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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By duPont REGISTRY – May 11, 2026

The REGISTRY Report: Selective Strength Across Hypercars, Classics, and Modern Restomods

This week’s auction activity cooled slightly compared to the previous cycle, but the broader market continued to show strong depth across hypercars, analog-era performance models, and high-end restomods. Bonhams|Cars’ third annual Miami Auction at Hard Rock Stadium led the week, producing multiple seven-figure results that reinforced sustained confidence at the upper end of the collector market. Bugatti dominated the top of the leaderboard, led by a 2024 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport at $4,340,000 and a 2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport at $3,024,000. The results reflect continued demand for late-production Bugattis, driven by limited availability, extreme performance, and the end of Bugatti’s quad-turbocharged W16 program. Another standout was a 2019 Koenigsegg Regera at $2,520,000. With hybrid hypercars continuing to mature as collectible assets, the Regera’s 1,500+ horsepower output, low production volume, and unique Direct Drive system continue to distinguish it from more traditional hypercar offerings. Classic Ferraris remained firmly in focus in Miami. A 1996 Ferrari F512 M achieved $784,000, while a 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT brought $459,200. Both results point to continued stability for analog-era Ferraris, particularly models with naturally aspirated drivetrains and strong enthusiast recognition. Modern limited-production sports cars performed well. A 2021 McLaren 765LT MSO Coupe sold for $683,200, while a 2024 Porsche 911 S/T reached $649,600. Both reflect continued buyer preference for lightweight, driver-focused modern performance cars with restricted production and enthusiast-oriented specifications. A 2006 Ford GT achieved $599,200, slightly below its duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) value of $627,000. Originally priced at approximately $150,000 when new, the Ford GT continues to demonstrate one of the strongest long-term appreciation curves among modern American performance cars. Air-cooled Porsche variants once again commanded strong premiums, with an exclusive Japan-market specification 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo WLS1 achieving $560,000 and a 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Coupe bringing $313,600. Special factory specifications and low-production variants continue to command substantial premiums within the broader air-cooled market. Bonhams|Cars Miami also featured several high-profile catalog entries spanning vintage Ferraris and modern hypercars; however, not every lot found a buyer. A 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari previously owned by Sammy Hagar in a 1-of-1 specification finished in Avorio ($7,500,000-$9,500,000 est.), a 2015 McLaren P1 Spider in Gulf racing colors, one of only five produced by Lanzante ($4,000,000-$5,000,000 est), a 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Coupe ($1,250,000-$1,750,000 est.) and a 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS (estimated $600,000-$700,000) passed without selling. A recurring theme throughout the week was continued strength for limited-production analog supercars. Bring a Trailer saw a 2012 Lexus LFA with 748 miles sell for $1,810,000, more than doubling its $712,500 dRi benchmark. As naturally aspirated V10 supercars gain momentum, the LFA continues to establish itself as one of the defining analog-era halo cars of the modern market. Bring a Trailer also produced one of the week’s more surprising results with a modified 2005 Acura NSX-T selling for $350,000, far above its $62,576 dRi median value. While modified examples do not always outperform stock configurations, this sale demonstrated that provenance, presentation, low mileage, and period-correct upgrades can materially influence buyer behavior when executed at a high level. Results on duPont REGISTRY Live were softer overall compared to recent weeks, though several notable auctions still emerged. A 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series with just 33 miles hammered at $370,000, showing continued demand for ultra-low-mileage limited-production 991.2 models (only 500 units produced). The multi-award-winning custom 1966 Chevrolet Suburban “Lime Crush” built by Roadster Shop achieved a high bid of $181,000 ($190,050 including Buyer’s Premium), while a 2008 Tesla Roadster Signature 100 Edition hammered at $80,500, highlighting growing interest in early landmark EVs. The strongest broader trend this week may have been the continued rise of professionally built muscle car restomods. Hagerty Marketplace saw two LS3-powered Chevrolet Camaros generate strong bidding activity, including a 1968 Camaro that sold for $85,600 and a 1969 example that reached a $115,000 high bid without meeting reserve. By comparison, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Tribute reached a hammer price of $43,050 on duPont REGISTRY Live, highlighting the premium buyers increasingly place on modern drivetrains and professionally integrated builds. Ford restomods followed a similar trajectory. Bring a Trailer saw a Revology-built Mustang Fastback sell for $246,000 alongside a 1967 Shelby GT500CR by Classic Recreations at $247,000, both powered by modern Coyote 5.0L V8s. A family-owned 1966 Shelby GT350 also achieved $190,000, while a 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor Tribute hammered at $87,500 on duPont REGISTRY Live. The following highlights break down the individual sales that best illustrate these broader market trends. Market Spotlight 2024 Bugatti Chiron Super SportBonhams Miami - $4,340,000 One of just 80 Chiron Super Sports produced globally, this U.S.-specification example was delivered new through Bugatti St. Louis and only showed 1,310 miles at the time of cataloging. Finished in exposed Black Carbon with Jet Grey accents over a Beluga Black and Italian Red leather interior, the car is configured with nearly $480,000 in factory options, including the highly desirable Sky View roof system. Featuring Bugatti’s signature longtail aerodynamic design, the Super Sport pairs the brand’s 1,578-horsepower quad-turbocharged W16 with increased aerodynamic efficiency and a more driver-focused high-speed character. Results at this level continue to highlight strong collector demand for well-optioned late-production Bugatti hypercars. Credit: Bonhams 2012 Lexus LFABring a Trailer - $1,810,000 This Pearl White Lexus LFA achieved one of the strongest public results to date for the model, more than doubling its $712,500 duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) benchmark. Showing just 748 miles, this example is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.8L 1LR-GUE V10 co-developed with Yamaha, and paired with a six-speed automated sequential gearbox. As chassis #487 of only 500 produced worldwide, the LFA continues to gain momentum as one of the defining analog supercars of the modern era. Its lightweight carbon-composite construction, high-revving, evocative V10 soundtrack, and limited production have increasingly positioned it alongside other 2000s icons such as the V10-powered Porsche Carrera GT in collector discussions. Credit: Bring a Trailer 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive SeriesduPont REGISTRY Live – Hammer Price of $370,000 Showing just 33 miles when the auction ended, this 991.2 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series highlights continued demand for ultra-low-mileage modern limited-production Porsches. One of only 500 examples produced worldwide, the Exclusive Series features a distinctive Golden Yellow Metallic finish with exposed carbon fiber accents and extensive Exclusive Manufaktur detailing throughout the cabin and exterior. Powered by a 3.8L twin-turbocharged flat-six paired with Porsche’s PDK transmission and all-wheel drive system, this example stands out for its virtually untouched condition and highly bespoke factory specification. Credit: duPont REGISTRY Live Supercharged 2005 Acura NSX-T 6-SpeedBring a Trailer - $350,000 This supercharged Acura NSX-T significantly outperformed its $62,576 dRi benchmark, illustrating how low mileage, provenance, and period-correct modifications can materially influence valuation. Showing approximately 3,000 miles, the car pairs its 3.2L DOHC V6 with a Comptech supercharger and a factory 6-speed manual transmission. Additional upgrades include Comptech suspension components, brakes, exhaust, and transmission equipment, all installed early in the car’s life. While modified examples do not always command premiums, enthusiast-oriented builds with documented history and tasteful execution continue to attract strong buyer interest, particularly within analog Japanese performance cars. Credit: Bring a Trailer 1966 Chevrolet Suburban “Lime Crush”duPont REGISTRY Live – Hammer Price of $181,000 Built by The Roadster Shop and designed by Boyd Coddington Jr., “Lime Crush” is a ‘66 Chevrolet Suburban that represents the upper tier of the modern restomod market. Powered by a GM ZZ502 big block V8 producing a reported 502 horsepower, the build features a Roadster Shop chassis, custom teakwood interior elements, and award-winning paintwork by Charlie Hutton. Originally built for Mr. Gasket and displayed at SEMA, the project reportedly carries over $550,000 in build investment. Results like this continue to demonstrate that professionally executed custom builds with recognizable builders and show pedigree can command substantial premiums within the broader collector truck segment. Credit: duPont REGISTRY Live

