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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 Jordan Aquistapace – February 10, 2026

dR LIVE Surpasses $34.9M In Sales

If you’ve been following the collector car market, you’ve seen one of the hottest starts to the year in automotive auction sales. Success usually centers on specific cars or trends driving the market, but 2026 is spreading the spotlight across a surprisingly diverse range of eras and categories. Leading the way in digital auctions, dR LIVE recently celebrated the launch of its online platform, reporting $34,987,553 in total sales, promoting a 100% sell-through rate, and a 14-day return policy. Cars Over $1 Millon 2023 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport 'Jaune Molsheim' - Sold for $4,012,050 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S Flachbau - Sold for $1,103,550 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster by Gunther Werks - Sold for $1,048,950 2017 Ferrari F12tdf - Currently Live (In excess of $1 million) From a one-off Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport (sold for $4,012,050) to a Bon Jovi-owned 1968 Ford Mustang GT500 Eleanor (sold for $195,300), it's the transparency, variety, and overall quality that attracts collectors with a love for all things automotive. Over 106 vehicles have virtually crossed the block on dR LIVE and found new homes with owners around the country, confirming its commitment to delivering a 100% sell-through rate to sellers. And amongst those 100+ digital car auctions, four stand out as cars over $1 million, while four broke digital auction world records. Keep up with the collector car market all the upcoming inventory on dR LIVE by clicking the link below. Discover dR LIVE Record Breaking Sales 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S Flachbau 1-of-39 X85 Flat-Nose Sold for $1,103,550 The 964 Turbo S X85 Flachbau (Flatnose) sits at the absolute summit of Porsche’s early 1990s road car hierarchy. Developed through Porsche Exclusive and heavily influenced by motorsport programs refined in collaboration with Andial, the Turbo S was never intended to be a volume model. Instead, it was a statement car, combining the most powerful iteration of the 964 Turbo’s 3.6-liter single-turbo flat-six with dramatic coachwork inspired by the legendary 935 racers of the 1980s. 2016 Porsche 911 R Only 101-Miles, 1-of-991 Sold for $729,750 This particular example ONLY has 101 miles on the clock at the time of documenting and has been tastefully specified with factory options amounting to ~$26,600. It remains completely original and unmodified, retaining its factory White paint with red 911 R side stripes, LED PDLS headlights, and 20-inch GT3 center-locking wheels. The interior is finished in Black leather with houndstooth cloth seat inserts, GT Silver deviated stitching, and the extended leather package, capturing the understated motorsport aesthetic that defines this model. Equipment includes Sport Chrono, carbon door sills, the light design package, and the extended-range fuel tank. 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640-4 Only 303 Original Miles Sold for $686,700 duPont REGISTRY Live was proud to showcase an exceptionally low-mileage example of one of Lamborghini’s most dramatic modern V12 flagships, a 2009 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4, showing ONLY 303 original miles from new, which makes it the lowest mileage Murciélago on offer, not just across the nation, but likely worldwide. Finished in Balloon White over Nero Perseus leather, this Murciélago represents the final, fully evolved form of the Raging Bull brand’s original Audi-era design language, paired with E-Gear automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Offered with a clean history, recent service, and full accompanying documentation, this is a time-capsule Murciélago preserved at reference-grade condition for serious collectors. 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo S2 Andial 1-of-20, U.S. Homologation Car Sold for $426,301 This exceptionally rare and historically significant air-cooled Porsche, a 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo S2, is one of just 20 Andial-built homologation cars produced for North America. Of those, only 18 were U.S.-market examples. Showing 36,243 miles, finished in Grand Prix White over Cashmere leather, and retaining original paint and panels, this example represents the ultimate evolution of the 964 Turbo platform.

