Lynx XKSS: A ‘Jag’ that’s fit for McQueen 

1970 Lynx XKSS
Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £171,750

With only 16 examples of Jaguar’s D-type-based XKSS road car having been built, genuine factory versions seldom come to market. The aluminium replicas built by British firm Lynx are just as good and, as this one demonstrates, they’re a whole lot more affordable. Based on a 1970 E-type platform, the car was built as an homage to the genuine model owned by Hollywood star Steve McQueen and dubbed ‘Green Rat’. As well as being finished in the same BRG paint, this replica had the satin black dashboard and seat design specified by McQueen, plus a Lynx-tuned engine that pushed out 270bhp.

2007 Maserati MC12 Corsa
Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £2.6m

This was one of only 12 Corsa versions of Maserati’s mighty MC12 GT1 race car to have been built. They cost £650,000 new – which probably seemed a lot at the time. What’s that thing about hindsight?

1925 Bugatti Type 35 GP
Sold by Artcurial, £346,820

As authentic as this Type 35 looked, it was actually a ‘bitsa’. Marque historian Gilles Fournier began hunting as many genuine Bugatti parts as possible in the 1980s, completing his dream car in 2005.

1994 Lamborghini LM002
Sold by Bonhams, £295,000

Lamborghini’s latest off-roader, the Huracán Sterrato, isn’t as radical as the marque’s original effort. Although designed for extreme terrain, this one spent its life collecting shopping in Paris.

1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT
Sold by Barrett-Jackson, £878,500

The original owner of this roadster was former (and possibly future) US president Donald Trump. He commissioned the special order Blue Le Mans paintwork and kept hold of the car for five years.

1939 Guidobaldi Guidomobile
Sold by Artcurial, £163,210

A one-off built by Antibes-born cycling champion and inventor François Guidobaldi. The wacky racer featured a 1357cc, mid-mounted, eight-cylinder two-stroke engine with twin superchargers.

2011 Gumpert Apollo
Sold by Collecting Cars, £207,630

With only 150 or so built, the Gumpert Apollo is rare – but this example was possibly unique in having covered less than 500 miles. Its 4.2-litre Audi RS6-derived engine was good for 700bhp.

Forthcoming sale highlights

λ Historics, Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, March 2

If you’re reading this issue hot off the press, it’s worth noting that this sale is on view February 28 to March 1 – which allows a bit of time to take in some of the more interesting lots, among which is the unique 1973 Jensen Viperceptor, an extreme restomod that’s powered by an 8.3-litre V10 Dodge Viper engine, and the recently restored 1968 Aston Martin DBS prototype.

λ H&H, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, March 27

This annual spring motorcycle sale held by H&H has grown to rival Bonhams longer-standing effort happening in Stafford at around the same time. The usual diverse range of treasures includes a 1940 Triumph 3HW in full military trim, a 1951 Vincent Rapide Series C that’s estimated to fetch £15,000-£20,000 and one of only 500 Yamaha XS1100 Midnight Special cruisers from the early 1980s.

λ Bonhams, Goodwood, West Sussex, April 14

The annual Goodwood Members’ Meeting is as good a place as any in which to be inspired to buy a racing car – and this edition will offer another chance to own the unique 1960 Cooper-Lancia T52 that failed to sell at last summer’s Revival auction. The one-off was originally campaigned by wealthy Italian driver Enrico Agostini and is the only T52 powered by a Lancia Appia V4 engine.

λ Iconic Auctioneers, Sywell Aerodrome, sywell, Northamptonshire, May 18

Iconic Auctioneers returns to Sywell Aerodrome near Wellingborough for its now regular sale held during the spring Supercar Fest event. As well as being able to bid on a wide range of cars and automobilia visitors to the two-day show get to see the ‘Runway’ high-speed displays along the venue’s one kilometre straight and mingle with some of the UK’s top supercar dealers.

1958 Fiat 500 Spiaggina boano
Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £317,400

The eye-watering price paid for this Fiat 500-based Spiaggina is accounted for by the fact that it was one of two made by Mario Boano of Carrozzeria Ghia and belonged to Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli; the other was owned by fellow tycoon Aristotle Onassis.