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Azzurro Hyperion Ferrari F40 sports car photographed in a studio setting with a plain white background, showcased for RM Sotheby's.

By Khris Bharath –  July 21, 2025

RM Sotheby's To Offer One-Off Azzurro Hyperion Ferrari F4...

Repainting any Ferrari, let alone the highly sought-after F40, requires confidence, and perhaps a disregard for convention. Now, unlike the F50, which was available in a handful of colors, every single example of the Ferrari F40, yes, all 1,315 units, left the Maranello factory in Rosso Corsa. This deeply symbolic color has long been synonymous with the Italian marque’s identity and legacy. However, Chassis #94647, known today as the “Blue Chip F40,” represents a unique and uncompromising interpretation of this iconic supercar, one that wears Azzurro Hyperion over blue Alcantara. Built on July 29, 1992, and delivered new to Motor S.p.A. in Modena, Italy, this F40 was originally configured in a much more traditional spec, with its red exterior and Stoffa Vigogna interior reflecting Ferrari’s standard F40 production finish at the time. The car’s first owner, Paolo Pazzaglia, a prominent nightlife figure from Bologna, logged more than 5,000 kilometers (3,106 miles) before transferring ownership in 1993. The car remained in the Bologna area for several years, where it received consistent maintenance and attention, before being exported to the United Kingdom in early 1998. Once in the U.K., this F40 entered the hands of passionate custodians, including television presenter and collector Paul Martin, who appreciated the car’s engineering and historical significance. Over the years, the vehicle accumulated extensive documentation besides what it originally shipped with, including  Ministry of Transport (MOT) certifications, COA, Red Book, the original service book, and service invoices. But in 2021, the car’s then-owner began envisioning a new chapter for chassis #94647, one that centered around enhancing its performance capabilities, a road-going homage to the even rarer Ferrari F40 LM (limited to 19 units), besides elevating its aesthetic appeal to reflect a more bespoke example of Ferrari’s most analog supercar. The transformation of this 1980s halo car was entrusted to Furlonger Specialist Cars, a respected U.K.-based Ferrari specialist. The F40 received several mechanical upgrades, including the installation of a Michelotto-developed F40 LM racing gearbox, a component rarely found outside competition-spec builds, along with uprated turbo wastegates on the 2.9-liter V8, and a Tubi exhaust system that amplifies the car’s already ferocious soundtrack.  A KW fully adjustable suspension featuring a nose-lift system was also installed to improve usability. Another highlight are the wheels. In order to accommodate the addition of 355-millimeter Brembo GT brakes, which significantly elevate stopping performance, the team engineered custom 18-inch rims that carefully preserve the original five-spoke center-lock aesthetic that you associate with the F40. But by far, the most visually arresting element of this entire project comes in the form of a complete respray of the body in Azzurro Hyperion, a rare and refined Ferrari shade that first appeared in the early 2000s on limited-production models such as the 575M Maranello and 360 Spider.  For some context, this hue belongs to a Ferrari lineage of several light blue shades that also includes Azzurro California, Azzurro Dino, and Azzurro La Plata (a nod to Alberto Ascari’s Aregentinian roots), with each historically reserved for clients seeking even more exclusivity and elegance.  While these pastel and silver-inflected blues graced old-school Ferraris like the 250 GT Lusso and 246 Dino, Azzurro Hyperion carries a more modern depth and metallic clarity, and when applied to the sharp, 2,400-pound composite Pininfarina-designed bodywork of an F40, it makes for a truly unique creation. Inside the cockpit, the story continues with blue Alcantara upholstery replacing the familiar red-and-black combination found in most F40s.  This reimagined specification does not compromise this 201 mph supercar’s authenticity, as it was Ferrari Classiche certified in 2013 before any modification, and it retains its original Red Book, Certificate of Authenticity, warranty booklet, and an extensive archive of provenance-related documents. Being offered through RM Sotheby’s, the car will feature in the upcoming Monterey 2025 sale, and it currently carries a pre-auction estimate between $2.5 and $2.8 million. While the mileage is on the higher side at 19,816 miles, chassis #94647 presents a rare opportunity for collectors to not only acquire a significantly upgraded F40 but also a singular vision of color and composition that connects the supercar’s aggressive design with a sense of individuality and expression. This Azzuro Hyperion example joins just a handful of modified F40s like the 1991 Minty Forty,  Aqua Blue Metallic,  Nardo F40 “Competizione” and the Liberty Walk F40. View Listing Source: RM Sotheby's, @Ashley Lauzurica

