A selection of cars from an amazing private collection is to be put under the hammer by Silverstone Auctions at its forthcoming sale on July 26-28, which takes place as part of the Silverstone Classic event. Seventeen cars are being offered, all with no reserve and each with an amazing history. 

Appropriately given the brand’s centenary this year, the selection includes a show-stopping 1973 Citroën DS Super 5, which has been winning concours trophies since 1987 and has appeared on various TV shows. It comes with a huge amount of supporting documentation and has even been offered a permanent place in Citroën’s national museum in France.

Bavaria is represented by several BMWs, including a 2002 Turbo and an exceptional 1975 1602 with just 3055 miles on the clock, while those seeking an Italian flavour will no doubt appreciate a 1991 Ferrari Testarossa showing a mere 15,180 miles.

A car that has travelled a fair bit further is an early airflow 1965 Ford Lotus Cortina, which has been to California and New Zealand. Whilst Down Under the car underwent an eight-stage recommissioning in 2013, which was well documented and kept a focus on retaining originality. Continuing the competition theme, meanwhile, is a Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione 2 Bianco Perlato from 1994, of which just 365 were made.

Private collection - BMW 1602

The remaining 12 cars are equally fascinating and include six different low mileage Mercedes-Benz, the earliest being a 12,000-mile 1972 280 SE 3.5 Saloon and the most recent a 14,0000-mile 1995 SL60 AMG. Others include 1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster, a rare 2008 Bentley Arnage 500T, a 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 S with just 9000 miles and a 1992 Volkswagen Golf GTI Sportline that’s covered just shy of 21,000 miles.