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With modern classic values continuing to soar, we pick out our favourites from an extraordinary line-up at RM Sotheby's upcoming London auction
It's that time again, as RM Sotheby's prepares to bring another extraordinary collection of cars under the hammer at its upcoming London auction. With everything from modern hypercars to some of the most sought-after analogue supercars of all time, there's certainly no shortage of interesting machinery on offer.
Much of the talk recently has centred around the seemingly unstoppable rise in Ferrari values, particularly following some remarkable results at RM's recent auctions, but there's plenty more to get excited about beyond Maranello. With estimates ranging from a few hundred thousand pounds to almost eight figures, we've picked out some of our favourites to keep an eye on when the bidding begins.
Estimate: £320,000–£380,000
With the Aventador out of production in favour of the hybrid Revuelto, values of the combustion-only poster car seem to be strengthening. SV models have gone crazy, but even regular models are showing strength, particularly the improved S model.
The Aventador S arrived in 2017 with 740hp, four-wheel steering and revised aerodynamics, sharpening Lamborghini's flagship without sacrificing its outrageous character. When new, the Roadster cost comfortably over £300,000 before options, meaning this example's estimate puts it in broadly similar territory nearly a decade later.
Could the Aventador eventually find itself enjoying the same appreciation as its Murciélago predecessor? It's certainly difficult to imagine cars like this becoming any less appealing to enthusiasts as time goes by.
Estimate: £450,000–£500,000
Few cars demonstrate the ever-growing appetite for analogue Porsches quite like the 997-generation GT3 RS. Powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six producing 450hp, the second-generation 997 RS combined a six-speed manual gearbox with hydraulic steering and an uncompromising driving experience that modern GT cars have arguably struggled to replicate, even when specced with three pedals.
These were around £100,000 when new in the UK, making the estimate for this example particularly eye-opening. Values have climbed substantially over the past few years as collectors have increasingly recognised the 997 as something of a sweet spot in the GT3 RS bloodline. With the 4.0-litre version now reaching seven-figure sums in exceptional cases, the 3.8 is hardly the affordable alternative it once was, but it still offers much of the same magic.
Estimate: £500,000–£800,000
At first glance, an estimate approaching £800,000 for a first-generation Honda NSX might seem completely extraordinary. After all, ordinary examples can still be bought for less than a tenth of that figure.
But this is no ordinary NSX. It is the car famously owned by Ayrton Senna, who was photographed washing it and driving it during his time in Portugal on the run-up to the 1991 Portuguese Grand Prix. Senna's involvement in the development of the original NSX is already part of automotive folklore, making a car with a direct personal connection to the three-time Formula 1 World Champion particularly special.
While NSX values have risen considerably from the days when good examples could be found for £30,000–£40,000, the estimate here is really about provenance rather than the underlying model. With Senna memorabilia continuing to attract extraordinary attention, this could be one of the most fascinating results of the entire auction.
Estimate: £620,000–£700,000
The 430 Scuderia is already considered one of Ferrari's finest modern driver's cars, but the Spider 16M takes things a step further. Built to celebrate Ferrari's 16th Formula 1 Constructors' Championship, just 499 examples were produced, each combining the Scuderia's 510hp naturally aspirated V8 with the added theatre of open-air motoring.
When new, these cars cost around £200,000 in the UK, and for years they traded at relatively modest premiums over their coupé counterparts. That has changed dramatically as collectors have developed an appetite for limited-production, naturally aspirated Ferraris. The estimate of £620,000–£700,000 demonstrates just how far the 16M has come, particularly when you consider that an ordinary F430 Spider could be had for over half a million less.
Estimate: £650,000–£750,000
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren spent years living in the shadow of cars like the Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo, and whilst it still does to an extent, appreciation for the Anglo-German supercar has been steadily growing.
With its supercharged 5.4-litre V8, outrageous proportions and unmistakable side-exit exhausts, the SLR was always something special, even if its automatic gearbox and grand touring character made it something of an outsider among contemporary supercars.
This particular Roadster is considerably more interesting than a standard example, being the very first car to receive the McLaren Edition treatment from McLaren Special Operations, effectively kick-starting the bespoke conversion programme we know today. Just 25 SLRs received the conversion, including only four Roadsters, with this example wearing the all-important number 001 plaque. The upgrades included revised aerodynamics, suspension, exhaust and a 50kg weight reduction, with invoices totalling more than £120,000.
Values have climbed considerably in recent years, but with an estimate right on par with the vastly less rare Ferrari 16M, is the SLR still underappreciated?
