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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 13, 2021

Mecum Glendale Preview: Rosso Corsa 2018 Ferrari 812 Supe...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - The 21st-century edition of Ferrari has executed one technological leap after another in its pursuit of the “Next Great Car,” applying its Formula 1 expertise ever more rapidly to its road cars. One of the latest in this series of advances is the 812 Superfast. At first look it seems to be an evolution of the F12 Berlinetta, the incredible front-engined V-12 coupe that surpassed the legendary Enzo’s record-breaking lap of the company’s famous Fiorano test circuit. In so doing, however, the F12 proved such a handful to many of its owners that Ferrari saw the need to make its successor more user-friendly, and the 812 Superfast answered that need while fulfilling its mission to exceed the F12’s on-track performance. An all-aluminum body/chassis structure, better aerodynamics, tighter gearing, rear-wheel steering, wondrous traction management and more horsepower merge under the umbrella of fully integrated computer controls to realize that goal. At an MSRP of $429,008, the 812 Superfast offered here from the Steve Todhunter Collection is exclusive, made more so by a choice of options amounting to another $48,000, but it adds up to a truly sublime automobile that could only come from Maranello. Delivered new to Scottsdale Ferrari in Rosso Corsa with Scuderia fender shields and 20-inch light-alloy wheels with carbon fiber center caps, its central assets are the Superfast-spec 6.5L/789 HP V-12 engine (with optional Black ceramic exhaust), Ferrari’s excellent 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, magnetorheological suspension, an electronic locking rear differential and massive carbon-ceramic discs with red calipers for mind-boggling deceleration. MUST READ: Ferrari 812 Superfast Price & Specs The black leather interior is trimmed in equal parts red leather and carbon fiber trim. The space-age composite forms the central bridge and upper tunnel, dash inserts and a multi-function steering wheel complete with LED readouts, shift paddles, audio and navigation controls and the ubiquitous Manettino switch. Leather door trim, Prancing Horse headrest embroidery, colored Ferrari-logo mats, a parking camera and heat-insulating windscreen complete the accommodations. The most refined yet powerful naturally aspirated Ferrari to its time, this low-mileage 812 Superfast is offered with extensive documentation and accessories that include the window sticker, books, tools, car cover, battery tender and compressor. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Glendale 2021 event (March 18-20). View Listing

By Edward Jones – March 12, 2021

Mecum Glendale Preview: 2016 Ferrari F12tdf With Only 449...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Originally owned by Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Team Penske owner Roger Penske and driven just 449 miles, this 2016 Ferrari F12tdf is one of only 799 produced worldwide. As befits a man who has excelled at the pursuit of speed and victory his entire life, the F12tdf demands respect for its approach to achieving supercar superiority. It is truly a demanding driver’s machine, one that requires a mental recalibration to appreciate the capabilities that qualify it to carry on the Tour de France tradition as the ultimate front-engined road Ferrari. The numbers are telling: its all-alloy 6.3L DOHC V-12 engine borrows from Ferrari’s F1 racers to deliver an increase over the “standard” F12’s 730 HP and 509 lb-ft of torque to 769 HP at 8,500 RPM and 520 lb-ft, the latter almost all in at just 2,500 RPM. A 7-speed dual-clutch F1 transmission features tighter ratios and microsecond shifts, combining with F1 traction control to launch passengers to 60 MPH in a hair-raising 2.9 seconds; top speed, if you dare, exceeds 210 MPH. With controls off, the F12tdf is the province of only the most skilled racing driver, but its virtually unobtrusive array of computer controls and precise programming modes that can be tailored to the individual transform it into one of the most exhilarating and rewarding Ferraris imaginable. Presenting in brilliant Rosso Corsa with a red and black interior and red-painted brake calipers behind 20-inch alloys fitted with Pirelli P-Zero rubber, this formerly Penske-owned example builds on that breathtaking performance with almost $55,000 in optional extras to drive its exclusivity to a level foreseen only by the Ferrari brain trust. Carbon fiber has been substituted in place of standard materials in the engine filter box cover, under-door covers, headlight and fog lamp enclosures, and on exterior trim, vents, intakes and rear diffuser. Alcantara lines the seating surfaces, headliner and boot, with carbon fiber again used for the rear shelf and bench trim. An air compressor, car cover, battery tender, books, tools, two keys and the factory window sticker complete this superb and exclusive offering. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Glendale 2021 event (March 18-20). View Listing

