David Cameron's old Fiat 500 sold at auction - but for how much?

A Fiat 500 L that was bought by David Cameron for his wife Samantha as a surprise birthday present in 1998 has once again shown that a famous former owner can make all the difference at auction.

The 1971 Fiat was sold for more than twice its guide price at last weekend’s sale hosted by Silverstone Auctions at The Footman James Classic Motor Show, with a hammer price of £18,480, well above its pre-auction estimate of £8,000.

Among the other lots at the 64-car sale were a jet black 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II (one of only 351 produced), which fetched £224,000, and a concours-winning 1997 Ferrari 456 GTA which was sold for £41,200.

Volkswagen Beetles fared well, too. Two models from the 1970s sold for £8,690 and £5,500, while two examples from the 1950s did even better, making £12,650 and £23,100.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auction, said: “We’re extremely proud of our achievements at this auction, the first of its type in the show’s history. It really was a fantastic success and we look forward to returning next year.

“Of course, David Cameron’s old car was always going to generate a great deal of interest because of its fascinating history but it was almost out performed by another 1971 Fiat 500 L, rebuilt to concours standard, which made £17,000. It surely proves that these stylish little cars are very desirable in their own right.”

Silverstone Auctions 2013 sale dates
23^rd February – Race Retro & Classic Car Sale, Stoneleigh Park

18^th May – HSCC International Trophy sale, Silverstone Race Circuit

27^th July – Silverstone Classic Sale, Silverstone Race Circuit

Early August – CarFest North, Cholmondeley Castle

Late August – CarFest South, Laverstoke Park Farm

16^th November – NEC Classic Motor Show sale, The NEC