Silverstone Auctions May sale promised a mouth-watering selection of Ferrari’s and other classics, as we wrote about prior to the auction, and unsurprisingly it was a much sought-after Ferrari that brought the biggest bids.

An ultra-rare factory right hand drive Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona, one of just a few made in this specification and a 1972 model, looked resplendent in its silver finish – an unusual colour for the model – and attracted frenzied bidding.

Indeed, as one of the most collectable Ferrari’s – and one of the most desirable cars of all time – it was no surprise that the hammer eventually fell at some £540,000, with a very lucky collector becoming the new owner of this low-mileage, pristine example.

Other Ferrari’s in the sale included a 1978 Ferrari 512BB ‘Boxer’, which rocketed beyond its estimate to fetch more than £140,000, and if proof is needed that there are still bargains to be found, a lucky buyer took home a 1982 Ferrari 308GTSi for just £27,000.

Italian Exotics

Aside from the Ferrari’s, which dominated the first day of the sale, the other headlining car was also an Italian exotic, albeit one from a marque that remains an underdog in terms of sales values.

A gleaming white 1966 Iso Grifo GL 350 fetched £270,000 – a good £50,000 above its estimate – which may be the boost needed to raise the profile of this neglected marque, and of what is one of the most beautiful cars of all time.

The Grifo – like all Iso’s – is emerging from the image problem created by being powered by a Chevrolet V8 engine, yet this is Italian design and coachbuilding at its best. This particular example was no doubt made more attractive thanks to a very famous owner, no less than Mike ‘The Bike’ Hailwood, for many the greatest racing motorcyclist of all time, and a successful racing driver on four wheels.

The auction house declared the sale a great success, with 74% of the Ferrari lots sold on the day.