The Top Classic Car Auctions in the UK
** This post was updated in September 2020**
The very best classic car auctions typically happen annually across the United Kingdom with the bulk shared between the five leading automotive auction houses; Bonhams, Silverstone Auctions, Coy’s, Historics and RM Sotherby’s.
As an update to this post, post pandemic that is, most auctions have moved to an ‘Online platform’. More out of necessity to keep moving forward than anything else these car auctions are no less entertaining – hopefully soon we’ll be able to visit again and mingle with the hoity-toity.
The list below outlines the cream of the crop of the annual classic car and automotive memorobilia auctions. The sales are often aligned to classic motorsport events and venues such as Autosport International, Goodwood Motorsport, Salon Privé, Brooklands Motor Museum or Silverstone Classic.
We’ll go into a bit more detail on the main sales in each month along with their corresponding events in the list below. But for now, go ahead get your calendars and plan your year around these heavy weight, best of British, classic car auctions and classic motorsport events.
- January – Autosport International – NEC Birmingham
- February – Coy’s Auction – The London Classic Car Show
- February – Race Retro – Silverstone Auctions Race Retro Classic Car Sale – Stoneleigh Park
- March – Bonhams – Goodwood Members’ Meeting
- May – Bonhams – The Aston Martin Sale
- May – Silverstone Auctions – The May Sale
- June – Bonhams – Goodwood Festival of Speed
- July – Silverstone Auctions – The Silverstone Classic Sale and Race Car Sale
- August – Silverstone Auctions – Silverstone Salon Privé Sale
- September – Sotherby’s RM Auctions – London – (plus Concours of Elegance the day before)
- September – Bonhams – Goodwood Revival
- September – Historics at Brooklands Motor Museum
- October – Silverstone Auctions – The Porsche Sale
- November – Historics – Mercedes Benz World
- November – Silverstone Auctions – The NEC Classic Motorshow Sale – The NEC, Birmingham
As classic car enthusiasts, at Auto Classica Storage, we’re incredibly fortunate to be central to many of these events.
These classic car auctions are highlights in our calender, to take in the incredible atmosphere of a full blown professional car auction dealing in real and in some circumstances unreal sums of money is a real buzz.
It’s just as much an opportunity to see all the interesting car people up close as it is some of the most fantastic classic cars in the world.
Read about my recent experience of selling a car through Silverstone Auctions
A real privilege to witness the beautiful works of art before they head off into private ownership, collections and indeed into storage and lock down around the world.
Every year there seems to be a new influx of Classic cars and future classic vehicles coming on to the UK market, all supremely shiny with bags of heritage and rarity in equal measure.
It is never easy to physically get to all of these events which is why I decided to create this list.
It’s as much as a prompt for me to load my calendar at the beginning of the year but also as a reminder to try to keep half an eye on whats going under the hammer online.
Of course, now we can either watch or take part via the online viewing and bidding systems which the likes of Silverstone Auctions and Bonhams employ.
Ok, lets take a closer look at what you’ll find at the top ten Classic Car Auctions in the UK – In date order…
UK’s Top 10 Car Auctions for Classic Cars and Supercars
Lot No. 1. Silverstone Auctions Race Retro Classic Car Sale at Race Retro the International Historic Motorsport Show
When is it – Typically around February.
Where is it – Stoneleigh Park, Coventry. CV8 2LG – Getting to Race Retro
The Event in a Nutshell – Race Retro is a weekend (Friday to Sunday) event, part of the MotorSport Magazine offering. There is much to do over the weekend from an autojumble to motorsport legend interviews, classic car experiences to a live Group B rally stage.
What to Expect in the Auction – It’s looking more and more like a 80’s and 90’s modern classic and future classic specialist sale. The auction itself is open for viewings on Friday with the action taking place on Saturday and Sunday. The auction typically kicks off with automobilia, watches and lifestyle in th emorning with classic cars after lunch.
