1953 Ferrari 625 Targa Florio

1953 Ferrari 625 Targa Florio

Bonhams’ Les Grand Marques a Monaco auction in 2018 featured a 1953 Ferrari 625 Targa Florio. Driven by Formula 1 champion Mike Hawthorn the car is equipped with a 2.5-litre, twin-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder. Only three 625 Targa Florios were ever made. The competition which made the car famous was the Mille Miglia, a race which it entered four times, in 1984, 1986, 1989 and 1990. The car was rediscovered by Ferrari historian Franco Lombardi in the mid 1970s in a Naples scrap yard. The car is one of only three ever made, and the only one known to have survived.

The last public appearance of the car was in 2006, at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. Bonhams expected to fetch between 4.5m and 6.5m euros for the car ($5.5m - $8m).

1971 Plymouth Hemi GTX - $250k high bid

One of 11 4-speed Hemi GTX hardtops produced in 1971. Final year for Hemi production. Extensive restoration. Original matching numbers 426 Hemi V-8 engine. Correct dual 4-barrel carburetors. 4-speed manual transmission. Original Track Pack rear with Dana 60 3.54 gears. Power steering. Power brakes. Factory color combination of In Violet Metallic with White interior. White longitudinal tape stripe. Bucket seats and center console with woodgrain applique. A01 Light Group. Tinted glass. AM/FM stereo.

The Plymouth GTX was created in 1967 to give buyers an upscale sport model, and it was offered only with the 440 Super Commando and 426 Hemi powerplants. The car shown here is from the final year of both the stand-alone GTX package and the Hemi powerplant. Beautiful throughout with the horsepower to back it up, the Hemi GTX met its demise in 1971.

The car appeared at Mecum's and high bid to $250k.

1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback

Ram Air 428/400 HP Super Cobra Jet engine with Drag Pack. Close ratio 4-speed manual transmission. 4.30 code Traction-Lok differential. Power steering. Power brakes with front discs. Black Jade exterior with Blackout hood treatment. Black clarion-knit vinyl interior. Hi-back bucket seats. Sport deck rear seat. AM radio. Tinted glass. Rear window louvers. Front and rear spoilers. Two year rotisserie restoration using date code correct parts. 1 of 3,388 produced.

This Mach 1 has completed a two-year rotisserie restoration using date-code correct parts. The 428 Super Cobra Jet big-block was rebuilt to boost the factory’s 335 HP rating to 400, as verified by dyno testing. When ordered with the Drag Pack, the 428 was upgraded to a Super Cobra Jet with external oil cooler, heavy-duty connecting rods and unique engine balancing.

With the top of the line R-code 428 Cobra Jet, the Mach 1 came from the factory with the functional Shaker hood scoop that crammed cooler outside air into the engine under full throttle. This top tier example appears at Mecum.

Audi R8 Green Hell

With a 611bhp naturally aspirated V10, the R8 Green Hell is designed to pay tribute to the R8 LMS GT car, which has won the endurance event at the German circuit five times since 2012. Limited to 50 units worldwide, the R8 Green Hell is priced at €233,949.

The R8 Green Hell is mechanically unchanged from the R8 Performance, with a 0-62mph time of 3.1sec and a top speed of 205 mph.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - $187k

140 miles. 6.2L/755 HP supercharged V-8 engine. Automatic transmission. Napa leather heated and ventilated sport seats. Memory package. AM/FM stereo with Apple CarPlay. Universal home remote. Performance data and video recorder. Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Electronic limited slip differential. Front splitter end caps. Adjustable high-wing spoiler. Brembo high performance carbon-ceramic brakes. Premium Black aluminum wheels. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires

755 HP and 715 lb-ft of torque, both records for Corvette performance, deliver the highest top speed in Corvette history at 212 mph. The ZR1 employs a new four-mode exhaust system providing four different sound profiles: Track, Sport, Tour and Stealth. The ZR1 goes from zero to 60 mph in 3 seconds. The car had a base price of $120k but climbs to over $150k once all the options are added in.

This as new example made $187k against an estimate of $125k to $150k at Mecum.

2021 Maserati MC20

The MC20 was inspired by Maserati’s last sportscar, the MC12. It was based on the Enzo Ferrari, using the same chassis and a Ferrari F140 V-12 and gearbox. The 2021 MC20 is powered by a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 that’s described as "100% Maserati." However, the mill is loosely based on Ferrari’s F154 V-8 engine. It delivers 621 hp and 538 ft/lbs of twist to the rear wheels.

An 8 speed dual clutch gearbox delivers 0 To 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. 0 to 124 mph takes "less than" 8.8 seconds. Price starts at a rock bottom $243k.

Mclaren 765LT

Behold the Mclaren 765LT. The new supercar was first shown in April. The 720S's 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 spits out 755 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The car will sprint to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and 124 mph in 7.0 seconds. The quarter-mile time is 9.9 seconds and the top speed is 205 mph.

