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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

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

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2022

2006 Spyker C8 Spyder at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island

Presented by RM Sotheby's. Heralded by the slogan Nulla tenaci invia est via, meaning, “For the tenacious, no road is impassable,” Holland’s Spyker reemerged as an automobile constructor at the start of the new millennium. Debuting at Britain’s Birmingham Motor Show in 2000, the radical C8 Spyder was a complete stylistic departure from anything that preceded it. Yet, it skillfully recalled Spyker’s heritage in both aircraft and automobile production. Design elements throughout the C8 Spyder’s interior and exterior pay extensive homage to the company’s origins, most notably its aluminum construction, fuselage-type styling, rear “cannon-port” vents, a prominent wide grille intake, engine-turned dashboard, and aircraft-type switchgear. With a race-bred, fully independent suspension, six-speed Getrag gearbox, and a 400-horsepower, 4.2-liter Audi V-8 engine, the C8 Spyder touted a 186-mph top speed and immediately became a force to be reckoned within the sports car market. C8 SPYDER 116 This “triple black” C8 Spyder (serial number 116) is one of just five examples reportedly produced in this color scheme; nearly all Spyker chassis with a black exterior were fitted with tan upholstery. Spyder 116 was completed in August 2006 and delivered new to Spyker Cars of Utah. By March 2008, it had been acquired by its second recorded owner then showing approximately 5,000 miles. After seven years and nearly 2,500 miles with this California-based collector, it was acquired by a New York resident who retained this striking C8 Spyker until August 2021. Now showing just under 9,350 actual miles at time of cataloguing, this jaw-dropping, lightweight convertible is presented in a state befitting a continuous chain of careful and enthusiastic ownership. Inside the cabin, this C8’s quilted leather, exposed shifter mechanism, and billet machined pedal box components all continue to exude the feeling of complete precision. The car’s original, matching “poor weather top” is included for emergency use. Within the last year, this C8 Spyder has been furnished with a thorough engine-out servicing executed by Marque specialist Chris Mora. The car’s distinctive Aeroblade wheels are presently wrapped in fresh Michelin PilotSport tires, and the consignor reports that the entire exterior has been treated to a professionally installed paint protection film. The Spyker C8 Spyder is truly a fascinating and rarely seen convertible; its striking design, aluminum construction, and engaging driving experience make it one of the most sought-after sports cars of the early 2000s. With fewer than 140 examples reportedly produced, this wonderfully maintained chassis offered here is undoubtedly worthy of continued enjoyment. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 23rd annual Amelia Island sale, held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, on 5 March 2022. Held at the stunning oceanfront grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

2015 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition 0

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2022

2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition at RM Sotheby...

Presented by RM Sotheby's. Unveiled in a twin premier at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show and Tokyo Motor Show, the SLS AMG GT Final Edition was commissioned by Mercedes-Benz to celebrate the model’s success. A limited-edition series with only 350 units total, the Final Edition production run consisted of approximately 200 coupes and 150 roadsters. At the SLS AMG GT’s heart is a 6.3-liter V-8 engine producing 599 horsepower at 6,800 rpm, with a maximum torque output of 479 pound-feet at 4,750 rpm. Acceleration is brisk, with a 0–62 mph sprint time of just 3.7 seconds, racing onwards to 124 mph in 11.2 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 198 mph. The car’s performance is managed through Mercedes-Benz’s AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed transmission. The 350 Final Edition cars received exclusive equipment which included a carbon fiber hood with central-air outlet, front splitter, the carbon fiber rear wing seen on the SLS AMG Black Series, and lightweight forged alloy wheels painted matte black. Considering the entirety of SLS AMG production, many consider the Final Edition cars to be the most desirable to own and enjoy, as they tread the line between the subtlety of the regular-production SLS AMGs and the aggressive, track-focused Black Series cars, while benefitting from the slight boost in power of the late-production GT models. Offered here is one of the exceedingly rare, US-market Final Edition coupes, and it is clad in Obsidian Black over exclusive anthracite leather. Additional factory specifications are limited to silver brake calipers and high-gloss carbon interior trim. Having been driven fewer than 2,550 miles at time of cataloguing, this example represents an incredible opportunity to purchase a remarkable SLS some eight years after it left AMG’s facilities. Poised to be a future classic due to its stunning good looks, incredible performance, and very limited production, this would be an astute acquisition for any supercar enthusiast—or the perfect stablemate to a 300 SL Gullwing, the car from which the SLS AMG takes its inspiration. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 23rd annual Amelia Island sale, held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, on 5 March 2022. Held at the stunning oceanfront grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2022

