If you’re in the market for a classic exotic car, or even just window shopping, California’s Monterey peninsula is the place to be in mid-August.
The whole week leading up to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, on August 21, 2016, is crammed with automotive events, including auctions, all over California's Monterey Peninsula. All the major Classic auction houses will be there, prominent among them Bonhams, Mecum, Goodings, RM Sotheby’s, and Russo and Steele.
Here are 18 diverse classic exotics that will be crossing the blocks and could become part of your collection – if you’ve got the bucks!
Ford is taking orders for just 500 of its new GTs. But this 1966 Ford GT40 "P/1057" is far rarer. It’s one of just 31 road-spec versions of the GT40 Mk I series. As such, it’s powered by Ford’s 289 cubic-inch OHV V-8 used in the Mustang, but with four Weber carburetors, giving it a power rating of 345 hp. This was one of 20 cars allocated to Ford’s Promotion and Disposal Program and one of seven road cars consigned to Shelby American for retail.
Expect to pay from $3.25-to-$3.75-million (USD) for it at RM Sotheby’s.
Rarer still is this 1955 Jaguar D-Type campaigned by the privateer race team Ecurie Ecosse and driven to victory in the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans by Ron Flockhart and Ninian Sanderson. It is the first series production D-Type and the first to be designated such. It is the only Le Mans-winning C- or D-Type that has survived intact and remained essentially original to its winning form. Which is why it is expected to sell for $20-to-$25-million (USD) at RM Sotheby’s.
Another Jaguar, this 1993 XJ220 could be a real bargain in comparison in pure dollar terms. One of just 281 examples built between 1992 and 1994, its 542-hp twin-turbo V-6 engine could propel it to 200 mph (360 km/h), making it the world’s fastest production car of its time. And this one is United States-legal example. It could potentially be yours for a mere $250,000-$325,000 (USD) at RM Sotheby’s.
From the same era and genre this 25th Anniversary edition Lamborghini Countach is world’s apart in appearance. The V-12 powered Countach was literally the poster car for a generation and this anniversary edition (of the brand) represents the last iteration of Lamborghini’s most iconic car. Many believe that it is the best of the series’ 15-year production run. Expect to pay $275,000-$350,000 (USD) at RM Sotheby’s to make it yours
The immediate predecessor of the Countach, the Lamborghini Miura with its transverse-mid-mounted V-12 engine was arguably the first supercar, as well as one of the most beautiful ever. This Bertone-bodied SV model was one of the last 10 built and remains in well-preserved, very original condition, with just 25,000 believed actual miles on it. It’s anticipated to sell for $1.9-to-$2.2-million (USD) at RM Sotheby’s.
From the same era, the V-8 powered Maserati Ghibli, designed by Giorgetto Giugiario when he was at Ghia, remains one of the sleekest of front-engined sports-car designs. A worthy rival for the Ferrari Daytona of the same period, it represents exceptional value for money today, just as it did then. Expected price: $225,000-$275,000 (USD) at Bonhams.
Much newer, but far more limited in production and availability, is this 2005 Maserati MC 12. Its dramatic bodywork was designed by Frank Stephenson but under the skin it was almost identical to the Ferrari Enzo. Only 50 cars were built, several of which were raced. This one was not, although it was driven around Laguna Seca by Derek and Phil Hill. It’s expected to sell for $1.3-to-$1.6-million (USD) for it at RM Sotheby’s.
Another Italian gem and one of the greatest potential bargains of the group is this 1971 Alfa Romeo Montreal – named for the city where it was introduced as a concept in 1967 at Canada’s Expo 67 World’s Fair. Designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, the car went into production in 1970. It’s expected to sell for just $70,000-$90,000 (USD) at Bonhams.
From Germany, there’s this iconic 1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster by Reutter – the car that began a dynasty. Unlike most such models that have been painstakingly restored, this one is largely original and lovingly maintained from new for more than half a century. It should be full value for its expected price of $400,000-$450,000 (USD) at RM Sotheby’s.
High on the list of many Ferraristi’s most-wanted list is an original California roadster like this 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California. Designed by Scaglietti, it’s one of the prettiest road-going Ferraris ever, with the V-12 power and performance characteristic of the marque. It won’t come cheap. Expect to pay from $12-to-$14-million (USD) for it at RM Sotheby’s.
If you prefer your Ferrari even more competition oriented, there’s this 1956 Ferrari GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’ – the model that dominated the grueling French multi-stage rally-race for three years running, earning its ‘Tour de France’ (or ‘TdF’) nickname. This one didn’t compete in the Tour but it did run the Mille Miglia. Besides which. its body by Scaglietti is gorgeous, making it full value for the $7-to-$9-million (USD) it’s expected to fetch at RM Sotheby’s.
From the same era but a completely different styling mold is this 1962 Ghia L 6.4 Coupe. A second-generation successor to the Chrysler concept-car-based Dual-Ghia coupes that became a favourite of Hollywood royalty, this is one of just 26 models with design input from Virgil Exner, hand-built by Ghia using Chrysler mechanicals. A Best-in-Class winner at Concorso Italiano, it could be a bargain for just $350,000-$425,000 (USD) at RM Sotheby’s.
The open-topped version of Mercedes Benz’s iconic 300 SL gullwing coupe never attained the level of cachet its closed counterpart commanded but it was in most respects every bit as desirable a well as being more practical. This example is one of just five originally finished in its distinctive Fantasy Yellow colour. The fantasy could be yours for an estimated $1.25-to-$1.5-million (USD) at RM Sotheby’s.
Back in the Ferrari camp, another jewel that is hard to resist is this 1964 Superfast Series 1 by Pininfarina. Its name perfectly describes its sleek body, which injected a new lighter loo into Ferrari design. Only 36 examples were produced for Ferrari’s best customers. This is the one that introduced the model to the world at the 1965 Chicago Auto Show. It’s expected to sell for $2.8-to-$3.4-million (USD) at RM Sotheby’s.
For those who prefer their Ferraris more modern, there’s this 2014 LaFerrari. The ultimate modern expression of the marque’s road-going technology and mystique, it’s powered by a hybrid powertrain derived from technology used in the marque’s Formula 1 race cars. This is one of only 120 delivered to the U.S. market from a production run of 499 and it’s the first to be offered for sale publicly. With just 230 miles from new, its expected to sell for $3.6-to-$4.2-million (USD) at Bonhams.
American cars are well represented too, with this 1967 Corvette among the most desirable as well as most affordable. While equipped with side pipes to enhance its macho appearance, it’s not powered by an ultra-rare big-block but an more modes 327cubic-inch, 350-horsepower small-block V-8 with a single four-barrel carburetor. A perfect everyday exotic, it could be yours for just $80,000-$100,000 (USD) at Bonhams.
Towards the other end of the price scale is this impeccable 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider with body by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. Powered by a 180-hp, 2.9-litre inline eight-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams and dual Roots-type superchargers, it was the Italian equivalent of the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic – the ultimate Italian sports car of its generation. One of approximately 12 Touring Spiders known to still exist, this one should sell for $20-to-$25-million (USD) at Bonhams.
If you’re really in for the big bucks, looking for the automotive version of the Mona Lisa or the Declaration of Independence, the very first Shelby Cobra – CSX 2000 – is the car for you. An English AC Ace, stuffed with an American Ford 260 cubic-inch V-8 engine and Ford four-speed transmission, it was the car that begat everything Shelby that would follow. Called the most important American sports car in history, and offered for sale from the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust, RM Sotheby’s, hasn’t even published an expected sale price for it. But if you’ve got really deep pockets…
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