2014 Spyker C8 Auction

By Khris Bharath –  June 20, 2025

1-of-121 Spyker C8 Spyder Is Headed to Auction

At the upcoming prestigious Bonham|Cars’ Bonmont Sale on June 29, Lot 118 will present bidders with the opportunity to acquire one of the rarest and most radical modern-day European exotics ever built: a 2014 Spyker C8 Spyder.  Now, for those unfamiliar with the Spyker name, the brand began life as a coachbuilder in Amsterdam, and its history dates back to well over a century, when they were building six-cylinder four-wheel drive race cars as early as 1903. When production slowed during the First World War, Spyker merged with Dutch manufacturer N.V., adopting the two-blade propeller badge. Although that company folded back in 1925, the precedent had been set with a legacy strong enough to be resurrected. Decades later, in 1999, Victor Muller and Maarten de Bruijn revived the Dutch marque, playing not just on nostalgia, but on a vision. Enter the Spyker C8, which was first shown in the year 2000. Now, Top Gear fans amongst you should be able to recall " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> from back in the day. Perhaps one of the C8’s most redeeming elements was its outlandish design, both inside and out, something that Jeremy pointed out could have only come from Holland. Exquisite details like the riveted aluminium body, the 10-spoke wheels, aircraft-style switch gear, and the exposed gear linkage all draw inspiration from aviation. Underneath, the C8 remains brutally capable, packing a 4.2-liter Audi V8 engine that delivers 400 horsepower. While that might not sound like much today, the C8 Spyder is built around a lightweight space frame chassis and tips the scales at just over 2,755 pounds.  This particular car (chassis# XL9AABAG8BZ363192), finished in white with a contrasting bespoke quilted brown-and-camel leather interior, is one of just 121 Spyker C8 Spyders ever made. It has less than 3,600 kilometers (2,236 miles) on the odometer, and with a recent CHF 14,000 service carried out by Rebellion Motors in February 2024, this Spyker is as pristine as it gets. Public viewing begins on June 27 at the Golf & Country Club de Bonmont, and for more information, click the link below. View Listing " width="680"> Image Source: Bonhams

A red Ferrari Formula 1 car races on track near water; inset shows a driver celebrating with champagne—capturing the excitement of the Historic Monaco Sale, where the Ferrari F2001 became the most valuable Schumacher-F1 car at €15.98 million.

By Khris Bharath –  May 26, 2025

Historic Monaco Sale: Ferrari F2001 Becomes Most Valuable...

In a thrilling moment for motorsport fans, Michael Schumacher’s iconic 2001 Ferrari F2001 chassis #211 has shattered all previous records, selling for a staggering €15.98 million ($18.19 million) at RM Sotheby’s auction that took place over the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix weekend. This sale not only marks the highest price ever paid for a Schumacher-driven Formula 1 car, but also marks the first time an F1 car has been auctioned during a Grand Prix weekend in the principality.  Dubbed ‘The Crown Jewel’, Chassis #211 is of particular significance, as it was this very car that took Schumacher to victory at the 2001 Monaco Grand Prix. Later that season, this same machine also clinched the Hungarian Grand Prix, securing Schumacher his fourth Driver’s Championship, and further contributing to Ferrari’s Constructors’ title. Notably, it remains the only Ferrari chassis with which Schumacher achieved both a Monaco win and a World Championship in the same season. The F2001 was conceived in Modena by Scuderia’s ‘Super team’, comprising Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne, and Schumacher himself. It packed a 3.0-liter V10 engine that put out 825 horsepower, and screaming to a mind-numbing 17,000 rpm, it produced a soundtrack that defined the golden era of Formula 1. This historic sale also places the F2001 well ahead of several other Schmacher-era race cars that have crossed the auction block. Back in 2017, another F2002 chassis #219, also driven by Schumacher to victory, sold for $7.5 million at a Sotheby’s contemporary art auction in New York City. It marked a major milestone for the time and the earliest recognition of F1 cars with pedigree, as collectibles.  More recently, in 2022, Schumacher’s 2003 Ferrari F2003-GA, chassis #229, a car that took him to his sixth World Championship win, fetched CHF 14.6 million ($14.8 million) at auction in Geneva, Switzerland. That chassis had five wins to its name and was the most expensive modern-era F1 car sold, until this weekend’s record-breaking sale of chassis #211.  Beyond its racing provenance, this sale also had a philanthropic cause with a portion of the proceeds donated to the ‘Keep Fighting Foundation’, a charity established to continue Michael Schumacher’s charitable work following his 2013 accident. While the howl of V10 F1 engines fades into memory, the legacy of one of Motorsport’s most legendary figures continues to endure. " width="680"> Source: RM Sotheby's, Ferrari

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By Jordan Aquistapace –  December 11, 2023

RM Sotheby's 2023 'Luxury Week' New York Auction Event Br...

