Auctions

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 – October 31, 2021

GAA Classic Cars November 2021 Auction: 1999 Shelby Series 1

Presented by GAA Classic Cars – Heading to GAA Classic Cars' November 2021 auction is a very rare 1999 Shelby Series 1 supercar. This example features the CSX5093 4.0 Litre Northstar 474hp V8 engine and is believed to be one of only nine examples equipped with the X-50 supercharger. Mated to the engine is a six-speed ZF transaxle transmission that sends power to the wheels. Other features include the cloth soft top, carbon fiber front chin spoiler, Monsoon Sound, chrome roll bar, driver's racing harness, and more. It shows just 5,100 actual miles on its odometer. If you're a fan of either American automobiles or Shelby cars, this is one auction lot you should definitely not miss out on. This 1999 Shelby Series 1 will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars’ November 2021 auction, which runs from the 4th to the 6th. For more information about the event, click here. View The Listing

By Edward Jones – October 30, 2021

1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series I - RM Sotheby's London 2021

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Ever since it was first unveiled and production began in 1958, the DB4 has played a key role in the evolution of contemporary grand tourer design and engineering by Aston Martin. Over time, cars from the famous English marque have earned a reputation for their elegant styling with incredible performance to match. The DB4 only added to this, with its platform acting as a base for the DB4 GT Zagato and Lagonda Rapide that followed, while also paving the famous successors that evolved the model, such as the DB5. The DB4 instantly drew attention as it was revealed at the Paris Motor Show, with its sharp styling twinned with an advanced 3.7-liter straight-six engine designed by Tadek Marek, whose name became synonymous with Aston Martin’s standards for engineering and performance excellence. The powertrain continued in various guises throughout other Aston Martin models until 1972. Equally important to the performance credentials of the DB4 was its Superleggera (“superlight”) body design from Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, Italy, which provided both a lightweight and strong framework of small-diameter tubes dressed clad in aluminum panels. Furthermore, four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes were introduced, allowing the DB4 to claim the record for the first production car capable of reaching 100 mph and returning to a standstill in under 30 seconds. This example offered here, chassis number DB4/152/R, has enjoyed single-family ownership since 1963. As one of approximately 150 early Series I models, this DB4 is characterized by its frameless door windows and the car retains many of its original features—known to feature a matching-numbers engine, and it is understood that the car has never been completely restored. Originally specified in Tudor Grey over a grey interior, the Aston Martin was first registered for the road on 3 October 1959, wearing the license plate “351 CXM”, which it keeps to this day. Records show that the car was used regularly when new, with an invoice from Aston Service Dorset revealing that the car had covered almost 10,000 miles in its first year, within which the DB4 returned to the dealership routinely for “bedding in” and early servicing. In October 1963, the car was acquired by Mr. Robin Boneham, who traded a 1957 MG MGA Fixed Head Coupe and paid a further £1,375 to Lazenby Garages of Rothley, Leicestershire to secure the DB4. Incredibly, the car has been in the ownership of the Boneham family since. The car is presented for sale at auction with history files that date back to Mr. Boneham’s purchase of the car, including correspondence with the dealership and the ensuing receipt. From this point onwards, it is clear that Mr. Boneham took great care of the DB4, with workshop invoices detailing routine servicing, occasional cosmetic work—including light paint retouching in 1972—even keeping receipts for MoTs, new batteries and tires. To add to its authenticity, the DB4 comes complete with the original tool kit and roll, along with the owner's Instruction Book that looks to be kept in its original packaging. The paperwork included with the car provides a verifiable trace of its mileage throughout the years, and at the time of cataloging, its odometer reads 69,981 miles. To this day, the car is presented with its wire knock-off wheels, wood-rim steering wheel, period-correct Motorola radio and other contemporary features that only add to its 1950s charm. With only two owners from new, including single-family ownership since 1963, the opportunity to acquire this already rare DB4 Series I—made even more sought after with its known history of being cared for by an attentive owner—cannot be missed for any Aston Martin enthusiast or collector. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 15th annual London auction on 6 November, taking place at Waterloo Place and online at rmsothebys.com. Contact a Car Specialist for more information or to register to bid. View Listing

