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What does a white Ferrari Testarossa remind you of?

If I see a white Ferrari Testarossa, one TV show comes to mind, the hit series Miami Vice where after his black Ferrari Daytona (a replica based on a Corvette by the way) was blown up and Crocket received a confiscated black Ferrari Testarossa as a replacement, because the black car might have been recognized by thugs, the Miami Police Department decided to repaint the car to white on a tan leather interior, making this specific combination very popular next to the classic Ferrari red.

So when I spotted this BringATrailer auction for a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa, I immediately went back decades and remembered watching Miami Vice on the television one day a week, before I actually bought the entire DVD box with all seasons combined … yep, DVD was the best of the best at that time, I even had a VHS player at one point and several Lamborghini Countach posters on my bedroom walls, the counterpart for the Ferrari Testarossa that was built between 1984 and 1991.

One of the typical features on the white Ferrari Testarossa used for the Miami Vice show was the ‘flying mirror’, the single exterior rearview mirror that was mounted high up on the windshield sill, and only on the driver side … this mirror design was only used on very early production models of the Testarossa, in 1986 Ferrari switched to a more normal position and added a passenger-side mirror too, the car on auction right now is a 1987 model, so she comes with the two mirror setup, but she does have the tan interior too.

Remember we are looking at a car that is 34 years old now, chassis ZFFSG17A8H0072019 now shows about 47,000 miles on the counter and comes with a clean California title, styled by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti, the Ferrari Testarossa comes with the massive side intake with ‘streaks’ that made this car instantly recognizable, and as we are looking at a supercar from the Eighties, we still get popup headlights with four lamps in total.

Naturally, we are looking at a five-speed manual gearbox delivering power to the center-lock Cromodora wheels in a mere 16-inch tall version, covered with Dunlop SP Sport tires at 225/50 and 255/50 to the front and rear respectively, a power which comes from the famous 4.9-Liter flat-12 engine with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection, good for 380 hp to the rear wheels only, note that Ferrari already had a four-valve per cylinder setup on the Testarossa from the start, Lamborghini answered with the Countach Quattrovalvole in 1985, now with 455 hp.

On the inside of this Bianco Ferrari Testarossa, we find a natural tan leather interior, the seat bolsters have been redone so they look amazing again, this car comes with power windows, air conditioning, and that stunning gated shifter with the satisfying ‘clunk’ when changing gears while you admire the Veglia Borletti tachometer with her redline at 6,800 rpm, the speedometer inside this Testarossa goes all the way up to 200 mph.

When you open the front hood on the Testarossa you actually gain access to a rather large luggage compartment, trimmed in tan carpet, it can hold quite some material, with the engine behind the occupants, the front made for a nice space to fit bags or other paraphernalia, in style naturally.

This car is now listed at auction by a dealer who bought the car in 2020, the main service has been performed in 2018 by the previous owner that had the car located in California and Georgia before selling it to New Jersey, the Ferrari Testarossa is a classic supercar from a bygone era, together with the Lamborghini Countach and the G-Series Porsche Turbo, these three cars left a mark in the life of an entire generation, and those side streaks became a trademark for Ferrari at that time, using them on the 348 models too.

At the time of writing the bids went up to $95,000 at the BringATrailer auction, which does sound like an interesting deal on such an iconic car, if you are interested in adding this classic to your collection, you should head over to the listing now, as it will end in a matter of hours … good luck.

October 19, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Z8, BMW’s rarest modern convertible

There has been a brief period in time when James Bond, the famous UK spy didn’t drive an Aston Martin anymore but instead switched to BMW for transportation, In Tomorrow Never Dies he got behind the wheel of a large, four-door BMW 750iL while in Goldeneye he did drive an Aston Martin DB5 briefly but the ‘gadget loaded car in this instance was a BMW Z3, still, the best was yet to come, in The World is not enough he drove an absolutely stunning BMW Z8, and that’s the car we’re discussing here.

Well, not really the screen used Bond BMW Z8, that would be a problem as the car got cut in half in the movie, but a similar-looking 2002 model currently listed at auction on BringATrailer, at the time of writing, with six days left, the bids have gone up to $135,000, which isn’t bad as the original MSRP back in the early 2000s was $128,000 already, making this the most expensive car from BMW at the time, but I’m sure the bids will continue to rise as previous sales of BMW Z8 went above the $200,000 mark, one specific Z8 even sold for as much as $296,000 in August 2021.

The BMW Z8 was actually the production version of the Z07 concept car unveiled in 1997 at the Tokyo Auto Salon, as an homage to the classic BMW 507 Roadster built between 1956 and 1959, a car that has become extremely valuable today, especially with celebrity ownership on some of these, none other than Elvis Presley owned a BMW 507, it is believed there are just 202 BMW 507 in the world today, a far cry from the number made of the Z8 between 2000 and 2003.

In 1998 BMW also presented the Z07 concept as a coupe, but that one didn’t get developed further, instead, BMW focussed on the Z8, internal code E52, as a high-end production roadster, available with a removable hardtop, but still a two-seater convertible, just like the 507 from the Fifties, with a little over 5,700 units leaving the BMW factory between 2000 and 2003, but that wasn’t the end for the Z8, Alpina took over from 2003 calling it the Alpina Roadster V8, actually the last BMW 28 left the assembly line in November 2002.

This makes this specific, Titanium Silver Metallic 2002 model, currently listed on BringATrailer, a car from the final production year, with just 24,000 miles on the clock, this 4.9-Liter V8 beauty comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox delivering about 400 hp to the rear wheels only, a car that requires some respect when driving in the rain with those massive 295/30 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on the rear wheels, which are custom 20-inch Style 101 Multi-spoke wheels, the car does come with the original wheels the seller states.

This 2002 BMW Z8 comes complete with the color-matched hardtop, a special stand to keep said hardtop safe in your garage, and even a cover to keep the dust off, other than that this specific Z8 has received a few non-factory modifications, like adjustable H&R sway bars, a Performance Package front strut bar, a UUC short-shift kit, an Audiovox MediaBridge, and Eisenmann mufflers … I’m sure that big V8 rumbles even louder now.

The seller does mention the front bumper has been resprayed in the correct Titanium Silver Metallic (354) shade, but that was done to close up the holes the previous seller had drilled in the bumper to fit a license plate, after that the entire car was wrapped in XPEL PPF, Paint Protection Film so this modern-day classic’s paint will remain in pristine condition for years to come.