By Charles Bradley – February 05, 2026

Bonhams|Cars Makes Laguna Seca Move For Monterey Car Week Sale

Image courtesy of Bonhams|Cars For nearly three decades, Bonhams|Cars has been a defining presence during Monterey Car Week, anchoring the collector-car calendar with a sale that consistently draws the world’s most serious enthusiasts. Now, the auction house is entering a new era: Bonhams|Cars has signed a multi-year agreement with WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, extending a 15-year partnership and officially relocating its Monterey Car Week sale to one of the most storied circuits in motorsports history. Beginning in August 2026, the Bonhams|Cars Monterey Car Week sale will become an integral part of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, one of the most prestigious events on the global historic racing calendar. The auction will take place on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, with public preview days held Aug. 11–12, coinciding with the Pre-Reunion race weekend that launches Monterey Car Week. The move marks the first new venue for the Bonhams|Cars Monterey auction in 29 years, following its long-standing association with The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, in Carmel Valley. More significantly, it brings the worlds of elite collecting and historic competition closer than ever, offering a setting where provenance, performance, and pageantry intersect naturally. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, named Motorsports Event of the Year at the 2025 International Historic Motoring Awards, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected historic racing events. Beyond its cultural significance, it delivers substantial economic impact to the Monterey Peninsula and draws a global audience of collectors, drivers, manufacturers, and tastemakers. Bonhams|Cars’ relocation to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca places the auction directly within that atmosphere. Collectors will have the rare opportunity not only to acquire historically significant automobiles but also to experience them in motion at the legendary circuit – an increasingly important consideration for today’s enthusiast, who values experiential luxury as much as ownership. “I’m delighted to confirm the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as the new home for the Bonhams|Cars sale in Monterey Car Week,” said Whitney Maxwell, Global Managing Director at Bonhams|Cars. “Monterey is one of our flagship global sales in the calendar and the location of the auction is hugely important. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is an outstanding venue that has seen significant investment in recent years and gives us almost limitless space to grow and develop our sales as the quality and volume of cars we consign for our Monterey Car Week sale develops.” That sense of growth is central to the move. Laguna Seca’s expansive grounds and recent infrastructure investments allow Bonhams|Cars to scale its Monterey presence while maintaining the exclusivity expected at the top of the collector-car market. The partnership also builds upon Bonhams|Cars’ longstanding involvement with the Reunion, which dates back to 2011 and already includes support for the Drivers Lounge and other premium trackside activations. “We are thrilled to welcome Bonhams|Cars as our official auction partner during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion,” said Mel Harder, President and General Manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “Bonhams|Cars’ unparalleled heritage in the collector car market enhances the experience for our fans and participants, bringing world-class auctions to the iconic setting of Laguna Seca. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to celebrating automotive history and delivering exceptional experiences during one of the most anticipated weeks of the year – both here on the Monterey Peninsula and among automotive enthusiasts around the world.” For Bonhams|Cars, the move reinforces its position as a global authority in the collector-car space. The auction house hosts 17 live auctions annually, participates in all major concours worldwide, and operates across live, online, and private-sale platforms. Its presence spans marquee events such as Goodwood, the Zoute Grand Prix, and the Formula 1 Paddock Club™, where Bonhams|Cars serves as the official auction partner. As Monterey Car Week continues to evolve, the integration of Bonhams|Cars within the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion reflects a broader shift in luxury collecting – one that values authenticity, access, and experience as much as rarity. At Laguna Seca, the sound of historic engines, the gravity of motorsport history, and the theater of the auction block will now unfold in one unified setting, signaling a bold new chapter for one of the most important weeks in the automotive world.

By duPont REGISTRY – February 06, 2026

duPont REGISTRY Group & Pininfarina Unveil Exclusive Award to Honor ‘Best of the Best’ at U.S. Exotic and Luxury Car Shows

