A myriad of famous classics will join sporting legends, homologation specials, motorsport legends and traditional marques as Silverstone Auctions hosts a star-studded sale on August 27

Much of the talk ahead of Silverstone Auctions’ sale at the Silverstone Classic on August 27 has inevitably centered on the no-reserve Ford Escort RS Turbo once owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, but you’ll also find sporting legends, homologation specials, competition cars, traditional classics and even more celebrity-owned vehicles amongst the remaining 129 lots.

Sticking with Fords, you’ll find no fewer than four examples of the Lotus Cortina, plus the same number of three-door Sierra RS Cosworths – one a Group A RS500 race car – and a 1988 two-wheel drive Sapphire. Others include a Mk1 RS Focus, a 1987 Tickford Capri in silver, and an immaculate Mk2 Escort RS2000 Custom.

Away from the Blue Ovals, the legendary models continue with a Vauxhall Lotus Carlton showing just 26,000 miles, a stunning example of its continental Opel Omega equivalent and, to continue the F1 team theme, a restored phase one Renault Clio Williams. If that’s not enough, an Audi RS2, BMW E30 M3 Evo II and Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II fly the flag for Germany, while rally legends include a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo I, a rare UK-market Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR from 1999, and a wide selection of Subaru Impreza models featuring a desirable P1, a 22B-STI halo model and a 2001 WRC car rallied by the late Richard Burns that could fetch as much as £420,000.

While there’s a host of race cars and motorsport-bred entries, there’s still room for some older, more traditional classics. Examples include a 1957 Aston Martin Lagonda 3.0 Series II Saloon guided at £40,000-£50,000, plus a lovely 1948 1948 Bristol 400 estimated at £60,000-£80,000. You’ll also find an unregistered 1980 MGB roadster that’s covered just 143 miles, while a massive selection of Jaguar E-type examples is bookended by an early 1961 flat-floor car wearing chassis number 64 and one of 50 special V12 roadsters built to commemorate the end of production in 1974.

With the VW T25 formerly of Professor Stephen Hawking, an ex-Roger Daltrey VW Beetle Convertible and a 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible once owned by Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees also included, we expect this star-studded sale to hit the high notes. See silverstoneauctions.com for the full catalogue.

  • The rear-wheel drive Toyota Corolla AE86 has become a true cult classic, and this 1987 example has recently been treated to a full restoration. At an estimated £40,000-£50,000, it could be a worthwhile investment.
  • There’s a host of fantastic competition cars in the sale, but we couldn’t help be drawn in by this stunning Bastos-liveried Rover SD1 from 1986. The TWR-built Group A Touring Car has numerous race wins under its belt and even a French championship title. It could sell for as much as £200,000.
  • One of three Hooper-converted examples used for ministerial duties, this Rover P5 is the very example used to transport the newly elected Margaret Thatcher to Buckingham Place to meet the Queen in 1979. It’s guided at £35,000-£45,000.
  • Owned by the same family for 28 years and subject to a seven-year restoration, this long-wheelbase 1994 Range Rover LSE is one of just 25 cars given the Autobiography treatment. It’s finished in British Racing Green with magnolia leather, and is guided at £40,000-£45,000.
  • Purchased by its first owner as a potential investment and never registered, this 1980 MGB has covered a mere 143 miles. It’s now been fully recommissioned and could sell for as much as £30,000.
  • This 1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 is number 17 of 50 special V12 roadsters built to commemorate the end of production in 1974. Well-maintained and in good condition, it’s guided at £100,000-£150,000.
  • One of several three-door Ford Sierra RS Cosworths in the sale, this 1986 example has covered just 18,766 miles from new. It comes with an impressive history file and is guided at £70,000-£80,000.
  • Among the four Lotus Cortinas in the sale is this fascinating unrestored example from 1965, offered with no reserve. Ideal for rebuilding into either a road car or a historic racer, it comes with several boxes of parts and is described as a “very worthy, solid candidate”.
  • One of only 390 UK-delivered cars, this phase one Renault Clio Williams from 1993 has been restored to a very high standard. It comes with a comprehensive history file and is guided at £28,000-£36,000.
  • Owned from new for almost 30 years by Roger Daltrey of The Who, this 1977 Volkswagen Beetle 1303 LS Cabriolet is perhaps not the most obvious choice for a legendary rocker. However, its condition and provenance mean it’s expected to command £28,000-£34,000.