RM Sothebys to auction super-rare McLaren F1 for US$21M

The McLaren F1 is a special piece of machinery. For starters, the British supercar manufacturer only ever made 106 of them, 64 of which were given the gift of being legally allowed to drive on public roads. This example, chassis 018, which is set to soon cross the RM Sotheby’s auction block, is even more special. It’s one of two to have been called back to the factory following the F1’s win at Le Mans in 1995 and fitted with a GTR racing engine and High-Downforce Kit (HDK).The 1994 McLaren F1 LM-Specification’s V12 has been stripped of its restrictors, allowing it to push out another 53 horses to bring the total output up to 680 horsepower. That HDK kit shines through on the front end’s “revised nose” with new front fender vents and the large, fixed rear wing. But the owner who had it converted to LM Spec back in 2000 didn’t stop there. He also commissioned McLaren to add a transmission cooler, two radiators, an upgraded exhaust system, better AC, a radio, larger wheels, new headlamps and a different steering wheel. Then he had it painted platinum silver metallic and had the interior re-trimmed with cream, beige and brown leather. “Offering all the performance of the outrageously powerful and hyper-rare F1 LM at a fraction of the investment, F1/018 is an extremely desirable example. It is quite simply la crème de la crème, the best imaginable iteration of an already-perfect machine,” reads the RM Sotheby’s catalog. “The awe-inspiring McLaren would make a crowning addition to any collection, offering a distinctive and top-shelf example of the celebrated F1 so legendary among all motoring enthusiasts, from gawking fans to the most distinguished of collectors.”This ultra-rare McLaren F1 will find its new owner at an expected price between US$21 million and US$23 million at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Car Week event from August 15 to
Origin: RM Sothebys to auction super-rare McLaren F1 for US$21M

News Roundup: A US$4-mil ‘67 Corvette heads to auction, a gender reveal burnout ends in flames and more top stories

Welcome to our weekly round-up of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam.Here’s what you missed while you were away.What might be the most expensive Corvette ever is going up for saleWhen it comes to Corvettes, none is more coveted than the L88. So when this, the first 1967 Corvette L88 to ever be produced according to Hagerty, goes up for sale at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, it’s expected to break sales records. The rare V8-powered car comes with a pedigree including a few SCCA race wins with Tony DeLorenzo behind the wheel, and is expected to fetch upwards of US$4 million at the classic car auction. Rear-end photos of the next-gen Corvette leak days before official revealIt’s mere days before GM is set to officially reveal the new Chevrolet Corvette, but just like a spoiled 9-year-old one day before his birthday party, we just can’t help sneaking a peek through the wrapping paper. An image posted on corvetteforum.com and reposted to Instagram appears to show the back side of the mid-engined Chevy, revealing tail lights that remind some of the Camaro. Take a look-see if you’re into spoilers, or hold off just a few more days until July 18.Hyundai says the Santa Cruz-inspired pickup truck is coming very soonHyundai is hoping to generate a “whole new class of buyers” with its first pickup truck, which it says should be on the way shortly. Details and specs haven’t been revealed just yet, so we’re still imagining something close to the five-seat crossover-style Santa Cruz concept truck Hyundai revealed over four years ago. The South Korean brand will likely build the trucks in the U.S. to avoid the 25-per-cent tariff on imports. We get behind the wheel of the 2020 Toyota GR Supra for the first timeIt’s been 21 years since the last Supra was produced, so when Toyota decided to bring it back for a 2020 model year, it only made sense to make it the brand’s sportiest production car ever. And the sportiest Toyota it is. Our experts can confirm it, having recently taken the car out for a first drive on Quebec’s Circuit Mont Tremblant. Sharing a platform with the BMW Z4, the Supra isn’t just a Bimmer dressed by Toyota. As Costa Mouzouris puts it, “the Supra looks and feels completely different, and returns a driving experience that is more visceral and more intense.”Gender reveal burnout goes wrong—congratulations, it’s an explosion!And just like that, with the ignition and explosion of an Australian muscle car, we’ve reached Peak Gender Reveal. Because instead of opting to cut into a blue or pink cake cloaked in white icing, or open a box full of pink or blue balloons, one Australian dad decided to announce the sex of his new child using the spinning rear tires of a V8 Holden Special Vehicles Senator. But before the blue smoke had stopped swirling, a fire broke out, resulting in an explosion and the destruction of the Australian muscle car. Nobody was hurt, but the driver was fined and the video of the incident is now being used as an educational tool by Australian police. Five reasons we can’t wait to drive the 2020 Shelby GT500People deal with excitement in various ways. Driving’s expert Alex Reid, for one, makes lists. This week, with the anticipation of the new 2020 Shelby GT500 becoming simply too much to bear, the auto journalist began documenting and organizing the reasons he’s excited to drive Ford’s new pony. First, at the heart of the matter is what the brand calls “the world’s most torque-dense V8,” making 760 horsepower and 625 lb.-ft. of torque. And then there’s the history, which dates back to Texas in 1965. Read the rest of the list to further benefit from our writer’s fastidious nervous twitch. GM recalls 500,000 trucks due to “hard” brakes and defrosters that could start firesA probe into faulty power braking systems in some GM trucks and SUVS has escalated into a full-blown recall of around 300,000 new GM trucks and SUVs across Canada. The fault lies in a deteriorating vacuum that assists the power brakes, which can lead to a hard brake pedal and less effective braking. A second recall is targeting nearly 160,000 trucks with potentially glitchy rear window defrosters that could overheat and possibly start a fire. Click the link above to see if you’re GM truck or SUV might be affected.
Origin: News Roundup: A US$4-mil ‘67 Corvette heads to auction, a gender reveal burnout ends in flames and more top stories

