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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

Azzurro Hyperion Ferrari F40 sports car photographed in a studio setting with a plain white background, showcased for RM Sotheby's.

By Khris Bharath – July 21, 2025

RM Sotheby's To Offer One-Off Azzurro Hyperion Ferrari F4...

Repainting any Ferrari, let alone the highly sought-after F40, requires confidence, and perhaps a disregard for convention. Now, unlike the F50, which was available in a handful of colors, every single example of the Ferrari F40, yes, all 1,315 units, left the Maranello factory in Rosso Corsa. This deeply symbolic color has long been synonymous with the Italian marque’s identity and legacy. However, Chassis #94647, known today as the “Blue Chip F40,” represents a unique and uncompromising interpretation of this iconic supercar, one that wears Azzurro Hyperion over blue Alcantara. Built on July 29, 1992, and delivered new to Motor S.p.A. in Modena, Italy, this F40 was originally configured in a much more traditional spec, with its red exterior and Stoffa Vigogna interior reflecting Ferrari’s standard F40 production finish at the time. The car’s first owner, Paolo Pazzaglia, a prominent nightlife figure from Bologna, logged more than 5,000 kilometers (3,106 miles) before transferring ownership in 1993. The car remained in the Bologna area for several years, where it received consistent maintenance and attention, before being exported to the United Kingdom in early 1998. Once in the U.K., this F40 entered the hands of passionate custodians, including television presenter and collector Paul Martin, who appreciated the car’s engineering and historical significance. Over the years, the vehicle accumulated extensive documentation besides what it originally shipped with, including Ministry of Transport (MOT) certifications, COA, Red Book, the original service book, and service invoices. But in 2021, the car’s then-owner began envisioning a new chapter for chassis #94647, one that centered around enhancing its performance capabilities, a road-going homage to the even rarer Ferrari F40 LM (limited to 19 units), besides elevating its aesthetic appeal to reflect a more bespoke example of Ferrari’s most analog supercar. The transformation of this 1980s halo car was entrusted to Furlonger Specialist Cars, a respected U.K.-based Ferrari specialist. The F40 received several mechanical upgrades, including the installation of a Michelotto-developed F40 LM racing gearbox, a component rarely found outside competition-spec builds, along with uprated turbo wastegates on the 2.9-liter V8, and a Tubi exhaust system that amplifies the car’s already ferocious soundtrack. A KW fully adjustable suspension featuring a nose-lift system was also installed to improve usability. Another highlight are the wheels. In order to accommodate the addition of 355-millimeter Brembo GT brakes, which significantly elevate stopping performance, the team engineered custom 18-inch rims that carefully preserve the original five-spoke center-lock aesthetic that you associate with the F40. But by far, the most visually arresting element of this entire project comes in the form of a complete respray of the body in Azzurro Hyperion, a rare and refined Ferrari shade that first appeared in the early 2000s on limited-production models such as the 575M Maranello and 360 Spider. For some context, this hue belongs to a Ferrari lineage of several light blue shades that also includes Azzurro California, Azzurro Dino, and Azzurro La Plata (a nod to Alberto Ascari’s Aregentinian roots), with each historically reserved for clients seeking even more exclusivity and elegance. While these pastel and silver-inflected blues graced old-school Ferraris like the 250 GT Lusso and 246 Dino, Azzurro Hyperion carries a more modern depth and metallic clarity, and when applied to the sharp, 2,400-pound composite Pininfarina-designed bodywork of an F40, it makes for a truly unique creation. Inside the cockpit, the story continues with blue Alcantara upholstery replacing the familiar red-and-black combination found in most F40s. This reimagined specification does not compromise this 201 mph supercar’s authenticity, as it was Ferrari Classiche certified in 2013 before any modification, and it retains its original Red Book, Certificate of Authenticity, warranty booklet, and an extensive archive of provenance-related documents. Being offered through RM Sotheby’s, the car will feature in the upcoming Monterey 2025 sale, and it currently carries a pre-auction estimate between $2.5 and $2.8 million. While the mileage is on the higher side at 19,816 miles, chassis #94647 presents a rare opportunity for collectors to not only acquire a significantly upgraded F40 but also a singular vision of color and composition that connects the supercar’s aggressive design with a sense of individuality and expression. This Azzuro Hyperion example joins just a handful of modified F40s like the 1991 Minty Forty, Aqua Blue Metallic, Nardo F40 “Competizione” and the Liberty Walk F40. View Listing Source: RM Sotheby's, @Ashley Lauzurica

A black convertible sports car with red racing stripes and a rear spoiler is parked on a paved driveway with greenery in the background. Bid On This 2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Roadster ACR With Just 20 Miles today!.

