Monday 23rd May 2016

Impreza 22B makes £70K at auction

One of many interesting results from Silverstone Auctions' latest sale!

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Isn't it nice to hear of auction results where a Japanese car is the big talking point? Not an English car, or an American one, or even something German. Sure, many cars went for far more than this Impreza at Silverstone Auctions' latest sale, but they were largely expected to; the 22B was not.

Give us a go!

Even with a low estimate of £60,000, to see an Impreza make £73,125 is an astonishing result. Yes, it's extremely low mileage and was once owned by Prince Naseem, but that remains a big number. Clearly a car in demand!

Elsewhere the news is much as you would expect, although prices don't appear to be climbing quite as ferociously as they were. They could even be levelling off slightly. See for example the Sierra Cosworth RS500 that made just over £50,000; still a lot of money, but certainly not more than they have been selling for. Same goes for the Ferrari Testarossa (12,000 miles, £120K), a Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1 (80,000 miles, £36K) and a 1972 911 2.4S, which made £120,000.

Still a lot, but have they stopped climbing?

There were a few surprises in the auction though, both in terms of prices and rarity. A Bowler EXR-S was sold, the first of just three RHD road legal versions of the EXR, for £97,875. With 550hp and its unmistakable appearance, the Bowler should make quite the impact both on and off road!

Now appears to be the time for the Honda NSX, with a late 2005 manual car selling at £90,000. For a more attainable Japanese icon, this R32 GT-R made just over £20,000. Tempting...

Finally, for proof that newish racing cars aren't always super expensive, how about this? An Abarth 500 Assetto Corse, built in 2010 and sold for £16,650 with a host of motorsport possibilities open to it. Looks like fun!

[macky17]

Bargain compared to the £60k Escort RS Turbo the other month. (Utterly barking compared to anything else).

You'll hear the bubble burst from space.

[rossub]

Even more amazing considering it's been badly smashed up at least once in its lifetime.

I don't believe the bubble will burst on these though. They're right up there with Audi Sport Quattros in terms of being iconic and produced in limited numbers.

Wish I'd bought in when they were £25k.

[graham22]

22B & NSX, that'll be a £160k hole in my lottery winnings right there.

[LotusOmega375D]

rossub said:

Even more amazing considering it's been badly smashed up at least once in its lifetime.

I don't believe the bubble will burst on these though. They're right up there with Audi Sport Quattros in terms of being iconic and produced in limited numbers.

Wish I'd bought in when they were £25k.

Nasty seats too.

I bought mine for £20,500 and sold it 2 years later for £21,000.

Result

[Ruffy94]

The NSX didnt sell, its still available through them at £90k according to Silverstone Auctions...

http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/2005-honda-nsx-...

[MrBarry123]

That NSX... Yummy in my tummy.

[Valgar]

I wonder if the Cosworth Subarus would be a future classic?

Edit: Stupid question, of course it will be

Edited by Valgar on Monday 23 May 17:52

[Axionknight]

MrBarry123 said:

That NSX... Yummy in my tummy.

Amazing isn't it?

[WojaWabbit]

macky17 said:

You'll hear the bubble burst from space.

I'm interested to hear why you think this. It seems to be a fairly commonly held opinion but I haven't heard anyone say what their reasons are.

[MDMA .]

rossub said:

Even more amazing considering it's been badly smashed up at least once in its lifetime.

I don't believe the bubble will burst on these though. They're right up there with Audi Sport Quattros in terms of being iconic and produced in limited numbers.

Wish I'd bought in when they were £25k.

Will post a picture for the new buyer -

[ikarl]

I was expecting a small bit of damage...... Oh....

[MDMA .]

His cousin was jailed for 4 months for crashing it. No licence or insurance. Might have polished out

[LayZ]

The prices of this stuff seems much more sensible than what the chancer dealers are asking for in the pages of Octane. Every Testarossa now seems to be £200k+ from a dealer.

That said after having a bad experience selling my 911 through a classic auction, I am not sure what drives owners of high end stuff to them. Why don't the dealers want this stock?

[Evolved]

So it's sold and now the not so minor crash damage surfaces, where does the new owner stand with regard this info? Stomach it and learn a lesson or hand it back?

[MrBarry123]

I'm slightly shocked, and equally disappointed, that Silverstone Auctions has regurgitated incorrect information without performing a proper background check themselves.

[gigglebug]

Evolved said:

So it's sold and now the not so minor crash damage surfaces, where does the new owner stand with regard this info? Stomach it and learn a lesson or hand it back?

Quote;

NB. We have been made aware of a minor incident involving this car back in 1999 when this car was new. Having spoken to the body shop concerned we can confirm that only one panel and the bumper were replaced at the time and there was no structural damage whatsoever to the vehicle. It is HPI clear in all areas.

Assuming the picture really is of the car in the article you would have thought that the buyer would be able to argue that it has been misrepresented by the auction house even if they have been given duff information.

[hornetrider]

Anyone else miss V8mate's auction threads?

[epom]

Oh no,so if one that badly damaged makes that money......I'm never gonna have one am I ?

[anonymous-user]

Are we sure that's the same car? Not being funny, but it seems crazy that the buyer will have shelled out £70K if that's in its history.

I nearly bought on of these for £25K, but bought my SL55 instead.... wtf was I thinking????? One was an investment, the other was a bankruptcy in the shape of a car!

[LotusOmega375D]

If it is the same car, someone's just paid a good 50 grand more than it's worth. No-one will want to touch it with a barge-pole. Silverstone should have withdrawn it.