By duPont REGISTRY – May 11, 2026

Mecum Auctions Enters Fortnite With Virtual Car Sales

Mecum Auctions is bringing its world-famous collector car auction into the gaming world through a new partnership with Sunday Car Club inside Fortnite. The collaboration welcomes a virtual Mecum auction within Sunday Car Club’s Fortnite Island, allowing players to buy and sell digital vehicles through a system modeled after live auctions. It’s one of the first large-scale attempts to recreate the traditional collector-car auction experience within a multiplayer video game. With Fortnite reporting more than 650 million registered players globally, the partnership also puts Mecum in front of a significantly younger, more digitally connected audience than the traditional auction world typically reaches. The virtual experience mirrors Mecum’s real-world auction process. Auctions will take place every 30 minutes inside the island’s downtown hub, where vehicles cross the company’s signature red carpet before stopping on a rotating stage for bidding. Players can consign virtual vehicles directly to the auction, starting an in-game transport scene where a Mecum-branded hauler arrives to collect and deliver the vehicle to the sale. Mecum Auction Inventory The game will also showcase exclusive digital vehicles available only through the virtual auction house. The launch aligns with Dana Mecum’s 39th Original Spring Classic in Indianapolis, where 2,500 collector cars are expected to cross the block during the nine-day event. Mecum says select vehicles from the live auction will also appear inside the Fortnite experience, creating a connection between the on-site and digital sales.

