Oustanding sales at the Silverstone Auctions

The Silverstone Classic sale that took place at the historic race meeting last weekend saw a packed auction room, which achieved an excellent sale rate of 74% (excluding competition cars) with $10.67 million worth of sales overall.

The big story of the sale was the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and the 2010 SLS AMG, a new home found for the collection of cars owned by the late Barrie Whizzo Williams, as well as the cars from the Gentlemans' Collection selling well.

The Mercedes-Benz Gullwing, which had attracted lots of interest in the lead up to the sale, achieved $1.39 million. The new vendor was so delighted that he also bid on and successfully purchased the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for $339,000, therefore having both the earliest and latest of the gullwing doored cars.

No place was more appropriate than Silverstone to be selling the collection of cars and kart of the late Barrie Williams. Loved by many in motorsport, he would have been delighted that his Fastkart, trailer and moped, Lancia Fulvia and Mini Cooper S all found new homes. The Mini sold for $108,000, the Fastkart $6,000 and the Lancia $65,000.

The second collection that was on offer, A Gentlemans' Collection of No Reserve, attracted lots of interest with all cars selling very well. Several cars achieved more than their estimates, with a Ferrari Testarossa achieving $165,000, the 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo sold for $118,000 and the rare Lancia Delta HF Integrale Bianco Perlato selling for $109,000.

Day two of the auction also proved to be a great day of sales. An early lot, the 1978 VW Beetle, one of the last off the German production line and only with 130km, sold for $66,000.

Following not long after, the 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk3 topped out at $274,000. And for something little more current, a 1995 Ford Escort Cosworth Motorsport, one of the very few genuine factory-built cars, fetched an incredible $113,000.

One of the highlight lots of Sundays' sale was the Aston Martin DBS V8 press car offered directly from the actor and comedian Steve Coogan, which was presented in beautiful condition and sold for $253,000.

Harry Whale summed up the weekend, "With an overall sale rate of 67% generating $10.67 million and classic cars alone achieving 74%, we are delighted with the weekend and to set industry-leading results in the current market conditions."