Especially for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren have created a one-off Gulf-livery for the MCL35M. Even though Gulf had been a sponsor of McLaren in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and again from 2020 onwards, no McLaren Grand Prix car had sported the iconic Gulf colours until now. The Gulf-blue was seen in period on the M20 Can-Am racer of the 1972 season. The first McLaren to feature a full blue and orange livery was the F1 GTR of which this Longtail is a great example. While regularly used on sports cars, the full Gulf colours have only been used on a single Grand Prix car; the privately entered Tyrrell 007 of Alessandro Presenti-Rossi. He raced the car in these colours in four Grands Prix during the 1976 Formula 1 World Championship. While the 007 was originally restored to its works 'Elf' livery, it has been re-painted in the iconic livery after it joined the formidable ROFGO Collection. Sadly, the striking colours of the MCL35M will only be raced by Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo once.
Ahead of its official debut at the start of the 2022 World Rally Championship, the new Hyundai Rally1 has started testing. It is the first of the new generation of hybrid rally cars that has broken cover. It will be pitched against new Toyota and M-Sport rally cars.

Hot on the heels of the successful conclusion of the May edition, auction Gooding have now announced the first consignments to the Europe-based Geared Online sale scheduled for mid June. These first highlights include three interesting sports racers, headlined by this Ford GT40. It is actually the very last GT40 chassis built in period and was not fully assembled until relatively recently, having spent the first 40 years of its life as a rolling chassis. Built to the ultimate 'JWA Gulf' specifications, chassis GT40P/1085 is estimated to sell for GBP 2 million.
Another legendary machine on offer is this late Porsche 962C. Sold new to Brun Motorsport, it was used for just two races in 1990 and has survived in remarkably original condition. Virtually untouched for the last three decades, 962-163 has a pre-sale estimate of GBP 800,000 - 1,000,000.
Star of the 1958 Geneva Motor Show and a Perry Como television show, this Lotus Eleven has had an unusual history. For the last 45 years, it has been owned and enjoyed by noted Lotus historian David Morgan.
This week, Volkswagen offered a first glimpse of the new Polo GTI due to be released next month, while Alpine have combined the high performance A110S engine with the more luxurious Legende chassis to create the fast but relatively comfortable A110 Legende GT of which just 300 will be built.

In what will we not be an often recurring theme, we today celebrate March Monday with three early 1980s racing cars to wear the famous five letters. Having competed in Formula 1 between 1970 and 1977, the specialist manufacturer opted to focus on more lucrative markets. The March name returned to F1 in 1981 with this 811 Cosworth. It really was a March in name only as the company behind the car was a separate entity that was formed by March founder Robin Herd and RAM Racing's John Macdonald. Designed by Gordon Cuppock, the 811 was inspired by and served to replace the Williams FW07s raced by RAM Racing in 1980. It was not particularly successful and spelled the end of the brief partnership between Herd and Macdonald. Our article includes two examples one of which has been consigned to next week's RM Sotheby's Amelia Island Sale.
Even though the partnership had ended, RAM Racing retained the March name for the 821 Cosworth campaigned during the 1982 season. Designed by Adrian Reynard, it was a development of the 811 but again proved to be not particularly successful.
Offered from the same collection as the 811, this March 83G Chevrolet is also consigned to the upcoming RM Sotheby's sale. A proper March Engineering built machine, it was one of the first racing cars designed by Adrian Newey. The second example produced for the 1983 season, it scored a debut win early in 1983 and two further victories in 1984. Chassis 83G/02 was also raced once by Emerson Fittipaldi.

On Sunday, the great Bobby Unser passed away. He was a legend of American motorsport, with his many achievements including winning the Pikes Peak Hill Climb ten times and scoring three Indy 500 victories. He was also crowned the USAC national champion twice. In 1981, he took his final Indy 500 win with this Penske PC9B Cosworth. It was a controversial victory that did not become final until October of 1981. The PC9B was one of Indy racing's first ground effect cars and dominated the season.
In somewhat related news, it was announced this week that Team Penske and Porsche will team up for the upcoming LMDh campaign in the FIA WEC and United SportsCar Championship from 2023 onwards. It will give Roger Penske a unique opportunity to score the Le Mans win that has eluded him so far. This announcement will have the rest of the field worried as the Penske and Porsche partnership has been very successful in the past. That started with Can-Am where the Penske-run Porsche 917/30 absolutely annihilated the competition.
Following a sneak peak offered a few weeks ago, Ferrari have now revealed every detail, including the name, of the limited production Ferrari 812 Competizione. As had already been revealed earlier, it is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 that can rev to 9,500 rpm and has a maximum output of 817 bhp. The front-engined GT is also equipped with a sophisticated rear-wheel steering system. In addition to the Coupe, Ferrari will also produce the open 812 Competizione A.

