Most of us watched the Goodwood Festival of Speed to see hundreds of awesome road and race cars storm up the Hill. Others, including many past and present racing drivers, travel to Goodwood to hoon the vehicles we drool upon. But there’s a third category of motoring enthusiasts that take trips to England to pay million for the classic cars sold each year by Bonhams, one of the world’s oldest and largest auction house.
This year’s event brought together nearly 100 vehicles and more than 400 automotive-related collectors items, raising a staggering £22.6 million (nearly $39 million as of 06/27/2014). One car alone sold for nearly half that amount, with two more fetching more than $1 million each, rounding up yet another successful event.
Not surprising, the most expensive vehicle sold at Goodwood was a Ferrari. Maranello classics are already a common occurrence at such events, and very few change hands for less than $5 million. On the other hand, how often do you see a 102-year-old vehicle sell for more than $1 million? Head over below to find out more about the most expensive classic cars auctioned at Goodwood.
Click past the jump to read more about Bonhams’ sale at Goodwood
1954 Ferrari 375-Plus
This beast is powered by a 4.9-liter, V-12 engine, a true classic in the Ferrari lineup.
The star of the auction was a 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus penned by Pininfarina. The two-seat race car changed owners for £10,753,500 ($18.3 million as of 06/27/2014), which comes at no surprise given its condition, rarity and racing heritage. Back in the days when it used to wear a livery, this Prancing Horse ran in iconic races such as the Mille Miglia, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone. The new owner will get to sit in the same cockpit as aces Umberto Maglioli and Jose Froilan Gonzalez, an expensive privilege as it turns out.
This beast is powered by a 4.9-liter, V-12 engine, a true classic in the Ferrari lineup. The unit delivered 347 horsepower in its hey-day and could be revved to 8,000 rpm. Restored to the last bolt in Modena, the 375 Plus is ready to take the track once again.
1902 De Dietrich
De Dietrich ventured into automobile manufacturing for less than ten years.
Next in line is a vintage vehicle that goes by the name of De Dietrich 16-HP. Built in 1902 in France, this motorized carriage is powered by a 4.0-liter four-cylinder that delivers 16 horsepower. It may sound awfully slow to today’s standards, but vehicles like this one were the race cars of the early 1900s. Its tip-top shape and limited availability were decisive for the £998,300 ($1.7 million as of 06/27/2014) price tag, which is rather uncommon for the brand. De Dietrich ventured into automobile manufacturing for less than ten years. Production commenced in 1896 and ended in 1905. De Dietrich is famous for hiring Ettore Bugatti to design its cars.
1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopio’ Coupé
Finished in a gorgeous shade of metallic blue, the Countach still carries its blue and "Ice" white interior.
The Lamborghini Countach, the supercar most of us grew up hanging posters of on our walls, needs no further introduction. However, this specific 1975 Countach LP400 is a rare, right-hand drive example that has only 7,767 miles on its odometer. It was initially delivered in Malta before being registered in the United Kingdom in 1990 and it remained in remarkable condition to this day. Finished in a gorgeous shade of metallic blue, the Countach still carries its blue and "Ice" white interior. Powered by a 4.0-liter, V-12 engine with 370 ponies on tap, this beautiful example made the hammer drop at £953,500 ($1.6 million as of 06/27/2014). Guess someone’s leaving Goodwood wearing a big grin on his face.
Why It Matters
Bonhams Auctions is known for organizing the most sought after sales during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and this year’s event was no exception. Raising nearly $39 million in a matter of hours, the auction proved yet again that the classic car market is still safe before the global recession affecting the automotive industry.
Press Release
The Goodwood Festival of Speed’s annual Bonhams sale earned a staggering £22.6 million on the opening day of the world’s largest motoring garden party on Friday, June 27.
The star attraction was the incredible 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus, as used in iconic road races such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Carrera Panamericana, which sold for £10.7 million following a fierce battle between bidders.
A 1902 De Dietrich - formerly part of the Michael Banfield Collection - achieved at Goodwood today an astounding £998,300.
Few cars can have come to light as spectacularly as this magnificent veteran, which was discovered during World War Two when a German bomb demolished the stable in which it had been sleeping on blocks since 1912. With just four owners from new, the powerful four-cylinder 4078cc De Dietrich is identical in specification to the works racers built for the 1902 Paris-Vienna challenge.
From ancient to modern, the Bonhams sale supplied all tastes. One of the most iconic sports cars of the 20th Century - a 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopio’ Coupé - sold for a new world record £953,500 ($1.6 million USD).
Bonhams and Goodwood racing car historian Doug Nye, said: “This Sale has offered a phenomenal range of really special and important cars with their various classes. Above all, each of the prime cars offered has links with some of the greatest racing drivers of all time. Names like Jim Clark, Graham Hill, John Surtees and so many more. It’s always a pleasure to see new owners’ delight as the gavel falls. After all, they’re winners too.”
