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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

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe by Boano 0

By Edward Jones – January 06, 2021

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2021: 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coup...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Enzo Ferrari’s passion may have been racing cars, but by 1950, he had begun to accept that exclusive road cars were needed to finance the company’s growing competition efforts. Early Ferraris for the street were built in very small numbers, usually to special customer order, with no attempt made at standardization. A significant change occurred in 1954, when the Pinin Farina-designed 250 Europa debuted in Paris. It was Ferrari’s first true production model and would form the foundation for all future Ferrari 250 models. These included the second series 250 Europa GT, again designed by Pinin Farina. At the time of the second series’ unveiling, Pinin Farina was in the process of building a new, much larger production facility and did not yet have the space to build the larger quantities of cars that Ferrari was requesting. Accordingly, in 1954 the 250 GT coachbuilding contract was handed over to the newly established Carrozzeria Boano, headed by the former chief of Carrozzeria Ghia, Mario Felice Boano. The significance of the selection was not lost on Boano: At the previous year’s Geneva Motor show, his proposal for a 250 GT-based cabriolet (chassis number 0461 GT) sat beside its main competition, a coupe by Pinin Farina on a 250 GT chassis. Boano’s cabriolet was extreme and forward-thinking—perhaps too far ahead of its time; both Enzo and the public favored Pinin Farina’s more subtle offering. Boano was to replicate Pinin Farina’s coupe concept in production form. He executed his rival’s design faithfully, with one exception: he erased one of Farina’s styling signatures, smoothing out an “aggressive” haunch over the rear wheels, giving the finished Ferrari a stronger and lower beltline in the process. Over a two-year production run, an estimated 68 to 80 of these aptly named “low roof” coupes, most wearing steel bodywork, were completed. The ultimate prize of this uncommon production run was a group of 14 Boano bodies executed in lightweight aluminum alloy. Their reduced weight drastically improved the punch of the 229 horsepower, 3.0-liter “Columbo” V-12 engine. Expectedly, these Alloy-bodied Boano coupes proved especially nimble in competition, achieving significant in-period victories at the 1956 Alpine GT and 1957 Acropolis Rally. Chassis 0613 GT, offered here is one such alloy-bodied Boano coupe, and benefits from a rich provenance and well-documented history, which includes its factory build records, in-period race victories, and more recently, certification by Ferrari Classiche. The accompanying factory build records indicate that in late October of 1956, this chassis received its rear axle and was forwarded to Carrozzeria Boano as a rolling frame on 7 November. The completed body and frame were returned to Maranello by mid-January, and 0613 GT was completed at the factory on 22 January 1957. This alloy-bodied Boano was dispatched to the New York City dealership of Luigi Chinetti shortly thereafter, from which it was sold to George Arents, the tobacco tycoon who was one of the primary financiers of Chinetti’s dealership and, later, his super-successful North American Racing Team. Arents is documented having raced 0613 just once at Maryland’s Marlboro Speedway in May 1957, before selling the car to Chinetti associate and later LeMans-winning driver, Bob Grossman of Nyack, New York in early 1958. Grossman also proved a short-term custodian, having passed along 0613 to acquaintance Len Potter after several months. Potter repainted the car a dark red metallic, providing