Tuesday 4th June 2019

Unregistered 6R4 at Silverstone Classic auction

A seven-mile 6R4, Revival racers, manual Ferraris and more at Silverstone Auctions' sale

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Hopefully it won't have escaped your attention that the Silverstone Classic is now only a couple of months away. Beyond a 60th anniversary for the Mini, a 50th birthday party for the Ford Capri, 100 years of Bentley and a PH presence, Classic-goers will be treated to a weekend of great racing. Plus, for those with the means, what looks like being a fascinating auction on July 28th.

Silverstone Auctions' sale at the Silverstone Classic understandably has a focus on motorsport, with some incredible racing cars to be sold. Arguably of greatest significance is this Metro 6R4, 34 years old and unregistered; delivered in 1986 to its first owner as a kit to avoid Type Approval, it's only covered seven miles (with just one other owner) since then. It has spent time in the Donington Museum, too. Now being offered with a £200,000 - £240,000 estimate, don't be surprised to see it go higher - there's not going to be another opportunity like this one for 6R4 fans.

There's far more besides, with less intimidating estimates. Visitors to Goodwood in recent years may have seen the Studebaker Lark Daytona 500 compete, and now there's the chance to own it; currently campaigned by Silverstone Auctions' MD Nick Whale, it's the only racing Daytona 500 in Europe - which should guarantee a few prestigious invites. Given all that, an estimate of £65,000 - £80,000 seems more than fair.

While race cars are set to dominate the sale - see this ex-John Whitmore Lotus Cortina, for example - there are a good few road cars going under the hammer too. This Ferrari F430 manual must be one of the best left, with just 4,500 miles and a service history described as "impeccable". Once owned by Gordon Ramsay, it's expected to make between £115,000 and £135,000. Amazingly, this Maserati Gransport could sell for £100k less - the estimate is £24,000 - £28,000, which looks very appealing given its 25,000 miles and single owner from new.

Finally, it's worth noting the Mercedes Gullwing duo that are up for grabs. The SLS AMG is from 2010 but has covered just 690 miles - expect to pay in the region of £170,000. That said, it could take anything up to a million to add the 300SL, this car first imported from the US 30 years ago. Loved and driven extensively by its current owner since 1993, the Gullwing is described as "ready to be used and enjoyed this summer and provides a rare opportunity into the privileged world of Gullwing ownership." What a pair they could make...

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The Silverstone Classic is taking place 26-28th July. General tickets are available from £45, click here to get yours. For full details on what PistonHeads is up to, click here.

 

 

[Rumblestripe]

I don't see the appeal of the 6R4. Not for me.

That Ferrari though is lovely particularly in that gunmetal colour.

[sideways sid]

In contrast, I watched a 6R4 competing in a Hill Climb in St Helier at the weekend, then racing around a small city circuit, and it looked like a lot of fun!

Keeping up with what I imagined would be much faster cars, but its minute proportions helped.

[Rich Boy Spanner]

Time for watching some more Group B videos on YT again

[rossub]

As much as I love a good 6R4, that one just seems pointless and looks like someone's attempt at fibreglassing their gran's 1 litre Metro.

Rather have one that's been used a bit. Computervision livery for me

[Greg the Fish]

The red Mercs would make a nice pairing.

[BrassMan]

Rumblestripe said:

I don't see the appeal of the 6R4. Not for me.

That Ferrari though is lovely particularly in that gunmetal colour.

[J4CKO]

rossub said:

As much as I love a good 6R4, that one just seems pointless and looks like someone's attempt at fibreglassing their gran's 1 litre Metro.

Rather have one that's been used a bit. Computervision livery for me

Yeah it does look a bit rubbish like that,

Imagine being a wealthy bloke arriving home with his new car and explaining it to the missus,

"Whats that st heap"

"Its my new car"

"What is it ?"

