Features

By Khris Bharath – March 02, 2026

Open-Air Exotics Built for the World’s Most Elite Collectors

There was a time when serious performance cars did not bother with a roof or even a windshield. Think cars like the Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta, the Maserati 300S, the Jaguar D-Type, with its iconic fin and minimal screen, and the Porsche 356 Speedster, all embracing the same principle: less weight equals more speed. But over time, evolving safety and regulations meant that such cars fell out of favor. But with advancements in technology, these bodystyles have been making a quiet comeback. A speedster is a pared-back version of a production sports car, with a lower windshield. A barchetta, or little boat in Italian, removes the roof entirely and a conventional windshield, featuring twin humps instead, blurring the line between road car and race machine. While you may need a helmet and racing gloves with the prior two, a roadster remains the most usable, complete convertible top, and everyday drivability. What remains common across these modern revivals is extremely limited production, selective allocation, a heritage angle, and a sense of theater that places these highly exclusive, coach-built automobiles well above conventional supercars in the collector market. Rare examples often fetch millions at auction. With duPont REGISTRY Live listing its first-ever barchetta last week, a low-mileage McLaren Elva, it felt like the right moment to revisit this roofless movement in all its forms in the modern age. Here are some of the most exclusive open-top exotics arranged in terms of production numbers. Ferrari Monza SP1 / Ferrari Monza SP2 Production: 499 Units Combined Ferrari introduced the Monza SP1 and SP2 in 2018 at Maranello as the launch of its ‘Icona Series’, inspired by 1950s barchettas like the 166 MM. The SP1 features a single seat; the SP2 features two seats. Both pack the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 from the 812, producing 799 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. Ferrari capped production at 499 units combined, with pricing around $1.8 million at launch. The Virtual Wind Shield system redirected airflow over occupants at speed. Jaguar F-Type Project 7 Production: 250 Units Unveiled at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the F-Type Project 7 is amongst the top 10 Jaguars of all time. It was built to celebrate the British marque’s Le Mans legacy and the D-Type’s 1950s dominance. Limited to just 250 units worldwide, it was the most powerful production Jaguar at launch, priced around $165,000. A supercharged 5.0-liter V8 puts out 575 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. The bespoke speedster features a lowered windshield, removable roof panel, carbon fiber aero pieces, and a D-Type-inspired rear fairing. 0 to 60 mph takes 3.8 seconds, with a 186 mph top speed. Mercedes AMG PureSpeed Production: 250 Units The Mercedes AMG PureSpeed was shown in December 2024 as the first model in its Mythos series, previewing an ultra-limited production speedster. Inspired by Formula 1 halo safety structures, it replaces the windshield with a central structural element. A twin-turbocharged V8 powers the car, with output expected beyond 600 horsepower. Production will remain tightly capped at just 250 units for top-tier AMG clients. More recently, we got an up close look at the AMG PureSpeed on the opening day of the 1000 Miglia Experience, UAE, in November last year, and the announcement of the Mercedes-Benz Places Binghatti City in Dubai in January. The PureSpeed highlights AMG’s move into ultra-exclusive territory, targeting collectors who demand rarity within the Mercedes performance portfolio. McLaren Elva Production: 149 Units The McLaren Elva was first unveiled in 2019 as part of its Ultimate Series, taking its name from Bruce McLaren’s 1960s race cars. The Active Air Management System channels airflow over the cabin, eliminating the need for a conventional windshield. Extensive carbon fiber construction keeps weight low at just under 2,531 pounds, making it the lightest McLaren road car. The Elva delivers a pure, exposed driving experience while maintaining the performance benchmarks expected of a modern hypercar. A Napier Green example (pictured above) with just 653 miles on the odometer is currently up on duPont REGISTRY Live, our exclusive auctions platform with a 14-Day Return Policy and 100% Sell-Through rate. Spyker C8 Spyder Production: 121 Units First unveiled in 2000, the C8 Spyder marked the rebirth of Dutch marque Spyker in the early 2000s, with aviation-inspired flair and meticulous hand craftsmanship. Built in limited numbers over the following decade, it paired an Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, putting out up to 400 horsepower in later iterations. 0 to 60 mph arrived in about 4.5 seconds, with a top speed near 186 mph. Exposed aluminum switchgear and steering wheel, a visible gear linkage, and quilted leather defined the cabin, making the C8 Spyder as much a mechanical art as a modern roadster. Based on a recent report, the forgotten Dutch supercar maker may soon make a comeback. Aston Martin V12 Speedster Production: 88 Units The Aston Martin V12 Speedster was revealed in 2020 through its Q division, and draws inspiration from the DBR1 and the Centenary CC100. Limited to 88 units at approximately $950,000 each when new, it features a twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 that produces 690 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. A dramatic center spine separates the driver and passenger. Carbon fiber body panels and a bonded aluminum structure keeps weight at 3,891 pounds. 60 mph takes 3.5 seconds, and top speed is rated at 186 mph. The V12 Speedster combines heritage cues with contemporary engineering, offering collectors a rare factory-built Aston that bridged motorsport nostalgia with modern grand touring performance. Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss Production: 75 Units Unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the SLR Stirling Moss marked the dramatic finale of the SLR McLaren era. Mercedes built just 75 examples, offered exclusively to existing SLR owners at roughly $1 million when new. With no roof and no windshield, it recalls the 1955 300 SLR that Sir Stirling Moss drove to Mille Miglia victory. A supercharged 5.4-liter V8 delivers 641 horsepower, pushing the carbon fiber speedster beyond 200 mph. Side deflectors replaced glass, and a retractable airbrake stabilized high-speed runs. It remains one of AMG’s boldest modern collector cars to date. Wiesmann MF5 Roadster Production: ~44-55 Units The Wiesmann Roadster combines prewar proportions with modern German engineering. Handbuilt in Dülmen, the MF5 Roadster elevated Wiesmann’s retro silhouette into genuine supercar territory. Crucially, it adopted BMW’s howling 5.0-liter V10 from the E60 M5, delivering 500 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a seven-speed SMG transmission. The lightweight aluminum chassis allows for a 0 to 60 mph in about 3.9 seconds, with a top speed beyond 190 mph. Production is believed to be somewhere between 43 and 55 units, reinforcing its status as a boutique alternative to mainstream performance roadsters. More recently, Weismann made a comeback with the all-electric Thunderball. Automobili Mignatta Rina Production: 30 Units per year Automobili Mignatta debuted the Rina at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed as a lightweight, analog barchetta inspired by 1960s Italian sports racers. A naturally aspirated 500-horsepower V8 paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox drives the rear wheels, prioritizing engagement above all else. Carbon fiber construction keeps weight low at just 1,000 kg or 2,205 pounds. The overall form emphasizes exposed mechanical elements and minimalist interiors. Rina should appeal to those collectors who value tactile driving experiences and boutique craftsmanship. Bertone Runabout Production: 25 Units Bertone revived its 1969 Runabout concept with a 2026 production model limited to roughly 25 units. Introduced as a neo-retro-inspired barchetta, it embraces a nautical theme and recalls the glorious wedge-era, a design trend that the Italian coach builder pioneered in the 1960s. A mid-mounted supercharged V6 produces about 475 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. You can choose from a pure Barchetta or Targa configuration. Ahead of the Runabout's public debut at the 50th Edition of Rétromobile in Paris at Ultimate Supercar Garage last month, duPont REGISTRY, in a feature exclusive, spoke with the Runabout's designer, Andrea Mocellin, who revealed details about the design process and the extensive range of options and customization possible. Priced from €390,000 (~$461k), the Runabout presents an opportunity for collectors to acquire a contemporary coachbuilt car rooted in one of Italy’s boldest design eras. Bentley Bacalar Production: 12 Units Revealed in 2020 as the first project under Bentley Mulliner’s revived coachbuilding division, the Bacalar reimagines the open-top grand tourer for a new era. Production is limited to just 12 individually commissioned examples. A twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 produces 650 horsepower and 667 pound-feet of torque, driving all four wheels through an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. 0 to 60 mph arrives in about 3.5 seconds, with a top speed near 200 mph. With no traditional roof and fully bespoke interiors, the Bacalar blends modern performance with old-world craftsmanship. Pininfarina B95 Production: 10 Units Pininfarina introduced the B95 at Monterey Car Week in 2023 as the world’s first all-electric barchetta hypercar. Limited to 10 examples, priced at around $4.8 million, it shares its 1,900-horsepower quad-motor platform with the Battista. The T-shaped battery pack allows a 0 to 60 mph sprint in under two seconds. Adjustable aero screens replace a traditional windshield, while Carbon fiber construction and bespoke detailing reinforce exclusivity. Subsequently, a Bruce Wayne-inspired version was also shown in 2024. The B95 signaled that the open-air hypercar formula could transition into the electric era without sacrificing performance or rarity. Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster Production: 6 Units Revealed in 1999 as the open-top counterpart to the homologation special, the CLK GTR Roadster is among the rarest modern supercars ever built. Mercedes produced just six roadsters after the 20 coupe examples. Power comes from a naturally aspirated 6.9-liter V12 delivering 604 horsepower and 572 pound-feet of torque, paired to a six-speed sequential gearbox. With carbon fiber construction derived from FIA GT racing, it can hit 60 mph in about 3.8 seconds and can top 200 mph. The CLK GTR Roadster remains a landmark in road-legal race car engineering. Ken Okuyama Cars Kode 57 Production: 5 Units Introduced in 2016, the Kode 57 marked Ken Okuyama’s return to pure, coachbuilt expression after his tenure shaping icons such as the Ferrari Enzo. Built across just five units, each example was handcrafted in Japan with extensive carbon fiber bodywork. Based on Ferrari V12 underpinnings, it sends around 600 horsepower to the rear wheels through a six-speed automated manual transmission. The barchetta design features a low wraparound windscreen, dramatic haunches, and exposed mechanical detailing. Top speed is rated 200 mph, but exclusivity and bespoke craftsmanship defined its appeal far more than outright numbers. In 2017, the car was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage. Zagato Mostro Barchetta Production: 5 Units Zagato unveiled the Mostro Barchetta at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2022, celebrating Maserati’s 1957 450S, nicknamed Il Mostro. Production was limited to five units. Under the hood, it packs a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 and pairs with a six-speed automated manual gearbox. Carbon fiber bodywork wraps a tubular frame, emphasizing lightweight construction, tipping the scales at just 2,644 pounds. The design showcases Zagato’s signature double bubble theme reinterpreted for an open cockpit. Built for seasoned collectors, it represents coachbuilt craftsmanship in a modern regulatory environment, preserving the art of low-volume Italian automotive creations. Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta Production: 3 Units Horacio Pagani revealed the Zonda HP Barchetta at Pebble Beach in 2017 as a personal tribute and farewell to the Zonda lineage. Production was capped off at just three units, including Pagani’s own car, with reported pricing near $17 million. A naturally aspirated 7.3-liter AMG V12 puts out about 789 horsepower and pairs with a six-speed manual transmission. Exposed carbon fiber bodywork, partially covered rear wheels, and a chopped windshield result in an unmistakable silhouette. The overall formfuses old school mechanical purity with aerospace materials. For collectors, this Barchetta represents the ultimate expression of the Zonda’s long, uncompromising evolution. 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By Khris Bharath – February 23, 2026

