7 OF THE BEST TRACK TOYS SOLD ON COLLECTING CARS

As summer approaches in the northern hemisphere, track-day toys are beginning to emerge from their winter hibernation. While technologically advanced supercars take to country roads in the warmer months, the track-day faithful make pilgrimages to the likes of Cadwell Park, Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring, in no-frills, lightweight and circuit-focused machines.

Here we examine seven of the best track-day toys sold on Collecting Cars, including British icons, exhilarating roadsters, and even a custom classic.

2001 Lotus Exige S1

We begin with a staple of the track-day scene. The Lotus Exige was arguably the first track-focused model from the marque that could be driven to its owner’s favourite circuit in relative comfort – at least when compared to the likes of the Eleven and Seven models.

This 2001 Lotus Exige S1 was an impressive example of the engaging featherweight sports car, which was delivered new to the then Deputy Road Test Editor of Autocar, Chris Harris, as a ‘long termer’ vehicle – and he later bought the car from Lotus.

The Exige S1’s allure is not hard to appreciate when reviewing the details: a scant 780kg kerb weight, a power figure around 210bhp, a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, and very few driver aids gave the car a thrilling character. This car had covered just 20,112 miles from new and sold with a hammer price of ￡37,500 in May 2022.

1997 Renault Sport Spider

The Renault Sport Spider is a rare ‘no-frills’ French roadster and track car, built in very small numbers including just 96 known right-hand-drive examples.

Featuring an aluminium chassis with plastic composite bodywork and ‘scissor’ doors, this 1997 Renault Sport Spider was finished in blue as opposed to the more common Sport Yellow, and had covered just 5,140 miles from new. It has been acquired directly from the Renault UK press car fleet and was accompanied by an exceptional service history.

A 2.0-litre inline-four producing up to 148bhp, a 930kg kerb weight, double wishbone suspension, and 300mm ventilated disc brakes gave it the pedigree of a truly exploitable track-day companion. It was sold with a winning bid of ￡45,500.

1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Barchetta Modificato

While many cars in this list are a staple of the international track-day scene, this 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 'Barchetta Modificato' is certainly something rather different – but why should modern cars have all the fun?

Featuring a 2.0-litre inline-four with Weber carburettors, coupled to a four-speed manual transmission, this custom-built ‘1900 Barchetta Modificato’ was a stylish and curious alternative to the hardcore track toy.

The aluminium body wore alluring Alfa Red paintwork with cloverleaf decals on the front wings, while the tan leather-trimmed cabin oozed character. A bid of ￡77,500 was enough to add this eye-catching open-top classic sports car to its new owner’s collection.

2021 Ariel Atom 4

Looking for a more serious track toy? Since the year 2000, Somerset-based Ariel has been producing roofless, door-less, lightweight track machines, famed for face-warping speed.

This 2021 Ariel Atom 4 offered for sale by Collecting Cars in April 2021 was the latest evolution of the model lineage. Fitted with a 320hp 2.0-litre turbocharged Honda Type R engine and weighing just 595kg, the Atom 4 boasted a remarkable 538bhp per tonne, enough to humble all but the most focused of track-day machines.

Fresh from the factory, this Atom 4 had covered just 126 miles from new and had a desirable factory specification that included a limited-slip differential, adjustable Bilstein dampers and the aero screen, helping it to achieve a hammer price of ￡65,100.

2019 Radical Rapture

Some track-day cars focus on enjoyment over outright performance, opting for involving manual transmissions and simple controls, but this 2019 Radical Rapture is not such straightforward machine. Capable of reaching 60mph in 3 seconds and 100mph in just 8.4, this high-downforce racing-bred Radical was arguably as close as a road-legal car can get to being a fully-fledged racer.

A mid-mounted turbocharged 2.3-litre Ford EcoBoost inline-four reworked by Radical Performance Engines released 360bhp, driving the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential transaxle transmission with paddle shift, and a Quaife ATB differential.

The lightweight space-frame chassis featured an FIA-compliant safety cell and crash structure, adjustable rear diffuser and spoiler, and fully adjustable Nik-link suspension with bespoke Intrax Racing dampers. Presented in as-new condition, this Rapture attracted more than 50 bids and sold with a hammer price of ￡68,500 in April 2023.

2021 Caterham Seven 420 R

Like the Lotus Exige, the Caterham Seven is a track-day favourite, enjoyed by enthusiasts globally for its 'go-kart-like handling and its impressive but accessible performance.

This 2021 Caterham Seven 420R is one of the more hardcore iterations of the pared-back plaything. Powered by a naturally aspirated Ford Duratec 2.0-litre inline-four, delivering 210bhp to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission, this factory-built car was also specified with the ‘R’ pack, adding lightweight composite seats, various carbon-fibre parts, a lightweight flywheel, a limited-slip differential, race harnesses, and uprated brake master cylinder.

Finished in the Porsche hue of Slate Grey and possessing a remarkable power-to-weight ratio eclipsing even that of the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo, this Caterham achieved a hammer price of ￡39,999 in September 2023.

2017 Ultima Evolution LS7

While many track-day enthusiasts are happy to enjoy the delights of a factory-prepared machine, others take the hobby more personally.

This modified 2017 Ultima Evolution LS7 was fitted with a bespoke and upgraded naturally aspirated 7.0-litre ‘LS7’ V8 built and tuned to produce around 550bhp, coupled to a six-speed Porsche 997 Turbo-sourced manual transmission.

As well as powertrain improvements, an exceptional list of upgrades were present including rose-jointed adjustable suspension with three-way adjustable dampers, an uprated steering rack, an AP Racing braking system with four-piston callipers, carbon-fibre side scoops for enhanced cooling, a full carbon-fibre rear spoiler with carbon-fibre side fins, and lowered floors.

Finished in an understated black with triple titanium-effect racing stripes, this road-legal track-day toy attracted serious interest from thrill-seeking enthusiasts, selling for ￡65,500 in November 2023.

Searching for a new circuit-ready machine to add to your collection? Then then make sure to watch our Coming Soon section. Or, if you’ve got a track-day special ready to be enjoyed by a new enthusiast, get in touch with one of our Consignment Specialists today.