Lot No. 2. Bonhams at Goodwood Members’ Meeting
When is it – March.
Where is it – Goodwood Classic Motor Circuit – Getting to Goodwood
What to expect – Billed as the ‘Historic Motorsport Season-Opener’ and held over a weekend (Saturday to Sunday) the Goodwood Members Meeting is a very special event. Special in that it gives mere mortals (like me) much greater access to cars, drivers and paddocks than you would otherwise get at events such as the Revival.
The event downsides are few and far between however, paying for ticket upgrades is not for the feint hearted and on top of that you either need to be a GRRC member or at least a member in waiting to qualify for a ticket before you even get to the auction.
Lot No. 3. Bonhams – The Aston Martin Sale
When is it – Early May.
Where is it – *No longer at Newport Pagnell* Aston Martin Works Service, Newport Pagnell – Last Seen at Aston Martin Sale at The Wormsley Estate
What to expect – This auction is billed locally as the annual ‘red trouser brigade’ event. And may I say that the calibre of red, orange and yellow corduroy and thick cotton trouser examples did not disappoint this year – respectfully speaking of course.
The Aston Martin Sale is, as you might expect, a ‘terribly’ good event. Everything is just so, from the pulled pork and apple sauce baps and very posh chips in the food stalls to the exclusive access to the auction vehicles (30 quid for a cataolgue to you and me) and the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes at the Works service workshop.
It’s Aston Martin automobilia followed by some truly outstanding vehicles under the hammer from early afternoon.
Lot No. 4. Silverstone Auctions The May Sale
When is it – Early May (Often the same weekend as the Aston Martin Sale – see above).
Where is it – Usually in the Wing building at Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN.
What to expect – This auction is pen for viewing the Friday before and kicks off with automobilia in the morning typically followed by the car sin the afternoon around 2pm. Usually a heavy smattering of classic and future classic Ferrari and Porsche models with some very special models thrown in for good measure like this ridiculously rare 964 Turbo S Leichtbau which attracted a bidding war like no other.
Lot No. 5. Bonhams – Goodwood Festival of Speed
When is it – Usually June.
Where is it – Goodwood Classic Motor Circuit – Getting to Goodwood
What to expect – Well, aside from the ludicrously fast vehicles flying up the 1.16 mile hill route within the grounds of Goodwood House? At the auction there’s always a bit of a mix of some incredibly expensive and rare automobiles. From £20k’s worth of three wheeled 1933 Morgan Super Sports upto and beyond a £million (upper estimate) 1957 Porsche 356A Carrera Speedster – there is also a Group B rally demo and motocross event at this years event.
Lot No. 6. The Silverstone Classic Sale and Race Car Sale
When is it – July.
Where is it – Usually in the Wing building at Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN.
What to expect – Silverstone Classic is fast becoming a favourite event of ours. Last years turn out of member vehicles from Classic Car clubs was extraordinary plus the racing was fun too. This year the event runs from 28th – 30th July with the race car auction taking place early evening of 27th and the main event on 29th and 30th. Typical running order, automobilia in th emorning, classic cars in the afternoon.
Lot No. 7. Salon Privé Sale – Blenheim Palace
When is it – Late August, early September
Where is it – Next to the main entrance at Blenheim Palace Salon Privé
What to expect – What they say “…dozens of exquisite cars representing the very best of breed will be offered for sale, giving you the unique opportunity to acquire some of the finest and rarest cars in the world.”
Typically a modern classic and future classic supercar bonanza hampered only by the oft poor weather (if last year was anything to go by). If you’re a supercar fan this event is an absolute feast for the eyes and ears.
Viewings take place on 31st August and 1st September and the auction runs from 3pm ’til 6pm on the Sunday (2nd September). The Salon Privé event this year has a tribute to 70 years of Ferrari
Lot No. 8. Sotherby’s RM Auctions – London
When is it – September. This year the auction is on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 and the preview on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.