By Khris Bharath – July 18, 2025

Bid On This Limited-Run 2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Roadster ...

Besides the Chevy Corvette and the Ford GT, the Dodge Viper is, without a doubt, one of America’s most aggressive performance machines. Within that legacy of simplicity and big power, the ACR or American Club Racer introduced in 1999, emerged as the most track-capable version of the Viper as it sharpened its immense power reserves with serious aerodynamic and suspension upgrades. This 2010 Viper SRT-10 Roadster ACR, with just 20 miles, is a remarkably well-preserved example of that philosophy. Listed through Sotheby’s Motorsport, this particular example was originally delivered to Woodhouse Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Blair, Nebraska, and it remains a single-owner car. Currently located in Jordan, Minnesota, the features factory badging designating it as number #19 of 20 Woodhouse Limited Editions, created to honor the top-selling dealer by model. Given the ultra-low miles, the car shows minimal signs of age or wear and comes with complete documentation. At its core sits the massive 8.4-liter V10 that produces 600 horsepower, with power routed to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. A 3.07 rear axle ratio and anti-spin differential help manage that power effectively, while the sport suspension should provide confident handling. This Roadster also features the desirable Customer Preferred Package 21B, a $14,550 upgrade that includes the full Competition Group. What this means is: two-piece lightweight slotted rotors, a front splitter spoiler, rear winged spoiler, deleted fog lamps, ACR badging, and a stiffened front stabilizer bar. Finished in Viper Black with a contrasting red stripe running along the length of the aggressive bodywork and the carbon-wing, the car features a black softtop and rides on forged Sidewinder wheels 18 inches up front, 19 inches at the rear, fitted to 295/30ZR18 and 355/30ZR19 performance tires. Aero plates and ground effects on the front fascia complete the package. Additional options include the Protection Group ($450), which adds embroidered mats and a custom car cover, and the ACR Driver Stripe package ($1,650), which gives the car its distinctive visual look. Inside, the Viper offers a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, air conditioning, and a 7-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with a 310-watt amplifier. The ACR represents one of the most focused builds in the Viper lineup. With 20 miles, complete factory options, and exceptional provenance, this SRT-10 Roadster presents you with a rare opportunity to acquire a near-new American performance icon, and with the top down, you’ll be able to hear that V10 even better. View Listing & Bid Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 18, 2025

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Mazda RX-7 Sells fo...

The Veilside Mazda RX-7 from Tokyo Drift just sold for $1.2M at Bonhams. Here’s why this iconic JDM car remains a cultural and collector favorite. A fan-favorite car from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift just made auction history. Bonhams recently sold the iconic Veilside Fortune-bodied 1992 Mazda RX-7 FD for a jaw-dropping $1.2 million at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, shocking even seasoned bidders and collectors. Known for its legendary wide-body design, aggressive stance, and pearlescent orange paint, the RX-7 played a supporting role in the film but a leading one in the hearts of Mazda FD fanatics. Used for static and stunt shots rather than drifting, this specific car was driven by the character Han (played by Sung Kang) and remains one of just two surviving examples from the 2006 film. Commissioned by Universal Studios and built by Japan's Veilside Co. Ltd, this RX-7 sports the signature Fortune wide-body kit, adding more than 7 inches of width, and rides on 19-inch Andrew Premier Racing wheels. Underneath lies a twin-rotor turbocharged engine tuned by RE-Amemiya, delivering about 280 horsepower to the rear wheels. Unlike many film-used cars that get thrashed during production, this example was preserved in exceptional condition, featuring original Universal Studios labels, a rebuilt drivetrain, and a lavish, film-correct interior equipped with Veilside bucket seats, an Alpine sound system, and a NOS bottle for looks. Beyond the auction spotlight, the RX-7's sale emphasizes a growing trend: the rise of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) classics in both value and cultural relevance. Cars once associated with underground street racing and tuner culture are now becoming high-dollar collectibles. The Fast & Furious franchise, particularly Tokyo Drift, played a major role in popularizing Japanese cars globally, turning models like the RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, and Toyota Supra into pop-culture icons. Today, those same cars are celebrated at concours events, preserved in private collections, and traded at values once reserved for European exotics. For enthusiasts and collectors, the $1.2 million RX-7 is a time capsule of early-2000s car culture, movie nostalgia, and the tuning scene's influence. Its sale at Goodwood confirms that movie cars with the right provenance and preservation can reach incredible heights. And for fans of Tokyo Drift, it's a reminder that a car built for the screen can still carry significance nearly two decades later. View All Bonhams Inventory Source: Bonhams

