Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival sale a roaring success

Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed auction on June 30 featured a suitably impressive line-up of classic motors.

Top of the pile was a 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster, which realised £897,500 ($1.1m).

Mercedes 300 roadster

The 300 SL roadster was one of the fastest cars of its era 

The 300 SL had a top speed of 140mph and could go from 0 to 60mph in just over seven seconds – making it one of the fastest cars of its era.

Bonhams describes it as “arguably, the world's first supercar”.

Like most modern supercars, it was prohibitively expensive. Only 1,895 roadsters were built between 1954 and 1963.

This example was shipped from Germany to the US in 1963 and had had just three owners prior to the auction.

It was brought over to the UK in 1989, where it has remained ever since. 

A 1973 Porsche 911 RS lightweight made £830,300 ($1m).

The lot was one of just 17 right hand drive versions of this model designed for the UK market.

It competed in a number of British and Irish rallies during the early 1970s.

In 1999 it underwent a full restoration and remains in very good condition - thanks to regular maintenance by Porsche.

At first glance, a 1931 Bentley 8-litre Sedanca De-Ville was a considerably more sedate proposition.

However, with a top speed of 100mph it was the fastest thing on the roads during the 1930s.

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