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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

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By Tyler Rampersaud – January 31, 2023

RM Sotheby's Sold $44M Of Rare Cars In Arizona

Amazing cars plus amazing sales equals an amazing auction. Some of the most incredible cars in the entirety of automotive history crossed the block at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona auction. From all over the world, some of the most celebrated classics and modern masterpieces from Italy, Germany, and the United States were sold, and 91% of the lots offered sold through at the auction. With intense bidding and even record-breaking sales occurring, for RM Sotheby’s, as well as worldwide car enthusiasts and collectors, this auction was surely one to remember. MUST READ: The First GMC HUMMER EV SUV Sells For $500K At Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale The highest seller, at $4,075,000, was a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, and not just any LaFerrari, but the only one to be finished in Blu Elettrico with Crema leather. Behind it was an incredible example of the 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, selling for $3,360,000, which was then followed by a record-breaking sale, that of a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ZL-1 Convertible for $3,140,000, making it the world’s highest-selling C3 Corvette. Rounding out the top 5 sales was a 1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II by Pininfarina, selling for $2,225,000. A 1992 Ferrari F40 was the sixth-highest seller, at $2,150,000, followed by a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, selling for $1,820,000, a 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort for $1,682,500, a 2017 Ferrari F12tdf for $1,242,500, and a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT that sold for the same $1,242,500, rounding out the top 10. With these exciting results on the books already for 2023, RM Sotheby’s looks forward to continuing a great auction calendar. View All Exotic Cars For Sale Source: RM Sotheby's

2024 gmc hummer ev edition 1 suv barrett jackson 01

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 30, 2023

The First GMC HUMMER EV SUV Sells For $500K At Barrett-Ja...

The GMC HUMMER EV SUV makes a grand entrance. In its truck form, the GMC HUMMER EV has already begun to rock the world with its incredible performance, iconic and unmistakable presence, and luxurious appointments. However, the SUV version of the amazing off-roader is beginning to have its time in the limelight, as at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale Auction, which took place this past weekend, the very first 2024 GMC HUMMER EV Edition 1 SUV crossed the block with proceeds from its sale going to Tread Lightly!, a non-profit organization that advocates for outdoor activity. MUST READ: GMC Hummer EV Price, Specs, Photos & Review The VIN 001 HUMMER EV SUV boasts a triple-motor all-wheel drive electric system, complete with 830 horsepower, 11,500 lb/ft of torque, and an estimated 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. It also has four-wheel steering with a Crab Walk feature, a power swing-out tailgate with a full-size spare tire, and an exclusive Moonshot Green exterior color. The hammer price of $500,000 is indicative both of the new SUV’s excellence and its exclusivity, as reservations for the vehicle are currently full. Production is set to begin very soon for an SUV that will change the legacy of the Hummer name and the SUV market as a whole. View All GMC HUMMER EVs For Sale Source: GMC

By duPont REGISTRY – January 16, 2023

Demon-Powered Jeep Gladiator Being Auctioned In Scottsdale

Presented by America's Most Wanted 4x4 (AMW). Nicknamed "Highlighter," this new custom 2023 Demon turn-key Jeep Gladiator pickup by America's Most Wanted 4x4 (AMW) is powered by a Mopar supercharged 6.2-liter Demon HEMI engine delivering 840hp and 770 ft/lbs of torque mated to the heavy-duty 8-speed Trackhawk automatic transmission. The first AMW build for 2023, this Jeep JT is finished in High Velocity Yellow and sports a custom AMW bobbed bed. All that power and torque is delivered to the road and trail with the AMW 8-lug 60/80 spindle axle package and 40-inch Nitto Trail Grappler tires with 17-inch KMC forged wheels. The HEMI-tuned long-arm suspension package provides exceptional comfort and stability, and cylinder-assist steering includes 1.5-ton linkages providing sportscar-like handling. Stopping is achieved through the big Barbarian 8-piston brakes. Premium AMW-branded additions include AMW LED headlamps, shifters, grab handle and a premium Tuscany leather interior with accent stitching. It features illuminated power steps with a rocker guard, KC trail lights, and a WARN ZEON Platinum 12,000-pound winch that provides off-road capability. 48 actual miles. America's Most Wanted 4x4 (AMW4x4) has perfected Jeep® HEMI® Conversion Packages. They start with genuine Mopar® crate engines and transmissions, adding AMW4x4 engineering and manufactured adapters, brackets and tubing kits. AMW's packages include everything that is needed, from the correct oil pan to the complete exhaust system and proprietary engine calibration. These are the most complete HEMI® Conversion Systems period. All conversions include a 3-year/36,000 on engine-conversion parts and 1 yr warranty on labor by approved licensed repair service centers when AMW4x4 installs the HEMI® Conversion Package. View Lot Listing

