STAVELOT.- Bonhams annual Spa Classic Sale achieved a new record total of €5,497,918, almost double that of the previous year.

“We’ve had an excellent year at Spa, attracting bidders from all across the globe, and far exceeding all previous years’ totals,” said Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring.

“The internet continues to grow as a trusted method with which clients can bid, a fact proven today by the most valuable lot ever sold at a Bonhams auction to an online bidder, after the 1990-93 Porsche Type 962 C Endurance Racing Competition Coupe was sold for €1,495,000. Sold directly from the factory, the Porsche 962 had been carefully maintained by the same private owner for the past 25 years, so it was unsurprising it achieved such interest.”

Elsewhere, Porsche continued to prove popular, with a 1988 Porsche 959 Coupé achieving the second highest result, selling for €700,000 to a telephone bidder from the UK, and a 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Type 964 Coupé sold to a bidder in the room for €224,250. Achieving an excellent figure for the model, the 1980 Porsche 924 Carrera GT Coupé also sold well, with the hammer falling at €80,500.

From the Ferrari stable, the 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Berlinetta achieved €667,000, alongside the 1976 Ferrari 308 GT Berlinetta Vetroresina, sold for €253,000, showing a continuing strong demand for the marque.

With a famous history that includes Formula One Champion Mika Häkkinen, two Karts attracted much attention from bidders. Lot 101, the Ex-Mika Häkkinen, Ronnie Peterson Memorial Championship-winning, 1982 Finnkart 85cc SF A1 sold for €8,800, and the kart in which Häkkinen won the Finnish championship, lot 102 - the 1986 Birel T17 135cc Kart – sold well at €9,200.

Further highlights of the sale include a duo of E-Type ‘Series 1’ 3.8-Litre Jaguar Roadsters, both from 1962, and the slightly later 1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2-Litre 'Series 1' Roadster. With a mere three owners from new, top of the pair, lot 114, sold to a Belgian bidder in the room for €172,500, while the second, lot 130, boasted a Concours d’Élégance class win, and sold to a bidder in the room for €170,200. Completing the Jaguar E-Type entries, the 1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2-Litre 'Series 1' Roadster sold for €138,000.