Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro Sale 2024

One of the advantages of being official finance partner to renowned car auction house, Iconic Auctioneers, is that the start of a new year means a whole new catalogue of sales to look forward to. Recently awarded ‘UK market leaders for the sale of collectable motor cars’, the brand has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and have continued the upward trend after their rebrand from Silverstone Auctions last year.

Their first sale of 2024 is the Classic & Collector’s Car Sale as part of the Race Retro event at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. Bringing together a catalogue of collectors cars from private collections as well as competition and former racing cars, the sale has attracted some exceptional lots to go under the hammer on Saturday 24th February.

With over 120 lots available on the day it promises to be a fantastic auction, of which we have highlighted a few standout examples that caught our eye when browsing through the catalogue. Here is our roundup of the Race Retro sale ones to watch:

Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 duo

After famously securing a world record price for a Sierra Cosworth RS500 last year, the value of ‘Fast Fords’ has never been so high. Whilst that example was a showroom fresh ‘unicorn’ example, there are still plenty of opportunities to add some exquisite performance Ford vehicles to your collection. The Race Retro sale is another of those opportunities. Part of the sale catalogue are a pair of 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 cars, as well as an unused RS500 engine, all from the same collection.

Lot 909 is chassis number 266 of 500 finished in Black and has had just 2 owners over its lifetime, the second of which has cherished the car for 34 years. Still wearing its original numberplates, the car has been meticulously maintained meaning it hasn’t required an engine rebuild, paint work or welding of any kind. Its originality is a testament to its dedicated former keepers and its impressive history file is something rarely found with such attention to detail. With a modest 60,000 miles covered, the RS500 has a guide price of £75,000-£85,000.

Lot 910 is an exceptional RS500 offered in rare Moonstone Blue, one of just 52 cars produced in this colour, and is number 406 of the 500 limited production. Recently benefitting from an engine rebuild at a cost of over £25,000, the car remains in a new-concours level condition and has covered just 50 miles over the past 5 years. With a conservative 54,000 miles covered since new, this stunning example has a guide price of £85,000-£100,000.

Lot number 911 is something very rare indeed, an original and unused factory bench tested RS500 Cosworth engine. It is understood to be one of the very last ‘YBD’ engines to leave the factory and remains intact and unseparated, remaining on its plinth since leaving the factory over 36 years ago. Only a handful of unused engines of this type remain in existence and it comes with a bespoke glass case to display as automotive art for any collection. The guide price for this rare find is £12,000-£15,000.

See more details of all 3 Lots here: Two ‘ultimate’ Ford Cosworths up For Auction

1987/2021 BMW M3 (E30) Redux

The Redux Leichtbau restomod process is one of the most thorough and complete recreations money can buy. With the sole intention of taking the E30 BMW M3, itself highly regarded as one of the best sports saloons of all time, to the ultimate modern-day specification. The enhancements include carbon fibre bodywork, a rebuilt and modified engine now producing 300bhp, an individual interior and trim, as well as suspension, mechanical and brake upgrades too.

One of just 30 cars intending to be built, this being number 2, each Redux M3 takes between 18 months and 2 years to complete, with over 3,000 hours of labour going into each build. It is the first road car example to be completed, the first being a track car, and complete with additional options bespoke to the buyers demands listed in excess of £400,000. That first owner has covered just 328 miles in this unique and exceptionally rare car, with numbers 3 and 4 currently in the build process, and Lot 920 comes with a conservative guide price to encourage bidding of £200,000-£250,000.

See more details: For Sale | 1987/2021 BMW M3 (E30) Rebuilt to REDUX Specification.

1961 Jaguar E-Type ‘OBL’

The Jaguar E-Type is one of the most legendary and iconic cars of all time and as such is highly sought after the world over and a definitive addition to any car collection. The most sought after of all the E-Types are the first 92 right hand drive examples to leave the factory, easily distinguishable by their outside bonnet locks (or OBL). This particular car is number 38 of those first 92 cars and is one of the oldest surviving examples in existence.

