Silverstone Auctions is offering 123 classic cars during a two-day sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show.
Highlights of the sale include a very special, private collection of cars formerly owned by world royalty, politicians and celebrities; the Jewels in the Crown collection.
The collection includes 12 cars of the most exclusive provenance, such as Princess Diana’s 1994 Audi Cabriolet, estimated at £50,000 to £60,000, HM the Queen’s 2012 Bentley Mulsanne estimated at £215,000 to £235,000, and Sir Elton John’s 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom estimated at £135,000 to £155,000, which are expected to attract buyers from across the globe.
The very first production 1958 Lotus Elite Series I, bought new and raced by jazz legend Chris Barber, and recently restored by Ant Anstead on Channel 4’s For the Love of Cars, is on sale with an estimate of between £75,000 and £100,000. A beautifully presented 1969 Aston Martin DBS 6 in desirable Vantage spec, also restored by Ant Anstead and featured on the television series, is estimated at £140,000 to £160,000.
Another highly collectible car on offer is a rare 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S, one of just 105 examples built, which will be offered at an estimate of £350,000 to £400,000, the highest valued lot in the auction.
A 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet, one of only 68 right-hand drive cabriolets produced by the factory, will be offered in restored condition with an estimate of £220,000 to £240,000.
Five classic Land Rovers will also go under the hammer. Among them an early, truly historic 1948 Land Rover Series I in superb order offered at a sale estimate of £26,000 to £29,000, a concours winning 1950 Land Rover Series I estimated at £25,000 to £28,000, and a 1990 Land Rover 110 V8 County Station Wagon, believed to be the lowest mileage (15,020 miles) and the most original of any 110 V8 in the country, estimated at £23,000 to £28,000.
Another celebrity car is footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed. Owned by the Portuguese player during his stint at Manchester United football club, the luxury car is estimated at £50,000 to £60,000 (mirror may be worn out).
Low mileage modern classics include a UK, right-hand drive 1993 Ford Escort Cosworth Lux showing just 20,600 miles from new is estimated at £35,000 to £40,000. An original 1990 Ford Escort RS Turbo S2 reading 12,000 miles and with just one owner previous owner is estimated at £15,000 to £20,000, and an exceptionally rare find, a 1991 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo in outstanding original condition and reading just 12,000 miles, is estimated at £15,000 to £20,000.
Another modern classic with low mileage is a 2003 BMW Z3 M Coupe S54. As one of only 165 right-hand drive, S54 examples, and with just 11,000 miles on the clock, it will be offered with an estimate of £45,000 to £50,000.
Silverstone Auctions will also offer a special ‘life saving’ Mini to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. Known as ‘Margo’, the 1969 Morris Mini Super Deluxe was found by Lancaster Insurance in 2015 and restored by the MG Owners’ Club Workshop. The car will be offered without reserve with one hundred per cent of proceeds going to the charity,
Speaking ahead of the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale said: “We’re delighted to be returning to the Classic Motor Show for another year and with what I would say is our most special and varied catalogue of cars yet, from Her Majesty the Queen’s personal conveyance, to a very special Lotus Elite race car. It will be an honour for our team and, we hope, a landmark sale for Silverstone Auctions.”
The 2016 NEC Classic Motor Show is being held at the NEC, Birmingham, on 12 - 13 November.