2015 Ferrari LaFerrari at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island

Presented by RM Sotheby's. Introduced at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the boldly named LaFerrari, translated as “The Ferrari,” was described by company president Luca Di Montezemolo as “…the expression of what defines our company.” Following in the hallowed lineage of the 288 GTO, F40, F50, and Enzo, the LaFerrari immediately and continues to serve as Ferrari’s most advanced road model. Built around a competition-worthy, arrowhead-shaped carbon-fiber tub main structure, the LaFerrari features a lower ride height and center of gravity than even the radical Enzo before it, with an F1 cockpit-style seating position and sills built into the front-hinged, scissor-type doors. Breaking from tradition, bodywork for the LaFerrari was the work of an in-house design team headed by Flavio Manzoni. Powering the LaFerrari is a remarkable hybrid powertrain that continues to stand as a design and engineering tour de force. Delivering 950 horsepower—quite possibly eclipsing Ferrari’s contemporary F14 T Formula 1 racing car by as much as 200 horsepower—the LaFerrari delivers a mind-bending power-to-weight ratio of 3.7 pounds per unit of horsepower. Dubbed HY-KERS, the LaFerrari Hybrid Kinetic Energy Recovery System powertrain features a 789-horsepower 6.3-liter dual-overhead-cam 48-valve V-12 at its core; this magnificent engine is equipped with variable-length intake runners, 13.5:1 compression, and screaming 9,250-rpm redline. An oil-cooled electric motor resides at the rear of the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and delivers 161 additional horsepower. A low-mounted, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack stores power and also serves as a stressed structural member behind the passenger compartment. Electronic controls activate the electric motor, which essentially provides a kind of boost akin to a turbocharger, filling in the lower rev ranges of the howling V-12 piston powerplant for near-instantaneous response and a shockingly visceral experience. Helping to harness its staggering performance, the LaFerrari body bristles with amazing active and passive aerodynamic features delivering required engine cooling and downforce, including a large adjustable spoiler and movable diffuser flaps. Underpinnings include a double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear setup, plus Ferrari’s E-SCM magnetorheological damping system with twin solenoids. Massive Pirelli P-Zero tires, specifically formulated and manufactured to Ferrari specifications, surround standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged aluminum wheels. Cross-drilled and vented Brembo CCM3 carbon-ceramic brakes (with ABS) deliver awesome stopping power. Obviously, LaFerrari performance is astounding. According to published road tests, credentials include 0-to-60 mph acceleration in 2.5 seconds, 0-to-100 mph in 4.8 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 9.8 seconds at 149 mph. Top speed is a factory-claimed 217 mph. Equally staggering, the LaFerrari generates up to 1.16g lateral acceleration on the skid pad and requires just 136 feet to stop from 70 mph. Driver aids are the products of Ferrari’s victorious F1 program, including speed-sensitive steering, a steering wheel-mounted “manettino” control with five driver-selectable modes depending upon driving conditions, F-1 Trac traction control and the E-Diff3 electronic rear differential, and CST-Control stability and traction systems—all working in concert to maximize performance with uncanny response to driver inputs. Creature comforts are comprehensive and abundantly worthy of the La Ferrari’s marque-leading status. Among them are air conditioning with automatic temperature control, a rear-window defroster, power steering, power windows, remote keyless entry, and even steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Safety