The diversity of vehicles on display was vast. From children’s pedal cars, through micro cars like the Lamar
Monocar (no, I’d never heard of it either!), to commercial leviathans like the 1940 Austin K3 military truck
and the 1961 BMC 5 Ton Mobile training Unit. Along the way there were the likes of a Mini based “Outspan
Orange” publicity car, through classic F3 race cars, a Ford Escort “Fraudster” dragster, an ex-Kenyan
Government 1938 Morris 14/6 saloon with numerous special features, a variety of rally cars including a
spectacular Audi Quattro Sport E1 S2. The various Ford clubs and the BMC/Leyland ones, including
marques and models before they became part of these conglomerations, had complete halls to themselves,
such was the depth and variety of their offerings. Another aspect was the stories behind some of the cars
on display, like “The unfinished Symphony”, the Panther J99, with a Vortech supercharged 4.6 litre V8
engine, displayed on the Panther Club stand as a tribute to its designer Robert Jankel, whose last design it
was before his passing in 2005. On a Ferrari note, it is worth mentioning the 365 GTB4 “Daytona” Shooting
Brake that he created in 1975. At the opposite end of the spectrum there was the diminutive 325cc 2
cylinder two-stroke 1957 Friskysport prototype, which completed the Monte Carlo Rally in 1958. To reverse
the car one changes the rotation of the engine, so it can go as fast in reverse as forward – scary! The
current owner had an example as his first car 56 years ago. If one was to get involved in reading the
descriptive plaques of every vehicle at the show with an interesting story, one would need all three days of
the show, and then some!
The Ferrari Owners’ Club stand featured a trio of 2+2 models, a Mondial 3.2, chassis 71105, a Dino 308
GT4, chassis 14302, and a 400 GT. chassis 24747, in line with the show’s “Part of the Family” theme. The
family theme was continued with the club’s 2022 concours winning 250 GTE, chassis 2647 GT, of Linton
Connell, which was in the Meguiar’s Club Showcase display of 14 concours winning cars from different car
clubs around the United Kingdom. The Meguiar’s Club Showcase award went to an immaculate 1956
Triumph TR3 owned by Mark Rainer, which was presented by Mike Brewer, host on the TV show Wheeler
Dealers’, whilst the title sponsor, Lanacaster Insurance’s Pride of Ownership award was taken by Ian Croft
and his Lotus Elan Plus 2, which was once owned by Graham Hill when he drove for the Lotus F1 Team.
The Silverstone Auctions sales of cars, motorcycles and memorabilia realised a total £7.3 million, with six
world records broken. These comprised of an unregistered 1989 Jaguar XJ-S V12 convertible achieving
£131,625, a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII FQ-400 made £72,000, and a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
sold for £75,375, together with three Fords, a 2010 Focus RS500, with only 948 miles on the clock, selling
for £99,000, a 2009 Focus RS Mk 2, this one with only 357 recorded miles, went for £63,000 and a 1972
long-wheelbase Transit van achieved a heady £61,875. A number of UK records were also broken including
a 1988 Ford RS200 (£292,500), one of three right-hand drive DeLorean DMC-12s built sold for £85,500,
whilst the ex-Stirling Moss BMW 600 (700) bubble car achieved £56,250. There were seven Ferraris in the
auction, after a 328 GTS was withdrawn, with all finding new homes (see separate list).
The show always provides an amazing journey back in time, rekindling memories of vehicles that were once
common sights on the roads, which due to the passage of time are now rare survivors of days gone by.
Long may the passionate enthusiasts of the various makes and models continue to preserve our motoring
heritage.
... Ferrari Models in the Silverstone Auction >>>
Keith Bluemel
10/2022
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