Roadster Rush As Bidders Gear Up For Summer

The number of convertibles, cabriolets, roadsters, and spiders sold on the platform in May was evidence enough that buyers were preparing to enjoy the sunshine.

One of the most stylish and sought-after classics is the rare ‘twin-grille’ T6-generation Porsche 356 B 1600S Roadster, and the example sold last month was in superb condition following a prior restoration. It sold for a winning bid of £133,000.

Among the more contemporary open-top cars was the stunning Alfa Romeo 8C Spider; comfortably one of the marque’s most beautiful post-war designs. One of only 500 produced for the international market and with less than 8,000 miles from new; spirited bidding saw it sell for £195,500.

Another Italian at a very different price point was the Ferrari Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet. Regularly maintained and with just 38,000 miles on the odometer, it was won by none other than Chris Harris, who will be providing updates on the car through Collecting Cars’ social channels.

It wasn’t just adults who snapped up convertibles in May. On the other side of the world, even with winter looming, a very rare Porsche 911 ‘Junior’ consigned by our Australian team was sold for A$33,000. Only 224 of these children’s cars were built, and this was thought to be the only example sold new in the country. 

In Europe, a stunning Ferrari 458 Spider in the elegant Nero over Cuoio leather colour scheme sold for €170,000. Benefiting from desirable features such as the front suspension lifter and ‘Daytona’ seats, as well as numerous carbon-fibre options, this fantastic drop-top supercar had 20,000km on the odometer.

Equally special but considerably more environmentally friendly, the European team also consigned an excellent Tesla Roadster 2.5 Sport. Representing the brand’s first foray into electric car manufacturing, this was a very well-maintained example, and sold to a new home for €50,000.

Some very strong results highlighted Collecting Cars’ global reach last month. In Australia, a rare Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Super Sport that had received an extensive cosmetic and mechanical overhaul found a winning bid of A$145,500.

Back in the Northern Hemisphere, a stunning European-specification Peugeot 205 Rallye, still fresh from a recent restoration, sold for €19,000 - believed to be a world record for a standard version of the model.

Great results on the platform were joined by a great achievement for the business itself, with Founder & CEO Edward Lovett shortlisted as a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year competition - an important recognition of the company’s rapid growth and disruptive market offering.

There was more exciting news from North America as Collecting Cars officially opened its office in Los Angeles, and listed its first live auctions from the US. The team already has a fantastic pipeline of consignments featuring some iconic cars, including a Porsche 993 Carrera RS - one of the 10 rarest ‘Rennsport’ models.

In celebration of the official launch in the US market, the team also sponsored an East LA Taco Ride in collaboration with The Motoring Club and Evan Klein Films, which saw an impressive range of classic and modern collectible cars cruise around some of the best-known taco spots.

Further underlining Collecting Cars’ worldwide presence, May also saw the high-profile sale of The Leonard Collection - dubbed ‘the ultimate Porsche collection’ by many observers, and with all cars offered at No Reserve. The auction attracted more than 54,000 viewers over three hours of closing on the evening of 16 May, with winning bidders from the UK, mainland Europe, Asia, and the United States. In total, the platform achieved £7.5 million in revenue for the seller.

By the very end of May, Collecting Cars achieved £17 million in monthly sales and more than 3 million views across the platform. The single car highlight was unquestionably the 2000 Rally GB winning Subaru Impreza S6, as driven by the legendary Richard Burns, which demolished all previous auction records for the WRC model with a sale price of £610,000.

With more than 3,000 lots sold, and in excess of £100 million in sales, Collecting Cars continues to seek out the most interesting consignments from around the world. As always, we are grateful to all of the sellers, bidders, and buyers who have supported us along the way.