Best classics to buy at Race Retro 2024

Collector cars and competition machines ready for sale

This weekend’s Race Retro event may be cancelled due to flooding, but the auction is still going ahead. Now taking place within The Wing at Silverstone circuit, the Race Retro sale features an intriguing array of road and competition cars.

As before, the Iconic Auctioneers sale will take place across two days: Friday 23 and Saturday 24 February 2024.

Ahead of the auction, we have picked out some of the most desirable cars on offer, including several examples of motorsport history.

1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V

This Mitsubishi Lancer is one of the most significant cars up for auction at Race Retro. First owned by the late Richard Burns, the Pyrenean Black Evo V has covered just 794 miles from new. It also had more than £16,000 spent on recent recommissioning.

Given to Burns after he helped Mitsubishi win the 1998 WRC Constructors’ title, the car remained in his ownership even after he moved to Subaru for 1999. Following his tragic death in 2005, the Evo V became part of a collection owned by his sister.

The Lancer comes with a pre-auction estimate of £80,000 to £100,000. However, having been owned by the only Englishman ever to win the World Rally Championship, a higher sale price does not seem unlikely.

1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Zero Fighter

Now some 25 years old, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI has cemented itself as one of the most significant road-going rally cars of the 1990s. The combination of 276hp and four-wheel drive led to almost unbeatable cross-country pace.

This is one of 50 examples produced to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane. Finished in Scotia White with Passion Red details, the Zero Fighter gained a more aggressive bodykit and a boost in output to 330hp.

Originally owned by a Japanese lawyer, the car was imported to the UK in late 2023. It could sell for between £28,000 and £34,000.

2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI RS Monte Carlo

A rarity even compared to the previous Evo VI, this one of just five Tommi Mäkinen Monte Carlo Editions. Ralliart UK had planned to build 12 examples to celebrate the Finnish driver’s unprecedented third win on the Monte Carlo Rally, but made only five.

Upgrades included a Ralliart UK Stage 1 power kit, a close-ratio gearbox, Eibach-developed suspension and a Group N-specification front differential.

With less than 3,500 miles on the odometer, and being arguably the most extreme Lancer Evo VI created, a pre-auction estimate of £80,000 to £100,000 seems almost conservative.

1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 555 Version 2

Just as they battled each other on WRC stages, Mitsubishi will have competition from Subaru at the Race Retro sale. The 555 Edition was launched to celebrate Subaru’s success in the 1995 WRC constructors’ championship, with 555 examples produced.

Key features included a WRC-inspired roof vent, a limited-slip differential and blue metallic paint. On the inside, a special numbered plaque records that this car was the seventh built in the production run.

Accompanied by an extensive history file, this classic Impreza is likely to sell for between £30,000 and £35,000.

1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi

The 22B STi is arguably the ultimate road-going Subaru Impreza, with 400 examples produced to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary and third consecutive WRC manufacturers’ title.

With widened bodywork, a unique 2.2-litre turbocharged engine, gold BBS alloy wheels and Bilstein suspension, it was the closest thing to Subaru’s WRC contender.

Although not one of the 16 UK-specification cars, this 22B was imported here during the same year it was manufactured. Unrestored and unmodified, it could potentially sell for £190,000 to £220,000 at Race Retro.

2000 Subaru Impreza P1

To try and counter the steady stream of ‘grey import’ Imprezas, Subaru UK asked Prodrive to develop the P1 for British enthusiasts. A total of 1,000 examples would be made, with Peter Stevens-designed aero additions for the two-door bodyshell.

Other features included Blue Mica paintwork, an increase in power to 280hp, upgraded suspension and a Prodrive exhaust system. The 0-62mph time was reduced to less than five seconds.

Used sparingly, and placed in storage for a number of years, this example has covered less than 24,000 miles from new. Recent recommissioning work means it is ready for the road, with a pre-auction estimate of £45,000 to £55,000.

1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth

The Race Retro auction includes a pair of Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworths, both taken from the DJH Collection. Owning one limited-edition RS500 is rare, so seeing two together is certainly special.

Owned by the vendor since March 1990, this RS500 has been cherished and treated to all the maintenance it could need. An accompanying history file details magazine features and appraisals from owners’ clubs.

