‘Ultimate’ x-rated McLaren sells for £350k lass than original price

2022 McLaren 720S GT3X 

Sold by Bonhams, £402,500
This was one of just 15 examples of the £750,000, track-only 720S GT3X. Still regarded by many as the ultimate McLaren driver’s car, the X was an upgrade of the GT3 competition model launched in 2018 and aimed at wealthy trackday fans. It remains the only car from McLaren Automotive to have been developed and built by the marque’s motor sport division and benefited from enhancements to the GT3’s 4-litre V8 that released more than 700bhp. But if that wasn’t enough, a ‘push-to-pass’ system added 29.5bhp. This GT3X had clocked up a mere 280 miles from new.

1965 Morris Mini

Sold by H&H, £1150
This Mini was campaigned in multiple Scottish rallies in the early 1970s before being put out of action at the 1973 Tour of Mull. Three weeks after this sale it sold on Ebay for twice the price.

2012 Smart Brabus 

Sold by Bonhams Cars Online, £24,661.
Special editions of the original Smart car are increasingly collectible and they don’t come much more special than this. The 120bhp pocket rocket was first owned by music impresario Simon Cowell.

1996 Mazda MX5 merlot special edition

Sold by Hampson auctions, £6750
Mark I versions of Mazda’s smash-hit MX5 are now accepted as classics, especially in limited edition guise. This 33,000-mile Merlot Special is one of just 600 and had been in single ownership for 27 years.

1979 Lancia Beta 1300

Sold by WB & Sons, £8448
There was a time when Betas were a common sight on UK roads but rust problems killed most of them off within a decade. This 4000-miler was one of nine to have survived here – saved by storage.

1997 Richard Burns WRC helmet

Sold by Bonhams, £4480
This Bell helmet was used by Richard Burns during the 1997 WRC when driving for Mitsubishi. It was sold complete with visor peak, microphone, radio cable and built-in headphones.

1972 De Tomaso Pantera

Sold by Hampson auctions, £70,875
This striking French Blue Pantera was imported into the UK in 2015, prior to which it featured in series four episode 10 of Breaking Bad. Power came from a Ford Cleveland V8.

1967 Lotus 49 race simulator

Sold by Collecting Cars, £4600
This was made by Surrey-based Classic Race Simulators as a demonstrator for use in shows and at race meetings. Having used it, we can vouch for its dynamic realism – and the high quality of the life-sized reproduction of the front three-quarters of a Lotus 49.

Forthcoming sale highlights

• Mecum, Las Vegas, January 29-February 1
  Motorcycles might be smaller than cars, but that won’t stop Mecum going large on its first dedicated two-wheeler sale of the year. With more than 1400 lots being sold the auction really does offer something for everyone from basket-case restoration projects to mint originals. Star lots include a pristine Cyclone V-Twin from 1915 in screaming yellow.
• SWVA, Poole, January 30
  Still looking for a winter bargain? This sale could be the place to find it. Replete with what could be described as ‘modern classics’ the catalogue includes a Simon Templar-style Jaguar XJS 5.3 in white (offered at no reserve), a rare Citroën CX 25 GTi Turbo 2 from 1988 and an honest-looking Austin-Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite that’s on the button and ready for spring.
• Broad Arrow, San Francisco, February 15
  This sale will feature more than 100 cars across the block from the collection of San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. Its collection was established in 1929 by former president Dr Richard Stephens who began buying to help his students learn about motoring history. The Academy is one of the most wide-ranging art and design colleges in the country.
• Bonhams, Miami, May 3
  Bonhams heads back to Florida to stage a second auction ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. The on-track sale will take place in the evening after qualifying and will feature around 40 cars. At the same time, Bonhams will stage a corresponding Luxury Miami Online sale of watches, jewellery and handbags. All lots will be on view at the circuit through race weekend.