Gooding

A classic 1950 Jaguar XKSS is set to become the most expensive British road car in history when it goes under the hammer and is expected to fetch £13.5 million. The XKSS is so desirable that the manufacturer recently revived it by building nine models that are identical those which left the factory in 1957. But this original model is set to be the first to go on public sale in more than a decade. Experts expect a fierce bidding war from super-rich collectors around the world who are desperate to get their hands on the iconic car. 

The Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance, held March 12-15, once again presented an amazing collection of rare, exotic and highly-collectible cars.  There were a smattering of British marques represented at the Concours, with best in class winners of two pre-war Rolls-Royce, an Aston Martin DB4 and gorgeous 1947 Bentley coupe.   The real British-action, however, was experienced in the high-end auctions of Gooding’s and Bonham’s.  So while affordability is in the eye of the beholder, there were several tempting offerings, like a driver-quality 1968 jaguar XKE coupe for $44,000, and a pristine 1952 MG TD for $29,000.  After those, however, the appreciation curve shot upward, with an unbelievably original 1965 XKE Series 1 4.2 coupe going for $200,000 and a similarly original 1961 E-Type Roadster hitting $380,000.  And in the I’ve-never-seen-one-of-those-before, a 1951 Lotus, claimed to be the very first road-worthy […]