By Edward Jones – October 30, 2021

GAA Classic Cars November 2021 Auction: 1963 Ford Galaxie...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars – To those not familiar with the Ford Galaxie, this classic car may not look all too special... but it is. This 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL-R Code is a very rare American classic that is fitted with a massive factory-installed 427 CID. Mated to this engine is a four-speed manual transmission. It's finished in red and has a red leather interior. The seller of this rare Ford also notes that it had undergone a ground-up total restoration by "renowned 63 Galaxie authority, Donald Allen." This is a true R Code and is in incredible condition, making it a true gem in the world of American automobiles. This 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL8 GTS will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars’ November 2021 auction, which runs from the 4th to the 6th. For more information about the event, click here. View The Listing

By Edward Jones – October 29, 2021

GAA Classic Cars November 2021 Auction: 1965 Ford Mustang...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars – Starting life as a meek C code Coupe, this no expense spared 1965 Mustang Resto Mod underwent a total Custom build. The many subtle modifications make for a clean and sleek car. First, the bumpers were shaved, tucked and re-chromed. The front valance was peaked and fitted with 67 mustang turn signals. The rear valance was given a touch also with 67 inspired exhaust cutouts and the car was fitted with 67 exhaust tips. The taillight bezels were smoothed and the fastener holes were welded up before re-chroming. A custom fuel inlet cap was recessed in the rear body panel. The hood was topped off with a custom steel Shelby-inspired scoop. Rear quarter glasses were also installed to round out the look. The 17" custom wheels were given at touch also with the spokes being glass beaded and a custom cup built and installed. The cockpit was not left out! The original dash was removed and replaced with a 67 model in which the speedhut GPS gauges were installed. Custom 1967 Mustang interior was installed along with a tilt column and a custom billet wheel was installed. If you look really hard you will notice one-piece garnish molding and well-hidden audio equipment. The engine is a 331 stroker. Running a comp cams full roller setup, MSD ignition. Billet Specialties Tru Trac front runner and a speed master eight stack EFI controlled by Fast EFI management. A Tremec 5 speed was sourced using a Mcleod clutch. A later 8.8 rear axle was narrowed and utilizes a Cobra center section with 4:10 gearing. A Heights superide IFS was used upfront and Shelby traction bars in the rear. Vintage air was installed along with Magna Flow X pipe dual exhaust. Power 4 wheel disc brakes were also installed. This 1965 Ford Mustang Custom Resto Mod will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars’ November 2021 auction, which runs from the 4th to the 6th. For more information about the event, click here. View The Listing

