Celebrity cars (and more) sell at Race Retro 2018

Alongside a slew of other bank-breaking classics

It’s a given that most – if not all – classic cars will have been sat in by other people.

What’s not guaranteed, though, is that those people were celebrities. You know, people that other people know?

Down at Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro Classic at the weekend, though, a host of motors with notable former owners changed hands.

From musicians to actors, Aston Martins to race-proven rally cars, it was a pretty varied bunch – and they’d all played throne to someone you probably know from the telly.

Not into pop culture price tags? Worry not: there was also a packed stable of expensive classics of road and track auctioned. We’ve gathered together 30 of the best lots right here.

1989 Lancia Thema 8.32

Sold for: £29,813

Fancy hitting the shops in Mr Bean’s Lancia? This 1998 example of Lancia’s speedy saloon has spent the last seven years living with none other than Rowan Atkinson.

Besides its comedic owner, the Thema 8.32 is notable in itself for the fact that it carries a V8 engine straight out of the Ferrari 328 – found here in 3.0L guise – which was sufficient in its heyday to propel the Pininfarina-designed wagon to 150mph.

With fewer than 20 registered in the UK, this one’s made rarer by its velour interior.

1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E

Sold for: £71,300

Another Atkinson ride, this 500E is one of just 1,596 made in 1993 – and it’s every bit the German powerhouse.

Superficially similar to the W124, the 500E packed a powerful secret under its bonnet when it launched in 1991: a 5.0L V8 borrowed from the 500 SL.

Beneath the shell there were also several technical enhancements, including improved brakes and suspension – all of which combined to deliver a 0-60mph time of just 5 seconds and a top speed of around 160mph, in a car that looked like a family four-door.

1969 Dodge Charger 'Bullitt' spec

Sold for: £94,500

As if the prospect of owning a Bullitt-spec Charger – complete with recently rebuilt 8.2-litre V8 engine – wasn’t enough to excite, this one’s had a pair of pretty notable owners.

Bought for Bruce Willis by Demi Moore, Jay Kay (of Jamiroquai) purchased it from the former and imported it into the UK, whereupon it underwent £25,000 of upgrades to bring it as close as possible to McQueen’s machine in the legendary film.

From an original interior to glistening chrome alloys, this is one astounding coupé.

1964 Austin Mini Countryman "Cooper S" Homage

Sold for: £22,500

A contrasting classic from the Jamiroquai frontman’s garage, the similarities between this Countryman and the Dodge end at the number of doors.

Built in 1964 on a wheelbase four inches longer than the standard Mini’s, this is a thoroughly restored example of the barn-doors Austin Countryman, complete with woodie-style rear end.

Though it retains a true-to-period exterior, the internals have been updated for more modern performance – including a re-bored engine and Cooper S disc brakes.

1997 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550

Sold for: £219,375

A Virage on heat (albeit without the title), the V8 Vantage was a beast among coupés.

Its twin-supercharged 5.8-litre V8 was the fastest production engine in the world at its launch and, paired with a Corvette transmission, could propel the brutish Vantage to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds – and keep roaring all the way to 190mph.

With only 240 believed to have been made, this V550 is made rarer by the name of its first owner in 1997: one Sir Elton John.

1987 Ford Capri 280 'Brooklands'

Sold for: £34,500

Ford’s Capri was every bit the British muscle car – and the 280 was its suitably well-equipped final iteration.

Fitted with a limited slip differential, unique 15-inch alloys and a Recaro interior, just 1,038 of the limited-edition 280 were made – all finished in dashing Brooklands Green.

Driven by a 2.8-litre V6, this Brooklands Capri has been regularly serviced since emerging from storage in 2007 – and was listed at Race Retro by its previous owner, none other than former F1 driver Mark Blundell.

1999 Ford Focus WRC Rally Car

Sold for: £126,500

Owning a rally-proven WRC car might sound like a good idea, but there’s every chance you’ll be finding gravel under the floor mats for years to come. Still, at least this one offers the chance to find some Spanish gravel kicked up by – who else? – Colin McRae.

Entered into 11 Championship rounds in total, it tackled four with the rally legend behind the wheel, including the Rallye Catalunya.

Sadly no longer wearing its iconic Martini colour scheme, it’s nevertheless a stellar machine that’s seen plenty of action in anger, all the way up to last year.