By Edward Jones – March 11, 2021

Mecum Glendale Preview: 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO

Presented by Mecum Auctions - The term GTO—Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for Grand Touring Homologated—is a very special designation in Ferrari parlance that, until 2010, was used on only two Ferraris in the company’s history: the 1962 250 GTO and the 1984 288 GTO. Historically, homologation specials were built for road use to qualify their racing counterparts for sanctioned competition. Ferrari reversed that concept for the 599 GTO, which, rather than being built to go racing, was intended as a “road homologation” version of the track-purposed, extremely limited-production 599XX, upon which the 599 GTO relies for many components and experience in producing its extraordinary performance. In fact, the 599 GTO was the fastest, best-handling and most powerful roadgoing Ferrari to its moment, and, at just 599 produced worldwide and 125 assigned to the U.S. market, one of the most exclusive. Its front-midmounted 6.0L V-12 engine, which Ferrari described as being “90 percent 599XX,” generates 661 peak HP and 458 lb-ft of torque—then the highest figures in the history of roadgoing Ferraris—through a 6-speed F1 automatic gearbox on the way to a 208 MPH top speed. Extensive use of carbon fiber and lightweight alloys shaves 220 pounds from the 599 GTB’s specs, and magnetorheological suspension, red-painted calipers securing massive carbon-ceramic rotors and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on 10-spoke alloy wheels bestow the 599 GTO with otherworldly manoeuvrability. Because it’s a Ferrari, sheer beauty is integral to the 599 GTO’s character; in this Ferrari Classiche-certified 2011 example, it’s expressed in traditional Rosso Corsa paint with Scuderia shields. Beckoning with a mix of tan and black leather, sculpted carbon fiber and matte-finish alloy controls, the inviting, driver-focused interior is highlighted by an attention-getting yellow 10,000 RPM tachometer (supplemented with a shift indicator light ensconced at 12 o’clock on the Manettino-equipped steering wheel), 220 MPH speedometer, dual-zone climate control and Prancing Horse headrest emblems; a special dedication plate declaring “Ferrari 31 Formula 1 World Titles” is an appropriate finishing touch. Offered at a mere 175 miles and complete with all books, manuals, tools and accessories, this Ferrari Classiche-certified 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO is unquestionably worthy of its Gran Turismo Omologato title. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Glendale 2021 event (March 18-20). View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2021

Muscle Car Collection Owned by Drag Race Legend Heading t...

Presented by Zettlemoyer Auctions - Allen "Sonny" George, Jr. was a true drag racing legend, starting his career all the way back in 1959. After that year, Sonny raced up until his untimely passing in 2018. In fact, he qualified his 2017 COPO Camaro at 8.85 seconds at the NHRA Mello Yellow Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. While he was alive and racing, Sonny bought and raced a lot of muscle cars ranging in makes, models, and years. Let's face it: when you love drag racing and automobiles as much as Sonny did, you'd be hard-pressed not to have yourself a collection of your favorites. For Sonny, he had a penchant for Chevrolets but he also dabbled in other makes. Zettlemoyer Auction Co. is about to auction off his remaining collection which includes some serious muscle. The George family is hoping that his treasures will become part of someone else's treasures, being cherished as they were when they were in Sonny's hands. That being said, they know he would love to see his cars back at the drag strip. You can learn more about each of the offerings down below. 2017 COPO Camaro #15 Powered by a Ray Barton 350 engine with a Whipple supercharger, this COPO Camaro is the real deal. It ran as "Blue Screamer III" and was the one Sonny raced at the NHRA Mello Yellow Nationals. View Listing 1964 Pontiac GTO Everybody loves a GTO, especially a clean red-on-red example that's as clean as this one. It features the 389 engine with a four-speed transmission. View Listing 1962 Chevy Impala This right here is a 1962 Impala, but as you can see it's not your average classic Chevrolet. Running as the original "Blue Screamer," this Impala is much more than average. View Listing 2014 Camaro COPO This is another one of Sonny's COPO Camaros, this one running as "Blue Screamer II." Powered by the 350 NA engine by Ray Barton SN 005, this drag strip-ready COPO Camaro is ready for another race. View Listing 1962 Impala SS Convertible If drag cars aren't your thing, don't worry because this Impala Convertible is the perfect classic car for someone looking for a smooth Sunday cruise. It comes packing a 327/350 small block engine with a four-barrel Edelbrock carb. View Listing 1962 Chevy Impala SS Unlike the previous Impala, this one has a hardtop and is the "SS" version. Under this one's hood is a 409 engine that's mated to a four-speed transmission. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 19, 2021

