A 1937 Mercedes-Benz roadster formerly owned by Bernie Ecclestone was sold for £3.85m ($8m), including commission, to an unnamed buyer on Wednesday in a London auction that served as a bellwether for continuing interest in high-end collectables.

The car, one of 44 vintage vehicles sold by the Formula One impresario in a cull of his collection, had been offered at the sale, held in Battersea Park, with a pre-auction estimate of £3.25m-£4m.