Silverstone Auctions returned to The Classic at Silverstone for their eleventh year
70% sales rate and £7million worth of classic cars and collector motorcycles sold
The Richard Hammond Collection sold for £231,525 collectively
Four new auction world record prices achieved
£9,200 raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK
Last weekend Silverstone Auctions returned to The Classic at Silverstone, the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, for their eleventh year as the official auction partner where they sold £7milllion worth of classic cars and collector motorcycles.
The three-day sale opened with a dedicated motorcycle auction on Friday 30th July, this was a first for their Classic Sale, which saw 62 motorcycles cross the block and a fantastic 70% of those sold. Some of the highlights include the 2018 Brough Superior SS100 which has covered just 74 miles from new and reached £31,950, as well as the restored 1975 Kawasaki Z1 B that sold for £16,875. All of the motorcycle results are available to view on the Silverstone Auctions website here.
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, a series of automobilia items and number plates were also offered for sale. Included in the line-up were three charity lots, donated by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport to raise funds for the official charity partner for the wider event, Alzheimer’s Research UK. Used and signed drivers gloves from both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, as well as a hand-signed technical drawing, collectively sold for an outstanding £9,200, all of which will go to the charity.
The Sunday car auction opened with The Richard Hammond Collection. Eight classic cars and motorcycles were offered directly from Richard to raise funds for his new restoration business, The Smallest Cog. Richard was in attendance on the day, along with discovery+, who are creating a brand-new docuseries which will air later this year. Collectively all eight lots sold for £231,525 after being offered entirely without reserve. The 1999 Lotus Esprit Sport 350 was a real standout, selling for £65,250.
A few other highlights include the 1997 Porsche 911 (993) 3.8 RSR Carrera Cup, which is one of just 45 and sold for £652,500. Lot 451, the beautiful 1952 Alfa 1900 ATL Barchetta sold above its top estimate for £202,500. The 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420SL (R107) sold at its top estimate after a lengthy bidding battle for £45,000, and Lot 424 did exceptionally well; the 1965 Porsche 365C 1600 Super – Barn Discovery eventually sold for £69,750 after an intense round of bidding following a huge amount of interest in the car. With so many notable sales over the three-days, all of the results from the car and automobilia auctions are available to view on the Silverstone Auctions website here.
Silverstone Auctions final sale of the year is taking place at The NEC Classic Motor Show on the weekend of the 12th – 14th November. Classic cars and collector motorcycles are now invited for the three-day auction and the Silverstone Auctions team can be contacted on 01926 691141.
Commissioned by McLaren Beverly Hills, ‘Albert’ Speedtail is inspired by the first attribute testing prototype vehicle
Resplendent in one of the most complex paint themes ever completed by MSO – taking more than 12 weeks to complete
Exterior paint design reflects the extreme aerodynamic prowess of the Speedtail
McLaren Special Operations (MSO) today unveils the ‘Albert’ Speedtail, a bespoke commission by North American McLaren retailer, McLaren Beverly Hills.
‘Albert’ is one of the final vehicles in the 106-car Speedtail production run and an homage to the first Speedtail attribute testing vehicle from 2018. Echoing the name of the 1992 McLaren F1 test mules, which were named after the Albert Drive premises in which the F1 was designed and built in Woking, England, the original MVY02 Speedtail prototype vehicle was christened ‘Albert’ as a respectful tribute to its three-seat predecessor.
The ‘Albert’ prototype vehicle was developed to validate the concept of the Speedtail’s central seat driving position, testing driver ergonomics and visibility and rear-view camera positions. Originally built with the front panels from a 720S, the ‘Albert’ prototype was the first Speedtail to be driven on public roads.
The exterior design ‘camouflage’ was achieved by a simple two-metre vinyl body wrap with design lines printed to represent the optimised airflow over the car. The ‘Albert’ Speedtail carries on this legacy, sporting one of the most complex paint themes ever completed by MSO.
The colours selected for the ‘Albert’ homage are Magnesium Silver – the colour that the F1 road car was first shown in at the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix -and Ueno Grey, the colour of the F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. The full design treatment is closely based on the 2018 vinyl ‘camouflage’ wrap.
