Wednesday, January 25, 2023

2023 McLaren Artura

Base price: $258,585. Powertrain: 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid. 8-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive. Horsepower: 671 @ 7,500 rpm. Torque: 531 lb-ft @ 2,250 to 7,000 rpm.
The mid-engine two-seater rides on a new lightweight platform. It also pairs a twin-turbo V-6–the company's first—with a battery-electric powertrain to create a plug-in-hybrid model. Zero-to-60-mph time is 2.6 seconds on to a top speed of 205 mph.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C by Scaglietti


The car was recognized as the 275 GTB/C.
Ferrari built 3 cars in 1965 at a compromised weight. Chassis 06885 took a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 3rd overall. Ferrari then built a series of 10 more competition 275 examples with short-nose bodywork. Utilizing the production model’s wet-sump engine, these berlinettas were nearly identical to the standard road cars with the exception of thin-gauge lightweight aluminum coachwork, weight-saving measures, and the use of competition fuel tanks. For 1966, the factory developed the competition specs to a greater degree, building 12 two-cam cars with long-nose bodywork.
Triple Weber 40 DFI/3 carburetors fed by curved velocity stacks contributed to a 9.3:1 compression ratio, and the racing engine was mated to a magnesium alloy transaxle case via a large-diameter driveshaft. The 275 GTB/C was the last racing GT model built by Ferrari’s competition department, and two examples went on to take GT class wins at Le Mans in 1966 and 1967, earning Maranello three consecutive class wins at La Sarthe. After completing a nut and bolt refurbishment in August 2017, this beautiful Ferrari was then presented at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as part of Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary celebration, and at the 2018 Cavallino Classic, where it won an FCA Platinum Award.
Many of the 275 GTB/C examples were aggressively raced, and with the model’s extremely thin-skinned aluminum, cars were often beaten past recognition by the slightest of collisions.

Chassis number 09067 claims an accident-free life with only two recorded races in period, and gentle touring use by its subsequent conservators. The car made $7.5m in August 2022. Here.

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Bitcoin car in the news

The mystery of the orange bitcoin car has been solved. The Mercedes sports a bitcoin logo in place of the car’s iconic badge and the words “in crypto we trust” across the wheels. Michael Chobanian, the Ukranian founder of Kuna bitcoin exchange said “How is the crash related to my property? I am [in the] crypto and finance industry for 10 years. I am not selling anything, nor promoting. If someone made bad decisions and lost money, it’s their fault and not my cars.”

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

1955 Chrysler Ghia ST Special - $770k

1 of 4 produced. Exhibited at the 1955 Turin Motor show. Nut and bolt restoration completed in 2014. Copper with an ivory roof, Havana leather interior, ivory dashboard. Factory-commissioned Ghia coachwork fitted to a Chrysler New Yorker chassis. 331/250 HP Hemi V-8 engine. 4-barrel carburetor. 2-speed Powerflite automatic transmission. Power steering. Power brakes. The car’s 331-cu.in Hemi V-8 is fed by a single four-barrel carburetor, mated to a PowerFlite automatic transmission.
Chassis N558768 has appeared several times in recent auctions. In 2018 it went to auction at RM Sothebys and made $527k. On Jan 2, 2020 the car high bid to $375k against a $450k-$550k estimate at Mecum.

The car will next cross the block at Mecum Kissimmee.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda - $302k

Meticulous restoration. 426 CI Hemi V-8 engine. Torqueflite automatic transmission. Flawless paint is X9 Black Velvet over a Saddle Tan interior. Black matching vinyl top. 3-spoke rim blow steering wheel. Console. Light group. Rallye instrument group. Power windows. MSRP exceeded a whooping $5,500. Top option is the 426 CI Hemi V-8 engine.
A shaker hood scoop feeds air to the dual Carter AFB carbs and heads placed atop an engine with 10.25:1 compression and a NASCAR-style heavy-duty reciprocating assembly. Power is fed through the A727 TorqueFlite automatic and A36 Performance Axle with 3.55 Sure Grip gears. Heavy-duty E-body Hemi suspension parts, power steering and power front disc brakes tacked on $1,250 to the base $3,164 Cuda model price.
They surely aren't giving these babies away. From the Edwards Collection At Mecum.

1992 Ferrari F40 - $3.1m

Odometer reads 10,994 miles. No. 179 of a total of 213 U.S. spec Ferrari F40s built, no 92189. Rosso Corsa over Red and Gray interior. Matching numbers 2,936cc DOHC V-8 engine. Twin IHI turbochargers with Behr intercoolers. Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection. 478 HP at 7,000 RPM. 5-speed manual transmission. Ventilated 4-wheel disc brakes. 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension with coilover shock absorbers.
The Ferrari F40 (tipo F120) was built from 1987 to 1992, with the LM and GTE race car versions continuing production until 1994 and 1996. As the successor to the 288 GTO it was designed to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary. It was the last Ferrari automobile approved by Enzo Ferrari.

A total of 1,315 cars were built. Power output is 478 hp at 7,000 rpm and 426 lb⋅ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. 0-100 km/h (62 mph) comes in 4.7 seconds onto a top speed of 328 km/h. (201 mph) When the F40 was unveiled in 1987 it received mixed reactions. Its spartan design and lack of latest technology raised eyebrows with some. An expert explained its popularity among the Ferrari cognoscenti: "They will never be allowed to make another F40 in today's world of red tape and health and safety. That is what makes it so special and so desirable."
Today the F40 is a highly required jewel in any Ferrari collection. It is 'number 2' on the list of top 5 modern Ferrari. The car carried an estimate of $3.7m to $4m.
This example crosses the block at Mecum.

