Author: Simon Kidston

Simon is from an old British motor-racing family. He started his career at Coys, leaving to co-found Bonhams Europe in Geneva. Over the next decade, he staged high-profile auctions around the world, branching out on his own in 2006 to found Kidston SA, a consultancy responsible for some of the larger deals you rarely hear about. Simon also judges at Pebble Beach and is “the voice” of the Villa d’Este Concours and the Mille Miglia.

Artistic Drive

“A roaring motor car … is more beautiful than the Victory of Samothrace.” — Filippo Marinetti, a founder of the Futurist art movement Picture the scene: a quaint cobbled London mews that once housed the horse stables of the Kensington aristocracy but had since become a mecca for classic-car collectors, […]

1994 McLaren F1

This F1 was built in 1994 and originally finished in Midnight Blue Pearl over a black interior and dispatched to its first owner in Japan. In 1999 the F1 was sold to a collector in Germany, and he returned the car to the factory in 2000 for a series of […]

1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV

Completed on October 29, 1971, this P400 SV, chassis no. 4912, was originally finished in Bleu Medio over a Pelle Bleu interior and was shipped new to the U.S. through Modena Car U.S.A. Notably, it was the only Miura SV to be finished in that color. It is one of […]

2018 Bugatti Chiron

This Chiron is the first U.S.-specification example ordered and is presented unregistered and in as-new condition. Finished in black with red highlights inside and out, as well as red brake calipers, this is a truly sinister-looking Chiron. As a brand-new car, it is still accompanied by its factory extended warranty. […]

1995 McLaren F1

Single-owner McLaren F1 Chassis 044, 37th off the assembly line The first fully federalized McLaren F1 to be imported to the U.S. One of seven U.S. F1s. Original Base Silver paint and black/gray Connolly leather The car was purchased new by the consignor in July 1996. He then embarked on […]

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing

Derived for sport, this aluminum Gullwing did not see competitive use. Completed on April 20, 1955, 5500208 was appropriately finished in metallic silver gray over a blue leather interior. The 300SL was also outfitted with Rudge wheels, the NSL motor and Plexiglas windows per aluminum-build specifications. On May 27, 1955, […]

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype

Chassis number: 0666 TR The development of the Ferrari 250 TR began in early 1957 with the car presented here, 0666 TR, which has the distinction of serving as the first prototype for the 250 Testa Rossa series. 0666 TR made its debut at the Nürburgring 1,000 Km, coming 6th […]

1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Prototype

A car, especially at auction, has to have that “wow” factor to excite bidders, and this one really did The Miura presented here is, quite simply, unlike any other. Issued production number 576, this Lamborghini represents the end result of a project undertaken by the factory’s chief development engineer and […]

1964 Porsche 904 Carrera

This was the last Porsche racer you could collect at the factory and drive home This Porsche, 904017, was one of 31 examples destined for American shores. Originally finished in silver with a blue velour interior, the 904 was sold to local Porsche dealer and successful racer Don Wester of […]

1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C Speciale Teardrop

Decried by some as vulgar when new—the British press notably nicknamed the coachwork “Phony and Flashy”—time has been kind to Figoni’s work. While all Teardrops were quite unique, chassis 90034 may well be the most unique of all. It is the only example built on the longer Lago Speciale chassis—some […]