A rare 1991 XJ220 Jaguar supercar led the bidding at Silverstone Auctions’ sale held during the UK’s popular Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show this past weekend in Birmingham.
The auction enjoyed an 80 percent sell-through rate for the 95 cars offered, resulting in what Silverstone called the “magnificent total” of £4.4 million ($6.7 million at the current exchange rate). All results include auction fees.
The Jaguar XJ220, a mid-engine icon of the 1990s, sold for a strong £315,000 ($479,000). In excellent condition, the Jaguar was once part of the Brunei royal-family car collection. Another top sale was a 1956 Porsche 356A T1 cabriolet that sold for nearly £197, 000 ($300,000), while a right-hand-drive 1993 Ferrari 512 TR sold for £186,000 ($283,000), which is believed to be a UK record for the model.
A recent British luxury classic, a 1999 Bentley Continental Sedanca coupe, hit the roof with a sale of £108,000 ($164,000), more than twice its lower estimate.
Two celebrity cars were sold during the auction; a 1966 Lotus Elan S2, originally owned by British comedy icon Peter Sellers, went for £50,625 ($77,000), and a 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, once owned by boxing legend Henry Cooper, sold for £30,938 ($47,000).
“It’s been an absolutely fantastic weekend here at the UK’s biggest classic car show,” Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, said in a news release. “The atmosphere at the sale was electric and I’m delighted we’ve been able to secure such great prices on behalf of our vendors, as well as breaking a few records along the way.
“The key sign of a successful auction is when you have both happy sellers and happy buyers, and this time we are proud to have achieved both.”
Silverstone’s next sale takes place during Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on February 27 and 28.