A video featuring a very blond blonde and a very red Ferrari? That’s certainly one way to attract some attention.
We don’t have the skinny on the lady, but the Testarossa Spider is straight out of the annals of wretched excess. It goes on the auction block in London next Saturday with opening bids at $1.6 million. The video is a teaser tweet for the event.
According to documentation offered by the auction house of RM Sotheby’s, this 1990 stunner, a “Special Production” Pininfarina-engineered convertible, was part of a custom lot of Ferraris commissioned by a high-roller in the Brunei royalty household. In 2021, when, according to Sotheby’s, it was “revived from its life-long state of static display,” the car was shuttled to two factories in Italy for “restoration.” The cost was 94,300 Euros to repair the top’s latch and repaint the machine. Another 83,170 Euros was budgeted to fiddle with a new clutch and “refresh” the interior. Lay those numbers on your local garage.
It’s believed, the press release goes on to say, that, in the end, Pininfarina made seven almost identical but ultimately unique “Spider” adaptations, “each finished in a different exterior and interior color combination.” And, in addition to these Brunei cars, a very small number of Testarossa Spiders, like the one to go on auction, were built for important clients, including the current consignor, who ordered his (or hers) in 1989. There are a reported 413 kilometers on the clock.
But wait: apparently maestro Pininfarina — perhaps in the throes of an eccentric mood — rebelled back in the Eighties against the convention of assigning just a common 17-digit vehicle identification numbers to his creations, and so identified the car described above with the VIN of “EFG092.” Go figure.
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October 30, 2022 / Comments Off on Buy a Ferrari like the one driven by the Sultan of Brunei. It ain’t cheap
With Monterey Car Week coming up, we’re entering the high season for high-dollar auctions. It was just last August when a 1995 McLaren F1 with just 242 miles on it set a record at the Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach auction, selling for just under $20.5 million all-in. And we all know that in the past year the price of used cars has skyrocketed (OK, that’s a joke, we’re talking about an F1 here). But seriously, what price will RM Sotheby’s secure for what it’s billing as a “one of one” F1 that’s headed for the block Aug. 18?
The “one of one” aspect has to do with the car’s headlight configuration. Sotheby’s says chassis 059 of the 64 road cars built was the only F1 to leave the factory with this slimmer headlight arrangement that was meant to increase output. The auction house says headlights were the F1’s Achilles heel: “In night-time driving, output of the stock headlights was noticeably poor, not something that one wants to contend with at 240 mph.” This car was intended to rectify that, with headlight internals borrowed from a BMW Z1. McLaren later fixed the problem in other F1s by swapping and improving lamps within the original headlight housing, but leaving this example as you see it today.
Now, is that enough to make this F1 truly unique? We’ll find out. The difference is subtle, if you compare it with last year’s sale, F1 No. 025, shown here:
The silver Sotheby’s F1 is a two-owner car. (The original buyer already owned F1 No. 017 but traded that one in for this car in April 1998; the second owner has had it for 10 years.) The car has less than 16,400 miles, which of course is a lot more than last year’s barely-even-sat-in example. Still, you don’t see one of these up for sale every day. Just, mostly, every August.
Almost as interesting as the car itself is how Sotheby’s plans to sell it. The F1 will be sold “alongside” the Monterey lots, but instead of public bidding, it will be open to sealed bids, somewhat along the lines of the Bring a Trailers and Cars & Bids of the world. Once you’ve submitted, the house’s sealed-bid site will let you know where you rank. Minimum accepted increments for bids on a car in this stratospheric price bracket will be $50,000. Bidding will take place for 48 hours starting at 4 p.m. PDT Aug. 18. All in all, it’s not quite as dramatic as a gaveled live auction — but then again, a lot can happen, and a lot of money can be brought to bear, in 48 hours.
I’ve always been a fan of the Eighties TV Series, Miami Vice, and while the black convertible from the early seasons was only a kit car, it was intended to look like the stunning Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider from the Seventies, in the end, when Miami Vice became too popular they had to swap out that car for a real Ferrari, and the Vice cop received an impounded Testarossa, that was black when the ‘criminal’ owned it, but it was repainted to white because the good guys don’t drive black cars.
But back to the Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, in the Seventies, the Spider was a Scaglietti build, and initially, only 121 of these Daytona spiders were built, many Coupe would later be converted into a convertible, which could make a Coupe the rarer car eventually, but this 1971, yellow Spider we’re admiring here was the 36th built of the original 121 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti, and to make her even more interesting, chassis 14863 was the actual 1972 New York International Automobile Show car, and she’s coming up for auction later this month.
That’s right, at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction in Florida to be held on 22 May 2021, this yellow over black classic Ferrari will pass the block, with an estimate between $2,250,000 and $2,750,000, adding this Prancing Horse to your collection will not come cheap, to put this evaluation into perspective, there is a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta finished in the classic red over tan combination enlisted at the same auction, presented in her restored and carefully maintained condition, that’s only estimated between $500,000 and $600,000!
