Silverstone Auctions has revealed the first lots in its annual two-day NEC sale during the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show on November 9-11, and there are plenty of chances to own a ‘star’ car.
One of the headline lots is a car formerly owned by Steve McQueen – but it’s probably not the one you’d expect. A 1945 Willys Jeep MB, which was owned and driven by ‘The King of Cool’ is estimated to reach £80,000- £100,000. It’s unknown when it entered McQueen’s ownership, but was sold by his estate at auction in November 1984 at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, and has only had one more owner since then.
Another of the most talked about entries is the 1960 Maserati 3500GT, estimated at £165,000- £185,000, which is thought to be one of only 40 right-hand drive examples made. And on a similar theme, a 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo is reckoned to be the second-to-last right-hand drive car produced and the last 3-litre Turbo to be supplied to the European market. Since then it’s been fully restored by none other than Porsche Centre Glasgow, with the project swallowing around £12,000-worth of parts and labour. In view of that it looks to be something of a bargain at the estimated £135,000-£155,000.
Up there with it in value terms is a 24,000-mile 1979 Aston Martin V8 estimated at £95,000-£110,000, while the modern classic side of things is covered by a 2008 Bentley Brooklands reckoned to be one of only 50 UK-supplied cars. Perhaps more alluring to many though is Frank Sinatra’s former 1984 Rolls-Royce Corniche, bought for him by Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr as a 70th birthday present. Sinatra fans will need to budget on £105,000-£125,000 to join the Rat Pack.
Closer to earth, an estimated £20,000-£25,000 buys you a Capri 3.0S, £20,000-£25,000 an interesting Jaguar 240 running a massively uprated 4.6-litre XK engine and £15,000-£18,000 nets a Mk2 Fiesta XR2 showing just 19,000 miles.
Fans of ’90s metal will be attracted by the Mercedes 500E, a late-model Ford Escort Cosworth and Jay Kay’s old Volvo 850R estate, while proving that BMW’s 8-Series has finally emerged from the shadows, a 12,700-mile BMW 850CSi E31 is estimated at £80,000-£100,000.
More details at www.silverstoneauctions.com or www.necclassicmotorshow.com.
This 1945 Willys Jeep MB was once owned and driven by the legendary Steve McQueen. Once Sinatra’s 70th birthday present, This Corniche is estimated at £105,000- £125,000. Low-mileage BMW 850CSi E31 is estimated at £80,000-£100,000.