‘’As one of the very last Speedtails to be built at the McLaren Production Centre, it was very important to us at McLaren Beverly Hills that ‘Albert’ honours the brand’s rich heritage, particularly paying tribute to the icon that is the McLaren F1. We worked alongside MSO through every stage, including concept ideation, to produce a truly bespoke and beautifully detailed car that celebrates the innovation and design excellence behind the fastest McLaren road car to date. We are fortunate to have been able to procure ‘Albert’ for one of our top clients and are absolutely thrilled with the finished result.’’ Parris Mullins, McLaren Beverly Hills
The new ‘Albert’ was built in the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) with a 1K gloss visual carbon fibre body. Due to the incredibly complex and detailed nature of the paintwork design, the MSO team completed test panels first to understand process feasibility and worked alongside the visualiser team to refine renders. In total, ‘Albert’ would require a 12-week post-build modification at MSO’s facility to reach completion; this included two week’s masking, six week’s painting and the remaining time to dry and reassemble the vehicle after spraying.
Referring to large scale print-outs of the renders, the livery masking was completed by two specialist paint technicians. This had to be completed on the built car, with wheels fitted, to ensure accurate cross-panel alignment of the design as it flows around the vehicle. In total, the masking of the livery required almost two kilometres of fine line-out tape to complete the initial design layout.
The six-week painting process required the car to be disassembled to ensure complete accuracy and flawless finish. The paint blend effect was located on the door applique’s outer body panels with the front painted in Ueno Grey and rear in Magnesium Silver. After the first paint application, all body panels were treated and refitted to ensure perfect alignment and only after this the final clearcoat was applied.
“The name ‘Albert’ has a special resonance with MSO, as we are the custodians of the McLaren F1 and are based at the Albert Drive premises that McLaren Cars occupied in the 1990s. The Speedtail experience has been an exciting journey for our customers, from visualising their imaginations to realising these inspirations and sharing their delight when unveiling the finished product. ‘Albert’ brings this project to a conclusion and we are thrilled to finish on a high note.” Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations
The ‘Albert’ Speedtail will make its public debut at Sunset GT, a luxury cars and coffee event hosted by O’Gara Beverly Hills, which takes place on Sunday 8th August 2021 in Sunset Plaza, Los Angeles, USA.
Based on the form of a teardrop, the most aerodynamically efficient shape found in nature, the Speedtail is the apotheosis of the streamlined hypercar, a three-seat Hyper-GT that became the third car in McLaren’s Ultimate Series line-up. With its 1,070-horsepower hybrid powertrain, the Speedtail covers 112 metres per second when travelling at its top speed of 250mph/402kph, making it the fastest McLaren road car to date.
First production-spec Automobili Pininfarina Battista heads to the US for Monterey Car Week, featuring stunning black exposed signature carbon fibre body and Iconica Blu interior highlights
Battista Anniversario will make its US premiere at The Quail and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, with media invited to a preview at Pebble Beach on 12 August at 14:00 Pacific Time
US events mark the global public debut of the production-spec hyper GT and a first chance for clients to experience Battista’s specially developed interior and exterior soundscapes
Automobili Pininfarina Chief Design Officer, Luca Borgogno, will join the panel of judges at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which will celebrate glorious Pininfarina designs of the past
Automobili Pininfarina is taking the most significant step yet in delivering its pioneering pure-electric Battista hyper GT, with the first production-spec example making its debut on Californian roads as part of a series of exciting experiences curated for its clients during the upcoming Monterey Car Week (12-15 August 2021).
The finished Battista features distinctive black exposed signature carbon fibre bodywork and black gloss precision polished Impulso rims.
Inside, the first production-spec model to emerge from the Cambiano atelier facility in Italy, features black sustainable luxury leather with striking Iconica Blu contrast stitching and quilted Pilota seats in Iconica Blu Alcantara. The seats feature Pilota Carbon Components finished in black exposed signature carbon coordinating with the striking exterior.
Monterey Car Week will also see the US premiere of the exclusive Battista Anniversario, itself a tribute to the life and work of design icon Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina. Limited to just five vehicles worldwide, it represents the pinnacle of Automobili Pininfarina’s Pura design philosophy, with aerodynamic enhancements and tailored detailing providing a uniquely dynamic personality.
As part of an extensive programme prepared for Automobili Pininfarina’s clients in North America, the exclusive hyper GT will be joined at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by a fleet of iconic Pininfarina-designed vehicles to celebrate more than 90 years of design excellence.