1997 Nissan Primera Super Tourer

Sold for: £82,800

Nominally based on Nissan’s late-'90s P11 model, the Primera proved itself a truly capable touring car at a time when the BTCC was home to big brands, bold liveries and barely there tyres.

With the 2.0-litre ‘Super Touring’ regulations delivering on-track action that regularly hauled huge audiences, Nissan re-entered the fray in 1997 with this very car – with late Scottish legend David Leslie behind the wheel (alongside teammate Anthony Reid). And, while it didn’t win the title, it laid the foundations for Nissan’s Championship victories in both 1998 and 1999.

Recently restored, it was sold as race-ready.

1993 Subaru Legacy RS Group A Ex-Prodrive Rally Car

Sold for: £126,500

Sure, it’s not an Impreza – but Subaru’s famed WRC run would be nothing without the Legacy RS.

Competing as a Group A machine in the early ‘90s, the Legacy RS might only have claimed five WRC podiums (including one victory), but the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine dominated the British Rally Championship – taking three consecutive titles between 1991 and 1993.

The machine sold at auction was piloted through the dust of the Acropolis Rally by Ari Vatanen in 1993, before later being driven by Richard Burns at the 1995 Bettega Memorial Rallysprint – making it more than your average Subaru.

1999 Ford Mondeo Super Tourer

Sold for: £71,300

Another BTCC machine, this 1999 Mondeo is anything but tired: a spare car for that year’s season, it saw track action in the final three rounds of the Championship with Ford driver Anthony Reid at the wheel.

And, while its performance wasn’t up there with the best (the Prodrive-run team finished last of the manufacturers), the Mondeo remains a stalwart of the ‘90s touring car scene.

Recently subject to a £30,000 engine restoration, the example sold at Race Retro is perfectly prepared for historic racing – complete with period paint job.

1958 Jaguar XK150 DHC

Sold for: £97,750

Last of the XKs, the XK150 was mechanically similar to the XK140 before it and retained the same 3.4-litre straight-six engine. However, it eclipsed its predecessor in terms of refinement and performance, and was able to reach a recorded top speed of 132mph.

One of just 2,200 Drophead Coupé versions built, this X150 is made rarer by its right-hand drive setup – something enjoyed by just one in every 20 XK150s.

Equipped with factory-fitted overdrive and bearing its original registration (‘5 DRO’), this matching-numbers example was restored late in the last century and remains a smooth runner.

1969 Aston Martin DBS

Sold for: £99,000

Powered by the same 4.0-litre straight-six as the DB6 before it, the 283bhp DBS was a notable step-change in Aston Martin design.

The last model to be produced under David Brown’s ownership (whose initials were lent to the company’s cars), the DBS carried a squarer front end than its more classical predecessors – though the trademark bonnet scoop remained.

One of just 317 right-hand drive automatic versions ever made, this DBS has seen both a light restoration and full mechanical refurbishment in recent years, making it a fine example of the late-'60s British tourer.

1987 Ford RS200

Sold for: £157,500

A machine bred purely for the infamous Group B rally category, only 90 of the 200 RS200s required by FIA homologation rules ever left the factory – of which this example is one.

While the competition RS200 entered Group B at its harrowing end (and therefore never realised its potential), the roadgoing version remained a fearfully powerful, lightweight machine, with an on-paper power output of 444bhp in a vehicle weighing just 1,050kg.

The example sold has fewer than 9,000 miles on the clock and spent much of its life in a heritage collection, meaning it’s in almost entirely original condition.

1956 Austin Healey 100M 'Le Mans' Roadster

Sold for: £175,950

A high-performance version of the mid-'50s 100 model, the Austin Healey 100M was built to mark the company’s two-three class finish at the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Only 640 100Ms were ever made, equipped with a raft of performance upgrades – including larger carburettors and high-compression pistons that squeezed a further 20bhp from the 2.7-litre engine.

This matching-numbers example has been certified as a factory original and, following a host of selective upgrades, is perfectly placed for participation in period events. 

1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL

Sold for: £95,625

Launched in 1955, Mercedes’ 190 SL shook off the remnants of wartime frugality in favour of touring luxury – and bolstered the marque’s fortunes in the process.

Cheaper than the 300 SL, the 190 nevertheless delivered comfort in spades, alongside a capable 104bhp 1.9-litre engine in a package that combined sophistication with ample performance.

That package, needless to say, proved very popular, with some 26,000 made before production ended in 1963.