the historic inspiration for its current appearance. That December, Potter and Grossman registered as racing partners for the fifth annual International Bahamas Speed Week, going on to score a class victory in the Five-Lap Tourist Trophy and podium finish in the 25-Lap Tourist Trophy races, respectively. Grossman also raced 0613 to a sixth overall finish in the Speed week’s famous “All-Ferrari” Race held on 6 December. Grossman’s last recorded ride with 0613 came in late October 1959, just seven months before he claimed a class win at Le Mans behind the wheel of the Briggs Cunningham #3 Corvette. In 1960, 0613 was exported to England. Between 1963 and 1982, it passed through the stables of several English owners (including a certain Jack Bruce—believed to be the bassist of Cream fame, who was also a noted Ferrari enthusiast) before it underwent a restoration executed in 1985 by David Cottingham’s DK Engineering in Watford. The firm sold the freshly revived Boano, now painted Rosso Corsa over a beige interior, to a Japanese collector in 1986, with whom it remained carefully and privately stored until export to the United States in 2002. By 2004, 0613’s California-based owner had commissioned Fossil Motorsports of Chatsworth, California to execute a concours preparation regiment and engine rebuild, the fruits of which included a Gold Award at the 2004 FCA International Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California. In 2007, 0613 was sold to a collector in Fort Lauderdale, Florida who faithfully returned his new acquisition to its touring form, completing the thousand-mile Colorado Grand road tour without issue. The following year, this same owner successfully submitted the car for Ferrari Classiche certification just months after displaying the coupe at the annual Cavallino Classic. After five years, 0613 was sold to its next owner, an avid historic racer, road rally aficionado, and fastidious collector residing just outside Chicago, Illinois. Between 2011 and 2016, this owner spared no expense keeping 0613 in peak mechanical form for a regular rallying calendar; accompanying maintenance documentation shows nearly $200,000 in work executed over his ownership by Continental Auto Sports of Hinsdale, Illinois. A sampling of services performed includes a thorough sorting of the electrical and ignition systems, rebuilds for the transmission, brakes, suspension, carburetors, and steering box, and many other components, consumables, and assemblies. Fall Line Motorsports of Buffalo Grove, Illinois were also retained to fit 0613’s additional safety equipment, including a fire suppression system, headrests, upholstered roll bars, and four-point racing harnesses. Further, the car was refinished in its present attractive two-tone livery during this owner's tenure. As a result of his enthusiasm and care, this attractive alloy-bodied Boano coupe was a regular and successful fixture at both the California Mille and Colorado Grand. Save for an exhibition at the 2019 The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, 0613 has been sparingly shown and rarely driven since acquisition by the consignor in 2016. The accompanying Ferrari Classiche binder and observations of 0613’s extant equipment confirm that it retains its original V-12 engine, gearbox, rear differential, and Boano alloy body. The correct Houdaille shocks, Marchal headlights, and Borrani wire wheels complete the stylish exterior, and its nicely presented interior is clothed in Pelle Beige upholstery. This exceedingly rare, attractive, and well-documented 250 GT is now offered for sale with under 66,700 miles indicated. It is accompanied by its aforementioned Ferrari Classiche book, maintenance invoices, tool kit, spare Borrani wheel, and service manual. It will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale, taking place 22 January in Scottsdale, Arizona. View Listing