1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato Coupe 0

By Edward Jones – October 29, 2021

1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato Coupé - RM Sotheby's ...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato coupé was first exhibited at the 1986 Geneva Motor Show. The first three completed cars were on the Aston Martin stand and demand for orders was high. Around 50 production cars were available to order, and just 28 of these were constructed with right-hand-drive steering and a manual gearbox. Despite the retail price rising from £70,000 to £87,000 when still new, the 50 buyers were not deterred and paid their £15,000 deposits by August 1985. The body design was undertaken by famed Milan-based coachbuilder Zagato and drew inspiration from the 1960s Aston Martin Zagato DB4, while adding a modern tone representative of the 1980s. The production process played a factor in the relatively high price of the V8 Vantage Zagato, with the complete rolling chassis sent from Newport Pagnell to Zagato in Milan, where the bodies were constructed, fitted, and painted. While at Zagato, the interiors were fitted, before the completed cars were sent back to England for a final inspection, after which they were dispatched for delivery. The V8 Vantage Zagato is powered by a 5.3-liter V-8 engine, with twin-choke Weber carburettors. The car produced 408 bhp and could be specified with a five-speed manual ZF transmission or a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This V8 Vantage Zagato coupé—chassis number 20049—was, according to a letter dated 31 March 1998, collected by Stratton Motor Company from the Newport Pagnell factory on 12 November 1987. It was finished in Gladiator Red, with cream leather seats that featured red piping. The carpets were brown with matching leather piping. The car was never collected by its first owner and remained at Stratton Motor Company’s dry storage facility during the first few years of its life, where it changed hands several times. The V8 Vantage Zagato coupé was first registered on 5 January 1990, but was sold back to Stratton Motor Company. Their Managing Director, Mr. Roger Bennington, wrote in a letter: “The only person to have driven this Zagato since leaving the factory is myself, on the occasional removal from storage to run the engine.” The subsequent two owners continued the vehicle's history of dry storage, with the latter having maintained it in a private workshop under the care of a qualified Aston Martin engineer. A three-page ‘vehicle work log’ shows this Zagato was serviced yearly, with the engine run up to temperature. The incumbent owner acquired this V8 Vantage Zagato coupé in 2014 and continued its long-term dry storage. The car passed its MOT on 31 October 2018, with no advisories or faults. This Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato coupé presents a rare opportunity to acquire one of just 27 right-hand-drive examples specified with a manual transmission. The condition of the vehicle today reflects the pampered life it has lived, having been meticulously maintained. The odometers shows a mere 396 miles at the time of cataloging. Offered with this V8 Vantage Zagato are; previous MOT certificates, invoices, service history, a Blaupunkt radio manual and the original Aston Martin owners handbook. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 15th annual London auction on 6 November, taking place at Waterloo Place and online at rmsothebys.com. Contact a Car Specialist for more information or to register to bid. View Listing

By Edward Jones – October 28, 2021

GAA Classic Cars November 2021 Auction: 1988 Ferrari 328 GTS

Presented by GAA Classic Cars – Ferrari knew they have to follow up the 308 GTB and GTS with something special and to fill the shoes was the 328. Also built in the GTS (hardtop) and GTB (targa top) configurations, the 328 was produced from 1986 to 1989 and was a hit with Ferrari fans. To this day, it's still a popular ride and that's why the example heading to GAA Classic Cars' November 2021 will certainly be a hot ticket. It's finished in Bianco White over a red interior. The seller notes that this 328 GTS had undergone a major service in 2011 at 39,357 miles. This 1988 Ferrari 328 GTS will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars’ November 2021 auction, which runs from the 4th to the 6th. For more information about the event, click here. View The Listing

