Hampson Auctions is once again gearing up for one of the UK’s most eagerly anticipated collector car sales, as entries open for its flagship event at the Oulton Park Gold Cup on Sunday 27 July. Taking place amidst the action-packed nostalgia of the Gold Cup – the headline fixture on the Cheshire circuit’s annual calendar – this vibrant auction offers a unique opportunity for sellers to present their vehicles to an enthusiastic and well-informed crowd of motoring aficionados.
Held over three days, the Gold Cup is a celebration of motorsport heritage, drawing huge crowds to witness an impressive variety of historic race machinery in action. Hampson’s sale has become a cornerstone of the weekend, with a curated selection of classic, performance and competition cars poised to cross the block – many at no reserve.
Standout Stars and Rare Icons
Leading the entries is a 1978 Aston Martin V8 ‘Oscar India’, an elegant and increasingly rare British GT of which only 291 were produced. With just four owners from new and 28 years in the current custodian’s care, this cherished example is being offered at no reserve – a tantalising prospect for Aston Martin connoisseurs.
Another show-stopper is a 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB ‘Vetroresina’ – the lightweight, fibreglass-bodied version of the marque’s seminal V8 Berlinetta. One of only 154 right-hand-drive cars made, and under the same ownership for 31 years, this collector-grade Prancing Horse carries an estimate of £80,000–£100,000.
BMW enthusiasts will be drawn to the rare and potent 1984 BMW E28 Hartge H5SP. Converted when new by Griffin Motorsport – the UK Hartge concessionaires – the H5SP boasts a 268bhp M30 engine upgrade, bespoke suspension tuning, and period-correct Hartge body enhancements. The car is estimated at £40,000–£50,000.
Motorsport Machinery with Proven Pedigree
True to the event’s motorsport theme, a brace of competition cars is also going under the hammer. These include a 1988 Renault 5 GT Turbo Cup car with period race and hill climb credentials, offered at no reserve and eligible for Motor Racing Legends’ Historic Touring Car Challenge. It’s joined by a 1994 Renault Clio Williams Cup Challenge car – one of just three original Mark Fish-built examples. With a championship-winning past, this rare Clio is estimated at £15,000–£17,000.
American Icons and Silver Screen Stars
Fans of American metal will be spoiled for choice. Among the highlights is a sleek and sophisticated 1949 Cadillac Fastback Coupe (£30,000–£35,000), and the very 1965 Cadillac Coupe DeVille driven by Don Draper (Jon Hamm) in the award-winning series Mad Men (£25,000–£35,000). Also joining the line-up is a recently imported 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible, offered at no reserve – a pristine example of the quintessential pony car.
Exotic Power and Modern Performance
Those with a taste for contemporary super-SUVs won’t want to miss the 2023 Lamborghini Urus Performante. Finished in striking specification, this one-owner example features a 666hp twin-turbo V8, and has clocked just over 10,000 miles since new. It’s expected to fetch between £200,000–£250,000.
From Hethel comes a 1998 Lotus Esprit V8 Turbo SE, presented in exceptional condition with a full service history (£40,000–£50,000), and a cherished 2010 Lotus Evora, described by the vendor as “driving superbly” (£20,000–£25,000).
Hot Hatches and Continental Charm
No enthusiast sale would be complete without a nod to the hot hatch era. Hampson’s delivers with a 1994 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9, boasting just 45,000 miles from new and factory extras like air con and power steering (£15,000–£17,000). A beautifully presented 1972 Citroën DS Special, finished in charming pale yellow and white, brings Gallic flair – and is offered at no reserve.
Japanese performance is also represented by a rare 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo in brilliant yellow, highly original and pure ’90s cool (£12,000–£14,000).
Quirkier still is the 1963 Auto Union Universal 1000, a right-hand-drive, three-door estate originally supplied to South Africa. With front suicide doors and just three known survivors on UK roads, this collector’s gem is offered at no reserve.
A Feast of Fast Fords
Blue Oval enthusiasts have plenty to savour. Among the highlights are:
- 1987 Ford Capri 280 Brooklands – a rare special edition with distinctive styling, offered at no reserve
- 1976 Ford Escort Mk2 1600 GL – featuring factory ‘big tunnel’ transmission and performance upgrades, also at no reserve
- 2003 Ford Focus RS Mk1 – the modern classic that helped redefine Ford’s performance lineage
- 1965 Ford Anglia 105e resto-mod – equipped with a 2.1-litre Weber-fed race-spec engine, delivering exceptional performance without compromise
- 1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 – only two owners over 25 years, lovingly maintained and now offered at no reserve
Vintage Elegance
Adding a touch of 1930s grandeur, a 1934 Bentley 3½ Litre Special Sports Roadster will also be auctioned at no reserve. With wood-accented coachwork and a refurbished green leather interior, this elegant machine is ready to turn heads on the concours lawn or the open road.
A Collector’s Paradise at Oulton Park
With a diverse, high-quality selection spanning multiple marques, eras, and performance categories – and a significant number of lots offered at no reserve – Hampson’s Oulton Park sale promises to be a standout event on the summer classic car calendar.
Whether you’re looking to consign a vehicle or secure your next prized possession, Sunday 27 July is a date worth circling in the diary. Set against the backdrop of vintage racing and a crowd of passionate motoring fans, this is not just an auction – it’s an event.