1989 Mercedes Benz 560 SEC AMG 6 0 Wide Body 0

By Edward Jones – January 05, 2021

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2021: 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC AMG...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - From their 150-employee operation in Affalterbach, the burgeoning engine builder and tuning firm AMG had, by 1989, already released some of the most powerful, outrageous, no-holds-barred creations to grace the Autobahn. Since 1967, the firm had achieved marked success by following a simple corporate ethos: If your pockets were deep enough, they would build it for you. At a time when Mercedes-Benz still poured unrivaled sums into the research and development of their products, yet the marque’s identity remained “comfortable luxury,” AMG regularly committed acts of heresy; “shoehorning” became AMG’s particular claim to fame, and displacement proved the company’s preferred commodity. The car offered here is quite in line with this approach. This Japanese-market 1989 560 SEC AMG 6.0 Wide-Body is clad in Pearl Grey Metallic over Anthracite leather and was delivered new to AMG Japan in September 1988. The car’s original powertrain was replaced by AMG in-period, and the completed car was delivered back to its first owner shortly thereafter. AMG’s work consisted of taking a stock 5.5-liter M117 V-8 and boring it out to 6.0-liters before equipping it with a set of “hotter” camshafts housed within of pair of proprietary 16-valve, three-piece, sand-cast cylinder heads. Surmounted by a modified throttle body, freer-breathing exhaust, and ported intake manifold, the final product produces a reported 385 horsepower and provides twice the torque at half the engine speed of the stock 560 configuration. The cost of the 6.0-liter (32-valve) and Wide-Body packages from AMG—tacked onto the sticker price of a brand-new, flagship SEC Coupe—made this car one of the most expensive roadgoing marvels of the period. These prohibitively high costs assured that only the most well-heeled enthusiasts could showcase the pinnacle of the tuning firm’s catalog. Both the engine number and transmission number are the correct AMG sequences indicating period modification. AMG “Gen II” body numbers are found on the front fenders and front bumper with correct West German production information, and the valve cover stampings correctly identify the 6.0-liter displacement (as opposed to the available, lesser 5.6-liter), sequence number, and appropriate employee ID code. Further stampings on the heads, exhaust manifolds, and throttle body are similar testaments to this coupe’s significant modifications. Further, AMG four-piston front brake calipers are present along with the exclusive and correct “AMG by Bilstein” shocks. AMG-touched cars from this era may only have a few of these attributes present; this example evidences them throughout. One newer addition is the replacement stainless steel exhaust; it runs rear past the limited-slip differential, finding its terminus in a dual-outlet muffler rendered in the style of the correct AMG unit. AMG’s hand assembled widebody fenders and “Gen II” ground effects change the visage of Bruno Sacco’s pillarless coupe design from graceful to vengeful. Plastic badges bearing a modern AMG logo appear to be more recent additions to each front fender, but this coupe’s menacing stance is otherwise correct. A proper set of staggered, three-piece 17-inch wheels are presently shod in fresh Bridgestone Potenza tires. The Anthracite interior is a rather restrained affair, so far as AMG builds of the period are concerned. Nonetheless, an attractive suite of extended burl veneers is enriched by the presence of a small-gauge AMG by Momo M38 steering wheel fronting a white-faced AMG instrument cluster. The rear seats are in presentable condition; quilted buffalo leather door inserts and black carpeting complete the handsome appeal of this coupe’s cockpit. This 1989 560 SEC AMG 6.0 Wide-Body Coupe is now offered for sale with just 90,400 kilometers (~56,200 miles) indicated, and is accompanied by a Japanese manual, service map booklet, later AMG document pouch, jack, and spare tire. It will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale, taking place 22 January in Scottsdale, Arizona. View Listing

2008 Shelby GT40 Mk II 85th Commemorative Edition 0

By Edward Jones – January 04, 2021

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2021: 2008 Shelby GT40 Mk II 85th Co...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - This Shelby GT40 is a quality re-creation of the original Ford GT that beat Ferrari and finished in the top three positions at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. One of Superformance’s most ambitious creations ever, this GT40 is incredibly detailed and faithful to the original Mk II design. Adding to its appeal and exclusivity, this chassis is an 85th Commemorative Edition example created in 2008 to celebrate the 85th birthday of none other than Carroll Shelby. Fittingly, only 85 units in the series were constructed, with this chassis bearing serial number one. Since its completion, it has been driven fewer than four miles. While developing their exhilarating GT40, Superformance engineers went to great lengths to ensure authenticity; the resulting car was so authentic, that it could bear the name “GT40.” Further, it carries a GT40/P chassis number and is eligible for entry in the GT40 registry. This is not simply a modern tube-frame chassis shrink-wrapped in a fiberglass body; the Superformance GT40 MKII has a super-rigid steel semi-monocoque chassis with a pressed-steel roof, just like the original Mark IIs. Nearly everything is like the original, right down to the “Gurney bubble” in the roof. Of course, some improvements were made in the interest of durability, weight savings, and safety; further, electro-galvanized sheet steel is used in construction to improve longevity. However, 90 percent of the parts are said to be interchangeable with the original GT40 Mk II. Notable differences from the source car include the addition of air conditioning and more modern Wilwood brakes, along with the fact that it is left-hand drive; the original race-prepared cars featured a steering wheel on the right. Power is provided by a custom-built, naturally aspirated aluminum 511-cubic inch FE v-8 engine developing an estimated 692 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. Here, it is paired to an RBT five-speed manual transaxle with center-mounted shifter. In a car that weighs only around 2,400 pounds, the acceleration and performance of this 2008 Shelby GT40 Mk II remains breathtaking. Suitable for vintage racing, this time-tested design still has—in skilled hands—the potential to blow the doors off most modern supercars at track days. Whether on- or off-track, if you want to turn heads, this spectacular GT40 MKII 85th Commemorative Edition will do it better than most anything else. This chassis’ connection to the legendary Carroll Shelby, including a signed dashboard (Shelby’s signature is here joined by that of driver Bob Bondurant), only deepen its appeal. It will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale, taking place 22 January in Scottsdale, Arizona. View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 22, 2020

