For Sale

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – January 21, 2021

200 Classics From the Muscle Car City Museum Being Auctio...

One of the largest GM muscle car and Corvette collections in North America is being auctioned off January 22-23 by Mecum Auctions. This collection comes from Rick Treworgy's Muscle Car City Museum which was announced to be closing down. Treworgy has spent decades building this collection, which represents more than 80 years of American automotive history. While he's sad to see his prized collection go, he's ready to move on and start a new adventure by traveling. This means there will be a lot of new owners of immaculate American muscle cars after Mecum's auction. What's more, the entire collection is being offered at no reserve. For more information, be sure to visit Mecum.com. Schedule:Mecum and Kissimmee 2021 Present Rick Treworgy’s Muscle Car City Collection Auction10175 Tamiami TrailPunta Gorda, FL 33950Jan. 22-23, 2021Admission: Open to registered bidders only, including all bidders registered for Kissimmee 2021Preview: Thursday, Jan. 21 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.Auction: Doors open at 8 a.m.Vehicles will begin on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23 at 1 p.m.Road Art will begin on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23 at 9 a.m.(All Times EST)

By Andrew Nabors – December 08, 2020

Worldwide Auctioneers Announces "Scottsdale in Auburn" fo...

Social distancing and protective gear are the only ways to beat this pandemic. As such, our friends at Worldwide Auctioneers have announced their first "Scottsdale in Auburn" for January 23rd. Because their headquarters is a spacious, climate-controlled facility, the first auction of the year will take place at 11 am local time. It will be streamed around the world from their headquarters at Kruse Plaza in adherence to all Covid-19 protocols. Principal & Auctioneer Rod Egan said: "The decision to move our Arizona sale to Indiana in the new year was an easy one, given the curtailment and cancellation of so many of the live events that make up a traditional Arizona car week, amid ongoing health and safety concerns. We have already accommodated a very safe and successful live sale here in the fall with our Auburn Auction." " width="680"> On the docket, this year is a 1934 Packard Twelve used by FDR for the Chicago Dedication Parade. This piece of history is one of five "1107 Phaeton" bodies produced, and the odometer shows only 21,000 miles. Numerous awards include Pebble Beach Best In Class among many others. The Steelwood Collection consists of 20 woodies offered without reserve. Many have been treated to frame-off restorations with all driveline components refreshed. Online bidders around the world will be supported by Proxibid, Invaluable, and LiveAuctioneers, while absentee and phone sales are also offered. The stars of the show will include a 2017 Ford GT with 300 miles. It is a one-owner car with no restrictions. The final run of the Ferrari 308 is represented by an 85 GTS QV, and it is flanked by a 2014 F12 berlinetta ordered in special paint. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for all your Scottsdale updates. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2020

Rare Trio of Immaculate Cars (Including a Pagani) Heading...