duPont REGISTRY Group (DRG), the trailblazer in the luxury and exotic automotive ecosystem, proudly announces the launch of its exclusive duPont REGISTRY Award, a trophy designed by legendary Italian design house Pininfarina. This prestigious accolade will be presented to the standout vehicles deemed the “Best of the Best” across exotic and luxury car shows throughout the United States. Considerations for the award started at the recently held Cars on Fifth event in Naples, and will continue at the renowned Miami Concours on February 13-15. Additionally, upcoming cars will become eligible for the 2026 duPont REGISTRY Award across marquee events from duPont REGISTRY Group’s portfolio of top-tier collector car gatherings nationwide. Experts will nominate their finest exemplars of design, innovation, and craftsmanship, with the ultimate winner selected by a panel of automotive connoisseurs and duPont REGISTRY editors. The winner of the duPont REGISTRY Award will receive an exclusive feature story in duPont REGISTRY magazine and online, reaching its wide audience of high-net-worth enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. This dedicated story will highlight both the vehicle’s design heritage, technical innovation, and the story behind its current custodian – offering unparalleled editorial prestige and exposure. The centerpiece of this initiative is the award itself – a sculptural masterpiece born from the hands of Pininfarina, embodying the perfect blend of Italian elegance and American luxury. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the duPont REGISTRY Award represents not only automotive achievement but also the artistry and passion that define the collector-car world. “The duPont REGISTRY Award is more than a trophy – it is a tribute to the passion, culture, and craftsmanship that unite true car lovers. For Pininfarina, designing it was a way to celebrate extraordinary automobiles and, above all, the passion behind these masterpieces” said Paolo Trevisan, SVP Design of Pininfarina. Michael Chapin, President of duPont REGISTRY, added: “The duPont REGISTRY Award represents the pinnacle of luxury and exotic automotive excellence. Commissioning Pininfarina to design the trophy was intentional – this is an honor meant to carry weight, artistry, and legacy. It celebrates the vehicles and collectors who set the standard for what ‘best of the best’ truly means.” About duPont REGISTRY Group The heart of the Driven Lifestyle division, the duPont REGISTRY Group is the world’s leading luxury ecosystem, encapsulating the culture, community and commerce of the high-end automotive lifestyle. Built by some of the biggest names in the luxury automotive space, duPont REGISTRY Group represents a vibrant community of members worldwide nurtured over four decades. Its portfolio includes duPont Registry, Canossa Events, Cavallino, Supercar Owners Circle, Petrolicious, Retromobile New York, Cars on Fifth, Miami Concours, FerrariChat and Sotheby’s Motorsport. About Pininfarina A global icon of Italian style, Pininfarina is recognized for its unparalleled ability to create timeless beauty through its values of elegance, purity, and innovation. Founded in 1930, Pininfarina has evolved from an artisan concern to an international service Group, supreme expression of automotive styling and an established reality in industrial and experience design, architecture, nautical and mobility beyond automotive. A group employing 500 people, offices in Italy, Germany, China, and the United States and listed on the Stock Exchange since 1986. Over the course of nine decades Pininfarina has designed more than 1450 automotive and mobility projects and more than 750 product and architecture projects, receiving more than 90 international design awards in the past 10 years.

By Khris Bharath – February 01, 2026

Rétromobile 2026 Auctions: Top 10 Results and Highlights