Mecum Kissimmee 2021: Four-Speed 1970 Plymouth Hemi Super...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - While NASCAR required a minimum number of almost 2,000 Superbirds from Plymouth to legalize the special aero-design body pieces, most were powered by the 440 Super Commando engine. In fact, of three engines available in this model, the gorgeous car here features by far the rarest design: the 426 Hemi. Showing 16,485 miles on the odometer, this is one of a mere 58 Superbirds produced in that special run of Mopars with the Hemi/4-speed transmission combination. Featuring its original sheet metal, this restored car was sold new at Capitol Motors in Trenton, New Jersey, and has as provenance the original window sticker, two broadcast sheets, its IBM punch card and a factory warranty card. Well-known in the Mopar hobby, its restoration was completed in 2002, and it was named Best American Muscle Car at 2003 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, plus it received OE Silver Certification at the 2002 Mopar Nationals; those judging documents state that the Silver Certification wasn't for incorrect components, but for being “way better than factory” in its execution. It has a David Wise Vehicle Visual Evaluation Report and Certificate as well. This amazing low-mileage car still has its original born-with drivetrain, including the 426/425 HP Hemi V-8 engine with dual 4-barrel carburetors, A833 Hemi 4-speed manual transmission and the Dana 60 3.54 Sure Grip differential associated with the A33 Track Pack. This car has both power steering, power brakes with front discs and heavy-duty cooling components. It is painted in Alpine White with a black vinyl top and interior, which was optioned with bucket seats, rare C16 center console, Hurst Pistol Grip shifter, N85 Tic-Toc-Tach and an AM radio. The exterior features dual outside mirrors, chrome exhaust tips, and the aero-package: a streamlined nose cone, hood pins, front fender air extractors, special rear window glass, tall rear wing and Plymouth graphics. Of course, the Road Runner icons and horn are here as well. This car rides on premium 15-inch Rallye wheels and F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GT tires. Truth be told, high-quality, restored Superbirds are generally available. However, Hemi/4-speed versions that retain original driveline pieces and premium interior options like the console, such as this example, are exceptionally rare. If you want a true muscle Mopar with provenance and genuine desirability, it would be difficult to surpass this outstanding vehicle. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021 event (January 7-16, 2021). View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 21, 2020

