RM Sotheby’s announces third Nigel Mansell collection auction

Auctioneer RM Sotheby’s has announced the addition of new memorabilia to the Nigel Mansell Collection, which is offered without reserve.

The online-only sale takes place between April 23-28 as part of the larger Shift Online: Europe and Middle East auction.

The Mansell collection includes many souvenirs collected by the 1992 Formula One champion from his racing career, including trophies, clothing, helmets and a “Wall of Champions” framed picture signed by himself, Nelson Piquet and Alain Prost. It’s only the signature of the late Ayrton Senna that’s missing and they are looking for between R12,000-R23,000 for the image.

As part of a Europe and Middle East auction the auction includes the 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino. (Supplied)

The collection, which has accumulated over time, has tantalising items for fans of the fast man with a moustache, and has previously sold the Ferrari 640 F1 car he raced for the 1989 season, the first Ferrari F1 car to be equipped with a semi-automatic gearbox.

Vintage car collectors would do well to take a peek as two valuable and desirable cars will also be on sale, though not through the Mansell Collection:

The 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT by Scaglietti, which evolved from the Dino 206 GT, with a larger V6 engine and a wheelbase lengthened by 60mm. The design was virtually identical, with just a longer engine cover and a repositioned fuel cap. Production stopped in 1973-4 and the car is on sale for R5.8m
The Jaguar XJ220, a beautiful and limited production super car designed to give the Ferrari F40 and the Porsche 959 a few things to think about. The designer responsible for the gorgeous shape of the car was Keith Helfet, the SA-born Royal College of Art graduate who had become Jaguar’s senior sports car designer, and who later designed the XK180 and F-Type concept cars. This prime example from a Swedish owner is expected to fetch R7.1m.

A total of 281 XJ220 cars were produced by Jaguar Sport in conjunction with Tom Walkinshaw Racing. Powered by TWR V6 engine and rear wheel drive only, the car was launched in 1992 with a top speed of 343km/h, enough to become the fastest production car in the world at that time.