Producing 224hp via its larger Garrett turbocharger, the RS500 also wears a special homologation bodykit. These changes and more helped the Cosworth continue to dominate Group A touring car racing in the 1980s. The car could reach £75,000 to £85,000 at auction.

1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth

Finished in Moonstone Blue, this Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth is the other offering from the DJH Collection. Acquired by the vendor in 2021, it was purchased as a homage to an earlier Cosworth that he sold to fund the black car.

Number 406 of the 500 RS500 models made, some £25,000 has been spent on maintenance during this car’s current ownership – including a complete engine rebuild. The bodywork is described as ‘near-concours’ standard.

All the above, along with the rare colour, could help the RS500 achieve £85,000 to £100,000 this month.

1980 Ford Escort RS2000 Custom

Older performance Fords are also well represented at the Race Retro sale, including this Mk2 Escort RS2000 Custom. Fully restored and treated to a £10,000 respray, this is a particularly pampered RS model.

The 2.0-litre Pinto engine has been rebuilt with carefully selected upgrades, while the suspension has also been lowered and uprated. On the inside, a complete retrim complements a restored dashboard.

With 300 photographs of its restoration, this is a very desirable Escort RS2000. As such, it could sell for between £40,000 and £50,000.

1984 Opel Manta 400

A true homologation special, just 245 examples of the Opel Manta 400 were produced to support its World Rally Championship efforts.  Developed with input from both Irmscher and Cosworth, the Manta has become a cult favourite with rallying fans.

Although a rear-wheel-drive layout meant the Manta 400 was rapidly out of touch with Group B WRC rivals, it could still be effective in the right conditions. A 2.4-litre engine with a Cosworth cylinder head helped its cause.

Originally sold in Belgium, then later imported to the UK, this example spent many years in storage. It comes with a considerable pre-auction estimate of £80,000 to £100,000.

1984 Peugeot 205 T16

Even wilder than the Manta 400, the Peugeot 205 T16 demonstrates the excesses of Group B rallying. Transforming the humble 205 into a mid-engined hot hatch, the T16 packed a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine and four-wheel drive.

Peugeot had to produce 200 road-going examples for homologation purposes, sharing much of the wild bodywork, although the engine was detuned. The 205 T16 could still accelerate from 0-62mph in less than seven seconds, however.

Imported to the UK in 2021, this Winchester Grey example has covered less than 10,000 miles. Its rarity could lead to a sale price of between £235,000 and £275,000.

1990 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 Special Edition

Although an auction estimate of £40,000 to £50,000 makes this 205 GTI far cheaper than the preceding T16, it’s still expensive for a 1980s hot hatch. However, this is a particularly desirable version of the French icon.

One of just 300 cars finished in Miami Blue, the Special Edition comes with a grey leather interior, sunroof, electric front windows and a heated rear windscreen.

The biggest attraction is the 6,231 miles on the odometer, backed by plenty of service history. It could result in another headline-grabbing price for a 205 GTI.

1987 BMW E30 M3 Redux Leichtbau

Any BMW E30 M3 is sought-after, but this is no ordinary example of the legendary 1980s coupe. Thoroughly restored and modified by UK-based Redux, almost every inch of this M3 has been upgraded and enhanced.

More than 3,000 hours and £400,000 have gone into creating the M3 Redux, which features a 300hp engine and a bespoke interior. Finished in Midnight Emerald Green, this is only the second Redux M3 to be completed, and the first to appear for sale.

Such a comprehensive rework means the M3 could sell for between £200,000 and £250,000.

2004 BMW E46 M3 CSL

The BMW M3 CSL (Coupe Sport Leichtbau) is regarded as the ultimate version of the E46-generation car. One of 1,383 made, weight was shaved by 10 percent thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre for the bodywork and interior parts.

A new carbon fibre air intake boosted power to 360hp, with the SMG paddle-shift gearbox also revised. A set of 19-inch alloy wheels and larger brakes completed the makeover.

This is one of the 422 UK-market M3 CSL models, and has covered just 947 miles from new. Accordingly, it features a pre-auction estimate of £120,000 to £140,000.

2015 Land Rover Defender 110 Heritage

Being offered directly for auction by famed actor Rowan Atkinson CBE, a combination of celebrity ownership and low mileage should make this Land Rover Defender 110 highly desirable.

