"Shine on you Crazy Diamond" sang Pink Floyd in one of their most popular songs, but there is nothing crazy about the diamonds in the classic car collection of long-time Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.

He has been interested in classic cars for years now and can be seen attending many of the events in the UK, turning up in rare and classic cars, as well as being quite the racer himself, having participated in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

From Ferraris to Maseratis, he has established a large collection – far too many to list here and probably now more than 40 vehicles – so we will highlight just a few.

A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is indeed one of the diamonds we mentioned earlier and is one of just 36 that were built. He bought it in the 1970s for roughly 37,000 GBP but today, it is worth in the region of 40 million GBP! He occasionally uses it too.

Other Ferraris in his collection include an F40, a GTB/4 Daytona, and a 512S.

A 1957 Maserati 250F, voted "the world's greatest racing car" in 2009 is also part of his collection, which includes many of a racing nature. This is just one of only 26 made and this 1950s F1 racer was driven by the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss.

A 1955 Jaguar D-Type can be found tucked away in his garage and, if he were to sell it, it could easily bring in at least 10 million GBP. This three times consecutive winner of the Le Mans is considered to be one of the most beautiful sports cars ever built – by the owner himself.

A more recent acquisition (2011) has been his 1953 Ferrari 250MM, which after a few restorations and Concours appearances, ended up in his collection.

Quite possibly the oldest classic in his collection is a 1901 Panhard 5-litre. This vintage French four-wheeler is in perfect running condition and has been used on numerous occasions in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

In total contrast, and bringing things a little more up to date, Mason owns a 1996 McLaren F1 GTR. Owning any McLaren F1 is special, but this is the priceless GTR version. And how did he get it? He swapped one of his IndyCars for it with former McLaren boss Ron Dennis, so quite a good deal we would say!

Other classics he has tucked away include a 1935 Aston Martin Ulster, a 1927 Bugatti Type 35B, and a Maserati Birdcage.

Nick Mason, a real petrol head and a collector of classic and racing cars that would surely illuminate even the dark side of the moon!

For more news on classic collections, events, and for buying or selling your classic cars look no further than Classic Motors For Sale. 

History was made in May 2022 when a 1955 Mercedes-Benz, one of only two of a kind, was auctioned off for a staggering US$142 million, making it the most expensive car ever sold.

RM Sotheby's conducted the auction where the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut was sold to a private collector and brought in almost triple the previous record price for a car, which was held by a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO that went for over $48 million in 2018.

The auction took place on 5th May at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, and was for invited guests only. The record price for a car also put it in the top 10 of most valuable items sold at auction in any category – quite an achievement indeed!

The car was named after its creator and chief engineer, Rudolph Uhlenhaut, and was one of only two prototypes built by the Mercedes-Benz racing department.

The buyer has since stated that the car will be accessible for public display on certain special occasions and the other SLR 300 Coupe is on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, being company-owned. Though not confirmed, it is rumoured that the buyer was a British collector.

Recognisable by its unusual lines and gullwing doors, the 300 SLR was apparently modelled on the W196 R Grand Prix race car, which won two Formula 1 world championships in 1954 and 1955 with Italian Juan Manuel Fangio driving.

The car does, sadly, also have somewhat of a dark history as tragedy struck in June 1955. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, French driver Pierre Levegh crashed a 300 SLR and was killed, along with 83 spectators. As a result of the deadliest tragedy in motor racing history, Mercedes-Benz withdrew from the sport for many years, only returning to competitive racing again in 1989.

According to RM Sotheby's, the proceeds from the auction will be used to establish a worldwide Mercedes-Benz Fund that will fund environmental science and decarbonisation research.

With a top speed of 180 mph and featuring a straight-8 engine, the 300 SLR was one of the fastest road cars during the 1950s, and now it has claimed the ultimate prize (for now at least) as the most expensive car in the world!