Koenigsegg complains Bonhams auction house undervalues One:1 up for sale

Koenigsegg believes that an upcoming auction hosted by Bonhams has undervalued one of its rarest and fastest hypercar offerings, a One:1.The car was owned by Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Nguema Mbasogos son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, and is one of 11 highly valued supercars seized from him during a raid in Geneva.According to Motoring Research, Bonhams estimates the One:1 will sell for between US$1.8 million and US$2.3 million, but thats a heck of a lot cheaper than the US$2.8 million it sold for originally.Koenigsegg doesnt stand to make any money from the private sale of the supercar, but in a statement to Bonhams, questions why the value was so low, given the rarity of the vehicle.In an effort to provide Bonhams all the opportunities to do the right thing, we sent them a draft of this text in advance so they can correct their estimate, the statement read. They did revise their estimate slightly to a figure that is still not even close to proven market value and substantially lower than our firm offers.We at Koenigsegg are not willing to stand by on the sidelines and observe this wrongful and harming behavior without reacting The question is, why should bidders, who trust Bonhamss judgment, not be given a fair chance to jump on the opportunity, instead of stopping their bids short, based on information Bonhams knows is incorrect? There are only six examples of the One:1 in the world, so we understand why the Swedish brand is upset Bonhams would set such a low estimate for it, which serves to limit the value in the minds of the buyer.All proceeds from the sale will go to benefit Equatorial Guinea, which Mbasogo ruled for over 32 years while infamously enriching himself and keeping the country in
Origin: Koenigsegg complains Bonhams auction house undervalues One:1 up for sale

Ontario classic car collection auction full of trucks and Studebakers

A 1937 Studebaker Coupe Express from the Rier Collection.Supplied / Sheldon Rier A Cambridge, Ontario-based collection of classic cars and trucks is being trimmed down via a massive auction July 6 numbering some 150 lots, most of them of rare cars, trucks and motorcycles dating back to 1927.Sheldon Rier and his father John have been acquiring obscure classic cars for many years, with one of their focuses on Studebaker models and trucks.Dad had a 1936 Studebaker back in the mid-70s, and all these years later we have this flock of them, says the younger Rier about the collection.The sheer size of it is getting to be a lot for the pair to store and maintain, so the plan is to shed the bulk of the cars via this sale.Its a pretty big change for us but its a good time for others to be caretakers of some of these cars that we have had so much fun with, Sheldon Rier said. Highlights from the sale include a concours-shown 1937 Studebaker Dictator Business Coupe; a 1927 Ford Model T pickup; a 1932 Auburn Brougham; a 1941 Willys pickup; and dozens of cars and trucks in project condition.Aside from the classic cars up for sale, the auction will see some of the Riers motorcycles, automobilia, and old literature, brochure and parts trade hands, too.The auction preview is July 5, with the actual auction going down the next day; bidding can be done in person, online or by
Origin: Ontario classic car collection auction full of trucks and Studebakers