By Khris Bharath – May 04, 2026

Bonhams|Cars - The Miami Auction 2026: Top 10 Sales & Highlights

Bonhams|Cars brought its third annual Miami Auction to Hard Rock Stadium on May 3rd, 2026, and auctioneer Maarten ten Holder commanded the block against one of motorsport's most electric backdrops. Staged in partnership with South Florida Motorsports at the FORMULA 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, the sale ran alongside Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli's dominant third consecutive Formula 1 victory of the season. With 31 lots that made up a docket comprising an eclectic mix of automobiles and two companion online sales running concurrently, the NW 300 Level at Hard Rock Stadium delivered a serious morning of collector-car activity. Hypercars led the sale as Ten Holder's gavel came down hardest on a U.S.-spec 2024 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. One of only 80 produced worldwide and finished in Black Carbon with Jet Grey highlights, it packs $480k in factory options. Showing just 1,310 original miles, it was the top lot at $4,340,000, including buyers' premium. A pristine 2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport carrying nearly $200,000 in factory options and one of only 60 produced, followed at $3,024,000. A red 2019 Koenigsegg Regera with $1M in factory options and one of only 80 produced, rounded out the seven-figure results at $2,520,000. Following those headline numbers, a single-owner Rosso Corsa 1996 Ferrari F512 M brought $784,000 across the block, while a no-reserve 2021 McLaren 765LT MSO Pistachio Coupe cleared at $683,200 including buyers' premium. An ice grey metallic 2024 Porsche 911 S/T (992.1), one of only 1,963 made, achieved $649,600, and a tungsten gray 2006 Ford GT sold for $599,200. Porsche's air-cooled contingent continued to impress as a 1996 911 Turbo WLS 1 (993) realized $560,000, and a 1992 964 Carrera RS Coupe brought $313,600. A U.S.-market 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT with matching-numbers engine bridged the classic and modern lots at $459,200. Beyond the top 10, a widebody 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera S Type 993 RWB (RAUH Welt Begriff) by Japanese Porsche tuner founded by Akira Nakai brought in $308,000, while a 1996 Porsche 911 Type 993 Carrera 4 Cabriolet from the estate of Gene and Betsy Hackman sold without reserve for $184,800, drawing strong interest from provenance-focused collectors. A classic Defender Series 90 City Black Edition 001 at $156,800, Smokey Nagata’s TopSecret project dubbed Yuki Chan, built on a 1992 R32 GT-R, offered without reserve, fetched $151,200, and a 1968 Meyers Manx Dune Buggy at $145,600 round out the highlights. Several marquee consignments, including the ex-Sammy Hagar 1-of-1 Ferrari LaFerrari, carrying a pre-auction estimate of $7,500,000 to $9,500,000, a 1-of-5 McLaren P1 Spider in Gulf colors, and the second Elva ever produced, did not find buyers. For collectors, the Miami sale confirmed that provenance, rarity, and condition continue to command a premium, and against the roar of F1 machinery in South Florida, Bonhams proved once again that Miami is now firmly on the global collector car calendar. View All Bonhams Cars Inventory *** The results above reflect preliminary figures available at the time of publication. Full details, including total sales volumes and sell-through rates, will be updated once available. 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Type 964 Coupe (Lot #7) $313,600 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT (Lot #11) $459,200 1996 Porsche 911 Type 993 Turbo WLS1 (Lot #22) $560,000 2006 Ford GT (Lot # 26) $599,200 2024 Porsche 911 S/T (Lot #30) $649,600 2021 McLaren 765 LT MSO Coupe (Lot #20) $683,200 1996 Ferrari 512 M (Lot #28) $784,000 2019 Koenigsegg Regera (Lot #24) $2,520,000 2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport (Lot #21) $3,024,000 2024 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport (Lot #15) $4,340,000 View All Bonhams Cars Inventory Images: Bonhams Cars

By Khris Bharath – April 29, 2026

Market Spotlight: The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Finds a New Ceiling