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 was launched, and initially, there weren’t any plans to create anything else than a closed coupe GT, but Scaglietti and Pininfarina put their minds together to create an open-top design, the prototype was approved by Ferrari and the 1969 Frankfurt Auto Show the official Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider production model was unveiled.
In December 1971 this Giallo Fly (20-Y-191) over Pelle Nera (VM 8500) finished Spider left the factory in Maranello, this car was built for the US market, complete with instrumentation in miles and air conditioning, and in early 1972 it would be shown at the New York International Automobile Show, after which the car was sold to a long-time Ferrari client, Alfredo Ducato of Hillsborough, California. By 1990 the car was sold to to Herb Boyer of Burlingame, California who had it repainted in the original shade in 1997, at the same time the black leather interior was redone too.
This rare Ferrari would change hands several times more over the next years, on 26 January 2008, when Mr. Yassky owned the car, he showed her at the Cavallino Classic Concours d’Elegance in Palm Beach, Florida where she received the coveted Platinum Award, today, the car shows just 13,442 miles from new, and such a low, original mileage Ferrari Daytona Spider, that is also Classiche Certified, and a Platinum award-winning example, will not go cheap when the hammer comes down at the end of this month, but this might be the chance of a lifetime to acquire such an amazing car from Maranello.
The Lamborghini Veneno Roadster made headlines last year when it crossed the auction block at Bonham’s Switzerland sale. That car, previously the property of Tedoro Obiang Nguema, set a Lamborghini record with a CHF 8,280,000 hammer price. It seems that that result was enough to convince another owner to part with his limited edition Lamborghini.
The second Lamborghini Veneno Roadster is set to cross RM Sotheby’s auction block in Paris later this year. Having covered just 450 km from new, it is the second Veneno Roadster from a production run of nine cars.
The exterior colour of this car is Matte Black over an interior trimmed in lime green and black leather. Arguably, this example is a better proposition than the Bonhams car, yet RM Sotheby’s have opted for a conservative estimate of €4,5 million to € 5,5 million.
Lamborghini Veneno Roadster For Auction
The Veneno Roadster is a special edition model based on the Lamborghini Aventador. It received the same 6.5-litre V12 and generates a power output of 750 hp. It cost €3,300,000 when it was originally announced in 2014.
The Veneno Roadster is just one of a number of highlights RM Sotheby’s have lined up for their Paris 2020 auction. Other exotic machinery on offer includes a Porsche 904 GTS, a BMW 507 Roadster Series II, a Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio, a Ferrari 365 GTS/4-A Daytona Spyder and a Jaguar D-Type. A few oddballs also appear on the list, including a Spyker C8 and a Gemballa Mirage GT!
RM Sotheby’s have stiff competition in terms of attention too. Bonhams are holding a sale too. Highlights include an exceptional Bugatti Type 55 Two-Seat Supersport, a Bugatti 57 Atalante Coupé and a Ferrari Dino 206S/SP Racing Sports Prototype. Arcurial also has some interesting lots including a 1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS valued at €6 million to €8 million.
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January 11, 2020 / Comments Off on Another Lamborghini Veneno Roadster Listed for Auction
For the second weekend in a row, the car market is talking about the sale of a bespoke Pagani Zonda. This week, RM Sotheby’s took care of this week’s headlines, securing a $6.05 million hammer price for a Pagani Zonda Aether. Jumping from $4 million to $5 million, and eventually to $6 million, it took further offers before the gavel fell at $6.05 million.
The Pagani Zonda Aether had been given an estimate of $4.5 million – $5.5 million ahead of the auction. As a reference, it had the Pagani Zonda Riviera‘s sale at $5.5 million last weekend.
The Aether is fitted with the full ‘760’-specification 7.3-litre V-12 engine which delivers a full 749 bhp. The Aether’s biggest draw is the fact it is one of few Zonda Roadster’s, it also features a six-speed manual transmission. Other special features include the Zonda HP Barchetta/Huayra BC–style seats, deletion of interior door handles, replaced by leather pull straps, a large starter button in the centre console, LED rev counter, extra oil gauges, and a gear selection read-out.
RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi
Elsewhere, it was a mixed bag of results, RM secured the sale of a McLaren P1 GTR for $2.05 million, a little below its pre-auction estimate. At the other end of the spectrum, a McLaren Senna GTR, one of the first to leave the factory, hit the stoppers at $1.15 million, failing to reach its reserve and falling short of its $1.4 million sticker price.
The Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2002 car hit the second-highest price of the day. Hammering at $5.9 million, the proceeds of sale go to a charitable cause. It exceeded its lower estimate by $400,000.
The list of no-sales included a Maserati MC12 at $2.4 million, a Diablo GT at $640,000, a Diablo 6.0 at $475,000, a Ferrari F40 at $1.3 million and Lamborghini Concept S at $1.1 million.