This is my personal opinion, but think the BMW Z8 is the most beautiful, sensual looking modern BMW, sure she’s nearly 20 years old now, but you can hardly tell, this is a virtually timeless design, a classic look, inspired by a car from the Fifties, resurrected in the 2000s, but still amazing looking today. There are some impressive cars from BMW in their 2021 lineup, and some are even more expensive than this 20-year old topless beauty … but for me, none of the ‘new’ BMW even come close to the Z8, not now, not ever.

September 19, 2021 / Comments Off

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Mecum auction reaches $36.8 Million in sales

The supercar and collector’s car market is still at a massive high at this moment, and that’s reflected in the latest auction results from Mecum when they held their annual auction event at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, a total of 1,101 cars passed the auction block, and they managed to sell 86% of those to happy new owners, in total 946 cars changed hands during this four-day event, reaching $36.8 million.

Mecum Auctions is the world’s largest collector car auction company, as usual, the Dallas auction offered cars for just about any kind of customer, from classic muscle cars over custom-made cars right up to supercars, and this time the best-selling car at the auction was made in Italy, a Verde Scandal over Nero Cosmos 2019 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ with a mere 3,150 miles on the clock … selling for a massive $660,000, despite the fact she came on custom, non-standard, center-lock wheels.

The runner-up on the sales list went for a little over half as much, at $357,500, a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback changed owners, finished in an amazing looking Grabber Green, this specific Boss had a Concours frame-off restoration by a nationally recognized Boss restoration facility, this amount makes it very clear once again these classic muscle cars are becoming very expensive to add to your garage.

This is also made clear by the third place on the top list for this auction, a 1968 Ford Mustang GT500CR 900C Fastback that changed hands for $335,500, a car from the Triple B Collection, finished in red over black with the traditional white stripes, this one being serial no. SCR-0100 only had 378 miles since completion, this classic shattered her estimate between $250,000 to $275,000.

The complete top 10 collector car sales at the 2021 Dallas auction include:
1. 2019 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ (Lot S154) at $660,000
2. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback (Lot S138) at $357,500
3. 1968 Ford Mustang GT500CR 900C Fastback (Lot S77.1) at $335,500
4. 1956 Chevrolet 210 Custom (Lot S133) at $253,000
5. 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible (F119.1) at $220,000
6. 2002 BMW Z8 Roadster (S95) at $211,750
7. 1966 RCR Ford GT40 Replica (Lot S126) at $203,500
8. 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith (Lot S193) at $203,500
9. 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro (Lot S116) at $200,750
10. 1999 Shelby Series 1 Roadster (S130.1) at $189,750

One that didn’t make it onto this top ten list is a 427 ci, 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, and while we aren’t allowed to call it after the famous car from the Nicolas Cage remake, one look at the photo and you immediately know what I’m talking about here. The hammer came down at $170,500 on this professional build that took three years to complete, originally a 351 Windsor engine but built to 427 CI by Performance Masters.

Next up is Las Vegas, where Mecum Auctions will be in early October with a 7,000-Mile Ford GT from 2006 as the highlight among 247 cars that will pass the auction block, if you’re in the market for an amazing collector’s item for your garage, make sure to check them out, and if you can’t make it to Vegas at that time, you might miss out on the chance of a lifetime.

September 18, 2021 / Comments Off

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The million dollar Ford GT

At this moment there is an auction running on BringATrailer for a 2019 Ford GT, and with six days still remaining on the auction, the current bid is already a healthy $1,000,000 … this black Ford GT is a seven-figure car, and this price might still go up over the next six days … it is clear the supercar market is still on a high, and prices for special, desirable cars are going strong.

On the other hand, this isn’t just another 2019 Ford GT, chassis 2FAGP9CW3KH200017 has covered only 500 miles since the owner acquired her brand new from Kalispell Ford of Kalispell, Montana, where she was configured as a ‘special-order’, $40,000 paint option of matte black paint with alloy overtop stripes, for the interior the owner went with a combination of black and orange for the ‘Launch Control’ interior.

Power comes from the 3.5-Liter EcoBoost V6 with twin-turbochargers with an output of 647 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque going to the rear wheels only through a Getrag seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle to a $15,000 set of carbon fiber 20-inch wheels that even come with titanium lug nuts and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, 245/35 at the front and 325/30 at the rear, covering orange-finished, six-piston Brembo calipers with 15.5” carbon-ceramic discs up front, and four-piston rear calipers with 14.1” discs.

Additional specifications on this specific Ford GT include a lightweight Gorilla Glass windshield, butterfly doors, the retractable active rear wing, matte carbon-fiber exterior trim, and a rear diffuser. The entire matte black paint has been wrapped in Xpel paint protection film to keep that non-gloss paint in perfect condition for years.

The window sticker is still with this rare supercar, and it clearly shows the factory colors, options, and standard equipment. It also shows delivery to Kalispell Ford in Montana and a total MSRP of $612,695, in six days we’ll be able to see how much this low-mileage example of the impressive Ford GT will change owners for.

June 14, 2021 / Comments Off

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First customer McLaren P1 listed at auction

Let’s go back in time … to 2013 to be exact, the time when McLaren unveiled the long-awaited successor to their legendary F1 road car … the McLaren P1, a car from a new generation of hybrid hypercars like the Ferrari Enzo and the Porsche 918, her main competitors at that time, a limited production run of only 375 McLaren P1 would be built, making her an instant part of British Automotive history, a halo car many dream about, especially as it came with an MSRP of $1,350,000, but adding MSO options could quickly push that amount beyond $1,600,000 … 8 years ago, and those few units that passed the auction block already regularly break the $2,000,000 barrier these days.

But this bright yellow over black McLaren P1, chassis SBM12ABB1EW000023 is a bit special, finished in Volcano Yellow over a black leather interior with an Alcantara dashboard is in fact the very first customer registered P1 in the world, as stated in a personal letter, dated 9th October 2013, from Frank Stephenson, the McLaren P1 designer to the first owner of this specific car, delivered in the UK, this P1 is a Left Hand Drive car, as due to the very limited production numbers, McLaren never even built the P1 in RHD, all of the 375 McLaren P1 are LHD.

