Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony Hamilton, turned his classic-car collection into nearly ÂŁ2.9 million at a weekend auction held at the British Racing Drivers’ Club Classic Sale on the Silverstone circuit.
Record-breaking Jaguar leads the pack
The standout was a low-mileage 1993 Jaguar XJ220 that fetched ÂŁ506,250, setting a new UK auction record for the model. With only 3,277 miles logged since its 1993 debut, the car is one of just 69 right-hand-drive examples originally supplied to the UK. Its Silverstone Green Metallic paint and light-tan leather interior were maintained by Jaguar Classic, and bids came from collectors both in the auction room and overseas.
Five other vehicles crossed the six-figure threshold. A 2007 Jaguar XKSS recreation—one of 100 hand-built tool-room copies of the 1957 D-Type—sold for £400,000, slightly above its estimated range. The third-highest price went to a 2016 David Brown Speedback GT, which achieved £202,500 after only 354 miles on the clock.
British icons and rare imports
Among the sold items were two 2016 Jaguar C-Type recreations, fetching £192,000 and £190,000 respectively. A 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2-litre roadster, fully restored and converted to right-hand drive, attracted £119,250. A pristine 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL, finished in white over navy-blue leather, realized £104,625.
Other notable sales included a 1997 David Brown Mini Remastered, the 29th of its production run, which set a world-record price of ÂŁ92,250. An ultra-rare David Brown Speedback GT from 2016 also featured, confirming the collection’s appeal to niche collectors.
Rob Hubbard, managing director of the auction house, noted that his team worked closely with Anthony Hamilton to achieve optimal results. “The result for the Anthony Hamilton Collection reflects the quality of the cars and the confidence buyers placed in us,” he said. He added that handling a collection of this size required “clear advice, careful preparation and a thorough understanding of how to reach the right audience for every car.”
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The auction featured 27 vehicles in total, attracting interest from international buyers who recognized the rarity and condition of the pieces. The swift pace of the sale—nearly £2.9 million realized in just a few hours—shows the strong market for well-preserved British automotive heritage.
For enthusiasts, the sale demonstrates how classic car ownership can serve as both a passion and an investment. When a family member’s collection moves through a high-profile venue like Silverstone, it often brings visibility to the broader classic-car market, potentially influencing future valuations.
Anthony Hamilton, 66, has been curating his collection over decades, and the decision to part with a substantial portion appears timed with the heightened public profile of his son’s racing career. While Lewis Hamilton reportedly earns around £50 million a year from his Formula One contract, the auction shows that the family’s assets extend beyond the track.
In the aftermath, collectors who secured the vehicles will likely keep them in private garages, but the public record of the sale provides a benchmark for similar models. As the classic-car market continues to evolve, events like this auction offer concrete data points for future transactions.
Anthony Hamilton’s collection sale is a notable example of tax savings through careful investment in assets like classic cars.