Few Ferraris carry more cultural weight than the 250 GT SWB California Spider, and yet for most of the last decade, its market behavior has been unusually muted. That changed last weekend, when chassis 2955 GT, a 1961 example bodied by Scaglietti, achieved €16,655,000 ($19,529,784) at RM Sotheby's Monaco sale, setting a new public auction record for a road-specification SWB California Spider. The final figure, including buyer’s premium, lands meaningfully above the car's current duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) value of $16,800,000. The result was decisive on its own, but the context made it more interesting as earlier this year, two comparable SWB 250 GTs had already crossed the block: chassis 1915 GT, a 1960 example, sold for $16,727,110 at Rétromobile Paris in January, and chassis 1963 GT, also from 1960, brought $16,505,000 at Gooding Christie's Amelia Island auction last month. Both results landed within a tight band, suggesting buyers had quietly settled on a number. The Monaco sale, this is the second SWB California Spider that RM Sotheby's has offered in 2026, broke that consensus by roughly $3 million, a single-auction move of +18.5 percent. Variants, Production, and What Sets Them Apart The model's origin remains one of the more romantic in Ferrari history. In the late 1950s, U.S. importer Luigi Chinetti and West Coast dealer John von Neumann pressed Maranello to build an open-top version of the 250 GT specifically for the American market, where customers wanted Ferrari performance with the top down. Pininfarina handled the design, and Scaglietti, in Modena, built the bodies. The first cars, on the long-wheelbase chassis, arrived in 1957. The sportier short-wheelbase variant followed in 1960, sharing its chassis and Tipo 3.0-liter Colombo V12 with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, good for 240 horsepower. Production ran through 1963, with 56 SWB examples built compared to roughly 50 LWB cars. Within that small SWB run sit further distinctions that drive valuations sharply: open-headlight cars (the more sought-after configuration, derived from the original racing layout) versus covered-headlight cars (39 of the 56 SWBs left the factory in this configuration), and aluminum-bodied competition specification versus steel-bodied lusso examples. A handful were built to genuine competition spec with hotter cams, larger carburetors, and lighter trim. Open-headlight, alloy-bodied competition SWB occupies an entirely different tier than a steel-bodied covered-headlight example, even though both wear the same badge. <- Gallery -> Chassis #2955 GT is the 26th of 56 SWBs built and one of 39 with covered headlamps. Completed in September 1961 in Bianco Saratoga over Nero leather, and was delivered to Auto Becker of Düsseldorf, and was displayed at that autumn's IAA Frankfurt Motor Show period show-car credentials very few SWBs can claim. The ownership chain is unusually well-documented. André Budi-Medawar kept it in Rome before Luigi Chinetti Motors exported it in 1965. After a brief U.S. owner, it passed to Bernard Stayman, who took an award at the 1966 FCA National Concours. In 1969, actor Ken Mars (The Producers, Young Frankenstein) acquired the Spider, kept it three-plus decades, and repainted it red. A German collector later commissioned an Italian restoration in blue over tan. Ferrari Classiche certified the chassis in 2018. After a 2019 sale, Dino Cognolato completed a three-year refurbishment in 2022, the livery shown at that year's Pebble Beach Concours. Paperwork includes the Red Book, German Fahrzeugbrief and Fahrzeugschein, a Marcel Massini history report, and a rare silver hardtop. Market Trends Image Source: duPont REGISTRY Garage The duPont REGISTRY Index tells a story more complicated than the recent record suggests. Across 13 recorded public sales between August 2015 and April 2026, the model has produced more than $201 million in transaction volume, but the long-term CAGR has been essentially flat. The median sits at approximately $16.43 million, meaning a holder buying at the 2015 average has, in nominal terms, broken roughly even. That statistic deserves to be sat with, because it cuts against the narrative most market commentary applies to this car. The SWB California Spider is universally regarded as an icon, and the assumption has been that icons appreciate steadily. The data shows a long plateau punctuated by occasional strong individual sales, with the spread between low and high results widening over time. The 11-year low in this dataset sits around $13.5 million; the new high, set in Monaco, is $19.5 million. That is a 45 percent spread between the worst and best examples of a model that comes from a single 56-car production run. Concours-quality cars with documented histories and correct specifications have pulled away from cars with stories, restorations, or compromised originality. The Monaco result is the clearest expression of that yet. The all-time public auction ceiling for the model sits even higher, and highlights how much specification matters. Chassis #2383 GT, a 1961 alloy-bodied 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione, sold at the Gooding Christie's Pebble Beach 2025 sale at $25,305,000. That result was the highest of the 2025 Monterey/Pebble Beach motoring week, setting aside the $26 million charity sale of the 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3, and stood as the most expensive car ever sold by Gooding Christie's at any auction. The Pebble Beach result also reset the previous Ferrari California Spider model record of €16,288,000 ($18,649,760), set in 2015 by the celebrated Baillon Collection example, chassis #2935 GT. Another example, Chassis #3099 GT, fetched $18,045,000 at Amelia Island in 2023. The roughly $5.8 million gap between chassis $2383 GT and chassis #2955 GT shows what the spec hierarchy is worth: alloy-bodied competition examples occupy their own valuation tier, even within an already exclusive 56-car production run. The Monaco result also has to be read against an extraordinary 2026 for the Ferrari market overall. In January, a one-of-one 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO finished in Bianco Speciale, chassis #3729 GT, sold for $38.5 million at Mecum Kissimmee to noted California-based collector David Lee, who had publicly stated his interest in the car when it was displayed at Monterey last year. That figure is the most expensive car sold at public auction so far in 2026. The 250 GTO occupies its own absolute tier of Ferrari collecting and does not directly map onto SWB California Spider valuations, but the two sales are connected by the same generational dynamic now reshaping the top of the market. Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Price: What Drives Values For collectors evaluating SWB California Spiders today, the variables that matter most are well-defined. Specification leads, with open-headlight competition cars commanding the highest premiums, followed by open-headlight Lusso, then covered-headlight examples, though chassis 2955 GT shows that an exceptional covered-headlight car with the right history can challenge that hierarchy. Originality follows closely, with matching-numbers drivetrains, factory body panels, and unrestored interiors all carrying meaningful weight. Documentation, including build sheets, period photographs, Classiche Red Books, and continuous ownership chains, increasingly separates top-tier results from middle-of-the-market sales. Color and trim still matter, but less than they do on later Ferraris, partly because the California Spider's palette was relatively restrained and partly because most cars have been refinished at least once over six decades. Period-correct finishes paired with original interiors carry meaningful premiums, particularly when build-sheet documentation supports the combination. Celebrity ownership history of the SWB California Spider remains a contributing factor. The most famous example is chassis 2935 GT, the 1961 covered-headlight car owned by French actor Alain Delon, who took delivery of it in period and was photographed with it across the south of France during the height of his career. The car eventually passed to French industrialist Roger Baillon and disappeared into a shed in the Loire-Atlantique region for decades, before being rediscovered as part of the celebrated Baillon Collection, a barn-find consignment that produced multiple results well beyond presale estimates. When Artcurial offered it in Paris in February 2015, it sold for €16,288,000 ($18,649,760), standing as one of the model’s defining benchmark results of the modern auction era, until chassis 2383 GT surpassed it at Pebble Beach in August 2025. The Coburn-Evans car occupies an equally important place in the public imagination. American actor James Coburn, an early and committed Ferrari collector, took delivery of an alloy-bodied competition-specification SWB in 1961 and ran it during his lifetime. After his estate sold the car, British broadcaster Chris Evans acquired it and subsequently consigned it to RM Auctions in Maranello in 2008, where it sold for £5,485,000 (then approximately $10.9 million), setting a world record for the model at the time and effectively introducing the SWB California Spider to a new generation of collectors. Beyond Delon and Coburn, the model's roster includes several period film, fashion, and motorsport figures whose ownership has been documented in marque histories. French filmmaker Roger Vadim is among the most frequently cited, and several contemporary collectors maintain examples. Eric Clapton, a serial Ferrari collector who has owned multiple Maranello flagships, has been associated with the broader 250 GT family. The pop-culture footprint extends further still through Ferris Bueller's Day Off, in which the cars used on screen were Modena Spider replicas rather than original Ferraris, but which nonetheless cemented the silhouette in public memory in a way that continues to benefit even cars without specific celebrity provenance. It is particularly worth distinguishing the SWB cars from their long-wheelbase predecessor in this context. Several frequently-cited celebrity Ferraris from the period are LWB cars rather than SWBs, and the two should not be conflated when evaluating provenance. What Comes Next This latest result in Monte Carlo establishes a new ceiling, but it does not, on its own, redefine the market. What it does is confirm what the spread between top and middle results has been suggesting for several years: the SWB California Spider is being repriced from the top down. If the next two or three sales at this level hold near the new mark, the dRi value, currently at $16.8 million, will move with them. If they regress toward the previous consensus, April 2026 will be remembered as an outlier. For now, all eyes are on Mecum Indy 2026, where another SWB example, chassis #4137, is set to headline the 3,000+ auction. View All Ferraris for Sale duPont REGISTRY Garage is the ultimate destination for data-driven insight on premium cars like the 250 GT SWB California Spider, bringing together market intelligence, valuation, and community in one place. Discover more and download the app at garage.dupontregistry.com. Images: RM Sotheby's, Ferrari

