Prestige Classic Car collection to be auctioned in New Zealand

1 March, 2019

 


 

On Sunday, 17 March, Auckland-based auction house Webb’s will offer one of the most distinguished personal collections of Classic Cars to be auctioned in New Zealand: the Roy Savage Collection.

The auction follows the successful sale of the first part of the Roy Savage Collection in 2016. This auction focused on British post-war classics and achieved multiple auction records, such as a 1955 Jaguar XK140 selling for $258,750, and the 1972 Rover P5B, 1966 Jaguar MK II, and 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL selling for $149,500, with total sales of nearly $1.5 million.

This time around, the auction will feature some of the most prestigious marques ever to come on the market in New Zealand, with seven Rolls-Royces offered, including a New Zealand–new 1951 Silver Dawn and an ultra-low mileage 1978 Corniche Convertible. Further highlights include a rare 1955 Allard Palm Beach Mark 1 Convertible (only 74 of this model ever manufactured), a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Manual, and 1953 Bentley R-Type.

For buyers whose need is more fundamental, there are two 5-Series BMWs, and for those who favour the rural pursuit, there’s the 1964 Land Rover, which carries a cult-classic status due to its enduring and iconic look. Also up for auction is what was often Roy’s daily driver, a Rover 3500 that he owned since 1973 and has just 62,623 on the clock.

Following Roy’s passing in 2017, the Savage family have again entrusted Webb’s to market the balance of their father’s passion. The collection is not the disposal of a static museum, but every car is registered, warranted, and has detailed service records.

The auction is set to take place at the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, one hour north of Wellington, on Sunday, 17 March at 2pm. Prior to the auction the vehicles can be viewed at the museum 14—16 March, 10am–4pm and 17 March, 9am–11am. To view the full catalogue of 18 cars, visit webbs.co.nz.

Lunch with… Jim Palmer

In the 1960s, Hamilton’s Jim Palmer won the prestigious ‘Gold Star’ four times and was the first resident New Zealander home in the New Zealand Grand Prix on five consecutive occasions. He shared the podium with Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Denny Hulme, Jackie Stewart, and Chris Amon. The extent of his domination of the open-wheeler scene in New Zealand will probably never be matched or exceeded. Yet he’s always been modest about his achievements.

NZ Classic Car magazine, May/June 2025 issue 399, on sale now

Who would have thought it would become such a worldwide motorsport star when Ford introduced the humble Escort in 1967?
Its popularity, particularly in Mark 1 form, is now of iconic status. Our cover story for this issue is on a 1968 Ford Escort Mark 1, Alan Mann Racing Tribute. We talked with the owner of this very special Escort, finished in tribute also to the owner’s father.
“Most children love speed, and motorsport typically comes courtesy of a parent, and Elliott is no different. His engineer father, Mark, had a love for motorcycles and going fast; however, when children came along, he swapped two wheels for four, in the form of two Ford Escorts.
Little did Mark know it at the time, but the humble Escort was about to weave its way into the family fabric once and for all.
After emigrating from London to New Zealand, Elliott recalled one evening when he was 14 being invited to tag along by his father, helping a friend convert an Escort road car into a racing car. This was the pivotal moment when Elliott remembers the motorsport bug taking over. He knew he had to have his own one.”