Ex Ray Davies of the Kinks old Bentley S2 to go under the hammer at the silverstone auctions.

• First registered on the 2nd March 1960, this Bentley S2 was purchased in 1970 by Sir Ray Davies of The Kinks.
• Sir Ray wrote the single Apeman in the back of the car and it was used in a photo shoot for the Preservation album.
• Offered at auction from long-term storage since 1991, the car is estimated to sell for between £25,000 and £30,000.

A 1960 Bentley S2, owned by legendary rhythm guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for The Kinks, Sir Ray Davies, will go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale, taking place at Silverstone circuit on 13th May.

The car was bought by Sir Ray in 1970 after the Kinks’ single Lola went to Number 1 in the charts around the world. He was persuaded by his family to invest in a big car, unusual for him as he didn’t actually drive at the time, in fact he didn’t start driving until he was 44 years old!

“I succumbed to the pressure and purchased a second hand Bentley from Hadleigh Green Garage in Barnet. My then wife drove it on my behalf because I was unable to drive at the time,” said Sir Ray.

“We lived in a little semi in Muswell Hill and the neighbours were in shock and awe when they saw this huge black Bentley drive up along the narrow shingle path to the house. We subsequently went on holiday in the Bentley to Cornwall, an exotic spot in England which was our family outing with my two daughters in the back with their buckets and spades.”

It was also in this very car that Sir Ray wrote the next single after the hit Lola as he explains: “While on our holiday in Mullion in Cornwall I sat in the back seat of the Bentley and wrote a follow up to Lola called Apeman on a Spanish guitar which I carried in the back.”

Not only that but The Kinks used the car in a photo shoot for the Preservation album and it still exists in some old black and white footage of the band posing as gangsters outside KONK studios in London. It was even used occasionally as a tour bus by the band.

“When I moved to Surrey in the 70s the car came down with me, I still could not drive, I had never driven the car which gives it some element of Kudos. It was occasionally taken out for special events like weddings and family outings. The Kinks took it once on the road in England but the fans started writing on the car with lipstick and our then manager Ken Jones promptly retired my car to the garage," added Sir Ray.

The Bentley has been in long-term storage since 1991 and now requires some restoration work. It is offered for auction direct from the ownership of Sir Ray, estimated at between £25,000 and £30,000.

Commenting on the sale of the car, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions, Arwel Richards, said: “It is rare to auction a car direct from rock royalty and this Bentley offers an incredible opportunity for rock ‘n’ roll fans and Bentley aficionados alike. At Silverstone Auctions we pride ourselves on offering unique and highly collectible cars like this for public sale.”

Latest Silverstone Classic auction had a hit rate of 76%, with some stunning cars up for sale.

• Silverstone Auctions achieves a 76 per cent sales rate and total sales of £5.7million in three days of auctions at Race Retro.
• The results were the highest ever at Race Retro.
• More than 130 classic and competition cars went under the hammer over three days between the 24^th and 26^th February.

Joined by hundreds of historic motorsport and classic car enthusiasts over three days at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, Silverstone Auctions achieved a sales rate of 76 per cent and total sales of £5.7million at Race Retro, over £1million more than last year’s sale and its highest ever result at the show.

Headlining the results was a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, which sold for an amazing £439,875, nearly £140,000 over its lower estimate. 

The beautifully presented car, with the rare factory fitted flared wheel arches, was subject to a long bidding war between a buyer in the room and another on the phone, with the phone bidder eventually winning out.

From the same private owner, who was delighted after the sale, came an equally impressive 1998 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta with an incredibly low mileage of just 7,017 miles from new. The car sold for £136,125, more than £50,000 over its lower estimate. Another special supercar, more than living up to its pre-sale hype, the 2005 Ford GT, formerly owned by Jenson Button, sold for £264,375.

Jaguar collectors were clearly impressed by the fully restored, matching numbers 1960 Jaguar XK150 3.8 SE Drophead Coupé. A long bidding war led to the car selling for £132,750, more than double its lower estimate. Another bidding war led to the stunning 1953 Alfa Romeo 1900 Barchetta Modificato selling to a buyer in the room for £94,500, nearly £30,000 over its lower estimate.

