25 exciting cars for sale at Race Retro this month

Could you be tempted?

Race Retro is the established curtain-raiser to the historic motorsport season in the UK and it celebrates 20 years on 23-25 February 2024.

The three-day event at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry, is a chance for competitors, restorers and enthusiasts to spray some WD-40 on their metaphorical spark plugs after their winter hibernation.

As well as live interviews, rally demonstrations, an autojumble and more than 200 exhibitors, Iconic Auctioneers will hold three auctions. The trio of sales will include competition cars, memorabilia and roadgoing machinery from many different eras.

Here’s our pick of the collectors’ cars going under the hammer on Saturday 24 February, presented in chronological order.

1. 1936 Bentley 4¼-litre Special (est: £60-80,000)

One of the oldest lots at the Race Retro 2024 sale is this 1936 Bentley.

It was the subject of a three-year restoration, completed in 2002, and has covered 25,000 miles since.

This splendid Derby Bentley Special would be equally at home on a summer tour or competing in Vintage Sports-Car Club events.

2. 1952 Morgan Plus 4 (est: £25-30,000)

Don’t become too attached to the ‘51MOG’ plate – this 1952 Morgan is not yet UK registered.

Following a thorough restoration, the Plus 4 was shipped to the UK from Perth, Australia in 2014.

The auctioneers report that the car is running and driving, but there’s scope for further improvement by this car’s winning bidder on 24 February.

3. 1955 Jaguar XK140 Coupé (est: £38-45,000)

This is not a typical Jaguar XK140, but rather one amateur race-car engineer’s take on how to revive the tired shell of an original car.

Now fitted with a rebuilt 4.2-litre engine from an XJ6, upgraded suspension, electric power steering and a new limited-slip differential, this XK is unusual but thoroughly usable.

Not one for the purists, but surely more affordable to drive and maintain than a perfectly preserved example.

4. 1957 Austin-Healey 100/6 (est: £45-55,000)

In its striking black-over-red paint, this Austin-Healey 100/6 will catch the eye of any Big Healey enthusiast.

An important chapter in the development of the breed, the 100/6 replaced the 100’s four-cylinder engine with a BMC 2.6-litre ‘six’.

Quicker than the 100 and lighter than the later 3000, some would argue the 100/6 is the best of the Big Healeys – and this looks a fine example.

5. 1961 Jaguar E-type ‘OBL’ (est: £220-250,000)

There aren’t many of the early outside-bonnet-lock Jaguar E-types left, and Iconic Auctioneers believes this car, chassis number 38, is the earliest survivor. Which makes it very special.

It looks stunning in its original dark blue with black factory hardtop and red-leather interior.

This classic Jaguar’s rarity is reflected in its pre-sale estimate.
 

6. 1962 Lotus Elite S2 (est: £50-60,000)

It’s hard to think of a colour combination that suits the Lotus Elite better than silver over red.

This 1962 car is an SE, with uprated SU carburettors, a fabricated exhaust system and a ZF gearbox.

There are quicker and more valuable cars in the Race Retro 2024 sale, but are there any that drive as well as this Lotus?

7. 1963 Morgan 4/4 1500 Series V Pre-Crossflow (est: £38-46,000)

Although offered in the collectors’ car sale, this Morgan might equally have been listed alongside the competition vehicles.

Its history includes both classic car rallies and circuit racing, including victory at the final round of the 2000 Morgan Race Series.

The FIA papers and rollbar nod to the car’s competition past, but it would be just as rewarding as a rapid road car.

8. 1965 Morris Mini Cooper 1275 ‘S’ (est: £38-48,000)

According to Iconic Auctioneers, this is ‘one of the very best examples on the market today’.

Without seeing this classic car in the metal it’s hard to agree or disagree, but the signs are any well-heeled Mini enthusiast is unlikely to be disappointed.

Still in its original colours inside and out, the car is rumoured to have changed hands privately in the past for £75,000.

9. 1967 Maserati Sebring Series II 4.0 (est: £130-160,000)

With a car this beautiful, words seem almost superfluous.

Once you’ve finished staring, know that this example is one of the rare 4-litre models – exact numbers are hard to come by, but there are very few in the UK.

For the past 20 years it has been cared for by a leading marque specialist, and the odometer shows just 2539 miles.

10. 1972 Alpine A110 1300VC (V85) Berlinette (est: £60-70,000)

Is there a prettier French sports car than the Alpine 110?

This example has the 1300cc Renault engine, but with Gordini upgrades for competition-ready performance.

Recently subject to a £25,000 restoration, the hard work has been done so the Alpine is ready for the next owner to enjoy.

11. 1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Sport Edition (est: £22-26,000)

The story goes that VW America approached Karmann directly to produce the limited-edition Ghia Sport without VW Germany’s knowledge.

Production soon ended when Germany disapproved, which is why the Ghia Sport is one of the rarest Karmann Ghia models.

This example was imported to the UK from California in 1973 and is being sold from the personal collection of Iconic Auctioneers’ chairman.

12. 1976 Ford Escort RS Mexico (est: £32-38,000)

The market for fast Fords continues to be strong, judging by the guide price for this 1976 Escort RS Mexico.

