Buy What You Love, Pay What You Should
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A Tale of Two Acuras
2000 Acura Integra Type R Lot 64507, s/n JH4DC2316YS005100. 7k miles. “1.8-liter B18C5 inline 4, 5-speed manual transaxle, limited-slip differential, Phoenix Yellow paint, black cloth & suede upholstery, 15-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, rear wiper, air conditioning, CD stereo.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $117,112. Bring a Trailer, 1/29/22. If you were to tell me 10…
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The Market Ate My Sporto
“Dad, it’s like a U-shape. ‘Start’ is to the far left, then you move the wand across the steering column to get to the other gears.” That’s how my 14-year-old son Bradley explained the arcane and obtuse shifting pattern of the Citromatic transmission in our 1971 Citroën DS21 Pallas. When I told this story to…
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Sticky Goldfingers
The Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery in “Goldfinger” — modified with weaponry suitable for use by James Bond — is thought by many to be the most famous car in the world. It has also been one of the most amazing automotive mysteries of all time. The Bond DB5 was last owned by…
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What Makes an Automobile Collectible?
“That’s a really valuable collector automobile.” Or, “This car will be a very important addition to a collection.” What do we really mean when we make such judgments? Whenever we go to shows, auctions, tours, and races, we hear these remarks. But have you ever wondered what goes into making a car important or valuable,…
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Depreciation, Italian Style
When Maserati returned to America in 2002, the company ended an 11-year absence from our market. A lot happened in those years, most notably an ownership transfer from Fiat to Ferrari. That change has been crucial to Maserati ever since. For one thing, it gave Maserati a ready-made dealership and service network. The Trident brand…
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1959 Austin-Healey “Bugeye” Sprite Mk I Racer
Having forged strong links with BMC in the process of developing the successful Austin-Healey 100, Donald Healey turned his attention to designing a smaller version intended to make sports-car motoring affordable to a wider sector of the market. Although its powertrain and running gear were entirely conventional and were thoroughly tried and tested, Healey’s new…
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2004 Porsche Carrera GT
This 2004 Porsche Carrera GT with 1,547 actual miles is one of 1,270 examples built, powered by a liquid-cooled mid-mounted 5.7-liter quad-cam V10 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential. The carbon-fiber body panels on this example are finished in GT Silver Metallic with matching removable roof panels. Aerodynamic elements include…
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1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing
The Alloy Gullwing’s extremely limited availability and special competition-bred configuration is equaled by its historical significance within the pantheon of post-war sports-car designs. The chance to acquire such a storied car is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most, and this important offering will surely engage all the world’s preeminent collectors who have yet to experience this…
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2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
Developed with the help of Ferrari’s legendary Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and first shown to the public at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 430 Scuderia succeeded the Challenge Stradale as the road-going variant of the F430 Challenge race car. Improvements over the standard F430 coupe were instantly apparent, both upon first inspection and…
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1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider
Introduced in 1958, the 102 Series 2000 succeeded the celebrated 1900 in Alfa Romeo’s model line. The 2000 was available in three body styles, including the short-wheelbase Spider, and it was powered by the manufacturer’s highly developed 2-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. The Spider coachwork, built by Touring of Milan, was characterized by lavish details such…