When the final hammer fell at Hampson Auctions’ Oulton Park Gold Cup sale on Sunday, 27 July, the figures told a compelling story of momentum and market leadership. More than 80% of the 120 classic, performance and supercars on offer found new homes, propelling the sale total to over £1 million. It’s another standout result for the Cheshire-based auction house, whose year-to-date average sale rate now stands at an industry-leading 84%—comfortably ahead of any other UK competitor in 2025.
The top-performing lot at Oulton Park was a rare right-hand-drive 1976 Ferrari 308 Vetroresina. Coveted for its lightweight fibreglass body, the car achieved £73,125 after spirited bidding. Hot on its heels came the 1978 Aston Martin V8 Oscar India. Offered at no reserve, this characterful grand tourer exceeded expectations to reach £55,125. Rounding out the podium was a 1989 Audi UR quattro 2.2 Turbo 10V, complete with the desirable ‘MB’ engine code, which changed hands for £40,500.
Of particular note is the number of high-value vehicles that crossed the block without reserve. Four of the top ten sellers were offered with no minimum price, including an extensively modified 2014 Land Rover Defender 110XS (£34,312), a 1967 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Litre Fixed Head Coupe (£32,344), a 1981 Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000 in eye-catching Rothmans livery (£30,375), and a beautifully handcrafted 1934 Bentley 3½ Litre Special Sports Roadster (£23,062), constructed from a classic Derby Bentley chassis.
Commenting on the results, Hampson Auctions Managing Director Zach Hamilton said:
“It’s great to get another strong sale under our belts this year and to be building a market-leading average sale percentage. It’s testament to our ever-increasing focus on offering high-quality vehicles across the price spectrum, and I’m delighted that we had such a busy, well-supported sale.”
Hamilton singled out the 1994 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 as a personal highlight. Equipped with the rare pairing of power steering and air conditioning, this iconic French hot hatch surged past its £17,000 estimate to reach an impressive £20,812.
“It’s no surprise that bidding was brisk—this was a particularly desirable spec for what remains one of the best-loved hot hatches of its era,” he noted.
Beyond the auction hall, Hampson is also celebrating the rapid success of its new digital platform, Hampson Marketplace. Launched earlier this year, the online timed sales platform has gained particular traction among motorcycle enthusiasts.
“Marketplace has really caught the imagination of the bike community,” Hamilton said. “It’s fast becoming a go-to destination for motorcycles and, importantly, it also helps raise funds for The Joshua Tree, a charity close to our hearts.”
So far in 2025, Hampson Marketplace has raised over £2,500 for the North West-based charity, which supports children and families affected by childhood cancer. Enthusiasts will be particularly encouraged to hear that The Joshua Tree will be the subject of this year’s BBC Children in Need DIY SOS Special, with Nick Knowles and the team extending the charity’s facilities in Cheshire. The Hampson team will be closely following the project, which will be spotlighted on BBC One’s Morning Live.
Full results from the Oulton Park Gold Cup sale are available at hampsonauctions.com.
Hampson’s next physical sale takes place at the prestigious Bolesworth Castle on Sunday, 28 September 2025, while the next Hampson Marketplace online timed sale goes live on Friday, 22 August.