By Edward Jones – January 06, 2023

1992 Ferrari F40 Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023

Image with size : Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1992 Ferrari F40 Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 Introduced on July 21, 1987, to a gathering of the world motoring press by Enzo Ferrari himself, the Ferrari F40 was the final supercar commissioned by Il Commendatore before his passing in 1988. The successor to the 288 GTO, it was named to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the great Italian carmaker and has gained in stature in the interim as one of the purest distillations of the Ferrari mystique. No. 179 of a total of 213 built to U.S. market specifications, F40 No. 92189 is a sensational offering wearing iconic Rosso Corsa over a red and gray interior, with an odometer reading of 10,994 miles. The F40’s coachwork was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti employing contemporary Ferrari Formula 1 practice in its construction, which comprised a combination of carbon fiber composites, Kevlar and Nomex, the same materials that form its rigid yet lightweight chassis. The vented Plexiglas backlight showcases the snarling matching-numbers 2936cc DOHC V-8 engine, which packs twin water-cooled IHI turbochargers, air-to-air intercoolers, four valves per cylinder, sequential fuel injection and a Weber-Marelli management system to produce 478 HP at 7,000 RPM and 425 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 through a gated 5-speed gearbox. The all-independent suspension and brakes are likewise F1-bred, using double wishbones with coilover shock absorbers, rack-and-pinion steering, ventilated and cross-drilled rotors, and lightweight aluminum calipers. Pirelli P-Zero Assimetrico tires on factory wheels complete the car’s underpinnings with a major contribution to its incredible handling. A unique feature of this exceptional F40 is its Tubi exhaust system, which was specially tuned for this car; a crated factory exhaust system is included should the future owner wish to return it to original fitment. The car’s in-depth documentation shows an official factory build start date of November 26, 1991. It was completed on January 10, 1992, and reportedly seen on the F40 assembly line by expert Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, who contributed a detailed report to complement the accompanying Ferrari Classiche Red Book. Offered with the original books in a leather case and the all-important tool roll, the car comes with a detailed service history including a no-expense-spared engine and gearbox restoration completed January 26, 2022, by the Ferrari specialists at Evans Automotive in Columbus, Ohio. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

By Edward Jones – January 05, 2023

1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster Being Auctioned At Mecum K...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 Requiring little, if any, introduction, 1959 Le Mans champion Carroll Shelby took the racing world by storm with his AC Ace-derived, Ford V-8 Cobra. Developed into 427 big-block specification by Ken Miles, these ultimate Cobras were intended for a 100-car production batch and international events, but Shelby American failed to meet the FIA’s production deadline. Remaining unsold full-competition cars were completed as S/C or Semi-Competition Cobras and marketed as the “fastest street car ever built,” with nearly 500 HP on tap in a 2,000-pound roadster. Subsequently, competition and modified street 427 Cobras ruled American tracks and set speed and lap records long after their contemporaries had already retired. Numbered CSX3270 and listed in the Shelby American World Registry published by the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC), this 427 Cobra was converted to S/C appearance in 1971 with the addition of a hood scoop, roll bar, side pipes, competition-type fuel filler, S/C lips to the rear-fender flares and Halibrand wheels. In 1981, CSX3270 was converted to full Competition specifications by Geoff Howard of Accurate Restorations in Danbury, Connecticut. The 427 CI engine was built by expert Joe La Pine of Danbury Competition Engines and included a pair of ported and flowed aluminum heads. The suspension received a full Competition treatment by Howard as well, including boxed and reinforced A-arms, Koni shocks and braided lines, with hardware including bronze bushings, hardened steel-sleeve inserts and grease fittings. Notably, this suspension setup was replicated from that of CSX3002, the first 427 Cobra shipped to the United States and an original Shelby factory team race car that Howard formerly owned. In addition to its fascinating history and noted former ownership, CSX3270 benefits handsomely from a recent cosmetic and mechanical restoration that was completed in 2022, with virtually no possible expense spared. During the restoration, the aggressive Cobra body was stripped to bare metal, painstakingly prepared and finished in iconic Guardsman Blue, complementing the purposeful Cobra cockpit trimmed in black leather upholstery well. A photo book documenting the restoration accompanies this awesome 427 Shelby Cobra. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

