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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

1965 Ferrari 275 GTB By Scaglietti1239688

By Edward Jones – May 05, 2022

RM Sotheby’s to Offer 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB By Scaglietti ...

Present by RM Sotheby's. By 1963, the popular 250 GT series had been in production for 11 years and was approaching the end of its life cycle. Ferrari’s engineering team sought to replace the 250 series with a new, more luxurious V-12 powered alternative, while maintaining Ferrari’s fine tradition of dual-purpose “berlinetta” models adept on either road or track, which had cemented its tremendous sporting reputation. Renowned British racer, Michael Parkes—at the time a Maranello works driver—participated in considerable testing to assist in the development of Ferrari’s newest berlinetta. The new vehicle would ultimately continue the traditional features that made the preceding berlinetta models so successful; front-engine architecture punctuated with a long front-end and short rear deck. The resulting product was the Ferrari 275 GTB, which made its debut to great acclaim at the 1964 Salon de L’Automobile in Paris. It instantly raised the bar for design and performance in a Ferrari road car. As the “Gran Turismo Berlinetta” nomenclature suggested, the 275 GTB retained the dual-purpose sporting identity of prior Ferrari sports cars, and the elegant new coachwork built by Scaglietti was undoubtedly an extension of the legendary 250 GTO. The 275 was powered by a further enlargement of Gioacchino Colombo’s classic short-block V-12, which now displaced 3,286 cubic centimetres, and produced 296 horsepower. Optimal weight balance was achieved by fitting the gearbox directly to the rear axle, in a rear transaxle design that would become a standard practice in many ensuing Ferrari road cars. It should be noted that the 275 GTB was the first Ferrari road car to feature four-wheel independent suspension, an innovation that eventually took hold across automobile manufacturing as a whole. A year after the 275 GTB’s 1964 debut, a second series was unveiled that featured a longer nose, a modification intended to aid aerodynamic downforce at high speeds. Despite the technical improvements, many enthusiasts prefer the first-series cars’ proportions and purity of design. Early short-nose Series I examples remain the rarest of all iterations of the 275 GTB non-competition cars, with only approximately 250 examples built. CHASSIS NUMBER 06691 This 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB short-nose—chassis number 06691—reached completion at the Maranello factory on 21 January 1965. The car was finished in a beautiful shade of Grigio Argento, with the cabin upholstered in Nero Connolly leather. Destined for Paris, chassis number 06691 was the first 275 GTB imported into France by the famous dealership, Franco Britannic Autos (FBA). Being one of the earliest examples in France, this 275 GTB was used as the control car for the French homologation road test, a document on file titled “Procès verbal de reception” confirms that chassis number 06691 passed the road test on 25 June 1965. In July 1965, this example was used as the press car for the French publication Sport Auto, of which a copy is present on file. Following a busy first six months of its life, the car was then registered by FBA on 13 September 1965, with the license plate “6498 RV 75”. Following its registration, this Ferrari featured in a photoshoot with the famous French singer, Johnny Hallyday. Digital photographs of Hallyday and “6498 RV 75” are on file. Following the photoshoot with Hallyday, FBA sold 06691 to Charles Pozzi on 5 November 1965, prior to him founding his own Ferrari dealership in 1968. By 10 April 1966, this Ferrari 275 GTB had found its second private owner, Paul Faucher, a chemist who resided in Paris and was a close personal friend of Pozzi. Monsieur Faucher retained the car for over two years, before selling to a Monsieur Pardo of Saint Hilaire, Paris—the car was noted as having covered 43,000 km at that point. Monsieur Pardo parted ways with chassis number 06691 on 1 July 1976, when this Ferrari was registered by Alain Garnier of Menneval with the license plate “5837 QT 27”. On 28 December of that year, Mr. Garnier, who was living with Marcelle Lesage—his mother-in-law—decided to change the name on the Carte Grise to hers. It is believed he was contemplating the sale of this Ferrari when he made this decision, which was correct, as Ms. Lesage would be the final French owner of this 275 GTB. On 28 June 1978, the Ferrari was exported from France to Belgium. It is known that the Belgian collector, Vincent Gaye, took ownership of the 275 GTB in August 1979. At this point in the car’s life, the Grigio Argento paintwork was tired and Monsieur Gaye sent his Ferrari to the renowned workshop, Swaters – Garage Francorchamps, where the body was finished in red. At an unknown point in the 1980s, Maurice Harlaux acquired this Ferrari from Gaye and enjoyed the car over several years of ownership. Harlaux sold this example to the current owner on 17 November 1998. IN CURRENT OWNERSHIP At the time of purchase, the consigning owner noted that the transaxle in the car—originally numbered “43”—had been replaced with a unit numbered “58”, most likely when the prop shaft was upgraded with CV joints. In 1998, the car participated in the Liège-Rome-Liège Rally. This would be the first of many historic racing events in which chassis number 06691 would feature. For 1999, the Ferrari was fielded in the 2nd Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, and that same year from 9 to 14 April, the car was fielded in the Tour Auto. From 2001 to 2006, chassis number 06691 was driven in the Tour Auto, Tour de España Classic, and Tour Auto Lissac.In 2009, this 275 GTB was displayed on a stand at Rétromobile in Paris by its owner alongside the cars of Johnny Hallyday. The consignor decided to return chassis number 06691 to its original color of Grigio Argento, with the work undertaken by Bachelli & Villa of Modena, Italy. Following the return to Grigio Argento, this example was inspected and certified by Ferrari Classiche on 13 February 2019, and is presented with its “Red Book”. The certification by Ferrari has confirmed chassis number 06691 retains its factory-correct color scheme, original chassis and matching-numbers engine. This Ferrari is accompanied by a French ownership history document, Massini Report, and copies of the 1978 attestation, the Procès verbal de reception, the Sport Auto July 1965 road test, spare wheel, and tool kit.To conclude, this 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB has lived an exciting and eventful life. Being such an early French example, its connection with Johnny Hallyday, modern racing history and Ferrari certification, make it an excellent proposition for any Ferrari enthusiast. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 6th biennial Monaco sale, taking place alongside the legendary Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, on 14 May 2022. Held at the glamorous Grimaldi Forum, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – May 04, 2022