In fact, clients could start ordering the McLaren P1 only from October 2013 … by November 2013 all of the 375 units were sold out, making the P1 an instant collector’s item on the automotive scene, powered by a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 coupled to an electric motor, the total output was 903 bhp (727bhp from the V-8 and 176bhp from the electric engine). with her unique aerodynamics, including adjustable front and rear wings providing as much as 600kg of downforce at 160 mph, performance was incredible: 100 km/h took just 2.8 seconds, 200km/h was reached in 6.8 seconds, while 300km/h came after only 16.5 seconds, the top speed of the McLaren P1 was a mouthwatering 217mph (347kph).

This extremely rare McLaren P1 underwent all her maintenance and care in the hands of official McLaren dealerships in the UK, and while this car now had two owners, both were from the same family, she crossed only 3,666 miles since 2013 but still had her Hybrid battery replaced in 2018, and underwent her most recent service at McLaren Birmingham in 2020, this special McLaren P1 is ready to be driven.

When Jeremy Clarkson, from the famous BBC Top Gear program, was able to test drive a black McLaren P1 on the famous F1 circuit of Spa Francorchamps in Belgium during the second show of the 21st series, he described the P1 as “A game-changer, a genuinely new chapter in the history of motoring”, take a look at a clip from that episode here:

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Silverstone Auctions The May Sale 2021 – Classic Cars and Classic Motorcycles will have this yellow McLaren P1 up for auction on May 22nd, with an estimate between £885,000 and £985,000 (that’s $1,250,000 to $1,400,000) which sounds like a steal considering the MSRP back in 2013, so this might be your chance to get hold of a hypercar at a bargain, relatively speaking.

If you’re looking for more, detailed information about the 2013 McLaren P1 take a look at our ultimate guide to the McLaren P1.

May 11, 2021 / Comments Off

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FOR SALE: 1992 Jaguar XJ220

Today, it’s only appropriate we feature a stunning supercar that has a strong British heritage. This beautiful 1992 Jaguar XJ220 will be hitting the prestigious auction block of Historics Auctioneers on April 17, 2021. This fine specimen comes finished in Silverstone Green Metallic with grey leather interior and has 22,691 km (14,100 miles) on the odometer.

The early 1990s were not fun times as far as supercar sales were concerned. Some would say that the most successful companies, were the ones who did not release a car during those tough times. However, Jaguar was one of the few that was determined to prevail with its latest creation – the stunning Jaguar XJ220. The XJ220 was even able to hold a production car speed record for a moment before production was cut short to 282 units due to the global recession.

This left-hand-drive example, car number 97 from the XJ220’s limited production, has been thoroughly recommissioned by the world-renowned XJ220 guru, Don Law. He performed a six-year service, new timing belts, replaced all the seals and gaskets on the twin-turbo V6 engine, overhauled the brake system, as well additional odds and ends. This work was completed in October 2020 and costed a total of £31,760.03 ($85,000).

Historics Auctioneers have projected the sale of the XJ220 to fetch between £325,000 and £375,000 ($446,000 – $515,000). These figures would have been tough to hit a decade ago but in the last few years, they have started to become the normal amount for this underappreciated 90s icon. When compared to a Testarossa, E30 M3, or other euros from the 1990s, the XJ220s value hasn’t gone wild yet but has plenty of room to grow.

April 9, 2021 / Comments Off

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A 2002 Lotus Esprit V8

Ever since I saw The Spy Who Loved Me, where secret agent James Bond drives the first version of the 1977 Lotus Esprit into the sea and turned it into a submarine, I’ve been a fan … when he used a Copper Fire Metallic with gold stripes and decals Esprit Turbo with skis on the rear hatch in For Your Eyes Only I was hooked completely.

A Lotus Esprit was regarded as a supercar, a sportscar, but it didn’t come with a massive V8 or an exclusive V12, an Esprit came with a four-cylinder engine, 2.0-liter engine with a mere 160 hp in Europe, for the US these came with only 140 hp, these Series 1 models managed a top speed of about 214 km/h (133 mph).

From 1980 on the Lotus Esprit Turbo came with 210 hp which resulted in a top speed of 241 km/h (150 mph), so finally, we were talking about a sports car in every sense of the word, low, wide, and fast, towards the late 80s a complete exterior redesign led to the X180 version, much rounder in styling compared to the earlier models, this one would evolve into the S4 model, which would be the final Lotus Esprit version, still with a four-cylinder engine.

Things really changed in 1996, when Lotus released the Esprit V8 model, with two Garrett T25/60 turbochargers power output grew to 350 hp and showed acceleration figures from 0–97 km/h (60 mph) in 4.4 seconds while the top speed of 282 km/h (175 mph) could be reached, in 2002 a final restyling effort was made by installing round taillights.

The Lotus Esprit would be in production for a total of 28 years, the final Lotus Esprit ever built was completed on February 20, 2004, after 10,675 units the last one was delivered to the customer in Chicago, the USA, but some are more valuable than others, especially one of only 100 units built in 2002 as a 25th Anniversary edition, with each of the cars numbered … how would you feel about owing nr 001/100?

This unique car is currently listed for sale at BringATrailer, the online auction site, finished in silver metallic (like the Lotus Esprit from Pretty Woman) over a black leather interior, chassis #SCCDC08282HA10344 shows only 19,000 miles and comes with a replacement V8 engine, and sits on amazing looking 17-inch wheels up front and 18-inch wheels at the rear.

Sadly a classic car like this failed California emissions tests and subsequently cannot be sold to a private party from California, which is a pity as this one comes with a removable roof panel to offer open-top motoring with that impressive twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V8 engine just behind your ears and a five-speed gear lever in the palm of your hand..

March 29, 2021 / Comments Off

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1999 VECTOR M-12

I still remember watching a movie called ‘Rising Sun’, where one of the lead characters was driving a red Vector W8, I absolutely loved it, and at that time didn’t know too much about that car, so I researched it, turns out this futuristic-looking car was the brainchild of Gerald Wiegert, who founded Vector Aeromotive Corporation and built 17 customer cars of his Vector W8 between 1989 and 1993.

Powered by a 6.0-Liter Rodeck twin-turbocharged (Garrett) V8 engine coupled to a GM 3-Speed Turbo-Hydramatic gearbox, the 625hp at 8 psi could be raised to 1,400 hp with a dial in the interior that set the psi at 14 … the prototype reached a top speed of 242 mph (389 km/h) on the Bonneville Salt Flats … and that was in the Eighties!