RM Sotheby’s recently made its return to New York City, hosting a special evening auction at Sotheby’s global headquarters during the December Luxury Week sale series. Anticipated by collectors worldwide, the event featured a carefully curated selection of some of the most exclusive and desirable automotive examples in history. RM Sotheby's reported that the auction was a resounding success, achieving $13,610,200 in total sales, with 78% of all lots sold. One of the stand-out moments of the auction was the sale of the legendary Lamborghini Countach from Martin Scorsese’s "The Wolf of Wall Street". This 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition by Bertone, noted as the only drivable model featured in the film, made a triumphant return to the Big Apple. Fetching a jaw-dropping $1,655,000, the movie star Lamborghini shattered the previous record for the Countach model by $880,000, an example of its cinematic fame and timeless 80s design. Top 10 Lots Sold 1.  1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia sold for $2,425,000 2.  2015 McLaren P1 sold for $2,095,000 3.  2015 Porsche 918 Spyder sold for $1,985,000 4.  1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition by Bertone sold for $1,655,000 5.  2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 sold for $1,490,000 6.  1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe by Bertone sold for $1,105,000 7.  2019 Ford GT sold for $863,000 8.  2005 Ferrari Superamerica sold for $720,000 9.  1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI sold for $357,000 10.   2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello sold for $335,000 Another star of the night was the 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia, maintained with meticulous care by a single owner for 22 years. This example represented the finest of the fourteen 8V Supersonics ever made. With only four caretakers over its 70-year history, this collector-grade Fiat broke previous records, selling for $2,425,000 to its fifth proud owner. The auction also saw a record-breaking sale of a 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe, the only coupe among seven Bertone-bodied Aston Martins. After undergoing a meticulous concours restoration by marque specialist Kevin Kay, this Aston Martin sold for $1,105,000. RM Sotheby's December Luxury Week event highlighted the prestige and popularity of these historic vehicles and their impact on the automotive world. View all RM Sotheby's inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All RM Sotheby's Inventory Source: RM Sotheby's

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By Jordan Aquistapace –  October 13, 2023

Mecum’s Indy Fall Special 2023 Auction Reaches $19.5 Mill...

567 Vehicles Hammer Sold at Inaugural Fall Special Collector Car Auction. Mecum Auctions, already renowned for their annual Spring Classic collector car auction in Indianapolis, have just knocked it out of the park with its inaugural Indy Fall Special auction. Held from October 5th to 7th, this newly introduced event generated a whopping $19.5 million in total sales, with 567 vehicles going under the hammer in a mere three days. This expansion in Mecum's calendar clearly resonated with collectors, enthusiasts, and fans who were hungry for more high-quality auctions. Leading the charge in sales was a classic icon, a 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback, which commanded a remarkable $275,000. It was closely followed by modern muscle, including a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible that sold for $214,500, and a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Custom fetching $176,000. Not to be left behind, a 1969 Pontiac Trans Am rounded out the all-American top sales list, achieving a price of $162,250. The top 10 collector car sales at the 2023 Indy Fall Special auction include: 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback (Lot S99) at $275,000 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible (Lot S89) at $214,500 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Custom (Lot S196) at $176,000 1969 Pontiac Trans Am (Lot S108) at $162,250 1946 Chevrolet COE Custom (Lot T145) at $159,500 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona (Lot F138.1) at $154,000 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider (Lot S73) at $148,500 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost (Lot S65) at $143,000 1975 Ford F250 XLT Pickup (Lot S97) at $134,750 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe (Lot S109) at $129,250 Adding exclusivity to the auction were private collections, showcasing some of the most sought-after models in the industry. The all-Ford Burbach Collection stole the spotlight with an aggregate of $2.07 million in sales. Not too far behind was the 15-car Joel Hipp Collection, which sold in its entirety, generating $1.09 million. The success of Mecum’s Indy Fall Special serves as an example of the robust demand and enthusiasm in the collector car market, especially for American classics and modern performance cars. As the event's stellar sales figures suggest, the Fall Special is not just a seasonal addition but looks to become another cornerstone event for Mecum Auctions and car aficionados alike. With this level of success, the industry waits in anticipation for what Mecum has planned next. View all Mecum Auctions inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Mecum Auctions Inventory Source: Mecum Auctions

By Jordan Aquistapace –  October 06, 2023

RM Sotheby's Is Auctioning Off Lewis Hamilton's 2013 Merc...

