Britain’s auction season is already under way, but the first major sale is the Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro 2026 sale, which takes place on February 21 at Stoneleigh Park. Consignments are already being accepted, but the motorcycle sale is already up to 84 lots.
As usual the competition cars and road cars are separated out, but the early highlights look strong, with important rally machines and rare road cars already on the books. Here are a few of the models to look out for.
After great success with Harry Metcalfe’s Lamborghini Espada last year, Iconic Auctioneers returns with another example of the breed. Offered from the Bunbury collection, this right-hand-drive Series III example has been looked after by Iain Tyrrell Classic Cars. It’s estimated at between £85k and £100k at Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro 2026.
This 1984 De Tomaso Pantera GT5 is one of only 12 right-hand-drive GT5 models built. The car was restored between 2001 and 2009, with its engine rebuild garnering 300bhp on the dyno. The restoration saw a repaint in its original shade of Rosso Fuoco, and the transaxle and gearbox were rebuilt in 2015. It’s estimated at between £150k and £180k.
The first of two competition Renault 5s up for grabs at Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro 2026, this 1984 Maxi Turbo was campaigned in period by John Price. He was a regular visitor to Renault Sport Dieppe, and acquired chassis no. 201 (car 16) in 1986 after being offered a choice from the final six cars remaining on stands. The car was supplied without engine, gearbox or suspension. Over the following two years, Price assembled a 1527cc turbocharged engine producing approximately 340bhp. The specification drew on elements of TDC and Maxi5 Turbo engines while omitting the DPV system and electronically controlled Bosch injection. A Maxi Turbo magnesium-alloy gearbox with Works rally ratios was installed, with suspension and ancillary components sourced through contacts in Dieppe.
It first competed at the West Cork Rally in March 1988, finishing third overall. Further competitive outings followed during the 1988 season, with retirement at the Rally of the Lakes due to gearbox failure. Additional podium finishes were recorded in 1989 before Price redirected his focus to four-wheel-drive competition, after which the car was stored. In subsequent years, the car passed through private ownership, with periods of reacquisition by Price. The Maxi Turbo later took part in manufacturer and media-related activities, including digital recording at Renault’s Dunsfold facility and use as a course car at the 2010 Tour of Epynt. Price last drove the car publicly at Prescott in 2011.
The Maxi Turbo remains close to its Prescott specification, with limited updates such as larger brake discs. It retains its original factory body shell with period Kevlar, carbonfibre and aluminium panels. Power is provided by a John Price Rallying 1527cc Maxi engine with Garrett T3 turbocharger, mechanical Bosch K-Tronic fuel injection and dry-sump lubrication, producing approximately 340bhp at 6500rpm. The drivetrain and suspension components remain to factory Maxi specification, including the original Matter aluminium roll cage. In 2013, the car was refinished in its 1988 rally livery. The current owner acquired it in 2017, and in 2018 the car was recorded at Nicholson McLaren Engines for a Sony PlayStation title, including dynamometer testing.
The most recent full service was completed in 2023 by Denis Welch Motorsport and included replacement of the oil pump. Previous servicing was carried out by Intersport Racing in 2020. It’s estimated at between £175k and £200k.
This 1996 Range Rover Classic Vogue SE 25th Anniversary is the sixth of 25 built, and is being offered from 24 years of ownership. Based on the Vogue SE, all were finished in Oxford Blue metallic with chromed bumpers and model-specific badging. The interior features Light Stone Beige leather upholstery with contrasting piping, wood trim to the dashboard, centre console and door panels, and a high standard of equipment including electric sunroof, power windows, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, air-conditioning, cruise control, ABS, traction control and a CD stereo. Power is provided by the 3.9-litre V8 petrol engine producing 181bhp, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Having covered 86,300 miles, it’s estimated at £30k-£35k at Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro 2026.
This 1995 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo II ‘Edizione Finale’ is one of just 250 built for the Japanese market, with a Rosso Amaranto colour scheme inspired by the Fulvia HF. The special features of this model included high-back Recaro bucket seats with black fabric upholstery, 16-inch anthracite-finished Speedline wheels, push-button starting, carbonfibre trim elements, aluminium OMP pedals and a passenger footrest, a Momo steering wheel, revised engine management producing 250bhp, uprated Eibach springs front and rear, and an OMP strut brace.
First registered in Japan November 1995, it was optioned with manual air-conditioning, English books and body waxing. It came to the UK in 2017 and has been professionally stored since, with a major cambelt service with a specialist, including belts, engine oil, gearbox service, spark plugs, water pump and brake fluid change in 2023. Sitting on 15,446 miles (24,859km), it’s estimated at between £135k and £155k.