Today, the May edition of the online-only Gooding Geared Online auctions will open for bidding. Among the 87 consignments are three high performance Porsche models. The earliest and most valuable of the trio is one of just 14 examples of the Porsche 968 Turbo S built by the Porsche Motorsport department in 1993. Quite possibly the most extreme front-engined sports car produced by Porsche, it combined the lightweight Club Sport chassis and a 300 bhp four-cylinder engine. The Turbo S consigned was finished a paint-to-sample orange and was originally acquired by a German enthusiast. Today, it is one of five known to be in the United States and has a startling pre-sale estimate of $1 million to $1.25 million.
Offered from a single ownership of fifteen years is this 993-generation 911 Turbo S. It benefits from a selection of GT2-inspired upgrades like hardback sports seats in the front and no seats in the rear.
The most modern of the Porsches consigned is this 918 Spyder. Built in 2015, it only has 1,400 miles on the odometer and should sell for around $1 million. The lots will start closing on Friday from 9 am Pacific Time.
Ahead of the car's official debut, Renault revealed full details of its new junior category rally car. Dubbed the Clio Rally4, it is powered by a small four-cylinder engine that is still good for 215 bhp.

Today we celebrate Ferrari Friday with four interesting examples that are due to cross the block at the upcoming RM Sotheby's Amelia Island sale.
The newest of the quartet is this F40, which was one of the very last examples produced. It has survived in a beautiful original condition and has a pre-sale estimate of $1.8 - $2.2 million. The 1970s are represented by this rare 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider. The 36th example built, this car was shown at the 1972 New York Auto Show and was owned by the original owner until his passing during the late 1980s. With just 13,000 original miles on the odometer, it should sell for over $2.25 million. Another open Ferrari consigned is this 250 GT Cabriolet Series 2. Delivered new to the Rome area, it has recently been Ferrari Classiche certified and then fully restored. Offered from a single ownership since 1973 is this 275 GTB/4. Benefitting from a recent Bob Smith Coachworks restoration, it is now offered for the first time in nearly 50 years with a $2.5 - $2.8 million estimate.
Audi have offered a first glimpse of the company's return to sports car racing with this rendering of the upcoming LMDh car. As per the regulations for this category, it will be built on a third party chassis with the engine and bespoke bodywork provided by Audi. Due to start testing in 2022, it will debut at the Daytona 24 Hours in 2023 and is also eligible to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new LMDh racer will also be made available to customer teams.

Ahead of the official launch early in July, Lotus have revealed the first glimpse and the name of the new Type 131 sports car; the Emira. Due to replace the Elise after a 25-year production run, it will most likely be the last all-new Lotus powered by an internal combustion engine. This is probably be Toyota's familiar V6 as well as a four-cylinder engine of which the origins are not yet known. The covers will come off the Emira on July 6 and it will then make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed a few days later.
Aston Martin's mighty four-cam V8 engine has powered quite a few competition cars over the years, starting with the Lola T70 in the late 1960s. It was also used in Group C racing in a variety of cars throughout the 1980s. Among them was the Emka 83C/1 that was developed by the Steve O'Rourke owned team. The Pink Floyd manager and noted gentleman racer commissioned GT40 designer Len Bailey to pen the car. The one-off 83C/1 finished 17th at Le Mans in 1983, making it the first British car home. The team sat out the 1984 season but then returned with the 84C/1, which was a further development of the 1983 car. It was raced at several events in 1985 and finished a commendable eleventh overall at Le Mans that year. Both cars have survived and have been raced at historic meetings with the 84C/1 and 83C/1 both appearing at the Le Mans Classic in 2016.

Ferrari have offered a first glimpse of a new Speciale version of the 812 Superfast. Although the full details, including the actual model name, will not be released until a dedicated event on May 5th, we already know that the range-topping machine will feature a naturally aspirated V12 engine that can rev to a startling 9,500 rpm and produces a staggering 817 bhp. The Speciale also boasts a hugely sophisticated aerodynamics package that includes a vortex-generating panel where the rear window would normally have been.
Auctioneer Gooding have revealed further consignments to their upcoming Geared Online sale. Headlining the May edition is this very rare, alloy-bodied Ferrari 275 GTB/4. One of only 16 built, it also benefits from competition inspired modifications made by the legendary Tom Meade, which includes an external fuel filler cap and alloy wheels. Rarely seen in public, chassis 10025 has a pre-sale estimate of $3.75 - $4.5 million.
Other fabulous, matching numbers sports cars from the 1950s and 1960s include a BMW 507 Roadster ($2.25 - $2.75 million) and a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster ($1.1 - $1.3 million).
The lots will open for bidding on May 3rd and will then start closing on May 7th.

On Wednesday, the National Convention and Exhibition Center in Shanghai, China will open its physical doors for the 2021 edition of Auto Shanghai. It is the first major motor show since the Covid19 pandemic ground the world to a halt. Today, we take a look at five of the show and production cars due to make their debut this week.
Audi have this A6 e-tron Concept on display. It serves a preview of the first all-electric A6 and features a pair of electric motors. They have a combined output of 469 bhp in this configuration, while the A6 e-tron will have a range of over 700 km.
Also offering a glimpse into the future of their electric and hybrid powertrains are Toyota, Honda and Lincoln with the bZ4X Concept, SUV e:prototype and Zephyr Reflection. Each of these should be followed by a production model that will be offered in the crucial Chinese market.
Already ready to go is the Maserati Levante Hybrid. It is equipped with the same, two-litre turbocharged engine that is combined with a mild hybrid system. The maximum power that is transferred to all four wheels is 326 bhp. Despite the size and weight of the Levante Hybrid, it can accelerate to 100 km/h in just six seconds.

Three weeks after revealing the Coupe, Bentley have now taken the wraps off the drop-top version of the range-topping Continental GT. Like the Coupe, the Convertible is powered by a 650 bhp version of the familiar, twin-turbo W12 engine. Despite the additional weight of the folding roof structure, the new Speed Convertible can still accelerate to 100 km/h in a stunning 3.7 seconds and has the same top speed as the Coupe at 335 km/h.
Nissan's competition department NISMO have created this Special Edition of the GT-R. Finished in a unique grey with an exposed carbon-fibre composite panels, it will be built in very limited numbers.
Next week, Bonhams will stage the Le Grandes Marques a Monaco sale. One of the great marques represented in the sale is Porsche with three 'Carrera' models. The earliest is a very rare 356 A Carrera Cabriolet. It is one of just five Cabriolets built with the new-for-1958 T2 body and the roller-bearing 1500 engine. Delivered new to California, the Carrera 1500 GS Cabriolet still comes equipped with the original four-cam engine. The Carrera name returned to the Porsche line-up with the RS 2.7 of which a lovely example was consigned. Sold new to Italy, it is appropriately painted red. Also finished in a striking colour is this yellow Carrera GT. It has had just two owners from new and is the most valuable of the three Porsches with a pre-sale estimate of €790,000 - €850,000.

Although things are starting to get better slowly, we are not in the clear as evidenced by the recent announcement that the postponed Le Mans Classic will be cancelled after all. One of the cars that would have most certainly been in action at Le Mans in July is this striking Ferrari 512 BB LM. Bought new by an English gentleman racer, it was raced at Le Mans twice in period. In the current ownership, 35523 has not missed a Le Mans Classic since 2010. It may still be at Le Mans in July as the Peter Auto team will still hold an event there this year but on the shorter, Bugatti Circuit only.
Another car that may very well race at Le Mans this year is this ADA 02B Cosworth. Originally designated the ADA 02, it was the first all-new car built by the ADA Engineering team and complied with the Group C2 regulations. In its original guise, it won only its second race outright. It was crashed at the next outing and then comprehensively rebuilt. From that point it was known as the 02B. In 1990, it scored two further wins and also appeared at Le Mans twice. The unique 02B is currently in Swiss ownership and has been campaigned at recent rounds of the Historic Group C series.
Following the renders released last week, MG have now published actual pictures of the Cyberster that is set to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. The MG B inspired machine will undoubtedly be one of the stars of the event.

On Saturday, Bonhams will host the new Supercars on Sunset auction. As the name suggests, the 32-lot strong sale features supercars and will be held in downtown Los Angeles, on Sunset Boulevard. Among the rarest cars consigned is one of seven Saleen S7-LMs built to date. The car on offer is the third example completed as part of a recommissioning of the Twin Turbo S7 built during the second half of the 2000s. Announced in 2017, the 'Le Mans' package celebrates the 2010 class win at Le Mans and includes a retuned engine good for as much as 1,500 bhp. Available to existing cars only, it is believed seven cars have received the upgrade. The S7-LM has a pre-sale estimate of $1 - $1.3 million.
Also included in the sale is a 991-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS that was built specifically for comedian and Porsche collector Jerry Seinfeld. Not only does the vin number end with '911', it is also finished in a paint-to-sample silver/blue metallic. The complete package of options set Seinfeld back around $250,000, which came on top of the $200,000 base price. It is now estimate to sell for considerably less at $290,000 - $330,000.
For Ferrari 458 Speciale enthusiasts, Bonhams have consigned both a white and a red example. Both cars have been finished in a colour scheme inspired by Luigi Chinetti's legendary North American Racing Team or N.A.R.T.
It will be a conventional sale with in-person viewing scheduled for the next few days and then a live auction starting on 2 pm local time on Saturday afternoon.