By Khris Bharath – April 27, 2026

Broad Arrow The Porsche Air|Water Auction 2026: Top 10 Results and Highlights

Broad Arrow's third annual Porsche Air|Water Auction concluded on Saturday at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. Auctioneer Thomas Forester ran more than 60 Porsches from both the air-cooled and water-cooled eras. The docket included an eclectic mix of automobiles ranging from highly original classics to restomods and more. The headline sale: the only paint-to-sample Riviera Blue 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Package delivered to North America, sold for $4,680,000, settling just above the catalog's $4.5 million low estimate. For some context, the duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) for a 918 Spyder equipped with the Weissach Package currently sits at $2,700,000. Part of the Holy Trinity, the 887-horsepower hybrid hypercar, was offered fresh from a major service at Porsche Woodland Hills, showing 1,267 miles at cataloging. We spotlighted several cars from the catalog, leading up to the auction, including this exquisite 2025 RUF SCR finished in paint-to-sample Türkisblau, which eventually settled at $2,095,000. Singer commissions did what Singer commissions do. The "Rio Commission," a 1992 Targa painted bespoke green with burgundy and sunset orange leather, 18-karat gold detailing that was offered not too long ago on duPont REGISTRY Live, fetching $1,160,000. The Light Ivory "Lindsey Commission" 1990 Coupe, formerly the Auburn Commission, followed at $1,022,500. Modern collectibles held their ground, too. The mezger-powered 2011 GT3 RS 4.0 with just over 5,000 miles at $995,000, a 192-mile 2016 911 R from its original owner at $747,500, a 120-mile 2023 911 Sport Classic at $714,500, a 1998 993 Turbo S WLS2 in Vesuvio metallic at $681,500, a 2018 GT2 RS in paint-to-sample Mexico Blue at $555,000, and a paint-to-sample Ultraviolet 2025 GT3 RS Weissach at $483,500. Two catalog headliners moved on without sales. Bruce Canepa joined Forester at the rostrum to introduce his Viper Green 1988 959 SC reimagined, carrying a $3.2 million low estimate, a car we first saw back in 2022. Mr.Canepa added that his company has been involved with the 959 since 1987 and has actually sold over 130 examples in the United States. Canepa said. The car did not sell on the floor; however, Mr.Canepa emphasised the importance of the 959 as being Porsche’s first supercar, and they could be worth between 10 and 15 million dollars in the future. Beyond the 959 SC, a 2007 RUF RT12, and a Kramer CK5 Group C racer all moved on without sales. Overall, Broad Arrow's 2026 Porsche Air|Water auction realized $20 million with an 84 percent sell-through rate. View All Broad Arrow Inventory 10. 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach $483,500 9. 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS $555,000 8. 1998 Porsche 911 Turbo S WLS2 $681,500 7. 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic $714,500 6. 2016 Porsche 911 R $747,500 5. 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 $995,000 4. 1990 Porsche 911 Coupe Reimagined by Singer $1,022,500 3. 1992 Porsche 911 Targa Reimagined by Singer $1,160,000 2. 2025 RUF SCR $2,095,000 1. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach $4,680,000

