14 favourites at this weekend’s Race Retro sale

It’s hammer time at Race Retro

Race Retro returns to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire this weekend (21-23 February).

It’s always a fantastic resource for anyone competing in – or interested in getting into – historic motorsport, and if there’s a space in your garage you’re looking to fill, Silverstone Auctions’ sale has plenty of food for thought.

In fact, we struggled to whittle it down!

So here are 14 that caught our eye and started us dreaming, seven competition classics from Friday’s sale and seven road cars from Saturday’s.

1. 1960 Lotus 19 Monte-Carlo (est: £375-450,000)

We had to start here, with this stunning Lotus 19 Monte-Carlo. And although some 17 examples were built, few can boast the history of this car, chassis 953.

The impressive roll call of names that have piloted this car include Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Innes Ireland, Oliver Gendebien, Masten Gregory and Jim Clark. Wow.

1960 Lotus 19 Monte-Carlo (cont.)

What’s more, this is the car in which, back in 1963, Moss drove a few laps at the scene of his 1962 Goodwood crash, before parking it and his career.

When it crosses the block this Friday, the next owner of this Lotus will have a significant slice of British motor-racing history.

2. 1950 Jaguar XK120 (est: £400-500,000)

And here’s another sports-racer with historic links that’s for sale on Friday – Jaguar XK120 ‘LXF 731’, driven by future Le Mans winner Duncan Hamilton.

It is believed to be the first Jaguar Hamilton drove competitively, being steered by him and its owner Philip Fotheringham-Parker during the 1951 season, before being sold.

1950 Jaguar XK120 (cont.)

The XK was also raced and rallied in 1952, then sporadically through to the ’60s.

It is now said to be in fabulous condition, maintained regardless of cost since its restoration in 2011.

3. 1972 Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF rally car (est: £30-35,000)

Rather more affordable is this charming little Lancia – and, what’s more it’s rally-ready!

An original UK-supplied car, this 62,507-mile, right-hand-drive HF has covered just 3000 miles since its engine was rebuilt.

1972 Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF rally car (cont.)

As you can see when you look inside, when its current keeper took ownership in 2013 he made sure it was properly decked out for historic rallying, harnesses and a tripmeter among the additions.

It also gained a 50-litre aluminium fuel cell, a sump guard, uprated suspension and steering… The list goes on. And it comes with a packed history file.

4. 1986 BMW E30 M3 rally car (est: £100-120,000)

Here’s another rally car – but it’s rather different and has a surprising history.

Its competitive life began on track, originally raced as a touring car by team Schnitzer, with works driver Johnny Cecotto behind the wheel.

1986 BMW E30 M3 rally car (cont.)

It was turned into a rally car later in its life, its comprehensive, high-end spec now including a 290bhp Group A engine, a freshly rebuilt, FIA-spec gearbox and a limited-slip differential.

Ready to hit the stages, this BMW is expected to sell for £100-120,000 on Friday.

5. 1957 Cooper T43 (est: £85-95,000)

Examples of this Formula One and Formula Two car were first raced by Jack Brabham and later by Roy Salvadori, Stirling Moss and Maurice Trintignant, among others.

Thought to be one of the final Cooper T43s built, this multiple race winner and Goodwood-eligible (among other events) classic spent the first 30 years of its competitive life in America.

Indeed, leaf through its paperwork and there’s a photo of it being raced by Mary Davis at Paramount Ranch, California in December 1957, where it finished second.

1957 Cooper T43 (cont.)

Said to be ‘on the button’ and with all its safety equipment in date, this Cooper’s gearbox and Climax engine had a £11,000-plus overhaul by specialist Sid Hoole in September 2018.

It could be your ticket to a raft of prestigious classic motor-racing meets, if you can find the £85-95,000 it is expected to sell for.

6. 1954 Lancia Appia (est: £50-£60,000)

We’re sure you’ll agree when we say we couldn’t resist this super-cute first-gen Lancia Appia.

That its first owner was Piero Taruffi, winner of the 1957 Mille Miglia and works Grand Prix driver for Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Vanwall and Maserati, only adds to its considerable appeal.

1954 Lancia Appia (cont.)

It’s been rallied throughout its life, first in the 1956 Rally Lido di Venezia and most recently in the Vernasca Silver Flag event of 2015.

Today there’s a more modern Fiat twin-cam engine under the bonnet, and it will be sold with copies of its original Italian libretto, as well as press cuttings and bills.

7. 1985 Daihatsu Charade Turbo (No reserve)

We might’ve ventured a little left-field with this choice, but bear with us…

Going under the hammer on Friday at Race Retro’s Silverstone Auctions sale is this ex-works Diahatsu Charade Turbo, a Group N car built for Will Hoy’s first works drive in the 1985/1986 Production Saloon Car Championship.