Undergoing extensive restoration in recent years with no expense spared, number 38 is offered in exceptional condition and is a testament to the quality and attention to detail of the works completed. Accompanied by its original tool kit, bonnet opening tool, operating, maintenance and service handbooks, as well as period leaflets and maintenance records, even the original factory hardtop roof is present. The car has covered just 32,000 miles and has a guide price of £220,000-£250,000.

See more details: For Sale | 1961 Jaguar E-Type ‘OBL’ – Chassis No #38

1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo T16

Some of the most outlandish and spectacular vehicles have come from the world of rallying, and none more so than those created during the power-crazy Group B era. With less restricting regulations, the cars created for Group B were far removed from their road going equivalents, with some completely bespoke creations not based on an existing model. Amongst the Audi Quattro, Ford RS200 and Metro 6R4 was the Peugeot 205 Turbo T16. What this did mean however was that in order to meet the regulations, a whole range of homologation specials were created for the public to buy.

Appearing to be based on the road going 205, the T16 had a mid-mounted engine, extended wheel arches, gaping air intakes and four-wheel drive system. It had a bespoke chassis, clamshell rear tailgate and custom engine build that produced around 200bhp for the road going version. With just 200 cars built, Peugeot decided that to save time all cars would be finished in Winchester Grey and be left hand drive only. This particular example is number 176 of the 200 and has covered less than 10,000 miles since new with original paint and interior upholstery. The guide price for this exceptional example of Group B excess is £235,000-£275,000.

See more details: For Sale | 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16-For Sale

1998 Subaru Impreza 22B

With 3 manufacturer World Rally Championship titles in a row just in time for the company’s 40th anniversary, Subaru rightfully decided to treat themselves and their customers with the Impreza 22B. Based on their highly successful rally car at the time, the flared wheel arches, fixed rear spoiler and uprated engine meant it was the closest that the public were ever going to get to a WRC car for the road. Only 399 22B’s were built and all sold out within 48 hours of their launch in 1998.

This example is being offered for sale from a private collection and 23 years of ownership in complete factory specification and without restoration. The fastidious maintenance and care of its owner is a testament to the condition of the car and belies its 48k miles covered. The 22B is one of the rarest and most sought after 1990’s rally cars and has renewed interest especially after the world record price achieved for Colin McRae’s 22B last year, showing with the guide price for this example at £190,000-£220,000.

See more details: For Sale | 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STI

2004 BMW M3 (E46) CSL

The 2004 M3 CSL was BMW’s attempt to make the definitive touring car for the road and to create the ultimate iteration of the E46. With an increase in power, additional settings to the traction control system and not just weight saving but improvements to the way it was distributed, the CSL is highly regarded as one of the most iconic of all M3’s. With just 422 UK cars available, the limited production run would be enough to make the CSL an in-demand car, but the extents as to which the weight saving and engineering changes went made sure that it wasn’t just about exclusivity.

Lot 924 is perhaps the best available example of an E46 M3 CSL, with less than 1,000 miles covered and a unique opportunity to purchase such a relatively unused vehicle. The paintwork is factory fresh, the new car smell remains to the interior and the car is an unmarked and highly original example. A fantastic addition to any collection and a rare opportunity to acquire an iconic model in such condition, the guide price is £120,000-£140,000.

See more details: For Sale | 2004 BMW M3 (E46) CSL

1996 Honda NSX-T

The original Honda NSX was the brand’s attempt at making a reliable, useable and comfortable sports car to take on the established manufacturers of the day. Famoulsy it also came with chassis, suspension and handling input from three-time Formula 1 World Champion, Ayrton Senna and as such did not disappoint as a dynamic driving machine. Utilising the latest engine technology, an all-aluminium body, frame and suspension, and a normally aspirated 3-litre engine, the NSX was as fast as the Ferrari 348 of the time but was infinitely more comfortable, refined and easier to drive fast.

This particular example is a first generation Honda NSX-T, for Targa, and was originally allocated to the Honda UK Press Department and featured in numerous magazines and publications. Finished in Sebring Silver all over it unusually does not feature the Black top that the production models had and comes with a desirable Burgundy hide interior and manual gearbox. It remains in excellent condition and has been regularly maintained over its lifetime. The guide price for this 1990’s future classic is £75,000-£85,000.