By Khris Bharath – April 25, 2026

RM Sotheby's Monaco Auction 2026: Top 10 Results and Highlights

As Monaco’s historic racing weekend unfolded, RM Sotheby's returned to the principality with a tightly curated sale that matched the scale and significance of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. Held at the Grimaldi Forum earlier today, the 2026 edition brought together 77 lots, including 58 motor cars, spanning competition icons, modern hypercars, and blue-chip classics. The catalog leaned heavily into quality and provenance, drawing global participation across in-room, telephone, and digital bidding. The headline result reset the market. The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti achieved €16,655,000 ($19,529,784), a new world record outperforming comparable sales at Retromobile Paris ($16,727,110) and Amelia Island ($16,505,000) earlier this year. The car's current duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) value is ($16,800,000), and it marks the second example offered by RM Sotheby’s in 2026. Out of the 56 produced between 1960 and 1963, only 39 were originally configured with covered headlamps. This particular car was notably the show vehicle at the 1961 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. Carrying a Ferrari Classiche certification and having undergone a meticulous three-year refurbishment, this sale, accompanied by a rare silver hardtop, reinforces this model as one of the most valuable open-top Ferraris ever produced. Other highlights followed a clear structure across categories. Automobilia offered from the family of Juan Manuel Fangio added depth, while two Ferrari F40 examples featured in the docket, including one that set a new world record for the standard F40 at €4,336,250 ($5,084,720). We spotlighted several cars in the docket throughout April, leading up to this auction. They included a 1-of-9 Argento Nürburgring 2004 Ferrari Enzo at €6,530,000 ($7,657,129), a 1-of-1 Signal Green 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari at €5,067,500 ($5,942,190), previously owned by lead man of Jamiroquai, Jay Kay, Jack McAfee’s 1957 Porsche 550A SpyderA offered at €3,750,000 ($4,390,000), and a 1-of-3 1999 Bugatti EB112 V12 manual sedan that achieved €1,692,500 ($1,970,000). There was no shortage of track-only cars, from vintage competition machinery to modern hypercars such as the 2024 Bugatti Bolide at €4,336,250 ($5,084,720), the 2018 Ferrari FXX-K Evo at €5,180,000 ($6,074,108), the 2020 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo, and the 2022 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 at €1,242,500 ($1,450,000). Another highlight was the car that gave Ayrton Senna his break in Formula 1 with the 1984 Toleman TG183B, offered at €2,950,000 ($3,450,000). In total, five Grand Prix racing cars featured within the catalog, reinforcing the sale’s strong motorsport foundation. The top-selling Porsche of the evening was a 2005 Carrera GT at €2,255,000 ($2,644,230). Additional highlights included highly collectible automobilia offered by the family of famed Argentinian Grand Prix ace of the 1950s, Juan Manuel Fangio, that fetched €763,560 ($894,622.14) while seven low-mile cars from the Untouched collection further emphasized originality as a defining theme throughout the sale. Overall, the RM Sotheby's Monaco sale delivered €87,967,385 million ($102,929,470) in total sales, setting a new benchmark as the highest-grossing multi-car auction in Europe. View All RM Sotheby's Inventory 10. 1955 Aston Martin DB3S (Lot #158) €3,380,000 ($3,963,414) 9. 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder by Wendler (Lot #165) €3,750,000 ($4,397,279) 8. 1991 Ferrari 642 (Lot #142) €3,830,000 ($4,491,088) 7. 1989 Ferrari F40 (Lot #1989) €4,336,250 ($5,084,720) 6. 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 (Lot #143) €4,336,250 ($5,084,720) 5. 2024 Bugatti Bolide (Lot #170) €4,336,250 ($5,084,720) 4. 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari (Lot #145) €5,067,500 ($5,942,190) 3. 2018 Ferrari FXX-K Evo (Lot #154) €5,180,000 ($6,074,108) 2. 2004 Ferrari Enzo (Lot #141) €6,530,000 ($7,657,129) 1. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti (Lot #164) €16,655,000 ($19,529,784) Images: RM Sotheby's

By Khris Bharath – April 24, 2026

Bonhams Cars | The Monaco Sale 2026: Top 10 Results and Highlights

Under clear Riviera skies and with the Monaco Grand Prix just weeks away, activity in the principality has already shifted into high gear. Bonhams opened its annual Monaco sale at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, presenting 73 curated lots spanning 43 collector cars, and automobilia, each reflecting a different chapter of motorsport history, and timed to coincide with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, which overlooks the Loews Hairpin. The docket leaned heavily into competition pedigree. Vintage Formula 1 machines shared space with Group B rally icons and DTM-era touring cars from the 1980s and 1990s, including the 1958 Lotus 16, the first single-seater raced by Graham Hill, and ex-works rally machinery like the 1983 Audi Quattro A2 Group B driven by Hannu Mikkola. Touring car highlights included the 1995 Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti, 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II, and 1992 BMW M3 E30. Eleven cars crossed the block without reserve, adding urgency inside the room and across phone and online bidding channels. "1990s cars are no longer just nostalgia; they’re the trend of the moment, rapidly becoming some of the most sought-after cars in the collector world. What was once ordinary is now iconic, and demand has never been higher. We are proud to have sold several truly historic machines, which is clear proof that collectors value rarity and exclusivity in the vehicles that Bonhams|Cars sells." - Loic Maschi, Head of the Bonhams|Cars Monaco sale. The top result confirmed a broader shift seen through early 2026. A modern hybrid flagship, the 2021 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, led the sale at €2,012,500, which is ~$2,358,523, which is in line with its duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) Value. The result stood apart from the analog-focused lots surrounding it, reinforcing continued appetite for limited-production electrified exotics at the top end of the market, alongside allocation-only models like the 2024 Ferrari 812 Competizione Aperta and blue-chip classics such as the 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. Bidding remained competitive throughout, with participation split across in-room, telephone, and online. Overall, the sale achieved an 83% sell through rate and total sales adding up to €10,385,907 ($12,178,596). With that, it's off to Florida next, where Bonhams Cars will offer 31 stunning and highly exclusive automobiles ranging from hypercars to classics and more, ahead of the annual Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix. Watch this space. View All Bonhams Inventory 10. 2018 Porsche 911 Type 991 GT2 RS Weissach €388,125 ($454,826) 9. 1990 AMG-Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II DTM Competition Saloon €391,000 ($458,218) 8. 1989 Lamborghini LM002 €448,500 ($525,589) 7. 1992 BMW M3 (E30) DTM Compeititon Saloon €483,000 ($565,983) 6. 1958 Lotus-Climax Type 16 Formula 1 €483,000 ($565,983) 5. 1995 Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti DTM Competition Saloon €552,000 ($646,908) 4. 2019 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ LP 770-4 €563,500 ($660,385) 3. 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster €724,500 ($849,066) 2. 1983 Audi Quattro A2 Group B Works '#R38' €862,500 ($1,010,795) 1. 2021 Lamborghini Sián €2,012,500 ($2,358,523) Images: Bonhams Cars