This is your chance to own a piece of Formula One and Lewis Hamilton history. Formula One racing is accelerating in global popularity, with thrilling on-track battles and captivating behind-the-scenes drama drawing in a fresh wave of race fans. Among all the world-class team drivers who compete each week for a spot on the podium, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton stands out as one of the most successful and favored drivers on the grid. The luxury auction professionals at RM Sotheby's are pleased to showcase a truly remarkable piece of F1 history, the 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04 racecar once driven by Lewis Hamilton himself. Sporting one of the F1 team's most iconic race liveries, the silver and Petronas green racecar was the first Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team car driven to victory by the British seven-time Formula One Drivers' Champion. In addition to competing in 14 out of the 19 events during the 2013 Formula One season, Lewis drove the car to victory at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix. As if there wasn't enough significance tied to the F1 racecar, it also shaped itself as a key contributor to Mercedes-AMG Petronas' 2nd place finish in the 2013 Constructors' Championship. The power source leading Lewis Hamilton to victory was Mercedes-AMG Petronas’ final naturally aspirated 2.4 liter V-8 Formula One engine model. Available exclusively through RM Sotheby's Las Vegas auction event, the 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04 driven by Lewis Hamilton is estimated to sell somewhere between $10 million and $15 million. Knowing how many dedicated Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 fans there are, we are curious to see if the selling price will exceed the original estimate. Lewis Hamilton's 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04 racecar from RM Sotheby's is currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View Listing Sources: RM Sotheby's/Alex Penfold (Media)

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By Andrew Nabors –  April 14, 2021

Mecum Auctions Joins The Chattanooga Motorcar Festival

Another reason to relax on the Tennessee River At the foothills of the Appalachians, there is a city steeped in southern hospitality. A fun and safe family vacation includes Lookout Mountain, the Riverwalk, and the Tennessee Aquarium, and for adults, their craft beer scene is unmatched from Nashville to the Outer Banks. That's why Dana Mecum and Company have announced their first auction at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival. Over 600 cars are already on the docket, ready to hit the bock over the weekend of October 15th. The Chattanooga Convention Center is a neat spot located downtown and it's very conducive to big auto shows. Given the unprecedented success of Mecum Glendale, this looks to be a promising venue. Because it is within a day's drive for most of the U.S. Chief Operating Officer Sam Murtaugh said: “With Chattanooga’s prime, central location near the heart of the U.S., coupled with the excitement already stirred by the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, this new event is certain to be a welcome addition to the Mecum auction calendar, one appreciated by both our current customers as well as by the attendees of the festival. Click the button for all the details and we'll see you there! Learn More

Leake Feature

By Andrew Nabors –  May 20, 2020

Leake Auctions Cancels June Tulsa Auction

With many health officials warning us about the dangers of reopening too soon, our friends at Leake Auctions have decide to cancel the anticipated Tulsa event. Originally scheduled for June 26-27, their decision to move to an online platform is beneficial to bidders and sellers. In a quote from General Manager Gary Bennett: “The health and safety of our customers and employees is our first priority. So, instead of an in-person auction, we are focusing all our efforts on our online sales options, including Marketplace-E, where sellers can select ‘Make Offer’ or ‘Buy Now’ options, allowing collectors and enthusiasts to sell and purchase vehicles at any time from the safety of their home or office. This model has already proven incredibly successful for many of our customers.” Leake Auctions is the collector car division of Ritchie Brothers (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world leader in the acquisition and selling of heavy equipment, trucks, and commercial assets. To view the Tulsa lineup and bif online, click the button below and stay with us for all your Leake Auction updates. Bid Here " width="680">

Mecum Bullitt

By Andrew Nabors –  May 07, 2020

Dana Mecum's 33rd Annual Indy Spring Classic Rescheduled

In order to protect the health of bidders and consignors, Mecum Auctions has announced two changes to their schedule. First, the Eddie Vannoy Collection was going to take place June 3-7 in Jefferson, NC has been postponed until further notice. The second and most shocking news is that Dana Mecum's 33rd Annual Indy Spring Classic has been rescheduled to July 10th to 18th. Not only does this add a few days of fast-paced action, it more closely follows Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’'s Back on Track program. As with every Mecum event, it will be fun for the whole family and we'll be there to cover it. Click the button below to preview the lineup and stay with us for all your Mecum news. Auction Preview " width="680">

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By Andrew Nabors –  April 03, 2020

RM Sotheby's Elkhart Auction Rescheduled to October 23-24

When it comes to classics with unmatched pedigree, no other Auction House can compete with them. That's why we're glad RM Sotheby's Elkhart Auction has been rescheduled to October 23-24. It was a tough decision considering their online-only Palm Beach Auction was a smashing success. The Elkhart Collection consists of over 240 cars and memorabilia with only a few lots on reserve. Since it is being consigned by only a few individuals, their interests are to keep the collection together until the sale. In our opinion this is a smart and safe move given current conditions, so click the button to view the collection below and stay with us for all your RM Sotheby's news. View Catalog Now Here are a few featured lots, we'll see you in October!

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