Silverstone Auctions reached its highest-ever sales total this past weekend at the historic Silverstone racing circuit with more than £5 million ($8.5 million) worth of classic cars finding new owners at an 85 percent sell-through rate.
Top sale was for a rare 1950 Healey Silverstone, its name clearly appropriate to the venue, for £212,750 ($360,500), while an exotic 1996 Jaguar XJ220 painted Silverstone Green, no less, reached £187,450 ($318,000), more than £17,000 ($29,000) over its high estimate. Results include buyer fees.
Ferrari production models heated up the Silverstone sale, with a 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS in pristine condition hammered sold at a resounding world record £82,225 ($140,000) plus the auction fee, more than £50,000 ($85,000) over top estimate. Another world record was set by a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS, with a high bid of £77,050 ($131,000), not including the buyer fee.
A unique piece of motorsports history – Jackie Stewart’s first race car, a 1962 Marcos GT Xylon – went for £41,975 ($71,000).
Two piece of RAF flying history also were sold, a 1976 Harrier Jump Jet for £105,800 ($180,000) and a 1988 Panavia Tornado, £36,800 ($62,000).
“It’s been a fantastic weekend at the Silverstone Classic,” said Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, “and I’m delighted that we have achieved our highest ever sales value, along with a few world records, from what was our best catalogue ever.”