1999 VECTOR M-12 – photo courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auctions

Vector Aeromotive Corporation went into receivership in 1993 but emerged as Vector Motors Corporation in 1995, complete with a new car, the Vector M12, and here is where things get interesting in history. The Vector W8 used the W from Wiegert’s own name, and the 8 for the V8 engine, but by 1995 Gerald Wiegert no longer owned Vector Motors, a group called Megatech, from Indonesia, took over, they even moved the entire operation from Wilmington, California to Green Cove Springs, Florida, where Megatech also housed the US branch of Automobili Lamborghini SpA.

So the M12 name comes from Megatech and the fact there’s a V12 engine behind the occupants, severing the connection with Gerald Wiegert, and that massive V12 was sourced from none other than Lamborghini! That’s right, the Vector M12 came with a Lamborghini Diablo engine, which shouldn’t be a big surprise, because at that time Megatech also owned Automobili Lamborghini SpA, they bought the Italian supercar company from Chrysler in 1994, only to sell to Audi AG in July of 1998, who still own it today.

The Vector M12 was a redesign by Peter Stevens of the Vector AWX-3, and used mainly Lamborghini Diablo sourced mechanics, most importantly the V12 engine, 5,707cc with 492hp and 576 Nm of torque, which was the Diablo VT unit, not the more powerful Diablo SE30 or Diablo SV engine, still the Vector M12 could reach a top speed of 304 km/h (189 mph) with an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, for comparison, the 1994 Diablo VT would reach 328 km/h (204 Mph) and get to 100 km/h in 4.09 seconds.

It seems Megatech managed to ship several Diablo engines from Italy between 1995 and 1998 before they sold the company to Audi AG, so they made three pre-production prototypes for development and preparation for a production run of 14 customer cars, the car coming up for auction later this month seems to be #12 of only 14 ever made, being a 1999 model is was built when Megatech didn’t own Lamborghini anymore, so their source for V12 engines dried up and production of the Vector M12 would be halted shortly after this black on red unit was finished.

The current owner of Vector M12 chassis #1V9MB1224X1048010 states this car was ordered by none other than the Prince of Brunei, who we all know has a vast car collection, finished in an intimidating black paint combined with a bright red leather interior, it is unclear if the car was ever delivered to Brunei, but today this rare supercar is located in the United States, in late 2019 Scuderia Automotive Service performed an engine-out service on the V12, complete with an upgraded ceramic flywheel.

The listing also mentions the interior was modified to offer more room for a taller driver and passenger, while they added a more Italian supercar-style look-and-feel while still retaining the original layout and design, and while not original anymore, it does look amazing nonetheless.

With only 14 Vector M12 ever made, and the fact they rarely change hands on the open market, chances are this black US-made supercar from the late Nineties will not go cheap, if you are interested in adding this rare car to your collection, make sure to follow the Barrett-Jackson auction.

March 15, 2021 / Comments Off

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2006 Ford GT Heritage

We all remember the very impressive Ford GT40 from the 1960s, winning Le Mans four consecutive years from 1966 to 1969, I guess most of us have seen the movie about the competition between Ford and Ferrari at that time, and to celebrate Ford’s centennial they created a more modern interpretation of those glorious race cars … the 2005 and 2006 Ford GT, in just two years of production they made a total of 4,038 units, making these modern-day classics rare, and expensive today, and they weren’t cheap to begin with, the MSRP was $149,995 in 2006.

The ‘new’ Ford GT came with a dry-sump 5.4-Liter V8 engine fitted with a twin-screw supercharger from Lysholm delivering 550 hp to the rear wheels only, a six-speed transmission was fitted, acceleration figures were 3.3 seconds from 0 to 60 mph with a top speed of 205 mph … this was a very fast Ford back in 2005.

If we look at listings for a 2006 Ford GT the price has doubled since new, most of them are around the $300,000 mark today, some a little cheaper, most of them near $350,000 and more … in 2006 a total of 2,011 Ford GT were made, but for that final year there was a special option available, the limited-production Heritage Paint Livery Package edition … only 343 units were sold with this specific option.

If you selected this option, your Ford GT would be finished in ‘Heritage Blue’ and feature those impressive ‘Epic Orange’ stripes, the cars also came four white roundels to which the owner could add a number of their liking. This special livery took inspiration from the GT40 that won Le Mans in both 1968 and 1969, chassis number 1075, which featured the now famous ‘Gulf Oil’ sponsorship.

And if you missed out on the Ford GT back in 2006, you now have a second chance as RM | Sotheby’s has one of these Ford GT Heritage listed for their Amelia Island auction on May 22, 2021. What makes this specific Ford GT Heritage, chassis 1FAFP90S26Y400783 even more interesting, is the fact it only has 2.7 miles on the odometer, this is basically a brand new, time capsule 2006 Ford GT Heritage, and it’s only 1 of 50 that were available in Canada.

This specific Ford GT Heritage was sold in Canada, which makes it slightly different from US market cars, all Canadian cars were sold with the optional forged wheels, the gray-painted brake calipers, and the regular stereo, Canadian customers couldn’t request the ‘stripe delete’ option, nor the McIntosh CD stereo system. On the other hand, Canadian Ford GT all came with daytime running lights, different foam in the front bumper, and a rear bumper that protrudes more than on US-spec models.

This is one of only a handful of remaining Ford GT that are still considered to be ‘new’, this specific one still has the driver’s seat, the steering wheels, and the door sills protected by the factory–original wrapping, it doesn’t get any newer than that. Naturally, all the original factory documentation is still present, as are the keys and user manuals … but also the original box of accessories that came with the car when new, including the set of roundel numbers in their original box.

At the time of writing, I found one other 2006 Ford GT Heritage listed for sale, in West Palm Beach, FL (which makes it a US-Spec car probably), a car with 978 miles, listed at $479,900. And while there isn’t an estimate listed for the RM Sotheby’s auction listing yet, I wonder if this Canadian one with even fewer miles will reach that number, or sell for an even higher amount.

February 27, 2021 / Comments Off

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1966 SHELBY COBRA 427 SUPER SNAKE

I have to admit, I rather like the Shelby Cobra, putting a massive V8 engine into a lightweight body, styled like these are … a Cobra looks sexy. And they are demanding a serious bank account to add to your garage, just read up on our story on Carroll Shelby’s personal 427 Cobra Chassis CSX3178, that sold for $5,940,000 at the Mecum Kissimmee auction in January 2021 … but this one might fetch an even higher bid at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in late March .

This car is a unique Cobra, CSX 3015 is one of only 23 original 427 Competition Roadster, and it is the only surviving 1966 Super snake, back in 2015 this specific car sold for $5,100,000 at auction, we’re six years down the road now, so chances are this Guardsman Blue beauty will be even more expensive this time around.