Per Svantesson, CEO of Automobili Pininfarina, said: “The premiere of the first production-specification Battista in the US marks the beginning of another significant chapter in the Automobili Pininfarina story. We are excited to showcase the beautiful and sustainable future of luxury to our clients, while celebrating more than 90 years of Pininfarina design heritage during Monterey Car Week. We look forward to our clients in the US experiencing the immense dynamic performance and personalised luxury of Battista for the first time.”
US PROGRAMME Monterey Car Week will host the US premiere of the Battista Anniversario – an exclusive model limited to just five units for clients worldwide. The Anniversario features a unique Automobili Pininfarina-designed livery and bi-colour tinted Furiosa Pack consisting of front splitter, side blades and rear diffuser, with outer carbon parts finished in black exposed signature carbon and inner parts in exposed signature carbon tinted in Iconica Blu.
At the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, three special judging classes will showcase Pininfarina’s 91 years of history, with a cavalcade of iconic Pininfarina designs celebrating the unrivalled design heritage which has inspired the form of the Battista hyper GT. Automobili Pininfarina Chief Design Officer, Luca Borgogno, will join the panel of honorary judges at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
UNIQUE SOUND & VISION The Battista will be presented in production specification for the first time globally after being crafted by Pininfarina’s team of artisans in Italy. The 1,900hp electric hyper GT is the fastest and most powerful Italian sports car ever made, and each example will deliver the pinnacle of sustainable luxury.
So far this year, clients have been given a chance to experience prototype models for themselves, while the recently announced bespoke personalisation programme will ensure every Battista represents a unique investment. Only last month Automobili Pininfarina revealed details of its comprehensive tailoring service, by showcasing the original bespoke commission – a New York City inspired Battista featuring an elegant red, white and Iconica Blu colour scheme.
As part of the forthcoming US programme, clients will experience the interior and exterior soundscapes of the pure-electric model for the first time. Its specially developed soundtrack will elevate the driving experience while preserving the unique sensations of piloting a high-performance electric vehicle.
The Automobili Pininfarina Battista is named after Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, the founder of the Carrozzeria Pininfarina coachbuilding company, which he established in 1930. The hyper GT is the realisation of Battista’s dream to see a car produced wearing the Pininfarina name, with the first vehicles due to be delivered to customers later this year.
Bespoke chassis settings will ensure the Battista hyper GT delivers a unique dynamic experience that can be tailored to suit every journey and the pure-electric model will accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62mph) in sub-two seconds – faster than a current Formula 1 car.
No more than 150 Battista hyper GTs will be created for clients worldwide. North America and Europe will account for the majority of sales, followed by the Middle East and Asia. The exclusive hyper GT is priced from $2.2m and is available to order through a global network of specialist retailers. Across North America, this presence includes retailers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Toronto, New York, Miami and Vancouver. The Battista battery is available with up to 10 years of manufacturer warranty for the ultimate peace of mind.
Amidst continued global uncertainty, Bentley records highest ever profitability at the half-year stage
Profit levels for the first six months of 2021 (€178 million) outperform any full-year period in Bentley’s history
Sales of 7,199 cars distributed evenly between key markets
Full-year outlook remains cautiously optimistic due to increasing COVID-19 numbers and resulting impact on colleague self-isolation
Bentley Motors has today posted the company’s 2021 half-year performance, with sales and profit levels unmatched in Bentley’s 102-year history.
This includes an operating profit of €178 million, greater than any profit figure posted for a full-year period by the company. Moreover, retail sales increased by 50 per cent from a pre-COVID 2019 figure of 4,785 to 7,199 in 2021.
These sales were well-balanced between the luxury marque’s three model lines, Bentayga (2,767), Continental GT (2,318) and Flying Spur (2,063).
The Bentayga maintained the number one model position as full market availability was reached for the first time. Hybrid and S models have also been announced. With the introduction of the Speed in the second half of the year, it is anticipated that Continental GT sales could reach record numbers three years after introduction. The market launch of Flying Spur in China, now Bentley’s biggest sales region, contributed to the model line’s share of 29 per cent of global sales further helped by the addition of the V8 engine.
