As 2024 attracts to an in depth, the basic automotive and bike public sale scene is buzzing with renewed pleasure. Based on the Hagerty Market Ranking, the collector automotive market suffered some fluctuating returns, with a gentle decline and stagnation within the latter half of 2024. Regardless of these bumps within the metaphorical highway, Iconic Auctioneers emerged victorious. The basic automotive public sale firm has skilled continued enthusiasm from bidders for Fords and classic sports activities vehicles.

“The previous 12 months while it has had some challenges out there, we ended the 12 months on a excessive,” mentioned Rob Hubbard, managing director of Iconic Auctioneers. “At the moment the corporate reaches consumers in additional than 18 nations in Europe and the Americas.”

Hubbard’s sentiment echoes a bigger pattern. This 12 months, Iconic Auctioneers set a number of world data for gross sales in basic vehicles and celebrity-owned vehicles, suggesting that the marketplace for uncommon and high-quality collectibles could also be extra optimistic for 2025. Even in additional unsure instances, the corporate’s success displays the enduring attraction of high-end, limited-edition automobiles.

File-Breaking Fords

1990 Ford Sierra RS500 BTCC

For Ford fans, a standout second for Iconic Auctioneers got here with the sale of British racing driver Tim Harvey’s 1990 Ford Sierra RS500, one of the famed touring vehicles from the British Touring Automobile Championship (BTCC). This specific mannequin is adorned within the signature model of Labatt’s livery. Extensively considered one of the unique and well-preserved examples of the Group A period, this automotive is not only a racing legend however a cherished piece of British motorsport historical past, fetching a worth of GBP 309,375.

1987 Ford RS200

Iconic Auctioneers additionally made a notable impression with the sale of two Ford RS200s. One among solely 90 examples produced, this 1987 Ford was in distinctive situation, having lined simply 8,877 miles since new with just one earlier proprietor. Valued between GBP 190,000 and GBP 210,000, this uncommon, low-mileage instance soared previous expectations, promoting for GBP 236,250 — a mirrored image of the rising demand for this refined highway automotive mannequin.

1989 Ford RS200

The second RS200 to be bought was this barely newer 1989 Ford RS200. This pristine instance boasted even fewer miles than its 1987 counterpart, clocking in at simply 1,798 miles, making it a real collector’s gem. The automotive bought for GBP 247,500. Hubbard attributes their robust gross sales in Fords with their auctioning of the late Princess Diana’s Ford Escort in 2022, which fetched a worth of GBP 722,500.

“We’ve got developed considerably of a repute for being THE public sale home to promote distinctive Fords,” says Hubbard. “In truth, together with the 2 RS200s we bought on the NEC in November, we now have bought a complete of 10 RS200’s greater than another public sale home, so we actually are the “go to” public sale home when you have a particular Ford you want to promote.”

1976 Ford Escort RS2000 Computerized

A uncommon providing on the dwell auctions was this really one-of-a-kind 1976 Ford Escort RS2000. Constructed particularly for Henry Ford II throughout his European and UK excursions within the Nineteen Seventies, this automotive contains a distinctive computerized gearbox, an expensive leather-based inside, and a particular exterior color by no means earlier than seen within the Escort vary. Having solely completed 44,000 miles, the mannequin was comparatively unknown to the general public for the previous twenty years earlier than its current sale of GBP 59,062, underscoring its distinctive place in Ford’s legacy.

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2003 Ford Focus RS Mk1

Most pleasantly, it was a group of Ford Focuses from the 2000s that smashed the public sale home’s private gross sales data. The 2003 Ford Focus RS Mk1 was one in all them. Solely made in Ford’s Imperial Blue color, this limited-edition RS Mk1 carried styling cues that intently echoed its rally counterpart, together with the placing customized 18-inch O.Z. Racing alloy wheels. Much more exceptional was the automotive’s near-perfect situation, with simply 12 miles on the clock. The automotive was bought at GBP 87,750, far surpassing Icon Auctioneers’ earlier document of GBP 77, 500.

2010 Ford Focus RS Mk2

The second-generation Ford Focus RS — a mannequin Ford initially claimed they might by no means produce — has change into one of the sought-after ‘super-hatches’ within the trendy basic automotive market. Regardless of its understated hatchback roots, the Focus RS Mk2 delivered uncooked energy and a few memorable colourways, incomes it a devoted following. This specific instance additionally broke the corporate’s earlier public sale document of GBP 63,000, promoting for GBP 67,500.

