Auction Preview, Ascot Racecourse Sale | 2nd March 2024

Historics’ scintillating entry at its 2024 opener on 2 nd March is headed spectacularly by a Jaguar bought and owned personally by His Majesty King Charles III.

The 2018 Jaguar I-Pace was the royal family’s first electric vehicle, thus delivering exceptional royal provenance. It’s joined at the sale by a glorious 2003 Bentley Arnage first
owned by HRH Princess Anne. The Princess Royal’s appetite for driving is well-known and doubtless the wonderful qualities of this Bentley suited her admirably.

Inevitably, the royal duo has attracted enormous pre-sale collector interest worldwide and very significant bidding can be anticipated.

Also vying for top attention - amongst the 180 hugely varied entries spanning a century and 45 different marques - is a rare and exceptionally-presented, right-hand drive 1958
Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, in stunning condition and resplendent in its ‘Feuerwehrrot’ (Fire Engine Red) coachwork, one of three charming 190 SL examples in the sale. They are joined by a splendid array of 26 Mercedes-Benz classics, from highly-affordable to enormously collectible.

Meanwhile, enthusiasts for the classic Italian camp can’t fail to be impressed. An exquisite 1972 Ferrari 246 Dino 246 GT sets the performance tone spectacularly. In current
ownership for the past 37 years, it has been pampered to the tune of £50,000+ since 2019 by Modena Engineering to bring it to the excellent condition which it is in today.

Spanning nearly 35 years of Lamborghini history are a 1973 Lamborghini Espada, very rarely offered as a restoration project, a 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo from a private collection, plus a 1974 2+2 Lamborghini Urraco, it’s flowing bodywork penned by Marcello Gandini during his time at Bertone.

In addition to the Jaguar I-Pace owned by His Majesty The King, the marque is excellently represented by a classic selection of Browns Lane’s finest, headed by an early 1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster with a very impressive specification and sympathetic upgrades, a 1956 Jaguar XK140 Fixedhead Coupé with a vast history file detailing an extremely high level of attention, and a most interesting 1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II ‘semi lightweight’ homage. 

A prize for sheer restoration quality most surely go to a 1963 Volvo P1800S, the model immortalised by Roger Moore in ‘The Saint’. Belying its 60+years - 58 with the same family - it benefits from the most fanatical nut and bolt restoration.

As is always the case at Historics sales, there is a very fine selection of Porsches on offer – 13 in total spanning both the air- and water-cooled genres, including nine Porsche 911s across five decades.

Staying with German marques, a pair of very fine Borgwards are extremely rare auction entries, by way of a 1960 Borgward Combi (estate) and 1959 Borgward Coupé. These two
fine examples are a testimony to the passionate following for Borgward that remains today.

Returning to classic UK marques, a trio of Jensen Interceptors will intrigue, from a 1969 Series II model requiring re-commissioning, a feisty and fascinating 1973 restomod example and a one-off, bespoke-created 1973 Jensen ‘Viperceptor’, sporting a thunderous V10 Dodge Viper powerplant.

Look out too for some exceptionally unusual and rare classics including a utilitarian 1980 UAZ 469 jeep, the property of the McAlpine Collection, offered without reserve.
Finally, Japanese classics add a touch of oriental culture to the sale. Two great examples of the hugely competent Ferrari challenger of its day - the mid-engined Honda NSX - are on offer. With flowing bodywork designed by Pininfarina, the 1996 and 1999 right-hand drive models here are well worthy of your attention.

Get up close and personal with all entries during the three viewing days preceding the sale at Historics’ wonderful Ascot Racecourse venue. The sale commences at 9.30 on Saturday 2nd March and remember that bidding is at the auction, by phone and online…
Full information at www.historics.co.uk.