Although it was far from the top sale of the event, a Bullitt-spec 1969 Dodge Charger formerly owned by actor Bruce Willis and rocker Jay Kay of Jamiroquai was the star of Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro sale last weekend in England.
The car sold for £94,500 ($131,961), nearly double its pre-auction estimated value, the auction company said.
Cars with celebrity provenance did well at the two-day sale of competition and classic cars. Overall, the company posted a nearly 70 percent sell-through rate and £3.7 million (nearly $5.17 million) in overall sales.
A 1997 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550, with a manual gearbox and previous ownership by Elton John, sold for £219,375 ($306,339), one of the highest amounts paid at the auction.
Offered at no reserve, a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E formerly owned by comedian Rowan Atkinson sold for £71,300 ($100,123) while his 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32 brought £29,813 ($41,631).
“Away from the celebrity glitz and glamour, fast Fords also proved that demand remains strong,” Silverstone reported, noting the sales of a 1987 RS200 in road spec for £157,500 (219,936), a $1980 Escort RS2000 Mk2 for £50,525 ($70,554), a 1974 Escort Mk1 RS2000 for £37,125 ($51,842), a 1986 Sierra RS Cosworth for £41,625 ($58,125) and a 1996 Escort RS Cosworth for £58,500 ($81,690).
Among competition cars, the 1990 British Touring Car Championship-winning Fod Sierra Cosworth RS500 “Group A” raced by Robb Gravett sold for £182,250 ($254,497) and a ready-to-compete 1970 Lola T210 SL210-07 fetched £146,250 ($204,226).
Silverstone Auctions’ next sale is scheduled for May 18-19 in conjunction with the Ferrari Owners’ Club GB.
