There was a clear winner at last weekend's H&H sale of classic cars.

The dedicated competition machinery auction formed an integral part of the 2011 Race Retro Show in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire and a 1950 E-Series Healey Silverstone emerged as the leading car on the day.

The road-going veteran of road rallies, classic races and hill climbs from Italy to the Isle of Man wowed the crowd and the classic car collectors, eventually changing hands for £121,000, well above its pre-sale estimate.

In the same ownership for the last 26 years, the blue "matching numbers" Healey has never required a comprehensive restoration, a prized feature among classic car investors.

Although it is unlikely to win the new owner any big races, it is widely regarded as being a good all-rounder, capable of gaining entry to blue riband events such as the Goodwood Revival and Mille Miglia Storica.

£121,000 took home this striking blue beauty

The Silverstone model is arguably the most famous Healey of all and was attracting fans back when it was first produced in 1949.

Bill Boddy, writing in Motorsport in November 1949, stated that the car "handles as well as any modern car we have driven and gives vivid acceleration and a maximum speed of over 100mph".

The car took part in Le Mans 24-heures Parade in 2007.