By Khris Bharath – April 20, 2026

Barrett Jackson 2026 Palm Beach Auction: Top 10 Results & Highlights

Barrett-Jackson closed its 2026 Palm Beach Auction with a result that reset expectations. Over three days, April 16 to 18, the South Florida Fairgrounds hosted 610 vehicles, 1,617 registered bidders, and a 100 percent sell-through. Total vehicle sales crossed $47 million, with overall auction revenue exceeding $48.5 million, with automobilia on its own bringing in $1.5 million, its most successful automobilia auction in the Palm Beach event’s history. We already spotlighted the headline lot yesterday, Lot #747, the 1-of-100 2016 Pagani Huayra, finished in Gray Clement with exposed blue carbon fiber, presented with just 2,331 miles. When the gavel fell, the Italian hypercar fetched $3,190,000, making it the highest-selling vehicle in Palm Beach auction history. It also exceeds the Huayra’s duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) value of $2,499,950. The Huayra led a Top 10 dominated by modern European performance. Right behind it was the 2025 Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale, which achieved $1,870,000, followed by a 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista at $819,500. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barrett-Jackson (@barrett_jackson) “Our 2026 Palm Beach auction welcomed a record number of bidders and was one of the most impressive dockets we’ve ever assembled, featuring the perfect blend of classic and contemporary collectible vehicles. Now we’re revving up for our inaugural 2026 Columbus Auction at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds in June.” - Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO, Barrett-Jackson Porsche maintained a strong presence across multiple lots of the 992.1. A 2024 Porsche 911 S/T, limited to just 1,963 examples, sold for $665,500, while three Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach examples traded between $385,000 and $495,000, respectively. A 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series Project One Edition reached $770,000, reinforcing demand for limited production performance models. Offered exclusively to those who were able to secure an allocation for the AMG-One hypercar, only 40 units were produced worldwide, with the U.S. allocation estimated at 25 units. Beyond the headline consignments, a 1951 Chevrolet 3100 restomod brought $330,000, showing continued interest in custom builds. Classic American muscle also remained relevant, with a 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T closing at $368,500. Philanthropy also played a central role at this year’s event, with four charity vehicles generating $1,635,000, including a 2026 GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility at $1,000,000 for the Medal of Honor Foundation. Kyle Busch and his wife, Samantha, announced that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible, Lot #457, will benefit the Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund, which supports infertility education and awareness. Barrett-Jackson now shifts focus to its June Columbus debut, carrying momentum from Palm Beach into its next expansion phase. It will be followed by a return to Nevada later this year, with its Las Vegas Auction scheduled for September 10 to 12, 2026, at the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. 10. 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T (Lot #758) $368,500 9. 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS Targa “Magnum PI” (Lot #716) $379,000 8. 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach (Lot #745) $385,000 7. 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach (Lot #729) $401,500 6. 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach (Lot #739) $495,000 5. 2024 Porsche 911 S/T (Lot #755) $665,500 4. 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series Project One Edition (Lot #742) $770,000 3. 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista (Lot #756) $819,500 2. 2025 Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale (Lot #751.1) $1,870,000 1. 2016 Pagani Huayra (Lot #747) $3,190,000 View All Exotic and Luxury Cars For Sale Images: Barrett-Jackson

By Khris Bharath – April 19, 2026

$3.19M Pagani Huayra Tops Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026 Auction