Craig Jackson, CEO of Barrett-Jackson:

“This is the ultimate, it was made to go kick Ferrari’s ass on the street after just doing it on the track.”

Not only does this specific Shelby Cobra come with a 427ci V8 engine, it also has two Paxton superchargers fitted by Caroll Shelby himself, because of the massive power, he also had to fit a 3-speed automatic transmission … this Super Snake was fast … extremely fast … 190 mph is no problem at all behind the wheel of this Super Snake.

Chassis CSX 3015 was actually shipped to the UK in September 1965, together with CSX 3014 and two R-model Shelbys, both CSX chassis were original 427 Competition roadsters, these didn’t have mufflers, nor a windshield, nor any bumpers, these were Competition models, race cars … and these weren’t street legal.

The CSX 3015 came back from Europe in late 1966, still in her factory original Competition form, but in 1967 Caroll Shelby turned her into a Super Snake, and turned her into a Cobra 427 SC model (for Semi-Competition), adding mufflers and a windshield, thus making the car legal to drive on the open road. In fact all Cobra 427 SC models were street-legal, but most of them only saw a track during their lifetime.

There was a second Super Snake built, based on a 1967 427 road car, chassis CSX 3303 was initially a public relations car, but Shelby America converted her into a Super Snake too, sold to a dealer in San Fransisco after which she ended up with Tony Maxey … unfortunately both Tony and CSX 3303 got involved in a serious, lethal accident, the car was a total-loss, which makes CSX 3015 the only Super Snake in the world.

Today chassis CSX 3015 is considered a genuine Competition roadster with original body (which is different from other Cobra 427 SC models), and includes the 1967 Super Snake hood, the Girling CR and BR calipers are still date coded to 1965, and the original 377 rear end with oil cooler and pumps are genuine 427 Competition spec.

The 5m17 427ci V8 engine block is date-coded to December 17, 1965, with the original headers and those impressive, chrome side pipes … the estimate for this unique Cobra 427 Super Snake is set between $5,000,000 and $8,000,000 … and I couldn’t have put it any better than Craig Jackson himself, when he stated:

“This car is a very special car, it’s Carroll’s personal car, one he built for himself. You just don’t get any rarer than that.”

February 20, 2021 / Comments Off

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Porsche 930 Turbo SE G50 ‘Flachbau’ Cabriolet

Anyone who followed the ‘World Championship of Makes’ (essentially an International championship for long-distance Sports Car racing), will remember their surprise at the shape of the new Porsche 935 when it first appeared at Mugello in March 1976. Subsequently, these ‘Flatnose’ 935s and 936s (in Group 6) were to prove very competitive in the hands of Ickx, Mass and Stommelen and during the next two seasons managed four victories in eight World Championship races and a triumph at Le Mans in each year.

However, Porsche began to worry that all these victories by the works Flatnose cars might alienate the vast number of private clients who were investing their own money in conventionally-shaped competition 911s, and decided to restrict their efforts for 1978 to an entry at Le Mans.

The distinctive look of the “Flachbau” (literally translated as Low Build) obviously retained its appeal in the minds of their road car customers and, from 1981 until early 1989, Porsche 930 Turbo buyers could specify their car in this style to special order. Just 50 ‘C16’ cars were manufactured for the UK-market, initially equipped with an uprated engine of 330bhp (from 300) mated to a 4-speed transmission. However, at the end of 1988, the uprated 5-Speed G50 gearbox was introduced, dramatically easing the peaks in power delivery by reducing the effects of ‘turbo-lag’. The factory SE also benefited from a dual-exit exhaust system, limited-slip differential, heated front seats and a sunroof.

This example is a genuine, factory-produced, C-16, Porsche 930 Turbo SE G50 Cabriolet built in 1989 under the ‘Sonderwunchprogramm’ (Special Wishes Programme). It’s superbly finished in White Pearl with a matching leather interior and has covered just 33,168 miles in the hands of three private owners prior to spending time in two of the highest-profile exclusive collections in the UK since 2014.

It’s supplied with an extensive history file detailing expenditure of over £45,000 lavished on this stunning Porsche during 2017 to ensure that it presents today in the best possible condition for an enthusiast or collector alike. The history file also contains all its previous MOTs and the service book displays sixteen service stamps helping to corroborate the indicated mileage.

With only seven C-16 examples of this specific model produced in 1989, this really is the ‘Holy Grail’ when considering a 930 and we would welcome any inspection of this rather special Porsche.

The Right Hand Drive on this specific Porsche might limit the possible market for it, but I still think Silverstone Auctions will find a buyer for this one, I personally really love this generation of Porsche, and a Slantnose Convertible is just the ultimate one … I even had a 1/18 scale model of this exact spec, white on white … but it was a LHD.

February 20, 2021 / Comments Off

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Classic Bugatti cars achieved record results at auctions in 2020

Bugatti vehicles have always been exclusive. But as their age increases, so does their value – as shown by an analysis carried out by Classic Analytics, a company specializing in international market analysis and valuation of classic cars worldwide. “Bugattis from the Ettore and Jean Bugatti era, especially in their original condition and with a history of racing, have always been among the most expensive classic cars on the market. This trend has held steady and in fact, even increased despite the general decline in interest in pre-war vehicles,” says Frank Wilke, Managing Director of Classic Analytics. Classic Analytics belongs to the Hagerty Group, the largest classic car service provider in the USA. The top ten ranking is based on an internal auction database in which all international classic car auctions over the course of a year are observed and evaluated.

“The current situation has certainly brought about a change in the auction market, from face-to-face to online auctions. But prices for exclusive, classic vehicles remain stable at a high level,” says Frank Wilke. “Every historic Bugatti vehicle is unique. Those built between 1920 and the end of the 1930s set standards in both performance and design. But this year’s auctioned vehicles were particularly outstanding in terms of history and originality,” Wilke explains.

“This year certainly presented challenges, but it opened the door for Gooding & Company to create new opportunities to maintain our connection with our automotive community and enthusiasts around the world,” says David Gooding, Gooding & Company President and Founder. “We held our first-ever UK sale which set many new records that include selling the most expensive Bugatti at public auction and selling the top two most valuable lots of 2020; the 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports and the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante.”