Market Spotlight: Ferrari F80 and the Evolution of the Special Series

When Ferrari unveiled the F80 back in October 2024, early reactions were mixed, not because the numbers didn’t stack up, but because emotion entered the conversation long before logic did. Some lamented the absence of a naturally aspirated V12, while others questioned the design that appears to be too technical and far removed from the romance of past halo cars from Maranello. Yet, if Ferrari’s Special Series history teaches us anything, it is that very skepticism in the early phases that has often been the prelude to long-term market strength. Just over a year ago, we argued that shortsighted criticism of the Ferrari F80 would fade over time, a fact further reinforced by the mega-auction sale results last month, where the ‘Big Five’ dominated on both sides of the Atlantic, setting new multiple model specific auction world records besides the headline David Lee’s acquisition of the Bianco Speciale 250 GTO for $38.5 million. Looking back, Ferrari’s Special Series lineage has built a 40-year record of steady appreciation that few alternative assets can match. The 288 GTO, in particular, was a standout, appearing multiple times as one of the top sellers. Introduced in 1984 at roughly $83,000, it now trades well above $3.5 million, with the duPont REGISTRY Garage app's dRi (duPont REGISTRY Index) indicating $3.88 million. Gooding reset the 288’s public auction benchmark at $9.8 million in Paris, surpassing an earlier $8.525 million result at Mecum in mid-January. The F40, once a $400,000 car in 1987, also continues to sit comfortably in the multi-million dollar range, F40 dRi:$3.18 million, validating its long-term position within Ferrari’s lineage and a record-breaking $6.6 million sale. When compared to the F50, which is Ferrari’s first and only mid-engine V12 road-car to feature a manual transmission, it follows a similar trend, climbing from just under a million dollars in the mid 1990s to well beyond $5 million today, F50 dRi:$6.76 million, with recent results sitting even higher. This includes yet another record-breaking $12.21 million sale at Kissimmee and another example selling at $8.8 million in Arizona. The Enzo has experienced a comparable evolution, rising from $650,000 in 2002 to top results like the $17.875 million for a factory-customized Giallo example from the ‘Bachman Collection’ with subsequent sales exceeding $11 million Enzo dRi: $4 million. The Enzo’s hybrid successor, which launched in 2013 at roughly $1.4 million, now has a La Ferrari dRi of $4.19 million. The track-focused Aperta sits even higher at La Ferrari Aperta dRi $6.26 million, and the most recent sale that hit $11 million. The La Ferrari was also the headline lot at the 2026 Cavalliono Palm Beach auction last week, fetching $5.23 millon. These are not isolated spikes but recurring confirmations of strong demand for limited production Ferrari halo cars with established historical context. More recently, the Daytona SP3 introduced in 2021, part of the highly exclusive ‘Icona Series,’ has already demonstrated meaningful appreciation, with a Daytona SP3 dRi:$6.66 million, apart from last year’s landmark $26 million at Monterey sale for a one-off example. Coming back to the F80, technically, Ferrari’s latest halo model represents the Italian marque’s direct adoption and transfer of endurance racing technology to the road. It's mid-mounted 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, derived from the Le Mans-winning 499P program, produces 900 horsepower on its own. Three electric motors raise combined output to 1,200 horsepower, making it the most powerful street-legal Ferrari ever built. 0-62 mph takes just 2.1 seconds, and a top speed of 217 mph. At 155 mph, the active aero package generates more than 2,300 pounds of downforce, with dry weight sitting at approximately 3,362 pounds. A 1:15.30 lap at Fiorano makes the F80 the quickest street-legal Ferrari ever tested there. Last year, both LeClerc and Hamilton pushed the F80 to the limit at Fiorano. Criticism of the engine note is missing the broader context, as Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars have used V6 hybrid turbo architecture since 2014, and the aforementioned 499P delivered overall Le Mans victories in 2023, 2024, and 2025, clinching both Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ titles in the WEC season last year. As for the visual element, Flavio Manzoni hasn’t just come up with a more functional form that is striking to look at, but the design elements we see on the F80 are already being adopted across the wider Ferrari model range. From an investment standpoint, if secondary market pricing for the F80 stabilizes near early asking levels and long-term appreciation follows historical Special Series trends as highlighted above, high single-digit to low double-digit annualized returns over a decade would not be unreasonable. That said, macroeconomic cycles, liquidity, and the brand’s future product cadence remain variables, beyond ownership costs and key value-driving factors like specific configurations and colors. Ferrari’s allocation structure further reinforces that value stability as the brand prioritizes long-standing clients with significant purchase histories. Participation in track programs such as FXX or 599XX, ownership of prior Special Series models, and ongoing engagement with the brand strengthen candidacy. With production capped at 799 units, which is higher than prior flagships that fell between 272 for the 288 GTO and 710 cars for the La Ferrari, an increase might suggest Ferrari is trying to capture more value upfront rather than leaving excessive arbitrage for the secondary market. Being offered a flagship model is considered a privilege within the brand’s hierarchy, and exploiting that opportunity for short term profit can carry long term consequences. Priced from roughly $3.9 million, and every allocation secured before the public debut, it was an early indication of demand at the highest levels of the collector ecosystem, even before the first deliveries begin in 2025 and production runs through 2027. For collectors with diversified portfolios and a long horizon, the decision ultimately revolves around discipline, patience, and conviction, because Ferrari’s Special Series program has repeatedly shown that scarcity, motorsport credibility, and controlled supply can produce strong capital growth, and if that pattern continues, expect the F80 to follow a similar trajectory. View All Ferraris For Sale Images: Ferrari ***Please note that the information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research or consult with a financial professional before making investment decisions.

William “Bill” Montgomery: Champion of Culture, Innovation, and Legacy Through Hidden Pioneers

By Sponsored Article – February 20, 2026

William “Bill” Montgomery: Champion of Innovation

William “Bill” Montgomery is the visionary founder of Hidden Pioneers, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to uncovering and celebrating unsung heroes in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STREAM). With a career spanning entertainment, automotive culture, and education, Montgomery uniquely blends storytelling, mentorship, and innovation to inspire future generations and preserve overlooked legacies. His mission is deeply personal. Montgomery is the cousin of Katherine Johnson, the legendary NASA mathematician whose calculations helped propel America into the Space Age. That connection to Johnson—one of the central figures highlighted in Hidden Figures—shaped Montgomery’s lifelong commitment to honoring pioneers whose brilliance has too often been excluded from mainstream history. Just as Johnson overcame systemic barriers to make history, Montgomery works to elevate innovators, particularly people of color, whose contributions deserve recognition and remembrance. Through hands-on experience in vehicle design, motorsports, and engineering, Montgomery recognized the power of vehicles and media as tools for education, mentorship, and cultural restoration. That insight became the foundation for Hidden Pioneers. Today, Hidden Pioneers preserves and amplifies the legacies of Black and Brown innovators across American history, with a strong emphasis on transportation and STREAM fields. Montgomery brings these stories to life through live events, educational programming, documentary-style media, and immersive exhibits that connect historical achievement with modern innovation. At the heart of the organization is access—connecting students, especially from underrepresented communities, with real-world professionals, career pathways, and inspiration they may never have imagined possible. More than a preservationist, William Montgomery is a pioneer in his own right—honoring the past while actively building bridges to the future. duPont REGISTRY® has proudly supported the mission of Hidden Pioneers for more than five years, united by a shared commitment to education, inspiration, and legacy.You are cordially invited to a memorial presentation honoring Ed "Isky" Iskenderian, presented as part of the Hidden Pioneers STREAM Family Night. The evening will feature a keynote address by Rodney Allen Rippy and will be hosted at the Downey Space Museum in Los Angeles, California. This special gathering brings together an extraordinary community of automotive legends and creative pioneers, including Bob Rosas, Barnaby Brokaw, David Earhart, Kris’s FM, and Arnold Yu, Vice President of HISONG, among many others. The memorial will take place on Friday evening, February 27, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please join us as Hidden Pioneers continues its mission to honor legacy, inspire innovation, and open pathways for future trailblazers, celebrating the enduring impact of those who built the foundations of transportation and creative culture. Visit Website GALLERY-EMBED

