2024-03-19: Porsche 962C and 911 Carrera RSR 3.0, and latest Nissan GT-R ...
The first event on our agenda is the
Mugello Classic scheduled for the first weekend of April. To get you in the mood, we have taken a closer look at this
Porsche 962C, which was raced during last year's edition. Originally a works car, it was raced in period by Joest Racing at select events. Acquired directly from Reinhold Joest by the current owner, it is in ultimate, high-downforce configuration. Particularly in the hands of Ralf Kelleners,
962-013 proved blisteringly quick during the 2023 season and will be back in action at Mugello.
A week later, we will be at Goodwood for the annual
Members' Meeting. At last year's edition, there was an impressive demonstration of Porsche 911-based competition cars. Among them was this
911 Carrera RSR 3.0. Originally owned by Jean Blaton or 'Beurlys', it was raced at Le Mans four times, finishing second in class and winning its category at the fourth attempt. Chassis
911 460 9072 has survived in remarkably original condition and was raced in historic events before its recent restoration.
Already in the Nissan line-up for 15 years, the GT-R has been gradually improved. The latest incarnation will include this striking
T-spec Takumi. It is a cosmetic package only but the latest 565 bhp version of the potent package is still very impressive after 15 years.
2024-03-14: Most powerful Porsche road car, new Mercedes-AMG and GTX Volkswagens ...
With the
Taycan Turbo GT, Porsche have introduced the company's most powerful production road car yet. With the optional attack mode engaged, there is a staggering 1,092 bhp available for up to two seconds. This allows the
Turbo GT equipped with the Weissach Package to accelerate to 100 km/h in 2.2 seconds. Using a pre-production version, Lars Kern used the battery electric Porsche to new lap records at the Nürburgring and Laguna Seca.
The latest plug-in hybrid model from Mercedes-AMG is the
E 53 4MATIC+, which is available in
Saloon and
Estate versions. Combining a turbocharged V6 engine with an electric motor, the latest E 53 has a system output of up to 576 bhp and 750 Nm of torque.
Offering more than a small glimpse of future high-performance battery electric vehicles, Volkswagen revealed images of the
ID.3 GTX and
ID.7 GTX Tourer. The two performance models feature uprated drivetrains, good for well over 300 bhp. The definitive production versions of the
ID.3 GTX and the
ID.7 GTX Tourer will follow soon.
2024-03-11: Ferrari and McLarens from Jody Scheckter headed for Monaco auction ...
For the upcoming
Monaco Auction, RM Sotheby's have consigned the formidable racing car collection assembled by 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter. The absolute headliner is the very
Ferrari 312 T4 that the South African used to win the World Championship. He raced the car nine times that year, scoring three victories. Scheckter bought chassis
040 directly from Ferrari in 1982. One of just two 312 T4s that were not updated to T5 specification, this rare Ferrari has a pre-sale estimate of over €5 million.
Scheckter started his successful Grand Prix racing career in this
McLaren M19A Cosworth. It was originally allocated to Dennis Hulme and was also raced by the likes of Peter Revson, Mark Donohue and Brian Redman. Later also campaigned in F5000 events,
M19A-1 has been restored to its original configuration and livery.
Later in his McLaren tenure, the South African also raced this
M23 Cosworth. The second M23 built, this particular car was raced to victory in the 1973 British Grand Prix by Peter Revson. Scheckter himself raced
M23-2 twice before it also was converted to F5000. After it was re-acquired by McLaren International, it joined the collection of Scheckter in more recent years. It should find a new custodian for around €2 million.
2024-03-07: Three great Ferrari and Maserati competition cars ...
With the 2024 historic racing season fast approaching, we have today taken a look at three great Ferrari and Maserati competition cars. First up is this
Ferrari 333 SP, which was originally sold to the great French privateer Noël del Bello Racing. They did not actually race the car and it was sold to JB Racing instead. Painted in a striking Giesse livery, it was raced successfully, winning a couple of races and the International Sports Racing Series team championship. Among the subsequent owners were Stanislas de Sadeleer and Lawrence Stroll. Now in Swiss hands
023 was demonstrated at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Of slightly later vintage is this
Ferrari 360 GT, which was also prepared for racing by Michelotto. It was raced in period by Risi Competizione and finished second overall in the 2003 Daytona 24 Hours. Chassis
2006 is now in Hungarian hands and was campaigned in the Endurance Racing Legends rounds at Mugello and Spa last year.
Starring at the most recent editions of the Goodwood Revival and Monaco Historic Grand Prix was this
Maserati 4CLT, which was sold new to future Formula 1 World Champion Giuseppe Farina. The 4CLT is an engineering work of art, sporting a 16-valve four-cylinder engine with eight separate headers. Farina raced
1602 successful and before it was acquired by the current custodian had a single owner for 40 years.
2024-03-04: Hypercars headed for RM Dubai auction and new Maserati GranCabrio ...
On Saturday, RM Sotheby's will stage their first-ever
Dubai auction. It is headlined by the four recent hypercars featured today. The first of the quartet is this
Aston Martin Valkyrie, which represents the first time an example of the Adrian Newey-designed machine is offered at auction. This
particular example is finished in silver with red accents and has covered a mere 123 km. Also consigned in virtual brand-new condition are the
Koenigsegg Agera RS and
Lamborghini Centenario Coupe. Having fortunately seen more use is the
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss that will cross the block in Dubai. Delivered new to Luxembourg, it competed in the Mercedes-Benz 1000 Miglia Challenge and was more recently sold to the Middle East.
Late last week, Maserati revealed the all-new
GranCabrio. Like the GranTurismo, it is powered by the bespoke Maserati turbocharged V6, which produces 541 bhp in Trofeo trim. The striking
GranCabrio features a fabric foldaway roof that can be tucked away in a mere 14 seconds.
2024-02-29: Porsche, Lister and Ferrari headed for auction and new Artura Spider and Vantage GT4 ...
This weekend, Florida is taking centre stage in the classic car world with the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and the Moda Miami and associated auctions. At Amelia Island, the two-day
Gooding sale will feature this lovely
Porsche 718 RS 61. It was originally sold to Austria and spent time in South Africa before it joined some of the most prominent American Porsche collections. Chassis
718-076 is estimated to sell for $4 - $5 million.
Nearby,
Bonhams will also stage a sale on Thursday with the most notable consignments including this
Lister Costin Chevrolet. It is the first of the Costin-bodied Listers and was fitted with a small-block V8. In more recent years,
BHL 121 has been actively campaigned on both sides of the Atlantic. The pre-sale estimate is $800,000. - $1,000,000.
During the Moda Miami,
RM Sotheby's will offer this beautifully restored
Ferrari 250 Europa Vignale Coupe. The very first 250 Europa, it was shown at the Paris Motor Show and was sold soon after to the United States where it remained ever since. The next owner of
0295EU will be expected to pay at least $4.5 million for the privilege.
Earlier this week, McLaren announced the
Artura Spider. It is the first open hybrid produced by McLaren and features a more powerful version of the bespoke twin-turbo V6. The uprated engine will also be available in the 2025 model year Artura Coupe.
Aston Martin Racing also completed the Vantage line-up this week with the new
GT4 Evo. As the name suggests, it is an evolution of the existing model and features subtle improvements in addition to the cosmetic changes carried over from the road car. Before the end of the year, Aston Martin Racing are expecting to build no fewer than 30 examples of the
GT4 Evo earmarked for customers.