January 2022 auction results: Eleanor steals the show

1967 Ford Mustang ‘Eleanor Tribute’

Sold by Mecum, £253,000

This near-perfect recreation of the ‘Eleanor’ Mustang that served as the automotive star in the 2000 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, starring Nicolas Cage, came complete with a certificate of authenticity from the company that owns the licensing rights to the car’s distinctive look.

Accurate down to the exact body modifications, Pepper Grey metallic paint, flip-up fuel filler and rear-mounted nitrous oxide bottle (plus dashboard-mounted activation switch), the car was sold with an original promotional poster and signed photographs of Cage and co-star Angelina Jolie.

1982 Jaguar XJS

Sold by H&H, £21,375

This Jaguar XJS had covered just 17,000 miles in the hands of the same family and had been preserved in superb original condition. Ziebart rust-proofed from new: it really worked, that stuff.

IWC Pilot’s watch and Hot Wheels car

Sold by Bonhams, £70,000

This was the first of 50 limited-edition sets comprising an IWC Pilot’s chronograph and a Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL race car. Proceeds go to children’s charity Two Bit Circus Foundation.

1984 Land Rover Series III ‘Military style’

Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £11,000

Anyone feeling victimised by road rage could have done worse than bid for this ex-military Land Rover that had been given an SAS specification makeover, complete with dummy machine gun.

1912 Kissel Kar Model D-11 semi-racer

Sold by Bonhams, £56,930

This venerable 109-year old car was marketed as a ‘semi-racer’ by the Wisconsin-based manufacturer. Engineless prior to restoration, it was fitted with a marque-correct 5-litre four-cylinder lump.

1998 Honda AC15 Dream

Sold by H&H, £8050

‘Jewel like’ serves as a fair description of the AC15 Dream that was built to commemorate the RC110 single-cylinder racer of 1962 that produced 9.5bhp at a startling 14,000rpm and could touch 90mph.

Bell star twin-window race helmet

Sold by Gooding & Company, £19,520

The top lot in Gooding’s Geared Online sale, this sinister-looking race helmet belonged to Jacky Ickx and is believed to have been worn during the 1978 F1 season as well as at that year’s Le Mans.

1986 Citröen BX 4TC Evolution

Sold by Artcurial, £354,000

This was one of seven survivors from Citroën’s 20 works Evo Group B cars. After competing in three 1986 rallies, it was acquired from Citroën by collector Michel Hommell who had owned it since.

Forthcoming car sale highlights

RM Sotheby’s Online
December 1-8

Inaugurated in response to Covid putting the kibosh on live auctions, the online-only Open Roads sales have become a regular part of the calendar and are now recognised as excellent hunting grounds. Already consigned is a well-preserved 1990 Maserati Quattroporte Royale. Launched in ’86, just 53 were made.

Bonhams, London
December 4

Bonhams’ Bond Street Sale has become one of the indelible pre-Christmas fixtures. Usually a tightly curated affair featuring a limited number of lots, it frequently includes some real rarities. Look out for an elegant 1933 Bugatti Type 46S coupé and a single-owner quartet of ’60s and ’70s Astons.

Artcurial, Paris
February 4

After a two-year absence, the usually annual and always highly anticipated Paris Rétromobile is back on the agenda – and with it the official auction staged by French house Artcurial. Look out, too, for satellite sales by Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s away from the main Rétromobile venue.