The attention of European classic car collectors will be focused upon the high-profile lots consigned in Historics Auctioneers Symphony of Spring sale at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, UK on March 1, 2025. Here are Magneto’s pre-auction highlights.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta (£550,000–£625,000)
One of just 149 right-hand-drive examples, this 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona is the headline lot in Historics’ Symphony of Spring auction. Chassis 15831 was originally ordered from Maranello Concessionaires in January 1972 by Callanders Garage in Glasgow. It was finished in the striking Blu Metallizzato over beige Connolly leather, and delivered to the UK in April 1972.
Purchased by its second owner, Mike Sandford, in 1974, the car remained in his care for over 30 years before being sold in 2006. It was then acquired by Graham Horder, who commissioned a mechanical overhaul by Reeders. In 2012, John Mayson-Taylor, former managing director of Lynx, took ownership before overseeing a comprehensive restoration. The Ferrari subsequently earned Classiche certification in 2013.
Now ready for its next owner, chassis 15831 remains in highly original condition, with a mere 31,500 miles on its odometer. It is accompanied by its original tool roll, factory correspondence and extensive service records.
1933 Lagonda M45 T7 Tourer (£130,000–£170,000)
First registered in October 1933, this Lagonda M45 was commissioned with the factory’s sporting T7 Tourer and was originally finished in contrasting green and black paintwork. According to the HPI certificate, the Lagonda was repainted all-green in 1991 before being purchased by Simon Carrel in 2011.
The M45 has been driven and maintained by Historic racing specialist George Fowles since 2013, and has spent the majority of the 2010s in storage in Wargrave, Berkshire, where it was started regularly. Since then, this pre-war sports car has been recommissioned and has had its battery replaced, carburettors refreshed and fuel system cleaned. It is offered by Historics Auctioneers in “fully functional” condition.
1997 Hummer H1 Civilian Open Top (£60,000–£70,000)
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the bodybuilder-turned-Hollywood icon, famously requested a civilian version of the US military’s M998 Humvee. His interest helped pave the way for the creation of the Hummer H1, which debuted in the 1992 as a colossal road-legal off-roader.
This 1997 example, finished in menacing black paintwork over a black interior, was exported from the US to Germany in 2008, before arriving in the UK in 2022. This particular car is powered by a 5.7-litre Chevrolet L05 V8 and also features civvy street luxuries such as air-conditioning, electric windows, CD stereo and central locking. It is offered in running condition and has covered just 36,794 miles from new.
1934 Lamb Craftsman Special (£55,000–£65,000)
The Lamb Craftsman is a one-of-a-kind tribute to the IndyCar racers driven by legendary American car builder and racing driver Harry Miller during the 1920s and 1930s. Unlike the cars built and raced by Miller, however, the Craftsman combines its elegant pre-war aesthetics with the latest technology.
Powered by a 4.3-litre Ford flathead V8, the engine features a host of high-performance upgrades, including high-lift camshafts, flowed and ported heads, and a stroked crankshaft. The V8 sends 170bhp to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, and the powertrain is wrapped in meticulously crafted aluminium bodywork. Completed in 2018 after more than 4000 hours of work, the Craftsman has covered just a couple of hundred miles since its completion and is presented in pristine condition.
1991 Honda NSX (£44,000–£50,000)
The Honda NSX stands as a symbol of Honda’s engineering prowess, blending supercar thrills with everyday usability. Famously developed with input from the great Ayrton Senna, the NSX featured an innovative aluminium monocoque chassis and a mid-mounted 3.0-litre VTEC V6 engine.
This particular example, recently imported from Japan, is one of just three finished in this rare shade of grey. Notably, Senna drove 12 NSXs during the model’s 1991 press launch, including a grey automatic that matches the specification of this car. That means there’s a 33 percent chance he drove this very example. Further strengthening the Senna connection, the car features a genuine plaque signed by the three-time World Champion, while a replica helmet is also included in the sale.
Historics Auctioneers’ Symphony of Spring sale gets underway at Ascot Racecourse on March 1, 2025. To view the full auction catalogue, click here.
