26 August 2025
JB1 registration plate smashes estimate
4 minutes
Record prices achieved at Bonhams Cars Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
After multiple record-breaking appearances and close calls on the Brooklands and Pendine Sands circuits, Jack Barclay established himself as one of the biggest names in British luxury car retailing – and The Barclay Sale at Bonham Cars Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale (July 11, 2025) saw his JB1 registration plate go under the hammer for £608,600, more than doubling the £200,000-£300,000 estimate.
|
|
John Donald ‘Jack’ Barclay (1896–1968) opened his first Bentley and Rolls-Royce dealership in London in 1927, going on to open the landmark showroom at 18 Berkeley Square, which became a focal point for distinguished clients including the Royal Family. He was among the first to adopt the concept of long-term customer service in the motor trade and each year drove a new Rolls-Royce or Bentley adorned with his personalised plate JB 1. Barclay served in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War before embarking on a motor racing career in the 1920s. Toby Wilson, Head of the Bonhams Automobilia Department, said: “The Barclay collection offered a remarkable glimpse into Britain’s motoring past, assembled by a family whose name is synonymous with Rolls Royce and Bentley history.” The 56 items of automotive memorabilia from The Barclay Collection also featured the original design of the Rolls-Royce mascot ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ by Charles Sykes (1875-1950) and it sold for £22,400, far surpassing the £10,000 to £15,000 estimate. Signed ‘Charles Sykes’ with a hand-written annotation by the artist ‘Sketch for mascot’ to the lower edge and drawn in pencil, charcoal and pastel heightened with white on dark grey tone paper, it is believed to have been drawn circa 1910. (Image: J D Barclay with a Bentley bearing the number plate JB1. Sold £608,600.) |
|
(Image: Charles Sykes (British 1875 – 1950)’Spirit of Ecstasy’, the original design for the Rolls Royce mascot. Sold £22,400) |
|
|
The profile view of the iconic 'Spirit of Ecstasy' mascot, the official emblem for the Rolls-Royce marque was officially created as a mascot February 6, 1911. In the form of a female nude with arms outstretched and billowing drapery it was inspired by Sykes’ model Eleanor Thornton, a one-time paramour of the second Baron Montagu of Beaulieu. The sale also included ‘The Wakefield Cup’, the 1929 Brooklands BRDC 500 Mile Race sterling silver winner's trophy awarded to Jack Barclay for victory in 4½-litre Bentley. It sold for £14,080 including premium (estimate £5,000 to £7,000). The race was the first event organised by the British Racing Driver's Club formed the previous year by Dr. J.Dudley Benjafield and by invitation only with 25 initial members, all successful racing drivers. The race featured Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, George Eyston, Jack and Clive Dunfee, John Cobb, Sammy Davis, Kaye Don, Earl Howe, and, of course, Jack Barclay with his co-driver Frank Clement. (Image: The Wakefiled Cup – the 1929 Brooklands BRDC 500 Mile Race sterling silver winner’s trophy. Sold £14,080.) |
World record-breaking price for 2007 Bugatti Veyron
Another standout moment at the Goodwood Festival of Speed sale came with a 2007 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Coupé, which achieved a world record-breaking £1,527,000. Originally estimated at £500,000–£800,000 and offered without reserve, this result makes it the most valuable Veyron 16.4 Coupé sold at auction.
|
(Image: 2007 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Coupé. Sold £1,527,000.) |
Mercedes-AMG ONE coupé buyer ‘now owns a rare piece of F1 history’
All eyes were on the star of the sale, a 2023 Mercedes-AMG ONE coupé. Only 275 of these hand-built vehicles were produced, and they all sold before production, so now was the time for anyone who missed out on securing one of the cars to start bidding.
|
(Image: 2023 Mercedes-AMG ONE coupé. Sold £2,456,600.) |
Tim Schofield, Senior Specialist and Head of Department at Bonhams|Cars, said: “This star lot sold for £2,456,600 including premium and with only 100 miles on the clock, it is nothing short of a technological masterpiece. The buyer now owns a rare piece of Formula 1 history.
“This is the only AMG model ever to feature a Formula One powertrain, the fastest road-legal car around the Nürburgring racetrack and also holds production car lap records at Hockenheim, Rebelring and Monza. It set a production car lap record at the Nürburgring with a time of 6:29.09, making it the first to dip below 6:30 and its exclusivity is underscored by a high-profile ownership list including F1 champions Nico Rosberg, David Coulthard and Valtteri Bottas.”
The limited-production plug-in dual hybrid sports car featuring Formula One-derived technology was originally unveiled in concept form at the 2017 International Motor Show Germany by the seven-time F1 world champion and Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton, who also formed part of the developmental test driving team. It is understood that Sir Lewis owns two of the cars.
The production version was unveiled in June 2022, with production beginning in August. Powered by a 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid engine derived directly from Mercedes-AMG's Formula 1 programme, the car produces 1,063 horsepower and achieves a top speed of over 219 mph. The styling package on this car was an £85,000 option and included the AMG Silver Arrow exclusive paint, AMG Petronas star pattern and Petronas green accents plus AMG magnesium wheels in gloss black with accents.
Diary date
Bonhams’ The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia takes place at Beaulieu, National Motor Museum on September 5-6, 2025
Visit bonhams.com
Super and classic car insurance
Over the years we’ve had many interesting conversations with our customers about why they have a classic or high-performance car. Some just love getting under the bonnet and view their classic car as a restoration project, whereas others enjoy the pleasure of owning and driving their performance vehicle on the open road.
Our Howden Private Client Motor team are specialists in high-value vehicles and the people who drive them. We’re always on hand to offer expert advice, tailored cover, and a level of service that reflects the quality of your car.
When you choose to work with us, you’ll be looked after by a dedicated account handler who’ll share your passion for performance and precision. They’ll work directly with specialist insurers to secure a policy that offers the ideal balance of cover and value—with no limits on the number of vehicles you can include.
To speak to us about your motor insurance call 0330 008 9653.