By Khris Bharath – February 14, 2026

Ferrari’s First and Only Manual Mid-Engine V12

In Ferrari’s entire production history, only a single series-production mid-engined road car combined a true V12 with a traditional gated manual transmission. That car is the Ferrari F50. Now, to truly appreciate why that matters, you have to understand how unusual that overlap really is. Roots of Ferrari's Road-Going Mid-Engine Lineage Back in the 1950s and ‘60s, Ferrari’s V12 identity lived up front, stretching ahead of the driver in cars like the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO, whose front-engine Colombo V12 layout has become the benchmark for blue-chip collecting, with private transactions now routinely exceeding $50 million. The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, which was Maranello’s response to the mid-engined Lamborghini Miura, represented the last of the classic front-engine V12 berlinettas before the Italian marque fundamentally rethought where the engine should sit. In the modern-context, it concludes with the 599. In 1963, Ferrari built the Ferrari 250 LM, a mid-engined V12 with a manual gearbox, but it was conceived primarily as a competition-focused homologation special, built across just 32 examples, effectively functioning as a road-legal racing car rather than a modern series-production flagship. Having famously won Le Mans in 1965, it stands as an important transitional machine, yet it does not represent the fully realized halo formula that would emerge decades later. Ferrari’s shift to mid-engine architecture began cautiously with the Dino 206 GT in the 1960s, but this V6-powered mid-ship didn’t wear a prancing horse on the nose. While it proved that placing the engine behind the driver improved balance and response, it did not yet carry twelve cylinders. The Ferrari 365 GT4 BB (Berlinetta Boxer) introduced in the early 1970s was the first mid-engined road-going Ferrari to feature a twelve-cylinder engine powerplant. However, it featured a flat twelve configuration derived from a conventional V12, a design Ferrari would continue through the 512 BB, Testarossa, 512 TR, and F512 M. The F50 Remains Ferrari's First Mid-Engine V12 With a Manual Ferrari’s true mid-engined V12 road car, the F50, did not appear until the mid-1990s. Styled by Pininfarina, with a design effort led by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, the F50 hails from the Luca di Montezemolo-era and was conceived to celebrate Ferrari’s 50th anniversary. More importantly, it was engineered around a 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V12 (Tipo130B) derived directly from the brand’s 1990 Formula One program (F1-90 that saw six wins) with connections to the likes of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, and Jean Alesi. Then Ferrari made the decision that now defines the car’s legacy: it paired that V12 with a six-speed gated manual transmission. Tipping the scales at just 2,712 pounds, owing to its carbon-fiber body, the F50 packs 512 horsepower, 347 pound-feet of torque, which helps it get to a top speed of 202 mph and a lap time of 1:27.00 around Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit. This is important in the modern collector-car context because every other mid-engined V12 Ferrari that followed moved in a different direction, be it paddle shifters with the Ferrari Enzo, the hybrid-assisted Ferrari LaFerrari, or the modern naturally aspirated V12 Ferrari Daytona SP3, which is equipped with a dual-clutch transmission. As a result, the F50 essentially sits in a narrow window of time where Ferrari’s racing engine tech, analog control philosophy, and V12 exotic status aligned. Ferrari F50: Market and Valuations <- Gallery -> For years, the F50 with its removable roof lived somewhat uncomfortably between the F40 and the Enzo, sometimes misunderstood, occasionally criticized for its styling, yet over the past decade sentiment has shifted as enthusiasts have come to appreciate what it actually represents. Built between 1995 and 1997, Ferrari only produced 349 examples worldwide (only 55 were U.S. examples), with an original U.S. MSRP of $475,000. The market has settled firmly in the $4 million to $5.5 million range for strong examples, with standout cars pushing beyond that at major auctions, with the F50’s current duPont Registry Index (dRi) value (as seen in the duPont REGISTRY Garage app) sitting at $6.47 million. Two recent sales pushed those figures ever further. Ralph Lauren’s Giallo Modena (1-of-2 U.S. examples) 1995 Ferrari F50 sold at RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey last year for $9.245 million. Last month, in January 2026, a red 1995 Ferrari F50 from the Bachman Collection set a new record when it crossed the block for $12.21 million at Mecum Kissimmee. Clearly then, three-decades on, the F50 has become more than just “the only one” on paper, because as the broader performance world shifts toward hybridization, software, and automation, collectors continue to seek analog halo cars that cannot be replicated, and within that subset, a mid-mounted naturally aspirated V12 with a gated manual is about as finite as it gets. Factors like rarity (F50 GT Prototype), the right color (1-of-4 Argento Nurburgring), the right documentation, a Classiche certificate, celebrity ownership, and a concours resume that includes Cavallino visibility will further impact valuations. Ferrari will build more mid-engined V12 cars, and it will certainly continue refining hybrid performance, but the combination that defines the F50 has already had its final chapter. View All Ferrari F50s For Sale Images: Ferrari

By Khris Bharath – February 07, 2026

Market Spotlight: Ferrari 288 GTO

By the time the January 2026 auction season concluded, one thing had become impossible to ignore. Amid record-setting headline Ferrari sales and a clear pivot toward modern blue-chips and exotics, the Ferrari 288 GTO kept reappearing. At Mecum Kissimmee, a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO from the revered Bachman Collection sold for $8.525 million, the strongest public result the model had ever achieved. Days later, at Rétromobile in Paris, Gooding Christie’s pushed the ceiling even higher. A 1984 example brought €9.117 million (~$11.1 million), resetting the global public auction record. RM Sotheby’s added further weight with a €5.85 million ($6.91 million) sale, placing the supercar squarely among the top European results of the week. What made these results remarkable was not just the headline figures, but their concentration, because in the span of a single month, the 288 GTO appeared multiple times in top ten lists across major venues. To understand why the 288 GTO is resonating now, it helps to remember what it actually is. Widely regarded as part of Ferrari’s modern “Big Five” (288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, LaFerrari), the 288 GTO occupied a curious middle ground in Ferrari circles. Revered by purists and admired by historians, it was often overshadowed by other greats from the Maranello stable. The GTO Name, and What It Means Originally conceived as a homologation special for Group B competition, Ferrari’s original plan was to build the 200 road cars required for approval, then go racing. However, the rules collapsed before the project ever reached the stages, leaving Ferrari with something unusual on its hands: a competition-oriented road car with no series to run it in. What could have been a problem became an opportunity. When Ferrari finally unveiled the mid-engined supercar at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show, the official name was simply GTO or Gran Turismo Omologato. Now, this is not a badge that Ferrari applies lightly, because until that point, only one Ferrari road car had ever worn those three letters, the 250 GTO. Reviving the badge was a clear statement of intent. In the modern context, the track-focused 599 GTO remains the exception. Since its first appearance in Switzerland, demand was immediate and overwhelming. Styled by Pininfarina under Leonardo Fioravanti, the 288 GTO borrowed the general silhouette of the 308, but shared little else. The chassis was longer, and the engine was mounted longitudinally, the first V8 Ferrari road car to do so. Body panels were a mix of aluminum, fiberglass, and Kevlar, advanced materials for the mid-1980s. The NACA ducts, swollen arches, triple rear vents, deep front spoiler, and functional rear deck gave the car a purposeful aggression that has aged exceptionally well. Under the rear clamshell sat the F114 B engine, a 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing a claimed 400 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, fed by Weber-Marelli electronic injection derived from Ferrari’s Formula One program. Boost peaked at around 0.8 bar. Power goes to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. With a dry weight of around 1,160 kilograms (2,557 pounds), the performance was staggering for its era. Zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under five seconds and a top speed north of 186 mph. In the mid-1980s, that put the 288 GTO among the fastest road cars in the world. With no driver aids, no electronic safety nets, just mechanical grip, turbo lag, and steering, many consider it among the best Ferrari has ever produced. This was not a softened grand tourer but a racecar that happened to wear license plates, and it quietly laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Without the 288 GTO, there would have been no F40. The five experimental 288 GTO Evoluzione cars, built with over 650 horsepower and extreme aero before Group B’s cancellation, became direct development mules for Ferrari’s next supercar chapter. Rarity, Production, and U.S. Availability Production was expanded from the original 200, but only modestly, to preserve exclusivity. Built between 1984 and 1987, with chassis numbers running in odd sequence. Some historians suggest a handful more may exist, but the accepted figure remains 272. This makes the 288 GTO one of the rarest production Ferraris of the modern era. By comparison, Ferrari built roughly 1,315 F40s and 399 Enzos. Two additional 288 GTOs were produced after official production ended, both personally requested by the then-Fiat boss, Gianni Agnelli. One went to Niki Lauda, while the other, delivered to a Middle Eastern collector, was reportedly part of an unusual barter involving helicopter access to a yacht. These stories have only added to the car’s mystique. Now, scarcity alone does not guarantee value, but scarcity combined with historical importance usually does. Color and specification add another layer to today’s pricing. Rosso Corsa remains the dominant hue, but a small number left the factory in other shades, including Giallo Fly, Bianco Italia, and select darker tones. Interiors were relatively simple by modern standards, offered in black leather or with period orange fabric, with air conditioning, electric windows, and a radio listed as options rather than standard equipment. As values have climbed, Ferrari Classiche certification has become increasingly influential. The strongest auction results consistently favor cars with matching numbers, original wheels, correct components, and complete documentation. Visibility has helped, too. The 288 GTO has become a familiar sight at Cavallino Classic events and other top-tier Ferrari gatherings. These appearances alongside Ferrari’s most historically important road cars reinforce the model’s standing within the brand’s lineage. As highlighted in our round of the 2025 collector car insights, the market today is in the midst of a generational handoff. Gen X and Millennial buyers, many of whom grew up idolizing the turbocharged Ferraris of the 1980s, are now deploying serious capital and are gravitating toward cars that combine analog driving experiences, limited production, and historical significance. The 288 GTO sits perfectly at that intersection. Additionally, because Ferrari did not officially homologate the 288 GTO for the U.S. market at the time of production, American examples today are typically gray-market imports that have been brought into compliance with local regulations. This additional complexity narrows the buyer pool, but enhances desirability among informed U.S. collectors. <- Gallery -> Taken together, these results represent a doubling, and in some cases a tripling, of public auction values within five years. More importantly, they show consistency across venues, geographies, and buyer pools, with the steepest climb occurring in the last 24 months. January 2026 confirmed that trend, publicly and globally, and duPont REGISTRY Garage's dRi (duPont REGISTRY Index) value sits at $8,525,000. The Ferrari 288 GTO is no longer the overlooked middle child of the Big Five, but has emerged as a fully realized blue-chip collectible, one that carries the GTO name, Pininfarina design, and the mechanical simplicity, justifying its place in Ferrari history. View All Ferrari 288 GTOs for Sale Images: Ferrari

