Bonhams Goodwood Revival 2025 Preview
Bonhams will hold their 2025 Goodwood Revival auction on September 13 and will offer more than 150 cars and examples of memorabilia. As is usual with an auction at Goodwood, a great deal of cars will be right-hand drive which means some already rare models will be even rarer. We’re going to take a closer look at a few of the most exciting cars that will be available from Bonhams|Cars at Goodwood.
The 1956 Maserati A6G/54 2000GT Coupé was a crucial road car, built to help fund the company’s successful Formula One racing efforts. Derived from the A6GCS sports-racing car, it featured a new 2.0-liter inline-six engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo. This powerful engine produced 150 to 160 horsepower, giving the A6G/54 performance that could compete with much larger cars.
Maserati commissioned three leading Italian coachbuilders—Allemano, Frua, and Zagato—to create unique body styles for the 60 chassis produced. Allemano created a clean coupé, Frua designed a series of coupés and spiders, and Zagato produced aggressive coupés, some with their iconic “double-bubble” roof. This collaboration resulted in a diverse and highly sought-after series of vehicles, solidifying the A6G/54’s legendary status as an example of Italian design and engineering.
The example being offered by Bonhams at their Goodwood Revival auction is one of the 21 examples that were bodied by Allemano, as noted by the badges near the doors. It benefits from an older restoration that has held up over time and is eligible for the Mille Miglia Retrospective and is certainly fit for plenty of other rallies.
Estimate: £500,000 – £750,000
The Jaguar XK120, a sports car that would redefine the brand’s identity, made its surprise debut at the 1948 London Motor Show. Originally conceived as a show car to unveil Jaguar’s new 3.4L twin-cam XK engine, the car’s stunning looks and reported top speed of 120 mph captivated the public. The overwhelming positive response convinced Jaguar’s founder, William Lyons, to put the car into full-scale production, transforming a design exercise into a commercial success.
Beyond its sleek design, the XK120 proved its performance capabilities on the world stage. It earned its name by being the world’s fastest production car at the time, a fact proven by a record-breaking 132.6 mph run in Belgium in 1949. Its success in various races and rallies solidified its reputation as a formidable competitor. To keep up with immense demand, Jaguar transitioned from the initial, hand-built aluminum bodies to a mass-produced steel body, making the XK120 a pivotal car in both the company’s history and the post-war automotive landscape.
Following the road-going success of the XK120, Jaguar set out to create a purpose-built racing version to compete in the world of endurance motorsport. This new car, officially named the XK120-C but better known as the C-Type, was a significant departure from its production counterpart. To maximize performance, it was designed with a lightweight tubular chassis to replace the heavier steel frame and was cloaked in a stunningly aerodynamic aluminum body crafted by Malcolm Sayer. This focused engineering effort aimed to secure a win for Jaguar at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans.
While the C-Type took the overall honors at Le Mans in 1951, this Jaguar XK120 Competition Roadster finished 11th overall and 6th in its class, making it the best placed XK120 ever at Le Mans. It qualifies for the Le Mans Classic and Mille Miglia, along with plenty of other vintage racing events.
Estimate: £300,000 – £400,000
This hardtop competition-spec 1966 AC Cobra is identified as chassis 1/ITC, but in actuality is built on the frame from CSX 2131. It stands as one of the most original examples of the surviving AC/Shelby Cobras and is eligible for most any historic races.
This unique Cobra presents a rare opportunity to buy a piece of British and American racing history that is also one of just five early examples of right-hand drive Cobras known to have been produced before November 1963.
Estimate: £1,500,000 – £2,000,000
The E46 generation of the BMW M3, launched in 2000, built on the success of its predecessors, the E30 and E36 models while refining the formula with a focus on an impeccable balance of power, handling, and daily usability. At its heart was the naturally aspirated S54 inline-six engine, a masterpiece of engineering that produced a high-revving 333 horsepower in US-spec models. This powerplant, combined with the car’s taut chassis and sophisticated suspension, delivered a driving experience that was both thrilling on the track and composed on the street.
Beyond its mechanical prowess, the E46 M3’s design further solidified its legendary status. Its flared wheel arches, aggressive front fascia, and signature power dome on the hood gave it a purposeful and muscular stance without being overly ostentatious. The car was offered as both a Coupe and a Convertible, with a limited-run CSL model featuring extensive weight reduction and carbon fiber components. The E46 M3’s blend of aesthetic appeal, exceptional performance, and a raw, analog feel has ensured its place as a modern classic, highly sought after by enthusiasts to this day.
The example being offered by Bonhams|Cars at their Goodwood Revival auction comes from single-family ownership and has covered just over 3,000 miles since it was new. It’s equipped with the more desirable manual transmission and includes a complete service history. As the E30 models continue to increase in cost and some portions of the market beginning to look to the E36 M3, this could be the perfect time for the right collector to add a practically-new E46 M3 to their collection.
Estimate: £80,000 – £100,000
The 1966 Austin Mini Cooper S 1275 marked the peak of the Mini’s transformation from a clever city car into a motorsport icon. Developed through the collaboration of John Cooper and BMC, the Cooper S featured a larger 1275cc engine, upgraded brakes, and improved handling, making it the most powerful and capable version of the Mini at the time. Its compact size and nimble character made it formidable on both the road and the rally stage.
This model’s success was cemented by its dominance in international rallying, including multiple victories at the Monte Carlo Rally. The 1275 Cooper S embodied the spirit of 1960s performance motoring by combining everyday practicality with competition-bred engineering. It remains one of the most celebrated small performance cars of its era, symbolizing the Mini’s enduring legacy in both racing and popular culture.
The example being offered by Bonhams at their Goodwood Revival auction has remained in the care of one family since 1967 and features in-period Stage 2 conversion by Downton Engineering Works. The original steel wheels and hubcaps are included with the car and it shows less than 65,000 miles since new. It presents well in original condition and should be a very attractive option for an enthusiast seeking a 60s-era performance car at a reasonable price.
Estimate: £35,000 – £45,000