Completed in 1962, this blue number was extensively restored throughout the 1990s and today, besides two small tears in the soft-top hood, remains a stunning runner.

1983 Lamborghini Jalpa

Sold for: £49,167

Less capricious than the Countach, Lamborgini’s cheaper Jalpa was still very much the Italian sports car when it launched in 1981, equipped with a 3.5-litre V8 capable of delivering 255bhp.

Closer to its Silhouette predecessor than its hefty contemporary, this particular Bertone-bodied Jalpa is believed to have been the first right-hand drive customer version delivered to the UK.

Besides its model number, its rectangular Silhouette tail lights are a tell-tale sign that it’s a very early model, with later versions carrying round lights. Selling below its estimate, this Jalpa was a steal at less than £50k.

1983 Lamborghini Countach LP500S

Sold for: £287,500

As impractical as Italian sports cars came, the Countach was a bold, angular stallion that was impossible to park and instant poster material – and, as proven at the auction, it remains highly desirable today.

The LP500 S version hit the roads in 1982 with limited external changes but a more powerful 4.8-litre version of the existing V12 engine sitting behind the driver.

This Countach is one of only 25 built with a right-hand drive setup and delivered to the UK, and remains in brilliant condition thanks to a generous maintenance budget over the last few years. 

1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Roadster

Sold for: £63,250

As stunning as they come, Jaguar’s E-Type remains a defining example of British sports car construction to this day – and this 1969 example is no exception.

A Series 2 model, it carries the more torquey 4.2-litre engine of later E-Types, and is instantly recognisable by its lack of headlight covers – a result of US regulations – and larger front air intake.

Having undergone some £36,000 ($50,000) of restoration work, this Carmen Red machine now enjoys a rejuvenated cabin and new mohair hood – perfect for a spring road trip.

1991 Ferrari Testarossa

Sold for: £96,188

Launched in Paris in 1984, the Testarossa’s Pininfarina styling was all-'80s and all the better for it – complete with finned sides that carved up the curves of the Berlinetta Boxer before it.

Carrying a 4.9-litre V12 good for 390bhp, Ferrari’s now iconic mid-engine machine could hit 60mph in 4.7 seconds from a standing start – yet also managed to deliver a degree of practicality and comfort that eclipsed its Italian contemporaries.

This Rosso-clad example left the factory in 1991 and underwent a comprehensive £15,000 ($20,000) overhaul just last year – making it a prime piece of Prancing Horse history.

1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I

Sold for: £172,500

Originally launched as what was essentially a re-engined 250 GTE, the 330 GT went its own way with the 2+2, which arrived in 1964.

Equipped with the same 4-litre V12 as the 330 America, the 2+2 introduced a raft of styling refinements – from a more pointed front end to a distinctive quad-headlight arrangement.

With just 1,099 ever produced, this particular Series 1 330 GT 2+2 is notable for being one of just 44 UK right-hand drive models made – hence the hefty sale price.

1964 Chevrolet Corvette C2 'Stingray'

Sold for: £51,750

Muscle cars don’t come much more evocative than the C2 Stingray.

Styled like the muscular offspring of an E-Type and a Mustang, the C2 was seen as the spiritual successor to the Q-Corvette concept when it launched in 1962 – and was pretty much born to grace bedroom walls with its sharp curves.

This 1964 C2 carries a 327 cubic inch V8 capable of delivering 250bhp and, while it’s seen a restoration some time in its past, it retains much of its treasured originality.

1981 Ferrari 512 BB

Sold for: £213,750

Chief rival to the Countach, Ferrari’s 512 Berlinetta Boxer launched in Paris in 1976 with a 5-litre flat-12 delivering the goods.

Outwardly similar to its 365 GT4 predecessor, the larger engine didn’t deliver much more in the way of performance (instead helping to keep emissions in check), but the 512 BB could still hit 60mph in some 5.5 seconds and carry on all the way past 160mph.

This particular 512 carries Koenig wheel arch extensions fitted not for flight of fancy but to accommodate low-profile Pirelli P7 tyres in 1981 – and, while marginally less rare than the 365 GT4 before it, remains a truly desirable Prancing Horse classic.

1972 BMW 3.0 CSL

Sold for: £106,875

Built to achieve eligibility for the European Touring Car Championship, fewer than 1,300 examples of BMW’s feisty 3.0 CSL were ever built – and only 500 made it to the UK.

