As 2024 attracts to an in depth, the basic automobile and bike public sale scene is buzzing with renewed pleasure. In keeping with the Hagerty Market Score, the collector automobile market suffered some fluctuating returns, with a gentle decline and stagnation within the latter half of 2024. Regardless of these bumps within the metaphorical highway, Iconic Auctioneers emerged victorious. The basic automobile public sale firm has skilled continued enthusiasm from bidders for Fords and classic sports activities vehicles.
“The previous yr while it has had some challenges available in the market, we ended the yr on a excessive,” stated Rob Hubbard, managing director of Iconic Auctioneers. “At present the corporate reaches consumers in additional than 18 nations in Europe and the Americas.”
Hubbard’s sentiment echoes a bigger development. This yr, Iconic Auctioneers set a number of world information for gross sales in basic vehicles and celebrity-owned vehicles, suggesting that the marketplace for uncommon and high-quality collectibles could also be extra optimistic for 2025. Even in additional unsure occasions, the corporate’s success displays the enduring attraction of high-end, limited-edition autos.
Document-Breaking Fords
1990 Ford Sierra RS500 BTCC
For Ford fans, a standout second for Iconic Auctioneers got here with the sale of British racing driver Tim Harvey’s 1990 Ford Sierra RS500, one of the vital famed touring vehicles from the British Touring Automobile Championship (BTCC). This explicit mannequin is adorned within the signature type of Labatt’s livery. Extensively thought to be one of the vital unique and well-preserved examples of the Group A period, this automobile isn’t just a racing legend however a cherished piece of British motorsport historical past, fetching a value of GBP 309,375.
1987 Ford RS200
Iconic Auctioneers additionally made a notable influence with the sale of two Ford RS200s. Considered one of solely 90 examples produced, this 1987 Ford was in distinctive situation, having coated simply 8,877 miles since new with just one earlier proprietor. Valued between GBP 190,000 and GBP 210,000, this uncommon, low-mileage instance soared previous expectations, promoting for GBP 236,250 — a mirrored image of the rising demand for this refined highway automobile mannequin.
1989 Ford RS200
The second RS200 to be bought was this barely newer 1989 Ford RS200. This pristine instance boasted even fewer miles than its 1987 counterpart, clocking in at simply 1,798 miles, making it a real collector’s gem. The automobile bought for GBP 247,500. Hubbard attributes their sturdy gross sales in Fords with their auctioning of the late Princess Diana’s Ford Escort in 2022, which fetched a value of GBP 722,500.
“Now we have developed considerably of a popularity for being THE public sale home to promote distinctive Fords,” says Hubbard. “The truth is, together with the 2 RS200s we bought on the NEC in November, we’ve got bought a complete of 10 RS200’s greater than some other public sale home, so we actually are the “go to” public sale home in case you have a particular Ford you want to promote.”
1976 Ford Escort RS2000 Automated
A uncommon providing on the dwell auctions was this really one-of-a-kind 1976 Ford Escort RS2000. Constructed particularly for Henry Ford II throughout his European and UK excursions within the Seventies, this automobile encompasses a distinctive computerized gearbox, an opulent leather-based inside, and a particular exterior color by no means earlier than seen within the Escort vary. Having solely performed 44,000 miles, the mannequin was comparatively unknown to the general public for the previous twenty years earlier than its current sale of GBP 59,062, underscoring its distinctive place in Ford’s legacy.
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2003 Ford Focus RS Mk1
Most pleasantly, it was a set of Ford Focuses from the 2000s that smashed the public sale home’s private gross sales information. The 2003 Ford Focus RS Mk1 was one among them. Solely made in Ford’s Imperial Blue color, this limited-edition RS Mk1 carried styling cues that carefully echoed its rally counterpart, together with the putting customized 18-inch O.Z. Racing alloy wheels. Much more exceptional was the automobile’s near-perfect situation, with simply 12 miles on the clock. The automobile was bought at GBP 87,750, far surpassing Icon Auctioneers’ earlier document of GBP 77, 500.
2010 Ford Focus RS Mk2
The second-generation Ford Focus RS — a mannequin Ford initially claimed they might by no means produce — has change into one of the vital sought-after ‘super-hatches’ within the trendy basic automobile market. Regardless of its understated hatchback roots, the Focus RS Mk2 delivered uncooked energy and a few memorable colourways, incomes it a devoted following. This explicit instance additionally broke the corporate’s earlier public sale document of GBP 63,000, promoting for GBP 67,500.