Mecum Kissimmee 2021: Rangoon Red 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra R...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Much has been written over the years about the Shelby Cobra, especially in 427 trim like the car offered here. Its unadulterated track prowess, ongoing mechanical development and international attraction are part of that. The encroaching pressure of federal automotive regulations was what finally caused the storied import-based package to disappear from the marketplace. CSX3318 was invoiced to Shelby American on October 11, 1966, putting this 427-powered roadster into the exclusive company as a final-year example before Ford and Shelby American agreed to pull the plug on the AC-supplied body program. If this car seems familiar, it could be because it was shown on the cover of “Car & Driver” in April 1981, as well as the epic Roger Huntington domestic production book “American Supercars.” This well-presented FE-powered Shelby was sold to its first owner through Marshall Motor Company in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. In 1978, the car’s second owner sold it to Jim Inglese, founder of Inglese Induction Systems, the noted experts in Weber and EFI fuel systems development. During that era, a cosmetic restoration was administered by Cobra expert Geoff Howard of Accurate Restorations in Danbury, Connecticut, with S/C modifications including flares, hood scoop, side pipes and competition fuel cap being added at that time. This 427 Cobra was displayed at the 1987 SAAC-12 meet in Charlotte where it received First Place honors in the popular vote 427 Cobra Class. It was the lone 427 Cobra to participate in the inaugural “Cobras in the Mountains Tour” in 2004. Most recently, in April 2018, this motorcar was restored to its original as-delivered specifications by Drew Serb at the Cobra Experience in Martinez, California, allowing it to attain the level of excellence now expected in today’s ever-advancing hobby. Today, CSX3318 features a correct 427 CI side-oiler V-8 engine under the hood, with the correct 4-barrel carburetor and intake in place as well. The engine is detailed with Ford chrome components and displacement callout decals. This big-block engine design was enough for Ford’s most noteworthy racers to compete and win against the very best packages in the world during its classic era, and the term “side-oiler” retains a notoriety that has come down to the current era. This mill is backed by a 4-speed transmission. With correct Rangoon Red paint covering the aluminum body, the exterior is accented with chrome trim, Cobra and 427 callouts, front-fender louvers, and the trademark bumper design and grille opening. The svelte fender lines, windscreen with vents, stacked tail lamps and special Sunburst knock-off wheels with blackwall rubber combine to give this Cobra its all-business impression, leaving the possible occupants with a “dare to enter” sense of excitement. This car can be driven as aggressively as the BF Goodrich radial rubber will allow and the pilot desires. The interior on all Shelby Cobras was the definitive “cockpit,” sporting the type of functionality that is based on a serious attention to driving. The two bucket seats are split with the shifter and a chrome ashtray. The dash is in flat black, equipped with fully functioning gauges to monitor engine conditions. A 3-spoke wood-rim steering wheel with a Cobra-logo center completes it. The 427 Cobra was designed as a streetable performance masterpiece, an ultimate expression of its owner’s commitment to be respected. The 1967 model run would signify the end of that possibility for new car buyers (Shelby sold the final available example in 1968). The history of CSX3318 is listed in the Shelby Registry, but few can match its notoriety as a “Car & Driver” road-test subject, ownership by Inglese, book-cover subject, present condition and its potential in the future. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021 event (January 7-16, 2021). View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 20, 2020