and usability are enhanced by a rear parking camera and sensor array, fully automatic delay-off headlights, headlight cleaning, and a security system. Two LaFerrari variants were sold, the coupe, with 500 produced 2013–2016, and the 2016–2018 Aperta convertible, 210 of which were built. NERO OVER NERO Visually arresting in its factory Nero over Nero color combination, this 2015 LaFerrari Coupe is extremely rare with its all-black livery, with the sole exception of the factory-optional Scuderia shields gracing each front fender. Virtually as-new with only 576 miles accumulated at time of cataloguing, this LaFerrari was delivered to the United States via New Country Motor Cars of Palm Beach and sold by Ferrari of Palm Beach, with its $1,416,362 MSRP heightened by nearly $75,000 in factory options. Among them are carbon fiber fog lamp surrounds, matte painted outer carbon fiber and carbon fiber lower accents, carbon fiber outer mirrors, matte painted interior carbon fiber trim, carbon fiber wheel center caps, “Cavallino” stitched headrest accents, black brake calipers, 20-inch forged dark painted wheels, an Alcantara and carbon fiber steering wheel, iconic Ferrari Scuderia shields, and Harmon/Kardon audio plus Bluetooth connectivity and navigation functions. Another choice factory option is the anti-stone chipping paint protection film ($4,685) covering the entire body of this stunning LaFerrari. While usage since delivery when new has been minimal indeed, this LaFerrari benefits immensely from impeccable care and maintenance, with all factory-mandated annual service and warranty work duly completed and documented by records on file with the vehicle. Most recently during February 2022, the LaFerrari received a full annual service at Ferrari of Beverly Hills, including a thorough checkup and service of the high-voltage battery and replacement of the ancillary drive belt—both crucial elements of the cutting-edge HY-KERS powertrain. Due to its impeccable condition and service history, this LaFerrari qualified for the newly launched renewable two-year LaFerrari factory warranty program, which was placed on the vehicle in February 2022 by Ferrari Beverly Hills. This is one of the very first LaFerrari motorcars in the country to qualify for, and to complete, the factory warranty certification. Transferrable to its new owner, this includes a comprehensive two-year warranty on the vehicle, a two-year warranty on the high-voltage battery system, and two cost-free annual services. Included with the LaFerrari are an Amalgam Models 1:12 scale replica of this exact car, books and manuals, two keys, the original window sticker, a car cover, Ferrari Telemetry USB stick, car charger, and of course, Ferrari Classiche certification with Yellow Book, for a truly fabulous overall package. Offered with incredibly low mileage, this awesome black-on-black 2015 LaFerrari offers an incredible opportunity to experience the design and engineering prowess that has firmly kept Ferrari at the forefront of motorsports since inception of the legendary marque nearly 75 years ago. Maintained “by the book” and regardless of cost, this 2015 LaFerrari is offered in truly investment-grade, collector quality and with a full two-year factory warranty in force; the next owner of this stellar LaFerrari will receive two cost-free annual services as part of this program—representing a significant financial value and additional peace of mind. As offered, this 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari is eminently and unreservedly worthy of its stature as the ultimate roadgoing Ferrari model ever conceived, built, and offered to the world. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 23rd annual Amelia Island sale, held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, on 5 March 2022. Held at the stunning oceanfront grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2022