Mecum Auctions Offering The Dr. J. Christian and Jennifer...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. Some auto enthusiasts are born in oil—first holding the flashlight for their pops out in the garage and then graduating to turning wrenches alongside him; others were lulled to sleep at night by the rumble of a V-8, with the roar of those high-performance racing engines serving as their lullaby. For Dr. Christian McCarter, it was a little bit of both scenarios that ultimately fueled his passion for cars—specifically for cars of the high-performance, rare variety from the Ford stables. Having amassed a collection of just such vehicles over the years, McCarter is now ready to part with a selection of them this spring, with a truly impressive variety slated to join the lineup at Dana Mecum’s 35th Original Spring Classic. Below are just two of the incredible lots being offered up in the collection. McCarter’s selection headed to Indy is a desirable group consisting of both new and old performance-oriented vehicles that are certain to catch the attention of like-minded enthusiasts, and with all of these fine Fords and more having long-lived under his care, they'll present an enticing opportunity for other dedicated collectors when they cross the block this May. See The Collection 2019 Ford GT Carbon Series Protected by film and ceramic coating, it is finished in Shadow Black with Silver accents and features the optional carbon fiber wheels with titanium lug nuts and ceramic coating protection. Inside, the Black interior sports Sparco carbon-fiber racing seats with 6-point harnesses, an F1-styled Alcantara steering wheel with Silver stitching and tilt/telescopic column, 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster and 6.5-inch touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and Sync 3 infotainment system and the matte carbon trim unique to the Carbon Series. An intoxicating blend of beauty, performance and exclusivity, this Carbon Series is arguably the ultimate iteration of the second-generation Ford GT. 2020 Ford GT MKII Car No. 12 of the 45-car Ford GT MkII production batch, this electrifying, track-only GT MkII is not subject to the Ford two-year resale restriction period applicable to the “tamer” street model. Offered with 332 miles and less than 8 hours of usage, this MkII features the unbridled, twin-turbocharged, 3.5L/700 HP EcoBoost engine delivering the GT’s true potential and not limited to the rules and regulations of racing sanctioning bodies. Visually stunning in its white exterior finish, and protected by film and ceramic coating, the GT MkII features a purposeful black interior with Sparco driver and optional passenger seats with six-point harnesses, a cooling system for driver and passenger, an in-car communication system and a MoTeC data acquisition unit with a rear display camera, all of which is packed within an FIA-compliant roll cage structure.

1965 Ferrari 275 GTS By Pininfarina1242284

By Edward Jones – May 04, 2022

RM Sotheby’s to Offer 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS By Pininfarina...