By Khris Bharath – January 12, 2026

10 Examples of Engine Overlap Between Ordinary Cars and Supercars

In the automotive industry, parts sharing is common and, in many ways, inevitable. It is textbook economies of scale. While conglomerate-level automakers have access to significant hardware and resources, the same can’t be said about low-volume and boutique manufacturers. The basic idea was to borrow engines from larger, proven suppliers to keep engineering and R&D costs under control, simplify emissions homologation, and open the door to global markets without starting from scratch. Look back over the last three decades, and the evidence is everywhere. Familiar powerplants found in sedans, pickups, and SUVs, luxury cars, and even fleet staples were quietly repurposed with significant engineering efforts and hardware enhancements into something far more exotic. Now, some of the donor cars on this list were genuinely quick in their own right, but they were still worlds apart from the machines they helped create. Here are ten examples where that formula produced truly iconic exotic cars. (B6/B7) Audi S4 and Spyker C8 Audi 4.2 FSI V8, Naturally Aspirated Kicking things off with the B6 and B7 Audi S4, produced between 2003 and 2008, that packed a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 in a compact executive sedan, delivering roughly 340 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque with an emphasis on smoothness and durability. Dutch supercar maker Spyker, which has its roots in aviation going back over a century, adopted the same 4.2-liter Audi V8 for the C8, which entered production in the early 2000s, but reworked it extensively. Changes included revised intake and exhaust systems, bespoke engine management, lighter internals, and a higher-revving calibration. Output rose to around 400 horsepower, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual. Twin-turbo and supercharged was also offered in some later variants. In the Spyker C8’s lightweight aluminum chassis (~2,700 pounds), the engine gained urgency, sound, and mechanical presence, trading refinement for character without chasing extreme power figures. This same unit would also do duty in the R8, before the V10 glory shared with Lamborghini. (E46) BMW 3 Series and Wiesmann MF30 BMW M54 Inline-Six, Naturally Aspirated From a German sedan to a German roadster, the theme of transformation continues. The E46 BMW 3 Series, produced from 1998 to 2006, commonly used the M54 3.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-six, making around 228 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque in models like the 330i. German boutique automaker Wiesmann adopted this same M54 engine for the MF30, which entered production in the early 2000s. Wiesmann retained the stock displacement but revised intake and exhaust systems, sharpened engine mapping, and paired it with a close-ratio manual gearbox. Output remained similar on paper, yet the experience changed completely. In a lightweight fiberglass body with an aesthetic that recalled the pre-war days, a modern rear-wheel-drive chassis with minimal insulation, the M54 portrayed immediacy, sound, and character, proving that context mattered more than outright numbers. The MF3 that came next featured the more potent S54 3.2-liter unit from the E46 M3, pushing 343 horsepower. Volkswagen Phaeton and Bentley Continental GT VW Group W12, Naturally Aspirated to Twin-Turbocharged Stepping up in cylinders and ambition, the Volkswagen Phaeton, which was one of Ferdinand Piëch’s most ambitious projects, showcased the VW Group’s engineering might. While the flagship Phaeton sedan the produced from 2002 to 2016, was offered with a V6 and V8, it was the Group’s 6.0-liter naturally aspirated W12 that was the pièce de résistance from Wolfsburg’s finest, making around 420 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque with near-silent refinement. It was designed for effortlessness, beyond anything else. Bentley adopted the same W12 architecture for its Continental GT in 2003. Twin turbochargers, reinforced internals, revised cooling, and bespoke calibration lifted output beyond 550 horsepower, with torque swelling past 479 pound-feet in early models and far higher in later evolutions, making up to 700 horsepower. What began as a limousine-grade showcase engine became the backbone of Bentley’s modern grand-touring identity for subsequent generations and Bentley models. The W12 was capable of sustained high-speed performance (200+ mph) without sacrificing refinement. Ford Mondeo V6 and Noble M400 Ford Duratec V6, Twin-Turbocharged From luxury to outright minimalism, Noble’s approach could not have been more different. The Ford Mondeo, particularly in early 2000s V6 form in models like the ST220, used the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter Duratec V6, made around 220 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque, tuned for smooth everyday performance. Low-volume British sports car maker Noble adopted the same Duratec V6 architecture for the M400, launched in 2004, but transformed it completely. Noble retained the block while adding twin turbochargers, forged internals, revised cooling, and bespoke engine management. Output jumped to roughly 425 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, in a package that tips the scales at just ~2,300 pounds. Noble carried this philosophy forward with the later Noble M600, which used a twin-turbo V8 shared with the Volvo XC90, an engine famously engineered by Yamaha. (C6) Audi S6 V10 and Lamborghini Gallardo Audi Lamborghini FSI 5.2 V10, Naturally Aspirated If Noble proved restraint, Audi went the opposite route. The Audi S6 V10, produced between 2006 and 2011, featured a 90-degree 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 derived from the same engine family used in the Lamborghini Gallardo. In the four-door S6, the engine produced around 435 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, tuned for smooth delivery, emissions compliance, and long-term durability. Audi lowered the redline, softened throttle response, and paired it with a torque-converter automatic to suit daily use. In the Gallardo, the same core engine revved harder, sounded angrier, and delivered up to 552 horsepower in later variants. The S6, both in sedan and wagon form, became one of the most discreet ways to experience true supercar hardware in an everyday package and took on the equally enticing V10-powered (E60) BMW M5 at the time. This unit was also seen in the flagship S8 at the time, and it offered something rare: supercar sound and configuration in a restrained executive sedan. The 5.2-liter unit would also feature in the Gallardo’s successor, the Huracan, and was only recently discontinued with the introduction of the hybrid V8 Temerario. Audi RS6 and Gumpert Apollo Audi 4.2 V8, Twin-Turbocharged German supercar maker Gumpert pushed Audi’s V8 further than anyone. The C5 RS6 used a twin-turbocharged V8 derived from Audi’s 4.2-liter V8 architecture, putting out 450 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Gumpert took that same core engine design and stripped away every comfort-led compromise. For the mid-engine Apollo, the V8 gained (K26) turbochargers, dry-sump lubrication, reinforced internals, and motorsport-grade cooling, with output rising beyond 650 horsepower and 800+ horsepower in later variants. Crucially, the Gumpert Apollo was engineered around aerodynamics and chassis balance, generating massive downforce and prioritizing track performance. The result was a road-legal car capable of lapping faster than many contemporary supercars, exposing the extreme potential hidden within Audi’s V8. Maserati Quattroporte and Ferrari F430 Ferrari F136 V8, Naturally Aspirated During the FCA-era, the fifth-generation Maserati Quattroporte, built from 2003 to 2012, employed a version of Ferrari’s F136 V8, a modular naturally aspirated engine family developed jointly by Ferrari and Maserati. The F136 featured an aluminum block and heads, flat-plane crankshaft, dry-sump lubrication in Ferrari applications, and a race-inspired valvetrain designed for high revs and durability. In the four-door Quattroporte, the 4.2-liter unit was a cross-plank one, and it put out around 400 horsepower, tuned for smoothness, refinement, and long-distance comfort. In the Ferrari F430, the same engine family was pushed harder, revving higher and delivering up to 483 horsepower with sharper throttle response and track-focused calibration. Despite its softer tuning, the Maserati retained an unmistakable Ferrari sound and character, making it one of the most authentic supercar-engine sedans ever produced. Ford Crown Victoria and Koenigsegg CC8S Ford Modular V8, Naturally Aspirated to Supercharged Sticking with Ford’s modular V8, the iconic Ford Crown Victoria, produced from the early 1990s through 2011, relied on Ford’s Modular V8, most commonly the 4.6-liter SOHC unit that delivered between 200 and 250 horsepower. It was engineered for longevity, simplicity, and ease of service. It was built to idle for hours, tolerate abuse, and run reliably for hundreds of thousands of miles. Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg selected the same core Modular V8 architecture for the CC8S, introduced in 2002, and then transformed it completely. The engine gained displacement (4.7 liters), forced induction through twin superchargers, lightweight forged internals, revised cylinder heads, larger intercoolers, bespoke engine management, and dry sump lubrication. Output climbed to around 655 horsepower. This pragmatic approach allowed a startup manufacturer to reach true supercar performance using proven mass market engineering as a foundation. Ford F-150 SVT and Ford GT Ford Modular V8 Architecture, Supercharged Ford’s Modular V8 might be the most versatile engine family on this list. The Ford F-150 SVT, produced in various forms from the late 1990s through the early 2000s as previously mentioned, also relied on versions of Ford’s Modular V8 engineered for durability, torque, and repeatable performance under sustained load. 1999 F-150 SVT Lightning Gen 2 featured a supercharged 5.4-liter Triton with upto 380 horsepower on tap. That same core modular architecture formed the foundation of the Gen-1 Ford GT, built between 2005 and 2006. Ford chose it deliberately, trusting a proven engine family already tested in demanding duty cycles. In the Ford GT, the 5.4-liter Eaton supercharged V8 was extensively reworked with forged internals, revised cylinder heads (four, instead of the SVT’s 2), dry-sump lubrication, race-grade cooling, and a six-speed manual gearbox. Output rose to around 550 horsepower, enabling supercar acceleration and sustained high-speed capability. Where the SVT truck prioritized toughness and everyday usability, the Ford GT proved the Modular V8 could underpin a Le Mans-inspired halo car that was also an homage to Ford’s Centennial back in ‘03. Mercedes-Benz S-Class V12 and Pagani Zonda Mercedes-AMG M120 V12, Naturally Aspirated More than any other car on this list, the Zonda proves that parts sharing does not dilute identity; it can define it. Mercedes-Benz offered the (M120) 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 in discreet sleeper variants of luxury coupes like the SL and sedans like the S-Class (W140) during the mid to late 1990s, making around 402 horsepower with an emphasis on smoothness, longevity, and near-silent operation. Horacio Pagani recognized the engine’s overbuilt architecture and partnered with AMG to adapt it for the Zonda, which debuted in 1999. In the Pagani Zonda, the V12 was hand assembled with bespoke internals, revised intake and exhaust systems, lighter components, and higher rev limits. Power steadily climbed beyond 500 horsepower and up to 700 horsepower in later versions, culminating in the (M297) 7.3-liter AMG V12. A redline above 7,000 comes with one of the most evocative soundtracks in the automotive world. While the Zonda’s V12 evolved far beyond its sedan origins, the underlying Mercedes engineering philosophy of durability and refinement remained intact for decades, forming the soul of one of the most celebrated supercars ever built. It remains one of the most extreme evolutions of a luxury sedan engine into a true supercar icon. BMW 750i and McLaren F1 BMW M70 to S70/2 V12, Naturally Aspirated Saving the most consequential transformation for last. The BMW 7 Series, produced from 1987 to 1994, introduced BMW’s M70 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V12, engineered for near-silent operation, smooth torque delivery, and long-term durability in a luxury sedan. Gordon Murray saw this architecture as the perfect starting point for something far more ambitious. BMW Motorsport used the M70 as a conceptual baseline before developing the bespoke S70/2 for the McLaren F1. Almost everything was redesigned by BMW’s M division, including individual throttle bodies, dry sump lubrication, lighter internals, higher compression, variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder, a dramatically 7,000+ rpm higher redline, and an engine bay famously lined with 24-karat gold. Displacement grew to 6.1 liters, and output soared to 627 horsepower. Despite the transformation, the engine retained BMW’s hallmark refinement, making it the ultimate example of a limousine engine that would eventually go on to become the fastest car in the world when it hit 241 mph at Nardo in 1998, a record it held until the Veyron came along in 2005. The F1 is widely considered one of the most valuable automobiles ever created, consistently fetching over $20 million at auction. View All Cars For Sale On duPont REGISTRY

A red sports car is parked on an open surface, modern city skyline and skyscrapers glowing at sunset—a scene echoing Oilstainlab’s Rebellion Against Mediocrity and the spirit behind Feature Exclusive: Inside the Minds Behind the HF-11.

By Khris Bharath – December 25, 2025

Feature Exclusive: Inside the Minds Behind the HF-11 and ...