GAA Classic Cars Feb. 2021 Auction: 2017 Acura NSX - Seri...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - GAA Classic Cars is auctioning off 2017 Acura NSX #2 which was produced for Rick Hendrick and is identical to #1 which is in his collection. If you didn't know, 2017 was actually the first year of the new NSX's production, making this a very special example. It features a custom Valencia Red paint that is eye-catching from any distance while the interior is in an all-black design. Both the exterior and interior are loaded with options, which is why the sticker price of this specific NSX is $206,000. From the driver's seat, the odometer reads just 200 miles but the low mileage isn't surprising considering the pristine condition of the car. In fact, it's still on its MSO title and that means the auction winner will be the first individual owner of this NSX. This 2017 Acura NSX will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021, which runs from the 25th to the 27th. For more information about the event, click here. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 16, 2021

GAA Classic Cars Feb. 2021 Auction: 1970 Challenger 440/4...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - Going up for auction at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021 event is one of only 34 1970 Challenger 440/4-Speed Convertibles ever produced. This example is finished in the Go Mango Orange paint that has black racing stripes running down the center and its sides. Matching those stripes is the black convertible top. Inside is Bright White upholstery that has contrasting carpet in black. The driver of this classic muscle car will also be delighted to see the correct Rallye Gauges and correct Chrysler Solid State radio. If you open the hood, you'll find an original 440 cubic inch RB V8 that follows a correct 2536430 casting number and October 31st, 1969 casting date with a matching partial VIN. And, aesthetically, the bright engine bay presents as expected, from its correct decals and original oil pan all the way to its factory inspection marks. It has been upgraded with a date-coded factory-correct six-pack induction. All the original 4 barrel components and distributor come with the car if the new owner wishes to convert back. This 1970 Challenger 440/4-Speed Convertible will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021, which run from the 25th to the 27th. For more information about the event, click here. View Listing