By Edward Jones – January 04, 2023

1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird Being Auctioned At Mecum Kis...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 There will always be “the one,” that single item that stands apart even amongst its peers. This particular Superbird is a car that could anchor any collection, even among other Superbirds. Of the 1,920 units constructed, just 135 were Hemi-powered, and this car is one of only 58 4-speed Hemi Superbirds to be delivered new by Plymouth. Of all six standard paint colors offered, FJ5 Limelight Green was the lowest volume color known, applied to approximately 11% of the overall production run. Add in the individual options on this car, and it is certainly one of one as equipped. As expected, the 426/425 HP Hemi V-8 engine here features the components that made it legendary. Two Carter AFB 4-barrels, large-port hemispherical heads, high-flow exhaust manifolds with H-pipe exhaust, a NASCAR-developed reciprocating assembly and performance ignition were all standard equipment on this engine. It is backed by the D21 Hemi A833 4-speed manual transmission, which in turn mandated the A33 Track Pak with its Dana 60 Sure Grip differential and 3.54:1 final gearing, as well as power steering, power brakes with front discs and heavy-duty cooling equipment. Ordering the Hemi installation automatically upgraded the frame and suspension as well. The FJ5 exterior color was an added cost, and the Superbird-specific components were installed accordingly. The replacement steel rear window opening meant a black vinyl top, while the rear wing, nose cone and rear-facing fender scoops were finished in body color. In the case of this car, the interior is black vinyl but features premium pieces led by the rare rim-blow steering wheel, bucket seats with a center fold-down buddy seat, an AM radio with 8-track player, the Tic-Toc-Tach and a Hurst Pistol Grip shifter. Outside, the unique hood uses functional pins as part of the actual hold down, while large Plymouth fender decals, Road Runner trim accents and chrome exhaust tips complete it. Among the provenance included are a broadcast sheet and window sticker, plus copies of historic titles. The combination of this car’s options and driveline allowed its original owner to have a dream car, as very few people spent the money for some of them, such as the AM/8-track radio and rim-blow steering wheel, both which added significant cost after purchasing the more than $800 Hemi engine. For those who want a Hemi Superbird that will make even people who know these cars pay attention, this one has few, if any, equals. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2023

1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air Being Auctioned At Mecum K...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 For many Pontiac and performance fans in general, the 1969-71 GTO Judge represents a high-water mark for the entire muscle car era. It had all of the elements for such lofty reverence: a powerful engine lineup, spectacular styling, colorful paint options, wild graphics and the required scoops and spoilers needed to project the image of speed and the youthful exuberance that defined the era. This 1970 Pontiac Ram Air IV GTO Judge Convertible from The Chuck Cocoma Judge & GTO Ram Air IV Collection headed to Mecum’s flagship Kissimmee event this January is among the rarest of the breed, with its pairing of the Ram Air IV engine and automatic transmission making it just one of seven of its kind built that year. With the easing of GM corporate mandates for the 1970 model year, the largest-displacement engines from each division were now eligible for installation in the A-body platform. This meant the new, high-compression 455 rated at 360 HP was made available to the GTO and Judge powertrain lineup as an option. It was a particularly good choice for heavily optioned cars with air conditioning, as it developed a whopping 500 lb-ft of torque. It complemented the Ram Air III and Ram Air IV powerplants, which returned to the lineup in 1970, essentially unchanged aside from some revised casting numbers. Pontiac produced a total of 40,149 GTOs in 1970, of which 3,797 were Judges and 168 were Judge convertibles, and of those Judge convertibles, 17 were Ram Air IV-powered and only seven were built with the Ram Air IV and automatic transmission. This particular Orbit Orange 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible from The Chuck Cocoma Judge & Ram Air IV GTO collection is one of those seven Ram Air IV automatic cars, and it has had an interesting life. Starting out as a factory exhibition car used for show duty that year, it was later invoiced to the Milwaukee zone office and sold through Don Nichols Inc. of Walworth, Wisconsin. In addition to the aforementioned powertrain, the Judge convertible was also factory-equipped with power steering and power front disc brakes, a Formula steering wheel, an AM/FM radio, stereo 8-track tape player, console, custom seat belts, a Soft Ray tinted windshield, a hood tachometer and Rally II wheels mounting Firestone Wide Oval white-letter tires. This particular Ram Air IV Judge convertible has been treated to an extensive body-off-frame restoration and has received a treasure trove of awards, with wins at the Meadow Brook Concours in 1998, Ault Park in 2000, Cranbrook in 2004, the Milwaukee Masterpiece in 2009, as well as a POCI Junior Gold in 1999 and a Senior Gold in 2000. This 1970 Ram Air IV Judge convertible is an incredibly desirable example of the breed, with the most desirable engine in the most desirable body style of a special-edition model in the most desirable color combination offered for that one year. Add to that its history as a factory exhibition vehicle and its impressive number of awards and it becomes one of the rarest and most sought-after examples of the breed to ever come to market. Its availability at Mecum’s Kissimmee 2023 auction marks a unique opportunity for a new owner to make it the crown jewel of their high-end muscle car or Pontiac collection. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

