Auction results: The most immaculate Jensen Interceptor III in the world?

1974 Jensen Interceptor III
Sold by Dore & Rees, £62,150

If you’re on the lookout for what is probably the most immaculate, original, un-restored Jensen Interceptor III in the world – you’ve just missed it. This unique example was bought new by a Mayfair physician called Dr Mok who registered it with the 10 MOK plate it still wears today. A refusal to drive the car in the wet soon led the good doctor to sell it back to the Kent dealer from whence it came, and it remained cherished by his family until his son eventually sent it to auction.  Still never rained on, it had covered just 16,500 miles from new.

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1969 MG MGB
Sold by Bonhams Cars Online, £14,146

Although upgraded to a race car in ’72, this B has achieved impressive competition success while being kept street legal. To buy and improve another to this spec for twice the price would be tricky.

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1908 Stanley Model K semi-racer
Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £80,500

If you dreamed of speeding through lanes trailing condensation, this steam car could have fulfilled it. Two years before this was built, a Stanley set the record for the fastest mile – 28.2sec at 127mph.

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1997 Carbodies FX4
Sold by Iconic auctioneers, £29,250

This was one of two examples of London’s most celebrated black cab to have been bought and mothballed by a collector. It had covered a mere 13 miles from new and was in factory fresh condition.

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2021 McLaren Elva
Sold by Bonhams, £800,000

McLaren’s far-out Elva offered 200mph potential with no roof or windscreen – a prospect that proved less appealing than expected; just 149 were built of 399 planned. It cost £1.4m new.

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1967 Rickman MÉtisse
Sold by Collecting Cars, £16,500

Gerry Lisi hit on a great idea when he acquired Métisse in 2007 and set about building 300 replicas of Steve McQueen’s ‘desert sled’. New frames were made from original blueprints.

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2015 Land Rover defender by Twisted
Sold by RM Sotheby’s, £55,200

Is the love affair with upgraded Defenders on the wane? The price paid for this one modified by Twisted suggests it might be. Fitted with a V8 engine, it originally cost more than £175,000.

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2006 Ford GT Heritage
Sold by Bonhams, £315,000

The idea of owning an original GT40 certainly appeals but modern Ford GTs are a much better option in the real world. Far less likely to break down, more economical, comfy inside and a whole lot cheaper, too. This one even came with the celebrated Gulf paint job.

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Forthcoming sale highlights

λ Iconic auctioneers, Silverstone, August 24

This year’s Silverstone Festival will see Iconic offer more than 100 road, competition and trackday-worthy cars – with classic ‘fast Ford’ fans sure to be drawn to a unique Ford Escort RS2000 with a specification not many might choose: Roman Bronze paint, cream leather interior and automatic transmission. “Who the hell would order that?” you might ask. The answer? Henry Ford II, actually…

λ Mecum auctions, Dallas, September 4-7

We all know they do things big in Texas – which makes the of-the-moment city of Dallas an ideal venue for maximal auction house Mecum to stage its first sale of the post-summer season. As well as a four-figure lot list, this will include big offerings such as a stretched 2017 Ford F250 pick-up with six doors, a 2023 Tutt T-444 with 60in tyres that enable it to float on water and a fine selection of barn finds.

λ Bonhams, Goodwood, September 7

Your ears may still be ringing from last month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed – but it won’t be long before it’s time for the Revival. Bonhams will be there once more to offer the usual array of road and competition cars, including the MG KC Magnette in which Captain George Eyston and Count Johnny Lurani won the 1100cc class in the 1933 Mille Miglia, and a 1968 Escort Twin Cam raced by Graham Hill.

λ RM Sotheby’s, London, November 2

Car enthusiast and super collector Sir Michael Kadoorie’s Peninsula Hotel Group opened its first London property last year – and, no doubt with his encouragement, it has become the new venue for RM Sotheby’s annual winter sale in the capital. Among lots crossing the block will be the  spectacular works Delahaye 135 S Competition from 1936 raced by Prince Bora and Rob Walker. Estimate is £1m-£1.5m.