2020 McLaren Speedtail at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island

Presented by RM Sotheby's. When unveiled to the global public at Monaco’s Sporting Club on 28 May 1992, the McLaren F1 was heralded as the ultimate development of a roadgoing supercar. Collectors and critics alike fawned over the F1’s distinctive design, revolutionary construction, and record-breaking performance. Nearly 30 years on, the McLaren F1 is still the undisputed pinnacle of any collection fortunate enough to retain one of its 106 examples produced between 1992 and 1998. Yet technology is constantly progressing, and a company like McLaren certainly cannot afford to rest on its laurels; to do so would not be in its character, to say nothing of its long-term interest. Drawing on the spirit of the F1, and incorporating everything the Woking, England-based automaker has learned in the intervening decades, the 2020 McLaren Speedtail once again pushes the automotive envelope. Limited to just 106 units, the same as its predecessor the F1, the futuristic Speedtail is an exclusive offering on the cutting edge of 21st century hypercar performance. REINTERPRETING A LEGEND: FROM F1 TO SPEEDTAIL Like the F1, the Speedtail is built around a lightweight carbon fiber tub. This time, the composite material is reinforced with titanium strands and sculpted into a more dramatic “teardrop” shape surmounted by a one-piece glass canopy. The F1’s signature three-person seating configuration and vertical-dihedral doors have also carried over to the 2020 design, this time making full use of lighter materials unavailable to McLaren in 1992. Despite the reverence for its predecessor, the Speedtail is unreservedly a car of the 21st century. Nowhere is this revelation more evident than its hybrid powertrain. The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine is an evolution of the McLaren P1's engine and features a revised piston design along with enhanced cylinder head cooling, enabling it to produce over 750 horsepower. The Speedtail’s electric motor and battery, meanwhile, are both units developed by McLaren’s Formula E technology group. The motor smooths out power delivery at low engine speeds, providing an additional 312 horsepower; the dielectric cooled and insulated 1.647-kWh battery was, at its debut, the most power-dense unit ever fitted to a production vehicle. The innovative inductive charging pad charges the battery system wirelessly from underneath the car. Total system output is a formidable 1,035 horsepower, propelling the Speedtail to a reported top speed of 250 mph. The Speedtail’s sleek, elongated carbon fiber bodywork is underpinned by an adjustable, multi-link suspension composed of aluminum alloy. This system works in tandem with the Speedtail’s cutting-edge active aerodynamics (which include remarkable deformable carbon fiber ailerons), distinctive static wheel covers, bespoke Pirelli tires, and carbon ceramic brakes to keep the 16.8-foot-long vehicle glued to the ground. The design’s incredibly low drag coefficient maximizes the Speedtail’s fuel efficiency, especially when paired with its regenerative braking system. As with the F1, the central driving position of the Speedtail offers an uncompromised driving experience unlike anything else on the road. From the central seat, the driver has an unobstructed view of their surroundings; with both A-pillars out of their line of sight, they can more accurately place the car on the roadway. A defining feature of the F1, this central driving experience is uniquely implemented by McLaren and feels entirely natural. In addition to offering optimal visibility, the central driver’s seat allows for two additional passengers to enjoy the exhilarating ride of the Speedtail. Further, the Speedtail replaces side mirrors with hideaway cameras, which retract back into their respective panels during activation of the Speedtail’s exclusive “Active Velocity” mode—which lowers the car several inches and changes the aerovane configuration, thus streamlining the silhouette for extreme stability at high speeds. The mode was on full display on 19 December 2019, with a McLaren Speedtail prototype reaching 250 mph over 30 times during testing at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds—part of the NASA’s Space Shuttle Landing Facility in Orlando, Florida. All told, the Speedtail is the fastest, most aerodynamic, and most technologically advanced McLaren ever made, pushing the frontier of what is possible in a road car. On public roads, its futuristic design and length of 16.8 feet give it a presence like nothing else. More than its exclusivity or any styling similarities, it is this that makes it a true successor to the legendary F1. SPEEDTAIL NUMBER 087 This Speedtail offered here is the 87th example produced, and it is finished in the striking MSO color combination of Heritage Gloss Steel Blue over Semi-Aniline Metallic Blue Silver leather. It was ordered new by the consignor via Miller McLaren of Greenwich, Connecticut in March 2020, and was the second Speedtail imported to the United States. The car’s accompanying sales order shows an original MSRP over just £2 million, with nearly £262,000 in bespoke optional equipment from McLaren Special Operations. In a fitting tribute to the Speedtail’s place as the spiritual successor to the F1, this car’s stunning exterior color is a direct homage to F1 chassis number 036, which was originally commissioned by former McLaren majority shareholder and company director, Mansour Ojjeh. A comprehensive suite of polished Zircon trim, aluminum, titanium, and visual carbon fiber flourishes add a uniform appeal to this Speedtail’s unique exterior and interior themes. As highlighted by its accompanying order form, the set of silver painted brake calipers are housed within the matching set of Gloss Silver-finished wheels. The distinctive “speed covers” on the front wheels are fashioned of 1,000-strand gloss visual carbon fiber, which exactly matches the appointment of the engine bay surround and rear contrast panel. The car’s exterior badging is handsomely rendered in machined aluminum, as is most of its elegant brightwork. Inside its next-gen cabin, the carbon fiber steering wheel is appointed with a touch of contrasting McLaren orange leather; it fronts a suite of five digital displays, and the two elements are interceded by a pair of billet titanium paddle shifters. Included with Speedtail number 87 is a five-piece fitted luggage set finished in carbon fiber and leather matching the interior theme of the car. It is safe to say that the revolutionary Speedtail’s saga is only getting started; like its predecessor the F1, the Speedtail is predicted to capture the public’s attention for decades to come. With each of the 106 examples being purchased by pre-selected customers before the model’s announcement, the availability of this Speedtail, number 87, offers an exciting opportunity to partake in the most advanced roadgoing vehicle that McLaren has built to date. The Speedtail is an engineering triumph combining the best of McLaren’s past with extraordinary technology of the present. Its moment in the spotlight has just begun. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 23rd annual Amelia Island sale, held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, on 5 March 2022. Held at the stunning oceanfront grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2022

1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina at RM Sotheby’s Ameli...