A definite speciality for Silverstone Auctions, all 12 Porsches offered in the classic car auction were sold, headlined by a 1980 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo, which sold for £109,125. Continuing to prove in demand, six fast Fords were sold, with a 2010 Ford Focus RS with just 1,800 miles selling for £41,063, more than £9,000 over lower estimate.

Speaking after the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “Wow, what a fantastic set of results for our vendors. I’m delighted that once again our winning combination of sensible estimates and reserves, presentation, pre-sale marketing and auction atmosphere has paid dividends.

This was certainly our best ever Race Retro catalogue and buyers clearly agreed, so it’s wonderful to see so many going home incredibly happy with their purchases.”

Beginning the weekend by selling 27 competition cars, Silverstone Auctions sold a 1961 Emeryson Formula 1 Climax FPF (FIA), the last surviving example of just four ever made, for £174,380. Immortalised as part of the BBC’s '100 Greatest Sporting Moments', and another highly regarded race car in motorsport history, the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro prepared by Bill Shaw Racing sold for £65,250.

Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale takes place on Saturday 13^th May back at its spiritual home of Silverstone circuit. Entries are now invited into the auction and potential sellers are invited to speak with Silverstone Auctions as soon as possible.

Nick added: “This has been a great start to the auction season and we now look forward to our next sale and speaking with prospective sellers soon.”

The latest Silverstone Auctions has somes seriously stunning cars up for auction.

• 95 best of breed classic and sports cars will be offered by Silverstone Auctions at Race Retro on 25^th and 26^th February.
• The auction house has compiled its best ever Race Retro catalogue.
• A 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT will headline the sale with an estimate of £300,000 to £350,000.

Silverstone Auctions returns to Race Retro to host a two-day Classic Car Sale on Saturday 25^th and Sunday 26^th February, in addition to its Competition Car Sale on 24th February, at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

With an incredibly varied catalogue, it’s best ever at Race Retro, Silverstone Auctions has brought together the finest classic cars with plenty of rare and low mileage examples, high performance sports cars and collectible modern classics to choose from, as well as a selection of luxury watches and automobilia.

“This is our sixth auction at Race Retro and we have another exceptional line-up of cars this year, perhaps our best ever at the event,” comments Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions. 

“We’re delighted to be part of the show again and, as always, we have some really unique opportunities for buyers and collectors and some really special cars on offer that rarely come to market.”

Headlining the sale is a UK, right-hand drive 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT featuring the incredibly rare and desirable factory fitted flared wheel arches and Campagnolo wheels. It will be offered for sale for the first time in 22 years at an estimate of £300,000 to £350,000.

Another highlight of the sale is a 1983 Lamborghini Countach LP500S with an impressive 12 British Outright Speed records. 

The rare, right-hand drive, UK delivered Countach LP500S is one of only 25 examples made and was first owned by racing driver and Lamborghini aficionado Barry Robinson. Presenting a unique opportunity to collectors, it will be offered at a sale estimate of £325,000 to £350,000.

For buyers seeking a younger model, a right-hand drive 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV finished in the striking combination of Arancio Leonis with an Alcantara interior, is offered at an estimate of £240,000 to £280,000.

Also in the sale, a 1956 BMW 502 V8 saloon, one of just 12 right-hand drive examples produced, offers collectorsa rare and stylish road car with lots of provenance. A regular in the St. Mary’s Trophy at the Goodwood Revival meeting over the years, it has been driven by many famous racing drivers including Marc Surer and Alan Jones, 1980 F1 World Champion, and will be offered with a sale estimate of £30,000 to £35,000.

Other luxury classics on offer include a 1962 Rolls-Royce SCT100, one of just 17 long-wheelbase variants in right-hand drive without a division, and the first ever such Cloud III LWB coach built by James Young. It will be offered at £65,000 to £75,000 presented in Velvet Green with a Champagne leather interior, with original luxury walnut features.