Presented by Burton W. Wiand - For over 36 years we have been connecting buyers and sellers of amazing automobiles. One car at a time is fun, but it's time to experience a triple onslaught. England's most revered luxury marques are kept equidistant by a show stopper. An SUV and two roadsters comprise a collection of 1,989 horsepower, 2,065 lb-ft of torque, and a cumulative retail price of $4 Million. Click Here For Auction Details All three will be auctioned as separate lots by Receiver Burton W. Wiand on December 10th. The auction will be with a reserve and the vehicles are subject to prior sale. Offers will be considered prior to the Auction. Those with interest should call the Receiver at 727-235-6769 or by email at Burt@BurtonWWiandPA.com. 2020 Bentley Continental GTC When they chose to update their Grand Touring Convertible, Bentley realized how it was tied to the Continental Flying Spur Sedan. The 4-door team and the 2-door warriors could not reconcile their differences on the drawing board. Therefore, the 2020 Bentley Continental is all-new. All it shares is a name with the previous examples. Stronger and lighter than ever before, this smooth soft top is motivated by a dozen cylinders and twin turbochargers. At your command will be 626 horsepower and a whopping 664 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds in a blur. The top can be operated up to 30 mph, and it needs to be up to safely reach 207 mph. Rule Britania! View Listing 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Sitting atop the Scepter of Queen Elizabeth is the largest clear diamond ever cut. Cullinan is more than a massive show of power, it represents the sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Since Rolls-Royce holds a Royal Warrant to build anything the Queen desires, we figure she might enjoy a proper SUV. The first such offering from the brand, the Cullinan has been arriving in limited numbers since early last year. Built by hand in the best traditions of old-world coachbuilding, each example represents thousands of hours in leatherwork, paint, and metal shaping. Their first All Wheel Drive system is combined with All Wheel Steering and their signature "Magic Carpet Ride" suspension. The divorced sway bars are coupled to electric actuators to mitigate any bumps, or you can hit the trails with more articulation than you have ever experienced. Under the hood is a new 6.75-liter V12 with twin turbos. Rated at 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque your reign will not be contested on-road or off. View Listing 2018 Pagani Huayra Roadster Horacio Pagani left Lamborghini in 1993, after serving as chief engineer for nearly two decades. His goal was to build a supercar without being limited by committee decisions or budgetary constraints. As such, each Pagani is built to order. As the automotive equivalent of a Faberge egg, each car is an expression of the owner. While carbon fiber is fine for mass-production, Pagani builds each car from Carbotanium. By infusing each strand of carbon with titanium, the Pagani Huayra is stronger by an order of magnitude. The bold exterior is as functional as it is captivating. A spine running the length of the body is bookmatched with the precision of a Stradivarius, and it separates left from right throughout the cockpit and even into the belly pans. Opening the hood along with the deck lid allows the Huayra to bloom, and removing the top changes the car's demeanor to match your mood. You will see the elegance of inboard suspension along with perfect symmetry in even the smallest components. Not only is the 2-tone motif rare on any Pagani, but it is also separated by the colors of the Italian flag. To set it apart from all subsequent Roadsters, this car was built in a matte finish and it includes matching luggage. This Italian leather ensemble fits into dedicated cargo compartments hidden throughout the car. View Listing Inside, every surface is machined or cut from only the world's best materials. At your command is a twin-turbo V12, built by hand at AMG. It offers 791 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque to a dual-clutch transmission. The story of how this car landed in Tampa Bay is worthy of the Big Screen, so here is an opportunity to own the most coveted car in modern history. Not only does it offer every Pagani accessory, but it is also the actual show car from the Geneva auto show. Worthy to be shown at the world's greatest automotive events, it also stands on its own as a work of contemporary art. Click the button for all the details. Here is an opportunity to acquire a like-new example of these investment-quality cars without the hassles of dealer mark-ups. All three cars were bought as such because they represent the best their brand had to offer. For all the details on the auction including how to make an offer beforehand, click the button below and stay with us for the world's most exclusive exotics for sale. Click Here For Auction Details

By Andrew Nabors – July 28, 2020

RM Sotheby's Monterey Consignments Ending Soon

Even with their Open Roads Online Auction in full swing, we want to remind you that RM Sotheby's is closing registration for Monterey on July 31st. Due to the pandemic, Pebble Beach and the other associated Monterey events have been canceled. That makes RM Sotheby's the most anticipated (online) event for Monterey Car Week. Taking place on August 14th and 15th, your consignment will be joined in the virtual realm by 200 cars, each with a world-class provenance and pedigree. Click the button below to learn more, and stay with us for all your RM Sotheby's news. Learn More

SC20_The John Atzbach Collection_1965 Shelby GT350R Sells For $3.85 Million_071720

By Andrew Nabors – July 22, 2020

Mecum's Indy Auction Tops $74 Million as Their Most Succe...

Despite the social distancing requirements and limited spectator seating, Dana Mecum and Company have shattered all previous records. Indianapolis is their cornerstone event, and this year was the 33rd anniversary. I was glued to the TV as we have been promoting this auction for weeks. With the incredible collection of John Atzbach topped the list of 1,800 cars and 6,000 pieces of Road Art. The cars and trucks had a 78% sell-through, with 346 of them selling over their new lightning fast website. We knew Ken Miles' Flying Mustang would be significant, and it hammered at $3.85 Million to become the world's most valuable Mustang. Total sales topped $74 Million to make it their most successful event to-date. Here are the top 10, so tell us which one you want in your collection and stay with us for all your Mecum Auctions coverage. 10. 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO (Lot S117) at $698,500 9. 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona (Lot S144) at $715,000 8. 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe (Lot S114) at $726,000 7. 1966 Shelby GT350 Paxton Fastback (Lot F142) at $852,500 6. 1965 Shelby GT350 Paxton Prototype (Lot F141) at $880,000 5. 2018 Ford GT (Lot S135) at $946,000 4. 1964 Shelby 289 Independent Competition Cobra (Lot F143) at $990,000 3. 1966 Shelby GT350 Convertible (Lot F145) at $1,100,000 2. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS (Lot S143) at $1,430,000 1. 1965 Shelby GT350R Prototype (Lot F140) at $3,850,000 " width="680">

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By Andrew Nabors – June 24, 2020