Limited to 400 examples, the Heritage model featured a retro-style front grille, painted steel wheels and Grasmere Green paint with an Alaskan White roof.

Bought by Rowan Atkinson in 2017, upgrades included the addition of a tow bar and air conditioning at a cost of more than £4,000. Only 3,800 miles are shown on the odometer, meaning an estimated sale price of £65,000 to £80,000.

1971 Ford Escort RS1600 JRT

Along with the collector cars on sale, the Race Retro auction also includes an intriguing array of competition models up for grabs. Among them is this impressive-modified Ford Escort RS1600, owned by Iconic Auctioneers chairman, Nick Whale.

Comprehensively rebuilt and enhanced by the Jordan Racing Team, the RS1600 features a new 2.0-litre BDG engine and five-speed transmission. Used in competition since 2021, the Escort has claimed numerous class victories.

With such extensive work and a proven race history, the RS1600 has attracted a pre-auction estimate of £100,000 to £120,000.

1987 Peugeot 309 GTI 16v Group A

This is not just any Peugeot 309 rally car, but the one used by Richard Burns to contest the 1991 RAC Rally. Out of 150 competitors, Burns and co-driver Robert Reid finished 16th overall, along with claiming a two-wheel-drive class win.

Such success would set the scene for Burns’ WRC career, peaking with his 2001 World Rally Championship win. As for the 309 GTI, it spent many years in storage, until it was purchased by Burns in 1999. Kept as part of his own collection until his death, it has been looked after since by his family.

Offered for sale with a pre-auction estimate of £70,000 to £80,000, this is a small piece of British motorsport history.

1988 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Group A

This is one of the two Kaliber-sponsored RS500 Cosworths built by Andy Rouse for the 1988 British Touring Car Championship, with a livery instantly recognisable to fans of the Group A golden era.

Used in period by Guy Edwards to claim four podium finishes, the RS500 later went to be raced throughout Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Remaining in New Zealand until 2019, the car has since returned to the UK. With such a comprehensive history, and ready for classic competition, the RS500 has an estimate of £240,000 to £280,000.

1993 Peugeot 405 Mi16 Super Tourer

The Super Touring era remains one of the most beloved periods of motorsport with enthusiasts around the world. And the Race Retro sale offers the chance to own a car used by one of the top drivers in Super Touring history.

Built for the Italian Superturismo Championship, this Peugeot 405 Mi16 was driven by Fabrizio Giovanardi during the 1993 and 1994 seasons. The Italian driver would finish a close runner-up in 1993, collecting multiple wins along the way.

Rebuilt and restored, the Peugeot 405 comes with FIA papers to allow it to enter into historic Super Touring competition. A pre-auction estimate of £65,000 to £75,000 seems reasonable for a race-proven classic.

2003 Skoda Fabia WRC

In terms of the wildest-looking World Rally Championship contenders, the Skoda Fabia WRC must rate fairly high. Long before supermini-sized models became the standard, Skoda turned the diminutive Fabia into a full-on rally car.

Skoda made 24 WRC examples of the Fabia, and this car was used by Didier Auriol on the 2003 Rally Australia to finish in 12th place. Toni Gardermeister would drive it in five events during 2004, then it was kept as part of the Skoda Motorsport stable until 2007.

Converted back to 2003 WRC specification, the Fabia WRC comes with its FIA Gold Book and a comprehensive spares package. Budget on needing £240,000 to £280,000 for this Czech hero.

2007 Ford Focus RS WRC 07

Prepared by M-Sport for use in the 2008 World Rally Championship, this Ford Focus has lived an exciting life. Used by drivers including Henning Solberg and Matthew Wilson, arguably its most famous pilot was MotoGP superstar, Valentino Rossi.

Attracting plenty of attention, Rossi drove the Ford Focus to a commendable 12th place on the 2008 Rally GB. It continued to be entered into WRC events and domestic championships until 2022.

The car has since been restored to how it looked on the 2009 Rally RACC Catalunya. As a mark of authenticity, the roof has been signed by M-Sport’s Malcolm Wilson and driver Matthew Wilson.

Such provenance results in the pre-auction estimate of £340,000 to £380,000.