By Edward Jones – January 10, 2021

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2021: 1955 Jaguar D-Type

Presented by RM Sotheby's - THE INDOMITABLE D-TYPE Following World War II, Jaguar Cars wholeheartedly adopted a time-tested automotive sales strategy: Use feats of speed and competition success to market its civilian sports cars and luxury saloons. First came headline-grabbing speed trials in the XK 120, followed by the model’s success in circuit racing. The XK 120 was then developed into the swoopy C-Type racer; the C-Type’s wins at the 1951 and 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans demonstrated that Jaguar’s investment in motorsport was a very wise one indeed. Yet if the C-Type represented an evolution of the XK 120, the machine that would follow—the Jaguar D-Type—was a radical leap into the future of performance. With its round haunches and small, oval grille, the D-Type presented a friendly face to the world; behind it, however, lurked a fierce competition car packed with advanced technology. Unlike its rather conventional predecessor, the D-Type made use of a strikingly modern chassis configuration centered around a strong, lightweight monocoque body tub that enveloped the cockpit. An XK-type dual-overhead camshaft inline-six engine was cradled in a subframe assembly attached to the front of this monocoque; the car’s solid rear axle and rear suspension assembly were correspondingly fitted to the rear bulkhead. While materials and technology have evolved dramatically in subsequent decades, this basic design concept is used on race cars and exotics to this day. Further forward-looking elements included four-wheel disc brakes supplied by Dunlop, first deployed on the C-Type, and a compact, slippery body that minimized frontal area to reduce aerodynamic drag—an effort aided by the XK engine’s dry-sump configuration and slightly canted orientation, which afforded a lower hood height. Finally, an asymmetric vertical fin positioned behind the driver’s headrest, developed to add stability on circuits with long, high-speed sections (and later added to many initially finless cars, this chassis among them) lent the D-Type an unmistakable profile. Introduced in April 1954, the D-Type soon earned success in competition: After victory at the 1954 Sebring 12 Hours and strong second-place finish at 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Jaguar works team achieved a first at Circuit de la Sarthe in 1955; Ecurie Ecosse notched a privateer win there the following year. Racing technology evolves quickly, however, and faced with slowing sales, Jaguar decided to use the D-Type chassis it had on hand to build the very similar (though finless) XKSS road car. D-Type and XKSS production suffered a crippling blow on 12 February 1957, when a fire tore through Jaguar’s Coventry works. Five D-Types were destroyed in the blaze, as well as important tooling and materials. Final D-Type production numbers tallied 17 works race cars (including 11 “long-nose” variants), plus 54 “short-nose” D-Types intended for customers; of that latter group, five were lost in the fire and four were dismantled for parts. A further two of these production D-Types were later converted to XKSS models. Yet despite the Coventry catastrophe, D-Type’s story was far from over. Notably, five privateer D-Types were entered in the 1957 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They ultimately took the top four places, in addition to sixth place, with the Ecurie Ecosse D-Types famously reprising their 1956 first-place finish and achieving second place to boot. The sleek Jaguar’s place in motorsport history had been secured. CHASSIS NUMBER XKD 518 Dispatched 29 December 1955 and delivered new to Henlys of Manchester, England, XKD 518’s appearance immediately distinguished it from the already rarified D-Type set. Painted Red with an interior trimmed to match, it was one of a very small number of D-Types (perhaps as few as two or three examples) to be so finished when new. One historian suggests, somewhat humorously, that this unexpected livery was selected by Jaguar in hopes of breaking into the Italian privateer racing market. Whatever the motivation may have been, the car remained in England, and racer Peter Blond became its first private owner—having purchased the car for £3,500 from a certain Bernie Ecclestone, who had taken the car on after Henlys failed to find a buyer. Blond soon put it to good use in club racing, achieving second and first place finishes at