Mecum Kissimmee 2021: Graphite Grey 1956 Mercedes-Benz 30...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - After rising from the ashes of postwar Europe, Mercedes-Benz returned to racing in 1952, winning the World Sports Car Championship with the now-famous 300SL factory sports racer. That might have been the end of the 300SL concept, as the factory was then planning a return to Grand Prix racing, but fate intervened in the form of New York automotive importer and Mercedes-Benz franchisee Max Hoffmann, who convinced Daimler Benz management to approve production of a roadgoing version of the 300SL. Built to the marque’s typically exacting standards, the production 300SL coupe and its smaller 190SL counterpart debuted to instant international acclaim in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show on Park Avenue in New York, a million-dollar pageant broadcast on nationwide television. The 300SL lived up to the promise of that extravaganza with a new standard of grand touring performance and luxury, with an emphasis on performance. Its innovative, lightweight space frame virtually duplicated that of the 300SL racers, as did the all-independent suspension and robust drum brakes. The first 4-stroke production engine to employ fuel injection, the SL’s dry sump-lubricated 3.0L inline-6 powerplant was laid over at a 50 degree angle to allow the car’s low hoodline, and it used long ram tubes feeding the intake charge directly to each cylinder from a single large plenum drawing fresh air from the front of the car. Its 215 HP output was enough to power a car equipped with the highest axle ratio to 160 MPH, making it the world’s fastest production car. Rendered in steel with aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid, the 300SL’s purposeful bodywork was elegantly accented with dual hood bulges to clear the cam cover and intake plenum, sculpted spears above the wheel openings, and exhaust vents on the front fenders inspired by the contemporary W196 Grand Prix cars. Even by today’s lofty supercar standards, the 300SL’s interior excels in comfort and ergonomics with supportive seating and excellent all-around visibility. A set of custom-fitted luggage was a welcome accessory. According to Mercedes-Benz factory records, this stunning 300SL “Gullwing” coupe was completed on August 11, 1956, with special-order Graphite Grey paint and a blue plaid interior, and then shipped to the Mercedes-Benz dealer in Düsseldorf, Germany, for delivery to the Prince of Salm-Salm, a mediatized principality in the northwestern area of now modern-day France. The prince retained ownership of the Gullwing coupe until Dr. J. Theodore Luros, a neurosurgeon from Indianapolis, Indiana, acquired it in 1961. Active members of the Gullwing Group, Dr. and Mrs. Luros happened to see another member’s 300SL at a concours event and were so struck by its factory optional Code DB543 Strawberry Red Metallic paint that they decided to have theirs refinished in the same color. Dr. Luros cared for his beloved Gullwing until 2005, when he sold it to its third owner, a long-time marque owner/enthusiast whose collection had included a number of 300SLs acquired over the years through world-renowned restoration expert Rudi Koniczek of British Columbia, Canada. He commissioned Koniczek and his elite team of specialists to perform a cosmetic and mechanical restoration, once again in the same Strawberry Red finish. Recently, this very special Gullwing’s fourth and latest owner has had the car cosmetically refreshed once again, returning it to its original Graphite Grey paint and maintaining the contrasting tan leather interior. This magnificent 300SL Gullwing coupe retains its original matching-numbers engine, the original belly pans, highly desirable color-matching fitted luggage, factory-installed Becker Mexico radio, SWF windshield washer system, VDO gauges and tool kit, and comes with extensive documentation that includes the original 1961 title and Bill of Sale, prior registrations, restoration records and owner's manual. Highly original and always maintained in dazzling Concours condition, this extraordinary 300SL is exceedingly qualified to headline any collection of exquisite motorcars. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021 event (January 7-16, 2021). View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 19, 2020

Mecum Kissimmee 2021: Triple-Yellow 2018 Ford GT

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Five decades after Ford’s GT40 dominated endurance racing and nearly one decade after the last second-generation Ford GT left Ford’s facilities in Wixom, Michigan, the latest Ford GT debuted at the January 2015 North American Auto Show. Development of road models was conducted in parallel with the Chip Ganassi Racing/Multimatic racing cars that won class and finished third, fourth and ninth overall at Le Mans in 2016. Essentially a race car with a license plate, the new Ford GT features high-tech materials, cutting-edge construction and advanced technologies throughout. Manufacture of road models is carried out by Multimatic at a purpose-built, low-volume facility in Markham, Ontario, where the first Ford GT road car was completed on December 16, 2016. Featuring far too many features to fully list, this 2018 Ford GT is a one-owner car with just 1,665 miles and finished in stunning Triple Yellow livery, a $5,000 option that is complemented by optional Shadow Black painted over-the-top stripes costing $10,000 extra. Based on a competition-type carbon-fiber monocoque, the GT’s compact body delivers minimal aerodynamic drag and stands just 43.7 inches tall. Active multi-mode suspension includes competition-style pushrod-actuated dampers, and sections of an FIA-legal roll cage are integrated into the GT’s roof for incredible rigidity. Exuding a teardrop shape from above, the GT’s main body tapers sharply to the rear, and built-in aero features deliver useful downforce at speed. Flying buttresses direct cooler air into the engine, pontoon-style rear fenders are in the mold of track-only Le Mans prototypes, and the rear wing automatically adjusts itself. Power is provided by a 3.5L twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC EcoBoost V-6 engine developing 647 HP, harnessed by a paddle-shifted Getrag 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission/transaxle, yielding 0-60 MPH acceleration in 3.0 seconds and 216 MPH flat out. Hydraulic steering, huge Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes, super-light 20-inch carbon fiber 10-spoke wheels secured by titanium nuts, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and intense LED headlamps round out the GT’s many highlights. Switched into Race mode for track duty, the GT delivers sharper response to throttle inputs, less-sensitive traction- and stability-control programming, lower ride height and stiffer underpinnings, plus noticeably firmer shifts. The passenger compartment features black Sparco Alcantara-trimmed carbon fiber racing seats, a 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth and Sync 3 infotainment system. Another world-beating Ford GT, this stunning Triple Yellow example from 2018 is a design and engineering tour de force in every possible respect. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021 event (January 7-16, 2021). View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 18, 2020