Woodside Credit Launches Pre-Approval for Barrett-Jackson

Life is too short to drive boring cars. It is also a waste of time begging for a loan from a normal bank. Woodside Credit was founded by enthusiasts over 17 years ago. Since then, they have loaned over $1.5 Billion to transform your dream car into your prized possession. We have been advocating their services for years, and now our friend Craig Jackson has partnered with Woodside to waive the fees associated with a letter of credit. 2018 Ford GT Heading to Barrett-Jackson July Auction The Barrett-Jackson Online Auction will be July 6th to 10th, and the catalog is already loaded with over 100 classics and collectibles. The gallery above is just a short preview, so expect to see Corvettes of all years, Mopar muscle, trucks, hot rods, and numbers-matching survivors. Each one has a story to tell, and you deserve to be the next chapter. Woodside Credit offers online quotes around the clock, and their office is open 6 days a week. All documents can be completed from the comfort of your home, so make sure you are ready for another record-breaking Barrett-Jackson Online Auction. Click the button below for a quick quote and stay with us for all your Barrett-Jackson news. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – May 11, 2020

RM Sotheby's Opens Bidding for Original Racing Posters

Vintage racing posters are the next best thing to being there, so they are the perfect addition to any man cave or garage. That's why RM Sotheby's has opened bidding for original racing posters. Their latest online auction offers an incredible array of posters from 1925-1972, all offered with no reserve. "Notably, each one of these highly desirable authentic original posters is professionally archival linen mounted. Online bidding is now open, and lots will begin to close at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday, 18 May. Should you need assistance with bidding, or have any questions regarding the posters on offer, please contact our Client Service team today." Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – October 25, 2017

2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition To Be Auctioned

Back in the 60's two Mercedes-Benz engineers decided to dive into the aftermarket. Mr. Aufrecht and Mr. Melcher joined forces to build wild versions of production cars. Slowly, Mercedes-Benz management realized they should probably bring them back into the business. Fast forward to 2010. AMG is ready to launch their first production car. To celebrate AMG becoming the performance division of Mercedes-Benz, they were given a blank sheet to design the ultimate German Grand Touring car.The result was a modern interpretation of the classic 300SL Gullwing, and it made the SLS AMG one of the most celebrated cars of the modern era. Just as the classic SL spawned a roadster, so did the new SLS. Mr. duPont ordered one in Alubeam Silver, and it was the centerpiece of our collection from 2012 to 2014. The SLS AMG GT Roadster was such a hit that it was built from 2011 to 2015. It was the last great triumph of their classic 6.3 liter V8. Pulling out all the stops, it used big cams and high compression to make 583 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.A well-insulated cloth top can be raised or lowered in 11 seconds, and it operates at speeds up to 31 mph. Only a few options were available, which is why this example is sought after. First is the Bang & Olufsen audio system. The 11 speaker system has two subwoofers integrated to the frame cross members. Tuned to the resonance of the chassis, they produce low range sounds unlike any car before or since. The system is known as BeoSound AMG, and it will rock your world. The second necessary option is the AirScarf. You might not want a warm breeze from the headrest blowing around your neck, but it works like a force field of warmth in top-down driving.To celebrate the end of an era, the SLS AMG GT Roadster Final Edition was unlike anything before. Limited to 350 examples, they used the exposed carbon fiber aerodynamic features of the SLS AMG Black Series along with several bespoke interior upgrades. Contrast stitching and Alcantara accents set it apart from the crowd. The $18,00 option was meant for collectors needing a new centerpiece. That is why Mecum sought it for a primetime spot in their Las Vegas auction. Click the link below for all the details and stay with is for all your Mecum coverage.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – October 18, 2017

2005 Porsche Carrera GT Heading To Auction

What happens when you find a Porsche LeMans engine on the shelf? You build a car worthy of its abilities. We may never know the true story of the Carrera GT, but it is the result of a racing program that ended up on the street. Porsche's first carbon fiber supercar, the body was inspired by the 718 Spyder from the early 60's. It is street legal in the eyes of the law, armed with a 5.7 liter V10 and a 10,000 rpm tachometer.The flat-plane crankshaft and titanium connecting rods allow it to rev instantly, sending 558 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. The inboard coil-over suspension allows for individual weight adjustment at each corner. In true racing fashion, the rear bellcranks are integrated with the engine block, which makes for incredible grip & strength.Forget everything you know about driving. The ceramic clutch and inboard suspension were designed for the track. Only 1,270 examples were produced, but many have ended in tragedy and driver error. The odometer reads just over 2,000 miles, which is why the Fayance Yellow paint looks factory fresh. This Carrera GT was part of the Les Quam Collection, and it includes the Prospective Owner's Kit along with all books/manuals. It has no stability control or active handling. It has a giant engine and a six-speed manual transmission. Porsche made a statement to the world. One that will never be repeated. If you feel up to a challenge, this car is heading to Mecum's Las Vegas Auction. Click the link below for more information, & we'll see you there!Learn More

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