Present by RM Sotheby's. Ferrari announced the launch of the 275 series in October 1964 at the Salon de L’Automobile in Paris. The series consisted of a hard-top berlinetta, dubbed the “GTB”, and cabriolet spider, from which the GTS takes its name. Both bodies were designed by Pininfarina. While the chassis and engines for the two models were essentially identical, the similarities ended there. The GTB body was fabricated by Maranello’s preferred competition coachbuilder Scaglietti, while the more luxuriously appointed GTS was constructed at Pininfarina’s Grugliasco factory. The Ferrari 275 GTS was completely different in appearance and proportions to its closed-roof sibling, while the cabriolet car was constructed of steel with aluminum bonnet, boot lit, and doors. Uncovered headlamps, triple-louvered wings, a tapered rear end, and standard Borrani wire wheels were the spider’s key visual identifiers, and those features were eventually carried over to the 330 and 365 GTS variants that followed. Just 200 examples of the 275 GTS were built over an 18-month production period, according to the Ferrari expert Marcel Massini, making the model far rarer than the 275 GTB, of which over twice the amount were made. Prized by Ferrari enthusiasts today as the luxurious grand touring expression of the celebrated 3.3-litre Colombo platform, the 275 GTS has evolved into one of the era’s most collectible open-top Ferraris. Chassis Number 06963 Completed on 2 April 1965, this Ferrari 275 GTS was destined for Vienna, Austria, and arrived at the facility of the Austrian Ferrari importer, Wolfgang Denzel, that month. This car’s Pininfarina-styled body was finished in the striking color of Grigio Argento, with the interior upholstered in Rosso Connolly leather. Following its arrival in Vienna, this GTS was tested by the Viennese authorities and was declared fit for use on the roads on 30 June 1965. A photograph of the car following the test is available on file, and contained in a historic Vienna registration document. Later that year, Denzel sold chassis number 06963 to its first owner, Mr. Jirschik in Vienna, who registered this Ferrari 275 GTS on 19 January 1966, with the Vienna license plate “W 663.218”. After three-and-a-half years of ownership, this Ferrari was sold to its second owner, Mr. Dietmar Seidl in Vienna, on 16 October 1969. He registered the car on the license plate “W 664.780”. On 14 April 1971, the Ferrari entered the care of its third owner, Mr. Josef Hascher, in Vienna, who re-registered the car on the license plate “W 48.756”. Just over 12 months later, this 275 GTS was sold by Mr. Hascher to a Mr. Franz Schiefthaler, an architect from Linz, Austria, who became the fourth owner. Mr. Schiefthaler unknowingly became the longest custodian of this Ferrari, enjoying the car for 30 years. Copies of a historic Vienna registration document show stamps indicating Mr. Schiefthaler was in possession of the car from 3 June 1972, when he re-registered this Ferrari on the Linz license plate “L 81.633”. As can be seen in this document, Mr. Schiefthaler moved address and updated the license plate on 25 April 1984 to “L 3363”. He continued to use this 275 GTS as shown by notarised stamps in 1993 and 1998. At some point during his ownership, he decided to have this rare Ferrari spider restored, electing to change color scheme to Rosso paintwork over a Nero leather interior. Mr Schiefthaler had the Austrian license plates and registration canceled in 2002, ending his 30-year tenure with chassis number 06963. In March 2004, this Ferrari 275 GTS was sold via an Austrian and German dealer to the fifth owner, Mr. Stefan Schrörghuber, who registered the car in Germany on 15 June 2004. At some point during his ownership, Mr. Schrörghuber set about a course of restorative work for this Ferrari. While undergoing a comprehensive restoration, this 275 GTS was resprayed in the color of Argento, yet retained the Nero leather interior fitted during previous ownership. Upon his passing in 2008, chassis number 06963 was sold to its sixth owner, residing in Germany. After two years of residing in Munich, this Ferrari 275 GTS was sold to its seventh and current owner on 14 March 2011, who immediately purchased a set of Borrani wire wheels and Michelin XWX tires. In Current Ownership This excellent example was “Red Book”-certified by Ferrari Classiche on 15 February 2012, stating that this Ferrari retains its matching-numbers chassis and engine. This 275 GTS was registered in Denmark on 13 August 2013 by the current owner, and in April 2016 Autocentre Gråsten repaired the starter motor, replaced the fuel pump, and fuel filter. In May that year, Classic Sports Car of Stige, changed the spark plugs, fuel hose and fuel filter. In late 2019, the same workshop carried out an oil and filter service, replacing the sump plug. Additionally, they replaced the shock absorber bushes, as well as the front and rear anti-roll bar bushes. The most recent work was carried out on 22 April 2021, with the blower motor replaced, coolant flushed, and a new gasket installed on the radiator cap. During the current ownership period, accumulated invoices exceed €15,000, highlighting the care and attention the consigning owner has bestowed on this stunning Ferrari 275 GTS. Today chassis number 06963 is accompanied by its bill of sale from 2011, Ferrari Classiche “Red Book”, report by marque expert Marcel Massini, reproduction 275 GTS manual, historic Vienna registration document, and numerous restoration photographs showing before, during and after the process. This 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS provides a tempting opportunity to acquire a rare and highly sought after open-top Prancing Horse. With its stunning color combination, comprehensive ownership history, paperwork, and Ferrari Classiche certification, this example is prime for enjoyment by its next owner. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 6th biennial Monaco sale, taking place alongside the legendary Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, on 14 May 2022. Held at the glamorous Grimaldi Forum, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – May 03, 2022

