The car was purchased new by the Top Gear presenter in 1996, after the star declared the F355 “The best car in the world”, the Ferrari appeared regularly on British television screens throughout the late 2000s, as well as appearing in Top Gear magazine and The Sunday Times. The Ferrari was ordered new through official dealer Maranello Sales at the Tower Gate showroom in Egham, configured to GTS specification with a targa top and finished in Rosso Corsa over Crema leather with sports seats. It would later feature in The Sunday Times when Clarkson re-gained his driving licence and did not refuse it, and by 6.000 the car had covered XNUMX miles. It eventually left the broadcaster's collection via a newspaper prize.
The theme of “property” continues
Another stunning car is the 2 Lotus Elite Series 1961 (estimated value: £70.000 – £100.000 GPB), exported to Japan and owned from new by Soichiro Honda, the visionary founder of Honda Motor Corporation. Its fascinating early history includes being raced by racing legend Tetsu Ikuzawa; being raced at Suzuka by Mugen founder Hirotoshi Honda; and inspiring the design of one of Honda’s first road cars, the S600, before eventually being donated to the Honda International Technical School. Beautifully restored by Bushell’s Restorations between 2018 and 2021, the Elite is finished in Honda’s Grand Prix White, a nod to its celebrated past, and is offered without reserve.
Leading the list of new deliveries is a rare 250 right-hand drive Ferrari 1964 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti (estimate: £950.000 – £1.150.000 GBP), offered after 33 years of continuous family ownership. Undoubtedly one of the finest Ferraris ever made, this special UK-delivered car had a fascinating beginning with racing driver and climber Phil Scragg, and still bears the personalised number plate ‘PS 1216’ today. Although now finished in red, it left Maranello in a rare shade of blue, making its original specification unique among UK-market luxury cars. Also on offer is another UK-delivered right-hand drive Ferrari from the 365s, this time a 1969 Pininfarina-built Ferrari 520.000 GTC (estimate: £580.000 – £22 GBP). One of only XNUMX of its type, the car boasts a matching numbers engine and Ferrari Classiche certification, as well as a rare original combination of Oro Nashrullah and Nera, in case you want to swap the current Verde Scuro for Beige.
Equally eye-catching is a 300 Mercedes-Benz 1958 SL Roadster (estimated value: £700.000 – £900.000 GBP). Originally silver in colour, the tastefully restored Roadster now sports an eye-catching Königs Blau paint job and features a hardtop, making it perfect for touring and events. The chassis, body, differential and steering box are all matching-numbers, while the engine benefits from a full rebuild by Chris Shenton in 2019. The car is being offered after being in the same family’s collection for 20 years.
Leading the pre-war offering is a spectacular 8 Alfa Romeo 2300C 1933 Monza Recreation (estimate: £600.000 – £800.000 GBP). Built by the renowned Jim Stokes workshops, this striking creation is a faithful replica of one of the world’s most sought-after collectors’ cars and offers its next owner a driving experience reserved for only the very few. Added to this is a truly special 40 Rolls-Royce 50/1912 HP Silver Ghost Cabriolet by Barker (estimate: £470.000 – £570.000 GBP), offered after 25 years of ownership, having previously been owned, restored and driven by marque expert Mark Tidy.
Two stunning competition cars have also been added to the range, including a spectacular 07 Creation CA1 LMP2007 (estimate: £550.000 – £750.000 GBP). One of only two examples ever built, the 10-litre V5,5 Creation has twice contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans and is eligible for both the Masters Endurance Legends and the brand-new WEC support series. Those who prefer slightly older competition cars might be tempted by a 16 Chevron B1969 (estimate: £150.000 – £190.000 GBP), once driven by Brian Redman and Vic Elford.
A spectacular offering of British automobiles has been further enhanced by the addition of a 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner (estimated value: £420.000 – £480.000 GBP) which has been with its current custodian since 1975. Also of good British standard are a 4 Aston Martin DB1962 Series IV (estimated value: £220.000 – £250.000 GBP) boasting a desirable Special Series engine, a 1970 Aston Martin DBS (estimated value: £125.000 – £175.000 GBP) restored to Her Majesty's Secret Service specification and an incredible 2017bhp 556 Land Rover Range Rover Custom by Chieftain (estimated value: £ 80.000 – £120.000 GBP).
The Cliveden House auction offers something for every taste and budget, with several true British icons boasting tantalising pre-sale estimates of under £100.000.
These include the oldest surviving military Land Rover, a meticulously restored 1948 Series I Land Rover (estimated value: £50.000 – £75.000); a 1971 Jensen Interceptor II (estimated value: £40.000 – £60.000) which covered just 4.000 miles between 1979 and 2025; a stunning 2 Bentley S1961 Continental ‘Flying Spur’ Saloon by HJ Mulliner (estimated value: £70.000 – £90.000); and a sleek 120 Jaguar XK 1951 (estimated value: £40.000 – £60.000) which featured aerodynamic windscreens and was regularly used in historic events.