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Dubai has one of the highest concentrations of supercars and exotic cars in the world, and the glistening metropolis that rises out of the horizon in the desert has a way of reminding you of that almost immediately from the moment you land here. Sheikh Zayed Road, which runs right through the heart of the city, continues to have an ever-growing number of exotic and luxury car dealerships. From the more mainstream to the obscure, limited-run supercars and multi-million dollar one-off hypercars, there’s something for everyone here. Clearly, then, this is a region you can’t ignore if you operate in the performance car business. I recently found myself sitting down on a Friday afternoon in late November at the Porsche DRVN Café on Bluewaters Island for a conversation that felt refreshingly out of step. I was about to spend just under an hour talking about discomfort, restraint, and why modern performance cars have quietly trained us to expect too much with too little input, with none other than Illya and Nikita Bridan, the Los Angeles-based twins behind Oilstainlab, who were visiting the region. Responsible for the radical-lookingHalf-11 and subsequently, the HF-11, I was particularly excited to meet the Bridan brothers because, long before automotive journalism became my career, I seriously considered automotive design, with ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, firmly on my radar, the same place where both Illya and Nikita also trained at. I was also coming fresh off the fifth edition of Icons of Porsche, where roughly 30,000 people from the GCC and beyond had gathered over two days to celebrate the German marque’s past, present, and future. Now, given that Oilstainlab’s very first creation, the Oilstainlab HF-11, does carry some Porsche influence, having a 996 GT1 Straßenversion from the Porsche Museum, casually sitting across the room from our first-floor table, was comforting to say the least, serving as the ideal backdrop for our conversation. The Porsche connection feels particularly relevant here, as the sports car maker itself currently has no direct successor to the 918 Spyder. There is no contemporary competitor in the current holy trinity space, and no direct answer to Halo cars from Ferrari and McLaren (F80 and W8). Yes, concepts like the 919 and Mission X showed us promise, and we did eventually get to see the street-legal 963 RSP, but that car is a one-off. In that absence, the HF-11 does not attempt to replace anything from Porsche. Instead, it serves up as a modern performance car that is mechanical, emotionally demanding, and deeply analog. Now, a lot has already been said about the HF-11, the earlier Half-11 prototype that went viral on social media, and the broader world and lifestyle that Oilstainlab is building around these cars. The imagery, the mythology, and the deliberate blur between past, present, and future. But what I wanted to understand, though, was more fundamental. What problem were they actually trying to solve? So I started there, with a question aimed squarely at intent. I began by asking how they would define the core purpose behind Oilstainlab and the HF-11 for a global duPont REGISTRY/collector car audience, and what driving experience they believe modern performance cars have lost. According to Nikita, Oilstainlab is mischievous and rebellious by design. At its core, Oilstainlab rejects the idea of a conventional brand identity. “It isn’t really even a brand,” said Nikita. “It’s a culture or a point of view. The driver is always the hero.” That philosophy manifests in cars that are lightweight, difficult, and demanding. Cars, in their view, should ask something from you. They should demand attention, skill, and intention. Effort matters. “Anything that’s easy, the brand really doesn’t partake in,” Nikita said. Driving should feel deliberate. You prepare yourself for it. You earn it. The HF-11’s cabin is all about mechanical connection, intentionally stripped of distractions and digital mediation. That idea made my next question inevitable. I asked what finally pushed them to walk away after spending 15 years working at major auto brands and OEMs, helping build what the future of cars was supposed to look like. He and his brother realized they did not actually like that future. For Nikita, the breaking point came after achieving what had once been the dream. At General Motors Advanced Design, he worked on Corvette and Cadillac platforms and completed a Cadillac concept car. “That was the dream always as a kid,” he said. “Do a concept car. I did it.” What followed was less romantic. Pushing ideas inside a system that didn’t want to be pushed eventually got him fired. “We pushed too far,” Nikita said. “We had a talented team, and we were trying to move things where the corporation just wasn’t comfortable. Eventually, they just said, no more.” “That was the first sign.” The second came as AI tools, compressed timelines, and efficiency-first thinking began to dominate the industry. “This is not what we signed up for. We signed up for car design in the 1970s. Crazy concept cars. Instead, it became incredibly boring and incredibly regulated.” As for Illya, his breaking point came from structure rather than emotion. When I asked when the curtain was pulled back for him, he described sitting in meetings where engineering teams placed a fuel tank and a spare tire in the same location without anyone noticing the conflict. “As a designer, you have this bigger vision,” he said. “But you don’t have the power or control to influence it.” That disconnect eventually made working outside the system feel less like a gamble and more like a necessity. I moved on to how they balance creative freedom with global regulations now that the HF-11 is essentially production-ready. Regulations, Illya admitted, are one of the biggest challenges. “The rules don’t tell you what you can do,” he said. “They tell you what you can’t do. Everything in between is interpretation.” They vary by region, so Oilstainlab has focused heavily on the U.S. market and small-batch manufacturing exemptions. Being small helps. “We’re nimble. We can go between the rules.” Like motorsport, regulations define what you cannot do. That same mindset explains how Oilstainlab approaches storytelling. Now, if there’s something that most new names lack, it is a lineage and a pedigree to fall back on. It seems, though, that Oilstainlab is an exception, because from the onset, they are very deliberate with re-creating an alternate history around their brand that looks convincingly real. I was genuinely curious as to why it was important for the car to look real in period imagery. The answer traces back to their early years. After dropping out of high school at 14 and moving to Italy to study traditional coachbuilding, the brothers were later encouraged to relocate to California by Frank Stephenson, who is one of the most influential automotive designers of the modern era, known for shaping cars like the McLaren P1, Ferrari F430, Maserati MC12, the modern-day MINI, and the original BMW X5. California exposed them to Hollywood storytelling, myth-making, and the idea that narrative matters as much as form. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oilstainlab (@oilstainlab) In 2019, long before AI flooded social media, they asked a simple question. How do you make people stop and actually look? Their solution was to place the HF-11 in the 1960s, more specifically harkening back to CanAm Cars, Le Mans, and F1 race cars from the golden era of endurance motorsport and at the height of the jet age and space race. I even brought up Steve McQueen, who appeared in one of those images, which feels like it could have been pulled straight from a period motorsport film like Le Mans. If the car looked believable next to real period race cars, they knew the design was anchored. “It becomes a filter,” Illya said. “Do you believe or do you not believe?” The original Half-11 prototype, a car that went viral on social media, embodied that thinking completely. Its visual impact was immediate. Raw, unfinished, and difficult to drive, it wasn’t designed to chase numbers. Placing the car next to period racers forced restraint. “Those cars are simpler. They’re more pure,” Illya said. Aluminum construction also limited what could be done, and those limits became part of the identity of the Half-11. “If you can build anything, what do you build? It’s difficult.” The exercise also helped pull them out of the future-focused mindset designers often live in. The HF-11 that followed carries that same intent forward, but with the discipline required for production. I followed up by asking when and why the HF-11 evolved from an LS-based V8 to a flat-six combustion engine alongside an electric option. Early on, packaging made a Porsche flat-six impossible. The sharply tapered rear end simply wouldn’t allow it. The LS V8 was a compromise; however, once the car was redesigned from scratch, Porsche engines came back into play. “We looked at every single Porsche powertrain,” Nikita said. “I was convinced a 928 would work, but the engine is just so big.” An air-cooled engine was announced first, but real-world feedback changed the plan. “Everyone’s like, I want to use this every day, and this engine scares me.” The solution became a water-cooled flat-six producing roughly 650 horsepower. It revs slightly lower, but delivers the same output, greater usability, and evocative sound. The exhaust itself was treated as sculpture. Compact, exposed, and visually honest, it reinforces how little excess exists in the overall form. At a time when sales of EVs are experiencing a slowdown not just in the mainstream segment, but even more so in the performance space, I wanted to find out more about their approach to the electric side of this story. They are unapologetic about their dislike of modern EVs, and have their own narrative of what an EV should be: fun. “Efficiency is not the goal for a sports car,” Nikita said. “If efficiency was the goal, we wouldn’t be doing any of this.” “We hate that it’s silent. We hate that there’s no manual transmission. We hate that it’s heavy.” However, instead of rejecting the format outright, they reframed it historically. “The V8 engine was not cool when it came out,” Nikita said. “It was for luxury cars. It took decades before it became what we now associate with performance.” EVs, in their view, are at the same stage. Their EV solution uses ultralight battery pouch technology and a compact layout that avoids the skateboard problem. But most importantly, it still uses a manual transmission. “Everyone puts the batteries in the bottom,” Illya said. “That’s cool, but for a sports car, it’s terrible. You just raised the car six inches. The car’s fat and ugly.” The compact layout allows a manual transmission and preserves proportions. Sound is also something that is equally important in a performance car, something that is lacking in an electric vehicle. But the Bridans have a solution: “We hate anything fake. It has to be real.” Oilstainlab treats the EV system like an air pump, moving and managing hot air so sound becomes a byproduct of function. They are also developing a separate, undisclosed device purely for visual drama. “Everyone loves blowing flames out the back of the exhaust,” Illya said. “We’re not trying to save the planet. We’re building sports cars.” But by far, one of the most impressive aspects about the HF-11 is the swappable powertrain concept (yes, you can order both for the same car), which Oilstainlab refers to as Thunder-Volt, that allows one person to swap powertrains in roughly an hour. Combustion or electric in the same chassis, but a completely different experience. This dual-powertrain concept traces back to a childhood memory. “I was like 12 or 13,” Illya said, recalling Audi’s four-minute engine swap at Le Mans in 2000. “I was like, that’s the coolest thing ever.” In combustion form, the flat-six targets roughly 650 horsepower with a 10,000 rpm redline, while keeping the complete power unit near 990 pounds. The electric configuration pushes beyond 800 horsepower, revs past 13,000 rpm, and still targets a curb weight close to 2,000 pounds, all while retaining a six-speed manual transmission. Range is 325 miles, and you can top up the 80 kWh battery in about seven minutes. When I asked whether packaging both powertrains was difficult, the answer was yes; however, what surprised me was the split in terms of the demand. Roughly 80 percent of interest leans electric. Only 20 percent refuse it outright. “Everyone says V12 and manual. But when we talk to clients, no one wants a V12, and no one wants a manual. For an old car, it makes sense. For a new car, people just say, paddle shifts, and I’m good. In terms of driving dynamics, comparisons to Gordon Murray’s creations were addressed directly. “That’s the benchmark.” But the HF-11 takes a different route with narrow tires versus wide. “If you look at what a go-kart is,” Nikita said, “it’s a ton of tire, very lightweight, crazy steering angle. That’s fun.” The cars weigh about the same. We have downforce. The HF-11 generates roughly 2,780 pounds of downforce, giving it a downforce-to-weight ratio that eclipses cars like the Porsche 918 Spyder, Ferrari F80, and Rimac Nevera. It even sits uncomfortably close to machines like the Mercedes-AMG One and Bugatti Bolide, despite weighing hundreds of pounds less. Dimensionally, the HF-11 aligns more closely with the Porsche Carrera GT and GMA T.50 than with today’s oversized hypercars. Length, width, and ride height are all tightly controlled, reinforcing the idea that proportion itself is a performance tool. It explains why the car looks compact, tense, and purposeful, even sitting still. The carbon safety cell is engineered to withstand extreme loads, with stiffness and safety targets that exceed many modern hypercars. Inside, there are direct, intentional references to old-school Porsche throughout, from the wooden gear knob that recalls the 917 and the CGT, to the five-pod gauge cluster. The helmet storage integrated into the doors exists because the windows don’t roll down. Removing that mechanism created space. “It was a nightmare.” But the result is intentional, because from the outside, the car looks tight and intimidating, but inside, you can stretch out. I wrapped up by asking them to speak directly to someone considering the HF-11. The answer wasn’t a pitch. It was a warning. “You have to learn this car,” Illya said. “You make mistakes, you get scared, and over time you understand it. That process is the reward.” “Not everyone should be able to drive this well. And that’s the point.” The HF-11 demands effort. You learn it gradually. You make mistakes. You adapt. “Effort equals enjoyment.” This is not a garage queen. As for ownership, Oilstainlab structures HF-11 via two paths. The Maniac program is aimed at early participants who want deep involvement, offering long-term access to development, internal testing, global events, and future projects, along with the ability to choose a VIN and build slot. Maniac pricing locks the car at $1.35 million, paired with a $500,000 equity stake in the company, with a 25 percent deposit required to enter production, and deliveries targeted for the first cars between 2027 and 2028. A Standard allocation is available for those who prefer a more traditional purchase process, requiring a $100,000 deposit to enter the waitlist and a 25 percent deposit to secure production, with pricing currently set at $1.85 million, optional Thunder-Volt dual-powertrain capability priced at $500,000, and deliveries expected from 2028 onward. We finally touched on production, which is limited to 25 units globally. It goes without saying that each car is also highly customisable with each commission centered around a specifc theme. The carbon tubs will be built in North Carolina, then shipped north for final assembly in Canada. Combustion testing is slated to begin in March, with the electric version following roughly six months later. If you place a deposit, deliveries are expected to start around mid-2027, typically 12 to 18 months afterward. The HF-11 aims to retain as much of that character of the Half-11 prototype as possible, all while acknowledging limits. The carbon chassis also allows multiple variants, including a potential aluminum-bodied commission for the right client. Long-term, the HF-11 exists to establish credibility. “The first car is basically to show that we can build a very compelling product. From there, the goal is to move back toward something simpler and more accessible. A grassroots car for enthusiasts. Built sustainably. Without burning capital for the sake of scale.” by Khris Bharath I ran into the Bridan twins again, later that weekend on Sunday, at the opening day of the 1000 Mille Miglia. Away from prototypes and production schedules, our conversations picked up exactly where we left off. Classic cars, design history, and more. The quiet satisfaction of making something difficult on purpose. In a region overflowing with effortless excess, the HF-11, being the world's lightest and only powertrain agnostic (ev or gas) supercar, should undoubtedly stand out, and I can’twait to see what the brand has in store next. In my opinion, a famous quote from Clarkson here sums up the HF-11 perfectly in my opinion, a 1960s throwback without the 60s drawbacks. View All Supercars and Exotics for Sale Images: Oilstainlab