2010 Ford Focus RS500 Mk2
Above all, the actual showstopper for Iconic Auctioneers was the sale of the 2010 Ford Focus RS500 Mk2. The RS500, which made its international debut on the Leipzig Motor Present in April 2010, marked the grand finale of the second-generation Focus RS, cementing its place as one among Ford’s most iconic efficiency fashions. With solely 500 items produced, the automobile was valued between GBP 50,000 to GBP 60,000, but the bid soared and ultimately bought at GBP 99,000. Apparently, the value matched one other document set by Iconic Auctioneers for the same mannequin bought in 2022.
Superstar-Owned Vehicles
1980 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
This Ferrari, introduced immediately from the non-public assortment of English rock musician Chris Rea, drew vital consideration this yr. Along with its glossy, angular design, the 308 GT4 additionally marked Ferrari’s first foray into mid-engine V8 sports activities vehicles. Rea’s Ferrari was totally recommissioned earlier than it was introduced for public sale, subsequently promoting for GBP 64,125.
2011 Land Rover Defender 110 6.2-litre V8
One other specially-commissioned celeb automobile to be bought was Man Ritchie’s 2011 Land Rover Defender, at a value of GBP 84,375. Powered by a strong V8 engine, this bespoke Defender was designed to mix rugged functionality with plain type. Beforehand, the automobile was utilized by the British movie director and producer for each countryside drives and journeys to London.
Land Rover Heritage Defender 110
Equally, Iconic Auctioneers have been entrusted to public sale off actor and comic Rowan Atkinson’s Land Rover Heritage Defender. At simply 3,800 miles from new, the corporate stories that Atkinson’s automobile was at all times meticulously serviced, maintained, and saved. As one of many ultimate fashions in its sequence, this pristine mannequin bought for GBP 83,250 — arguably a results of its mixed celeb historical past and well-maintained construction.
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Efficiency Classics
1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Group B Homologation Particular
The headlining automobile of the Competitors and Collectors’ Basic Sale at Silverstone Circuit was the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. This automobile set a brand new UK public sale document, promoting for a powerful GBP 227,250. With solely 200 vehicles produced, the automobile was particularly designed to satisfy necessities for Group B rally championships. The ensuing design was the identical because the Peugeot 205 first launched in 1983, however with a de-tuned engine that was simpler for on a regular basis driving.
1985 Porsche 911 (930) 3.3 Turbo.
Identified for its blistering efficiency and unwavering reliability, the Porsche 930 Turbo was one of many quickest manufacturing vehicles of the Seventies. By the Nineteen Eighties, it grew to become a logo of automotive excellence, combining uncooked energy with the distinctive dealing with and construct high quality that the automobile firm is famend for. Though it was first valued between GBP 90,000 and GBP 105,000, the legendary sports activities automobile ultimately bought at GBP 119,250.
1985 MG Metro 6R4 ‘Group B’
In one other sequence of record-breaking gross sales, the 1985 MG Metro 6R4 emerged as a spotlight on the Supercar Fest Sale in Might. Considered one of solely 9 ‘Works’ vehicles ever constructed, this extremely sought-after rally legend was crafted to Worldwide Tarmac specification. A real motorsport icon, the Metro 6R4 competed in among the most prestigious rallies of its time, together with the famed Monte Carlo Rally, with legendary drivers Tony Pond and Marc Duez behind the wheel. Its rally pedigree finally commanded a value of GBP 425,500.
1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec I.
Whereas it appeared like European and American-made vehicles have been on the forefront of the basic automobile scene, the 1999 Nissan Skyline showcased the rising demand for high-performance Japanese vehicles. Referred to as one of the vital iconic vehicles of the fashionable basic period, the R34 GT-R has achieved legendary standing, thanks partly to its appearances within the Quick & Livid franchise and Gran Turismo. This explicit instance boasts an array of mechanical upgrades and an abundance of JDM efficiency components, promoting at a value of GBP 121,500.
2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 SE Coupé
As a uncommon manufacturing unit Particular Version, this supercar is one among simply 42 examples ever produced, making it a fascinating collector’s automobile. The Diablo 6.0 SE encompasses a normally-aspirated 550bhp V12 engine able to propelling the automobile to 205mph. Having performed simply over 500 miles, this instance stays in near-new situation, and a real testomony to Lamborghini’s most ferocious supercar. The limited-edition automobile bought for GBP 425,500.
2004 Lamborghini Murciélago Guide
One other Lamborghini to take the stage was the Lamborghini Murciélago Guide. Completed in a putting Giallo Orion yellow, the automobile was a favorite of bidders all over the world, in line with Iconic Auctioneers. The automobile’s uncommon handbook transmission provides to its attract, making it a sought-after variant amongst automobile fans, and setting a brand new dwell public sale world document of GBP 149,625.
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