2018 RM Sotheby’s London Sale (Rod Steward Lamborghini Miura Announcement)

Rod Stewart’s 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S and Jim Clark’s 1962 Lotus Elite Super 95 are offered at the RM Sotheby’s London 2018 sale.

Rod Stewart’s 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S
© Courtesy of the Avalon Photoshot Collection

RM Sotheby’s announced further top cars with former celebrity owners for the London Battersea Evolution classic car auction in September 2018. A 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, estimate £1,200,000 to £1,400,000, once owned by pop and rock legend Rod Stewart, will join a 1962 Lotus Elite Super 95 gifted to Team Lotus driver Jim Clark by Colin Chapman in the 1960s in lieu of payment for his services to the racing team. A rare 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT previously owned by famed British comedy actor Peter Sellers has already been announced for the London sale.

RM Sotheby’s London 2018 Auction

RM Sotheby’s 12th annual London auction is set for 5 September 2018 at Battersea Evolution in London, UK.

1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S of Rod Steward

Rod Stewart’s 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S
© Courtesy of the Avalon Photoshot Collection

The 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, chassis no. 4863, is a rare right-hand drive example, delivered new to Rod Stewart in 1971 by Lamborghini Concessionaires Ltd. of Alie Street, London. A file including the car’s original records from the dealership is included in the sale, together with the original delivery note that denotes the car’s original specification with right-hand drive, factory air conditioning, and seatbelts. The same file also features a photo of Stewart’s then-girlfriend, model Dee Harrington, pictured with another Miura alongside this ‘S’ model with its registration ‘JLL 831K’, which the car still retains.

Since Stewart’s tenure of the car, the Miura has a documented chain of ownership from new, including more than two decades with a single enthusiast. Under current ownership, the Miura has recently been fully restored by Lamborghini’s in-house classic restoration department, Polo Storico, to the tune of €300,000.

The car is estimated to fetch £1,200,000 to £1,400,000 at RM Sotheby’s London sale. Prior to the sale, the Miura will be entered at the Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace, 30 August to 1 September.

Jim Clark’s 1962 Lotus Elite Super 95

Jack Passey © Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1962 Lotus Elite Super 95 – registration HSH 200 – was given to Jim Clark in February 1962 in lieu of payment for his services as a works driver for Team Lotus. The original logbook is retained and was consigned to Clarksport Ltd – Clark’s trading name – and signed by the famous racing driver. The car retains its original chassis plate and Bristol Aircraft body plate, while the original engine also matches the logbook.

This Elite is one of 23 Super 95 models made, which featured a more powerful engine, modified carburetors, bonnet duct, vacuum servo-assisted brakes, long-range fuel tank, Lucas PL headlights and a dual-tone paint finish—all of which are still present today. The car is also sold with a Hobbs Mechamatic gearbox, not currently fitted. This was effectively the first sequential gearbox and was used by the Hobbs racing team, and fitted to this car by Clark. The other Mechamatic-equipped Elite was driven by the legendary Sir Stirling Moss during his time with Lotus. The original ‘Type 14’ Elite was produced by Lotus from 1957 to 1963. The 1.2-liter ‘Coventry Climax’ straight-four engine made the Elite famous for being an ultra-lightweight two-seater coupe with agile handling.

© Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The ex-Clark 1962 Lotus Elite Super 95 is estimated to achieve £150,000 to £200,000 at auction.

William Smith, Car Specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “The history behind these two newest headline consignments speaks for itself. The Lamborghini Miura has a known ownership history from new, and the restoration work carried out by Lamborghini Polo Storico makes this example truly flawless. The Miura has been kept in such fine condition, it looks to this day just as it would have been delivered to Rod Stewart in the 1970s. With the Lotus Elite, a bygone era of motorsport is represented thanks to the very obvious connection with Jim Clark, who lived and breathed the brand in its most successful era. Cars previously owned by Jim Clark are rarely ever sold, and this would be the ultimate collector’s item that can still be driven in spirit to this day.”

Alongside the two new consignments for London, a 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT will feature prominently in the September auction. The rare and iconic car was once owned by Pink Panther star Peter Sellers, and the car appeared alongside the actor in 1963 comedy film “The Wrong Arm of the Law”. It is understood that Sellers enjoyed driving the car so much on set, he bought the car very soon afterwards.

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