13 superb cars for sale at multi-million pound London auction

Who cares about the Congestion Charge anyway?

London’s not a great city for motorists, what with the constant traffic jams, the Congestion Charge, the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone and the general lack of space in which to really let rip.

But automotive enthusiasts might want to pay a visit to the UK capital tomorrow (24 October) anyway – because RM Sotheby’s will be holding its annual London sale at Kensington’s Olympia.

There’s a wonderful array of classics on offer, including several sporting legends and a highly original Miura, so we’ve picked our 13 favourites for you here.

1. 1961 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2

Estimate: £325-375k

Surely one of the most beautifully understated of all Ferraris, the 250GTE was the marque’s first production 2+2, giving Prancing Horse fans the chance to take a couple of kids (or small adults) along for a ride and see what all the fuss was about.

That said, with a Colombo V12 under the bonnet and a top speed of more than 150mph, it was no sluggish Sunday driver.

This Series I example looks stunning in Blu Dauphine and has undergone a restoration to get it into tip-top shape for its new owner.

2. 1990 Porsche 962C

Estimate: £1-1.5m

Even among the many superb race cars for sale at RM Sotheby's London auction, this flying Porsche stands out.

The 962C is a true motorsport legend, having twice won the Le Mans 24 Hours (in 1986 and ’87) and the World Sportscar Championship (’85 and ’86).

This example, chassis 962-159, competed at Le Mans in both 1990 and ’91, finishing a creditable 13th in the first of those races. In fact, those two trips round La Sarthe were its only competitive races in period, and it goes to auction as one of the most original of all 962s – and with a price-tag to match.

3. 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder

Estimate: £400-500k

A mere 125 examples of the gorgeous Maserati Ghibli were produced in open-topped Spyder form, making this one a rare beast.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for the Ghia house, it features a 4.7-litre V8 engine good for 330bhp and is undoubtedly one of the most desirable of all Masers.   

That’s certainly true of this one, which has just over 35,000 miles on the clock and crosses the block in superb condition following a complete engine rebuild and with an upgraded five-speed manual gearbox.

4. 1989 Jaguar XJR-11

Estimate: £1.05-1.25m

Another Group C flyer, this Jaguar XJR-11 enjoyed a busy racing career, with 13 competitive outings across 1989 and 1990, 12 of them with Le Mans winner Andy Wallace behind the wheel.

It never appeared at Le Mans itself, but it did rack up a string of impressive results elsewhere, including a fourth at Monza, Dijon and the Nürburgring, third in Mexico and seconds at both Silverstone and Spa.

5. 1990 Lamborghini LM002

Estimate: £180-230k

And now for something completely different…

Lamborghini might be best known for high-performance sports cars, but the LM002 is itself something of a legend: a kind of cross between a supercar and off-roader, with a V12 engine that could push it from 0-60 in 7.7 seconds despite a kerb weight of 5720lb (2595kg)!

This example has rarely been driven, with less than 7200 miles on the clock from new and fewer than 60 in the past six years! But it has been regularly serviced and goes to auction in fine shape.

6. 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Rally

Estimate: £725-800k

Back to motorsport, now, but not the track this time – because the Lancia Delta S4 was more of a mud-and-gravel master.

Designed for the final round of the Group B-era 1985 World Rally Championship, it replaced the standard Delta’s steel monocoque chassis with a carbonfibre-clad tubular spaceframe and an ingenious ‘twin-charging’ system. With four-wheel drive and 550bhp, it was a monster.

Only 28 Group B Delta S4s were made, in addition to the 200 roadgoing versions, and this car made its competitive debut in the 1985 RAC Rally with Henri Toivonen and Neil Wilson its crew – and duly won.

This was the only time it was campaigned, and it goes to auction with many original features such as the Kevlar-shelled Sparco seats and Halda rally computer. 

7. 1970 Meyers Manx

Estimate: no reserve

The Meyers Manx was the car – and it is a car, just about – which kick-started the beach buggy craze in the late 1960s and early ’70s.

Based on a modified Volkswagen Beetle drivetrain and frame, it was developed by Californian visionary Bruce Meyers and proved a massive hit when it launched, originally in kit form, in 1964.

More than $60,000 has been spent on restoring this example, so whether its next keeper wants to enjoy it on- or off-road, it should be ready to perform. And as a further bonus, proceeds from its sale and that of eight other cars will go to environmental charity partnership Trillion Trees.

8. 1988 Porsche 928 S4 Sport

Estimate: £60-90k

Another racing Porsche, this 928 S4 SE – standing for ‘Sport Equipment’ – was one of just 42 right-hand-drive cars produced for the UK and benefited from lightweight forged alloy wheels, a special exhaust system, sport suspension and a tuned 320hp engine good for a 5.6 secs 0-100kph time.

It competed in the Porsche Production Championship in 1988 and 1989 with Tony Dron as the exclusive driver and was even used as a poster car for tyre firm BF Goodrich’s marketing.

9. 1994 Ferrari 412 T1

Estimate: £1.4-1.8m

There are several Formula One cars on offer in London tomorrow, but this one’s the biggie.

One of eight 412 T1s built for the 1994 F1 season, it was driven to third place by Jean Alesi in the first round in Brazil and then to second place at Monza by Gerhard Berger.

It remained the property of the Scuderia until 2002 and has since spent time in a private museum in Switzerland.

10. 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400S

Estimate: no reserve

Any Miura is a headline car, but this one is particularly special.

Quite possibly the most original example left, it’s a two-owner Miura from 1969, and is described as being a ‘time capsule’, with original paint, trim and all mechanicals. 

Before heading to auction it was stored in a barn for four years, so it may need a bit of work to bring it back to perfect running order – but when that job’s finished, you’d have a stone-cold classic on your hands.

11. 2000 Arrows A21

Estimate: £100-140k

Here’s another F1 car, albeit one with a slightly lower profile than the earlier Ferrari.

Driven by Pedro de la Rosa in 12 rounds of the 2000 championship, it secured three top-10 grid positions, including fifth in Germany, and two sixth-place finishes, in São Paulo and Hockenheim.

Oh, and if you fancy doubling up, you might want to also bid on its sister car, driven by de la Rosa at two other Grands Prix that year.  

12. 1943 White M16 MGMC Half-Track

Estimate: £80-120k

Granted, parking this thing at the local Sainsbury’s might be tricky, but incredibly enough it is actually road-legal in the UK as a historic vehicle – and, besides, who’s going to stop you?

Used in several fronts in WW2, this example is thought to have been left behind in either Germany or France following the end of fighting in 1945.

It had been sitting in a barn for years when bought by the current owner in 2003 and has since been fully restored.

13. 1976 Chevron B36

Estimate: £180-220k

One of around 21 examples built in the mid-1970s, this racer was campaigned in period by the French privateer team ROC, including four appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It chalked up a highly creditable sixth-place finish – and first in class – at the 1977 running, and followed that with 11th the next year.

Now a regular competitor in historic racing, it returned to La Sarthe for the Le Mans Classic in 2004, 2006, and 2008, where it again finished first in class.