With Salon Rétromobile 2026 week firmly behind us, the results across four major auction houses and their respective Paris Sales provide insights into the collector car market and where interest lies at the moment. While there is a growing appetite for more modern metal, as highlighted in our 2025 market report, classic and vintage cars continue to dominate the top sales, with several model-specific records that were broken last week. While Artcurial and Bonhams continued to lean on older models, both RM Sotheby’s and Gooding Christie’s had some top-tier modern cars in their dockets. We touched on the top auction cars to watch through the week, and the results are in. Held at The Peninsula hotel on Jan 27th, Artcurial’s showstopper car at its Automobile Legends sale, was the 1992 Ferrari F92A Formula 1 car (Lot 25), driven by Jean Alesi, that sold for €2.94 million ($3.45 million) but the strongest result came from an unrestored 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (Lot 33), sourced from a long-dormant Paris collection, that sold for more than €4.4 million ($5.4 million). The sale reinforced the value placed on originality at a time when restoration costs continue to rise. The headline sale of the week came from RM Sotheby’s flagship European auction the following day on January 28th, where a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (Lot 140) sold for just over €14 million ($16.7 million), with a 2004 Ferrari Enzo (Lot 193) going for €8.1 ($9.63 million), continuing the momentum that we saw at Mecum, just a few weeks ago. Another record sale was a 1997 Ferrari F50 that achieved €7.6 million ($9.04 million), the second-highest sale ever recorded for the model. A 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta (Lot 166), sold post-auction at €12 million ($14.27 million). RM Sotheby's achieved its highest-ever grossing European sale at €81 million ($96.31 million). On 29th January, Gooding Christie’s held its first auction in the EU, and results highlighted a growing interest in cars designed to be used, not just displayed. Competition and track-only Ferraris featured prominently, led by a 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO (Lot 67) that sold at €9.1 million ($11.1 million), a new high for the model, and a 2018 FXX K Evo (Lot 40) close to €7 million ($8.5 million), a record sale for this track-only variant. Total sales at Gooding & Christie's totaled €50.4 million ($59.9 million). Bonhams Cars’ Sale on 30th January, held at the Polo de Paris, operated at a lower price ceiling but showed steady liquidity. Its top lot, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gull Wing (Lot 136), sold for just under €1.3 million ($1.6 million), reflecting continued confidence in the market below the headline tier. The runner-up sale was the 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K (Lot 129) that crossed the block for €862,500 ($1.02 million). Total sales at Bonhams add up to €88 million, $21.4 million. Looking at the top 10 results, Ferrari accounts for seven of the ten highest-value transactions across the four major auction houses, with models ranging from mid-century classics to modern halo models, track-only cars (Ferrari Evo FXX K, Evo FXX), highlighting the prancing horse’s continued dominance across multiple eras. We had the Ferrari 288 GTO appear not once, but twice. The remaining three in the top 10 were a 2024 Bugatti Bolide, €3,998,750 ($4,754,756), which is also a track-only model, a pre-war 1938 Talbot-La T150-C-SS that went for €6,755,000 ($8,032,104), and a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV at €3,380,000 ($4,019,024), rounding out the top 10. Looking across the top 10 leading cars sold during the week across each of the four auction houses, broader patterns emerge. Ferrari made nearly 40 percent of the group by volume. In fact, just at RM Sotheby’s, you had eight cars from Maranello in the top 10. Mercedes-Benz serves as the second most dominant marque, with the 300 SL being the most popular. We recently also did a deep dive on how the Gullwing became a blue-chip Benz. Taken together, Rétromobile 2026 served up a spectacular showing, opening up the European auction circuit in style, and we’ll have to wait to see if this momentum and these trends continue across other major auction events as the year unfolds. 10. 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV - Gooding Christie's €3,380,000 ($4,019,024) 9. 2024 Bugatti Bolide - RM Sotheby’s €3,998,750 ($4,754,756) 8. 2008 Ferrari Evo - Gooding Christie's €4,448,750 ($5,289,833) 7. 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO - RM Sotheby’s €5,855,000 ($6,961,950) 6. 1938 Talbot-La T150-C-SS - Gooding Christie's €6,755,000 ($8,032,104) 5. 2018 Ferrari FXX K Evo - Gooding Christie's €6,980,000 ($8,299,643) 4. 1997 Ferrari F50 - RM Sotheby’s €7,598,750 ($9,035,374) 3. 2004 Ferrari Enzo - RM Sotheby’s €8,105,000 ($9,637,336) 2. 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO - Gooding Christie's €9,117,500 ($10,841,260) 1. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California - RM Sotheby’s €14,067,500 ($16,727,110) View Cars For Sale On duPont REGISTRY Images: RM Sotheby's, Gooding Christie's