Mecum Kissimmee 2021: 1965 Shelby GT350R Fastback - 1 of 34

Presented by Mecum Auctions - One of only 34 examples of Carroll Shelby’s all-conquering GT350R SCCA B Production racers, Serial No. 5R106 was raced in Midwest SCCA National events by its first owner, Richard Jordan of Downers Grove, Illinois. A veteran Corvette racer and graduate of the Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving at Riverside, California, Jordan ordered the car through Jack Loftus Ford Inc. in Hinsdale, Illinois. Prepared at Ford’s San Jose assembly plant to specifications established by GT350 Project Manager Chuck Cantwell, the stripped Mustang 2+2 Fastback arrived at Shelby American’s LAX headquarters on December 21, 1964; exactly six months later, on June 21, 1965, it rolled out of the Shelby workshop as an original full-competition R-Model, complete with a Shelby-modified 289 HiPo small-block V-8 tuned to 325 HP on the Shelby dynamometer. 5R106 was then shipped via TWA to O’Hare International Airport, and then to Loftus Ford, where it arrived with an additional rear axle assembly carrying 4.11:1 gearing. While not fully documented, the car’s race record begins with an entry in the B Production class at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on September 4, 1965—just 10 days after Jordan took delivery of his fresh new racer. Its subsequent history included races at Clermont, Indiana, Lynndale Farms, Wisconsin, and Wilmot Raceway, also in Wisconsin. Jordan began winding down his racing career by the early 1970s, when he placed 5R106 into long-term storage, where it remained for years under wraps and preserved in virtually as-original condition. Its second owner, Paul Zimmons of Potomac, Maryland, restored 5R106 after purchasing it in 1987, winning the Gold Award in the Competition Class at SAAC-18 at Watkins Glen in 1993. In 2000, the car earned Second Place Popular Vote at SAAC-25 at Lime Rock Park. Subsequent owners, including such prominent collectors as Dave Christenholz and noted Shelby expert and author Colin Comer, have carefully maintained this extraordinary R-Model as it first raced at Road America in 1965 (including the scratch in the door handle from when Jordan once went off-track at Road America and barely scraped the outside wall), employing only its original factory components and NOS parts as required. With fewer than 4,900 original miles on the original engine and drivetrain, 5R106 remains in astonishingly original condition, retaining such important features as the original Plexiglas and R-Model magnesium racing wheels. Fully race-ready and offered with unusually extensive documentation that includes the original Shelby American and Jack Loftus Ford paperwork, 5R106 presents as exceedingly original, authentically restored and factory correct in every detail, making it a marvelous example of a perennial American racing classic. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021 event (January 7-16, 2021). View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 17, 2020

Mecum Kissimmee 2021: 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista w/ 975 Miles