See more details: For Sale | 1996 Honda NSX-T

New or Original Defender

Offered as part of the Race Retro sale are a couple of rare and sought after Land Rover Defender models, but that are very different in many ways.

Lot number 931 is an exquisite 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 Heritage Edition offered in iconic Grasmere Green with Alaskan White roof and from renowned collector Rowan Atkinson CBE. A known Land Rover enthusiast, the car was sourced directly for the actor by Iconic Auctioneers themselves to be part of his private collection in 2017. Following light use and fastidious maintenance, the vehicle is one of just 400 produced and is offered after covering just 3,800 miles since new. With a guide price of £65,000-£80,000 this is a fantastic opportunity to acquire one of the most sought after iterations of the original Defender.

See more details: For Sale | 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 Heritage

At the other end of the Defender scale, Lot 932 is a 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 Bond Edition, one of just 10 examples produced for the UK market and one of just 300 worldwide. With a 5.0-litre V8 producing in excess of 500bhp, the 110 Bond Edition was created in house by Land Rover’s SV Bespoke department to celebrate the car’s role in the 25^th James Bond film. All cars were finished in the same Black with Black wheels and custom 007 labelled trim and infotainment graphics. The car is offered direct from the original owner and has covered just 800 miles since new, with a guide price of £160,000-£175,000.

See more details: For Sale | 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 5.0 V8 Bond Edition

2001 Mitsubishi EVO VI Tommi Makinen Monte Carlo Edition

With early 2000’s rally cars being of particular interest recently, the prices of cars such as the Subaru Impreza, Ford Escort Cosworth and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO have been steadily increasing. Of the latter, their driver of the era was Tommi Makinen and the Lancer EVO Tommi Makinen special editions were the ones to have. Values of those limited-edition iterations have always remained strong but now in particular they are becoming more sought after.

This particular car is the rarest of them all, the Tommi Makinen Monte Carlo Edition, of which just 5 examples were produced despite initial plans to produce 12. Every aspect of a Lancer EVO RS was enhanced including the engine, suspension and gearbox to produce the ultimate EVO VI version. This model is number 5 out of 5 and has covered less than 3,500 miles since new by its one and only owner. This rare and pristine example of one of the most iconic rally cars of them all is offered with a guide price of £100,00-£120,000.

See more details: For Sale | 2001 Mitsubishi EVO VI RS Tommi Makinen ‘Monte Carlo’ Edition

2015 Jaguar F-Type Project 7

Built to commemorate the 7 wins that Jaguar achieved at Le Mans, the limited production Project 7 saw just 250 cars built, of which only 80 were righthand drive models. Whilst the F-Type clearly takes inspiration for the iconic E-Type, the shallow windscreen and aero hump behind the driver echoes the styling of the legendary D-Type racing car responsible for 3 of those famous victories.

This particular example is offered in striking special order Ultra Blue with Jet Black interior and has covered just 71 miles since new, effectively presenting as a brand-new car. It is rare to find limited production modern day desirable cars with such low mileage and in original ‘as new’ condition, and one that is assured a notable place in Jaguar’s illustrious history. The car has a guide price of £110,000-£130,000 and would form an integral part of a modern classic collection.

See more details: For Sale | 2015 Jaguar F-Type Project 7

Oracle Auction Car Finance

At Oracle Finance we specialise in finding funding for cars that are to be bought at auction. Our expert Account Managers use our panel of specialist lenders to help you to find the perfect package, bespoke to you and your circumstances. We could help to get you approved at the top end of your budget up to 90 days before an auction with an agreement in principle, so that when that hammer drops, your funding is in place, and you are ready to purchase the car of your dreams.

Our team are always on hand should you have any questions about arranging car auction finance and your dedicated Account Manager is ready to take your call today. With the Silverstone Auction just weeks away, why not speak to us now and get your funding in place before you miss being able to place that winning final bid.

Read more about our Auction Car Finance here: Auction Car Finance

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