Blackadder goes forth: Rowan Atkinson’s Peugeot 205 GTI stars in auction round-up

2017 Morgan Plus 8 Super Sports

Sold by Bonhams Cars Online, £58,698
Visitors to the Goodwood Revival had a chance to preview this Morgan before it was offered for sale online with an estimate of £70,000-£90,000. The fact it was moved on for less than the lower figure bears testament to the state of the middle market – this was a rare and collectible car in superb condition. One of a planned production run of just 60 examples designed to mark Morgan’s centenary at its historic Pickersleigh Road plant in Malvern, Worcestershire, the pared-down racer-for-the-road featured aero screens, side-exit exhausts, race roundels and ‘steel look’ alloy wheels.

1973 MGB GT V8 police car

Sold by Historics auctioneers, £19,448
A V8 B wouldn’t catch today’s phone snatcher on an electric bike but in ’73 villains would’ve quaked at the sight of a police pursuit version. This prototype had its blue light and two-way radio.

2007 Jaguar XKR

Sold by Historics auctioneers, £20,878
Many mourned the passing of Jaguar’s decidedly impressive XKR in 2014. A decade on, this pristine example with 2251 miles was the nearest anyone is going to get to owning a new one.

2005 Superformance Daytona CoupÉ

Sold by Collecting Cars, £75,000
This was one of the official continuation cars based on the original Shelby Daytona Coupé – designed by Peter Brock and Bob Negstad – that won its class in the 1964 Le Mans 24 Hours.

1955 Morris Minor

Sold by WB & Sons, £1199
Affordable classics are back. This split-screen Minor was running and – judging by the luggage racks – ready for adventure. Sold with a history file which included meticulous journey notes.

2001 Michael Schumacher OMP racing suit

Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £60,000
This racing suit was worn by Michael Schumacher when he took pole and then won the 2001 Hungarian Grand Prix, equalling Alain Prost’s record of 51 F1 victories. It was part of a 283-lot collection of Schumacher and F1 memorabilia.

1967 Jaguar E-Type coupÉ

Sold by Bonhams Cars Online, £59,620
Bonhams suggested this might have been “the most original E-Type in existence”. Never repainted, restored or dismantled, it had covered just 36,000 miles in the hands of two owners.

1989 Peugeot 205 GTi

Sold by classic car auctions, £20,812
There was a time – before they were dubbed ‘iconic’ – when these could be picked up for little more than £1000. This one was consigned by comedian Rowan Atkinson who covered only 300 of the 71,000 recorded miles before deciding to sell.

Forthcoming sale highlights

• Bonhams, London, November 1
  Bonhams’ The Golden Age of Motoring Sale happens two days before the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Hoping to attract the sort of audience who appreciate a total-loss lubrication system as much as John Gregson’s performance in Genevieve, the auction will feature several cars of more than 100 years old, including a 1901 MMC two-seater Brougham powered by a single-cylinder, 8hp motor.
• RM Sotheby’s, London, November 1-2
  Pre-war Bentley fans are set to descend en masse for this sale taking place at London’s swish Peninsular hotel because it is highlighted by a remarkable, 90-lot collection of memorabilia that includes a trio of WO Bentley’s driving licences, the registration mark WO 1 and the great man’s personal reel-to-reel tape recorder – complete with 35-minute tape in which he is heard discussing his life in motoring.
• Iconic auctioneers, NEC, Birmingham, November 9
  This will be the first sale since the unification of Iconic and sister company Classic Car Auctions which, say the brands, will streamline the business without reducing the number of more affordable lots for which CCA is known. The auction comprises cars and motorcycles, with highlights including a 1978 Ferrari 512 BB and two Ducati Superleggeras owned by celebrity biker/ baker Paul Hollywood.
• H&H, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, November 27
  It was way back in 1993 when H&H staged its first auction at Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens – and the Warrington-based firm has remained loyal to the venue ever since. The 23-acre site offers the perfect backdrop for a classic sale, with its landscaped grounds, restored bandstand, miniature railway, pavilion café and arts centre. Travel writer Bill Bryson called it “the most delightful town park in the country”.