By Khris Bharath –

Top Collector Cars to watch at Salon Rétromobile Paris 2026

The 2026 global collector car calendar is well underway. In the United States, the year effectively opened with Mecum’s landmark sale of the Ferrari 250 GTO Bianco Speciale at Mecum, Kissimmee, followed by a landmark Barrett-Jackson sale in Arizona that brought $195.2 million. A clear reminder that demand at the very top remains intact. Rétromobile now marks the beginning of the European auction circuit with four major auction houses. At its 50th anniversary, the Paris sales provide an early look at how that momentum translates across the Atlantic. With Artcurial’s on-site auction already concluded, where Jean Alesi’s 1992 Ferrari F92A F1 Grand Prix car (Lot 25) was the leading lot, attention turns to three houses shaping the week: RM Sotheby’s (January 28), Gooding Christie’s, and Bonhams Cars. By volume, the commitment is substantial with Gooding Christie’s offering 86 lots, Bonhams Cars follows with 95, and RM Sotheby’s leads slightly at 97. In total, nearly 280 automobiles are yet to cross the block in Paris. Here are the top 10 upcoming sales from each of the aforementioned auction houses by estimated values. RM Sotheby's January 28th RM Sotheby’s top three offerings alone span nearly fifty years of Ferrari history. A 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Tour de France by Scaglietti (Lot 166) leads the group with a pre-auction estimate in excess of €13 million (~$14.2 million). Close behind sits a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider (Lot 140) at €12 to €14 million ($13.1 to $15.3 million). Rounding out the trio is a 1997 Ferrari F310 B Formula One car (Lot 136), driven by seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, estimated at €5.5 to €7.5 million ($6.0 to $8.2 million). 1. 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta 'Tour de France' by Scaglietti (Lot 166) €13,000,000+ 2. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti (Lot 140) €12,000,000 - €14,000,000 3. 1997 Ferrari F310 B (Lot 136) €5,500,000 - €7,500,000 4. 1997 Ferrari F50 (Lot 194) €5,500,000 - €6,500,000 5. 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO (Lot 192) €4,500,000 - €5,500,000 6. 2024 Bugatti Bolide (Lot 171) €4,000,000 - €6,000,000 7. 2004 Ferrari Enzo (Lot 193) €3,800,000 - €4,200,000 8. 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 S (Lot 191) €3,800,000 - €4,200,000 9. 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV (Lot 150) €3,300,000 - €3,600,000 10. 2017 Ferrari 488 GTE (Lot 195) €2,800,000 - €4,000,000 View Catalog Gooding Christie's January 29th Gooding Christie’s leads with a Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta (Lot 61) at €8.0 to €9.0 million ($8.7 to $9.8 million), followed by a Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupé (Lot 35), estimated at €6.5 to €7.5 million ($7.1 to $8.2 million). Completing the top three is a Ferrari 288 GTO (Lot 67), offered without reserve and estimated at €6.0 to €7.0 million ($7.1 to $8.3 million). 1. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta (Lot 61) €8,000,000 - €9,000,000 2. 1938 Tablot-Lago T150-C-SS Teardrop Coupe (Lot 35) €6,500,000 - €7,500,000 3. 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO (Lot 67) €6,000,000 - €7,000,000 4. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider (Lot 31) €5,500,000 - €6,500,000 5. 2018 Ferrari FXX K EVO (Lot 40) €5,500,000 - €6,500,000 6. 2008 Ferrari FXX EVO (Lot 41) €4,500,000 - €5,500,000 7. 1920 Ballot 3/8 LC Grand Prix Two-Seater (Lot 65) €3,500,000 - €6,000,000 8. 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV (Lot 19) €3,250,000 - €3,750,000 9. 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Coupe Aerodinamico (Lot 52) €2,750,000 - €3,250,000 10. 2021 Ferrari Monza SP1 (Lot 73) €2,500,000 - €3,000,000 View Catalog Bonhams Cars January 30th Bonhams Cars top offerings include a 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K Coupé (Lot 127) estimated at €1.5 to €2.5 million ($1.6 to $2.7 million), a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (Lot 136) at €1.2 to €1.5 million ($1.3 to $1.6 million), and a 2022 Ford GT Carbon Series (Lot 117) at €580,000 to €7,00,000 ($6,94,000 -$837,821). 1. 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K (Type W29) Coupé (Lot 127) €1,500,000 - €2,500,000 2. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupé (Lot 136) €1,200,000 - €1,500,000 3. 2022 Ford GT Carbon Series Coupé (Lot 117) €580,000 - €700,000 4. 1981 BMW M1 Coupé (Lot 142) €450,000 - €500,000 5. 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320N Cabriolet (Lot 145) €400,000 - €450,000 6. 1993 Porsche 911 Type 964 Turbo 3.6 (Lot 146) €400,000 - €450,000 7. 1952 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sports Sperimentale Series IV (Lot 133) €400,000 - €450,000 8. 2006 Spyker C8 Spyder (Lot 152) €350,000 - €400,000 9. 1962 Aston Martin DB4 'SS Engine' Series V Sports Saloon (Lot 140) €350,000 - €450,000 10. 1953 Chrysler 'Thomas Special' Coupé (Lot 150) €330,000 - €390,000 View Catalog Images: Artcurial, RM Sotheby's, Gooding Christie's, Bonhams Cars Taken together, the leading consignments at Rétromobile 2026 point to a market that is broadening, as Blue-chip pre-war classics, near-modern icons, and competition history now coexist comfortably at the top, something that we reinforced in our recent 2025 Collector Car Insights. It is clear that relevance, narrative, and long-term significance now share equal weight as the European circuit gets underway. View Cars For Sale On duPont REGISTRY Images: Artcurial, RM Sotheby's, Gooding Christie's, Bonhams Cars

By Khris Bharath – January 21, 2026

duPont REGISTRY Live Records Another Landmark Sale as a 1-of-39 Porsche 911 Turbo S Flachbau Hits $1.1 Million

