10 of the Best Roadsters sold on Collecting Cars

There are many different conclusions an enthusiast can reach when considering their favourite roadster, and a plethora of vehicles in which the wind-in-your-hair experience can be enjoyed.

We explore 10 different answers to the question of the best fair-weather companion from Collecting Cars’ Sold section; ranging from the relaxing to the exhilarating, and from elegant classics to aggressively styled supercars.

1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL ‘Pagoda’

We begin with the go-to response for many when asked of their perfect open-top classic cruiser – the Mercedes-Benz SL ‘Pagoda’. So-nicknamed thanks to its concave sloping removable hard top, this generation SL was a favourite among the rich and famous during its eight-year production run, with the 280 the most powerful iteration.

In August 2021, this stunning 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda was sold on Collecting Cars with a hammer price of ￡141,000. Finished in the elegant hue of Blue Metallic over an MB-Tex Blue vinyl cabin, this stylish cruiser had been treated to a no-expense-spared restoration between 2015 and 2017 using original Mercedes-Benz parts. It attracted an impressive 80 bids and more than 7,000 views before joining a new collection.

1995 Ferrari F355 Spider

A relaxing cruiser is not for everybody, and for many looking for more excitement, the appeal of the famous ‘Prancing Horse’ is too strong to ignore – despite the stories of exorbitant servicing costs, questionable reliability, and unobtainable parts littering internet forums and comment sections.

Sold in April 2023, this 1995 Ferrari F355 Spider was a particularly desirable supercar, finished in the iconic Rosso Corsa. Equipped with a mid-mounted 3.5-litre flat-plane-crank V8 producing 375bhp, this Ferrari had covered just 41,863 km from new, and was presented in excellent condition. It was sold from Switzerland to a new home for €65,000.

2020 Lamborghini Aventador LP770-4 SVJ Roadster

If elegant classics or analogue modern classic supercars aren’t for you, then perhaps a tech-laden, head-turning 759bhp Lamborghini is what you’re after.

One of just 800 examples built, the Lamborghini Aventador LP770-4 SVJ Roadster certainly isn’t for the faint of heart with a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 that revs to 8,500rpm. This example was sold from Hong Kong in January 2024 with a winning bid of ￡384,000.

Featuring extensive carbon-fibre to complement its Bronzo Zeras paintwork, this Lamborghini was ready to thrill as an exhilarating and ostentatious convertible supercar.

2003 Lotus Sport 111

On the other end of the sports car spectrum is this exceptionally rare 2003 Lotus Sport 111 – one of just 76 examples delivered worldwide, and understood to be among just six cars sold new in Australia. Its mid-mounted K-series 1.8 inline-four sends 116kW to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

Developed by Lotus Sport and Performance in collaboration with the Lotus Ride and Handling team, the Sport 111 was produced as a track-focused version of the popular sports car. It featured a unique high-strength roof hoop, revised Bilstein suspension with stiffer bump and rebound settings, adjustable dampers, stiffer anti-roll bar, and an F1-style rear diffuser.

Benefiting from regular maintenance throughout its life, this example sold for a winning bid of AUD$44,000 in March 2023.

1932 Ford Model B Roadster

For lovers of Americana and those not afraid of sudden downpours, an open-top hot rod might be just the car you’re looking for. This striking 1932 Ford Model B Roadster offered on Collecting Cars in March 2021 was transformed into a custom ‘Hi-Boy’ hot rod by well-regarded UK enthusiast, Bob Wellstead, and featured remarkably rare ‘Henry Ford’ steel bodywork.

It was powered by a supercharged 4.6-litre (284ci) Ford ‘French’ flathead V8 built by the renowned Royal Kustoms, driving the rear wheels via a five-speed Tremec TKO500 manual transmission with a Centreforce dual friction clutch.

A bid of ￡57,000 secured this exciting and bespoke hot rod for its new owner, who is sure to enjoy its burbling V8 and period styling under clear skies.