A Koenigsegg Agera R fell dramatically short of its $2 million lower estimate, struggling to get to its $1.2 million hammer price. It sold with no reserve.
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November 30, 2019 / Comments Off on $6.05 Million Pagani Zonda Aether Leads RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi Auction
The McLaren F1 is an incredibly rare car. Just 106 were produced, 64 of which were designated as road cars. If you know anything about the road cars, you will know that the most sought-after are the limited edition F1 LM models. McLaren produced just 5, 3 of which went to the Sultan of Brunei (disappearing from public view).
Such was the demand for these cars that once the original production run was complete, McLaren upgraded two “standard” F1 road cars to LM specifications. Both cars received modifications in excess of the optional High Downforce Kit. The package consisted of a large rear wing, enlarged front splitter and louvres on the front clamshell.
McLaren F1 LM Specification
The real highlight is the engine. Rebuilt to LM spec from the original engine, it revs 1,000 rpm higher than the standard V12 and develops 680bhp.
The example that RM Sotheby’s plans to sell currently belongs to New Zealand-based collector Andrew Bagnall. It is chassis number 018. It is regularly used, displaying 21,500 km on the clock.
RM Sotheby’s also sold the other uprated LM car, 073, back in 2015. Part of the Pinnacle Portfolio, it hammered at a price of $13,750,000. 018 has a $21,000,000 – $23,000,000 estimate. Whether it is able to reach those dizzy heights is a different question! Imagine if an original McLaren F1 LM hit the market…
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July 20, 2019 / Comments Off on RM Sotheby’s List McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’ For Sale
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 on This 1987 Ferrari F40 LM is for the millionaire who dares to be different
From Pebble Beach to The Quail to Laguna Seca to Carmel, Monterey Car Week as usual has offered a wealth — and wealth certainly is the operative word — of sumptuous, fabulous vehicles. Here is our gallery of galleries, with links to our coverage, as an overview to the event.
Last November, Lamborghini gave Pope Francis a Huracán RWD customized in the white and gold colors of Vatican City. Unsurprisingly, Pope Francis announced it would be auctioned for charity, and that auction occurred this past week. The car rolled across the block of an RM Sotheby’s auction and brought in 715,000 euros, which at current exchange rates is about $857,000.
That’s a fairly impressive price considering that an entry-level Huracán starts at right around $200,000. Of course, regular versions don’t come with such a prestigious previous owner. An owner who signed and blessed it. Plus all the money is going to charity.
Actually, make that charities. The money will be split among a group rebuilding villages in Nineveh Plain in Iraq, an organization that helps abused and trafficked women, and two organizations that help women and children in central Africa.
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May 14, 2018 / Comments Off on Pope’s Lamborghini Huracan raises over $850,000 for charity at auction
A car is only ever new once, and some owners try to keep that feeling as long as they possibly can, such as with the above 2006 Ford GT. The car will be offered by RM Sotheby’s at the company’s Fort Lauderdale auction, and it astonishingly has just 10.8 miles on the odometer. With so few miles, this car practically is new, despite being over a decade old.
To complete the like-new feel, the car still has the original plastic wrap that covered the leather seats. And the tag around the shifter warning drivers that the car is low and could scrape and be damaged. The engine bay is thoroughly clean, too. RM Sotheby’s also notes the car is nicely equipped with optional stripes, painted brake calipers and forged BBS wheels.
We admire the current owner’s remarkable restraint to keep from piling on the miles with this car. We’d be daily-driving it and then some, if it were our car. But on the other hand, we can’t help but feel that the owner really missed out on something by never driving it. At least he’ll have the car’s high value to make up for it. RM Sotheby’s expects the car to sell for between $300,000 and $350,000. These numbers almost identically reflect the $307,000 to $348,000 valuation from Hagery Insurance. But for bargain hunters, there’s the slim chance it goes for less, since the car is being offered at no reserve, which means whatever the highest bid is, it takes the car home. Those interested in purchasing the car could check out the auction in April 2018.
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November 21, 2017 / Comments Off on This 10.8-mile Ford GT could be yours
When Ferrari officially introduced the LaFerrari Aperta roadster, it announced that it would only build 209 of them. It also announced that every single one was already sold. That apparently isn’t quite the case, though. RM Sotheby’s announced it would be selling a LaFerrari Aperta, and it’s a new one, No. 210, that hasn’t yet been built.
Also, since this car will be auctioned, it presents a rare opportunity to own one of Ferrari’s top-tier sports cars without going through the trouble of becoming one of the company’s favored customers. Of course that means this car could be very expensive, too. RM Sotheby’s estimates it will go for between €3 million and €4 million, which at current exchange rates is $3.5 million to $4.7 million. On the plus side, the proceeds from the auction will go to an unnamed charity.
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August 24, 2017 / Comments Off on Ferrari building one more LaFerrari Aperta for charity auction
