RM Sotheby’s is looking to continue the strong momentum of its record-breaking Rudi Klein Junkyard Collection auction as it heads across the pond for its annual London Sale, scheduled for November 1-2, 2024 at the Peninsula London hotel.
Held on the eve of the 128th London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the auction represents a major component of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week, which brings the classic car fraternity to the UK capital for a smorgasbord of major historic motoring events.
Fittingly, a British-built 1957 Jaguar XKSS leads the pre-auction estimate hierarchy with a £9m-£11m estimate. This particular example was the first XKSS to be offered at public auction in Europe, and is widely regarded as the most desirable of all Jaguar road cars.
Fittingly, a British-built 1957 Jaguar XKSS leads the pre-auction estimate hierarchy with a £9m-£11m estimate
Jaguar factory records indicate that the car was built on November 1, 1955 as a short-nose D-type racing car. It was then sold to textile machinery manufacturer and amateur hillclimb racer Phil Scragg via Coombs of Guildford in 1957. Scragg had the car painted in his trademark hue of light blue, and it was converted to XKSS road-car specification at Jaguar’s Browns Lane factory in 1958.
The car passed through several notable owners in the 1960s, including hillclimbers Jack Browning and Betty Haig, before making its way to Australia where Scottish motor sport legends Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart test drove it during the 1967 Tasman Series.
It returned to the UK in 1972, joining Bryan Corser’s prestigious Jaguar collection before passing into German ownership, where it participated in events such as the Mille Miglia Storica and Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix. Since 2008, XKD 540 has undergone careful maintenance and sympathetic restoration, retaining its matching-numbers chassis, front subframe and body, along with many original components.
The XKSS is followed by a 1989 Ferrari F40 boasting classic Rosso Corsa paintwork over a Stoffa Vigogna interior. Further adding to the Prancing Horse’s appeal is its desirable specification of non-adjustable suspension and lack of power-depleting catalytic converters.
This F40 has covered a mere 20,921km from new, and has not been offered for sale since 2009. With full Ferrari Classiche certification, this iconic supercar is expected to cross the RM Sotheby’s block for between £1.85m and £2m.
Ferrari collectors will also be drawn to the glamorous styling of the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB. The Scaglietti-bodied car is one of just 250 short-nosed examples produced, and was awarded Ferrari Classiche certification back in 2015. Its 3.3-litre Colombo V12 was treated to a £79,000 engine rebuild one year later, which was completed by specialist Bob Houghton (est. £1.7m-£1.9m).
Another highlight is the four distinguished post-war Bentleys from the Dean Kronsbein Collection, headed by a 1958 Park Ward S1 Continental Drophead Coupé (est. £750,000-£950,000). Two unique models follow: a 1947 Franay MkVI Cabriolet (est. £250,000-£350,000) and a 1952 MkVI Drophead Foursome Coupé (est. £275,000-£325,000), alongside a 1953 R-type Drophead Coupé (est. £120,000-£150,000). It would be unsurprising if one of these Bentleys was purchased alongside the cherished ‘WO 1’ cherished registration plate (est. £200,000-£250,000).
The Dean Kronsbein Collection also contains one of the late Queen’s Land Rovers – some of which are currently on display in New York, US. The consigned example is a 1978 Series III ‘Royal Review’, and was prepared especially for use by Her Majesty the Queen.
Consequently, the Land Rover features raised side panels and rear bulkhead, with twin doors replacing the standard tailgate to provide Her Majesty easier access via built-in steps. A Plexiglass screen and handrail provided protection for standing royal passengers, while a ‘traffic light’ system enabled the Queen to signal instructions to her driver. The Land Rover was purchased at auction in 2012 before undergoing a three-year restoration (est. £50,000-£80,0000).
A 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2 race car sits at the other end of the motoring spectrum, and is one of just ten examples built by the marque’s racing division between 2008 and 2011. It is also one of only two Works machines and was campaigned in-period by the likes of Darren Turner, Tomáš Enge, Stefan Mücke, and Allan Simonsen.
Best results included class wins at the Nogaro and Zolder rounds of the 2008 FIA GT Championship, while the chassis’ CV also boasts a Works entry in the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours. The Aston is described as “race ready” after being subjected to a comprehensive rebuild by Pursuit Racing in 2023 (est. £500,000-£600,000).
To view the full auction catalogue, click here.