By Edward Jones – October 28, 2021

1987 Porsche 959 Komfort - RM Sotheby's London 2021

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Technologically groundbreaking and remarkably powerful, the Porsche 959 began life as a project for the legendary Group B racing series. It utilized the same 89.4-inch wheelbase chassis as the 911 Carrera. As a competition model, however, the 959 was equipped with the 2.85-liter horizontally opposed 6-cylinder racing engine that began life in the 935 Moby Dick and Porsche’s Indy car project, being further developed for the superlative 956 and 962 racecars. The type M95950 engine featured air-cooled cylinders but the 4-valve heads were water cooled, and the block was built with titanium connecting rods, alloy pistons, and Nickasil-lined bores. A pair of sequential intercooled KKK turbochargers worked with Bosch fuel management to develop 444 hp at 6,500, outperforming much larger V-12s emanating from Maranello and Sant’Agata Bolognese. Chief engineer Helmut Bott insisted on a high degree of electronic technology, starting with the 959’s all-wheel-drive system. A torque differential dubbed PSK (Porsche-Steur-Kupplung) allowed the driver to manually control the percentage of power between the front and rear wheels, with as much as 80% reserved for the rear wheels under hard acceleration. Double wishbone suspension was adopted at all four corners, with dual shock absorbers for each wheel; one to administer the adjustable ride height, and one to govern ride stiffness. A forerunner of today’s active dampers, this system was incredibly advanced for its time, eclipsing anything then produced by the Italian manufacturers. The exterior design of course heavily borrowed from Porsche’s traditional 911 style, incorporating numerous venting ducts for cooling purposes. Chief designer Dick Soderberg and aerodynamicist Herman Wurst formulated the iconic integrated rear wing, which contributed to an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.31. While the floor and central cabin remained composed of steel, weight was reduced by using aluminum for the front deck lid and doors, polyurethane for the molded nose, and fiberglass-reinforced Kevlar for the remainder of the body shell. With the cancellation of Group B racing in 1986, the 959 continued as a customer road car model, although it cost so much to build that Porsche took a 50% loss on every car. By the conclusion of production in 1988, just 292 examples had been built, most of which were finished in the Komfort trim level with leather upholstery and air conditioning. The 959 was undeniably the stuff of dreams for an entire generation of young enthusiasts, depicted on posters in bedroom walls alongside the Ferrari F40 and Lamborghini Countach. Still admired by collectors today, it remains one of the most remarkable and advanced models ever built by Weissach. Claiming highly original unrestored condition and a life of modest driving use, this preservation-quality 959 should strike the fancy of any Porsche enthusiast. According to a factory build record and the research of respected marque authority Jürgen Barth, the 959 was assembled in November 1987, and finished in Grand Prix White paint over an interior of dark blue leather. The car was equipped with heated and electronically adjustable seats, and an alarm system. As documented by the service booklet, the Porsche was delivered new to Germany in early December 1987 before making its way to the United Kingdom, where it was first registered in June 1989. Two months later the kilometer-based speedometer was replaced by Porsche Reading with a gauge in miles (at the time, the original odometer read 2,811 km, equal to 1,747 miles). In October 1992 the 959 was sold to the consignor’s family by the respected dealer H.R. Owen, in London, at which point the new odometer displayed 1,597 miles. The car was then regularly submitted for routine service to the Porsche Centre in Reading, and service booklet entries indicate a steady accrual of modest mileage over the following 21 years. The car was most recently serviced by Porsche Reading in February 2021. This pampered Porsche has been gently used in central London for over a decade, becoming a well-known sighting among West End supercar hunters. Taking the 959’s original 1,747 miles of use in Germany into account, and the current odometer reading of 14,913 miles, this car is believed to have accrued no more than 16,660 miles, a desirably low figure for a 34-year-old supercar. Still displaying a high degree of authenticity with what looks to be the factory interior, this car would make an ideal participant at Porsche club gatherings and regional Concours d’Elegance. Or the next caretaker may enjoy its groundbreaking performance, technology, and styling, bringing the radical Group B design envelope to today’s autobahn. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 15th annual London auction on 6 November, taking place at Waterloo Place and online at rmsothebys.com. Contact a Car Specialist for more information or to register to bid. View Listing

By Edward Jones – October 27, 2021

GAA Classic Cars November 2021 Auction: 1966 Chevrolet Co...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars – Classic Corvettes will always be sought after, especially ones like this example heading to GAA Classic Cars' November 2021 auction. Its finished in Nassau Blue with a white top and black interior, all of which are in incredible condition. In fact, it's a three-time NCRAS Top Flight winner and its auction lot comes with ribbons and judging sheets. It features the 427 engine and a drivetrain that is completely original to the car and an engine stamp that is certified original. Whoever takes this beautiful Corvette home will also be getting the original spare tire, original manual and complete ownership history. This 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars’ November 2021 auction, which runs from the 4th to the 6th. For more information about the event, click here. View The Listing