While lacking the snowplough spoiler and big wing of the racing iteration, the roadgoing CSL was nevertheless a cracking package of lightweight performance – with a power-to-weight ratio of 155bhp per tonne.

Clad in a subtle Taiga Green finish, the right-hand drive machine auctioned recently had its engine and transmission overhauled, with a fuel injection system fitted and the suspension modified.

2010 Porsche 911 (997) GT2 RS

Sold for: £345,000

Not strictly a classic, this 2010 Porsche 911 GT2 RS was the most expensive machine sold at Race Retro – and is surely destined for the history books.

With just 500 leaving the factory during its production run, the powerhouse 997 GT2 RS channelled a 612bhp turbocharged engine through the rear wheels and threw in a 6-speed manual transmission for good measure.

Capable of speeds in excess of 200mph, this GT2 RS has fewer than 6,000 miles on the clock – making it a stunning example of one of the most powerful 911s ever made.

1970 Lola T210 SL210-07

Sold for: £146,250

Hit the track in this open-top Lola and there’s a good chance you’ll be grinning in seconds: while its 1.8-litre Cosworth FVC engine delivers a middling 245bhp, a fibreglass construction means it weighs just 550kg – making it one seriously nippy machine.

Built to compete under 2-litre sports car regulations, this T210 saw plenty of action on the European circuit in the early ‘70s, including a win at Paul Ricard in 1972.

Recently rebuilt and harbouring a refreshed engine, it’s more than ready to continue its track duties following its sale at Race Retro.

1970 Ford Escort Mk.I RS1600 FIA race car

Sold for: £89,700

Built around a body shell of the iconic RS1600, this Mk. 1 Escort looks every bit the ‘70s saloon racer – complete with Vince Woodman livery.

Why Vince Woodman? Because the proven British driver happened to be the owner putting it up for auction at Race Retro.

Used just once since it was rebuilt in 2008 to meet FIA ‘Appendix K’ historic regulations, it now harbours an overhauled 2.0-litre Cosworth BDG engine, alongside updated brakes, transmission and wiring.

1960 Cooper Monaco T57 MKII CM3-60

Sold for: £163,130

As ‘60s competitions sports cars go, the Cooper Monaco is quite the looker – not least when it comes clad in a stunning coat of British racing green.

This recently rebuilt 1960 example is unusual for the fact that it harbours the coil spring suspension of the later MKIII model, courtesy of a crash that saw the car return to the workshop early in its racing life.

Raced widely for almost half a century, CM3-60 remains a head-turning classic in fantastic running condition – which probably explains why it sold for more than £163,000. 

1990 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 'Group A'

Sold for: £182,250

Owning a British Touring Car Championship-winning machine is no small thing, particularly when that car happens to be the Sierra RS500 driven to victory by Robb Gravett (supported by DJ Mike Smith and Stig Blomqvist) in 1990.

Part of an effort initiated by the late Radio 1 DJ in 1989 to take the BTCC crown, the Sierra had more than 500bhp at its disposal in its heyday which, paired with high-spec running gear and a host of ‘trick’ parts, saw it claim nine outright round wins.

While not presently competition-ready, the Sierra was supplied at auction in its original livery and with its original engine (albeit limited due to Italian regulations).

1986 Bowlby Suzuki SC100

Sold for: £5,630

Bowlby ought to ring a bell as the name behind such maverick designs as Nissan’s DeltaWing and GT-R LM NISMO efforts, as well as many of Lola’s more successful ‘90s machines.

While his modern Nissan vehicles have been plagued by woes often beyond his control, Bowlby’s prowess as a designer has long been known – and it all began with this Suzuki SC100.

Carrying a mere 1.0-litre motorcycle engine, it incorporated several design innovations – including diffusers, splitters and a rapidly banned ride height-levelling system – which saw it achieve substantial success in Special Saloons in the late ‘80s.

A bargain at less than £6,000.

1963 FIA Ford Lotus Consul Cortina

Sold for: £66,700

Based on the Cortina Mark 1, the Lotus Cortina – or “Consul Cortina developed by Lotus”, according to Ford – was shelled by Ford but engineered by Lotus, which resulted in it carrying a 1.6-litre engine and a substantially lighter kerbweight.

In fact, this aluminium-bodied example hits the scales at just 740kg, which probably goes a long way to explaining why it dominated the speed traps at last year’s Silverstone Classic.

Auctioned with a comprehensive spares package, the hammer fell on this pre-airflow model a surprising £10k below its estimate.