Mecum Auctions Offering The German Prime Collection at In...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. Heading to Mecum Auctions' upcoming Indy 2022 event is a wonderful selection of vehicles being called The German Prime Collection. Within this collection are German automobiles that feature low mileage, limited production numbers and are highly optioned out. Essentially, each of these vehicles ticks off all of the boxes that collectors look for. You can see them all down below. For more information regarding the auction, click the button below to visit Mecum's website. Learn More 2015 Ruf RT12 R This 2015 RUF RT12 R is the Porsche 911 as only legendary Porsche wizard Alois Ruf can conjure the Stuttgart missile. Presented in splendid as-new condition at 276 miles, this car will have special meaning to Porschephiles who recall the car that cemented RUF’s well-earned reputation for producing some of the world’s fastest, most exclusive automobiles: the record-breaking Yellowbird. Like that legendary 200 MPH rocket sled, the RT12 R may deceive with what first appears to be the body and wheel/tire upgrades not uncommon to 911 variants, but this is much more. More than a tuner, RUF is a manufacturer that takes Porsche body shells and fills them out with the stuff of dreams. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Offered with only 3,300 accumulated miles at the time of writing, this 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is highly equipped with the optional $9,900 red and black interior treatment and optional red and black steering wheel—an $800 extra-cost item. The Lysholm twin-screw supercharged 5.4L engine delivers its massive 617 HP output via an AMG Speedshift R automatic transmission. The advanced Stability Control System enhances the drive and 4-wheel carbon-ceramic disc brakes with red calipers deliver ample stopping power. Amenities include dual-zone air conditioning and a competition-inspired pushbutton starter button integrated into the shifter. Gullwing-style doors, an adaptable rear spoiler, abbreviated side-pipe exhaust system, turbine-style wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport tires complete this awesome modern supercar. 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Offered with just 32 miles and still retaining the factory-affixed protective interior plastic covers, this example is one of just 1,700 produced for 2021. Carrying a $325,000 basic MSRP and more than $21,000 in select factory options, this AMG GT Black Series features visually stunning AMG Magnabeam paint, a $9,900 option alone. Massive, yet usable, power is delivered by a hand-crafted AMG Biturbo 4.0L V-8 engine rated at 720 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque, mated to a race-derived AMG Speedshift DSC 7-speed automatic transmission. Cutting-edge features including Eco start/stop and AMG Dynamic Select provide uncanny all-around sophistication, with exceptional road holding delivered by a forged dual-wishbone front and rear suspension system. 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S Edition 1 Offered with just 190 miles at the time of writing, this 2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG S Edition 1 features AMG’s potent Bi-Turbo 4.0L engine with 503 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque and AMG 7-speed Speedshift DCT transmission. Performance and driving dynamics are brilliant with the AMG dynamic performance exhaust system and AMG adaptive sport suspension. Finished in Selenite Gray with the Anthracite leather and microsuede interior featuring contrasting red accents, this Edition 1 features AMG exterior night styling and an active rear wing. The vehicle’s staggering performance envelope includes race-derived stopping power with AMG carbon-ceramic brakes including 15.4-inch front and 14.2-inch rear discs behind exclusive staggered-diameter, split 5-spoke AMG wheels mounting Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Marking one of the finest expressions of AMG and Mercedes’ collective wizardry, this 2016 AMG GT S Edition 1 is one of today’s ultimate supercars on all counts.

By Edward Jones – May 03, 2022

RM Sotheby’s to Offer 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV At Monaco...