But these positive results are against a backdrop of continued uncertainty which could negatively impact the second half of the year. The increasing COVID-19 numbers in many parts of the world could threaten future production in the worst-case, or see further retail restrictions posing both a sales and financial risk to forecasts.
Building on this, Adrian Hallmark, Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, said:
“These results are an important milestone on our mission Beyond100, namely to become the leading sustainable luxury mobility company by 2030. They are the outcome of favourable market conditions, combined with three years of hard work within Bentley, where we have reinvented our products, restructured our operations, managed three crises, and defined our 2030 strategy.
“We have worked relentlessly to transform our entire organisation through productivity improvements and cost efficiencies, and the double-digit return on sales is validation that we are on the right path to enable a sustainable business model.
“While we celebrate these results, we are not taking the full year outlook for granted as we know there are still sizable risks to the year-end, notably the increasing number of colleagues having COVID enforced self-isolation periods.
“That notwithstanding, our financial strength is a positive sign and as we continue on our biggest transformation and investment programme in history, Beyond100, fully electrifying our entire model range within a decade, we continue on track with our aim to become the world’s benchmark luxury car business, financially resilient and recession-proof.”
On the financial side, Bentley’s revenue for the first six months of 2021 was €1.32 billion, up from a pre-COVID figure of €834.8 million in 2019. The operating result was €178 million and a subsequent return on sales of 13 per cent, a record high return.
To put these figures in context, Bentley’s previous record half-year performance was in 2014, with a revenue of €887 million and an operating result of €95.2 million. That year closed as Bentley’s most successful year with a profit of €170 million, already exceeded at the half-year point 2021.
Looking at sales, Bentley’s global footprint became more evenly balanced across its four market regions. China (2,155) was Bentley’s biggest selling market for the first time in nearly a decade. The Americas (2,049) followed closely behind with Europe also performing strongly, delivering 1,142 cars. Both markets are eagerly anticipating the arrival of GT Speed and Bentayga S in the coming months. Asia Pacific retailed 778 cars, with Bentley’s home market, the UK contributing 554, marginally ahead of the Middle East, Africa and India on 521. Bentley’s network also increased, now covered by 240 retailers in 67 countries.
This year will also mark Bentley’s biggest year of new model introductions, with nine product debuts, two of which introduce hybrid power in the form of the Bentayga Hybrid and Flying Spur Hybrid, supporting Bentley’s Beyond100 path to full electrification.
Live Arena content revealed for The British Motor Show
Thrills, spills, stunts and parades
Special show opening from British Army Lightning Bolts parachute display team
More action, more content – and even more cars!
Show takes place August 19-22, 2021
Tickets cost just £18.50, or £37 for a family
The organiser of The British Motor Show – Automotion Events – has announced an action-packed Live Arena at the show with less than three weeks until it opens its doors.
The show will open with a very special display from the British Army Lightning Bolts display team who will be jumping out of a plane over the venue and creating an amazing aerial display over Farnborough, before landing in the Live Arena.
Hosted by TV’s star car pundit Mike Brewer, the Live Arena will be one of the show’s main focal points. Over four days, the arena will see a mixture of thrills and spills, as well as parades and comparisons of some of the star cars at the show.
Twice daily, Paul Swift’s stunt team will wow the crowds with a stunt extravaganza, featuring sideways and two-wheel driving, while another key highlight will be the daily supercar parade, in which an amazing selection of the world’s most exotic cars will rumble into the arena and make some noise.
Other Arena features are the classic car parade, twice daily, and a twice daily show of some of the most important motorsport exhibitors at the show, along with Mike Brewer’s own group tests of some of the most important new cars at the show, from EVs to SUVs.
Each day, the event will close with a round of car football – The British Motor Show’s very own rendition of the Euro 2020 football championships. And this time, England hopefully won’t lose on penalties….
The British Motor Show CEO, Andy Entwistle, said: “The excitement is really starting to build as we get ready to welcome visitors to the show in just under three weeks’ time, so it’s the perfect moment to announce just some of the action-packed and adrenaline-fuelled action that makes The British Motor Show truly stand out from some of the other car events on te calendar.”
The British Motor Show promises to be the brightest, most engaging and most interactive automotive event of 2021, and offers terrific value at just £18.50 a ticket, or £37 for a family of four.
To find out more about the show, book tickets or keep up with the latest news, visit www.thebritishmotorshow.live