By Edward Jones – December 29, 2022

1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II Being Auctioned At Mecum ...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 There’s a reason Elvis Presley had one of his two BMW 507 Roadsters painted red: it didn’t show the lipstick marks left by adoring fans. That’s the way the story goes, at least, but perhaps some of them were simply showing their admiration for a truly spectacular and exotic car that Road & Track described as a “fortuitous combination of all-out racing beastliness and the true grace of postwar Italian design.” Once again, as with other landmark luxury European sports cars including the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and Roadster, the driving force behind the BMW 507 was legendary New York importer Max Hoffman, who persuaded BMW there was a market—particularly among America’s highest rollers—for an exotic, high-priced, European open-top sports car. Hoffman recruited New York-based German ex-patriot industrial designer Count Albrecht von Goertz to pen the dramatic aluminum body. The chassis was a shortened version of that used on the 502 sedan, which also furnished the fabulous burble of the all-aluminum 3168cc OHV V-8 breathing through a pair of Zenith twin-choke carburetors. With the V-8 rated at 150 HP, the 507 was good for 124 MPH. When deliveries started in June 1956, sales didn’t materialize as fast as Hoffman had hoped, in large part because, although the exotic BMW was undoubtedly beautiful, its initial price of $8,988 was a deal more exotic than Hoffman’s $5,000 target, at which he forecast annual sales in the thousands. Nevertheless, the 507 got even more exotic, its price rising to $10,500 in 1959. In its short career, which returned sales of just 252, BMW invested considerable development effort in the car, befitting its status as a prestigious flagship model. This 1959 BMW 507 Roadster is No. 242 of those 252 produced. As a late-production Series II model, it benefits from the revised cabin that increased space and legroom by moving the fuel tank aft to the trunk floor. Early cars were drum-braked, while front discs later became an option; however, this example features the very rare 4-wheel disc-brake option, developed in conjunction with BMW by none other than British motorcycling world champion and future Formula 1 world champion John Surtees for his own 507. Another extremely rare extra is the hard top, which it’s reckoned was supplied to just 11 BMW 507s. Each of the hard tops was individually fabricated to fit a particular car, as the hand-crafted bodies varied from one car to another. The BMW 507 also features a Blaupunkt radio, three-piece luggage set and a tool kit under the hood. Part of Rick Grant III’s collection since 2002, this BMW 507 Roadster was previously owned by well-known BMW collector Goetz Pfafflin, a long-time BMW Car Club of America member and founder of the BMW Vintage and Classic Car Club of America. Its 3168cc OHV V-8, backed here by a ZF 4-speed manual gearbox, was rebuilt along with the suspension and brakes in 1997 by BMW specialist Brummer of Munich, Germany. A professional restoration by Bruce Kelly’s Lake Country Classic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, followed in 2021, focusing on the bodywork, paint, upholstery, top and chrome. That same year, Pfafflin completed the 3,500-mile BWN Vintage Marathon of Europe, with Brummer repairing the wiring system prior to the rally, and the BMW was displayed at the 2021 Concours d’Elegance of America. With 202 known survivors of the 252 built, it goes without saying that any BMW 507 is far rarer than the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, which totaled 1,858 sales. This example is rare even within the small and exclusive circle of BMW 507s. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

