Enthusiasts cram the Festival of Speed

The Goodwood Festival of Speed took place in Sussex with more than 150,000 spectators cramming in to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s finest cars in living history. 

Enthusiasts were treated to a vibrant selection of F1 cars from seven different teams, including the Bugatti Chiron, which struck 236mph at Le Mans, the McLaren 570S Sprint, and the new Abarth 124 Spider.

abarth.jpg
Abarth 124 Spider

There was also an auction on Friday June 24 boasting an excellent mix of old and new with a heavy focus on classics. 

Organised by Bonhams lucky buyers and onlookers were treated to real history with the appearance of a 1949 Aston Martin DB team car that finished seventh in the Le Mans of that year. Just about intact, with the regulation Le Mans seals still on the radiator cap, auctioneers expected it to fetch almost €1 million. 

Veteran hippies would have been delighted to see a Volkswagen type 2 Microbus under the hammer, particularly a 1957 23-window Samba version repainted in its original colours of Sealing Wax Red and Chestnut Brown. 

It wouldn’t have been a proper car auction without a few Ferraris and Goodwood didn’t disappoint with a 275 GTB/6c Berlinetta, hoped to go for upwards of €2 million. Described in 1965 as “a thoroughbred, with luxury devoid of excess, and a fiery temperament,” it’s powered by a 300hp 3.3-litre V12 with six carburettors.

Two iconic Jaguars were on stage, the SS100 3½-litre Roadster and E-Type 3.8-litre coupe, the former being produced by Nazi-linked SS Cars in 1936, and the latter representing the E type in its earliest and purest form. 

Other highlights included a Jenson Interceptor Mark III Convertible formerly owned by Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham; a 1978 BMW M1 supercar designed by Giugiaro; a pop-art themed Bentley Continental GT V8 S convertible; a sleek Maserati 3500 GT coupe; and an original Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA. Not a bad collection to behold on a summer’s day in Sussex.

alfa-romeo.jpg
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA
Author badge placeholder
Written by

Euro Weekly News Media

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments