In the September issue of SCM, I predicted that sales in Monterey would total $331 million. As the dust continues to settle, it appears I was within a few million dollars — close enough.
The current sales total, roughly $330 million, represents a slight decline from the $343m sold in 2016. However, with the addition of a few post-block sales, 2017 will be essentially on par with 2016.
The mood at all of the auctions was thoughtful. Read More
I’m a racer, but I’m not a historic — or vintage — racer. My observations are definitely unscientific, but it does appear to me that historic racing has grown more crash-prone than before.
It seems that historic racers have grown more competitive, take more risks, and suffer greater damage to their and others’ cars than before.
We all know that European historic racers have always raced hard — with less regard for bringing straight sheet metal home. They have seemed Read More
The old saying of “Can’t see the forest for the trees” also applies to good deals at the Monterey Car Week auctions.
Despite auction houses working to get high-end cars for record-setting sales prices, there are inevitably a few consignments that don’t fare as well as hoped.
Throw in car consignments that are staged to fill in less-desirable time slots — or to lead or follow heavily hyped vehicles — and a screaming deal will appear once in a while.
The Porsche 917 K was the direct result of years of intense research. Although it employed the most modern concepts in automotive design, the new car was absolutely in keeping with Porsche tradition. The foundation of the new model was an incredibly lightweight aluminum space-frame chassis. Similarly, the suspension systems made extensive use of lightweight materials such as titanium and magnesium.
Glued to this frame was a striking, streamlined body made from thin fiberglass. Covered in NACA ducts and suspension-controlled Read More
The car was purchased new by the consignor in July 1996. He then embarked on a European road trip covering about half of the 9,600 miles on the car’s odometer. From the factory, 044 was shipped to New York, where it was converted Read More
For 1967, Porsche introduced an open-topped variant of the 911.
Named for the company’s successive wins in the famous Sicilian road race, the Targa incorporated a stainless-steel roll bar, removable roof panel and fold-away plastic rear window for an open-air experience. Many buyers opted for the conventional glass rear window offered shortly thereafter, making the soft-window version one of the rarest models of that period.
This car is one of only 268 believed made for the United States in 1968.
Coming from the finest of all Aston Martin collections, owned by a fastidious perfectionist, DBR1/1 is not only the best presented of the five DBR1s produced, it is also without question the most correct, down to the smallest of details, inside and out.
With its impeccable provenance and enviable racing record, during which this Aston Martin was driven by some of the greatest names in motor racing, DBR1/1, the first of the line and an integral team player to the Read More
The last of four Abarth 205 competition chassis to be constructed, the car offered here is the only example to use an engine and transmission developed from the new Fiat 1100-103, as well as the only example bodied by Ghia. Believed to have been designed by Giovanni Michelotti, it was constructed concurrently with the Ghia-bodied Chryslers of the same period. The Abarth echoed the Chryslers’ broad oval grille opening, wide low stance and canopy-like roof element — but with a Read More
Evolving from one of Ferrari’s earliest 4-cylinder engines, Ferrari’s straight-six project eventually led to the potent 121 LM.
The rather hefty displacement of 4,412 cc provided much more horsepower and torque than its predecessors. Fitted with three side-draft Weber carburetors, the engine produced a hearty 360 bhp. These were not numbers to scoff at, as this engine was over a liter larger in displacement and produced over 100 more horsepower than a Jaguar D-type.
According to noted Ferrari historian Marcel Read More
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