From Porsche to Pantera Silverstone Auctions revs up for Classic Sale

◾Silverstone Auctions will hold its biggest sale of the year at the Silverstone Classic on 25-26 July with a mouth-watering collection of the world’s finest Seventies, Eighties and Nineties classic cars◾Line-up will include super-rare Porsches including a 964 RS and 911 2.4S, a DeTomaso Pantera and unique Ferrari 360 Modena among many others◾For the first time ever, Silverstone Auctions will also host a stand-alone Competition Car sale on 24 July ahead of the Silverstone Classic◾Silverstone Classic is one of the largest motor racing festivals and is expecting over 90,000 people through its doors between 25-26 July◾Last year’s auction saw total sales of over £5million, two world record prices and an 85 per cent of successful sale rate

A sensational catalogue featuring a host of the world’s finest classic cars from the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties alongside some incredible competition cars is heading to the home of British motor racing next weekend.

Held during the Silverstone Classic motor racing festival on 25-26 July - an event expected to attract 90,000 enthusiasts - Silverstone Auctions’ sale at the Silverstone Wing is set to be its biggest of the year and, appropriately, features a mouth-watering collection of cars.

Headlined by the first 964 RS ever produced and gifted by Porsche, not sold through dealer network, the N/GT Lightweight Specification car was allegedly given to Ulrich Richter, an Eighties Porsche-only racing driver.

The gift was to entice Richter back into GT racing which worked with substantial success – he came third at the Daytona 24HRS in 1994 driving a 911RSR. The Maritime Blue RS was customised for him for use at his favourite circuit, the Nurburgring. He sold the car in 1993 and it arrived in the UK from Germany on 1 November 1995 having covered just 30,000km. Since then it has been pampered and wants for nothing, thanks to an engine rebuild by Porsche specialists Ninemeister in 2005, a suspension and braking system overhaul in 2006 – which also included a replacement clutch – and a full glass-out paint re-fresh in 2008.

Needless to say, it has complete service history as well as a Porsche Letter of Authenticity and an original 964 RS owner’s manual. Entered into auction with an estimate of £230,000 - £260,000 this historically significant, best-of-the breed 911 represents an incredible opportunity for the serious car collector. 

Another immaculate, highly sought-after and fast-appreciating Porsche starring at the Silverstone Classic sale is a 1972 911 2.4S Coupe. This LHD matching numbers car – confirmed by its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity – was first registered in March 1972 and is presented in its original Light Ivory with a black interior and period correct Fuchs alloys. 

The car was initially built for the Italian market but spent most of its life in Paris, before being imported to the UK in 1997 with only 69,000 miles. After an engine rebuild in 2001, only 16,000 miles ago, a rolling road test in 2006 revealed it still produced 196bhp and the car has covered just 5,000 miles since a gearbox overhaul by Autofarm in 2012.

Featuring the optimally located oil tank ahead of the rear wheel (pioneered in the 911R of 1968 and reverted to in Nineties 911s) this car also features a period correct Blue Spot radio and Recaro sports seats. Coming with an extensive history file, this beautifully presented 911 carries an estimate of £130,000 - £150,000.

Offering an altogether more muscular experience is a very special 1989 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S. An original RHD UK car, it is extremely rare being one of only 17 RHD GT5-Ss out of a total factory production of 187 worldwide.

In outstanding condition, it features Rosso Corsa paint with a Crema leather interior and a mighty V8 engine that has been rebuilt and enlarged from 5.7-litres to 6.4-litres. As the block is original and the majority of the ancillaries are present, the car could easily be returned to the original factory specification.

Without doubt, an incredible blend of Italian style with American muscle, this Pantera packs almost unbeatable aural and visual drama and carries an estimate of £100,000 - £120,000.

Showing the breadth of the Silverstone Classic sale is another incredibly rare machine: a 1990 Mercedes 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II.  A roadgoing version of one of the greatest touring cars of its era, it has acquired legendary status thanks to its competition sister car taking the first three places in the DTM championship in the 1992 season.

Featuring an outrageous bodykit with an adjustable rear spoiler, this car is number 28 from a 502-car limited run, offered in ‘blauschwarz’, a striking combination of blue-black metallic paint. With values of its rival, the BMW E30 M3 Evolution II reaching greater heights at every sale and 190 Cosworths breaking the £50,000 level, the guide price of £65,000 - £75,000 could be very conservative indeed.

A car that you couldn’t possibly describe as conservative is the only known Ferrari 360 Modena to have been factory-painted in Orange Flame. This 1999 LHD F1 transmission car was originally purchased in Kuwait, but was used and driven in London when new. It has covered just 27,960 miles and, with 360 values only heading in one direction, could be a very wise purchase indeed. It carries a guide price of £38,000 - £42,000.

Highlights of the first-ever stand-alone Silverstone Auctions Competition Car sale on 24 August include racing cars of all eras and budgets, from a 1998 BTCC Nissan Primera Super Tourer to a 1983 Osella-Alfa Romeo F1 car and 1977 March-Toyota Formula 3 car, among many others.

 Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, said: “It is always a pleasure to return to our home at the Silverstone Classic, especially with such a great catalogue and a great location as the Silverstone Wing. Last year we saw record prices and we absolutely expect the same again this year with particular focus on the glorious Porsche 964 RS really showing our strength in offering the very best in Seventies, Eighties and Nineties cars.

“We are also looking forward to opening our doors ahead of the Silverstone Classic with our Competition Sale, which has stemmed from an increasing amount of popularity of privately owned racing cars competing in historic series, such as the races at Silverstone Classic. It’s going to be an incredible weekend.”

Alternatively for the list of road cars available from 25-26 July, please visit: www.silverstoneauctions.com/the-silverstone-classic-sale-2015/view_lots

For the full list of lots available for the competition car-only sale, please visit: https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/competition-cars-at-the-silverstone-classic-2015


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