Presented by RM Sotheby's. Ferrari used the Paris Salon of 1964 to introduce its replacement for the long-running 250 GT platform. Utilizing the latest update of the Colombo short-block V-12, which was now enlarged to displace 3.3 liters, the new 275 series continued to ride a development of the short wheelbase 2,400-millimeter chassis and was offered in two forms: a race-worthy berlinetta built by Scaglietti and a luxurious grand touring spider built by Pininfarina. Though the two models shared many mechanical components, they dramatically differed in style and final result. Pininfarina’s design for the open-top 275 GTS was a throwback to earlier Ferraris, utilizing a shorter hood than the berlinetta, a prominent front grille, handsome fender vents, and a truncated tail to affect the dimensions of a classic Italian roadster, along the lines of similarly styled cars emerging from Turin and Milan. Spiders were offered with wire wheels only, and though they were equipped with the same 3.3-liter engine as the GTB, the motor was mated to a conventional frontally located gearbox rather than a transaxle. The GTS, therefore, held a character all its own, as an elegant touring car rather than a purposeful racer. In this respect, the 275 GTS was an ideal replacement for the luxurious 250 GT Cabriolet that had ceased production in 1962, in every respect its spiritual successor. Just 200 examples of the 275 GTS were built through early 1966, endowing the model with a much greater rarity than its closed counterpart. The touring spider remains prized by Ferrari enthusiasts today for its sublime coachwork, enjoyable open-air drive experience, and powerful drivetrain, epitomizing the essence of Maranello’s finest cars. THE SIXTH 275 GTS Benefiting from a 20-year period of recent ownership, this authentic 275 GTS is an enticing example of the elegant Pininfarina-built touring spider. By virtue of its body number, this GTS is believed to be just the sixth production example built, following three initial prototypes. According to the research of marque expert Marcel Massini, chassis number 06809 was finished in Bianco paint with an interior appointed in Nero Franzi leather, completing assembly in mid-June 1965, with instruments in kilometers as specified for European delivery. The 275 was dispatched to the German dealer Auto Becker in Düsseldorf shortly thereafter, and it was owned by a German enthusiast for two years. In 1967 the Ferrari was exported to the United States, and though its intermediary history is currently unknown, by 1980 the car was owned by Charles Silverman of Scarsdale, New York. Not long after this the 275 was repainted gold and passed through a Florida-based collection. In 1981 the GTS returned to Europe following purchase by a Swiss dealer, and by the end of the year, the car was acquired by Heinrich Kämpfer of Othmarsingen, Switzerland. He commissioned a cosmetic refinish in Rosso by the nearby Carrosserie Arno Meyer, and displayed the car at the grand opening exhibition for the sportscar dealership Sportgarage Bruno Wyss in Zofingen in April 1982. In the mid-1980s Herr Kämpfer sold the Ferrari to fellow Swiss resident Peter Heuberger, and in 1987 he sold the 275 to an American owner who kept the car garaged in Switzerland. By 1990 the GTS was being offered by a dealer in Geneva, and it was eventually purchased by a Russian collector residing in Zurich. In 2000 the spider was sold to Eckhard Bluhm of Cologne, Germany, and the car finally found a lasting home, remaining within Mr. Bluhm’s collection for a remarkable period of over 20 years. Emerging from a lengthy slumber in a cloistered collection, chassis number 06809 invites the consideration of the Ferrari niche, as an honest and authentic example that has experienced very little refurbishment over the years. Given its early position in the chassis number sequence, as well as its unusual original color combination, this car would make an excellent candidate for full restoration, or it may be mechanically refreshed for driving enjoyment. Well-preserved and honest 275 spiders are not common, and this car offers an ideal opportunity to acquire a foundational car that has benefited from 20 years of preservative storage. It invites its next caretaker to steward it to a return to its full glory, as a luxurious grand touring spider that in every way embodies the spirit of the Cavallino rampantE. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 23rd annual Amelia Island sale, held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, on 5 March 2022. Held at the stunning oceanfront grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 22, 2022