By Edward Jones – December 28, 2022

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Being Auctioned At Mecu...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 A universally recognized design and engineering tour de force, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe stands tall as one of the ultimate postwar European sports cars. Based upon the W194 competition coupes that returned Mercedes-Benz to racing and dominated the 1952 international racing season, the car was refined for production at the insistence of New York-based importer Max Hoffman. Retaining the purposeful gullwing-style doors of the initial racing cars, the 300SL road cars are unofficially named after this distinctive feature. Its 1954 New York debut marks the first Mercedes-Benz model not launched in Germany. The “SL” designation translated to English as “Lightweight Sports,” with race-bred features including an extremely light tubular frame, all-independent suspension and a 3.0L (2996cc) OHC straight-6 engine with dry-sump lubrication. Fuel injection was a production-car first. Power, rated at 240 HP at 6,100 RPM (SAE) and 215 HP at 5,800 RPM (DIN), was delivered through a 4-speed manual gearbox, rendering the 300SL the fastest production car of its time. Production of the semi-hand-built 300SL continued into 1957, with just 1,400 built in total, including 146 in 1954, 867 in 1955, 311 in 1956 and 76 in 1957, the latter completed as 300SL Roadster production commenced. Finished in black over period-correct green and red plaid seats and green interior panels, this visually striking 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is the product of a comprehensive, bare-metal restoration completed by renowned Canadian Mercedes-Benz expert Rudi Koniczek of Rudi & Company in Victoria, British Columbia. Powered by a matching-numbers 2996cc SOHC inline-6 engine with Bosch fuel injection, this 300SL features a 4-speed manual gearbox, custom-made fitted luggage, 15-inch chrome wheels with center hubcaps, a correct tool kit and a Becker Mexico radio. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

By Edward Jones – December 27, 2022

1959 Porsche 718 RSK Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023

Presented by Mecum Auctions. 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Being Auctioned At Mecum Kissimmee 2023 Immensely successful with factory drivers and skilled, well-heeled privateers, Porsche’s 718 RSK Spyder debuted in 1957 with the purpose-built competition spaceframe and Type 547 roller-crankshaft, DOHC powerplant ushered in by the prior 550 Spyder. Capable of defeating many seemingly more formidable opponents, the 718 RSK finished third overall—a Porsche first—at Le Mans in 1958. Since the FIA approved full envelope-type bodies for the 1957-58 Formula 2 seasons, the 718 RSK was also available with a center-mounted steering box and scored further victories so equipped at Reims and Avus. Of the as few as 34 built, only an estimated six 718 RSK Spyders were built with center-steering, and of them, four were factory-built with provisions to quickly switch between center- and offset-steering configurations for F2 and sports-car races, including this 718 RSK, Chassis No. 718-028. Built in April 1959, this 718 RSK was delivered new with the center-seat adaptation to successful privateer racer Christian Goethals of Belgium. In addition to finishing fourth with 718-028 in the car’s first race at the 1959 German Grand Prix, Goethals drove this 718 RSK to victory at the 1959 Leopoldville Grand Prix in the Belgian Congo. In 1960, Goethals co-drove 718-028 with Curt Delfosse to sixth overall and third in class at the Buenos Aires 1000km Grand Prix. Other notable outings in 1960 included a class win at the Formula Libre Prix de Paris at Montlhèry and a second-place podium at Spa. Additionally, Goethals scored two overall victories at Belgium’s Lance Anvers hillclimb. After the season, Goethals commissioned Porsche to install a 1600cc engine at the factory in Stuttgart, where the car remained until Goethals sold the car to Carmelo Guiffre of Mohawk, New York. Guiffre shipped 718-028 from Germany to the United States and later sold the car to G.F. Leydorf Jr. After years of perseverance and a very lucrative trade offer, Rick Grant of Dayton, Ohio, was finally able to acquire 718-028 from Leydorf. Grant had it restored for vintage racing and entered it into more than 100 events with John Higgins driving. Displayed at the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, 718-028 retains most of its original Wendler alloy bodywork. The twin-Weber carbureted type 547/3 engine (No. 90220) was rebuilt by Porsche 4-cam expert Bill Doyle at California’s Rennwagen Motor Company. Documents with the car include letters and telegrams dated 1963-64 from Goethals to Guiffre, shipping invoices for the car’s export from Germany to New York in 1964, an original Porsche 718 RSK Spyder driver’s manual and a Telefax from Jurgen Barth of Porsche stating the car’s factory engine and gearbox numbers. A true racing icon, 718-028 is eligible for myriad exclusive vintage racing events because it has the option to convert from center-seat to two-seat configuration. This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida, The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. Taking place January 4-15, 2023. View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023. View More Information

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