With records being broken at this years Lancaster Insurance Classic motor Show, the event was hailed a success.

A frenzied bidding war which resulted in a world record auction price for a 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo Series 1 of £60,188, helped Silverstone Auctions to a magnificent total of £4.4 million at its sale at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show this weekend.

In total, 80% of the 95 lots on offer were successfully hammered away in the two-day auction at the NEC, Birmingham. 

Other fast Fords also proved extremely popular with the hundreds of buyers at the sale. A true time warp, 13,000 miles from new 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 sold for £90,000.

While fast Fords proved popular throughout, a number of other significant results were seen at the sale. Achieving a believed UK auction record, a right-hand drive 1993 Ferrari 512 TR sold for £185,625, including premium, an amazing £75,000 over its lower estimate. Another Ferrari, a very special, last of the line 1999 Ferrari F355 F1 was hard fought over by bidders at the show, selling for £103,500.

The stunning 1991 Jaguar XJ220, formerly a part of the Brunei Royal family car collection, sold for a premium inclusive total of £315,000, while a beautiful 1956 Porsche 356A T1 Cabriolet was successfully sold for £196,875, more than £26,000 over its lower estimate.

Speaking excitedly immediately after the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic weekend here at the UK’s biggest classic car show. The atmosphere at the sale was electric and I’m delighted we’ve been able to secure such great prices on behalf of our vendors, as well as breaking a few records along the way. 

The key sign of a successful auction is when you have both happy sellers and happy buyers and this time we are proud to have achieved both!”

A pair of celebrity owned cars also found new homes. The ex-Peter Sellers 1966 Lotus Elan S2 sold for £50,625 and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, once owned by boxing legend Henry Cooper, sold for £30,938.

Befitting the location at the heart of the UK’s automotive industry, two luxury British classics more than outperformed expectations. A 1999 Bentley Continental Sedanca Coupe Auto sold for £108,000, more than twice its lower estimate. While a very beautiful 1979 Aston Martin V8 Volante was hammered away for £151,875, more than £50,000 over its lower estimate.

Nick added: “It’s been another incredibly busy and successful year for our team and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have attended one of our sales during the year and bought and sold cars with us. We look forward to seeing you at our sales in 2016, the full calendar for which is now confirmed.”

Silverstone Auctions’ next sales take place at Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on the 27^th and 28^th of February, and the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show on the 6^th of March back at the NEC, Birmingham. Entries are now being invited into both these sales so those looking to sell a classic car with the support and expertise of Silverstone Auctions are encouraged to get in touch soon.

Vauxhall breaks or set 18 world/UK records with its Astra hatchback.

• FIA & MSA confirm that Vauxhall has set/broken 18 World and UK records
• Astra covered over 3,000 miles in 24 hours on tortuous banked circuit
• Exceptional reliability: zero down-time for lead record car, despite 125+mph average

Vauxhall flew into the record books today, after motorsport’s governing bodies confirmed that a recent attempt by two standard Ellesmere Port-built Astras to set and break 18 World and UK Speed Endurance Records had been successful.

The lead Astra 2.0 CDTi 165PS in the attempt covered a total of 3002.44 miles at an average 125.101mph, only stopping for fuel and a single, cautionary change of its Michelin tyres.

In partnership with sister company, Opel, Vauxhall attempted two sets of speed endurance records at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, UK: 12 in the FIA’s* 1600-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class, and a further six in the MSA’s* 1500-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class.

All 18 records (see table below) were achieved, with key records such as the World 1-, 6-, and 12-hour broken conclusively, and the long-standing UK 24-hour smashed by 25mph.

Vauxhall invited a team of twelve drivers to complete the challenge, comprising nine motoring journalists and three Vauxhall/Opel staff. Each drove a total of four hours, split between the two cars.

Despite circulating the two-mile banked circuit 1,500 times, both Astras proved hugely reliable and consistently quick, with the fastest two-mile lap achieved in 55.453 seconds at an average speed of 131.852mph, just 2.148mph below the car’s official top speed - no mean feat, given the steep banking on Millbrook High Speed Bowl’s fifth lane.

‘We’re over the moon with today’s news,’ said Simon Hucknall, Vauxhall’s PR Manager. ‘This was an important test for the Astra, and it proved that a car with the qualities that most motorists are after – exceptional reliability, a good performance/economy blend and long-distance comfort – can be found at their nearest Vauxhall showroom.

‘But the attempt was also a success thanks to the stamina and skill of our driving team, who performed faultlessly through the attempt. The team’s ruthless adherence to FIA rules, sponsors’, Michelin and Corbeau’s great support and Millbrook’s efficiency and experience with speed attempts completed the picture and turned an audacious attempt into an unqualified success.’

A presentation by Alan Gow, Chairman of the MSA, was made today at the Autosport International Racing Car Show at the NEC. Receiving the trophy and certificates for the 18 records were Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director and Volker Strycek, Head of OPC and Opel Motorsport. (http://www.autosportinternational.com/).

A short video of the attempt can be found at: http://media.vauxhall.co.uk/content/media/gb/en/vauxhall/videos.html

2013 FIA Land Speed Records
Category B Class 9 (over 1,500cc to 2,000cc): Diesel cycle engine with forced induction



2013 British Land Speed Records
Class E (over 1,500cc to 2,000cc) – Group III: Diesel cycle engine with forced induction



New FIA/MSA record holders:

The drivers listed below achieved all the above records collectively

*FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile; MSA – Motor Sports Association

SUBARU breaks world record, again !

Subaru of America, Inc., in partnership with the Village of Itasca, has set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record for the “Largest Parade of Subaru Cars.”

On Saturday, July 13, 2013, 371 Subaru owners from nine states broke the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record for the “Largest Parade of Subaru Cars” in the world. In addition to breaking the record, Subaru and parade participants supported two very worthy charities -- PAWS Chicago and Salute, Inc. Both organizations received $5,000 to support their individual areas of philanthropy.

Subaru was the previous GUINNESS WORLD RECORDSTM record holder for “Largest Parade of Subaru Cars.” Subaru set the record with 339 vehicles parading on a 4.2 mile route through Itasca, Ill. in 2009.

“This year we had 371 Subaru vehicles and even more attendees join us on this special day. Attendees expressed that participating in a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record was one of the items on their ‘life list” and they were thrilled to be able to check this item off of their lists,” said Tom Gehrke, regional manager for Subaru of America. “The best part of the event was being able to support the efforts of Salute, Inc. and PAWS Chicago.”

“All of us at Salute thank Subaru for a great event. It was very well organized; we had a great time and are very grateful. Corporate support is essential to our organization and we appreciate all that Subaru has done for us,” said Mary Beth Beiersdorf, founder and executive director, Salute, Inc.

“PAWS Chicago would like to congratulate Subaru for setting the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Parade of Subaru Cars,’” said Rochelle Michalek, executive director Paws Chicago. “We were excited to be part of this record setting day and would like to thank Subaru for their generous donation that will go directly to saving the lives of more homeless pets.”