A classic red Ferrari 375 Plus race car with the number 69 on the side and hood is parked on a sandy surface under a cloudy sky.

By Khris Bharath – July 17, 2025

Driven by Legends: Shelby and Miles’ Ferrari 375 Plus Hea...

If you thought Ford Vs. Ferrari told the entire story, think again. Long before Carroll Shelby became the king of Cobra and before Ken Miles went onto Le Mans glory in the mid-1960s, both men took the wheel of something unexpected a decade earlier: a Ferrari. In 1955, each took the wheel of a privately-entered 375 Plus Spyder, fielded by Tony Parravano. While, it wasn’t a Scuderia Ferrari car, it was red, loud, and deadly fast and for a brief moment, Shelby and Miles were part of the Prancing Horse’s story just not the way you'd expect. Next month at the upcoming Monterey Car Week auction, RM Sotheby’s will offer one of the most significant Ferraris ever, driven by racing royalty: the 1955 Ferrari 375 Plus Spyder by Sutton which is estimated to fetch between $5.5 and $7.5 million. Now this isn’t your typical concours car. It is a one-off racer with a dash of California hot-rod culture and Scuderia Ferrari bones. Chassis 0478 AM was born from Enzo’s biggest engine experiment of the 1950s, Aurelio Lampredi’s Tipo 113 4.9-liter V12, which was developed for long-distance endurance racing, and ideal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the equally gruelling La Carrera Panamericana race that ran through the spine of Mexico. Carroll Shelby at the wheel of Chassis no. 0478 in July 1955 Ken Miles in the Green racing suit at Santa Barbara in September 1955, chatting with owner Tony Parravano in the checkered shirt Dan Gurney at Paramount Ranch in December 1957 While Ferrari built just eight chassis with this engine and one of only two Tipo 102 chassis built, this particular one was different as it was commissioned by California construction magnate Tony Parravano. The 375 Plus made its competition debut back in May 1955, with Jack McAfee scoring a podium in Santa Barbara. The following month, McAfee lined up once again at Santa Rosa, though the car didn’t start. But it was Carroll Shelby, who took over in July that year, at the Seattle Seafair who truly lit the fuse, winning the main event, and later recalled: “I drove that big 4.9 Ferrari of Tony’s at Seattle and won, and drove it again at Palm Springs and crashed. That Ferrari turned into being one of the best. It was the lightest, fastest Ferrari I ever knew.” - Carroll Shelby His words also appeared in the October/November 2019 cover story in Cavallino magazine, penned by historian Alan Boe. The great Ken Miles stepped in that September at Santa Barbara and he took third in the prelims but didn’t finish the main event. Then came Shelby’s high-speed crash at Palm Springs in December, which ended the car’s frontline run under Tony Parravano. But the story of Chassis 0478 was far from over, because Frank Arciero, a local team boss with a knack for spotting talent, bought the car and sent it to Jack Sutton, a British aircraft metalworker turned racecar coachbuilder. Sutton’s alloy bodywork gave the Ferrari new life and better handling. Over the next four years, Bob Drake and Dan Gurney (over 17 instances) campaigned the car relentlessly on the West Coast circuit. The Sutton-bodied 375 Plus became a fixture at several venues like Pomona, Riverside, Paramount Ranch, and Santa Barbara, scoring six overall victories, multiple second-place finishes, and even an impressive 176.913 mph run at Bonneville with Bob Drake behind the wheel. Gurney’s dominant wins in 1957 and 1958, particularly the back-to-back victories at Paramount Ranch and Palm Springs, caught the eye of Ferrari’s U.S. importer, Luigi Chinett,i and eventually helped catapult Gurney’s career onto the famed Scuderia Ferrari F1 team. After the car’s racing career ended in 1960, the Ferrari was acquired by casino magnate Bill Harrah, who displayed it in his Nevada museum for nearly 25 years. It then passed into the hands of a Swiss collector who restored it and ran it in four Mille Miglia Storicas. In 1996, the car became part of a private U.S. collection, where it has remained for nearly three decades, appearing only occasionally. Most notably, Dan Gurney himself, got back behind the wheel at Sonoma Raceway in 2000. Still wearing its unique Sutton bodywork today, this 375 Plus continues to retains its matching-numbers chassis, engine, and rear axle and comes backed by a full history file compiled by Ferrari expert Marcel Massini. To sum it up, if you are a Ferrari collector, Chassis 0478 offers unmatched provenance in spades, owing to its association with a long list of legendary names from the world of American motorsports. Shelby, Miles, Gurney, McAfee, and Drake all drove this exact machine in the period. Afterall, this is a machine that once dominated the field, and helped shape legends before the world knew their names. The current estimate sits between $5.5 - $7.5 million. View All RM Sotheby's Inventory Source: @Darin Schnabel /RM Sothebys