Present by RM Sotheby's. When first unveiled at the 1966 Geneva Salon, the Lamborghini Miura P400’s impact was nothing short of extraordinary. It looked like no other car on the road and marked a paradigm shift in the design of high-performance cars, with sensuous lines dictated by the placement of its engine, mounted transversely behind the passenger compartment. Marcello Gandini penned the gorgeous design at the age of 27, and it encapsulated the youthful spirit of the age. The car was beautifully styled throughout with intricate details, such as the shape of the doors, which were supposedly modeled off the horns of a raging bull. To many, the Miura boasted the perfect automotive silhouette, equally sensual and muscular. As perhaps the first true supercar the world had ever seen, the Miura’s performance matched its looks. The final iteration of the Miura, the P400SV, featured numerous improvements over the already spectacular P400S that came before it. The front structure of the chassis was strengthened, while the rear suspension was revised to improve handling along with wider rear wheels. In addition, the cylinder heads received larger inlet valves and the triple-choke downdraught Webers incorporated larger jets and venturis. The most noticeable changes to the SV were cosmetic with a large rear body clam for the increased track, along with different rear lights and deletion of the headlamp eyelashes; all of these changes resulted in a Miura that now balanced beauty and aggression in perfect measure for a far more purposeful supercar. CHASSIS NUMBER 4884: THE FIRST AMERICAN SV Lamborghini built just 21 examples of the Miura SV specifically for the United States market. All these cars carried subtle differences to normal SVs in order to meet federal regulations including reflective side markers, regulation-colored indicators, wing-less octagonal center wheel nuts, while the interior featured three-point seatbelts and different warning lights. In addition, the first eight cars imported to the U.S. featured 200-mph speedometers and single-sump oil system, unlike the later 13 that received 190-mph speedometers and split-sump lubrication. Meeting EPA emissions regulations was the hardest part, and this fell to newly appointed importer Alberto Pedretti of Modena Racing Company Inc. of New York. This Miura SV, chassis number 4884, was originally invoiced to Bob Estes, the importer whom Lamborghini were falling out with due to the irregular supply of cars; the pro-forma invoice notes that many of the U.S.-spec options, importantly including air conditioning and ‘air pump’ which would be key to meeting the EPAs requirements. In addition, the invoice confirms the Rosso Corsa over Bleu colors. By June 1971, Lamborghini had reassigned chassis 4884 to Alberto Pedretti and it was finally delivered on 18 June. Before leaving for America, Peter Coltrin found the time to shoot 4884, a photographer whose work of cars produced by manufacturers in Emilia-Romagna would prove legendary; these shots would also be used for Lamborghini publicity materials and the SV brochure. Upon arriving on the East Coast, Alberto Pedretti took chassis 4884 up to Ann Habour, Michigan for EPA testing. Pedretti, an automotive engineer by trade, had previously been to Sant’Agata to help develop the air pump system for venting vapor to a carbon canister. After 10 days of adjustments and testing with the “sperimentale” engine, as described by Pedretti, this car finally passed and the SV had officially landed in the U.S.A. Pedretti applied a Modena Racing Co., Inc. sticker to the rear and set about selling SVs to America with an appearance with 4884 at the 1971 Boston Auto Show for the SV’s debut. Following the show, this Miura was sold to its first owner, Jack Robinson of Goddard, Kansas, who is said to have regularly tested the Miura SV’s performance on the flat Kansas terrain and reportedly drove it to the Bonneville Salt Flats. In 1977, Astro Motors, of Topeka, sold the car on Robinson’s behalf to Dr. Alan Brown of Savannah, Georgia, with mileage being confirmed as 12,275 miles. Shortly after taking ownership, Dr. Brown wrote a letter to Automobili Lamborghini SpA, the response to which confirmed that chassis number 4884 was indeed the first U.S.A. homologation SV sent over to obtain type-certification. Upon Dr. Brown’s untimely passing in 2005, the car was purchased by Miura enthusiast Joe Sackey with an odometer reading of 19,548 miles. He then sent it to Miura restorer Gary Bobileff of San Diego, California, for a complete and thorough restoration to factory specification, down to the sourcing of correct Bertone seat material. Following its concours-quality restoration, chassis number 4884 won first in class at the 2006 Concorso Italiano. Sackey chose chassis number 4884 as the cover car for The Lamborghini Miura Bible upon its publication in 2008, and devoted an entire chapter to his pursuit, acquisition, and restoration of this significant SV. In 2007, the car was featured in the 25th-anniversary issue of Classic and Sports Car magazine. It also appeared earlier on the cover of the famous Lamborghini Miura by Peter Coltrin and Jean-Francois Marchet. Under current ownership since 2015, the car was imported into Germany via the United Kingdom and has benefitted from thorough cosmetic and mechanical reconditioning in 2017 by Lambowerkstatt of Seewald-Erzgrube. Invoices on file for this work total in excess of €170,000. This included dismantling, stripping, dry-ice cleaning and repainting the body, applying body-cavity protection, sound deadening, and underbody sealant, refurbishing the wheels and wheel nuts, and mounting new tires and suspension struts. In addition, the engine was disassembled and refurbished with new bearings, cylinder liners, valve guides, timing chains, gudgeon pins, air trumpets and piston rings. The carburetors, alternator, oil pump, and water pump were also overhauled, and the belts, seals, and air-conditioning compressor replaced. The transmission was refurbished with a new clutch, bearings and synchronizers, the differential was overhauled, and the powertrain was converted to separate sumps for the engine and transmission. Bidders should note that the car has been used only lightly since this work took place, and so it is recommended that the engine is serviced and run in prior to regular usage. Various electrical components were also replaced, as was the turn-signal glass, header tank, and loudspeakers. More recently, an RM Sotheby’s Specialist has inspected this Miura and we can confirm that many of its original body number stampings are present, and the odometer displays 21,069 miles at the time of cataloging. Powered by its original “sperimentale” engine and expertly restored to factory specifications, this first U.S.-delivery Miura SV is historically significant and remarkably authentic, instantly recognizable to Lamborghini aficionados. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 6th biennial Monaco sale, taking place alongside the legendary Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, on 14 May 2022. Held at the glamorous Grimaldi Forum, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – May 02, 2022

