Cars with racing history set records at Bonhams sale at Goodwood

As might be expected for an auction held in conjunction with the Goodwood Revival vintage racing weekend, Bonhams’ 20th Goodwood Revival Sale was dominated by cars with on-track history, with several selling for record prices.

A 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 competition roadster sold for £1,390,000 ($ 1.76 million), a European auction record for the marque, and a 1990 Jaguar XJR-11 Group C sports prototype formerly campaigned by Tom Walkinshaw Racing brought £1,191,000 ($1.547 million), a world auction record for such a car.

An ex-Alan Mann Racing 1968-69 Type Ford P68 “F3L” Group 6 endurance racing coupe sold for £511,750 ($664,996) to a bidder who apparently plans to use in for vintage racing — he sat in the car during the auction preview with his racing helmet on to make sure he fit.

The ex-Maserati works team Fiat-Bartoletti Tipo 624 racing car transporter used not only by several teams but in the movie Le Mans sold for £402,500 ($523,031).

Among non-racing cars, a 1955 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV state laudaulette that had been used by Queen Elizabeth sold for £800,000 ($ 1.039 million).

A 1972 Ferrari 256 GT Dino coupe formerly owned by rocker Keith Richards sold for a world record £442,750 ($575,334).

Yet another auction record was set when UK vehicle registration number “RR 1” sold for £460,000 ($597,750). Such historic low-number plates are highly valued by British car collectors. 

Overall, the auction reported sales of £14,540,675 ($18.926 million).

Top 10 sales, Bonhams Goodwood Revival 2018

1. 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 competition roadster, $1,765,961
2. 1990 Jaguar XJR-11 Group C sports prototype, $1,547,652
3. 1955 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV state landaulette, $1,039,565
4. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster, $980,000
5. 1937 Jaguar SS100 3 1/2-liter roadster, $819,957
6. 1960 Aston Martin DB4 to Gt specification, $732,242
7. 1924 Bugatti Type 30 two-seat racer, $702,356
8. 1968-69 Type Ford P68 ‘F3L’ Group 6 endurance racing coupe, $664,996
9. UK vehicle registration “RR 1,” $597,750
10. 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT (ex-Keith Richards), $575,334

(Prices include buyer’s fee.)

Bonhams next sale, the Zoute Sale, is scheduled for October 5 in Belgium.