A great selection of race cars are going under the hammer next week at the prestigious Silverstone Classic where cars eligible for Goodwood, Masters Series, Historic Touring Cars, Spa Historic and other classic racing series will be offered for sale. We take a look at the top picks:
Firstly there is this – iconic – Kaliber liveried Ford Sierra RS500 Group A touring car. Estimated at £150,000 to £180,000 this is one of two the legendary cars built by Andy Rouse for the 1988 British Touring Car Championship and predominately used by the well-known motorsport marketing guru and ex-Formula One driver Guy Edwards. Whilst one of the cars headed off to Peter Brock after the season finished this car competed at Macau and the Asian Pacific Series. In 1992 it then competed at Bathurst in the James Hardie race before it was displayed in the museum. In 1993 the current vendor purchased the car and continued to race it in New Zealand after a visit to Peter Brock for some re-engineering. The car continued to win races and was eventually retired at the end of 1997 where it remained in his ownership and in late 2016 early 2017 it was decided to restore the car to its original livery. This is now one totally and utterly amazing touring car not only prepared by Andy Rouse but also by Pete Brock, two of the biggest names in touring cars. What’s more, it also comes with a basic spares package and an option of a complete inventory to support a race effort lasting many seasons.
Editorial thoughts: It sounds like a great purchase, and boy would we love to have a go. The sister car recently won the HTCC race at Donington and will be in action at 11am on Sunday morning at Silverstone Classic. You only need to look at the cheshire grin on Calum Lockies face to see how much fun these are to drive, and who wouldn’t want to get their hands on a turbo boosted car likely to top out at 600+bhp? I would expect the preparation / racing and running costs will pale the purchase price into an insignificant sum! But who cares?
If you are thinking of racing in the World Sportscar Masters, this next car would be a great way to get involved and be competitive straight away. This 1972 Lola T 290 estimated at £110,000 to £125,000 once took part in the 1974 Targa Florio and more recently competed at the 2011 Silverstone Classic in the hands of the respected engine builder David Gathercole. Purchased in 1988 by a Swede and taken back to Italy until 1995 it was then purchased by Mr Jim Jaqua who exported it to America and had it prepared by a well-known US preparer. It was later bought through Simon Hadfield, well known historic racer by the current vendor in 2007 and now with full FIA HTP papers is looking for a new home and to go racing again.
With a number of Ferraris in the sale, this 430 GT3 which in 2008 and 2009 was raced by Hector Lester and the late Allan Simonsen is a very special car. In their hands, it achieved one win, three pole positions and four fastest laps. Now restored by Prosport in 2015 and used for track days by the current vendor, prepared by RnR, this Ferrari GT3 comes with spares and interesting provenance. Estimated at £100,000 to £120,000 this is a great opportunity for someone to either continue using it on track days or to go racing once again.
Editorial thoughts: Some track day weapon – yes please – but don’t expect to drive it to the circuit.
For something a little less raucous yet still bundles of fun, this 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint is very suitable for events like Goodwood and Historic Touring Car Cup meetings. Believed to have last been raced in 1981 and still wearing its distinctive Mach 3 livery but under the bonnet, there are signs of its original Butch Racing Team livery from the 1974 and 1975 Spa 24 hours race. This car has a great history, has been professionally stored in dehumidified storage for the last two years and is now ready to be rebuilt to Group 1 specification in order to gain FIA papers to go racing again. Estimated at £20,000 to £25,000 this is a wonderful Dolomite with a BMIHT certificate and a spare set of wheels and tyres.
Editorial thoughts: Almost tempted by this purchase, we drove another Butch Team car and these are easy to drive, very forgiving and immense fun. You can read our story here. If you need a Dolly expert speak to Ken Clarke who can be found in amongst a sea of Rover SD1s at Silverstone Classic.
And for historic racers wishing to go to Goodwood or to compete in the Masters Series, Historic Touring cars or similar this rare 1965 Studebaker Lark Daytona 500 estimated at £65,000 to £80,000 and excitingly offered at No Reserve is a fantastic opportunity. This a highly developed, expertly prepared and extremely competitive car. It comes with a host of spares including wheels, tyres, differentials, body panels and further assorted parts. There is also highly likely to be an invitation from Goodwood when their period for racing is 1960s saloons.
Editorial thoughts: Some people just want to race something that’s different – well here you go – fill those boots.
This Lotus Cortina was prepared by Alan Mann Racing for Sir John Whitmore. It dominated the 1965 season, winning eight out of the nine rounds. With links to being a Works car and also being shared with Jack Sears and Sir John Whitmore for an assault on the Nurburgring 6 hour race, which they won overall and set a new lap record, being used by Ford for a promotional tour, this is one of the most historical and important race cars to come on the market.
Sir John owned the car from 1967 until 1995, residing in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu from 1972 to 1978 and then with Jack Sears on his farm in Norfolk. It was then purchased by an American enthusiast who continued to preserve the history and in 2013 the Ford Lotus Cortina returned to the UK to be sold at auction having just covered 1,000 miles whilst in the care of the previous owner. The current vendor, who is a family friend of the Manns, is now offering the car for sale at £190,000 to £220,000 with just 11,464 miles, albeit mainly race miles.
Editorial thoughts: Amazing history on this car, could be a great tool for the U2TC race at Spa Francorchamps in September.
For a closer look at the full line up for the Silverstone Classic Sale click here
The Silverstone Classic Auction takes place on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July 2019 offering an exclusive selection of classic cars, sports cars and supercars and automobilia. The lots can be previewed on the 26th July from 09.00 to 18.00.
