Highlights from RM Sotheby’s Cliveden House 2025
The grounds of Cliveden House play host to one of the year’s standout automotive auctions.
Following a hugely successful inaugural sale at Cliveden House last year, RM Sotheby’s is again returning to the historic Berkshire site. Having quickly become an exciting fixture on the UK motoring calendar, the gardens and imposing driveway of the 19th century country house will again be transformed when the auction takes place on the 8th. This year, the line-up of metal going under the hammer is particularly impressive. There’s everything: from 1920s racers to 1960s Italian sports cars, an array of classic Aston Martins, and even an LMP1 endurance prototype.
One of the more interesting is a 1929 Bentley 6 1/2-Litre Tourer. Formally part of the collection of Jim Boland, one of Ireland’s foremost car collectors who passed away in 2024, this Bentley is a well-used piece of British motoring history. The 6 1/2-Litre is one of Bentley’s most famous creations; replacing the 3-Litre in 1926, and while initially designed for touring with its huge body, it is the machine that catapulted Bentley back to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Wins in 1929 and 1930 were enjoyed by the Bentley Boys, the group of gentleman racers including Woolf Barnato and Tim Birkin who were behind the wheel.
This particular 6 1/2-Litre had led an interesting life, and while its wartime history has been lost, its file picks up in 1945 when its original Gurney Nutting body was replaced by a shooting brake form. It then went off to Gloucestershire, before being bought by Allens Autos in Cheltenham in 1966. Jim Boland then picked it up in 1970 and would be its steward until his passing, over half a century later. By this point, it had Vanden Plas-style bodywork replete with black panelling and a red leather interior, displaying the patina of the many rallies that Boland clearly enjoyed. With an estimated price of £300,000 - £400,000, this 6 1/2-Litre is looking ahead to the second century of its lifespan.
Another vehicle for sale with an equally interesting history is this 1961 Lotus Elite Series 2. Its original owner was none other than Soichiro Honda, founder of the eponymous motor company. Just over 1,000 Type 14 Lotus Elites were built, and Honda’s was one of the few that made it to Japan. His son, Hirotoshi, was a particular fan, enjoying it perhaps a little too much. He oversaw construction of the Suzuka Circuit in 1962, and, wanting to explore the potential of the Elite, took to his new track before it officially opened. He became the first person to crash at Suzuka, rolling the Elite at Spoon Curve. He was unharmed, but the car needed rebuilding, which proved tricky at the time, as there were only two in the entire country. It has since had a full restoration, and is expected to fetch between £70,000 - £100,000.
If you’re after something red and Italian, the Cliveden House auction has you covered. There’s a 1988 Ferrari 328 GTS for sale, finished in its factory-correct combination of Rosso Corsa paintwork and Crema leather interior. Estimated to sell for between £50,000-£60,000, it represents a relatively affordable entry into the world of gated, manual V8 Ferrari goodness, and even comes with the original leather tool roll.
Slightly less affordable is the 1973 365 GTB/4 Daytona, listed between £450,000 - £550,000. It’s a rare UK, right-hand-drive car finished in Rosso Chiara and Nero Connolly leather, and has just 34,714 miles on the clock.
Then there’s the 1964 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso. Estimated to go for between £900,000 - £1,200,000, it’s an exceptionally rare machine, and is one of the UK's 23 cars out of a total production of 350. Widely regarded as one of Maranello’s most beautiful cars, its previous owners kept it in the family for 34 years. It was originally specced in Blu, but is now finished in Rosso Chiaro, with a Nera leather interior.
Showcasing the diversity of RM Sotheby’s, other highlights include a Silver Gray Metallic, 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL ‘Pagoda’ (£70,000 - £90,000), a fully restored ’58 300 SL Roadster (£700,000 - £900,000), a 1980 Porsche 911 Turbo (£130,000 - £150,000), a 1970 Aston Martin DBS (£125,000 - £175,000) and a Le Mans raced 2007 Creation CA07 LMP1 prototype (£550,000 - £750,000). There’s even a 1969 Mk II Austin Mini 1000, expected to get between £10,000 - £15,000. Its own Tartan Red paintwork might not have an Italian name, but see it drive past and it’ll turn nearly as many heads.