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Pista: properly spoken with the flair that is seemingly exclusive to the Italian tongue, it’s a fitting name for one of the hottest road-going Ferraris ever built, which is really saying something when it comes to the birthplace of the Prancing Horse. Translated to English, it means “racetrack,” which is exactly the intended field of endeavour for the track-purposed version of the Ferrari 488. In announcing the 488 Pista, Ferrari’s representative noted that the name signified not just the new car’s capacity for track-worthy performance but also the racing-derived technology that makes it all possible. From the dramatic downforce-generating ravine in the front hood to the elegant “dolphin” rear spoiler that seems to float above the voluminous rear diffuser drafted from the 488E endurance racer, the Pista’s aerodynamic accoutrements refined its ability to breeze through the air while holding it to the road with more efficiency than ever before. To fully appreciate the Pista’s soulful powerplant, one need only consider Ferrari’s own description: “An extreme evolution of the turbo engine selected overall International Engine of the Year in both 2016 and 2017, this is the most powerful V8 in Ferrari history.” The raw facts tell the rest of the story: an all-aluminum 3.9L twin-turbocharged DOHC 90-degree V-8 engine essentially built to Challenge specifications with a lighter crank and flywheel and gorgeous Inconel exhaust headers, improved intake and exhaust dynamics and direct injection. It all works in concert to produce a wailing symphony that swells to 710 HP and 568 lb-ft of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Capable of a top speed of 211 MPH, this 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista in red with twin black stripes rides on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on delicate-looking dark aluminum wheels that reveal the red-painted calipers and carbon-ceramic disc brakes within. The doors open to a black interior with red stitching and accents that leaves no doubt as to its functionality while still exuding refinement. Fine leather and polished carbon-fiber surfaces abound, sharing space with deep bucket seats, red seat belts and a large yellow tach centered behind the multi-function steering wheel. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee 2021 event (January 7-16, 2021). View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2020

Mecum Auctioning Off Optioned-Out Speed Yellow 2005 Ford GT

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Designed and built to help celebrate Ford Motor Company’s landmark 2003 centennial, the Ford GT also commemorated Ford’s historic 1-2-3 podium sweep in the Ford vs. Ferrari wars at the 1966 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Rooted in the GT90 and GT40 concept cars shown at Detroit in 1995 and 2002 respectively, the Ford GT program was far more than a throwback to a glorious past. While echoing the basic layout and iconic design cues of the GT40, the new Ford GT utilized modern, state-of-the-art engineering, materials and construction to deliver even greater performance than its legendary forebear. Design was penned by Camilo Pardo under J. Mays at Ford’s Living Legends studio, with engineering and assembly performed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and direct development work completed by none other than Carroll Shelby and his team. According to published sources, 4,033 GTs were built in total for the 2005 and 2006 model years, with this example being No. 320 of the 2,022 produced for 2005. This GT features all four factory-available options, including the audiophile-quality McIntosh stereo system and lightweight forged aluminum BBS wheels, and it is one of just 19 Speed Yellow cars produced for 2005 with full Le Mans stripes and gray-painted brake calipers. Following production, it was delivered to Lee Sapp Ford-Mercury in Ashland, Nebraska, for eventual sale. Race-bred engineering includes an aluminum 5.4L V-8 engine belting out a factory-rated 550 HP with electronic multi-port fuel injection, a Lysholm screw-type supercharger, intercooler and stainless dual exhaust. Other competition-derived engineering features include a Ricardo 6-speed rear transaxle, extruded aluminum space frame, precision-cast aluminum double-wishbone “SLA” suspension with coilovers, dry-sump engine lubrication and big 4-wheel Brembo ventilated disc brakes with 4-piston calipers. While capable of astounding performance in every discipline, including 205 MPH top-speed capability, this 2005 Ford GT is a proper road car with a wide array of comfort and convenience features including air conditioning, heat insulation, tilt and telescopic steering and Ebony leather-trimmed seats with carbon fiber structure. Accompanied at auction by the original window sticker, this rare and highly equipped “four option” 2005 Ford GT has only been lightly used since new with just 7,100 miles, and it stands as one of the most collectible examples of the brilliant 2005-06 Ford GT currently available. View Listing

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