Iconic Auctioneers do a good trade in rare Fords and the lot list has many Blue Oval machines in it. This particular Capri Mk1 3000E was part of racing driver Jack Sears’ family fleet from new – and it is being offered from the family now. Jack Sears purchased the car new from Frank Dye Ltd, Ford main dealer in Watton, Norfolk. It was specified in Evergreen Metallic with an Olive interior, black vinyl roof and manual transmission. It served as Sears’ personal transport for just over 100,000 miles and has been maintained by his daughter since 2016. The history file includes multiple MoT certificates dating back to 1977, supporting the recorded mileage of 103,149.
The car is fitted with a replacement Weber 38 DGAS carburettor, consistent with early Essex-engined Capris. Recent maintenance has included replacement brake components front and rear, ignition components, track-control-arm bushes, exhaust manifolds, fuel and water pumps, plus an oil and filter change. It is accompanied by the dealer-fitted eight-track stereo, a selection of period tapes and the original driver’s manual. It’s estimated at between £25k and £30k.
On the subject of Capris, this 1972 RS2600 was prepared by the Jordan Racing Team to Group 2 specifications in 2018. It features an INIT Racing–prepared Westlake V6 engine, a ZF close-ratio five-speed gearbox and a Custom Cages FIA-approved roll cage. It achieved an overall win in the Equipe 70s series, including a notable class victory at the 2023 Le Mans Classic. With an FIA HTP valid until 2029, the car remains eligible to compete in Peter Auto’s Heritage Touring Cup, Motor Racing Legends’ HTCC and Equipe Classic Racing’s 1970s series. It’s estimated at between £150k and £170k.
With Subaru Impreza 22B prices into the hundreds of thousands, here’s something that could be a car to watch for the future. The final lightweight, analogue-focused STi, the lengthily named 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Spec-C Type RA-R is powered by a 2.0-litre EJ207 turbocharged flat-four engine producing north of 320bhp. As a homologation special built for the Japanese market, it features a twin-scroll, ball-bearing turbocharger, a lightweight low back-pressure exhaust and a six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox.
It also has Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, which incorporates a Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD) alongside mechanical limited-slip differentials at both the front and rear. It also has STi-tuned Bilstein dampers, reinforced subframes, uprated coil springs and thicker anti-roll bars, plus Brembo six-piston front and two-piston rear calipers. In all, it weighs 1390kg. Just 300 were built. This example came to the UK in 2016, and has covered 82,041 miles. It’s estimated at between £38k and £40k.
Ford Sierra Cosworths didn’t have such a great time of it at Iconic Auctioneers’ last sale – a temporary blip or a sign that things are moving onto newer Fords, such as the Escort RS Cosworth and Focus RS MkI? With Group A celebrating 40 years in 1987, we’ve seen inclinations that the market might actually be moving back, at least when it comes to BMW M3 E30 and Lancia Delta Integrale values.
Here’s an interesting take on it all; a left-hand-drive Sierra RS Cosworth – although the model is lionised in the UK, it’s not quite as well loved as the BMW or the Lancia. First sold to Graz, Austria, it’s covered just 17.877km and has been professionally stored in a major Ford collection, having been imported to the UK in 2015. It last had a cambelt service in 2025; it’s estimated at between £50k and £60k. When you take into account the kilometres on the clock, that figure would only get you into a fairly high-mileage Lancia Delta Integrale or BMW M3 E30…
This 1985 Renault 5 Turbo ‘Superproduction’ is one of six built for the French Supertouring Championship, and one of three re-prepared for the 1987 season to be driven by Jean-Louis Bousquet, Jean Ragnotti and Érik Comas. These three ‘Superproduction’ cars were fitted with Matter roll cages, while chassis development was carried out by Sonica, which lowered the ride height, widened the track and refined the suspension to approach the regulatory limits. Renault F3 engine specialist Sodemo Moteurs prepared a stroked 1419cc version of the R5T engine (nominally 1397cc), incorporating a custom inlet manifold, revised camshaft, Garrett T4/T3 turbo with tri-lobe shaft and titanium internals, plus Sodemo/SYTEL ECU, ignition and fuel-injection systems.
This engine produced approximately 410bhp at 7000rpm, transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. Érik Comas secured the 1987 championship using this car, and Renault has confirmed that chassis no. 3-86 was the vehicle he drove to clinch the title at Pau-Arno on October 25, 1987. The most recent service, completed in 2020 by the Intersport Racing team, comprised routine maintenance to preserve mechanical condition and competitive readiness. It’s estimated at between £200k and £250k at Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro 2026.
Further details
For more information on the Iconic Auctioneers Race Retro 2026 sale, head here.