A very special 2006 Bentley Azure 6.7 Convertible in Dark Sapphire Blue Azure presents an ultra-rare opportunity to own an 'almost as new' condition, incredibly low mileage, modern classic Bentley. With just one registered keeper from new, it is offered at £135,000 to £155,000.

For collectors looking for something a little more unusual, a 1939 4 1/4 Ltr Blown Derby Bentley "Rusty Turner" Special will be offered with an estimate of £110,000 to £140,000. One of three built by the talented Tony Fabian and converted to a sports racer by 'Rusty' Turner in 1968, it emotes pre-war Bentley with a long and interesting history.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors at Race Retro to our special sale and we hope to help show-goers leave with their dream classic,” concludes Nick Whale.

Time Warp 7,000 mile MG Metro Turbo to go under the hammer at the end of February.

• An incredibly original, low mileage 1984 MG Metro Turbo will be offered at auction by Silverstone Auctions at its Race Retro sale.
• Just two owners from new and only 7,317 miles on the clock, offering a rare opportunity for collectors.
• A pre-sale estimate of £16,000 to £20,000 has been given by the auction house.

A remarkably original 1984 MG Metro Turbo with just 7,317 miles on the clock has been consigned by Silverstone Auctions to its Race Retro Classic Car Sale taking place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on 25^thand 26^th February.

With just two owners from new, the time-warp, concours winning Metro Turbo is expected to tempt bidders nationwide on auction day, representing a unique opportunity for MG collectors, as well as a potentially lucrative investment prospect, estimated at £16,000 to £20,000. 

“The condition of this MG Metro Turbo can only be described as ‘’,” explains Guy Lees-Milne, general manager, Silverstone Auctions. “Last year we sold a 1989 Peugeot 205 GTI of a similar calibre which soared through its estimate, selling for a new record price of £31,000. This rare, immaculate example is perfectly suited to today’s market.”

This particular car was ordered new by its first owner, Mr H.W Lamont, and supplied by dealer Lex Mead of Bexleyheath as a special factory order. The unique design featured white, colour-coded bodywork with matching painted wiper arms, mirrors, and grille, with a red and grey cloth interior. 

So impressed with the car was the supplying dealer that it persuaded Mr Lamont to delay collecting the car so that it could remain displayed in the showroom. In fact, the colour combination was so successful that it subsequently became standard on the MKII model in early 1985.

Benefitting from input from Lotus Engineering Race Technology, the new Metro Turbo featured a 1275cc engine with a Garrett T3 turbo on a specially designed and cast exhaust manifold, powerful servo assisted brakes using four-pot calipers, ventilated discs up front, stiffer suspension, and also sported a new body kit utilising a front spoiler and four wheel arch extensions, neatly balancing the MG Metro rear spoiler, with Turbo-specific 13" alloy wheels and low-profile tyres.

Maintaining this example in excellent condition, Mr Lamont entered his pride and joy into several shows, winning first prize in car-club Concours d'Elegance events in 2000 and for a second time in 2001.

The car then spent a period in professional storage before being passed onto its second owner after 30 years of single ownership. The car’s equally proud second owner continued to cherish the car for another two years before contacting the specialist auction house.

“We have a superb selection of sportscars and classic cars on offer at the Race Retro sales, and this fun, sporty, modern classic Metro Turbo is a fine example of car ownership and preservation,” continues Lees-Milne. “It's also a fascinating part of British Leyland history which, with hindsight, probably played the pivotal role in 'morphing' the Metro from a 1.1litre shopping car into Leyland's most successful competition car ever.”

The car is offered with its complete history file including full service details with all the MoT certificates and all documentation, and even its original, unused Dunlop wheels and tyres, as the owner wanted to ensure its total originality.

The last Silverstone Auctions takes place at the Classic Motor Show, with some seriously special cars on sale.