By Khris Bharath – December 21, 2025

10 Cars That Feature a Central Driving Position

A central driving position rethinks the car around you, not the other way around. Sitting on the centerline gives you equal sightlines to both sides of the road, making corner entry, apex placement, and lane positioning easier to judge. The idea comes straight from racing, where single-seaters, endurance prototypes, and formula cars place the driver in the middle for balance, symmetry, and predictable feedback. On the road or on track, those advantages translate into cleaner steering inputs, more natural pedal alignment, and clearer communication through the chassis under braking and turn-in. The tradeoff is complexity. Packaging passengers, meeting safety regulations, and homologating such layouts is expensive and difficult, which explains why so few cars have attempted it. This list spans everything from rare design studies and ultra-low-volume production cars, including one with a fan, to at least one machine with exceptional ground effect that was never intended for public roads. Some are single-seaters, others use tandem or three-seat layouts, but all seat the driver front and center. So with that, here are 10 cars that feature a central driving position. BAC Mono Production: ~150 Race car for the road' is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but the BAC Mono genuinely embraces that philosophy and takes the center driving position to its logical extreme. One seat and a steering wheel and not much else. You climb in wearing a helmet, strap into a six-point harness, and should feel a lot more exposed to the elements, considering there is no windscreen. The Ford-derived 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four produces about 332 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. However, the curb weight is just roughly 1,256 pounds, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 525-550+ bhp per tonne, putting it in the same league as some hypercars. 0-60 mph takes around 2.7 seconds, and top speed sits near 170 mph (still no windscreen). The seating position is custom molded to your body, and the pushrod suspension mirrors race car architecture. Road legality varies by region, but the intent is consistent, which is that this is not meant for transportation. It’s a precision instrument tool designed to do track duty or carve up a canyon road. McLaren F1 Production: 106 total (all variants) Gordon Murray conceived the McLaren F1; he didn’t choose a central driving position to be clever; he did it to eliminate compromise. His logic came straight from Formula One and two decades of endurance racing, where central seating delivers balance and visibility advantages. By placing the driver ahead of the front axle and aligning the steering wheel, pedals, and seat with the car’s mass, Murray eliminated the awkward offsets you subconsciously compensate for in most cars. Power comes from a 6.1-liter naturally aspirated BMW V12 making 627 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 mph takes about 3.2 seconds, and top speed famously reached 240.1 mph in 1998 with Andy Wallace at the wheel, making it the fastest production car in the world, a title and record that it held until the Bugatti Veyron came along in 2005 and hit 253 mph. Its defining feature is the three-seat carbon-fiber monocoque, a road-car first that combined race-car stiffness with everyday usability. Even the gold heat shielding in the engine bay was functional, not decorative. The McLaren F1 was the first production car to feature an all-carbon monocoque (CRPF), and it tips the scales at just 2,500 pounds dry. Values remain strong. An example with Brunei-provenance recently sold at RM Sotheby’s auction in Abu Dhabi for $25.3 million. McLaren Speedtail Production: 106 When McLaren returned to the center seat layout with the Speedtail, the objective had changed. This longtail exotic wasn’t about recreating the raw engagement of the F1. Instead, the Speedtail focused on stability, efficiency, and sustained high-speed travel. You still sit centrally, flanked by two rear seats, but the cabin looks futuristic, with digital mirrors replacing glass and a long, tapering body designed to cheat the air. Its defining feature is the teardrop body with camera-based mirrors, optimized purely for aerodynamic efficiency, with the overall coefficient of drag at just 0.17 Cd. A 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 works with an electric motor for a combined 1,035 horsepower, with torque believed to be around 850 pound-feet. 0-60 mph happens in under 3.0 seconds. The hybrid-hardware makes it heavier than an F1, coming in at 3,305 pounds; however, top speed sits at 250 mph, making it the fastest McLaren ever made. The Speedtail proved the center driving position can evolve into a modern, technology-heavy interpretation without losing its core advantage: symmetry and confidence at speed. Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 Production: 100 The T.50 doesn't follow trends and exists because Gordon Murray felt modern supercars had become overweight, overcomplicated, and disconnected. This is his reset, because you once again sit centrally, upright, complemented by slim pillars and physical controls that prioritize clarity over drama. Staying true to Murray's seven principles, everything you see here serves a function, and nothing is just for show. Its defining feature is the rear-mounted fan that, when combined with the flat floor, actively manages aerodynamics without oversized wings, providing upto 30 percent more downforce (up to 3,307 pounds at speed). Power comes from a 3.9-liter naturally aspirated Cosworth V12 producing 654 horsepower and 344 pound-feet of torque, revving to an astonishing 12,100 rpm that pairs with a six-speed manual transmission. Zero to 60 mph takes roughly 2.8 seconds, with a top speed north of 220 mph. At under 2,200 pounds dry, the all-carbon GMA T.50 should feel agile and nimble at everyday speeds, with dividends that will pay off on the race track. McMurtry Spéirling Production: ~100 planned The McMurtry Spéirling exists to remove every assumption. You sit centrally in a single seat, surrounded by a carbon tub and a twin-motor electric drivetrain making roughly 1,000 horsepower with instant torque delivery. 0-60 mph takes 1.55 seconds, and top speed reaches about 190 mph, firmly placing this record-setter in our list of top 25 quickest production cars. The defining feature is the patented fan system, which generates downforce even at a standstill by actively sealing the car to the ground. The headline figure is upto 4,400 pounds of downforce at speed and a weight of just 2,600 pounds. The Spéirling is track-only by design, and unapologetic about it. It earns its place here because it demonstrates why top-tier motorsports never abandoned the center seat. Czinger 21C Production: 80 The Czinger 21C reimagines center drive through modern manufacturing rather than nostalgia. Compared to other cars on this list, you sit front and center, with a passenger directly behind you in a tandem layout inspired by endurance prototypes. However, what truly separates the 21C is how it’s built. Additive manufacturing produces complex organic forms, ranging from suspension to structural chassis components optimized for strength and weight in ways traditional machining cannot. A 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 pairs with electric motors to produce up to 1,250 horsepower and more than 1,000 pound-feet of torque, with power going to all four wheels. 60 mph comes up in under 1.9 seconds, and top speed exceeds 250 mph. With a lap time of 1:22.30, the 21C is back at the top for the production car lap record at Laguna Seca. Delage D12 Production: ~30 planned The Delage D12 is unmistakably French, and revives one of the most storied automotive marques, combining a lineage that goes back well over a century with modern endurance-car thinking. A street-legal hypercar designed to set records, you sit centrally, with a rear passenger seat once again in tandem, enclosed under a fighter-jet style canopy, inside a carbon-fiber chassis inspired by endurance racers and Formula 1 grand prix cars. Other highlights include push-rod suspension, a bespoke cabin, and chassis tuning, overseen by 1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve. A 7.6-liter naturally aspirated V12 pairs with an electric motor to produce about 1,100 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque. 60 mph takes roughly 2.5 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 225 mph. The chassis uses carbon fiber throughout, and the weight stays below 3,500 pounds. You can learn more about the Delage D12 in a " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> Gordon Murray S1 LM Production: 5 Showcased earlier this year at the Monterey Car Week, the S1 LM is Gordon Murray unfiltered. Built by Gordon Murray Special Vehicles in a run of just five cars, it sits outside normal production categories, but it is very much relevant to this list. You once again sit dead center, with two adjacent passenger seats on either side, surrounded by purposeful and evocative materials, with maximum analog engagement and minimal digital interferences. The philosophy traces directly back to the aforementioned McLaren F1 (more specifically, the track-bred GTR version). The resemblance is uncanny and the shape familiar, but the S1 LM follows that same basic formula, now refined over three decades, without regulatory compromises. Power comes from a naturally aspirated 4.3-liter V12 believed to produce more than 700 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and Rear Wheel Drive. Torque figures remain undisclosed, but expect a 0-60 mph time of under 3.0 seconds. Weight targets stay well below 2,100 pounds thanks to advanced carbon construction. Every example is commissioned and tailored, not spec-sheet driven. The S1 LM became the most expensive new car ever sold at auction, when it crossed the block for $20.63 million at RM Sotheby's Las Vegas auction last month in November. Yamaha OX99-11 Production: 3 Yamaha may be well known for its motorcycles and musical instruments, but the Japanese brand also has ties to the automotive world, most famously for having tuned the howling gen-1 Lexus LFA's V10 engine. But back in the day, there was the Yamaha OX99-11, which remains one of the most ambitious cars ever attempted by an engine manufacturer. In the early 1990s, the Japanese bikemaker wanted to translate its Formula One program directly to the street. You sit in a tight single central seat beneath a canopy and a tandem seat arrangement, as we saw in the Czinger earlier, with minimal concessions when it comes to comfort. Power comes from a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 that produces around 400 horsepower and revs beyond 10,000 rpm, but the weight sits around 2,500 pounds. Paired with a six-speed transmission and rear wheel drive, 60 mph takes roughly 3.2 seconds, with a top speed near 217 mph. Yamaha developed the engine, chassis, and suspension in-house, which proved financially unsustainable. Rising costs killed the project, making this one of two prototypes on our list. Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale Production: 2 Ferrari explored the center driving position long before it became fashionable. In 1966, Pininfarina built three 365 P Berlinetta Speciale cars, each featuring a central driver’s seat with flanking passenger positions, lending it the name "Tre Posti". These ultra-rare Ferraris were not static concepts, but fully functional road cars designed to explore mid-engine packaging and visibility. Power came from a 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V12 making roughly 380 horsepower. Performance figures were secondary, but estimates put 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds and a top speed near 180 mph, figures that are still impressive by modern standards. More importantly, these cars previewed Ferrari’s eventual move away from front-engine layouts. Today, they exist in collections and museums, but their significance lies in proving that Ferrari once questioned the very convention of offset driving positions. View All Supercars & Exotic Cars for Sale