RM Sotheby’s will auction off this family of pristine, rare Ferraris

Ontario-based classic car auction company RM Sotheby’s is famed for attracting rare and expensive vehicles to its events. But this recent addition to the docket for the firm’s upcoming event in Monterey, California is incredible even by its standards. The Ming Collection is a group of seven rare and immaculately kept Ferraris, any one of which would be worthy of a headline in and of itself. Especially the Collection’s crown jewel, a 2006 Ferrari FXX, one that’s so low-mile it’s “essentially still ‘in the wrapper’.” The track-only 800-horsepower prototype FXX Enzo finished in Rosso Scuderia with white stripes, for example, was only ever driven once when it was delivered to its first and only owner, and still comes with the original factory support equipment and an unused race suit and helmet. The price of the FXX alone is an estimated US$2,850,000 to US$3,250,000. The collection also includes a 1991 Ferrari F40, a 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi, a 1985 Ferrari 308 GTSi, a custom-ordered 2007 Ferrari F430 Spider F1, a 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider and a 1997 Ferrari 355 Spider. None has travelled more than 2,500 miles (4,023 km). The quality and originality of the Ming Collection is absolutely incredible, Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions at RM Sothebys, said in a press release. Every single car in the group is nearly better than new and the meticulous level of care that has gone into maintaining these cars is outstanding.Ferrari FXX models rarely come up for auction, and it is an especially rare opportunity to find one that has never been raced yet has been so well cared for. Add the lineup of additional low-mileage supercars finished in gorgeous, rarely-seen colors and our Monterey sale is like a toy store for enthusiasts of modern performance.The team of Prancing Horses will be auctioned off at the RM Sothebys event in California, taking place from August 15 through 17 at the Monterey Conference
Origin: RM Sotheby’s will auction off this family of pristine, rare Ferraris

The Aston Martin DB5 used to promote Thunderball is up for auction

The Aston Martin DB5 is no doubt one of the most iconic film vehicles ever, but within the DB5 umbrella, there are many vehicles that can claim to be the DB5. This one is arguably the most movie-accurate, although not actually used on the screen — instead, it was used for promotional purposes. This DB5 is one of two originally used to promote Thunderball, and is equipped with every gadget featured in that film, as well as the ones showcased in Goldfinger: The smokescreen, oil slicks, bulletproof window shield, battering rams, and turn-signal mounted machine guns are all present. The ejector seat, though, isn’t functional — although the roof panel can be removed. The weapon drawer and tracking screen are also included; the only thing missing is the jetpack in the trunk. For the films, multiple vehicles were used to demonstrate the gadgets. But for these promotional vehicles, all the gadgets were made to work reliably to show at premieres. The car was previously sold for US$2,090,000 but it received a complete restoration in 2012, so it should fetch a much higher number now. The car will go to auction at RM Sotheby’s Monterey event in August, where it will no doubt bring a hefty price. Continuation cars go for about US$3.6 million, so it will be interesting to see how much this DB5
Origin: The Aston Martin DB5 used to promote Thunderball is up for auction

Man found in trunk of car heading to auction

A close-up of a classic Buick at an auction.Getty Images Police say a man was found in the trunk of a car that arrived to be sold at a Pennsylvania auto auction. Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Chief David Steffen said the man is being treated at a hospital and is expected to be released. He isn’t identifying the man or the nature of the treatment or his injuries. Workers who were inspecting the vehicle found the man Thursday at the massive Manheim Auto Auction facility, about 130 kilometres west of Philadelphia. Steffen said that “somehow this guy got in the trunk of this car.” His agency is investigating. A woman answering phones at the auction business referred questions to
Origin: Man found in trunk of car heading to auction

Rolls-Royce to auction one-off 115th anniversary 2020 Phantom

Rolls-Royce is marking its 115th anniversary with a one-off 2020 Phantom to be auctioned off online by Canadian firm RM Sotheby’s later this year. R-R and RM Sotheby’s announced the special build during a five-course dinner and anniversary celebration held at RM Sotheby’s recently revamped NYC gallery. Fittingly high-brow. You can’t really see what you probably can’t afford yet, though, as all Rolls-Royce has given us is the above artist’s drawing. The colour is probably close, as it did disclose the bespoke car will be red. The interior will play home to “an original hand-crafted leather work of art” of some sort, and there’ll be multiple anniversary markings like numbered door sills, plaques and perhaps some limited-ed badges on the exterior. Rolls-Royce’s 115th birthday was actually May 4. On that date in 1904, Henry Royce and Charles Rolls got together at a hotel in Manchester and formed the company that would bring us cars like the Corniche, the Ghost, the Wraith and of course the Phantom. “While Roll-Royce motor cars have a history of crossing the block at RM Sotheby’s, tonight we are looking to the future of the brand,” said Martin Fritsches, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas, at the NYC event. “The eighth-generation Phantom will carry the longest running name in luxury motoring into a new era. Built on the ‘architecture of luxury,’ this new Phantom commission offers one special owner the chance to enjoy a motor car that is bound to be a classic over the next 115 years.” As to how much would such a classic cost, there’s been no official word. The base Phantom comes in at over half a million dollars, and that’s before the options. A bespoke anniversary edition Phantom like this has the potential to be the feather in the cap of some immensely wealthy individual’s collection. It will not go cheap. The one-off 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom will go up on the auction block at Sothebys.com this
Origin: Rolls-Royce to auction one-off 115th anniversary 2020 Phantom