Saturday, January 14, 2023

1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special test vehicle - $330k

Documented Ford test vehicle, only one in existence. 1 of 96 Mustang Mach 1 Twister Specials produced. 1 of 24 equipped with the 428 Super Cobra Jet and 4-speed manual. Original drivetrain. Matching numbers. Close ratio 4-speed manual transmission. Drag Pack with 3.91 Traction-Lok rear end. 96 Mustang Mach 1s, 90 Torino Cobras, and 2 Rancheros were branded Twister Special and distributed to Ford's Kansas City district. All 96 Twister Specials were top-of-the-line Mach 1 models fitted with the Shaker hood scoop.
These cars have become the 'must have' in Mustang world. In 2021 a fully restored SCJ-powered car with an automatic made $214,500. This 1 of 1 example crosses the block at Mecum. Estimate is $350k to $400k.

See --->1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special Fastback - $170k high bid

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

1969 Plymouth Hemi GTX - $101k

1 of 198 Hemi GTXs produced for 1969. 426 Hemi V-8 engine. Dual 4-barrel carburetors. Torqueflite automatic transmission. Air Grabber hood. Blue with Black interior. Bucket seats and center console. Standard was a 4-barrel 440 CID Super Commando V8 that produced 375 horsepower. It was a monster $700 to upgrade the car to include the 426 CID Hemi V8, which gave 425 hp @ 5000 rpm and 490 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
The GTX is based on Plymouth’s mid-sized Belvedere line, and was the top level performance and trim level for that line when it was introduced. In 1968 the Road Runner became the 'it' car.
0-60 mph came in 5 sec, 0-100 km/h in 5.2 sec, 0-200 km/h in 22.3 sec and the quarter mile time in 13.5 sec. Crossing the block soon at Mecum.

Saturday, January 7, 2023

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 - $2.9m

Serial No. 09565. Original 3286cc four-cam V-12 engine. 5-speed manual gearbox. Power 4-wheel disc brakes. Veglia instrumentation. Borrani chrome knock-off wire wheels. Rosso Corso paint over Black leather upholstery. The name was derived from the engine's per-cylinder displacement of 275 cc and the Italian designation Gran Turismo Berlinetta. A 275 GTB/4 was introduced in 1966 with a revised four overhead camshaft engine producing 300 hp. A total of 330 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 were produced from 1966 to 1968.
The 275 series were the first road-going Ferraris equipped with a transaxle and independent rear suspension. Some argue that the 275 GTB boasts the best design ever penned for a production Ferrari berlinetta. Rarity, drop dead good looks, and spectacular driving characteristics make it one of the most celebrated grand touring Ferraris of all time. It is a must-have for any Ferrari collection.
Are they giving these cars away? Not exactly. The car carries an estimate of $2.2m - $2.6m at Mecum.

Friday, January 6, 2023

1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback - $330k

Shelby no. 01756. First year for the GT500. Matching numbers 428 Special Interceptor engine. Cast aluminum mid rise intake manifold. Dual Holley 600 CFM 4-barrel carburetors. 10.5:1 compression. 4-speed manual transmission. Power steering. Power brakes with front discs. Red with White striping. Black interior. Fiberglass trunk, hood and rear spoiler. 2,048 GT500s were built in 1967.
The 428 CI Special Interceptor V-8 was officially rated at 355 HP. With its 10.5:1 compression, that was, in realty, actually closer to 400 HP.

This bad boy obliterated its $175k to $200k estimate at Mecum.

Monday, January 2, 2023

1967 Ford GT40 MK IV - $1.3m high bid

1 of 12 GT40 Mk IV models produced. Chassis no. J-10. Driven in Can-Am competition. Meticulous 4-year restoration. 1967 Le Mans specifications. 427 CI OHV V-8 engine. Twin Holley 4-barrel carburetors. T-44 4-speed manual transmission. Red exterior with White stripes and correct Le Mans livery. Black interior. 4-wheel independent suspension. Coilover shocks. 4-wheel hydraulic ventilated disc brakes.
Despite huge and growing costs, Ford decided to continue development of the GT40 for the 1967 season. The J cars used honeycomb-sandwiched aluminum panels which were bonded together. The J car used this honeycomb aluminum to form a central tub chassis similar to the GT40’s. Lightweight and rigid, the new chassis saved considerable weight. The final specification for the car adhered to the Appendix J regulations for race car construction. The dozen J cars were produced by Ford's subsidiary Kar Kraft.

With Shelby-American drivers Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt, the Mk IV delivered a second consecutive victory for Ford at Le Mans in 1967. Ford's absolute dominance was a resounding double defeat of Ferrari.

In two races, Sebring and Le Mans, the Mk IV so completely dominated the competition that the FIA rendered it illegal for 1968.
J-10 is among the rarest racing prototypes and is a valuable artifact of Ford’s quest to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and humiliate Enzo Ferrari.
Estimate is $2m to $2.2m at Mecum.

Sunday, January 1, 2023

1966 Chevrolet Corvette convertible - $148k

Bloomington Gold, Survivor and Benchmark Certified. NCRS Top Flight award winner. NCRS 3-Star Bowtie award winner, accolade documented in winner's list in NCRS program. Original window sticker and invoice. Protect-O-Plate. Unrestored. Odometer reads 20,935 miles. Original L72 427/425 HP V-8 engine. 4-speed M21 close-ratio manual transmission. Nassau Blue exterior.
The 1966 Corvette Sting Ray offered a new 427 big-block V-8 engine. 5258 corvettes were armed with the 425 hp powerplants. Corvette sales set a record at 27,720 units in 1966, mostly convertibles (17,762) with 9958 coupes. Original base MSRP was $4,084.
Haggerty suggests a concours 1966 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is trending around $160k. at Mecum.