Snetterton in June 1956, along with another first at Snetterton in September. Other appearances in busy 1956 and 1957 seasons included Aintree, Silverstone, Oulton Park, and Goodwood, where Blond competed in the Goodwood Trophy race and finished ninth. Blond sold the car to Jonathan Sieff in August 1957; Sieff continued to race the car with Blond, with a best recorded finish of second at Full Sutton in July 1958. Following the 1959 racing season Sieff sold to the car to Monty Mostyn of Speedwell Garage, and after a brief period in the hands of John Houghton, it was acquired by racer Jean Bloxham. Bloxham brought the car to Goodwood in March and April of 1961 and raced the car at Silverstone in May, finishing third in one of her outings. XKD 518 returned to John Houghton in around 1962, and around 1967 it was sold on to John Coombs and Richard Wilkins. Under the care of its next owner, Clive Lacey, it attended the first International E-type Day at Donington Park in 1974. Following Lacey, this D-Type was purchased by Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant. The car crossed the Atlantic in 1982 after its purchase by American collector George Stauffer, who retained the D-Type until 1996. From Stauffer it passed to Chris Cox, then in 1998 to Roger Willbanks, before being acquired by Bill Jacobs in 2005. It has resided in the collection of its current owner and consignor since 2008. Importantly, there are no known breaks in XKD 518’s record of ownership or gaps in its history, and the car is included in authoritative marque and model texts including Jaguar Sports Racing Cars: C-Type, D-Type, XKSS and Lightweight E-Type and Jaguar C-Type. D-Type & Lightweight E-Type Register. Painted British Racing Green at some point in its past, XKD 518 has since been returned to its factory Red. Inside the remarkably low-slung cockpit, the correct red interior upholstery found on the lap belt-equipped seats continues on the transmission tunnel. The car’s two seats are a separated by a divider, a feature eliminated on the XKSS road cars; a purposeful wood-rimmed steering wheel—all D-Types were right-hand drive—sits in front of a suite of Smiths gauges. A black tonneau cover provides a degree of weather protection when parked. Initially built with a narrow windscreen and no tailfin behind its headrest, XKD 518 was, as car engaged in regular racing, upgraded as D-Type design was honed by competition. Currently, the car is fitted with a full-width windscreen, a configuration shown in some period photographs; precisely when it gained its distinctive tailfin remains unknown. Underneath the car’s aerodynamically sculpted bonnet, fittingly secured by leather straps, sits the numbers-matching 3.4-liter dry-sump XK engine (both block and cylinder head are stamped E 2028-9). Fed by triple Weber carburetors, breathing through passenger-side-mounted exhaust, and mated to four-speed transmission, this combination was rated at 245 horsepower when new. Meanwhile, at the very tail of the car, a full-size spare wheel is hidden away in small boot; the fuel filler cap is similarly concealed from sight in a compartment behind the driver’s headrest at the base of the tailfin. Advanced in design and construction and highly successful in competition—while also distinguishing itself as one of the most aesthetically pleasing racing machines ever devised—any Jaguar D-Type is an important and notable vehicle. Beyond its distinctive color combination, XKD 518’s particular appeal lies in its well-documented provenance, including a healthy record of in-period racing. Further, despite ample time spent on circuits, it has survived to the present accompanied by its original engine, cylinder head, and bodywork. Needless to say, not all competition machinery from racing’s golden era has been so lucky. A compelling centerpiece for any serious collection of significant sports and racing cars, XKD 518 is also a worthy candidate for vintage competition at the highest and most prestigious levels; it awaits a dedicated owner prepared to carry on the legacy established by racers and enthusiasts in the decades since this special D-Type first left Coventry. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 22nd annual Arizona sale, kicking off its 2021 auction calendar at the OTTO Car Club on Friday, 22 January. It will join approximately 80 blue-chip motor cars, and the sale will be a live event with limited attendance; online and phone bidding options are available by contacting RM Sotheby’s. View Listing

