Silverstone Auctions to host its very first classic cars online sale

13. May 2020 Events / Home / Market Insights

As the COVID-19 crisis unfolded, many classic car auctions were initially cancelled but now the major auction companies have begun to hold online auctions.

The UK-based Silverstone Auctions is typical, having had to cancel its Donington Historic Festival auction and The Sale of Ferraris – but it’s now about to hold its first ever online sale, the May Live Auction, which will take place on Saturday May 23.

To assist potential buyers, extra imagery and video content is being added for each car, and there’s a Silverstone Auctions car specialist available to speak to about each car.

Buyers will be able to bid online or via the phone, and it is now possible to view the cars, ahead of the sale in strictly controlled conditions (call +44 (0) 1926 691141 to arrange a viewing). As this is the first of these online sales for Silverstone, the premiums paid have been reduced for both the buyers premium (10% plus VAT) and sellers premium (4% plus VAT).

More than 70 cars have already been consigned to the sale, including several interesting classics – for example a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, three Borgward Isabellas and a Citroën Ami – at no reserve. There are also a number of really high-profile star cars, including a 1988 Peugeot 205 T16 E1 Group B rally car, a beautiful 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale, a Land Rover Defender from the Bond film Spectre and a BMW Alpina B9 3.5 owned by Jay Kay.

“Our May Live Auction is in response to the situation and being able to hold an auction for both our vendors and buyers keeping them safe at all times,” says Harry Whale, Silverstone Auctions sales manager. “It has been very challenging for everyone in the events business and we have worked hard to adapt.”

Silverstone Auctions also has sales scheduled for the Silverstone Classic on July 31 – August 2 and the NEC Classic Motor Show on November 13-15. If the hosting events don’t go ahead then the sales will be turned into online sales in the same format as the May Live Auction.

Photos Silverstone Auctions