RM Sotheby’s London Sale 2024

As well as the start of a new month, next weekend also sees an auction taking place of some of the finest classic cars money can buy. RM Sotheby’s is one of the most prestigious automotive auction houses in the world and their London Auction takes place at the exquisite Peninsula Hotel in Belgravia on 1-2 November. Over the past few years their London Sale has seen some of the most sought-after cars going under the hammer, including the Factory Fresh Collection from last year and the Gran Turismo Collection from 2022.

This year’s sale is no exception and features some of the most desirable collector cars available anywhere in the world. The exceptional venue and the calibre of vehicles and memorabilia on offer meant that the London Sale is certainly not one to miss. In a week in which we take a look at classics and future classic cars, here we have put together some of the standout vehicles that caught our eye from the upcoming sale.

1957 Jaguar XKSS

Jaguar’s incredibly successful Le Mans record during the 1950’s was a result of their legendary C- and D-Type racing cars. With the manufacturer recording 5 wins in 7 years, they confirmed their place in racing history. As a result of a rule change meaning the brand withdrew from sportscar racing, they decided to convert 18 chassis to dual purpose road and racing car XKSS specification. With very minor changes from the D-Type, the XKSS was effectively a full blown racing car that was road legal and has become one of the most sought-after road cars of all time ever since.

This particular example is one of a pair of XKSS conversions that kept their XKD racing chassis numbers and was used as a production ‘short nose’ D-Type racing car for 3 years until it received its XKSS conversion. With an extensive documentation of its provenance and race history as well as its maintenance and restoration works. It is sold in incredibly original condition with matching numbers chassis, front sub-frame and body and most of the ancillary items are also thought to be original. It even comes with a generous spares package to accompany the car.

As an example of the XKSS that has been described as faultless, it is understandably highly sought after and a unique opportunity to acquire a very special vehicle. The guide price for this exquisite example is £9million – £11million.

1989 Ferrari F40

The Ferrari F40 is unquestionably an automotive legend, and that’s not just compared to all other cars, but an icon amongst other Ferraris. With the abandonment of the Group B Rally class, Ferrari’s race developed 288 GTO Evoluzione chassis was redundant. Rather than abandon the project altogether, they decided to create something rather special for their 40th anniversary. Retaining the twin-turbocharged V8 engine and modifying the chassis led to the Pininfarina designed masterpiece that we know today as the F40.

Famously the last car presided over by Enzo Ferrari himself before his death, the F40 was made specifically for driving thrills. With pioneering composite bodywork and that race derived chassis the F40 weighed just 1200kg but produced 478 horsepower, meaning 0-62mph took just 4 seconds and it was the first production car to have a top speed over 200mph. The enviable power-to-weight ratio, the analogue driving experience and the rawness of the turbo boost provided the F40 with a place in automotive history.

This particular example is one of the desirable non-adjustable suspension, non-catalytic converter European market versions. Having covered just 20,000km and offered in its original Rosso Corsa paintwork, the car is Ferrari Classiche certified confirming the matching-numbers chassis, engine and gearbox. A rare opportunity to own one of the most sought-after cars of its era, the guide price is £1.85m-£2m.

1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL

Often slated as the first supercar, the Mercedes Benz 300 SL was the road going version of the W194 endurance racing car. Thanks to its lightweight construction and a 3.0-litre straight-six engine, the 300 SL was the fastest production car in the world, but it wasn’t all about the speed. Its long bonnet, curvaceous bodywork and statement gullwing doors meant that it became, and has remained, one of the most desirable cars in the world.

This particular car stands out amongst the rest however as one of the earliest examples of the 300 SL and carries an incredibly rare ‘Standwagen’ designation as a display car at the 1954 London Motor Show. Subject of a 5-year complete restoration, the car is presented in its original colour combination of Silver Grey over Blue Plaid interior, and retains its matching-numbers chassis, body and engine.

With a comprehensive history file and detail of works carried out, this 300 SL is likely to be the last ‘Standwagen’ to be offered from single private ownership. The guide price for this very special vehicle is £1.05m-£1.3m.

1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible

As if the Aston Martin DB4 wasn’t desirable enough, the company then unveiled a convertible version in 1961. With just 70 produced it is one of the rarest models the brand has ever produced. Though that kind of rarity is usually enough to create a huge demand, this particular example was the only one to be fitted with the DB4 GT engine from the factory. What’s more, it has recently undergone a 3-year restoration to concours standard by the experts at Aston Martin Works.

The standard of works carried out is to such a high standard that the car was displayed on the firm’s stand at the Retromobile show in Paris in 2019. With Aston Martin restoration certification and finished in its factory-correct colour combination of Midnight Blue with Black soft-top over Red Connoly leather interior, this DB4 Convertible is sure to be one of the finest in existence. The guide price for this exquisite example is £775,000-£875,000.

1993 Porsche 911 Turbo S Lightweight

The Porsche 911 Turbo S Lightweight was the very first model to be built and developed within the ‘Porsche Exclusive’ department. Essentially a road-legal version of the car that won the 1992 IMSA Supercar Championship, just 86 cars were built in the pursuit of reducing weight as much as possible. By stripping over 180kg from the standard Turbo S, the limited-edition car also saw a 61 horsepower increase to 381. Of the 86 cars produced just 19 were made in right hand drive.

