A collection of 27 classic cars belonging to Anthony Hamilton, father of seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, sold for nearly £2.9 million at Silverstone Auctions, with a rare Jaguar XJ220 leading the sale at £506,250 and setting a new UK auction record for the model.

The collection was dominated by iconic British performance cars, with Jaguars featuring prominently alongside rare Mercedes-Benz models and vehicles from David Brown Automotive, a Coventry-based boutique manufacturer known for hand-built luxury recreations. While celebrity ownership drew significant attention from bidders, the results demonstrated sustained demand for exceptional classics with strong provenance and meticulous maintenance histories.

Jaguar XJ220 Sets UK Auction Record

The standout lot of the sale was Anthony Hamilton's Jaguar XJ220, which achieved £506,250, establishing a new UK auction record for the model. The supercar is one of only 69 right-hand-drive UK-supplied examples and had covered just 3,277 miles from new. Finished in Silverstone Green Metallic over a light tan leather interior, the vehicle had spent nearly 25 years with its previous owner before joining Hamilton's collection. A comprehensive service history, including maintenance performed by Jaguar Classic, further enhanced its desirability among bidders.

The XJ220 held the title of world's fastest production car upon its release in 1992, reaching 213 mph, a record that stood until the McLaren F1 surpassed it. Originally conceived with a V12 engine and all-wheel drive, the production version arrived with a twin-turbocharged V6 and rear-wheel drive — a pivot that drew mixed reactions at the time but has since cemented the car's status as one of the most distinctive British supercars of its era.

Six-Figure Results Across the Catalogue

Beyond the headline-grabbing XJ220, five additional vehicles from the collection surpassed the £100,000 threshold, underscoring the breadth of demand rather than a narrow focus on celebrity ownership.

A 2007 Jaguar XKSS recreation — one of Jaguar's factory-built continuation models of the legendary 1957 original, itself a road-going derivative of the Le Mans-winning D-Type — commanded £400,000. The original XKSS is one of the most coveted Jaguars ever built, with only 16 produced before a factory fire destroyed the remaining chassis, making factory-sanctioned continuations especially significant to marque enthusiasts. Two Jaguar C-Type recreations followed, selling for £192,000 and £190,000 respectively. The C-Type secured Jaguar's first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951, adding considerable heritage value to even faithful recreations. A restored 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2 Roadster achieved £119,250.

A restored 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL rounded out the six-figure results at £104,625, while a 2016 David Brown Automotive Speedback GT with only 354 miles on the odometer sold for £202,500.

Mini Remastered Claims World Auction Record

Among the more unexpected results, Anthony Hamilton's 1997 David Brown Mini Remastered sold for £92,250, setting a new world auction record for that model. The outcome highlights a growing appetite among collectors for high-end restomods that blend classic styling with modern engineering — a segment that has expanded significantly in recent years, with specialists like Singer (Porsche), Alfaholics (Alfa Romeo), and Kimera (Lancia) commanding comparable premiums for reimagined classics.

Market Signals from the Sale

The results reinforce the broader pattern that exceptional cars — characterized by low mileage, detailed maintenance records, and genuine rarity — continue to command exceptional prices regardless of ownership history. While the Hamilton family name likely contributed additional interest, condition and provenance remained the decisive factors in driving bids.

The sale also highlighted potential headwinds for prospective buyers. Storage, insurance, and specialist servicing costs can significantly erode any financial gains, and classic car values are not guaranteed to appreciate over time.

Sale Summary

Anthony Hamilton's collection ranked among the highlights of the Silverstone auction, generating approximately £2.9 million across 27 vehicles and producing several record-setting results. The Jaguar XJ220 captured the most attention, but the depth of strong results across the wider catalogue pointed to a more significant trend: collectors remain discerning and willing to spend substantial sums on rare, well-maintained classics with impeccable histories, even amid broader market uncertainty.