Top 20 lots at this week’s Goodwood sale

It’s hammer time at Goodwood

Rejoice, the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed is on and, no, it isn’t all about brand-new hypercars and all-electric showstoppers.

Bonhams is holding an auction there on Friday 9 July 2021 and an impressive live-up of cars is set to cross the block.

Here we’re counting down the top 20, in order of their pre-sale estimates as given by Bonhams. Of course, they are all way out of our budget, but we couldn’t resist taking a look…

20. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition (est: £180-240,000)

We start at number 20 with a car that brings together two legendary automotive names and that commemorates one of the greatest drives in the history of motorsport.

When Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson stormed to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia, they did so in a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR, number 722 – that being their start time. And this car pays tribute to that phenomenal feat.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition (cont.)

Its current custodian has had it since 2007 and it has done (just) fewer than 5000 miles. If this week’s winning bidder wanted to add to that mileage, he or she would get to enjoy the 617bhp of that thumping, supercharged, 5.5-litre V8 that could get them from 0-60mph in just 3.8 secs. You’d have to experience that at least once, wouldn’t you?

It’s being offered with no reserve at Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed sale.

19. RUF RCT (est: £190-220,000)

Next is another Swabian offering and it is the first UK RUF RCT demonstrator.

RCT stands for RUF Carrera Turbo and Bonhams says this car has ‘a unique history’, starting out as a Midnight Blue Pearl Carrera 2 coupé, before RUF fitted its 370bhp turbocharged engine, the marque’s six-speed manual gearbox, uprated suspension, RUF alloys and exhaust, plus an aero package that included a chunky rear wing and front spoiler.

RUF RCT (cont.)

Now a 60,000-mile car, it is said to retain that ‘new car’ smell, and in 2000, about 8000 miles ago, marque specialists carried out an engine rebuild.

Any prospective bidder will also be pleased to learn that it wears a fresh set of the correct Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, and that an anti-stone-chip wrap has been applied to the front.

=16. 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Torpedo Sports (est: £200-250,000)

Bugattis aren’t strangers to top-flight classic car auctions, but what we love about this one is that this is no pristine concours car.

But it is a matching-numbers example that still wears its original coachwork, and it has been with its current owners for two decades – and they’ve had a lot of fun with it.

1928 Bugatti Type 40 Torpedo Sports (cont.)

And here’s the proof! Its current British owners bought it from France and have regularly maintained and campaigned it since, including on rallies in such far-flung places as Australia, New Zealand and Japan – and it is only being sold, we understand, to make space for another Bugatti project.

Let’s hope this month’s winning bidder enjoys this Mille Miglia-eligible classic just as much.

=16. 1935 Aston Martin 1½-Litre MkII Short Chassis Tourer (est: £200-250,000)

This classic is also ready to go, but in this case it is fresh from an extensive, lengthy restoration by respected marque specialists.

Between 2010 and 2020, Ecurie Bertelli worked to bring this Aston Martin back to best. Receipts from this undertaking are included in the sale and the car has covered just 2000 miles since its engine was rebuilt.

1935 Aston Martin 1½-Litre MkII Short Chassis Tourer (cont.)

Before that? Well, way back in 1957 it was a concours winner, and its current custodians bought it at auction from Texas, so it has certainly lived quite a life.

Let’s hope it finds a loving new home when it crosses the block on 9 July at Goodwood.

=16. 1931 Bugatti Type 49 Open Tourer (est: £200-250,000)

Our second Bugatti in this list also comes from long-term ownership, plus it is the third consecutive lot with the same pre-sale estimate.

It’s been with the same family since 1979, Paul and Sylvia Roberts, and been enjoyed extensively, including on events in Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal and Sicily. Indeed, we are told the reason for sale is simply ‘the vendor’s advancing years’.

1931 Bugatti Type 49 Open Tourer (cont.)

The car has an intriguing history, because its previous keeper, HH Posner, acquired the chassis rails, axles, springs, gearbox, steering box and other parts from Switzerland and the 3.3-litre eight-cylinder engine from New York, while the chassis plate ‘4189’ is that of a car delivered to Switzerland and the rolling chassis was made by Ernie Allen in the UK.

It is described as ‘well sorted’ and ‘in good running order throughout’.

15. 1936 Riley 1½-Litre TT Sprite Competition Sports (est: £200-300,000)

This ex-works Riley racer was driven to 11th in the 1936 Tourist Trophy by Alex Von der Becke, as well as finishing third in class at that year’s French Grand Prix.

The factory then sold it, but it was still raced, including at Le Mans in 1937 where it retired in a six-car accident, but it achieved a second-in-class finish at the 1937 French Grand Prix and enjoyed further outings, including at Montlhéry in 1939.

1936 Riley 1½-Litre TT Sprite Competition Sports (cont.)

It was the subject of a long-term restoration which finished in 2009 and more recently it has been reunited with some of its original competition components.