Original examples are rare, and this car is fresh from an in-depth restoration with the emphasis on authenticity.

This time machine will transport the new owner back to the era of chest hair, flared trousers and lurid tail slides.

13. 1982 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus Series 2 (est: £35-40,000)

Few hot hatches can claim to be powered by a supercar engine, but the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus has a 2.2-litre unit closely related to those powering the contemporary Lotus Esprit.

With 150bhp in such a light car, performance is more than respectable, even today.

This example was restored in 2016 with light modifications to the engine in the interests of reliability.

14. 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 (est: £235-275,000)

Now this is a very rare and super-desirable car going under the hammer with Iconic Auctioneers on 24 February.

Just 200 roadgoing versions of the 205 Turbo 16 were made to homologate the Peugeot for rallying, and goodness only knows how many have disappeared backwards through a hedge since.

This gorgeous-looking example has covered fewer than 10,000 miles and it’s likely to achieve one of the highest prices at this sale.

15. 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworth (est: £85-100,000)

If you wanted a Sierra Cosworth in the ’80s but couldn’t afford one, then you’re not alone.

A long queue of bidders is expected for this 1987 RS 500, pushing the top auction estimate to six figures.

What’s more, it has recently benefited from an engine rebuild costing around £25,000.

16. 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SL (est: £40-45,000)

You don’t hang on to a car for 33 years if you don’t like it, so it’s safe to assume this R107 SL’s previous owner was a fan.

And having spent £13,500 on the car since 2019, the vendor clearly took great pains to keep the SL in fine condition.

The Merc has covered just 40 miles since that invoice was paid and comes with a detailed history file.

17. 1989 Porsche 911 C4 (est: £70-80,000)

Some cars can only be fully appreciated once you thumb through the folder of receipts and realise how much work has been done.

This handsome four-wheel-drive Porsche 911 is one such classic car, with hefty recent bills for work to the engine and suspension, and wheel alignment.

There seems to be nothing left for the new owner to do, other than to drive and enjoy it.

18. 1996 Honda NSX-T (est: £75-85,000)

The Honda NSX has always appealed to drivers who value ability over reputation.

Despite putting a relatively small dent in the sales of the supercar establishment at the time, the NSX now has a loyal following among those who appreciate the depth of engineering and Ayrton Senna’s input in the car’s development.

This example has the added interest of having been widely featured in the British press.

19. 1997 Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 4x4 Limited Edition (est: £25-30,000)

Don’t dismiss the Calibra as a Vauxhall Vectra with two fewer doors.

This was – and is – an underrated car, with its potent 2-litre, turbocharged engine and four-wheel drive achieving rapid all-weather performance.

Plus, this is a rare machine, with just 65 still on UK roads according to the auction house, so if you are tempted, remember that another might not be available for some time.

20. 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STI #29 of 400 (est: £190-220,000)

Fans of ’90s rallying will find a couple of gems among the lots at Iconic Auctioneers’ Race Retro 2024 sale to get their bobble hats twitching.

One is this Subaru Impreza 22B, as rare as it is desirable. Just 399 were made for the Japanese domestic market, and this is number 29, imported to the UK in the same year it was manufactured.

This car has been in one family’s ownership for 23 years and has covered just fewer than 50,000 miles.

21. 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Evolution V (est: £80-100,000)

This highly desirable Mitsubishi Lancer has the added appeal of having been owned by the 2001 World Rally Championship-winning driver Richard Burns.

Some £16,500 was spent on the car in 2020 and 2021, and the Evolution V has covered just five miles since to take the odometer to a mere 794.

It’s not often you see a car with such low mileage and remarkable provenance.

22. 2002 Honda S2000 GT (est: £32-40,000)

This Honda S2000 GT looks to be in exceptional fettle. Which it should be, given it has covered fewer than 60 miles for every year it has been on the road.

It looks about as close to as-new condition as a 22-year-old car can. The question for its winning bidder is, would you drive and enjoy it, or store and admire it?

23. 2007 Chevrolet Corvette C6 (est: £20-25,000)

Today’s Chevrolet Corvette is mid-engined, a move that divides long-time ’Vette enthusiasts.

The C6 was the last-but-one generation with the engine in the front, where a muscle-car motor should be.

Unlike some earlier models, this Corvette is just as much fun around bends as down straights, and this example has covered just 16,628 miles.

24. 2012 BMW M3 (E93) Convertible (est: £30-35,000)

A more modern car, perhaps, but one which has ‘future classic’ written all over it. Could this E93 BMW M3 be a great pick as a daily driver?

This one has a guide price that’s around the same as a brand-new family crossover, but this model offers supercar performance in a practical package.

Plus, there’s room for four to enjoy the sun, when the weather permits.

25. 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 Heritage (est: £65-80,000)

This is another car in this sale that might be a future classic.

This Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition is being offered for sale directly from the collection of comedian, actor and motoring enthusiast Rowan Atkinson.

The Heritage Edition was one of three limited-run special editions produced by Land Rover to mark the final stages of the Defender’s 67-year production run.

This example has been uprated with air conditioning and a factory-spec tow bar, and heads to auction with a modest 3800 miles on the clock.

To find out more about Iconic Auctioneers’ collectors’ cars sale at Race Retro on 24 February 2024, click here.