By Edward Jones – January 09, 2021

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2021: 2019 Koenigsegg Regera

Presented by RM Sotheby's - KOENIGSEGG VS. THE WORLD The idea of building one’s own supercar to compete with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren would generally be considered ludicrous, what with the monumental strides these companies have made in automotive technology and performance over the past decades. How could one man’s vision compete with such established sporting pedigree and record-setting engineering? From time to time, however, someone does indeed attempt such a feat and, on even rarer occasions, succeeds brilliantly. Such is the case with the Swedish manufacturer Koenigsegg. Christian von Koenigsegg created his supercar company in 1994; his aspiration was to build nothing short of the greatest supercar in history. Over the next three years, with help from a small but highly skilled group, a prototype was constructed using a radical carbon fiber tub and a litany of automotive engineering firsts. This car, named the Koenigsegg CC (Competition Coupé), was first publicly displayed at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997, and the reaction from public and press alike was overwhelming. Confident his cars would find buyers, Christian left Cannes with nothing other than production on his mind. Over the course of the past 26 years, the Koenigsegg name has become nigh synonymous with absolute mechanical absurdity. Hollow carbon fiber wheels capable of speeds over 280 mph? Koenigsegg. 3-D printed turbochargers? Koenigsegg. A single-state torque converter able to handle over 1,400 lb ft of torque? Koenigsegg. What about a hybrid-drive motor pushing over 1500 horsepower? Koenigsegg has figured that out as well. From speed records to innovative patents, each subsequent Koenigsegg product has triggered worldwide astonishment; this 2019 Koenigsegg Regera is quite possibly the most outrageous exhibition of automotive technology ever offered for sale to the public. THE REGERA The Regera’s concept form was first unveiled to the world at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. One year later, the heavily tweaked production version made its debut at the same venue. The Regera retains Koenigsegg’s most distinctive design feature, a pair of Dihedral Synchro-helix doors, which open both outwards and upwards in a unique fashion to improve egress and ingress in close quarters. Another unique build characteristic is the car’s convertible top. Thanks to the inherent structural rigidity of the car’s carbon fiber monocoque, the roof can be removed, turning the car into one of the fastest convertibles ever produced. Even more incredible is that the top can be securely stowed away in one piece in the car’s nose, allowing for the roof to be kept with the car at all times. Though it clearly utilizes an evolution of Koenigsegg’s distinctive aesthetics, materials, and construction, the Regera is, in truth, quite a step forward. The Regera’s most revolutionary innovations lie within its hybrid-drive powertrain. Aptly named the “Koenigsegg Direct Drive” system, the Regera’s 5.0-liter V-8 engine produces over 1,000 horsepower thanks to a pair of 3-D printed variable turbochargers and patented exhaust system which altogether removes turbo lag. An 800-volt battery system utilizing F1-derived technology is mounted aft of the engine and mated to Koenigsegg’s “Hydro-coup” torque converter—a remarkable and unique single-state drive mechanism which replaces the need for a gearbox. Finally, a supplemental trio of electric motors mounted on each drive shaft (one main, one on each rear half-axle shaft) are programmed to smooth out power delivery at low engine speeds, providing an additional 700 horsepower for use across the Regera’s already-staggering power band. At the time of cataloging, the Regera holds the world record for 0-250 mph-0, executed in an alarmingly agile 31.49 seconds. CHASSIS NUMBER 175 This Regera offered here is the 175th Koenigsegg chassis produced, and one of just 80 Regeras built between 2016 and 2020. Like all Koenigsegg chassis, it is a unique, alluring, and absolutely extreme creation. Chassis 175 is the first Regera offered to the public via auction; there is no other chassis exactly like it, and as such, it is unlikely to be mirrored in the public marketplace anytime soon. Delivered new to Lake Forest Sports Cars of Chicago, Illinois, it is clad in Crystal White over a bespoke interior; both exterior and interior are enriched by a magnificent bevy of optional “clear” carbon fiber finishes. Furthermore, the exterior “Speedster” graphics package is specifically finished with a healthy volume of 24 karat gold leaf detail, slung with dramatic effect across the front splitter. Chassis 175 sits upon a staggered set of Tresex pattern “Aircore” wheels which utilize Koenigsegg’s innovative hand-laid, multi-lam, pre-impregnated carbon fiber construction to provide ultimate grip and unrivaled weight savings. The Tresex pattern is a more recent structural improvement upon earlier multi-spoke Aircore wheels provided to Koenigsegg models. Overall, the accompanying scan of Chassis 175’s original window sticker illustrates over $217,000 USD of optional and bespoke equipment. In July of 2020, the consignor treated Chassis 175 to a full exterior protective regimen executed by noted specialists at Protective Film Solutions in Santa Ana, California; an XPEL Ultimate Clear Bra was applied to the entire exterior, with additional protection provided to the rear diffuser and front windshield. Chassis 175 is presently offered for sale with all its original accoutrements, as well as service records and original window sticker. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 22nd annual Arizona sale, kicking off its 2021 auction calendar at the OTTO Car Club on Friday, 22 January. It will join approximately 80 blue-chip motor cars, and the sale will be a live event with limited attendance; online and phone bidding options are available by contacting RM Sotheby’s. View Listing

By Edward Jones – January 08, 2021

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2021: 2020 McLaren Speedtail