Nigel Mansell's Ferrari 640 Heading to RM Sotheby's Monac...

Present by RM Sotheby's. By the end of the 1980s, Nigel Mansell would have been able to look back on a fruitful Formula 1 career so far, though the best was yet to come. Almost half the decade spent with Lotus, followed by the latter half with Williams, had brought steady acclaim after a slow start marred by crashes and reliability issues. Mansell would become known for his “all or nothing” approach that brought him a career total of 31 race wins balanced against 32 retirements, many of which were the result of his tenacious racing style. The Englishman had tasted success with Lotus, netting five podium finishes, and while the race wins started to come with his second team, the stage was set for one final golden opportunity—enter Scuderia Ferrari. Over the 1986 and 1987 Formula 1 seasons, Mansell was consistently up against the fastest drivers on the grid, alerting rival teams to his form—particularly Ferrari, who had not secured a Drivers' Championship title since Jody Scheckter clinched the trophy in 1979. The team was on the lookout for a new driver to partner Gerhard Berger after declaring that the contract of the incumbent Michele Alboreto would not be renewed. The Italian ended his five-year stay with Ferrari with 80 race entries, a record that would stand until Berger surpassed it in 1995. In 1986, Mansell stepped onto the podium nine times—five of those race victories—continually impressing from behind the wheel of his Williams FW11. The following season, the Englishman went one better with six race wins. By 1988, Canon Williams had lost its relationship with Honda as an engine supplier, and the team’s car for that season—the FW12—would be powered by a Judd-supplied V-8 engine. Though Mansell showed glimmers of his previous form with two 2nd-place finishes, that year proved to be tough for him and the Williams team as he started and withdrew from 12 races out of the 16-race calendar. With Ferrari eager to replace Alboreto, Mansell was an obvious candidate from the Formula 1 grid to join the Scuderia. Any potential frustrations with the Judd-powered Williams car and eagerness for one final tilt towards the Drivers' Championship with the backing of a strong team combined for a very timely opportunity. Remarkably, Mansell would be the last team driver personally recruited by Enzo Ferrari, with the great company founder closely involved in the running of the F1 operation until his passing in August 1988. Mansell described the honor as “one of the greatest in my career” and “Il Commendatore” presented the Englishman with a Ferrari F40 as a welcome gift upon joining. Introducing the Ferrari 640 Mansell instantly hit it off with Ferrari and its partisan Italian fanbase, earning the nickname of “Il Leone”—or “The Lion”—thanks to his courageous driving style. The 1989 season—Mansell’s first racing in the red of Scuderia Ferrari—marked a newly introduced ban on turbocharged engines imposed by the FIA, and Mansell’s new car, the Ferrari 640, was powered by the Tipo 035/5; a naturally aspirated, 3.5-litre, V-12 engine. The highly respected John Barnard had been brought over from McLaren to lead the design of the 640, and the car would be the first Ferrari that the English engineer would work on The 640 quickly became recognizable with its sharp nose, narrow monocoque chassis, and wide wings that housed the radiators. Engineers at Maranello pioneered a cutting-edge semi-automatic gearbox, equipping this car with a seven-speed sequential transmission. This car had long been in development and bosses at the Maranello race team had hoped to introduce it one year earlier, having begun its designs in 1987. The development of a semi-automatic gearbox posed continual problems, however, so Ferrari had to field the preceding F1/87/88C in the 1988 season. Ahead of the first race of the 1989 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix, Mansell became the Scuderia’s 78th race entrant in the team’s 40-year history, and the driver traveled to Italy to get to grips with the new Ferrari 640. On 5 January 1989, at the Fiorano Circuit and behind the wheel of the forthcoming season’s car, the Englishman set a new track record at 1’08.12, setting the bar high for what was to come. On 1 February, the new 640 was revealed to the press as the first-ever Ferrari team car to be announced without Enzo Ferrari. The 1989 Formula 1 season Lining up at Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro on 26 March 1989, for the beginning of the season in new team colors, Mansell qualified in 6th place, with his teammate Berger sealing 3rd spot. In a highly competitive field featuring the likes of Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and Nelson Piquet, Mansell fought his way through to the front of the field and won his debut race for Ferrari—sealing victory over 2nd-place Prost by over seven seconds. Though the season had started so brightly, the following succession of races quickly dampened the furor around Ferrari’s newest recruit. Early retirements came in the subsequent San Marino, Monaco, Mexico, and the U.S.A. Grands Prix, then in the sixth race of 1989 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada; despite qualifying in 5th place, Mansell was disqualified during a confusing chain of events. Towards the end of a rainstorm, Mansell chose to pit and switch to slick tires at the end of the second formation lap, meaning he would have to start the race from the pit lane. With seemingly little advice from race officials, the driver left the pit lane to join the circuit before the main grid had been shown green lights, resulting in Mansell being black-flagged. Circumstances would improve, though. In the following races, first at the French Grand Prix, and then at Silverstone, the driver twice finished 2nd in chassis 109. Both podium finishes came in behind Prost, who was starting to gain momentum behind his ultimately successful push towards the Drivers' title for that year. At the German Grand Prix, Mansell finished 3rd behind 2nd-placed Prost and the winning Senna, while the next race outing in Hungary would be Mansell’s chance to shine once again. Remarkably, “Il Leone” qualified in 12th position, but claimed the lead to win at the Hungaroring in the tenth race of the season, also recording the fastest lap of the day in the process. Another podium finish came at the next race in Belgium, where Mansell finished 3rd when driving chassis 112, though disappointingly, at that point his points haul for the season would be concluded. For the next few races, Mansell would continue in chassis 112, including at Ferrari’s “homecoming” Grand Prix in Monza, where he was disappointingly forced to retire with gearbox problems. At the next race in Portugal, back behind the wheel of chassis 109, he was disqualified. Then in chassis 110, he had to retire with engine problems in Japan and spun off in Australia—finally settling on 4th in the Drivers' Championship standings. Scuderia Ferrari records show that in the races that chassis 109 did not participate in the 1989 Formula 1 season—including Grands Prix in Belgium, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Australia—the 640 was used in reserve as a "T-car". Mansell got to keep chassis 109, with the car shipped to join his personal car collection in England in January 1990. For the 1990 season, Mansell and the Ferrari team continued to suffer bad luck with reliability issues, and he finished 5th overall in that year’s Drivers' standings. Undercurrents of disappointment and alleged favorable treatment for teammates resulted in Mansell calling time on his Ferrari career and—temporarily—his Formula 1 career at the end of that season, threatening to quit the sport altogether. Frank Williams saved the driver from that and he would go on to finally become a Drivers' Champion in 1992, re-joining and winning with the Williams team he left to sign for Ferrari. Since being presented to Mansell in 1990, this Ferrari 640 has been kept in the driver’s personal car collection, having not run since its last outing in the 1989 season. The Ferrari will need mechanical inspection and recommissioning prior to returning to the race track. We believe that this is the first time in history that a Works driver has offered his own Grand Prix Ferrari publicly at auction. With such an outstanding provenance and race-winning history, this stunning V-12 Ferrari F1 car would surely be the centerpiece of any motorsport collection. This vehicle will be offered at RM Sotheby’s 6th biennial Monaco sale, taking place alongside the legendary Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, on 14 May 2022. Held at the glamorous Grimaldi Forum, RM Sotheby’s will offer some of the world’s finest cars in this can’t-miss event. View Listing

By Edward Jones – April 28, 2022

The Asi and Lisa Sheikh Collection Heads to Mecum Indy 20...