"Its a Metro 6R4"

"What, a Metro like I had at university that my gran gave me when she stopped driving"

"Yes"

"How much was it "

"Two hundred and forty thousand pound"


THUMP

[Baldchap]

J4CKO said:

rossub said:

As much as I love a good 6R4, that one just seems pointless and looks like someone's attempt at fibreglassing their gran's 1 litre Metro.

Rather have one that's been used a bit. Computervision livery for me

Yeah it does look a bit rubbish like that,

Imagine being a wealthy bloke arriving home with his new car and explaining it to the missus,

"Whats that st heap"

"Its my new car"

"What is it ?"

"Its a Metro 6R4"

"What, a Metro like I had at university that my gran gave me when she stopped driving"

"Yes"

"How much was it "

"Two hundred and forty thousand pound"


THUMP

[cookie1600]

rossub said:

As much as I love a good 6R4, that one just seems pointless and looks like someone's attempt at fibreglassing their gran's 1 litre Metro.

Rather have one that's been used a bit. Computervision livery for me

I guess to retain it's perceived value as a low miles car, it's never going to be used for it's intended purpose now, great shame. A bit like having a brace of Purdey shotguns and all they do is sit in a cabinet.

As I'm sure you realise, the 'add-on panels' are unpainted as it came from the factory like that to avoid type approval and because they had a load to get rid of after Group B was banned, they came at a bargain price of £16k or less for dealers.

http://www.6r4.net/site/6r4-history/the-history-of...

[s m]

BrassMan said:

Rumblestripe said:

I don't see the appeal of the 6R4. Not for me.

That Ferrari though is lovely particularly in that gunmetal colour.

[gazza285]

Nice panel gaps, and the bonnet is lopsided. Was it in the same garage as that Marina?

[sledge68]

I believe theres 1 in Frank Williams collection as Patrick Head had input.

[anonymous-user]

Baldchap said:

J4CKO said:

rossub said:

As much as I love a good 6R4, that one just seems pointless and looks like someone's attempt at fibreglassing their gran's 1 litre Metro.

Rather have one that's been used a bit. Computervision livery for me

*Stuff*

"How much was it "

"Two hundred and forty thousand pound"


THUMP

[Sion111R]

Oh my goodness. The 6R4 is both crazy and magical at the same time. Sadly can’t imagine anything similar appearing again in this sanitised/corporate age. They were mighty impressive to watch duelling in Rallycross. It is so sad to see it looking so unloved in its “raw” state. All I see when looking at the advert is an abandoned unloved puppy yearning to tear around and cause mischief and fun. If I win the lottery this week, I will buy this example in a heart beat and then rent a large grass field and give it the thrashing it was built for. (I will let you know if my luck comes in).

[JohnCarlisleApeiron]

What is going on with the 6R4 rear screen?

[BrassMan]

BathyThermo said:

Baldchap said:

J4CKO said:

rossub said:

As much as I love a good 6R4, that one just seems pointless and looks like someone's attempt at fibreglassing their gran's 1 litre Metro.

Rather have one that's been used a bit. Computervision livery for me

*Stuff*

"How much was it "

"Two hundred and forty thousand pound"


THUMP

The Lancia Delta was so dull that it was voted European Car of the year, but you'd still do immoral things to get hold of a ΔS4...

[PATTERNPART]

I remember seeing a full page ad at the back of Motoring News when Rover were selling off all the obsolete ones for £14K each. New unregistered. I think the bodywork was made by Reliant in their Tamworth factory as Rover would not want fibreglass floating around their facilities!

[Water Fairy]

Love the 6r4 but tjhis one looks pretty crap. Rothmans colours please!

[Teddy Lop]

Water Fairy said:

Love the 6r4 but tjhis one looks pretty crap. Rothmans colours please!

more an iconic novelty than a thing of desire for me but you have to give dues to racing pedigree.

That example though, as has been said, just looks like a 90s barryboy-in-progress. Someone pop it on eBay titled unfinished project no reserve

[Triumph Man]

If I won the lottery I'd buy one for my dad who has always lusted after these. We still argue over whether these or the Quattros made a nicer noise in Group B.