The Barrett-Jackson 2026 Palm Beach Auction, held between April 16 and April 18 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, brought together a diverse docket of no-reserve consignments, with hundreds of vehicles selling across the three-day event. Going into the weekend, a 2016 Pagani Huayra (Lot 747) was the headline car. When the gavel fell, the Italian hypercar fetched $3,190,000, making it the highest-selling vehicle in Palm Beach auction history. It also exceeds the Huayra’s duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) value of $2,499,950. Originally delivered new through Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, Connecticut, this particular example, finished in Gray Clement with exposed blue carbon fiber, was presented with just 2,331 miles and a specification that aligns with the most desirable early Huayra configurations. As with any Pagani, the attention to detail inside is second to none. The tight cockpit features extensive use of carbon fiber elements, bespoke blue leather upholstery, and machined aluminum switchgear arranged around a centrally mounted analog-digital instrument display. Founder Horacio Pagani’s signature on the dash is a highlight. A seven-piece fitted luggage set was also part of the sale. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barrett-Jackson (@barrett_jackson) Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 paired with a seven-speed sequential manual transmission. The manual-V12 format, of ofcourse, is becoming increasingly rare, and the M158 V12 from Mercedes-AMG puts out 730 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, all with one of the most phenomenal soundtracks in the hypercar space. Other highlights include active aerodynamics, with two flaps each on the front and rear that adjust in real time, gullwing doors, and a lightweight construction with a curb weight under 3,000 pounds. Introduced in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Huayra marked a pivotal shift for Pagani Automobili, and within the brand hierarchy, it sits between the raw, analog Zonda era with more specialized variants that followed, including the Huayra BC, subsequent limited-run derivatives, and the modern-day Utopia. As one of just 100 coupe units produced (this example is #93), the Huayra represents a tightly controlled production run that continues to support long-term value retention. Market performance has stabilized in recent years, with aspects like mileage and specification remaining key market drivers. View All Pagani Huayaras for Sale Images: Barrett-Jackson

By Sponsored Article – April 19, 2026

Porsche Air|Water Auction 2026: 2007 RUF Rt12

Following a standout result at the 2025 Porsche Air|Water Auction—where Broad Arrow achieved over $15 million in sales, led by a 1989 RUF CTR Yellowbird—the stage is set for a return to the vibrant Air|Water event. The third annual Porsche Air|Water Auction will feature more than 50 lots, all offered on April 25 in an exclusive, Porsche-only sale. Renowned for its ultra-limited production and groundbreaking performance, RUF Automobile is often regarded as the ultimate choice for those Porsche enthusiasts who need just a bit more. However, RUF's creations are not technically Porsches at all. Since the early 1980s, German authorities have recognized the company as an independent manufacturer. This distinction reflects the depth of RUF's craftsmanship, far beyond the realm of typical tuning modifications. The company cemented its legendary status with the iconic 1989 Nürburgring video of the CTR Yellowbird, and over the years, its reputation has expanded beyond an exclusive clientele to become a fixture in the collector car world. GALLERY-EMBED The Rt12 marks a significant milestone in RUF's history, debuting in 2004 as the company's first true ground-up build, based on the Porsche 997 platform. Initially, power came from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder, delivering 650 horsepower from twin KKK turbochargers in its most potent form, with the standard 3.6-liter variant producing 560 horsepower. The 3.8-liter engine is based on the naturally aspirated Metzger blueprint—the same lineage that powered the GT3 program—here mated to a RUF-developed six-speed transaxle with a limited-slip rear differential, routing power through massive 12.5-inch rear tires. When equipped with the optional four-wheel-drive system and the “tall” gearing package, as is optioned on this example, RUF factory literature cites a top speed exceeding 224 mph and a zero-to-60 time of 3.2 seconds—figures that placed the Rt12 among the fastest production cars of its era. The Rt12's body shell, derived from the wider 997 Carrera platform, was substantially modified by RUF comprising carbon-fiber bumpers, hood, and rear decklid to improve aerodynamic downforce and reduce weight. A proprietary, fully adjustable RUF hydraulic suspension system incorporates a front axle lift function for daily usability, while braking is handled by eight-piston front and four-piston rear calipers gripping cross-drilled discs. Inside, an integrated roll cage is cleverly concealed within the interior trim, preserving the quality of the cabin. Each Rt12 was completed entirely to the buyer's individual specification; approximately 57 examples were built during the model's five-year production run, ensuring that no two are alike. GALLERY-EMBED The example offered here, chassis 06089, was completed at RUF's Pfaffenhausen facility in December 2006 and delivered new to a private collector in Dallas, Texas. Finished in Carrara White over a full trim-to-sample BMW M Sport Red leather interior—a color combination believed to be unique among all Rt12s produced—the car was also exceptionally well specified with the 3.8-liter 650-horsepower engine, the RUF four-wheel-drive system, a six-speed manual transaxle with close-ratio gearset, Bilstein suspension, and a carbon fiber rear wing. Factory options further included a dual-exit exhaust, carbon fiber sport mirrors in matching Carrara White, and red-painted brake calipers. The cockpit was equally well curated, featuring heated sport seats, a BOSE sound system, red Alcantara trim, white gauge faces, and black seatbelts. Red-painted calipers are framed by a set of 18-inch OZ for RUF wheels. This Rt12 has passed through just three owners from new, most recently joining the current California-based caretaker in 2022. Now offered with a mere 3,233 miles recorded at the time of cataloging, it remains a spectacular example of RUF's first ground-up model. With its exceptional one-of-one specification, optional 650-horsepower engine, all-wheel-drive system, and scarcely used condition, chassis 06089 represents a remarkable opportunity for the collector drawn to the outer limits of Porsche-based performance. To explore the additional bespoke creations and compelling factory builds that create the complete 2026 Porsche Air|Water Auction lineup and to register to bid, visit broadarrowauctions.com. View Listing

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