Historics winter auction on 26^th November has breath, depth and brio...plus a touch of royalty 
Historics’ 2022 swansong auction on Saturday 26^th November, at it’s habitual winter home of Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands, is a great reflection of the astonishing breadth and depth of the UK classic car market   The 150 captivating entries on sale span nine decades and some 40 different marques, with values catering for a widely varying depth of pocket.

An interesting history, or famous past owner, always ticks the box when it comes to classic car values. Consequently, bidding on a pristine 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate - whose first owner was the most famous person in the world -  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II -  will be electrifying...all the more so as it’s offered at no reserve.

”Photo:  Jim Bennett”

Aston Martin purists can’t fail to be drawn to the magnificent 1968 Aston Martin DB6 Volante (£595,000-£650,000), restored superbly over eight years and cosseted by its present owner. Also waving the flag vigorously for fine British sporting marques is AC Cars, Britain’s oldest existing car manufacturer, whose 1994 AC Ace Brooklands (£24,000-£28,000) is represented by the first production model to leave the factory.  Nevertheless, AC pride of place most surely goes to a very desirable Bristol-engined 1959 AC Aceca, one of just 171 built. (£100,000-£125,000).

Staying with the homeland, Historics is offering a quartet of classic Jensens, headed by a 1960 Jensen 541R (£40,000-£50,000) and an enticing 1974 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III recommissioning  project  (£15,000-£20,000).  Also requiring complete restoration is a 1988 Ferrari Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet, tantalisingly offered without reserve, whilst joining it on the no reserve stakes is a true design icon – a 1970 Maserati Bora - one of just 42 right-hand drive models.

Adding spice to the auction mix are two hugely collectible and absolutely stunning 1930’s Ford hotrods, one a 1937 Model B Pick-up (£38,000-£45,000), the other a 1930 Model A Pick-up (£30,000-£35,000). Both will win pole position on any school run or trip to the supermarket!  Bringing celebrity status to the American offering is a stupendous example of American eye-candy adored by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, by way of a stunningly-presented and imposing Seminole Red 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible (£90,000-£100,000).

‘Imposing’ however is an understatement for the mighty 1952 tank-engined Meteor 27-litre V-12 Special (£75,000-£95,000) which will dominate the auction hall. 651 horsepower underfoot (and 80mph in first gear) assures this magnificent one-off will never fail to raise the adrenalin. It's a great counterpoint to the diminutive and charming 1970 Fiat 500L with 18 horsepower on tap and offered without reserve.   

Undisputedly the most unusual of all consignments is the original wooden ‘buck’ from which Jaguar Cars produced the venerable Jaguar D-Type sports car in the 1950’s.  A true piece of motoring history, the 1954 Jaguar D-Type ‘buck’ is estimated at £70,000-£90,000 and is sure to attract enormous interest.

Adding a dose of intrigue to the auction entry is a 1951 Mercedes-Benz 170S Cabriolet, (£105,000-£125,000) used by MI6 and owned by an agent who worked with George Blake in Berlin.  This multi-award winning concours condition car is no stranger to Mercedes-Benz World, having been displayed here between 2008 and 2013. Vying for similar top attention is an enormously rare, right-hand drive 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300B ‘Adenauer’ Cabriolet (£175,000-£210,000), first registered to Mercedes-Benz UK, retained by them for eleven year, and now bought to market in very fine condition. Also amongst the 30+ Mercedes-Benz classics on offer is a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda restoration project.  Part finished and with copious original parts it represents a wonderful project at no reserve.

To appreciate the full depth and breadth of classics on sale at this fascinating auction, visit Historics’ website where you’ll find details of all entries and registration to bid. www.historics.co.uk. 

The Saturday auction, starting at 9.30am, is preceded by three full viewing days at the venue, giving the opportunity to thoroughly inspect all entries at close quarters. Entry is by catalogue, available on the door. 

If you are interested in listing your stock with us and joining a successful and growing client list, please contact us using the details below. 

Nick Aylieff: Owner & CEO, Classic Motors For Sale

+44(0) 2392 160 809 | +66(0) 864 054 536 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.