Just days after duPont REGISTRY Live, the new auctions platform from duPont REGISTRY Group crossed into seven-figure territory with the sale of the 1-of-60 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Jaune Mosheim, the platform delivered yet another defining million-dollar moment, with the sale of a 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S Flachbau. After 99 bids (40 on the final day), the auction closed at $1,103,550, including buyer's premium. This particular example is one of just 39 U.S. market X85 flat-nose coupes ever built, reinforcing the platform’s growing momentum and continuing to actively work with consignors to offer some of the most sought-after automobiles in the collector car world. On the 964 generation, the Turbo S sits at the top of Porsche’s performance car hierarchy, developed through Porsche Exclusive and shaped by motorsport expertise refined alongside Andial. It was conceived as a statement rather than a production model, pairing the most potent version of the 964 Turbo’s powertrain with bespoke coachwork inspired directly by Porsche’s dominant 935 race cars. Power comes from the M64/50S 3.6-liter air-cooled flat-six, which puts out 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, delivered to the rear wheels through a G50 five-speed manual gearbox. In period, this combination placed the Turbo S among the fastest road-going Porsches money could buy, delivering sharper response and a more visceral character than the standard 964 Turbo. What defines this particular example is the X85 Flachbau package, where Porsche replaced the traditional 911 nose with a hand-built slant-nose design featuring pop-up headlights, massive cooling intakes, Turbo S-specific side vents, and the unmistakable whale tail rear spoiler. What resulted was one of the most dramatic factory 911 transformations and one that is becoming increasingly desirable in Porsche circles for its rarity. To give you some context about that rarity, of the 76 total Flachbau Turbo S models built across X83, X84, and X85 specifications, just 39 were U.S. market X85 coupes. <- Gallery -> The specification elevates this Guards Red example, which includes Factory Porsche Exclusive options such as carbon fiber dash trim, power-adjustable bucket seats, a center console with a period car phone, distinctive stitching, and bespoke interior appointments. Each was effectively hand-assembled, making no two cars exactly alike and placing this model well above later Turbos in terms of rarity and craftsmanship. As values of air-cooled Porsches continue to climb and separate the exceptional from the merely desirable, the 964 Turbo S Flachbau sits firmly at the very top, as demonstrated with this sale and validated by duPont REGISTRY Garage App’s dRi predicted value. Several top-tier exotics have already sold on duPont REGISTRY Live, which offers a 14-day return policy and a 100% sell-through rate, giving you confidence before you place a bid. We currently have several exciting cars, including not one, but two celebrity-owned automobiles, that are set to close soon, along with plenty more coming before the end of the month. So, head on over to duPont REGISTRY Live and place your bids. View Listings Images: duPont REGISTRY

By Khris Bharath – January 19, 2026

$4 Million Milestone: duPont REGISTRY Live Records Its First Seven-Figure Auction Sale

duPont REGISTRY Live, the new auctions platform from duPont REGISTRY Group, has officially crossed a major milestone. Our team is incredibly proud to announce that in just two months since the Platform launched, in mid-November last year, we have closed our very first sale to cross the million-dollar mark, a 2023 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. The highest bid reached $3,821,000, and after two weeks and 70+ bids, the final transaction price, including the buyer’s premium, settled at $4,012,050. That figure landed within striking distance of the duPont REGISTRY Garage App’s dRi predicted value of $4.06 million at the time of listing, validating both the car and the market. duPont REGISTRY Index is a high-end vehicle valuation and market-tracking tool focused exclusively on the luxury, exotic, and collector car space – often described as the Kelley Blue Book for six- and seven-figure automobiles. Finished in the historically significant Jaune Molsheim spec, this Chiron Pur Sport is one of just 60 made, which makes it even more exclusive with the Chiron’s overall limited production run of 500 units. The Nocturne paint with Giallo Midas accents over a Beluga Black interior directly references founder Ettore Bugatti’s own yellow-and-black personal car, tying in this exquisite modern-hypercar with the French marque's rich historical provenance. We’ve extensively touched on this track-focused W16-powered Chiron Pur Sport that packs 1,500 horsepower and 218 mph top speed, but what sets this particular example apart is its exhaustive list of factory options, adding up to $234k. The Sky View Roof ($62k) and the Giallo Tarus Pur Sport Interior Package ($60k) on their own amount to over half that figure. Other highlights include exposed carbon fiber throughout, with carbon lower body parts, carbon fiber door panels, carbon fiber interior trim, and carbon fiber rear wing. <- Gallery -> It is worth noting that we previously came close to a seven-figure sale in December with a 964 Porsche 911 Targa reimagined by Singer, but this Chiron Pur Sport, which is coincidentally also the first hypercar that we’ve listed, finally made it happen and is a landmark moment for the platform. Several top-tier exotics have already sold on duPont REGISTRY Live, which offers a 14-day return policy and a 100% sell-through rate, giving you confidence before you place a bid. We currently have several exciting cars, including not one, but two celebrity-owned automobiles, that are set to close soon, along with plenty more coming before the end of the month. So, head on over to duPont REGISTRY Live and get your bids in. View Listings Images: duPont REGISTRY, Bugatti

By Khris Bharath – January 15, 2026

duPont REGISTRY Live: Last Chance to Bid on 1-of-60 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Jaune Molsheim