“We were honored and extremely proud to have been entrusted with these exceptional and historic Molsheim masterpieces,” said James Knight, Chairman of Bonhams Group. “Both represented superb Type 55S – one a special coachbuilt convertible by Figoni, the other the iconic artistry of the Jean Bugatti Super Sport roadster. As one would expect, both cars attracted multiple bidders. Not surprisingly, the Bugattis won the accolade as the most valuable motorcars sold at their respective auctions. and both also achieved the highest results at auction during Paris Rétromobile 2020 and the 2020 Amelia Car Week respectively.”

Bugatti Type 59 Sports (Chassis 57248)

A 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports with the chassis number 57248 was auctioned for USD 12,681 million at Gooding & Company in London in September 2020. This makes it one of the most expensive Bugattis ever to come under the hammer at a public auction. The Bugatti Type 59 Sports was created as a racing car for the Bugatti Grand Prix factory team and won the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, later finishing third in the Monaco Grand Prix. Some of the most famous and successful Bugatti racing drivers were at the wheel of this car – including Robert Benoist, Louis Chiron, René Dreyfus, Achille Varzi and Jean-Pierre Wimille. After the successful racing season, Bugatti converted the Type 59 into a sports car. King Leopold of Belgium purchased it in 1937. The vehicle remains in its original, unrestored condition to this day. It is powered by an 8-cylinder in-line engine with a capacity of 3.3 litres and a supercharger. The power output was around 250 PS; other engine variants reached up to 380 PS in the Type 59, which was built until 1936.

Bugatti Type 57S Atalante (Chassis 57502)

A sum of EUR 10.44 million was paid by the buyer of a rare and highly desirable 1937 Type 57S Atalante with the chassis number 57502 at the Gooding & Company auction in London. It is a genuinely distinctive model that was purchased by British racing driver and Bugatti enthusiast Earl Howe in 1937. The Bugatti Type 57S Atalante is one of only 17 cars that Jean Bugatti fitted with his sensational Atalante body. The power unit is a turbocharged 3.3-litre eight-cylinder engine that delivers an output of up to 175 PS in the Type 57S.

Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster (Chassis 55220)

A 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster with a factory body designed by Jean Bugatti fetched USD 7.1 million at Bonhams’ Amelia Island auction in March 2020. Bugatti produced a total of just 38 Type 55 Super Sport chassis up until 1935. Eleven of the 14 roadster-bodied vehicles built by Jean Bugatti are still in existence today. Victor Rothschild, later the third Baron Rothschild, purchased the Type 55 as a new car and kept it in his collection for many decades. In 1985, Boston professor Dean S. Edmonds Jr. acquired this Bugatti with the chassis number 55220 for GBP 440,000. This made it the most expensive car ever sold in Britain at the time. In Edmonds’ ownership, the Bugatti was restored and won first place in its class at Pebble Beach in 1993.

Bugatti Type 35C (Chassis 4871)

A Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix dating from 1928 fetched USD 5.23 million at a Gooding & Company auction in London – a record for the Type 35. This car with the chassis number 4871 was originally built for the Targa Florio 1928. The first private owner was Jannine Jennky, a French racing driver who drove it to overall victory in the first ever Coupe de Bourgogne in Dijon. Now more than 90 years old, the vehicle had only four owners after 1932. It remains in its original, unrestored condition. Up until 1930, Bugatti produced the Type 35C with an 8-cylinder in-line engine and a capacity of two litres. With the help of a Roots-type supercharger, the power unit delivers an output of 125 PS, enabling a top speed of over 200 km/h more than 90 years ago.

Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport (Chassis 55221)

A Bugatti enthusiast paid USD 5.07 million for a 1931 Type 55 in Paris last February. This made the vehicle with the chassis number 55221 the most expensive car to be sold at one of the Rétromobile 2020 auctions. This is an outstanding vehicle: Louis Chiron and Count Guy Bouriat-Quintart co-drove it as a factory racing car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1932. The later owner had a unique Figoni body put on the chassis. With this body, the Type 55 remained in the family for over 60 years. Its 2.3-litre 8-cylinder turbocharged engine produces an output of some 160 PS.

The prices paid in 2020 are not surprising to experts. Bugattis are considered the most valuable cars of all time anyway. Between 1936 and 1938, only four of the Type 57 SC Atlantic were produced, three of which still exist after more than 80 years. The fourth Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic is considered the Amber Room of the automotive world and is still missing today.. If it were found, its speculative value would probably be much higher.

February 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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The multi-million dollar Shelby 427 Cobra

We all know one of the original Shelby 427 Cobra from the Sixties is a very expensive car to park in your garage, but how does $5,940,000 sound to you? A bit expensive? Perhaps, but the 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster that fetched this high bid at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in January 2021 wasn’t a normal Cobra from the Sixties.

1965 Shelby 427 Cobra – Photo copyright Mecum Auctions

Chassis CSX3178 was in fact Carroll Shelby’s personal 427 Cobra, she was built in March 1966 and went directly to Carroll, and he kept onto this stunning dark grey metallic beauty (one of only five in this shade) for the rest of his life. The Mecum listing mentions “The Shelby American work order specifying ‘Build 427 Street Cobra CSX3178’ was opened on January 7, 1966, and closed on March 3, when it was shipped to Carroll Shelby’s Dallas home sporting a 427 with dual quads and a 4-speed Toploader transmission.”

But the car would change a lot over time, in 1972 Mike McCluskey restored the car, painted it in Guardsman Blue with a gold nose. Later the car was modified with an aluminum-head 427 side-oiler V8 coupled to an automatic gearbox, while in 2002 the car was again repainted, this time in bright red.

Legendary Motorcar Company got the task of performing a concourse level restoration after the car was sold from the Carroll Shelby estate in 2016, CSX3178 went back to wear her Charcoal painted dress, got the original 427 V8 engine back, including the four-speed transmission, just like she was finished back in March of 1966.

Carroll Shelby also owned chassis CSX2000, which was a small-block Cobra that changed hands recently for $14,000,000, but CSX3178 was the only car Carroll held onto until he passed away, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a real piece of Shelby Cobra history, the new owner just had to spend almost $6,000,000 to be able to add her to his collection, I’m sure he will have several other interesting cars in his collection.

January 26, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Lamborghini Diablo could have looked like the Cizeta V16T, and that latter one is going to auction

Back in the late Eighties Lamborghini was developing the successor to their Countach, which was undoubtedly the most futuristic car on the road in the late Seventies when the LP400 was sold in 1974. Evolved into the wide fender, big rear wing, and massive 345mm wide rear tires Countach S in 1978, moving onto a 5-Liter V12 in 1982, and finally getting four valves per cylinder as the Quattrovalvole in 1985 … it was time for a replacement flagship.