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 thirty 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. 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 miles per hour 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 36 The Speedtail offered here is the 36th example produced; it is a uniquely presented specimen which presents with over $170,000 (137,711 GPB) of bespoke and optional equipment, as confirmed by the McLaren Automotive Order Confirmation document. Ordered on 20 July 2020, it was delivered new to McLaren of Philadelphia in the fall of 2020. This chassis’ dramatic exterior is clad in a bespoke shade of MSO Heritage Atlantic Blue, further enriched by a set of Bespoke Exterior Painted Pin stripes which are color-matched to the lightweight alloy wheels and cost £39,711 (~$53,600 USD). The front wheel covers have been specified in Gloss Visual Carbon fiber, while the engine cover and brake calipers have been paired with black paint. The Speedtail’s exhaust system, which is integrated into the rear diffuser and nearly hidden, wears the aptly named “Stealth Titanium” finish. A comprehensive suite of Zircon trim and Satin Visual Carbon Fiber flourishes add a uniform appeal to both exterior and interior. Inside, the Speedtail’s next-gen dashboard and distinctive three-seat cockpit are trimmed in stunning vintage tan Aniline leather finished with bespoke contrast stitching. The Satin Visual Carbon Fiber steering wheel is appointed in matching upholstery; it fronts a suite of five digital displays and the two elements are interceded by a steering hub clothed in Alcantara and a pair of billet titanium paddle shifters. 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 36, 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. Now offered showing just 30 miles at the time of cataloging, this 2020 McLaren Speedtail is accompanied by its Order Confirmation document, a fitted suitcase front trunk, as well as serialized, lightweight gold-colored titanium tool set. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 22nd annual Arizona sale, kicking off its 2021 auction calendar at the OTTO Car Club on Friday, 22 January. It will join approximately 80 blue-chip motor cars, and the sale will be a live event with limited attendance; online and phone bidding options are available by contacting RM Sotheby’s. View Listing

1932 Cadillac V 16 Convertible Coupe by Fisher 0

By Edward Jones – January 07, 2021

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2021: 1932 Cadillac V-16 Convertible...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - This striking Cadillac was one of just fourteen examples of the highly sporting Convertible Coupe by Fisher delivered on the 1932 V-16 chassis, only four of which are known to have survived. Its build sheet records its original delivery with stainless steel wire wheels and a single rear-mounted spare; a second page of additional options includes the Heron radiator mascot still present. Delivery was made to a dealer in Brooklyn, New York. In 1959 the Cadillac was discovered in a sawmill on an American Indian reservation in Northern Minnesota by early Full Classic enthusiast Elmer O. Franzen of Minneapolis. As he recounted in the February 1966 issue of the Cadillac-LaSalle Club’s The Self-Starter, “For four years, the cajoling, wheedling, pleading, coaxing, in fact everything short of blackmail, continued with no success as far as closing a deal was concerned.” His persistence had paid off, however, and in late 1965, “the fellow decided to sell just to get rid of me.” Photographs of the car as-found, published in The Self-Starter, testify to its solid and intact overall condition, as well as to its presentation with its rear-mounted spare. Significantly, the article also identifies the Cadillac clearly by both engine and body numbers. Mr. Franzen noted that all of the exterior trim remained with the car. Mr. Franzen further commented that he intended to begin work on the car once he had concluded some earlier projects. However, little work was completed before the car (and a second 1932 V-16) were transacted in the late 1960s to fellow collector Wayne Merriman of Shawnee, Kansas, in a trade for three or four other automobiles. Mr. Merriman’s son recently recalled that his father had pursued the car for years before finally buying it, and that it retained much of its original paint and “was so original that it was a good reference point for other cars.” It remained untouched in the collection until the early 1990s, when it was sold to avid collector Ronald Benach of Lake Forest, Illinois. The Cadillac was the first of several automobiles to be restored for Mr. Benach by the great Fran Roxas; the scrupulous restorer first took numerous detailed photographs of the car upon-delivery, confirming its fine originality and intact condition. He then completed a painstaking restoration in the wonderful, rich period Cadillac color of Bottle Green, with a rich tan leather interior and khaki cloth top, and the original rear-mounted spare. In 1995 the restored V-16 appeared in the “American Classic 16 Cylinders 1930-1937” class at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and was judged Best in Class. It would return to Pebble Beach with Mr. Benach in 2002, this time as an exhibition-only entrant. After remaining a long-term denizen in the Benach Collection, as what Ron Benach describes as “the first to enter and the last to leave,” the car was acquired in 2017 by the current owner; under his tenure, the Cadillac has enjoyed the superb care and maintenance typical of his ownership. Freshening performed under his ownership has included a rebuild of the carburetors and new porcelain on the exhaust manifolds. In 2018 the car was exhibited at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, where it received the Claude Nolan Cadillac Award for the Most Elegant Cadillac. This is inarguably one of the finest, most desirable of all V-16 Cadillacs—a striking, landmark acquisition for any collection. It will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale, taking place 22 January in Scottsdale, Arizona. View Listing

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