Our team is ecstatic and eagerly awaiting a landmark moment with great anticipation, because in just over 24 hours, our all-new auctions platform, duPont REGISTRY Live, will finally cross into seven-figure territory, with the sale of the 2023 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport, the very first Hypercar listed on the platform. Unique to our platform, duPont REGISTRY Live also offers a 14-day return policy and a 100% sell-through rate, giving you confidence before you place a bid. Showing just 6,848 miles and single ownership from California, this particular example is one of just 60 Pur Sports built for the entire world and is finished in the historically significant Jaune Molsheim specification and Beluga black interior. The yellow and black combination directly references founder Ettore Bugatti and his personal cars. The example seen here packs an extensive list of factory options that amounts to a staggering $234,300. Highlights include a Sky View roof ($62k), Pur Sport interior in Giallo Taurus, Nocturne-painted engine cover, black-coated exhaust deflector, and extensive Giallo Midas detailing and more. Unlike much of the Chiron range that focuses on outright speed, with the Pur Sport, the focus is on handling, lap times, and performance on the race track. Bugatti shortened the gear ratios by 15 percent, recalibrated the 7-speed dual clutch, and revised the all-wheel-drive system to sharpen throttle response and corner exit. Power still sits at 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque from the glorious Piëch-era quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16. 60 mph takes under 2.5 seconds, but top speed is capped at 218 mph, so engineers could focus on control. Chassis changes are substantial. Spring rates jump 65 percent up front and 33 percent at the rear. Camber and stability control are retuned for aggressive driving. Aero revisions, including a fixed rear wing and enlarged splitter, generate up to 1,654 pounds of downforce. duPont REGISTRY Live has already seen a Porsche 911 Targa reimagined by Singer bid to just under seven figures. This Pur Sport raises that bar, and for those seeking a modern Bugatti defined by driver engagement, documented rarity, and historically correct specification, this is your last chance to bid on this track-bred Chiron. View Listing Images: duPont REGISTRY, Bugatti

By duPont REGISTRY – January 11, 2026

Ferrari F40 Records Set To Be Smashed?

Mecum Auctions has consigned the Phil & Martha Bachman collection, inclusive of 46 Ferraris, for their annual Kissimmee sale. Near the top of the list are two F40 examples. It’s quite atypical for two F40s to appear at the same auction, but the Bachmans owned two, and this atypical auction will offer around 4,500 cars. The record for a Ferrari F40 at public auction is $3.97m USD in 2022, which inflates to $4.35m in today’s dollars. So why is that record’s time likely nearly up? First, a bit of context… Ferrari launched the F40 in 1987 to celebrate its 40th anniversary, claiming it would build 400 units. Due to massive demand, the manufacturer built around 1,315. By the time the car reached US shores for model year 1990, the MSRP was $399k, or $1.02m today. The F40 is the second member of the ‘Big Six’ flagship supercars from Ferrari. Today, the market for F40s is hotter than ever. That 2022 record was the first time an F40 crossed the $3m threshold in a public sale. Since then, 18 further offerings have followed suit. Nine occurred in 2025 alone! The F40s coming to Mecum at no reserve present promising cases to be the top two sales ever. The Bachman collection is long known to the community, and most of their Ferraris show very low mileage. The F40s carry only 456 and 865 miles, a small fraction of the 8,766 miles that the average example comes to market with. This ranks them as the second and fifth-lowest-mileage F40s to come to auction of 73 offerings in the last five years. Furthermore, they rank as the two lowest-mileage US-specification offerings. What makes US-spec cars different, and perhaps even special? The F40 arrived at a time when there were heavy differences in crash and emissions regulations between the US and Europe (even more so than today), and as a result, Ferrari had to tweak the car significantly to sell it stateside. By the time the US version arrived, a few years after theEuropean debut, it brought numerous changes to the exterior, interior, and mechanicals: 211 of the 1,315 F40s were built in US specification by the end of production in 1992. For years, US cars have traded at higher prices than their European counterparts. This gap is partially attributable to U.S. cars appearing for sale with fewer miles on average (7,000 miles vs. 11,054 miles/17,790 km for European cars). What helps explain the rest of the difference is that US cars are rarer (211 vs. 1,104) and contain a number of unique details. Some are debatably improvements, but oftentimes the collector market values rarity for its own sake. US cars do feature a power bump typically quoted at 25-40 more hp over the European cars, although this offsets an extra ~160 lbs. of weight. The value delta has been shifting recently. Of the 19 F40s to have publicly sold for at least $3m, the first six to do so were all US-specification examples – as were 11 of the first 15. But each of the last four were European-specification example, and recently the average prices for each specification have been converging. According to my data, the price advantage for US cars currently stands at 8.3%. The Bachman F40s are extremely low-mileage, US-specification examples and thus stand primed to set new benchmarks, as long as their conditions are commensurate with their odometers. They will be informative indicators of whether US cars maintain their market supremacy over European cars after a recent spate of incredible offerings from each specification. Collectors who prefer the European version have a few more factors to consider, as the model evolved throughout its five-year run. Near the middle of production, European F40s started being fitted with catalytic converters, matching the new US version. Around the same time, Ferrari also began offering an adjustable suspension option – only for European cars. Catalytic converters mildly stifled power and added weight. The adjustable suspension is often regarded as finicky; some feel it disrupts handling, and it too added weight. F40s from the first few years of European production are consequently referred to as ‘non-cat, non-adjust’ examples, and these are typically the most desirable to collectors. The top seven European-specification sales have all involved non-cat, non-adjust cars. A further consideration is that the first 16 F40s came from the factory with racecar-style, sliding windows made from Lexan. Quickly, the factory moved to traditional glass wind-ups, but they left the sliders as an option for European-specification cars. Very few buyers chose this option, and by the end of production, only 95 of the 1,104 European cars featured Lexan sliding windows. Today, these examples are sought after and rarely come up for sale. The last time one came to auction was February 2020. We previously wrote about the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing' and how it stands at the top of the collector car market. As I noted then, its closest competition is the Ferrari F40, a model that has been gaining over the last decade while the 300 SL softened. It’s possible the F40 is the next holder of the mantle, and if so, the Bachman collection salecould be a milestone in getting there. View All Ferrari F40s For Sale On duPont REGISTRY Image Source: Mecum Auctions