Over a ninth-month spell these have been reinstalled and now this pre-war racer is ready to take to the track once more.

14. 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S LP740-4 (est: £220-260,000)

It’s not all classic cars at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed sale, as this three-owner, c4900-mile Lamborghini proves.

Power comes courtesy of a 6.5-litre V12 with 730bhp and it can hit 60mph from standing in a mere 2.9 secs, on its way to its 217mph top speed. Wowsers.

2017 Lamborghini Aventador S LP740-4 (cont.)

This example is described as ‘fully loaded’ – which apparently means a list of optional extras that extends to more than three pages of A4. Bonhams says there can be ‘few better-equipped examples in existence’, which we are inclined to believe…

It comes to auction from a private collection and will be driven to the sale – perhaps its vendor wants to revel in that stupendous power just one final time.

13. 2016 Ferrari 458 Speciale (est: £220-280,000)

We’ll return to classics soon, have no fear, but at number 13 in this list is a Prancing Horse described as being in ‘as-new condition’.

It was supplied new to Bahrain before being imported to the UK, where it has had one owner who’s had it serviced every year by HR Owen.

Yet despite such meticulous care, it has covered around only 400km (c250 miles) in its five years.

2016 Ferrari 458 Speciale (cont.)

If this car’s eye-catching yellow and black trimmed cabin wasn’t enough to grab your attention, how about its 4.5-litre, 597bhp V8 – the Speciale up 35bhp on the stock 458.

Impressive it is. Subtle it isn’t.

12. 1955 AC Ace Roadster (est: £250-300,000)

We return to the world of classic cars with this delightful-looking AC Ace Roadster, which was upgraded by the factory with its current Bristol D2 engine in early 1960s.

Its Pacific Green colour is original, as is the buff logbook it will be sold with.

1955 AC Ace Roadster (cont.)

It is being offered for sale for the first time in over half a century, having been owned by John Gardiner of Crosthwaite & Gardiner fame.

He completed a nut and bolt restoration of the car shortly before his passing in 2007, since when this Ace has done just 800 miles.

=10. 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante (est: £300-400,000)

Seeing as it is all about staycations for summer 2021, how about a road trip in this? Wind in your hair, serious style and an epic V8 soundtrack – what’s not to love?

Granted, Bonhams’ pre-sale estimate for this ’89 example is rather more than we can afford, but since when has that stopped us dreaming?

1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante (cont.)

This is an extensively restored example that was sold new to Monaco and has had two factory conversions in its 32 years: at around five months old in December 1989 it was converted at the Newport Pagnell works from left- to right-hand drive, and it has also had its original automatic gearbox swapped for a manual one.

In addition, it is an Aston Martin Owners’ Club concours winner and it has done just shy of 47,000 miles.

=10. 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage Sports Saloon (est: £300-400,000)

No, your eyes don’t deceive you. This is another Aston Martin listed in the catalogue for Bonhams’ 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed sale at the same price as the one before.

It is 27 years older than the car we’ve just looked at, and this Series IV DB4 was sold new to an owner in London, then to Lincolnshire and then to its current custodian in 1970, who’s been the proud owner ever since.

1962 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage Sports Saloon (cont.)

Peering through its Webasto sunroof, you can see that this 78,600-mile example wears its patina with pride.

It was used as a company car in the ’70s and will be sold with paperwork detailing £70,000 spent on it since its 1970 acquisition, £24,000 of which was in 2008.

Described as ‘well-maintained and highly original’, let’s hope this Roman Purple DB4 soon finds another loving home.

9. 2006 Bentley Continental GTZ (est: £400-500,000)

Hardly subtle, is it? But we suspect that is the point…

The GTZ is the result of the first-ever collaboration between two great automotive names, British marque Bentley and Italian coachbuilder Zagato, and it is one of just nine built.

It was the result of a meeting at 2006’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the finished product was revealed at the 2008 Geneva show.

2006 Bentley Continental GTZ (cont.)

From this angle, Zagato’s trademark double-bubble roof is clear – if the numberplate hadn’t already given the game away – and the longer, more flowing tail is another clue that this isn’t a stock Bentley Continental GT.

This GTZ has lived all its 15 years in the British capital, and heads to auction with 8600 miles under its wheels and in, so we’re told, ‘impeccable condition’.

8. 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica Convertible (est: £450-600,000)

From Zagato to Pininfarina with the car with the next-highest pre-sale estimate at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed auction.

Of the 559 575M Superamerica Convertibles built, just five were UK-supplied, right-hand drive models with a manual gearbox. Quite a specific qualification, granted, but at least we know this one has been enjoyed – for more than 22,000 miles.

And what is really clever about this model is its electro-chromic roof – the first of its kind in a production car – that can vary the transparency of its glass. Or, at the touch of a button, the roof can be lowered in only 10 secs.

Very clever. Although we dread to think what this costs if it ever fails.

2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica Convertible (cont.)

