Porsche 911 R value almost doubles after seven years: auction results

2016 Porsche 911 R

Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £380,000

The old adage about losing money the moment you drive out of the showroom doesn’t apply to limited- edition Porsche 911s – as evinced by the sale of this rare R that fetched almost double what it originally cost in 2016. The 4-litre 500bhp six-speed manual car was created for ‘purist’ drivers who demanded a more involving gearbox than the lightning-quick PDK paddle-operated transmission. With only 742 miles on the clock and finished in desirable Grand Prix White with retro door logos, it was loaded with sensible options including a long-range fuel tank, reinforced clutch and front axle lift.

1932 Alfa Romeo 6C

Sold by Broad Arrow, £975,000

This gorgeous 6C 1750 Series V with Figoni Gran Sport bodywork had been restored by Blakeney Motorsport, scooping a class award at the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours. The detail was exquisite.

1987 Kremer Porsche 962

Sold by Gooding & Company, £735,000

Built by privateer racing team Kremer, this 962C was raced at Le Mans in 1987 and ’88, finishing fourth and eighth respectively. It was still in the Leyton House livery it wore at Le Mans.

1959 Lister-Jaguar

Sold by Bonhams, £630,000

This original Lister was among a hoard of Jaguars collected by US enthusiast Thomas Hendricks. It had been owned by Hendricks since 1976 and stashed in a warehouse for more than 20 years.

2001 Ducati MH900E

Sold by Collecting Cars, £27,500

When Ducati launched this homage to the 1978 F1 Isle of Man TT-winning machine that Mike Hailwood rode to victory, the 2000 available examples sold out in 31 minutes. This one has covered five miles.

1991 Jaguar XJS

Sold by The Market, £1700

In a world where so many classic cars seem to have been restored to the point of being too precious to use, it was good to see this roadworthy but slightly ratty 4-litre XJS cross the block at a sensible price.

1954 Austin Champ

Sold by Hampson auctions, £10,833

Britain’s answer to the light and reliable military Jeep was the heavy and complex Austin Champ. It was in service with the regular Army between 1951-56 before being replaced by the Land Rover.

1972 the Beast

Sold by Car & Classic, £72,500

Despite its hideous appearance the 27-litre Rolls-Royce Merlin-engined Beast found considerable fame during the 1970s for being the world’s most powerful car and for landing its builder, automatic gearbox expert John Dodd, with a lawsuit from Rolls-Royce for adorning it with one of the marque’s recognisable grilles.

Forthcoming sale highlights

• Bonhams, ChaussÉe de Charleroi, Brussels, May 13
  This sale at Belgium’s national car museum is worth attending both for the lots and for the museum itself. An exhibition celebrating the Le Mans centenary will include a line-up of cars connected with the race – among them a Ford GT40 test car from 1966, an example of the 1992 race-winning Peugeot 905 and the obscure Le Mans-built Inaltéra of 1976. Lots include a 1968 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2, expected to sell for £250,000.
• DVCA, Stalbridge, Dorset, June 8
  If you hanker after the old-school atmosphere and friendly banter associated with regional country sales, you’ll enjoy a day out in the rural venue favoured by Dorset Vintage and Classic Auctions. Founder Brian Chant has been in the business since 1969 and has quietly built it into the West Country’s leading specialist house for historic cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and automobilia.
• Broad Arrow Auctions, Porsche Experience Center, Atlanta, US, June 8-10
  Still-fledgling auction house Broad Arrow has lined up this special sale to celebrate 75 years of Porsche and will offer 75 of the most collectable models. Visitors to the event will be able to tour the newly expanded Porsche Classic sales and restoration facility and see the recently opened driver development track which is modelled on sections of some of the world’s famous race circuits.
• RM Sotheby’s, Le Mans, June 9
  Le Mans promises to be busier than ever this year thanks to the programme of celebrations being staged to mark the centenary of the 24-hour race. And the captive audience should be a boon to RM Sotheby’s when it sends a host of Le Mans-raced cars across the block the day before the flag drops on 2023’s event. Among the offerings is a 1955 Ferrari 121 LM, a 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 and a 1984 Lancia C2.