Work got underway to have a brand new V12 model to celebrate 25 years of Automobili Lamborghini SpA in 1988 … but they ran out of time in Sant’Agata, and they quickly did a redesign on the Countach that created the 25th Anniversary edition, intended as a limited production model to bridge the gap until the new model would be built … it turned out this final model would stay in production for 2 years and reached 657 units, making her the most successful Countach ever.

1993 Cizeta V16T Jasen Delgado ©2020 Courtesy of RM Auctions

Remember Marcello Gandini? He designed the Lamborghini Miura at Bertone, but he also designed the Countach … so he was the perfect candidate to design the successor to the Countach too, and he did. But on April 23rd 1987 Chrysler bought Automobili Lamborghini SpA, and they deemed the Gandini design for P132, the internal development number for what would become the Diablo in 1990, wasn’t what they wanted. So the intermediate Countach 25th Anniversary was created, and designers in the United States, working for Chrysler, reworked Gandini’s proposal into what we now know of the Lamborghini Diablo from the Nineties.

In comes Claudio Zampolli, a former Lamborghini test driver and engineer, who moved to Los Angeles and setup a supercar shop, doing maintenance and upgrades on cars from the rich and famous. But he wanted more, he was dreaming about having his own car to compete with the likes from Ferrari and Lamborghini, he teamed up with Giorgio Moroder, a wealthy music producer, and they created Cizeta-Moroder V16T.

The world hadn’t seen many V16 cars, and that’s exactly why Claudio Zampolli wanted his supercar to come with this exotic engine, he actually used two V-8 engines to get a 6-Liter engine coupled to a five-speed gearbox, and while no horsepower figures were ever published, the Cizeta V16T should reach 328 km/h (204 mph) and accelerate to 60 mph in 4 seconds … naturally such an exotic car needed a bespoke body design.

And this is where Marcello Gandini’s initial Lamborghini P132 design comes into the picture … Zampolli asked Gandini for his design to be used on his new Cizeta model, he did go for normal opening doors and some impressive headlight design, but it is clearly based on Gandini’s design for the Lamborghini Diablo.

By the time the first car was built in 1991 by Claudio Zampolli he had broken up with Giorgio Moroder, so the car was now called the Cizeta V16T and came with an MSRP of $650,000 (for comparison: a Lamborghini Diablo was about $290,000 at that time). Between 1991 and 1995 only 12 cars would be built, Zampolli moved the assembly of the Cizeta in 1995, but it would take until 1999 for another Cizeta V16T to be built, and as late as 2003 the unique Cizeta V16TTJ Spyder was built, on special order for customer in Japan.

So a Cizeta V16T is a very rare car today, and they are rarely changing owners … but you now have a chance to own one of these extremely rare V16 engine cars, and to be honest, this one is even more special. Chassis ZA9V16T00MMD38101 was ordered by Hong Seh Motors in Singapore for none other than the Brunei Royal Family, the Sultan of Brunei had already ordered three Cizeta V16T, two black ones, and this blue one, but chassis 101 was special.

This specific Cizeta V16T was a RHD version, and it was the show car for the 1993 Geneva Motor Show before it was shipped to Singapore in late March 1993, one more detail, this car came with horizontal fins on the side air intakes, which only the prototype showed, the production cars came with vertical fins.

It’s unclear why, but this car never made it to Brunei, it was kept at Hong Seh Motors for the next 25 years, which turned out to be good thing, as the Sultan of Brunei had his other two Cizeta V16T converted by Pininfarina to use Ferrari flat-12 engines. In 2020 the car was sold to it’s current owner who had it restored to driving condition … there’s nothing like hearing that V16 engine just inches behind your head it seems.

This extremely rare, V16 supercar was listed at RM-Sotheby’s Arizona auction on January 22, 2021 with an estimate between $600,000 and $750,000 … the results aren’t listed yet, but I am really interested in how much this car reached when passing under the hammer.

UPDATE January 26, 2021: this Cizeta V16T sold for $665,000

January 24, 2021 / Comments Off

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The M1 was the first BMW Motorsport car in the Eighties

These days everybody knows the BMW M3, the BMW M5 or the smaller BMW M2 … some of these even come in upgraded Competition versions, but all of these BMW Motorsport models that we know today had their origins back in the Eighties … with the M1, the first production car from BMW’s in-house Motorsport division.

1980 BMW M1 AHG – photo copyright BringATrailer auction site

At one point BMW even had Automobili Lamborghini SpA working on their new mid-engine super car … but sadly this didn’t go beyond a few prototypes being developed at Sant’Agata, the actual production models for the BMW M1 were assembled by Baur in Stuttgart, Germany.

Back in the early Seventies, BMW wanted to create a new model to enter into FIA Group 5 racing, and regulations required 400 cars to be sold to customers for road use, the BMW M1 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The fiberglass bodies would be made in Italy and shipped to Germany for final assembly, where both road cars and bespoke race cars would be built side by side … a total of 450 BMW M1 would be built.

And now you might have a chance to own a piece of BMW Motorsport history in the shape of a bright white, 1980 M1 with AHG upgrades. This specific M1 (chassis WBS00000094301090) was delivered as a regular street version in late 1979, as a 1980 model, but only a few years later BMW dealer AHG added their ‘Studie’ package.

The AHG modifications included a power increase to 350 hp on the factory M88, 3,454cc in-line six cylinder engine, an impressive body kit inspired by BMW’s own Procar racers, complete with flared fenders, stunning 16″ BBS multi-piece wheels (8″ at the front, 9″ at the rear), a new exhaust, a bespoke, full black leather interior, and to make the look complete, a typical BMW Motorsport livery with the red and two-tone blue stripes.

Only 10 BMW M1 would be built with the AHG Studie package, which makes this already rare car, even more interesting, this BMW M1 ended up in the United States of America probably in the Nineties, but the current owner didn’t acquire it until 2014, today she is for sale at auction through a dealer in Costa Mesa, California … she holds a Montana title.