2010 Ford Focus RS500 Mk2

Above all, the actual showstopper for Iconic Auctioneers was the sale of the 2010 Ford Focus RS500 Mk2. The RS500, which made its international debut on the Leipzig Motor Present in April 2010, marked the grand finale of the second-generation Focus RS, cementing its place as one in all Ford’s most iconic efficiency fashions. With solely 500 models produced, the automotive was valued between GBP 50,000 to GBP 60,000, but the bid soared and finally bought at GBP 99,000. Apparently, the worth matched one other document set by Iconic Auctioneers for the same mannequin bought in 2022.

Movie star-Owned Automobiles

1980 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4

This Ferrari, introduced straight from the personal assortment of English rock musician Chris Rea, drew important consideration this 12 months. Along with its glossy, angular design, the 308 GT4 additionally marked Ferrari’s first foray into mid-engine V8 sports activities vehicles. Rea’s Ferrari was totally recommissioned earlier than it was introduced for public sale, subsequently promoting for GBP 64,125.

2011 Land Rover Defender 110 6.2-litre V8

One other specially-commissioned celeb automotive to be bought was Man Ritchie’s 2011 Land Rover Defender, at a worth of GBP 84,375. Powered by a strong V8 engine, this bespoke Defender was designed to mix rugged functionality with plain model. Beforehand, the automotive was utilized by the British movie director and producer for each countryside drives and journeys to London.

Land Rover Heritage Defender 110

Equally, Iconic Auctioneers have been entrusted to public sale off actor and comic Rowan Atkinson’s Land Rover Heritage Defender. At simply 3,800 miles from new, the corporate studies that Atkinson’s automobile was all the time meticulously serviced, maintained, and saved. As one of many last fashions in its sequence, this pristine mannequin bought for GBP 83,250 — arguably a results of its mixed celeb historical past and well-maintained construction.

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Efficiency Classics

1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Group B Homologation Particular

The headlining automotive of the Competitors and Collectors’ Traditional Sale at Silverstone Circuit was the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. This automotive set a brand new UK public sale document, promoting for a formidable GBP 227,250. With solely 200 vehicles produced, the automotive was particularly designed to fulfill necessities for Group B rally championships. The ensuing design was the identical because the Peugeot 205 first launched in 1983, however with a de-tuned engine that was simpler for on a regular basis driving.

1985 Porsche 911 (930) 3.3 Turbo.

Recognized for its blistering efficiency and unwavering reliability, the Porsche 930 Turbo was one of many quickest manufacturing vehicles of the Nineteen Seventies. By the Nineteen Eighties, it turned an emblem of automotive excellence, combining uncooked energy with the distinctive dealing with and construct high quality that the automotive firm is famend for. Though it was first valued between GBP 90,000 and GBP 105,000, the legendary sports activities automotive finally bought at GBP 119,250.

1985 MG Metro 6R4 ‘Group B’

In one other sequence of record-breaking gross sales, the 1985 MG Metro 6R4 emerged as a spotlight on the Supercar Fest Sale in Could. One among solely 9 ‘Works’ vehicles ever constructed, this extremely sought-after rally legend was crafted to Worldwide Tarmac specification. A real motorsport icon, the Metro 6R4 competed in among the most prestigious rallies of its time, together with the famed Monte Carlo Rally, with legendary drivers Tony Pond and Marc Duez behind the wheel. Its rally pedigree in the end commanded a worth of GBP 425,500.

1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec I.

Whereas it appeared like European and American-made vehicles have been on the forefront of the basic automotive scene, the 1999 Nissan Skyline showcased the rising demand for high-performance Japanese vehicles. Referred to as one of the iconic vehicles of the trendy basic period, the R34 GT-R has achieved legendary standing, thanks partly to its appearances within the Quick & Livid franchise and Gran Turismo. This specific instance boasts an array of mechanical upgrades and an abundance of JDM efficiency components, promoting at a worth of GBP 121,500.

2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 SE Coupé

As a uncommon manufacturing unit Particular Version, this supercar is one in all simply 42 examples ever produced, making it a fascinating collector’s automotive. The Diablo 6.0 SE contains a normally-aspirated 550bhp V12 engine able to propelling the automotive to 205mph. Having completed simply over 500 miles, this instance stays in near-new situation, and a real testomony to Lamborghini’s most ferocious supercar. The limited-edition automotive bought for GBP 425,500.

2004 Lamborghini Murciélago Handbook

One other Lamborghini to take the stage was the Lamborghini Murciélago Handbook. Completed in a placing Giallo Orion yellow, the automotive was a favorite of bidders around the globe, in keeping with Iconic Auctioneers. The automotive’s uncommon guide transmission provides to its attract, making it a sought-after variant amongst automotive fans, and setting a brand new dwell public sale world document of GBP 149,625.

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