By Khris Bharath – June 26, 2025

The Last Wedge: Centennial 1-of-1 Bertone Nuccio Is Heade...

It is no secret that some of the most beautiful cars in the world have come from Italy, and if you truly admire and appreciate automotive design, coach building has been at the heart of it all. The tradition can be traced back to the pre-war days, and the art of rebodying a production chassis by hand into rolling sculpture continues to survive. In the mid-2000s, we experienced a modern-day renaissance of sorts when some of the most celebrated names in coachbuilding, from the likes of Pininfarina, Touring, and Zagato, all returned to creating some truly bespoke cars for the affluent with brand's like Aston Martin, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. Torino-based Bertone, founded in 1912, was once led by design titans Giovanni, Nuccio, and Marcello Gandini, who wrote the rulebook long before carbon fiber and CAD were a thing. They introduced the “wedge,” a timeless design language born in the 1960s-early '70s, that lowered noses, raised beltlines, and made the supercar look, well, supersonic and gave us icons like the Lamborghini Countach, DMC DeLorean, Lotus Esprit, Vector W8, and BMW M1, to name a few. While the wedge era had long cooled by the 2000s, it was revived once again with the Bertone Nuccio concept in 2012. A 1-of-1 tribute, it was conceived to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bertone. Named after Nuccio Bertone, son of founder Giovanni Bertone, the car was first unveiled in static form at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and later in full running spec in Beijing that year. The inspiration for this wild creation was the equally radical 1970 Lancia Stratos HF-Zero concept (picture above top left), also penned by Gandini. The Nuccio is both homage and evolution. Under the then design director of Bertone, Michael Robinson, the Nuccio began life as a Ferrari F430, and features the same 4.3-liter V8, paired to a Graziano’s paddle-shifted six-speed. Yet this legendary mid-engine supercar, originally shaped under Frank Stephenson’s direction at Pininfarina, was completely reimagined in just three and a half months. The transformation was radical. Standing only 44 inches tall, the Nuccio retained room for two in unexpected comfort. Robinson fixated on the details sightlines, ventilation, and the sweeping, wraparound windscreen all engineered to let drivers experience the car’s futurism, not suffer through it. But beyond the extreme form, there were several innovations. A tensile-structure roof that echoed modern architectural minimalism and the seats, ventilated and braced by “Y”-shaped aluminum frames, became sculptures. However, perhaps the feature most noteworthy was its patented forward-facing brake lights embedded in the front headlight cluster that turns blue when decelerating to warn pedestrians ahead. It is also worth noting that while the company has since been revived under new ownership and produced the GB110 hypercar, the Bertone Nuccio remains the final car to bear the Bertone nameplate, and the company went bankrupt in 2014. After a world tour, the Nuccio, unsold and forgotten, became a ghost until it resurfaced in a 2018 asset auction. Today, it's back in the spotlight once again. Being offered by RM Sotheby’s at its upcoming auction in July, the car (CHASSIS NO.ZFFEZ58B000139932) has 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) on the odometer, almost entirely from the donor Ferrari. In today’s collector market, rarity alone isn’t enough; it’s the story that commands the premium. Where a Stratos Zero concept could claim up to $2.5 million today, the starting bidding for the Nuccio at a fraction of its spiritual predecessor, and this one-off not only offers a piece of automotive history, but a car that represents the final chapter of what helped define the modern-day supercar. View All RM Sotheby's Inventory Images Source: RM Sotheby's, Gruppo Bertone