With still 10 days to go on the BringATrailer auction, this amazing 1980 BMW M1 has been bid up to $350,000, interested in placing a bid? Just go to the auction site, register, and try to put the winning bid in at BringATrailer 1980 BMW M1 auction

January 21, 2021 / Comments Off

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Bonnie & Clyde Guns, Gear and Memorabilia Are up for Auction

Despite their history, felony counts and general perception in the newspapers, Bonnie and Clyde are romanticized in myths, legends and tall tales that live on to this day. It’s almost hard to believe they were…

This 1987 Ferrari F40 LM is for the millionaire who dares to be different

Throughout the past decade, the Ferrari F40 has become one of the most highly regarded and highly coveted supercars ever built. When cars become so iconic, any red model no longer excites. It’s the specialty models, such as this stunning light blue Le Mans example, that catch the real attention at an auction house.

This 1987 Ferrari F40 LM is expected to go for up to perhaps $6,280,000 at the upcoming RM Sotheby’s in Paris on February 6 during Retromobile week. According to RM Sotheby’s, the Pilot exterior livery makes this one of the most recognizable F40 LMs ever built, although that pool is extremely small. Only 19 F40s were ever created by Michelotto to LM or Competizione spec.

Chassis No. ZFFGJ34B000074045 is reported to be only the third F40, not just of LM F40s, of all F40s built. It was a pre-production prototype, and the car’s insane history doesn’t stop there. It also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 and 1996, yet finished only 12th in 1995 (it did win the 1995 Anderstorp 4 Hours). That’s shocking considering the engineering and power this car is known for.

In Michelotto LM spec, the twin-turbocharged V8 was uprated to more than 700 horsepower using enlarged turbochargers, bigger intercoolers, and a better Weber-Marelli fuel injection system. Using tech learned from the Group B 288 GTO Evoluzione development, it also had a stiffer chassis, an upgraded transmission, better brakes, and altered exterior aero equipment. Rated at about 2,350 pounds, it was one of the fastest cars on the planet at the time. Wherever this car goes, we hope the owner takes advantage of its eligibility for numerous racing events.

Several other Ferraris will also roll across the auction stage, including a 1996 F50, a 1966 275 GTB/6C Alloy Berlinetta, a 2011 SP30, a 599 SA Aperta, a 2003 Enzo, and a 2006 Superamerica. Outside the Ferraris, the 1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport is catching our eye.

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January 31, 2019 / Comments Off

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1966 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta GT On Auction

Gooding & Company recently got their hands on a valuable item that’s an important part of the Maranello, Italy-based company’s rich automotive history—a 1966 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta GT prototype. You can’t deny that a Ferrari is always a crowd pleaser when it comes to Italian supercars. Collectors and affluent buyers normally lineup to preorder or purchase the latest releases. However, fans obviously go crazy for the classics and this one is sure to heat up the auction block.

We noticed a couple of things that make it a one-of-a-kind piece. Firstly, it’s the second pre-production concept of Ferrari’s first mid-engine production car under the Dino marque. Additionally, its engine follows a longitudinal configuration. It was designed by Pininfarina based on the chassis of a Tipo 599. Experts consider it as a highly-sought after one-off.

Unlike its V12-sporting cousins, the 1966 Ferrari Dino Berlinetta GT flaunts a 2-liter Tipo 135B V6 engine that pumps out 180 horsepower at 8,000 RPM. The exceptional condition of this concept coupe is like a trip back in time when it was first unveiled during the 1966 Torino Motor Show. The auction house lists the starting price at $2,000,000. Yet, it will most likely exceed expectations during the 2018 Pebble Beach auction.

Place your bid

Photos courtesy of Gooding & Company

October 29, 2018 / Comments Off

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John Cena Ford GT to be auctioned — again: Here comes owner No. 4

The saga of the 2017 Ford GT that was famously and briefly owned by John Cena and subject to a lawsuit from Ford over flipping the car for a profit has become the automotive equivalent of a hot potato, heading once again to the auction block, this time in Dallas at Mecum in October.

We last heard about this GT, which is stamped with the VIN number 77 for the year of Cena’s birth, last month when the wealthy California farmer who had bought it from Cena put it up for auction. Auctioneer Russo and Steele confirmed the supercar sold for $1.4 million during its Monterey Car Week auction on Aug. 25. Since then, if records are accurate, its third owner has put exactly 1 mile on the odometer, which now reads 626 miles.

It’s not clear what the minimum bid is for the upcoming Dallas auction, which takes place Oct. 3-6. Autoblog left a message Friday with a Mecum spokeswoman.

Ford sued Cena late last year for flipping the car for a profit shortly after he bought it for $466,376.50, citing its clause barring any sale of the first 500 models for two years. The two sides later settled the case for an undisclosed amount.

The infamous Liquid Blue GT comes with a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 rated at 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, with a top speed of 216 mph. It has a carbon fiber monocoque with an integrated steel roll cage and an aluminum substructure.

A Russo and Steele spokesman said the firm had to ensure it was free and clear of any litigation prior to its sale at Monterey last month, so the latest seller might be eager to flip it before that 2-year window expires and the other Ford GTs begin hitting the market.

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September 21, 2018 / Comments Off

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2007 Porsche RS Spyder Sold for $4,510,000

It looks like 2018 is shaping up to be a good year for car collectors as another exclusive piece of automotive history headed to auction. The vehicle on offer was a marvel of German racing engineering that was built to tackle the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans competition—the 2007 Porsche RS Spyder.

This magnificent machine was specifically designed to run the renowned endurance race. There were only six ever made and this one, in particular, was the last to roll out of the workshop.

The prototype racing car looks astounding with its carbon fiber and Kevlar monocoque chassis. What makes it even more special is the absence of any liveries on its body—that leaves it with the exotic pattern of the composite materials used during the fabrication of its aerodynamic frame.

Under its hood sits a 478 horsepower V8 engine mated to a six-speed electropneumatic sequential transmission. Additionally, the integrated independent pushrod-actuated suspension combined with carbon ceramic brakes delivers unparalleled handling.

Even with several podium finishes under its belt, the RS Spyder’s success was hardly considered a walk in the park. It competed with some of the toughest carmakers around the world and came out on top.

The auction was handled by Gooding & Company and sold for $4,510,000. This race-ready monster was built for the racetrack and is hardly street-legal—but whoever ended up as the owner would be glad to keep it as a valuable showpiece anyway.

Gooding & Company

September 13, 2018 / Comments Off

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All posts in “auction”

“This is the ultimate, it was made to go kick Ferrari’s ass on the street after just doing it on the track.”

“This car is a very special car, it’s Carroll’s personal car, one he built for himself. You just don’t get any rarer than that.”

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