• 123 highly collectible classic and modern sports cars will be offered at Silverstone Auctions’ final sale of the year.
• Cars to be offered include Lady Diana’s 1994 Audi Cabriolet, HM the Queen’s 2012 Bentley Mulsanne and the first ever production Lotus Elite Series I.
• The auction takes place at the UK’s biggest classic car show, the Classic Motor Show, at the NEC, Birmingham on 12^th and 13^th November.

Preparing for its final classic car auction of the year, specialist auction house Silverstone Auctions is offering 123 best of breed cars, as well as three classic motorcycles, luxury lifestyle and automobilia items, in its two-day sale at the Classic Motor Show, at the NEC, Birmingham, on 12th and 13th November.

Headlining the sale is a very special, private collection of cars formerly owned by world royalty, politicians and celebrities; the Jewels in the Crown collection. 

The collection includes 12 cars of the most exclusive provenance, such as Princess Diana’s famous 1994 Audi Cabriolet, estimated at £50,000 to £60,000, HM the Queen’s 2012 Bentley Mulsanne estimated at £215,000 to £235,000, and Sir Elton John’s 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom estimated at £135,000 to £155,000, which are expected to attract buyers from across the globe.

Historic racing enthusiasts and fans of Channel 4’s For the Love of Cars, are in for a treat as the very first production 1958 Lotus Elite Series I, bought new and raced by jazz legend Chris Barber, and recently restored by Ant Anstead, is estimated at between £75,000 and £100,000. A beautifully presented 1969 Aston Martin DBS 6 in desirable Vantage spec, also restored by Ant Anstead and featured on the television series, is estimated at £140,000 to £160,000.

Another highly collectible car on offer is a rare 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S, one of just 105 examples built, which will be offered at an estimate of £350,000 to £400,000, the highest valued lot in the auction.

An elegant 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet, one of only 68 right-hand drive cabriolets produced by the factory, will be offeredin restored condition with an estimate of £220,000 to £240,000.

Suitably offered just miles from the home of Land Rover itself, are five classic Land Rovers. Among them an early, truly historic 1948 Land Rover Series I in superb order offered at a sale estimate of £26,000 to £29,000, a concours winning 1950 Land Rover Series I estimated at £25,000 to £28,000, and a 1990 Land Rover 110 V8 County Station Wagon, believed to be the lowest mileage (15,020 miles) and the most original of any 110 V8 in the country, estimated at £23,000 to £28,000.

Another celebrity car, this time from sporting ‘royalty’, is footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed. Owned by the world famous Portuguese player during his stint at Manchester United football club, the luxury car is estimated at £50,000 to £60,000.

Some very desirable, low mileage modern classics also star in the auction with an exciting choice of fast Fords. A UK, right-hand drive 1993 Ford Escort Cosworth Lux showing just 20,600 miles from new is estimated at £35,000 to £40,000. An original 1990 Ford Escort RS Turbo S2 reading 12,000 miles and with just one owner previous owner is estimated at £15,000 to £20,000, and an exceptionally rare find, a 1991 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo in outstanding original condition and reading just 12,000 miles, is estimated at £15,000 to £20,000.

Another modern classic with extraordinarily low mileage is a 2003 BMW Z3 M Coupe S54. As one of only 165 right-hand drive, S54 examples, and with just 11,000 miles on the clock, it will be offered with an estimate of £45,000 to £50,000.

Silverstone Auctions will also offer a special ‘life saving’ Mini to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. Known as ‘Margo’, the 1969 Morris Mini Super Deluxe was found by Lancaster Insurance in 2015 and restored by the MG Owners’ Club Workshop. The car will be offered without reserve with one hundred per cent of proceeds going to the charity,

Speaking ahead of the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale said, “We’re delighted to be returning to the Classic Motor Show for another year and with what I would say is our most special and varied catalogue of cars yet, from Her Majesty the Queen’s personal conveyance, to a very special Lotus Elite race car. It will be an honour for our team and, we hope, a landmark sale for Silverstone Auctions.”

For more information and or to view all the lots in Silverstone Auctions’ Classic Motor Show Sale please visit http://silverstoneauctions.com/nec-classic-motor-show-sale-2016/view_lots/pn/all.a