This wonderfully varied car collection is for sale this weekend

From Group B legends to Italian exotica, every taste is catered for

As classic car collections go, this one really ticks every box. German super saloons? Tick. Italian supercars? Tick. Hot hatches, rally stars and futuristic French marvels? Tick, tick, and tick again! 

You’ll find them all in a ‘Gentleman’s Private Collection’, a marvellously eclectic group of 17 vintage vehicles which will go under the hammer with Silverstone Auctions this weekend (27-28 July).

We don’t know much about said gentleman, but we do know that all of the cars are up for grabs without reserve – and that they’re all well worth further investigation.

Here’s what’s on offer.

1992 Volkswagen Golf GTI Sportline

Estimate: £20-30,000

What’s the hardest thing about buying a legendary retro hot-hatch? Finding one that hasn’t been run ragged – which makes this low-mileage Mk1 Sportline convertible quite the catch.

One of just 449 built (and far fewer still around), it’s got the whole package: red paint, Recaro seats and special BBS wheels.

1973 Citroën DS Super 5

Estimate: £60-70,000

What better way to celebrate Citroën’s centenary than by splashing out on a beautiful example of the French firm’s stylish, slightly sci-fi classic?

The recipient of literally hundreds of awards over its lifetime, this 1973 number is such a good example that it’s reportedly been offered a place at the marque’s official museum.

1985 BMW 735I SE

Estimate: £25-35,000

Bulkier than the E3 before it, the E23 7-Series evolved over its lifetime to become a consummate cruiser with all mod-cons.

This exemplary mid-’80s example was ordered with a high spec (think cruise control, air-con, electric seats), well-maintained, lightly used then put into a private collection.

1965 Ford Cortina Lotus Mk1

Estimate: £60–70,000

Colin Chapman’s take on the Cortina was a classic, pairing a familiar Ford saloon with Lotus racing performance for a winning combination.

Complete with distinctive green accents, this mid-’60s number is an early example of the breed and goes under the hammer in highly original condition.

1988 Mercedes-Benz 420SEC

Estimate: £35-45,000

Offering top autobahn performance in a handsome, understated package, the 420SEC is a surefire future classic – not least because fewer than 4000 were made worldwide.

Just 38,000 miles have been put on this attractive Pajett Red example, so its 4.2-litre V8 should offer plenty for the winning bidder.

1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC

Estimate: £35-45,000

Eight years older than the SEC, but just as fine, this classy two-door coupé was for decades overshadowed by its sought-after R107 cousin.

Its time in the sun has finally come, though – and, with many scrapped, values for rare, original and low-mileage examples such as this one are rising rapidly. 

1990 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL

Estimate: £20-30,000

Sticking with the marque of the three-pointed star, the W126 S-Class doesn’t yet have the same cachet as its more expensive ‘80s forebears, but it's hard to argue with a 5.5-litre V8 good for 270bhp.

This right-hand drive example spent a while in Japan, before returning to the UK in 2009 – and it’s only done 17,000 miles.

2008 Bentley Arnage 500T

Estimate: £40-50,000

The youngest of the lots in the gentleman’s collection is this Arnage in ultimate 500T guise, equipped with a Rolls-Royce V8 good for 500bhp, 0-60 in 5.2 secs and a top speed of 180mph.

As luxurious as it is massive, the Triple Black Bentley crosses the block after 11 years of careful maintenance.

2004 Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 4S

Estimate: £35-40,000

Another millennial motor, the Carrera 4S might not be one for the purists – what with its revamped styling, water-cooled motor and four-wheel drive setup – but it’s doubtless a capable thing, with 320bhp at its disposal.

This one’s a rare manual example with a scant 9000 miles on the clock.

1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE

Estimate: £30-40,000

A slice of early-’70s saloon car elegance, the 280SE is rarely seen in better nick than this immaculate example.

Treated to a ground-up restoration, it goes to auction as a completely original, matching-numbers stunner with just 12,150 miles on the clock – and wearing its authentic shade of Pine Green Metallic.

1991 Ferrari Testarossa

Estimate: £85-105,000

Still as striking as it was when it first graced the walls of kids’ bedrooms worldwide, nothing looks or goes quite like the Testarossa – from those distinctive side strakes to the rousing 4.9-litre V12 motor.

This low-mileage example of the iconic Ferrari was added to the gentleman’s collection just six months ago.

1999 BMW Z3M Roadster

Estimate: £30-35,000

It might not have been the best Bond vehicle, but with a bit of M-division tinkering the Goldeneye star became the sports car it should always have been, with 321bhp squeezed out of the 3.2-litre straight-six.

This example is probably as good as they come, with a history of dealer servicing and just 14,000 on the odometer.

1994 Lancia Delta HF Integrale ‘Bianco Perlato’

Estimate: £50-60,000

One of the most iconic homologation specials ever made, the Delta HF Integrale won six straight World Championships on the stage and countless fans off it.

This late-edition example of the Evo 2 is one of just 365 built in Bianco Perlato guise and, complete with Martini livery, is a pure slice of retro rally heaven.

1995 Mercedes-Benz SL60 AMG

Estimate: £45-55,000

The top dog of the R129 range, the SL60 AMG was a V8 rarity, with just 49 of the 6-litre machines built in right-hand drive guise.

Whether it’ll ever be as sought-after as its 300SL ancestor remains to be seen, but if you fancy taking the bet, this 14,000-mile example is probably as good as they come.

1973 Mercedes-Benz 350SE

Estimate: £18-22,000

One last Mercedes, this 350SE is the most affordable of the gentleman’s lots at Silverstone, but it’s hardly a banger: stylish, powerful and well-kept, it’s a fine example from the first S-Class era, going under the hammer with just three former keepers.

1975 BMW 1602

Estimate: £30-40,000

Another lovely Beemer, this one is the definition of a time-capsule classic. Kept by its first owner for 41 years, the outstanding 1602’s clock reads just 3055 miles and the glovebox reportedly holds a dealer tax disc and key ring in their original paper bag. Yes, it’s that original.

1974 BMW 2002 Turbo

Estimate: £65-85,000

The last of the lots is a truly legendary coupé: the original turbocharged BMW, complete with distinctive body kit and reverse ‘turbo’ script on the spoiler (as banned by the German government).

Delivered new in ’74, this one was overhauled in 2015 to the tune of £10k and, well, it’s just gosh darn wunderbar.

Silverstone Auctions’ sale at the Silverstone Classic takes place on 27-28 July at the famous Northamptonshire circuit. You can view a full lot list here.