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 24, 2025

The Fourth Shelby Cobra Ever Built Heads To Broad Arrow's...

The opportunity of a lifetime. Carroll Shelby's legacy is a tale of performance and perseverance. He broke the industry mold with a revolutionary approach to both sports car manufacturing and racing. While Shelby's influence in motorsports was recently portrayed in the blockbuster film Ford v Ferrari, his original factory AC Cobras and Mustangs continue to rise in popularity and value among collectors worldwide. Today, early Shelby Cobra examples in all conditions trade well into the seven-figure mark at auction, dramatically appreciating above its original base price of $5,995 in 1962. The team at Broad Arrow Auctions is pleased to shed light on Shelby America and Carroll's quest for performance with the upcoming auction of this rare 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra. Set to cross the block at the 2025 Monterey Jet Center Auction, chassis CSX 2003 is one of the very first production Shelby Cobra examples ever built. Completed in early 1962 at Ed Hugus' European Cars in Pittsburgh, it was part of the foundational batch of Cobras completed before Shelby had a formal operation in California. Still equipped with its original 260 cu-in "XHP" V8 engine, transmission, and rear end, this car combines the raw character of a prototype with the kind of historical weight that rarely resurfaces. CSX 2003 was tested by Ford engineers, including Henry Ford II, and later displayed during race week at the 12 Hours of Sebring. For the last 36 years, the car has remained with a single Virginia-based owner, who used it not only for weekend drives but even as a daily vehicle during his years as a practicing surgeon. The Cobra was restored in the 1980s, carefully maintained, and eventually returned to its original white-over-red configuration by its current owner. Shelby himself even signed the glovebox door at a Ford-hosted event in Washington, D.C., highlighting the car's direct connection to its designer. Unlike later Cobras built under Shelby American in Venice, CSX 2003 was born in a more experimental phase, assembled with help from Hugus at a time when Shelby was still trying to convince Ford to take a chance on his idea. That early phase of trial, partnership, and ingenuity makes CSX 2003 unbelievably valuable. Its mixture of untouched mechanical components, extensive documentation, and understated presentation puts it in a rare space. For serious collectors, particularly those tuned into the earliest moments of Shelby's story, this is a chance to buy something that may not come around again for decades. It's a piece of history that still runs, still drives, and still carries the fingerprints of the people who made the Cobra what it became. Learn More " width="680"> Source: Broad Arrow Auction

