Anthony Hamilton, father of Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, has sold a significant portion of his private classic car collection for almost £2.9 million at auction.
The 27-car collection went under the hammer at the Iconic Auctioneers British Racing Drivers' Club Classic Sale, held at Silverstone. The sale attracted interest from collectors around the world, with several cars exceeding expectations and setting new auction records.
The collection reflected Anthony Hamilton's preference for iconic British performance cars, particularly Jaguars, alongside a selection of rare Mercedes-Benz and David Brown Automotive models.
Jaguar XJ220 leads the auction
The standout sale was a low-mileage Jaguar XJ220, which sold for £506,250, setting a new UK auction record for the model.
One of only 69 right-hand-drive UK-supplied examples, the supercar had covered just 3,277 miles from new. Finished in Silverstone Green Metallic with a light tan leather interior, it had remained with its previous owner for almost 25 years before joining Hamilton's collection.
Supported by a comprehensive maintenance history, including servicing by Jaguar Classic, the car attracted bidding from both international buyers and enthusiasts attending the sale in person.
Several rare classics achieve six-figure prices
Five additional vehicles from the collection sold for more than £100,000.
Among the strongest performers was a 2007 Jaguar XKSS recreation, one of Jaguar's hand-built recreations of the legendary 1957 XKSS. It sold for £400,000, comfortably exceeding its pre-sale estimate.
Other notable results included:
- A 2016 David Brown Automotive Speedback GT with just 354 miles from new, selling for £202,500.
- Two Jaguar C-Type recreations, which achieved £192,000 and £190,000 respectively.
- A fully restored 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2 Roadster, selling for £119,250.
- A restored 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL, which reached £104,625.
The results underline continued demand for well-documented, low-mileage classics with strong provenance, particularly those connected to well-known collectors.
Mini Remastered sets a world record
One of the more unusual cars in the sale was Anthony Hamilton's 1997 David Brown Mini Remastered.
The extensively modernised version of the classic Mini sold for £92,250, establishing a new world auction record for the model.
Although it wasn't the most expensive car on offer, the result highlights growing interest in high-quality reimagined classics that combine vintage styling with modern engineering.
What the results mean for the classic car market
While celebrity ownership undoubtedly attracts attention, auction specialists say the strongest prices were driven by the quality of the vehicles themselves.
Low mileage, comprehensive service histories and rarity remain the biggest factors influencing values, particularly for sought-after British performance cars.
For anyone considering investing in a classic vehicle, the sale reinforces several key points:
- Provenance can significantly influence resale values.
- Originality and documented maintenance remain highly desirable.
- Limited-production models continue to outperform more common classics.
- Specialist maintenance can help preserve long-term value.
Not every classic car will appreciate in value, however. Ownership costs, storage, insurance and specialist servicing can be substantial, so buyers should view any purchase as a passion first and an investment second.
A successful sale for one of Britain's best-known collections
Anthony Hamilton's collection proved to be one of the highlights of the Silverstone sale, generating almost £2.9 million across 27 vehicles.
With a record-breaking Jaguar XJ220, strong performances from rare Jaguars and a world-record sale for a Mini Remastered, the auction demonstrated that demand for exceptional British classics remains strong despite wider uncertainty in the collector car market.
For enthusiasts, the sale serves as another reminder that rarity, condition and documented history continue to be the qualities that matter most when buying or selling a classic car.