2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island

Presented by RM Sotheby's. The resuscitation of the Bugatti marque by the VW Group in 2006 remains one of modern automotive history’s most compelling legends, a triumphant revival of a storied racing brand that achieved goals of utmost excellence across the board. Ten years after its introduction, the Bugatti hypercar underwent a significant update in the form of a brand-new model. At the Geneva Salon in March 2016 Bugatti finally unveiled a successor to the Veyron 16.4, which this time was named after a far more significant works racing driver: celebrated Monégasque legend Louis Chiron. The new Bugatti Chiron shared many of its predecessor’s features, carrying over the prior model’s all-wheel drive, rear-mid-engine architecture, its approximate coachwork dimensions, and most importantly, the aluminum alloy 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16 engine. The drivetrain was even further developed from the outgoing Veyron Super Sport, with larger two-stage turbochargers, larger catalytic converters, and a new titanium exhaust system combining to produce 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque. Utilizing an improved carbon fiber monocoque built to LMP1 standards, new adaptive chassis technologies, purpose-developed tires, and monstrous Formula 1-specification brakes (that can bring the car from 249 mph to zero in under 10 seconds), the Chiron could reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 2.4 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 261 mph. In addition to refined performance, the Chiron was bequeathed with unequivocal rarity when it was earmarked for a production limit of just 500 examples in all variants, endowing each car with a cachet of instant collectability. At the 2018 Geneva Salon Bugatti introduced the first upgraded iteration of the Chiron model, the Chiron Sport. Conceived as a more dynamic and driver-focused variant of the Chiron, the Chiron Sport is almost 40 pounds lighter due to increased use of carbon fiber, lightweight wheels, and lighter glass. In fact, the model is believed to be the first car to feature a purpose-developed carbon fiber windscreen wiper, amongst many additional first-in-class technological achievements. The Chiron Sport is furthermore equipped with approximately $275,000 worth of chassis improvements over the base model Chiron, including a dynamic handling package, more responsive and engaging steering, revised torque vectoring system, stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, quad exhaust tips, and better aerodynamics. These upgrades so significantly enhance the car’s cornering abilities that the Chiron Sport was able to run the Nardo Ring in Italy five seconds faster than the base-level Chiron, an impressive testament to the Sport model’s performance potential. Car and Driver magazine’s editors pronounced the Chiron to be the fastest model they ever tested, and when testing the Chiron Sport the writer was astounded by its acceleration times north of 60 mph, as the car reached 100 mph in just 4.4 seconds, and 200 mph in 15.7 seconds. As he summarized, “The Chiron buyer needs to appreciate it for the integrity of its design, the quality of its construction, and how it confidently achieves speed unlike any other vehicle on earth.” Limited to a quantity of approximately just 60 examples, the Chiron Sport boasts the typical Molsheim design brief: exclusivity, power, comfort, technology, and style built to the highest possible standard. The Chiron Sport combines enhanced handling performance and astonishing agility with distinctive design and superlative comfort for an unforgettable driving experience. Even among today’s increasingly crowded hypercar competition, the Chiron Sport stands alone in a class of its own. As with any modern Bugatti, this exquisitely specified example benefits from a bespoke combination of colors and features, further distinguishing the prominent speed machine. According to a copy of the original window sticker, this Bugatti was factory finished in the standout combination of Nocturne paint over a two-tone interior of Beluga Black and Italian Red leather accented with satin carbon fiber. As part of its options package the engine cover was painted a bespoke Satin Italian Red finish, the engine trim was finished in Nocturne and exposed gloss carbon fiber, and the rear wing received black anodized components and was painted Italian Red on the underside. The wheels and the rear lamp trim parts were painted black, while the brake calipers, inner signature line, and rearview mirror were finished in Italian Red. The door sills were made of aluminum, and interior headrests received embossed Chiron logos. The options alone cost a startling $301,000, while the total MSRP was $3,561,000. Retailed through Bugatti Newport Beach in Costa Mesa, California, the Chiron Sport has remained a West Coast car from new, with merely 3,950 miles showing on the odometer at time of cataloguing. As reflected by a service file, the car has been steadily maintained by Bugatti dealers throughout its lifetime, receiving paint protection film and other surface preserving agents during December 2020, new Michelin tires in early 2021, and maintenance by the respected O’Gara Coach Company in Southern California in late 2021, including a two-year service. The car is accompanied by a set of custom HRE wheels. Claiming rarity, elegance, and uncompromising build quality and reliability standards, as well as one of the boldest performance briefs ever devised, this Chiron Sport is the first example to ever be publicly sold at auction in North America, offering a stunningly specified example for any spirited driver, marque enthusiast, hypercar collector, or performance aficionado. Its unique character is declared by the imposing color combination of Nocturne over Italian Red, a commanding aesthetic that captures the Sport edition’s performance-oriented design brief of improved handling and cornering while maintaining the W-16’s uncompromising power. Sure to captivate any enthusiast of highly engineered top-shelf speed machines, this Bugatti is the absolute pinnacle of sports car design, offering serious collectors a nearly unparalleled opportunity to own the cornerstone of a legend. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 23rd annual Amelia Island sale, held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, on 5 March 2022. Held at the stunning oceanfront grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 21, 2022