By Khris Bharath – June 20, 2025

1-of-121 Spyker C8 Spyder Is Headed to Auction

At the upcoming prestigious Bonham|Cars’ Bonmont Sale on June 29, Lot 118 will present bidders with the opportunity to acquire one of the rarest and most radical modern-day European exotics ever built: a 2014 Spyker C8 Spyder. Now, for those unfamiliar with the Spyker name, the brand began life as a coachbuilder in Amsterdam, and its history dates back to well over a century, when they were building six-cylinder four-wheel drive race cars as early as 1903. When production slowed during the First World War, Spyker merged with Dutch manufacturer N.V., adopting the two-blade propeller badge. Although that company folded back in 1925, the precedent had been set with a legacy strong enough to be resurrected. Decades later, in 1999, Victor Muller and Maarten de Bruijn revived the Dutch marque, playing not just on nostalgia, but on a vision. Enter the Spyker C8, which was first shown in the year 2000. Now, Top Gear fans amongst you should be able to recall " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> from back in the day. Perhaps one of the C8’s most redeeming elements was its outlandish design, both inside and out, something that Jeremy pointed out could have only come from Holland. Exquisite details like the riveted aluminium body, the 10-spoke wheels, aircraft-style switch gear, and the exposed gear linkage all draw inspiration from aviation. Underneath, the C8 remains brutally capable, packing a 4.2-liter Audi V8 engine that delivers 400 horsepower. While that might not sound like much today, the C8 Spyder is built around a lightweight space frame chassis and tips the scales at just over 2,755 pounds. This particular car (chassis# XL9AABAG8BZ363192), finished in white with a contrasting bespoke quilted brown-and-camel leather interior, is one of just 121 Spyker C8 Spyders ever made. It has less than 3,600 kilometers (2,236 miles) on the odometer, and with a recent CHF 14,000 service carried out by Rebellion Motors in February 2024, this Spyker is as pristine as it gets. Public viewing begins on June 27 at the Golf & Country Club de Bonmont, and for more information, click the link below. View Listing " width="680"> Image Source: Bonhams

A group of people observe classic cars displayed in a spacious indoor showroom at the Worldwide Auctioneers Enthusiast Auction, with a yellow vintage airplane suspended above.

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 05, 2025

Worldwide Auctioneers’ Enthusiast Auction Achieves Record...

Worldwide Auctioneers brought the heat this spring. Worldwide Auctioneers just hit a major milestone this spring with its most successful Enthusiast Auction yet, held at its home base in Auburn, Indiana. From April 25th to 26th, the auction witnessed an impressive 85% of the 250 vehicles sold to new homes, driven by a mix of collector cars and three private collections. Standout sales included a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B by Sindelfingen, which brought $852,000, and a rare 1995 Ferrari F512 M that hammered at $428,000. A museum-grade 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage matched the price of an ACD-certified 1937 Cord 812 SC 'Sportsman' Cabriolet at $307,000. The auction highlighted the market's appreciation for everything from European grand tourers to American muscle and pre-war rarities, including a 1935 Packard Twelve Dual Cowl Phaeton that sold for $268,800. Custom builds and rare finds also held their own. A 1969 Plymouth GTX Restomod from the Passport Collection sold at $190,400, while a 1933 REO Speedwagon BN Stakebed from the Zimmerman Collection fetched a $139,440 result. Worldwide Auctioneers' Rod Egan credited the record-setting success to the dedication of his team and the global exposure brought by strong marketing efforts. The Enthusiast Week festivities, including the annual Enthusiast Tour, offer collectors a relaxed way to engage with cars through scenic drives, memorable stops, and exclusive collection visits. Top 10 Sales 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B (Lot 343) - $852,000 1995 Ferrari F512 M (Lot 320) - $428,000 1937 Cord 812 SC 'Sportsman' Cabriolet (Lot 175) - $307,500 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage (Lot 318) - $307,000 1935 Packard Twelve Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton (Lot 381) - $268,800 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Sport Phaeton (Lot 328) - $266,000 1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible (Lot 309) - $252,000 1931 Auburn 8-98 Boattail Speedster (Lot 366) - $252,000 1953 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A (Lot 334) - $246,400 1949 Bentley Mark VI Drophead Coupe (Lot 349) - $224,000 Looking ahead, Worldwide's flagship Auburn Auction is set to return this Labor Day Weekend from August 28th to 30th, promising another round of top-tier consignments and collector camaraderie. Those hoping to consign vehicles or collections are encouraged to reach out early, as demand is expected to match or exceed last year's sell-out crowd. After such a strong spring showing, all signs point to an exciting summer season ahead for collectors and sellers. Source: Worldwide Auctioneers

A red sports car is displayed indoors on a checkered floor, with several people and automotive displays in the background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 29, 2025

