Vintage velocity at Race Retro

ONE of Britain’s best auctions took place over the weekend from February 24-26 and, as always, didn’t disappoint with the motoring gems on display. The Race Retro historic motorsport show is in its 14th year and boasted its most fantastic ever collection of racing, rallying, touring, vintage, retro and marquee vehicles. 

Thousands gathered at Warwickshire’s Stoneleigh Park to get a taste of the action and see motoring heroes, including Freddie Spencer and Ari Vatanen, live in person. 

 Among the mechanical stars of the show was a 1988 BMW E30 M3 which won dozens of touring trophies during a dynamic spell that saw it hailed as a historic great. Another German-built gem was the effortlessly cool  ‘Batmobile,’ the BMW CSL 3.0 built in 1972.

Ford was well represented with its 1988 Escort RS Turbo that has unexpectedly gained legendary status over the years, a 1990 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo, and a custom built ‘72 Ford Capri Perana V8 with a 5.0 litre Mustang engine. A real piece of Ford history could be found in the ‘65 Cortina that won accolades on the track. 

Other huge hits at the auction included a modified 1974 Ferrari Dino, a 1960 Austin Mini Cooper with a 1.275 cc engine and twin fuel tanks, a 1980 Porsche 911 Turbo, and an original 1994 Lancia Delta Integrale with just over 13,000km on the clock.