A yellow sports car with black accents is parked on a dark surface, illuminated from above, highlighting its sleek and angular design—echoing the spirit of 20 Cars That Focused on Analog Engagement in 2025.

By Khris Bharath – December 14, 2025

20 Cars That Focused on Analog Engagement and Coachbuildi...

We’re nearly halfway through December, and after what was an action-packed 2025, now seems like the ideal time to look back and highlight the most special launches from the past 12 months. This list doesn’t focus on the more mainstream automakers of the performance, supercar world, but on cars from boutique, low-volume manufacturers. Also, remember when the restomod scene was primarily centered around the Porsche brand. Well, that continues to remain true even today, but the trend has now spread across several makes and models, whose main aim is to capture the spirit of the old days, sans the drawbacks often associated with classic and vintage car ownership. Finally, 2025 also saw a handful of hyper-exclusive firms double down on the highly coveted V12 powerplant and the manual transmission, proving that demand for mechanical purity continues to exist, and those involved with the cars on this list seem determined to keep that spirit alive, despite the looming and inevitable threat of electrification. With that, here are some of the most analog cars we saw in 2025. 1. Get Lost Automotive Project Safari The Get Lost Automotive Project Safari perfectly captured the safari aesthetic that swept the tuner/restomod world, demonstrating that the light-footed purity of a Lotus sports car platform can indeed be translated into a capable, off-road weapon without sacrificing driver involvement. Envisioned by renowned automotive photographer GFWilliams, it is built around the chassis of a Lotus Elise S1. The car features a comprehensively upgraded powertrain with a bespoke roof scoop and an underbody that is reinforced and protected for off-road punishment. The auxiliary rally-style lights and the widened fender flares add character. The technical details center on a new, raised suspension system with a limited-slip differential to handle the chunky all-terrain tires. The car also features a wider stance and a beautifully appointed cabin with refined leather and tweed seats. 2. Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer Image by Khirs Bharath The Singer Reimagined Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe represents the next evolution of the brand’s restomod ethos, pushing the air-cooled formula into entirely new technical territory while retaining the 911’s charm. It is engineered with chassis strengthening developed in consultation with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, ensuring a blend of classic feel and modern rigidity. Built around a 964 chassis, performance comes courtesy of from a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine, with four valves per cylinder and innovative water-cooled cylinder heads combined with air-cooled cylinders. This high-revving engine sends power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The lightweight body is crafted from carbon fiber, featuring a speed-activated rear wing, and the cabin is equipped with modern drive modes and connectivity discreetly integrated into a classic twin-cockpit layout. Production will be limited to 100 examples. 3. Giamaro Katla The Giamaro Katla is the powerful inaugural hypercar from the newly established Italian manufacturer Giamaro Automobili, immediately staking a claim in the extreme performance segment. Its significance lies in its unapologetic use of an immense, bespoke V12 engine. The power comes from a mid-mounted, longitudinally-oriented 7.0-liter V12 quad-turbocharged engine with a 120-degree hot-V configuration, capable of pushing out 2,127 horsepower and 1,147 pound-feet of torque. Technical highlights include a weight distribution of 42:58 front-to-rear, tipping the scales at just shy of 3,200 pounds. Its mid-engine layout and design is defined by aggressive, performance-led Italian sculpting, built to contain its colossal V12 heart, which will be paired to a 7-speed manual transmission and rear wheel drive. Expect a production capacity of 30 units per year. 4. Bovensiepen Zagato Bovensiepen Zagato Unveiled durin Fuori Concorso on the shores of Lake Como, the Bovensiepen Zagato is significant for marking the founding of the new Bovensiepen company by the Bavarian family previously behind Alpina and its first collaboration with the venerable Italian coachbuilding design house, Zagato. Based on a (G83) M4 convertible, the car receives a comprehensive bodywork overhaul, sharing only the overall body shape with the donor car, essentially transforming it into a coachbuilt grand tourer. Under the hood sits a modified 3.0-liter BMW inline-six petrol engine with an increased output of 602 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, allowing for a 0-60 mph sprint of approximately 3.3 seconds. Its key design highlight is the distinctive, wave-shaped roof with the double-fold (double-bubble) typical of Zagato designs, combined with dramatically muscular rear wheel arches and a fully redesigned front fascia. 5. Alfa Romeo 8C DoppiaCoda By Zagato The Alfa Romeo 8C DoppiaCoda By Zagato is a celebratory coachbuilding project, highlighting Zagato's long and storied relationship with the Alfa Romeo marque. Also showcased during Fuori Concorso, this is as a one-off commissioned by an Italian collector, that reimagines and transforms the already beautiful 8C Competizione. While technical specifications are not fully disclosed, it is believed that this build retains the donor car’s Ferrari-derived V-8 engine. The original 8C boasted a 4.7-liter V8 producing 450 horsepower and achieved 0 to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 181 mph. The main design focus is the DoppiaCoda (Double Tail), a Zagato signature element that gives the rear fascia a distinct, elongated, and highly sculpted form, channeling the spirit of classic Alfa racing icons. As with the Bovensiepen, you also get to see Zagato’s distinctive double bubble roof here. The 8C DoppiaCoda was the concept car of the year at this year’s Villa d’Este. 6. AC Cars GT Supersport The AC Cars GT Supersport was announced to celebrate the launch of AC Cars America, representing a highly aggressive, modernized interpretation of the iconic roadster. It offers, V8-powered performance from one of Britain's most historic sports car makers. The car features a specially tuned V8 powertrain capable of delivering up to 1,025 horsepower. Technical enhancements include a raft of aerodynamic elements and a widened track for increased stability and grip. Design highlights include a dramatically sculpted bodywork, a dominant rear wing, and a heavily revised but familiar front grille that maintains the iconic silhouette but brings an air of contemporary air to the overall aesthetic. Production of this hand-crafted masterpiece is strictly limited to just 25 examples worldwide. 7. Lanzante 95-59 The Lanzante 95-59 is significant as a bold, bespoke hypercar and a direct tribute to the company’s 1995 Le Mans victory with the McLaren F1 GTR #59. Showcased during this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, it is built around a re-engineered McLaren carbon fiber platform, creating a three-seat experience reminiscent of the F1, with the driver placed centrally. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine delivering over 850 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque through a 7-speed SSG transmission. Technical highlights include a carbon fiber monocoque and bodywork, targeting an incredible 2,756-pound weight with the optional LM30 Pack. Lanzante will only produce just 59 examples worldwide. 8. Garagisti & Co GP1 The Garagisti & Co GP1 immediately garners attention for aiming to revive the soul of the fully analog hypercar, positioning itself as a purist’s machine in today’s digital age. Its significance is rooted in its complete, clean-sheet design and its absolute commitment to an unfiltered driving experience. At its core is a new, bespoke 6.6-liter naturally aspirated mid-engined V12 engine, developed by Italtecnica Srl, which delivers 800 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Power is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels via a longitudinally mounted six-speed manual gearbox. Buit around a carbon monocoque chassis, it features a sensual bodywork and exotic car proportions, designed to echo the great wedge-shaped icons of the 80s and 90s, underpinned by extensive ground-effect aerodynamics. Production is limited to just 25 road cars. 9. Callum Designs Vanquish 25 Shooting Brake The Callum Designs Vanquish 25 Shooting Brake is a masterclass in elegant re-imagination, extending acclaimed Vanquish 25 project into the highly coveted and luxurious shooting brake body style. Callum ofcourse was the man responsible not only for designing several modern Astons, but also Jaguar’s modern-day design renaissance, long before before the Type 00 concept came along. Purely design exercise for now, to gauge interest, the model retains the original Vanquish 25’s mechanical package, centered on a 6.0-liter V-12 engine making 580 horsepower. You are offered a choice of transmissions, including a preferred six-speed manual conversion or a six-speed GM torque-converter automatic. Built on the donor chassis of the first-generation Aston Martin Vanquish, the design highlight is the completely bespoke rear section, which gracefully transitions the coupé’s original lines into a practical yet stunning two-door wagon silhouette, keeping the spirit of coach-built Aston shooting brakes alive. 10. Eccentrica Pacchetto Titano The Eccentrica Diablo “Pacchetto Titano” is an evolution of Eccentrica’s stunning restomod from last year, that already built on the wedge shaped icon, designed by the great Marcello Gandini. This track-fcoused model now features a fullly exposed carbon fiber body to minimize weight and enhance structural rigidity. Yet another build that keeps the V12 manual RWD spirit alive, behind the driver sits a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V12. A tribute to the original Diablo, it is tuned with an ECU remap for sharper throttle response, and delivers 542 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque through the six-speed manual gearbox. Other technical highlights include Brembo brakes with cooling ducts, stiffer springs, and lightweight carbon-aluminum wheels to make the analogue experience sharper and more responsive for track use. Limited to just 19 examples, ensuring exclusivity. 