Pricing for the 765LT starts at $358k and each car will come with standard options like titanium exhaust and carbon aero elements. Also included as standard is a lift system, forged alloys with titanium lug nuts, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and Alcantara trim. A Bowers & Wilkins 12-speaker audio system is a no-cost option.

Numerous high priced options are available for the 765LT from McLaren's MSO customization department. 765 examples will be built for worldwide sale and build slots are still available for those smitten.

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback

KK no. 1479. No. 264 of 279 produced with 820-S engine. Body stripped to bare metal in nut and bolt restoration. Matching numbers 820-S 429 CI Nascar engine. Matching numbers close ratio 4-speed transmission. 3.91 Traction-Lok differential. Power steering. Power brakes. Competition suspension. Functional hood scoop. Candyapple Red with Black clarion-knit interior. Color-keyed mirrors. Deluxe decor group. AM radio. Visibility group.

In 1969 Ford needed to homologate its new NASCAR Boss 429 engine, which required installation into passenger cars. The Mustang was selected as the platform. The Boss 429 remains one of the premium vehicles in any serious muscle collection.

This top tier example carried an estimate of $240k to $260k.

Chinese woman's 2014 DB9 Century Skyfall Aston Martin

Bonan “Jessica” Liu smashed her new 2014 DB9 Century Skyfall Aston Martin in a December 2015 single vehicle collision. She veered off the road for unknown reasons and collided with a large rock. She carried only basic 3rd party insurance coverage. Repairs were completed by September 2017 and Liu refused to pay. She sued for $300k in damages alleging fraud among other things. She also demanded the value of a new Aston Martin DB9. She went through 4 law firms before deciding to represent herself.

“I’m not going to pay a cent; I don’t even want the car back anymore; I want a refund (from the dealer),” Liu, who is in her 30s, told the Richmond News via email from China in 2017. “I don’t think it’s safe to drive. I just drove it for two weeks; I don’t trust the car, I don’t trust the dealer and I don’t trust the autoshop’s invoices.”

Lui's brilliant plot failed miserably in court. The court dismissed her claim and allowed a $329k counterclaim for unpaid repairs, interest, indoor storage fees and insurance. “Ms. Liu’s claim is meritless and she has made resolution of the issue virtually impossible,” the judge wrote. “Objectively assessed, her allegations of fraud, conspiracy, fraudulent misrepresentation, or breach of fiduciary duty are without legal foundation." The 2014 DB9 Century Skyfall Aston Martin started around $187k for the coupe and $202k for Volante convertible.

Top Corvettes

1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 ($495,000) 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 ($495,000) 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible ($577,500) 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible ($605,000) 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 ($624,800) 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible ($660,000) 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Cutaway Coupe ($1,100,000) 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Owens/Corning Race Car ($1,100,000) 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Number 57 Rebel Convertible Race Car ($2,860,000) 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 ($3,850,500)

2020 Porsche 935 with zero miles on the clock = $1.5m

If you missed your shot at one of the 77 Porsche 935s in existence rejoice, you have been granted another opportunity. Sadly this example cost more than the £750,000 the others sold for. Porsche says the track-only 935 is “geared towards clubsport events and private training on racetracks”. For the money a body gets 690bhp from a 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine driving the rear wheels via a seven-speed PDK paddleshift gearbox.

Gentleman racers have comforting things like stability control, ABS and air conditioning.

Estimated between £1,145,300 and £1,235,300, the car made a final price including buyer's fee of £1,320,000. It would likely make sense to never take the car anywhere near a track, and instead usher it to it's parking spot in an air conditioned garage.

Photos to cry over

A 1963 split window corvette. For Corvette fans, the 1963 split-window model is the pinnacle. 21,513 ’63 Corvettes were built. In most cases a pristine example will be six figures. This late model Quattroporte might not be a household name but in it's day was a high end luxury car worth serious money.

Ferrari F50.

HOW a F50 ended up like this is a mystery. 349 were built. $2m in concours condition. Lamborghini Diablo. 2,884 were produced. Nothing less than $100k, in concours condition likely $500k.

1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Competizione 'Tour de France'

The Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta helped to establish the marque’s dominance in racing in the GT class. With the 3.0-litre Colombo V-12 engine, numerous monumental Ferraris followed in its footsteps, including the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta and the 250 GTO. 1956 would not be the only year where a 250 GT LWB Berlinetta would take 1st overall at the Tour de France.

The car went on to place 1st overall for the next three consecutive years, cementing the car’s reputation in automotive history. It is the most successful competition 250 GT Ferrari model, as it has garnered more victories than any other model, including the revered 250 GTO.

Chassis 0897 GT, is a classic 1958 version, the fifth example built of 36, all bodied in aluminium by Scaglietti and ready for competition.

Copies of the build sheets and the engine dynamometer tests show that this car produced 263.2 horsepower at 7,200 rpm.

This example made £4,760,000 in 2015.