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 05, 2026

World Class Corvette Restomod Being Auctioned

Passionate gearhead David Freeman, is offering something rarely seen in the collector car world: a deeply personal build with a purpose that extends far beyond the garage. His one-of-one 1969 Chevrolet Corvette restomod will cross the block at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction on January 16, 2026, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Curing Kids Cancer, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating pediatric cancer research. The Corvette itself represents a five-year vision brought carefully to life. Freeman set out to create a refined interpretation of a 1969 Corvette—one that retained the soul and silhouette of the original while delivering modern supercar-level performance, reliability, and build quality. Subtle design details distinguish it from typical restomods, with every modification executed to enhance the car without overwhelming its heritage. Under the hood sits a GM LT4 engine topped with a Magnuson 2650 supercharger, producing 589 horsepower and 670 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels, all while fitting beneath the stock hood to preserve the car’s original appearance. What began as a lifelong passion project took on a new meaning as the build reached completion. Around the same time the car was finished, Freeman was navigating his own prostate cancer diagnosis—a moment that reshaped his perspective. Through his daughter, a pediatric oncology nurse, David gained firsthand insight into how critically underfunded childhood cancer research remains. The contrast between cutting-edge automotive engineering and the limited resources available to children battling cancer was impossible to ignore. The Corvette, once intended as a car to keep forever, suddenly felt capable of serving a greater purpose. Key Details: GM LT4 engine with Magnuson 2650 supercharger 589 HP/670 lbs-ft of torque at the rear wheels Bowler 4L80E automatic transmission rated to 800 HP Streetshop C7 chassis with QA-1 double adjustable coilovers Brembo GT brakes (15”) Ferrari Cuoio full leather interior with Mercedes velour carpet Custom designed and fabricated carbon fiber interior trim and rocker trim Custom Forgeline wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires That realization led Freeman to search for a way the car could make a tangible difference. Conversations with Mecum Auctions revealed a long-standing partnership with Curing Kids Cancer, prompting Freeman to connect directly with the organization’s founder, Grainne Owen. Her story—turning the loss of her son Killian to leukemia into a mission to fund lifesaving research—cemented the decision. Curing Kids Cancer directs every dollar raised toward accelerating treatments from the laboratory to the clinic, giving children access to better outcomes sooner. With that clarity, David Freeman committed to auctioning the Corvette in its entirety for charity. If the sale of this car can help advance research and offer even one child more time with their family, the decision to part with it becomes an easy one. What remains is not just a remarkable car, but a powerful reminder that passion projects can carry meaning far beyond horsepower figures and auction results. View Auction Listing

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