1994 Bugatti EB110 GT Prototype at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Is...

Presented by RM Sotheby's. To bring a long-dormant automotive marque back to life is no mean feat; the stakes are even higher when the marque in question is one as hallowed as Bugatti. In the late 1980s, however, Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli rose to the challenge, and while his dream was relatively short-lived, the vehicles he brought to fruition—the Bugatti EB110 GT and its evolution, the EB110 Super Sport—are truly regarded to have done justice to the legendary nameplate. After several years of relentless development, and anticipating production success, Artioli went so far as to commission a stylish modern factory for the reborn automaker, the scale of which testified to his ambition. Although Artioli’s iteration of Bugatti was located in the high-performance hotspot that is Modena, Italy, rather than Bugatti’s original (and current) Alsatian home in Molsheim, France, one suspects that Ettore Bugatti himself would have appreciated the scale and grandeur of the impressive, architecturally imposing facility. Yet the cars produced at that facility were even more impressive. Named in honor of Ettore Bugatti’s 110th birthday, the EB110 model was the first of a planned range of offerings, and it was built on a chassis originally conceived in aluminum by the great Paolo Stanzani, and later reimagined in carbon fiber by Nicola Materazzi, chief engineer of the Ferrari F40. Carbon fiber has since become de rigueur in modern supercars, and it is notable that construction of the groundbreaking frame was contracted to the French aerospace concern Aérospatiale. The advanced composite material was selected because the originally planned aluminum honeycomb was found to be too flexible for an ultra-high-performance mid-engine machine. This chassis was wrapped in striking bodywork that, in production form, combined elements of a concept design by celebrated stylist Marcello Gandini, with refinements by Giampaolo Benedini (an architect related to Artioli). For power, the EB110 GT was equipped with a distinctive 3.5-liter quad-turbocharged V-12 mated to a six-speed manual transmission. A finely tuned all-wheel drive system, yet another forward-looking piece of supercar technology, helped tame the V-12’s 553 horsepower while ensuring that the EB110 would be as tractable as it was trackable. As with most such modern supercar models, the EB110 GT evolved through a careful series of prototypes that underwent two distinct phases. From 1990 through 1991 several aluminum-chassis prototypes were built and clothed with Gandini’s original coachwork design, and these cars were assigned chassis numbers with an “A” prefix, the A standing for aluminum.In 1991 Materazzi and Benedini conducted a technical and aesthetic evaluation of the original car and built a small batch of secondary prototypes through late 1992, with C-prefix chassis numbers (the C standing for carbon fiber). Many of these cars were driven hard during developmental testing, and several others were destroyed during safety crash-testing, leaving very few prototypes in such outstanding condition as the featured lot. Chassis number 39012 is one of a small handful of second-series prototypes to have experienced so little driving use. Believed by many in the EB110 GT community to be perhaps the least used of the prototypes, this rare car is equipped with several one-off features (including interior pieces and the rear grille), and it boasts the further distinction of being one of very few cars used for official factory exhibition and promotional events. According to the records of the online EB110 Registry, chassis number 39012 was completed during 1992 as a carbon fiber developmental prototype, built on Aérospatiale frame number 12, and finished in dark green metallic paint with a grey leather interior. Unlike most such prototypes, the Bugatti experienced very little drive-testing use, and on the contrary became a demonstration and exhibition car. Among other appearances, the prototype was presented at the Bologna Motor Show in December 1992, and it was also showcased in a promotional display at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in February 1993. In 1994, 39012’s coachwork was refinished by the factory in Bugatti Blue for further exhibition opportunities over the following two years, and it was later chosen for emissions testing requirements to satisfy Swiss and American regulations. In preparation for this the car was modified with revisions to the engine, fuel injectors, exhaust system, and the fuel tanks. Two years later, when Bugatti Automobili SpA became insolvent, the company’s assets passed to outside ownership, including several cars—among them was 39012. Registered in Italy as AM 389 LA, the prototype was eventually refreshed with a refurbished spare motor, and the interior was reupholstered in light grey, with complementary-colored trim parts. Minor panel adjustment was conducted to match later-production examples, including installation of a Super Sport-specification rear grille, and a new set of wheels was mounted. The restoration was then reportedly detailed in a feature article in the April 2001 issue of a German automotive magazine. After being offered for sale in Switzerland, the EB110 GT is said to have sold to the next private owner in 2000. He kept the car for over 12 years, along the way exhibiting it at the Monaco Motor Museum in late 2012. The Bugatti was advertised in The Netherlands a year later, and in 2014 it was serviced in Germany. In 2015 the unique prototype was sold to a respected American collector based in Chicago, Illinois, and more recently the car has benefited from a reported round of service, suggesting excellent current mechanical condition. The unique EB110 GT continues to display outstanding quality, with the odometer showing just 1,095 kilometers (~680 miles) at time of cataloguing, and it is very likely the finest prototype example in existence. It should encounter a warm welcome at supercars gatherings and marque focused events, sure to stoke the passion of any supercar enthusiast. Also appropriate for museum exhibition, and serviced for proper driving enjoyment, this important Bugatti is very likely the most exceptional EB110 prototype to be found, replete with the essence of Le Pur Sang. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 23rd annual Amelia Island sale, held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, on 5 March 2022. Held at the stunning oceanfront grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 20, 2022