With a price-tag like this car has, however, that will never be our problem, so instead we can just marvel at it.

That it has a V12 engine and a sports exhaust to help make the most of its soundtrack is rather more important.

It has been with the same owner since 2007 and in his or her care (the owner has passed away) it has been well look after by marque specialists.

7. 1966 Aston Martin DB5 (est: £500-600,000)

This eye-catching Autumn Gold finish is a delightful and refreshing change from Silver Birch that so often seems to be the default colour for DB5s.

It left the factory in July ’66 with a beige interior which has since been retrimmed a dark red, which we think suits it very well.

1966 Aston Martin DB5 (cont.)

This is a matching-numbers car that has been in the same family since 1995.

Its previous owner commissioned a restoration in the mid-’80s which was when it was reupholstered. At this point the odometer was set to zero and it has covered 6760 miles since then.

6. 1958 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta (est: £700-900,000)

We’ve jumped up price-wise with this Ellena-bodied Ferrari 250GT – but then it is particularly stunning.

As you’d expect at this level, it is Ferrari Classiche certified and it is one of only 50 250GTs bodied by the firm, which was initially known as Carrozzeria Boano; of those 50 it is number 25.

1958 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta (cont.)

This car was sold new to Italy, was once part of a collection in America, and was the subject of a major restoration at British specialist DK Engineering between 2005 and 2008.

Its most recent (now deceased) keeper acquired it in December 2012 and back in 2019 it was shown at Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace.

5. 1990 Ferrari F40 (est: £800,000-1.2m)

Our second Ferrari in succession is the first car in this list that, it is predicted, might break through the £1m barrier when it crosses the block with Bonhams this week.

This 17,789km (c11,000-mile) F40 is a four-owner car, sold new to gentleman racing driver Sir Paul Vestey who collected it from the factory and kept it until ’93. It is one of 78 built for the British market, of which just 20 were ‘non-catalyst’ models like this.

1990 Ferrari F40 (cont.)

Between 1993 and 2006 this Ferrari was owned by the Earl of Mexborough, the next keeper enjoying it until the current custodian acquired it in 2015.

It will be sold with its original service book which is proof of its careful, specialist maintenance, which hopefully means this week’s winning bidder will be able to enjoy that twin-turbo V8 very soon indeed.

4. Ferrari Dino 246/20 F1 car (est: £900,000-1.3m)

Yes, it is another Prancing Horse, but that’s what we’ve all come to expect at the sharp end of such prestigious classic car sales – and it could get its next owner on track, too.

Indeed its current keeper has campaigned it extensively at historic race meetings across Europe.

Ferrari Dino 246/20 F1 car (cont.)

Bonhams describes this car as being in ‘long-stored but nicely presented and runnable condition’, and recommends inspection and preparation prior to running it again.

It’s being sold with a spare chassis and, as you might expect, a fair amount of documentation.

3. 1928 Maserati Tipo 26B (est: £900,000-1.3m)

We move into the top three lots predicted to achieve the highest prices at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed sale with another red racer, this time from Maserati.

It was campaigned with great success in Argentina by Scottish/Argentine racer Juan Augusto Malcolm/John Malcolm.

1928 Maserati Tipo 26B (cont.)

Powered by a straight-eight supercharged engine, it has been restored in the past and could give its winning bidder a competitive future.

It will be sold with a wealth of documentation and period photographs, too.

2. 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible (est: £1.3-1.7m)

Any Aston Martin DB5 is a lovely, lovely thing, but this example has a few more aces up its sleeve.

Its first owner was the actor Peter Sellers, who then sold it to the Earl of Snowdon, husband of HRH Princess Margaret, after which it was owned by their son, Viscount Linley. It was in that family for more than 30 years and used extensively in that time.

1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible (cont.)

Today it comes to auction from eight years of ‘cherished ownership’, during which time it has helped raise millions for charity.

And prior to sale it will be serviced and take its MoT.

1. 1972 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 TT3 3-litre Racing Sports Prototype (est: £1.8-2.2m)

Given that it is the Festival of Speed sale, that this ex-Autodelta, works-entered 24 Hours of Le Mans racer is the headline lot is rather appropriate.

This is the car in which Andrea de Adamich and Nino Vaccarella secured a fourth-place finish at the French endurance epic in 1972.

Running number 18, the duo qualified seventh and achieved their impressive result after 307 laps, despite losing an hour in the pits having the car’s clutch fixed.

1972 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 TT3 3-litre Racing Sports Prototype (cont.)

Subsequent owners have included Pink Floyd manager Steve O’Rourke and it has been in several Japanese collections, too.

More recently, Brian Redman and Peter Read drove it at the Le Mans Classic in 2012 and just last summer it was shown at Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, and this ex-works Alfa Romeo will be sold with a host of spare parts.

This and all the other cars listed here will go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed sale from 2:30pm (BST) on Friday 9 July 2021 – check out the full catalogue here.