Presented by Mecum Auctions. “I’ve lived the American Dream.” Those are the words of Asi Sheikh, car collector extraordinaire. After hearing his story, it’s hard to disagree with that assertion. “As long as I can remember, since I was a kid, I loved cars–from my Matchbox cars to watching cars on TV and reading about them in magazines. I always wanted to be part of the car world,” Sheikh said. Today, he has an amazing, eclectic collection of some of the finest automobiles on the planet. From Corvettes to Shelbys to Mercedes-Benzes to Ferraris, it’s a diverse group that is notable for containing meticulously maintained, low-mileage, well-documented examples. The Asi and Lisa Sheikh Collection will offer 34 beautiful cars at No Reserve on Saturday, May 21 at Dana Mecum’s 35th Original Spring Classic in Indianapolis. Below is just an brief example of what to expect from this collection. To see the rest, be sure to click the button below. View More 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 1988 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2022

2007 Ferrari F430 Spider at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2022

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. This 2007 Ferrari F430 Spider (Lot 742.2) is powered by an F136 4.3-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed F1 automated manual gearbox. The V8 kicks out 483hp and 343 ft/lbs of torque, enough to bring the prancing horse to 60 mph in 4.0-seconds and reach a 200 mph top speed. The Pininfarina and Frank Stephenson-designed exterior is painted in Rosso Corsa over a Cuoio leather interior with Daytona-style seats. The F430 Spider sits on a set of 19-inch split-spoke wheels clad with Bridgestone tires. Additionally, this F430 features the ceramic composite brake package and is a highly optioned 60th Anniversary Edition. This vehicle will be auctioned off during the 2022 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach event, April 7-9, 2022. There will be over 600 vehicles with no reserves crossing the auction block during the three-day event, so there will be something for every automotive enthusiast. If you're interested in joining in on the festivities, you can register to bid today. There are different ways to bid, including in-person, online, and even via telephone. To register visit Barrett-Jackson.com or call 480.421.6694 to get started. View Listing

By Bucky Worboys – April 04, 2022

2021 Ford Bronco Apocalypse Dark Horse 6x6 at Barrett-Jac...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. Apocalypse Manufacturing, ominously named, is known for its ability to turn trucks and SUVs into something a bit more… foreboding. The brand does so by adding a bed (if the base car doesn’t already have one) and two more wheels to the car. By the way, those two extra wheels get power, too. The Ram-based Warlord, and the Jeep-based Hellfire, Doomsday and Sinister 6 are all off-road monsters that look like the textbook definition of apocalypse-ready, with 37-inch tires, upgraded leather interiors, and plenty of other upgrades that truly turn them into ultimate vehicles. And now, there’s an Apocalypse Bronco. If you’ve ever looked at a Ford Bronco and thought “This is missing an axle,” you’re in luck. Not only does Apocalypse’s 6×6 Bronco, the Dark Horse, receive that extra axle, to go with it, but it also gets power to it as well, making it a Bronco-turned-six-wheel-drive monster truck of dreams. With a 400-horsepower V6 engine under the hood, a kevlar-coated steel bumper, and the potential for Kevlar coating for the entire paint job, and an even wilder engine, a 700-horsepower Coyote 5-liter V8, the Dark Horse promises to be just that, with the height, looks, equipment, and performance to strike fear into the hearts of many, and pure, ludicrous joy into the heart of its owner. This vehicle will be auctioned off during the 2022 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach event, April 7-9, 2022. There will be over 600 vehicles with no reserves crossing the auction block during the three-day event, so there will be something for every automotive enthusiast. If you're interested in joining in on the festivities, you can register to bid today. There are different ways to bid, including in-person, online, and even via telephone. To register visit Barrett-Jackson.com or call 480.421.6694 to get started. View Listing

By Edward Jones – April 03, 2022

1990 Ferrari Testarossa at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2022

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. Finished in Rosso Corsa red, this 1990 Ferrari Testarossa (Lot 691.1) is powered by the original 4.9-liter flat 12-cylinder engine capable of 380hp and 354 ft/lbs of torque backed by a 5-speed manual transaxle with limited-slip differential controlled with a gated shifter. Equipped with an upgraded electric steering-assist system that can be disengaged with a flip of a switch. Features the original tan leather, a Nardi wood-grain steering wheel, climate control and a new Sony AM/FM stereo system with Bluetooth and CD player. It rides on custom Mike Curtis 18-inch wheels. This vehicle will be auctioned off during the 2022 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach event, April 7-9, 2022. There will be over 600 vehicles with no reserves crossing the auction block during the three-day event, so there will be something for every automotive enthusiast. If you're interested in joining in on the festivities, you can register to bid today. There are different ways to bid, including in-person, online, and even via telephone. To register visit Barrett-Jackson.com or call 480.421.6694 to get started. View Listing

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