1985 Daihatsu Charade Turbo (cont.)

In addition, it’s thought that Hoy, together with Ray Mallock and Mike Salmon, contested the 1985 and ’86 Willhire 24 Hour races in this Charade Turbo.

It’s offered in unrestored condition, without reserve.

8. 1965 Porsche 911 SWB 2.0 (No reserve)

Moving onto the roadgoing classics that will cross the block this Saturday, our first pick is this early 911.

The auction house is honest about the fact that any potential bidder should view this Porsche as a recommissioning job or even a restoration project, but seeing as this is an unmodified, super-early example, it could still be worth a look.

1965 Porsche 911 SWB 2.0 (cont.)

This Signal Red 911 was produced in mid-March 1965 and dispatched to California, shipped to the UK around 30 years ago.

It was used regularly until mid-2017 and although around that time it had a fair bit of work done to it, its next owner will have to be prepared for some more…

9. 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary (est: £250-285,000)

Shrinking violets need not apply!

This one-owner, V12-powered, Miura Orange example of the Countach produced to celebrate Lamborghini’s 25 years as a car maker will likely be a Marmite lot at Saturday’s Silverstone Auctions sale, but no one can doubt that it has bags of impact.

Indeed, it was only finished in this eye-catching hue because the original owner wanted it to match his 1975 LP400 Periscopio, despite the colour no longer being offered when this 25th-anniversary example was built.

1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary (cont.)

It has also covered a mere 6390km (under 4000 miles) from new, having been in storage from 1995 until 2017, when it underwent a comprehensive recommissioning totalling £17,600.

All of which makes this is a rare opportunity for fans of this model.

10. 1964 Aston Martin DB5 (est: £725-825,000)

There was no way we could overlook this matching-numbers, right-hand-drive, UK-supplied example of one of the most famous and beloved classic cars.

And it may be heading to auction finished in Silver Birch (what else?), but it went to its first owner in Leeds in 1964 painted Platinum.

1964 Aston Martin DB5 (cont.)

When new, it also had a Blue Connolly hide-trimmed interior, but we’re rather taken by the Burgundy leather that wraps its cabin today.

It’s been the subject of a lengthy, body-off restoration, since which it has completed just five miles and been carefully stored.

11. 1986 Audi quattro 10V (est: £27-31,000)

In the year the quattro celebrates its 40th, perhaps this lot might out-perform its estimate in Warwickshire this Saturday.

This right-hand-drive, UK car finished in a striking shade of Oceanic Blue Metallic is certainly eye-catching.

1986 Audi quattro 10V (cont.)

Having covered 90,000 miles, it’s been enjoyed but also lovingly cared for, coming to auction from a large private collection.

So if you want to make like Blomqvist, Mikkola, Rörhl and so on, make tracks for Race Retro this weekend.

12. 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500E (est: £55-65,000)

If you like your motoring four-doored, big-hearted and undercover, look no further.

That this W124 Mercedes-Benz 500E is one of only 29 sold in the UK when new and has since done just 35,500 miles ramps up the desirability yet further.

1991 Mercedes-Benz 500E (cont.)

At its heart lies this five-litre V8 that Mercedes-Benz asked none other than Porsche to tweak the standard car to accommodate.

And it was worth it, this hand-built stealth saloon capable of 0-62mph in a shade over six seconds – and given the care that’s been lavished on it throughout its life, it’s likely to still give similar performance today.

13. 1960 Chevrolet Corvette C1 (est: £50-60,000)

Another lot in Saturday’s Silverstone Auctions sale where you might need to expect the unexpected is this C1, due to the 383cu in NASCAR stroker engine under its bonnet.

This two-tone classic is a double show winner, too, and is said to be ‘beautifully presented’.

1960 Chevrolet Corvette C1 (cont.)

And here is this Ermine White Chevy’s not-inconsiderable powerplant.

If you’re interested, it is also worth noting that this car will need UK registration by the buyer, subject to a valid MoT.

14. 1985 Renault 5 Turbo 2 (est: £65-75,000)

Last but most definitely not least, emerging from a private collection for Saturday’s sale is Renault’s pocket rocket, the 5 Turbo 2.

It’s well travelled, having been kept in the UK, the US and Greece, and has been enjoyed to the tune of 60,867km (around 37,000 miles).

1985 Renault 5 Turbo 2 (cont.)

If having your engine rather than passengers behind you is your cup of tea, it’s the perfect hot hatch – and so perfectly ’80s with its Biscuit cloth interior and bronze carpets.

And if those polished Gotti wheels aren’t to your taste, fear not, the originals will be sold with it.

Have any of these classics piqued your interest? Check out the full lot list for Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro sale here.