Estimate: £800,000–£1,000,000
If you thought the 997 GT3 RS was expensive, this might put things into perspective. Just 55 examples of the 964-generation Carrera RS 3.8 were produced, making it one of the rarest and most desirable air-cooled 911s ever built. Developed to homologate the RSR racing car, it featured a lightweight body (saving 300kg compared to a Carrera 2), an aggressive aerodynamic package and a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six producing 300hp.
This particular example has remained with its original owner since 1993 and covered just 10,210 kilometres. It is also believed to be the only example finished in paint-to-sample Zermatt Silver Metallic. Air-cooled RS values have risen enormously over the past decade, although the very rarest models have experienced a more selective market recently. With such provenance, it’ll be interesting to see if this can achieve the status of £1 million 911.
Estimate: £1,200,000–£1,500,000
I challenge you to look at the value of these and not think things have gotten just a little bit silly. Few modern Ferraris have appreciated quite like the 458 Speciale Aperta. When new, the open-top version of the acclaimed Speciale cost around £230,000, and for a while they sat at around double that. Now, just over a decade later, this example carries an estimate of up to £1.5 million.
Limited to only 499 cars worldwide, the Aperta combines one of the finest naturally aspirated V8 engines ever fitted to a road car with the added appeal of open-air driving. This particular example is even more special, having been commissioned through Ferrari's Tailor Made programme in Alluminio Grezzo Opaco with a Blu Nart racing livery. Also going under the hammer is an identically specified 458 Speciale coupé, available separately with a similarly stratospheric estimate of £500,000 - £700,000, should you want to keep the pair together, complete with sequential chassis numbers.
Estimate: £1,200,000–£1,600,000
The Diablo is one we’re particularly fond of and has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in recent years, but the SE30 sits in a completely different league from an ordinary example. Built to celebrate Lamborghini's 30th anniversary, just 150 were produced, with weight reduced by around 180kg and power from the 5.7-litre V12 increased to 525hp. Gone were luxuries such as power steering and air conditioning, making this arguably one of the most uncompromising road-going Lamborghinis ever produced.
This particular car is one of just nine UK-supplied right-hand-drive examples and was originally ordered by the royal family of Brunei before eventually joining the collection of Sir Colin Giltrap in New Zealand. Finished in Bianco Impacto with a striking blue Alcantara interior, it's the only right-hand-drive SE30 produced in this colour combination and has covered just 12,396 kilometres.
Ordinary Diablos have appreciated considerably from the £100,000–£150,000 territory they once occupied, but with this level of rarity and provenance, the SE30 has become a genuine seven-figure collector's car.
Estimate: £1,800,000–£2,400,000
The Ferrari F40 needs little introduction, but this particular example is rather different from the beautifully preserved, factory-original cars that typically attract collectors. Delivered new to Rome in December 1988, it's an early production example featuring the desirable lightweight sliding windows, but has subsequently been extensively modified to resemble an F40 LM.
Despite its aggressive appearance, this isn't a genuine competition car, but the modifications extend well beyond the bodywork, with replacement front and rear clamshells, non-original doors, modified engine components and an LM-style digital dashboard. Crucially, however, it retains its matching-numbers engine and gearbox.
As we all know, F40 values have climbed enormously over the past decade, with the finest examples now comfortably exceeding £2 million and exceptional cars achieving considerably more. Interestingly, the estimate here reflects the car's non-original specification, with a similar-mileage standard car recently fetching over £3 million at RM Sotheby’s Zurich auction. Seems like a great opportunity to buy an F40 to actually enjoy!
Estimate: £1,800,000–£2,400,000
Few cars have pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the road quite like the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Conceived with the involvement of legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey, the Valkyrie features a Cosworth-developed 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 revving to over 11,000rpm, producing a combined 1,160bhp with its hybrid assistance.
Just 150 coupés were produced, with an original starting price of approximately £2.5 million before taxes and personalisation. This example was delivered new to Japan and has covered just 300 kilometres, with a bespoke Zenith White and blue carbon specification that added almost £235,000 to its original price.
Yet despite its rarity and extraordinary engineering, the estimate suggests that even the most extreme modern hypercars aren't immune to depreciation.
Estimate: £7,500,000–£9,500,000
And finally, the headline act. The Daytona SP3 is already one of the most desirable modern Ferraris, combining spectacular 1960s-inspired styling with an 829bhp naturally aspirated V12 and a production run of just 599 customer cars initially announced, subsequently expanded to 600. Originally priced at around £2 million, the SP3 has experienced extraordinary appreciation, with collectors willing to pay several times its original price to secure one.
But this example has something that makes it especially interesting. Finished in striking Giallo Triplo Strato, it was retained by Ferrari as a factory development and press car, appearing in numerous international publications and even featuring in the final broadcast episode of Top Gear in December 2022. It was subsequently sold into private ownership in 2025 and has covered just 2,948 miles.