11. Gordon Murray Automotive S1-LM The first of several cars unveiled at Monterey Car Week this year, the Gordon Murray Automotive S1-LM is the first and most significant model from Gordon Murray’s new Special Vehicles (GMSV) Division, created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR’s 1995 Le Mans victory. Its significance is paramount, serving as the modern-era counterpart to the legendary F1 LM. The car is engineered with a target featherweight of only 2,110 pounds and is powered by an exclusive, naturally aspirated 4.3-liter V12 engine developed with Cosworth, which produces over 700 horsepower at a spine-tingling 12,100 rpm. Paired with a bespoke six-speed manual gearbox, and keeping in line with Gordon Murray’s seven principles of driving purity, exhibited by the central driving position and a timeless form. Like the original F1 LMs, production is strictly limited to just five customer examples. 12. GMSV Le Mans GTR Also showcased at Monterey, Murray's design ethos for the T.50/T.50S-based GMSV Le Mans GTR, takes inspiration from the great endurance racers of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Its significance lies in applying Murray’s core principles of lightweight engineering and analogue purity to create a dedicated road-going, track-inspired machine, once again with a three-seater layout and a central driving position. Under the skin, this exotic utilizes the high-revving GMA V12 engine with 654 horsepower, paired to a six-speed manual transmission, delivering an enhanced V12 soundtrack through a double exhaust exiting between a twin-tunnel diffuser. Technical highlights include a wide track, stiffer suspension, and enhanced Passive Boundary Layer Control aerodynamics, highlighted by an aero-balanced front splitter and a deep, full-width rear wing in place of the T.50’s fan. All 24 examples of the Le Mans GTR are reported to be sold out upon announcement. 13. Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Barchetta by Michael Van Runkle Yet another beuty showcased at the Quail, at this year’s Monterey Car Week, the Veloce 12 Barchetta, builds on the 550-inspired coupe that broke cover last year. The latest creation from Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera is the Veloce12, a model that embodies the essence of pure, analog Grand Touring, requiring over 5,000 hours to craft each unit. Its significance is in its commitment to the classic GT formula, reinforcing the importance of Italian carrozzeria in the modern age. The car is built on a donor platform, featuring a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter F133 V12 engine that delivers 503 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque, an increase over the donor car, and is paired with a high-performance braking system from Brembo. The chassis is reinforced for increased torsional stiffness. The design highlight is the entire hand-crafted carbon fiber body, culminating in a beautiful, flowing aesthetic that honors the Superleggera legacy and 550’s timeless form. Production is limited to 30 units worldwide. 14. Gunther Werks F-26 Switching it back to Porsche momentarily, the Gunther Werks F-26 Program also shown at the Quail this year is an extreme homage to the iconic Porsche 930 Flachbau (flatnose or slantnose). Its significance is defined by pushing the air-cooled restomod to some truly astonishing figures. At its heart is an air-cooled twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter Porsche Mezger flat-six engine, co-developed with Rothsport Racing, generating an astonishing 1,000 horsepower. This colossal power is paired to a six-speed manual transmission. Other highlghts include a 993 chassis with added bracing, an extended wheelbase, a integrated fixed rear wing and body panels crafted almost entirely from carbon fiber, optimizing cutting-edge aerodynamics. The F-26 Program is strictly limited to 26 examples worldwide. 15. Ringbrothers Aston Martin Octavia The Ringbrothers Aston Martin Octavia is the final Monterey Car on our list. A masterclass in American restomodding applied to a venerable British marque, it sees the dramatic 12,000 hour transformation of a 1971 Aston Martin DBS into a contemporary powerhouse. Power is delivered by a Ford Performance 5.0-liter V8 with a 2.65-liter Harrop supercharger, rated at 805 horsepower at the crank, and power routed through a 6-speed manual transaxle to the rear wheels. Technical highlights include a Roadster Shop chassis with Fox coilovers and Brembo disc brakes. The widebody, crafted in carbon fiber, features numerous air ducts for heat extraction and improved airflow. 16. Aerfal Automotive 904 The Aerfal Automotive 904 from the Dutch startup Aerfal Automotive is a modern, high-fidelity tribute to Porsche's legendary 904 Carrera GTS, retaining the spirit of the mid-engine ‘60s racer. Its significance is in its pragmatic choice of the 914 platform as a base, being more accessible, while aiming to revive the 904's rarest engine configuration. The car is powered by a bespoke, air-cooled, naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-eight engine double the displacement of the original generating 400 horsepower. Design highlights include a shape penned by Alan Derosier, and a cabin that will see vegetable-tanned leather and titanium with analog instrumentation, while retaining the mid-engine DNA of the original. 17. Vittori Turbio by Pininfarina The Vittori by Pininfarina (Turbio) is a statement of intent, with a naturally aspirated V12 hypercar sculpted by Pininfarina, using generative AI as a design co-pilot to explore bold aesthetics, that was unveiled at the Concours Club in Miami in early October. At it’s heart sits the ITV12 Orion, a 6.8-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine engineered by Italtecnica. A mild-hybrid takes the total power output to 1,100 horsepower. It aims for a 0-60 mph time of under 2.5 seconds and a top speed of over 225 mph. The car is built on a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and is limited to just 50 examples worldwide. 18. Zagato Capricorn 01 Hot on the heels of the, another modern hypercar that leans on coachbuilding roots.The Capricorn 01 Zagato blends stunning Italian design with German race-engineering to create a true modern-day exotic. Limited to 19 examples, it is powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter Ford-based V8 that puts out 900 horsepower and pairs exclusively with a five-speed dogleg manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. Top speed is rated at 223 mph. The LMP1-inspired carbon monocoque and pushrod suspension emphasize raw feedback over electronic intervention. Active aerodynamics are intentionally absent, replaced with sculpted Zagato surfacing reminiscent of 1960s endurance racers along with the coach builder’s signature double bubble roof. Its rarity, mechanical purity, high-quality driver focused cabin and design pedigree make the Capricorn 01 one of the most collectible analog-era tributes of the decade. 19. JAS Tensei by Pininfarina We first learnt about JAS Motorsport NSX restomod back in October. It finally broke cover, earlier this month as the JAS Tensei and revives the first-generation Acura/Honda NSX through motorsport-grade engineering. JAS reworks the original 3.0-liter V6 to produce 425 horsepower and sharper throttle response while retaining the six-speed manual and rear-drive purity. As Honda’s longtime racing partner, JAS applies GT-program knowledge to the chassis, suspension geometry, and braking systems. Built on donor cars (1990-1994) ,the overall aesthetic remains faithful to the Gen-1 NSX while incorporating subtle aerodynamic enhancements. Offered in both left- and right-hand drive, production will be limited to just 35 examples, marking 35 years of the NSX. The build reasserts the NSX’s legacy as a lightweight, driver-first exotic, whose dyamics were honed by none other than three-time F1 world champion, Ayrton Senna. 20. Encor Series 1 Onto the final car on our list, unveiled just 10 days ago. The Encor Series 1 celebrates 50 years of the Giugiaro-designed Lotus Esprit by reimagining the later Series 4 V8 in a modern-day format. A full carbon body trims weight to 2,645 pounds maintaining, Lotus founder, Colin Chapman’s lightweight design and engineering ethos. The rebuilt mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin-turbo Type 918 V8 produces 400 horsepower and pairs with a strengthened five-speed manual for a 0–60 time around 4.0 seconds. Only 50 exaples will be commissioned. Just like the Eccentrica, the Series 1 is yet another example of combining the wedge-era design purity with modern materials. View All Supercars and Exotic Cars for Sale

A large white luxury yacht cruises on blue ocean water with green hills and a cloudy sky in the background, offering a true maritime experience.

By duPont REGISTRY – November 19, 2025

Luxury Yachts For Sale: Own The Ultimate Maritime Experience

Yachting is one of the most luxurious ways to enjoy the ocean, and these are some of the best yachts for sale. Yachts for sale come in an incredible variety of sizes, styles, and configurations, all designed to provide a luxurious and indulgent boating experience. From small, personalized vessels suitable for solo excursions to enormous mega-yachts with lavish interiors that can host numerous guests, the yacht market has something to offer for every aspiring yacht owner. They may come equipped with numerous amenities such as hot tubs, fully equipped kitchens ("galleys" in marine jargon), and a range of entertainment systems. Some of the msot over-the-top yachts can feature garages for smaller watercraft and even helicopter pads. Furthermore, yachts differ in their construction material, predominantly featuring fiberglass, steel, or aluminum, as well as their design, with single-hulled vessels and catamarans as common examples. Yachts aren't easy things to buy, given the fact that those with the time expertise, and coastal space to engineer, design, build, and sell a yacht are few and far in between, let alone how exclusive and rare the yachts themselves are. However, duPont REGISTRY specializes in all things luxury, including yachts, which is why duPont REGISTRY Discovery is one of the best places to search if you're looking for a yacht for sale. Keep reading, and you'll see some of the greatest yachts, as well as other kinds of watercraft available for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery. View All Yachts For Sale PEARL 62 View Listing Lamborghini Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 View Listing Hargrave Raised Pilothouse View Listing Sanlorenzo SL90A/831 View Listing JEANNEAU LEADER 12.5 View Listing Riva Bahamas View Listing PARDO-YACHTS 43 View Listing Hampton Yachts 64' View Listing Sea Ray SLX400 View Listing Ares Custom Yachts Tri Deck View Listing

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