Four rare — and original — Shelby Cobras heading to auction next month

1967 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C RoadsterHandout / Mecum Mecum will auction off four rare (and original) Shelby Cobras next month from the estate of late car collector Steven Juliano. Per MotorAuthority, the snakes up for auction will be a 1967 427 S/C Roadster and a 1966 427 Roadster, plus a 1965 289 Dragonsnake and a 1964 289 Roadster. The ’67 S/C ticks all of the boxes of what you’d expect the classic Cobra to be, fitted with the outrageous 427 cubic-inch Ford V8. Side pipes, hood scoop, roll hoop, and wide hips are all present. On top of that, it’s an S/C model, short for Semi-Competition. Only 31 of these vehicles were converted from race cars into street spec, making them an extremely rare beast — especially this one, with only 10,760 miles on the clock. The second car is a 1966 model-year Cobra. It’s also fitted with a 427, but lacking the side pipes, hood scoop, and roll hoop — all of which makes it almost rarer and more unique than the S/C. It traded hands in the U.S. a few times before heading to Japan in 1987, where it was kept in perfect shape until 2010, when Juliano acquired it. The oldest Cobra here is a 1964 Factory Stage III outfitted with a 289 cubic-inch V8. This race-spec snake is the only one in the world built for street use, and was originally finished in Princess Blue before the first owner sent it back to the factory to be repainted in Ford Rangoon Red. It is considered to be one of the most highly optioned Cobras of its day. The last Cobra is a real doozy, a 1965 Dragonsnake, originally built by Shelby for drag racing and one of only six to have that distinction. It was specially ordered in yellow by brothers Don and Mike Reimer to match their Thunderbird tow vehicle. This one is also a Factory Stage 3 car. Each Cobra is estimated to sell around the US$2 million mark. The auction will take place between May 14 and 19 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Take Our
Origin: Four rare — and original — Shelby Cobras heading to auction next month

Hemmings launching online auction site to rival Bring A Trailer

Change is coming to the online car sales scene. First, Craigslist recently began charging for car ads placed on its popular online sales platform. It’s not drastic, but hey, five bucks is five bucks. And now – in a move that’s really only good news for buyers, unlike the Craigslist tax that may be just enough to deter some users – Hemmings Motor News has announced its plans to put forward an online auction platform, offering its rare and collectible vehicles for sale to anyone with an Internet connection (and a bunch of disposable income). “The name that invented the collector car category is now the last word in online collector car auctions,” the Tweet reads. That’s quite the proclamation, but Hemmings does have the credentials to back it up. The Pursuit Is On!We’re designing a whole new online auction!The name that invented the collector car category is now the last word in online collector car auctions.Sign up today to receive the latest insider info as we launch:https://t.co/jAkSrWCDqY pic.twitter.com/QRsAqRxihS Hemmings Motor News (@HemmingsNews) April 10, 2019 Famous for its classic car coverage, Hemmings Motor News is the largest and oldest publication of its type in the U.S., according to Wikipedia, and Hemmings itself claims to be “The World’s Largest Collector Car Marketplace.” Soon, buyers won’t have to drive down to Kokomo, Indiana, to get that Shelby GT 500; they’ll simply be able to sign in and register their bids online. The publication has its sights set on one rival in particular, Bring A Trailer, which holds popular online auctions for often rare and special vehicles and has all but dominated the online auction space in North America. There’s sure to be some competition between the two factions, but the Internet is a big place and there’s likely room for both, especially considering the difference in brand feel—one is time-tested with a storied name, the other is an upstart with a joke in its name. Hemmings hasn’t said when the site will go live, but you can sign up to be kept in the loop at the placeholder site here.
Origin: Hemmings launching online auction site to rival Bring A Trailer