Four cars that helped define the dreams of a generation of petrolheads will be offered by Iconic Auctioneers at its Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show on Saturday 14 November. With combined upper estimates of £1.95 million, the line-up brings together two landmark Lamborghinis, a very special Porsche 911 Turbo and BMW’s first true supercar.

If one car earned its place on more bedroom walls than almost any other, the Lamborghini Countach has a strong claim. This left-hand drive, Weber-carburetted 1983 Countach LP5000 S is one of just 321 built and has covered fewer than 16,000 miles. Finished in Rosso Siviglia with white leather, it has been with its current UK owner for more than 40 years. Its history also includes a starring role in a 1989 Citroën BX GTi 16S television advert and a remarkable personal touch: during filming in Italy, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason arranged for Countach designer Marcello Gandini to sign the dashboard, a signature that remains clearly visible today (estimate: £700,000 - £800,000.

The Countach is joined by its successor, in the form of a 1991 Lamborghini Diablo 2WD Series 1. The Diablo featured an all-new naturally aspirated V12, rear-wheel drive and scissor doors, adding considerably more refinement and a claimed 202mph top speed. This early 5.7-litre example was supplied new by Lamborghini Monte Carlo and spent much of its life around Cannes. Finished in its original Rosso Diablo over Nero and Rosso, it retains its original book pack and substantial service history, with more than €46,000 of documented expenditure in 2018 and 2019 and further specialist maintenance since. It was also displayed at this year’s Salon Privé (estimate: £200,000 to £250,000)

The 1986 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo SE Flachbau on offer brings a very different kind of provenance. One of just 50 right-hand drive factory-built examples, the Guards Red C16 UK-market car was specially commissioned and originally owned by Ron Dennis, then at the height of McLaren’s Formula One success with TAG-branded Porsche engines. Porsche delivered the car directly to the McLaren factory with bespoke features including an upgraded audio system, LED boost gauge and mahogany-veneered central control panel. The original V5 lists Dennis as the registered keeper, while further documentation from McLaren and Porsche supports its history. Having spent 33 years with its current collector owner, it has covered just over 2,500 miles (estimate: £350,000 to £400,000).

Completing the group is the 1980 BMW M1, BMW Motorsport’s first production supercar. Combining Giugiaro styling with a mid-mounted 3.5-litre M88 straight-six producing 277bhp, just 453 examples were built including 399 road cars. This Inka Orange example was supplied new in Germany before arriving in the UK in 1986 and has been owned by its current Midlands-based custodian for around 25 years. Unlike many M1s, it has been regularly enjoyed, including trips across the UK and Europe, and has covered around 69,800km. Its history includes an engine rebuild in 2009, a repaint in its original colour in 2013 and a recent service and light recommissioning (estimate: £400,000 to £500,000). 

Rob Hubbard, Managing Director and Principal Auctioneer at Iconic Auctioneers, said: “For anyone who grew up with these cars on their bedroom wall or filling the pages of their favourite motoring magazines, this is quite a line-up. Each represents a different interpretation of the high-performance car, and each has a history that makes it much more than simply an example of the model. Offering such an exciting group of supercars is a fantastic way to launch our Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show.”

The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show takes place on Saturday 14 November. Those interested in any of the four cars are encouraged to register to bid in advance.
More details on the cars and how to register to bid can be found at iconicauctioneers.com.