Little Rally Red Vette Full of Fuelie Power : GAA Classic...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - This 1965 Corvette Fuelie is an NCRS Top Flight Award Winner. It is just 1 of 771 fuel injected 1965 Corvettes produced in rally red paint with red vinyl interior. This little rally red Corvette packs big power with a numbers-matching L84 327 CID 375hp Ram Jet Fuel Injected V8 engine (engine stamp verified) and M20 Muncie 4 speed manual transmission. Full of power and extensive factory options this Vette features an N32 teakwood steering wheel, N36 telescopic steering column, U69 AM/FM radio, A01 soft ray tinted glass, C07 auxiliary hardtop, N14 side exhaust, G81 4.56:1 positraction rear end, and P48 cast aluminum Knock-Off Wheels. This Fuelie comes with a book full of ownership history that starts when it was sold new to James Feltner for his son Michael Feltner as a graduation gift. For many years it was part of Bill Mock’s Corvette collection and the personal car of Gary Naber of Naber Brothers. Also included in the documentation is the original Protect-O-Plate, owner’s manual, all title copies, and a copy of Fuelies Forever Magazine where it was featured. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 19, 2022

Lucky Highland Green 1968 Shelby GT500 KR: GAA Classic Ca...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - In 1968 the GT500 KR was offered in both Fastback and Convertible forms. However, only 516 convertibles were known to have ever been produced and only 50 were made in lucky Highland Green. GAA Classic Cars must have all the luck because on February 26th they will auction off this 1968 GT500 KR Convertible. This rare GT500 KR had only 1 owner until recently and went through a comprehensive restoration by Shelby and Mustang experts at Orlando Mustang. This GT500 KR is listed in the Shelby American World Registry and has a documented service replacement 428 Cobra Jet V8 engine block (November 69 Stamp) with the original carburetor. You will find that all sheet metal is original including doors. Much of the interior is original except the carpet and door panels. This GT500 KR has only 72k actual miles and comes with the original window sticker, original build sheet, and an Elite Marti Report. If you are lucky this rare Highland Green Shelby GT500 KR can be yours. See GAA Classic Cars full inventory at gaaclassiccars.com. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2022

1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350: GAA Classic Cars February...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - Exactly what we like to see in a Shelby GT350 this 1966 is in Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue rocker stripes! Scheduled to cross the auction block on February 26th in Greensboro, NC this GT350 has a frame-off restoration by James Kinney with car shows in mind. It won several 1st place trophies and comes with Shelby invoices. This Shelby has a numbers-matching 289 CID Cobra V8 engine, 4-speed transmission, and a steel hood documented in the Shelby Registry. It was originally shipped to Dockery Ford Morristown, NJ on June 24th, 1966, and this February you can ship it to your garage. See GAA Classic Cars full inventory at gaaclassiccars.com View Listing

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