1999 Honda S2000

Much like the Lotus Elise, this Honda S2000 sold in August 2022 was a popular ‘driver’s car’, featuring a 2.0-litre VTEC inline-four with a 9,000rpm redline and one of the most celebrated manual transmissions ever fitted to a production car.

Finished in the vibrant hue of Formula Red, this S2000 remained original and unmodified, had covered just 17,178 km from new.

The driver-focused cabin featured comfortable black leather seats and air conditioning, making it a more enticing daily driver than the Elise. It attracted strong interest, and was sold for a winning bid of AUD$62,751.

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

Another exciting roadster that could be enjoyed daily; this vibrant, mid-engined 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider was offered on Collecting Cars in March 2022.

The 4C Spider featured carbon-fibre, aluminium, and composite parts in order to keep its weight under 1,000 kilograms, while a 1.75-litre turbocharged inline-four sent power to the rear wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch ‘TCT’ transmission with paddle shift.

Finished in the lesser-seen hue of Giallo Prototipo and fitted with the desirable ‘Cloverleaf’ alloy wheels, this example benefitted from the optional Alfa Romeo sports exhaust system, a modified engine ECU, and an upgraded gearbox ECU, as well as upgraded caster plates. It found a winning bid of ￡42,351.

1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

Moving far away from daily drivers, this 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster represented one of the most coveted of classic sports cars.

Widely regarded as the first true supercar, the 300 SL was technologically revolutionary at the time of its launch, and was admired by wealthy enthusiasts for its bold design and powerful straight-six. Trading the gullwing doors for open-air thrills, the Roadster’s engine was also tuned to help offset its 130 kilogram weight increase.

Sold on Collecting Cars in March 2023, with more than 18,000 viewers during the auction, this elegant and largely original 300 SL Roadster had scope for the next owner to improve the car, and it sold with a remarkable hammer price of ￡833,500.

2000 Lotus 340R

The summer months are the most popular for track days, and the lowered risk of continuous rainfall makes a car like this 2000 Lotus 340R an attractive option for the circuit-addict enthusiast.

Weighing just 701 kilograms and powered by the familiar 1.8-litre Rover K-Series inline-four, the Elise-based 340R offers a raw and engaging driving experience. Just 340 examples were produced featuring a bespoke lightweight bodyshell, no doors, and no roof, extreme weight-saving even by Lotus standards.

This example had been refinished in Azure Blue, and upgraded to a 190bhp power output. It was also equipped with an oil cooler, AP Racing clutch, Eibach springs, and a 2bular exhaust system. Offered in track-ready condition, it was bookmarked by watchers more than 80 times, and went on to sell for €39,750.

1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 ‘Flat Floor’ 3.8 Roadster

We’ve explored comfortable cruisers, vocal Italian supercars, lightweight B-road toys, and track-day specials. However, our final entry in this round-up is another popular response from many enthusiasts – the Jaguar E-Type.

Since its introduction in 1961, all three iterations of the iconic roadster have been revered for their muscular engines and curvaceous good looks. This 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster offered on Collecting Cars in August 2022 was one of only 400 right-hand drive ‘Flat Floor’ cars and incredibly had just two keepers from new; the first of which kept the car for some 50 years.

The beneficiary of a meticulous ￡175,000 restoration in 2015, its sweeping bonnet housed the numbers-matching 3.8-litre straight-six, fed by triple SU carburettors and paired with an upgraded five-speed manual transmission.

Adorned in Carmen Red with a black soft top and a black leather-trimmed interior, this iconic British open-top sports car found its third keeper with a winning bid of ￡148,500.

Sell your sports car online

Many enthusiasts will always yearn for an open-top driving experience, and as we’ve shown in this far-reaching round-up, there are myriad options when it comes to desirable roadsters for all budgets. If you have a stylish, exciting, or rare sports car that is ready to be enjoyed by a new owner, then contact our Consignment Team to find out how we can help you get a great result at auction.