Silverstone Auctions returned to NEC Classic Motor Show (12th – 14th November) for the tenth time and its sale over the weekend hit a staggering £9.2m, with an impressive sale rate of 83%.
Saturday and Sunday’s car auctions garnered the interest of thousands, with people watching the sale in the room, via the Silverstone Auctions website and from other bidding channels. Significantly, over 1500 bidders registered for the event, with some placing bids from as far as Australia, the United States and the Cayman Islands.
The car sale began on Saturday with a special charity lot, a 1979 VW Type 2 Camper Van, which was meticulously restored over three years. The project was coordinated by Practical Classics Magazine and Lancaster Insurance Services. The vehicle was purchased for a generous £15,750, with all proceeds going to their charity partner Prostate Cancer UK.
The atmosphere throughout both days of the car auction was sensational. Sales were relentless throughout the weekend, with many lots achieving or exceeding the stated estimates. Offered early on the Saturday was the Williams F1 ‘Red 5’ FW14 Display Car, thought to be the only surviving genuine factory build display car in existence. Sold at ‘No Reserve’, the car achieved an impressive £154,125.
Later, a white 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, with just 5,545 miles on the clock, sold for an astounding £103,500.
TV personality Mike Brewer was delighted to see all five of his vehicles sell, with the 1972 Citroen SM 2.7 purchased in the room for £41,062. The bidding concluded with a round of applause and a handshake from Brewer himself. The Mike Brewer Collection sold for a total of £230,000.
The star cars of the show though were undoubtedly the stunning 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC, selling for an astonishing £540,000 and the 1937 SS100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster, sold on the Sunday for £281,250. The latter vehicle is regarded as one of the most sought-after pre-war sports cars in existence.
Automobilia sales across the weekend also generated £180,000 worth of sales, with dozens of collectables, pictures, watches and number plates crossing the block – many achieving well over the top estimates.
Commenting on the auction weekend, Nick Whale, Silverstone Auctions’ Managing Director stated, “I am delighted with how the weekend went. There was a fantastic atmosphere in the room; a real buzz, something we really missed last year. I am happy we could sell so many fantastic vehicles on behalf of our venders; no doubt the buyers are just as thrilled with their purchases. We are already looking forward to a busy, successful year in 2022.”
Silverstone Auctions will return next year, with the first event taking place in late February and classic cars are invited for consignment.