Where is it – Battersea Evolution, Chelsea Bridge Entrance, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ – Plus the very posh yet very well received Concours of Elegance the day before at Hampton Court Palace).
What to expect – What they say: “…RM Sotheby’s annual London event has been one of the most successful sales on the European collector car calendar since 2007. The event has featured cars from prominent collectors and enthusiasts offering a diversified selection of automobiles from imposing Edwardians to modern-era supercars.”
At auction you’ll find some of the finest, rarest, most expensive classic cars, race cars and performance supercars in the world plus an interesting oddity or two (see below). Check out the 2016 results.
Lot No. 9. The PCGB Porsche Sale
When is it – October
Where is it – The Wing building at Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN.
What to expect – In a word. Porsches. And lots of them; classic Porsches, modern Porsches and Porsche Automobilia. Nuff said. For the low down on 2016 figures and trends in the classic Porsche market at silverstone auctions you should take a read of this post by our friends at classicandsporstcarfinance.com
Lot No. 10. Historics at Mercedes Benz World
When is it – November
Where is it – As the name suggests. Mercedes Benz World
What to expect – Everything from vintage mopeds to heavyweight classics and everything in between including some great memorabilia. Last years auction saw budding Dictators warring over this sublime ‘71 Mercedes Benz 600 Pullman eventually going for just shy of £250k while 40-somethings reminisced over this immaculate ‘87 Kawasaki AR 50 (yes, I had one at 16 too).
Cheeky Lot No. 11. The NEC Classic Motorshow Sale
When is it – November
Where is it – As the name suggests. The NEC, Birmingham
What to expect – A very mixed bag really but a fine selection of remarkable automobiles none the less. Last years auction saw many ex-celebrity’s cars including Princess Diana’s Audi Cabriolet, The Queens 2012 Bentley Mulsanne and Samantha Camerons 1972 Fiat 500 which sold for a whooping £20k.
So, there they are then, the heaviest of the heavy weight classic car auctions in the UK (an ever growing list!).
- January – Autosport International – NEC Birmingham
- February – Coy’s Auction – The London Classic Car Show
- February – Race Retro – Silverstone Auctions Race Retro Classic Car Sale – Stoneleigh Park
- March – Bonhams – Goodwood Members’ Meeting
- May – Bonhams – The Aston Martin Sale
- May – Silverstone Auctions – The May Sale
- June – Bonhams – Goodwood Festival of Speed
- July – Silverstone Auctions – The Silverstone Classic Sale and Race Car Sale
- August – Silverstone Auctions – Silverstone Salon Privé Sale
- September – Sotherby’s RM Auctions – London – (plus Concours of Elegance the day before)
- September – Bonhams – Goodwood Revival
- September – Historics at Brooklands Motor Museum
- October – Silverstone Auctions – The Porsche Sale
- November – Historics – Mercedes Benz World
- November – Silverstone Auctions – The NEC Classic Motorshow Sale – The NEC, Birmingham
As pure classic car spectacles, along with their coupled events, these sales are seriously good occassions – so we’re going to embrace them.
Thankfully access to the sales is usually open to everyone (for the price of a brochure or catalogue), and as classic car enthusiasts we love the whole experience, whether being there in person or following the action online.
Read about my recent experience of selling a car through Silverstone Auctions
However, we shouldn’t forget that there are lots more superb classic car, motorcycle and automobilia auctions the length and bredth of the country.
In our popular ‘everyman classic car auctions’ post you will also find some quite remarkable, yet perhaps more accessible, classic cars and future classic vehicles going under the hammer. Happy hunting.
I hope you find the lists useful, if not please let me know in the comments below with your own selections – I’m bound to have missed out something 🙂
6 Comments
What is the best auction to sell an F1 race car with British heritage?
I suspect RM Sotheby's would be a good starting point.
What is the best auction to sell a barn find 1963 Land Rover one of the first diesels?
Leave A Comment