Press Release

New World Record for a Production Jaguar E-Type Achieved at Gooding & Company’s London Auction

The international auction house sold a number of historic English and European cars at its annual London sale at Hampton Court Palace, including the very first production Jaguar E-Type ever sold, as well as an ex-Rubirosa Ferrari 166 MM/53 Spider.

London, United Kingdom (5 September 2023) — Global auction house and official auction partner and sponsor of the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, Gooding & Company, concluded its third live sale in the UK on Friday, 1 September, realizing over £9.8 million in sales. The auction house presented a variety of historic classics from the most revered English and European marques during its bespoke auction, with star cars from Ferrari, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz leading the sale.  

“We were proud to conduct yet another auction at the prestigious Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, where we continuously transact some of the most important classic cars sold in the UK each year,” said Gooding & Company President and Co-Founder, David Gooding. “Not only did we send off important cars offered from long-term ownership, such as the ex-Rubirosa Ferrari 166 MM/53 Spider and the world-record Jaguar E-Type Roadster, to their next custodians, but we also saw exceptionally strong prices achieved with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster and Ferrari 250 Europa, underscoring sustained demand for the finest quality examples at market. Additionally, a number of important cars previously sold at Gooding & Company’s UK and US sales were shown at the Concours to great acclaim.” 

The ex-Rubirosa 1953 Ferrari 166 MM/53 Spider was the top sale of the day, bringing in a gross figure of £2,531,250. This significant competition Ferrari, sporting Vignale bodywork, was offered directly from 63 years of continuous, enthusiast ownership, and came to auction for the very first time at Gooding & Company’s London sale. The firm set a new world record at auction for all production E-Types with the sale of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster, which commanded £911,250. This extremely important Jaguar garnered the attention of major British press leading up to the auction as the first E-Type ever sold, and the fourth right-hand-drive E-Type Roadster built. Chassis 850004 was also the personal car of legendary Le Mans team manager and Jaguar director Frank “Lofty” England. 

A desirable disc-brake, iron-block 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster sold well above estimate, achieving £1,800,000. Presented in its original color combination of Ivory (Elfenbein, DB 608) with a black hardtop over a dark red leather interior, this Roadster was expertly serviced by German marque specialists and preserved by fine art conservationists in recent years. The first-generation 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa, one of only 22 examples built, also sold well for £1,518,750. Delivered new to acclaimed Hollywood director Clarence Leon Brown, this exceptional 250 Europa features a Lampredi V-12 engine with understated, elegant Pinin Farina coachwork. 

Throughout the Concours weekend, a number of cars previously sold by Gooding & Company were awarded high honors, including the Best of Show, a 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spider sold by the auction house at Pebble Beach in 2018. Gooding & Company was also proud to select another alum, the 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Speciale, for its Elegance in Motion award. The SV Speciale, sold at Gooding & Company’s inaugural UK sale, Passion of a Lifetime in September 2020, still retains the world record price for a Lamborghini Miura at auction, and is among the most important, unique Lamborghinis extant. Looking Ahead Later this month, the auction house will host Geared Online | Art, Collectibles, and Lifestyle, featuring over 400 lots of rare, historic motoring-themed collectibles and luxury art. The entire catalogue will launch and bidding will commence on Friday, 22 September, with lots beginning to close on Friday, 6 October. Please register to bid ahead of the sale and contact Gooding & Company for inquiries on the upcoming online auction.

Geared Online | Art, Collectibles, and Lifestyle Online Catalogue Available: Friday, 22 September  Auction Begins: Friday, 22 September at 8:00 am PDT/16.00 BST Lots Begin Closing: Friday, 6 October at 8:00 am PDT/16.00 BST Bidder Registration: www.goodingco.com/register  Live Auction Broadcast: www.goodingco.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingandCompany  Twitter: @goodingandco #GearedOnline #GoodingAutomobilia Instagram: @goodingandcompany #GearedOnline #GoodingAutomobilia YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoodingandCompany  Phone: +1.310.899.1960

About Gooding & Company The London Auction and Geared Online | Art, Collectibles, and Lifestyle is presented by Gooding UK, LLC, a division of Gooding & Company. 

Gooding & Company is celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions, private brokerage, and unparalleled service in the international collector car market, achieving over $2.6 billion in sales since the company’s inception. The auction house continues to deliver market-leading results through both its live auctions and Geared Online platform, setting new trends and world records with best-of-category cars across numerous verticals. Gooding & Company consistently presents the highest quality consignments while operating with openness and integrity, providing the company a reputation of trust and respect unmatched in the industry. Offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals and collection management, the auction house is ready to assist you with numerous collector car services.

Media Inquiries: Pauline Pechakjian pauline@goodingco.com +1 (310) 383-7437

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