $434,000 (£326,000) for no. 256, which had 7615km on the clock, while more recently Silverstone tested the level for higher-mileage cars – its 41,945km example changed hands for £180,000 at a live online sale in August of last year.

Discussing the wider market for these cars as what was previously a niche expands, James M Hondros, founder and CEO of Miami-based dealer Speedart Motorsports, explains: ‘Was the Gooding car – missing its front adjustable splitter` – a harbinger of future values? There is a low-mileage car currently offered in Europe by a reputable German dealer for $520,000.

‘My favourite commodities disclosure is that “past history does not guarantee future returns” but, even being cautious, I strongly believe that the future is very bright for top specimens. If someone asks whether this is a million-dollar legend in the making, my answer is: “Quite possibly.”’