Mecum Recaps $100 Million 2025 Indy Auction

Mecum Auctions continues an incredible streak of success in Indianapolis. Having earned significant notoriety for its auction events, Mecum Auctions’ sales aare where classic, exotic, luxury, and performance cars are sold at record-breaking values in action-packed spectacles. One of the premier events on Mecum Auctions’ annual calendar is the Mecum Indy Auction, officially known as the Dana Mecum’s 38th Original Spring Classic, and this year, the adrenaline-filled auction continued a years-long streak of incredible success for the sale. The event, lasting from May 9 to May 17, saw nine consecutive days of auctions, with a total of 1,732 cars trucks and motorcycles sold among other items for a total sell-through rate of 77 percent. Concurrent with the Indianapolis 500, which takes place during the month of May, the auction brought a true automotive spectacle to the city of Indianapolis, exceeding $100 million in total sales for the fifth year in a row. The top sellers at the Mecum Indy 2025 auction included amazing supercars and classics, with the highest seller being a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari that sold for $3.85 million, followed by a $2.64 million 2015 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse and a 2023 Ferrari 812 Competizione Coupe that sold for $1.54 million. The rest of the top ten sellers were a 1965 Shelby Cobra CSX4000 Series Roadster for $990,000, a 2018 Ford GT Coupe for $808,500, a 2022 Ford GT for $770,000, a 1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty Swiss Cheese for $742,500, a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro for $715,000, a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback for $627,000, and a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird for $605,000. With over $100 million in sales for three years in a row, the 2025 Mecum Indy Auction was yet another incredible success with amazing cars finding new owners after crossing the block. View All Exotic Cars For Sale

A sleek Lamborghini Revénton Roadster sports car with an angular design is parked on a concrete surface in front of a corrugated metal building, reminiscent of an exclusive find at an RM Sothebys Milan Auction.

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 28, 2025

Rare 1-of-15 Lamborghini Revénton Roadster Sells At RM So...

The legendary Lamborghini Revénton Roadster crosses the auction block. Curating collections and exhibitions of rare and prestigious collector cars for a calendar year of auction events worldwide, RM Sotheby's has established its reputation as one of the best in the business with continued success. While sourcing and conducting the sales of eight- and nine-figure cars has become part of its everyday duties, some truly exceptional examples still stun even the most seasoned professionals. The Lamborghini Revénton categorizes itself as one of those cars with an ultra-limited production and the fact that they only occasionally exchange ownership publicly in an auction setting. The team at RM Sotheby's is proud to add to that short list by announcing the recent sale of a 2010 Lamborghini Revénton Roadster. Kevin Van Campenhout/RM Sotheby's Presented as part of its Milan auction last week, the fighter jet-inspired Lamborghini sold to the highest bidder in the room for €1,580,000 ($1,789,030.) With only 15 ever built ,five fewer than the coupé, it's one of the rarest Lamborghinis ever made. Under its sharp and stealthy body lies a naturally-aspirated 6.5L V12 borrowed from the Murciélago LP670-4 SV, producing 660 horsepower and verified by a signed engine certificate from top Lamborghini executives. Paired with an E-Gear transmission and all-wheel drive, it sprints from 0-60mph in just 3.4 seconds while topping out at 205mph. Kevin Van Campenhout/RM Sotheby's Finished in matte Grigio Reventón and trimmed in aircraft-inspired Grey Alcantara, the Roadster's design takes inspiration from the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. The cockpit features three TFT displays that mimic a jet fighter's head-up display as a nod to aviation aesthetic. This specific example, delivered to Switzerland in 2010 and later registered in Germany, has seen just 4,102 kilometers, making it a piece of Lamborghini's most exclusive chapter. Service stamps show careful ownership, with documented maintenance visits and a chassis-specific engine certificate to back it all up. Kevin Van Campenhout/RM Sotheby's Accompanied by its original Lamborghini flight case and even a military-style shoulder bag, this car is a piece of design history that still looks like it's from the future. With a legacy that continues to shape Lamborghini's current lineup, this Revénton Roadster is off to its new home to continue its ongoing legacy. View All RM Sotheby's Inventory Kevin Van Campenhout/RM Sotheby's View this post on Instagram A post shared by RM Sotheby's (@rmsothebys) Source: RM Sotheby's

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