By Edward Jones – October 27, 2021

1993 Ascari FGT 'Prototype' - RM Sotheby's London 2021

Presented by RM Sotheby's - The Ascari FGT was a concept designed by Lee Noble, best known as a car designer and founder of the low-volume British sports car company, Noble Automotive Ltd. Before this company came into being, Noble presided over Noble Motorsport Ltd., who made a one-off prototype version of the FGT in 1992. Two years later, Noble was approached by Ascari Cars Ltd., who purchased the blueprints and rights for the FGT. In 1995, when the FGT was revealed at the British International Motor Show, the car caught the eye of Klaas Zwart, a Dutch racing driver who saw the potential of the model and decided to purchase the Ascari marque along with the rights to the FGT. With Zwart’s investment, the FGT was entered into the 1996 British GT Championship, powered by a Ford Modular V-8 engine. The FGT would serve as the pre-production model for the better-known Ascari Ecosse. Unlike the Ecosse, the FGT featured pop-up headlamps, five-spoke alloy wheels and a 6.0-liter fuel-injected Chevrolet V-8 engine. This Ascari FGT—as indicated on the “designed by Lee Noble” badge—was built by Noble Motorsport Ltd. in 1992 and registered for the road in June 1993. Lee Noble has stated that this is the first and only prototype version of this car ever made. Following the sale of the FGT concept to Ascari, this example was used as a promotional car in various Ascari brochures and advertisements, further to being driven by selected journalists in magazine road tests. This one-off Ascari FGT “Prototype” is powered by a 420-bhp Chevrolet V-8 engine, paired with a five-speed manual. It is finished in metallic green over a two-tone grey and black leather interior. The seats, center console and upper door cards are upholstered in grey leather, with the dashboard and lower door cards trimmed in black leather. The driver steers through an Imola steering wheel with a “Noble” horn push in the center. This FGT features electric windows, electric door mirrors and a Sony CDX-5060 stereo with CD player. The current owner discovered this Ascari lying dormant in farm buildings, where it had allegedly sat for 13 years. He purchased the car and set about a three-year recommissioning process, where the owner—alongside Lee Noble—worked together to revive this Ascari. The Chevrolet V-8 engine and gearbox were rebuilt, as well as replacing various components in order to get the vehicle back on the road. The fuel injection system was upgraded and a new MSD ECU installed, resulting in a claimed 420 bhp power output. Offered alongside the car are assorted documents, invoices and promotional material and magazine articles that feature this car. In addition, history folders are included that provide period photographs of the car alongside start-to-finish recommissioning photographs of the work carried out by the current owner. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 15th annual London auction on 6 November, taking place at Waterloo Place and online at rmsothebys.com. Contact a Car Specialist for more information or to register to bid. View Listing

By Edward Jones – October 26, 2021

GAA Classic Cars November 2021 Auction: 1936 Packard Eigh...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars – During the height of the great depression, the Packard Motor Company produced a series of incredibly well-engineered and luxurious cars fitted with refined coachwork from some of the most prestigious coachbuilders. This formula must have worked, as Packard was one of the few luxury automakers to survive what was surely the toughest economic times the U.S. Had ever seen. Amazingly, Packard outsold the combined output of all of its direct competitors combined. Besides being in excellent financial health heading into the uncertainty of the 1930s, Packard weathered the storm by continual improvements to its cars. On the exterior, the car features chrome bumpers, dual side-mount spare tires, a rumble seat, and red wire wheels with chrome center caps and shod with wide whitewall tires. The Packard also has ride control, Bijur lubrication, semi-elliptic suspension, mechanical brakes, heavy vibration dampening bumpers, and a new radiator that was installed at a 5-degree angle, plus a new sloped grille with chrome vertical bars and shutters, which were thermostatically controlled to open to close based on the amount of heat being generated by the engine. To own a Packard was a ticket to possession of a grandiose automobile, built to deliver members of the upper class to their destinations with grace and style. This 1936 Packard Eight 1401 will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars’ November 2021 auction, which runs from the 4th to the 6th. For more information about the event, click here. View The Listing

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