This particular example has covered just 130 kilometres (81 miles) and has recently been refurbished after decades of storage in a private collection. Offered in its original Grand Prix White, this car is a remarkable discovery of one of the rarest 911 versions ever produced. It has never been publicly displayed, let alone offered to the public for sale, since it was originally delivered. A true time warp car, this example has a guide price of £700,000-£900,000.

2006 Mercedes Benz SLR ‘McLaren Edition’

The Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren was created as a homage to the 300 SLR of the 1950’s and to celebrate the partnership between the two brands in Formula 1. Whilst Mercedes took care of the styling, McLaren were responsible for pretty much everything else and the end creation was something very spectacular. With the newly established McLaren Automotive in 2011, the brand set about reworking the SLR following customer feedback.

With a comprehensive overhaul of everything from the suspension set up, braking system, ancillary changes, weight reduction, downforce increases and bodywork enhancements, all to improve primarily the ride and handling, the SLR ‘McLaren Edition’ was created. And it was an overhaul that cost in excess of £160,000. This particular example is one of the 25 cars that received the improvements and is the only one finished in the bespoke shade of Fire Black. An incredibly rare and sought after example of an already highly collectable car, this exquisite SLR McLaren Edition has a guide price of £500,000-£700,000.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring

Of all the homologation specials that have been produced by Porsche, the Carrera RS 2.7 was the very first. Based on the 911 S and available in lightweight Sport or Touring specification, the RS was created for the brand’s entry into Group 3 racing. Of the 500 cars initially planned, almost 1,600 were eventually built due to the popularity and the flood of orders that Porsche received.

With significant weight saving thanks to thinner-gauge steel bodywork, a glass fibre engine cover and bumpers, and the removal of creature comforts, the RS weighed just 960kg. This combined with a larger 2.7-litre engine now producing 210 horsepower and 20% more torque, the addition of flared wheelarches and the iconic ‘ducktail’ spoiler meant it looked as purposeful as the performance provided.

This particular UK supplied example has undergone significant restoration and as such has welcomed numerous concours awards since. Retaining its matching numbers engine and offered in its factory correct shade of Black, the car has a guide price of £500,000-£600,000.

2000 Aston Martin Vantage Le Mans V600

Built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Aston Martin’s sole outright victory at Le Mans, the Le Mans V600 took the already incredibly powerful Vantage and made it the most powerful production car in the world at the time. With twin-supercharging to the 5.4-litre V8 engine, the power was increased to 600 horsepower, 0-62mph reduced to under 4 seconds and the top speed now 200mph.

One of the 18 built in right-hand drive configuration out of the 40 in total, this Bowland Black example has undergone a full engine rebuild and cabin retrim, amongst other works, completed by Aston Martin Works and totalling over £90,000. With an extensive history file and having covered less than 10k miles, this rare example of a sought-after Aston Martin future classic has a guide price of £250,000-£300,000.

1994 Honda NSX-R

Whereas the ‘standard’ NSX was designed to create a Ferrari and Porsche beating supercar that could be comfortable, reliable and used every day, the NSX-R was a track-focused special. As well as being 120kg lighter it had no traction control, stiffer suspension and chassis and less sound deadening. Just 483 cars were produced solely for the Japanese market.

Most of the cars were produced in White with a contrasting Black roof making this Charlotte Green example with body colour roof even more rare. It also features the extremely rare and expensive seven-spoke Custom Order Programme Step Three wheels in Championship White, Mugen tubular manifolds and a limited slip differential. This is an opportunity to acquire a UK-imported example of what is arguably one of the greatest drivers supercars of the 1990’s, going under the hammer with a guide price of £230,000-£290,000.

1951 Land Rover Series I ‘Reborn’

The Series I Land Rover is one of the most iconic vehicles to ever have existed. For over 75 years the Land Rover brand has been synonymous with its go anywhere ability that started with the Series I. In 2016 Land Rover launched the ‘Reborn’ programme to offer customers the chance to purchase one of 25 Series I vehicles that had been restored to factory fresh condition by the Land Rover Classic department.

This particular example is an 80-inch model originally built in July 1951 and has been part of the meticulous restoration by the Land Rover Classic experts to restore the vehicle to an exemplary standard. It also includes a number of customer-specific updates including leather-trimmed seats in the front and rear, a cabin heater and a passenger side windscreen wiper. As part of the restoration, all brightwork has been galvanised, the bodywork painted in Bronze Green and the canvas roof finished in Tan.

This unique and stunning Land Rover Classic creation is the perfect opportunity to acquire a time warp vehicle in as-new condition with a guide price of £100,000-£150,000.

Whilst we have highlighted just 10 of the cars going under the hammer at this year’s RM Sotheby’s London Sale, there are so many exquisite vehicles it was certainly difficult to choose from the listings. Take a look at the complete catalogue of Lots here: LINK

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