Multiple UK land speed record holding car is to be auctioned by H&H Classics
The 1992 Rover 220 Coupe Turbo ‘Tomcat’ will go under the hammer at the Millbrook Proving Ground, the place where it made motoring history in 1992

The sale at the iconic motoring venue takes place on Sunday 10th May, the first time H&H Classics has held a weekend sale at the Bedfordshire location
A hugely significant British built car that still holds 36 UK land speed records it set 34 years ago is to be auctioned by H&H Classics at the venue where it made history.

The 1992 Rover 220 Coupe Turbo, nicknamed ‘Tomcat’ after its project name, will go under the hammer at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire on Sunday 10th May, also the first time H&H Classics has held a weekend sale at the iconic motoring venue.

A very special car, estimated at £19,000-£23,000, it was specifically modified by the Rover development team to break land speed records held by other car manufacturers to highlight the launch of the new 2-litre turbo Rover Coupe, the fastest production car the British manufacturer had built at the time

The speed and distance records it aimed to break included those for 2-litre front-wheel-drive vehicles.

It successfully achieved 37 UK land speed records, including a 24-hour world endurance land speed record of 138mph, plus a flying 5 km speed of 156 mph, and still holds 36 of these records.

To help achieve this amazing feat, it was stripped back to a bare shell, checked and rebuilt with various modifications including engine performance, fuel feed, roll cage, large capacity fuel tank, racing seat and various safety devices.

Chris Wardley, motor car specialist at H&H Classics, said: “There couldn’t be a more fitting venue than Millbrook Proving Ground for the auction of this incredible UK land speed record holding car where it made history.

“It will be a very special occasion on Sunday 10th May, and we expect strong bidding from Rover enthusiasts and collectors, plus those wishing to acquire an important piece of automotive history.”

The car going under the hammer with H&H Classics is one of the two specially modified pre-production Coupes, and is thought to be the sole survivor of the land speed record attempt which took place in August 1992. It remains to land speed record breaking specification.

It was professionally recommissioned in 2022 for a commemorative event at Millbrook Proving Ground where it led a cavalcade of surviving Tomcats, while the original team from the Rover factory who built the car were reunited with it for the occasion.

All lots, including the 1992 Rover 220 Coupe Turbo being auctioned, will be available to view in person at the Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire, from midday on Saturday 9th May and from 9am on Sunday 10th May, while the sale then commences at 12pm.

Anyone looking to bid on one of the lots can do so in person, online, by telephone or by leaving a commission bid, while for more details about any of the cars or to register to bid, visit www.handh.co.uk.