British Cars 2nd page
not including Jaguar
See also : Cars Cars II British cars Old cars Post war cars Post war cars II Cars 1960s Cars 1960s II Supercars
Chronology : 1912 1928 1929 1931 1956 1959
See also : Cars Cars II British cars Old cars Post war cars Post war cars II Cars 1960s Cars 1960s II Supercars
Chronology : 1912 1928 1929 1931 1956 1959
1912 Perfect Limousines by Rolls-Royce
2012 SOLD 4.7 M£ including premium
Henry Royce's ambition was to realize the perfect car. The brand he founded in 1904 in association with Rolls introduced in 1906 the model 40/50hp which reached this ambitious goal and was later known as the Silver Ghost. The clientele was immediately targeted: the kings and the rich.
This huge vehicle of nearly 5 meters long was reliable, comfortable, fast, and as silent as a ghost. It generated a trend to oversizing which inspired several other manufacturers just before the First World War.
The example for sale on June 29 by Bonhams at Goodwood was manufactured in 1912. Its coachwork by Barker with a very high roof is of Double Pullman Limousine type, a name that proves by itself that the high-end cars considered as an advantage to look like railway wagons!
This limousine had an exciting history in the popular imaging : it was chosen half a century later by Corgi as the model for a toy, showing to children the extravagant beauty of the Rolls-Roycecars of ancient time.
The estimate is not published in the catalog, but the press release of February indicated £ 2M. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENTS
Bonhams had clearly demonstrated that this Rolls is exceptional. It was sold £ 4.7 million including premium.
This result must be compared with the £ 3.5 million including premium obtained by Bonhams on 3 December 2007 for a Rolls-Royce 10hp manufactured in 1904 which is the oldest surviving car of the brand, a price that was considered exceptional at that time.
The conversion of the two results in U.S. $ gives very similar figures, taking into account the evolution of the exchange rates.
This huge vehicle of nearly 5 meters long was reliable, comfortable, fast, and as silent as a ghost. It generated a trend to oversizing which inspired several other manufacturers just before the First World War.
The example for sale on June 29 by Bonhams at Goodwood was manufactured in 1912. Its coachwork by Barker with a very high roof is of Double Pullman Limousine type, a name that proves by itself that the high-end cars considered as an advantage to look like railway wagons!
This limousine had an exciting history in the popular imaging : it was chosen half a century later by Corgi as the model for a toy, showing to children the extravagant beauty of the Rolls-Roycecars of ancient time.
The estimate is not published in the catalog, but the press release of February indicated £ 2M. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENTS
Bonhams had clearly demonstrated that this Rolls is exceptional. It was sold £ 4.7 million including premium.
This result must be compared with the £ 3.5 million including premium obtained by Bonhams on 3 December 2007 for a Rolls-Royce 10hp manufactured in 1904 which is the oldest surviving car of the brand, a price that was considered exceptional at that time.
The conversion of the two results in U.S. $ gives very similar figures, taking into account the evolution of the exchange rates.
1928 Bentley at Le Mans
2012 SOLD for $ 6M including premium by Gooding
2017 UNSOLD
PRE 2017 SALE DISCUSSION
At the first edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923, Bentley achieved a satisfactory result with the 4th place of a 3-liter model. A car of that model wins this competition in 1927. The British brand develops the 6 1/2 liters in 1926. Problems of reliability of the 6 1/2 lead to finding a satisfactory compromise in 1927 with the 4 1/2 liters.
In 1928 Bentley prepares three 4 1/2 coachworked by Vanden Plas in Le Mans configuration for its factory team. The shortened shape of its engine cowling is one of the modifications necessary to meet the rules of the competition and brings to this rare variant the nickname of Bobtail. Impressive in its speed, the Bobtail # 2 leads the race for several hours before being forced to abandon by overheating.
The development continues with the Speed Six, direct successor to the 6 1/2 liter, and with the supercharged version of the 4 1/2 designated as the Bentley Blower which becomes a formidable competitor to the Mercedes-Benz which were using a similar improvement of the engine.
The 1929 edition of Le Mans is a triumph for Bentley. The competition is won by a Speed Six followed by three 4 1/2. The Bobtail # 2 of the previous year, renumbered # 10, is in the third place.
This car which is still being presented with its # 10 was sold for $ 6M including premium by Gooding in August 2012. It is estimated $ 6.5M for sale by RM Sotheby's at Amelia Island on March 11, lot 266.
Its image is shared By Sémhur (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons :
At the first edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923, Bentley achieved a satisfactory result with the 4th place of a 3-liter model. A car of that model wins this competition in 1927. The British brand develops the 6 1/2 liters in 1926. Problems of reliability of the 6 1/2 lead to finding a satisfactory compromise in 1927 with the 4 1/2 liters.
In 1928 Bentley prepares three 4 1/2 coachworked by Vanden Plas in Le Mans configuration for its factory team. The shortened shape of its engine cowling is one of the modifications necessary to meet the rules of the competition and brings to this rare variant the nickname of Bobtail. Impressive in its speed, the Bobtail # 2 leads the race for several hours before being forced to abandon by overheating.
The development continues with the Speed Six, direct successor to the 6 1/2 liter, and with the supercharged version of the 4 1/2 designated as the Bentley Blower which becomes a formidable competitor to the Mercedes-Benz which were using a similar improvement of the engine.
The 1929 edition of Le Mans is a triumph for Bentley. The competition is won by a Speed Six followed by three 4 1/2. The Bobtail # 2 of the previous year, renumbered # 10, is in the third place.
This car which is still being presented with its # 10 was sold for $ 6M including premium by Gooding in August 2012. It is estimated $ 6.5M for sale by RM Sotheby's at Amelia Island on March 11, lot 266.
Its image is shared By Sémhur (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons :
1929 The Bentley Boys
2012 SOLD 5 M£ including premium
So British! In 1925, a driver named "Babe" Barnato became the principal investor of Bentley. He promoted the design of cars capable of winning endurance races, and founded a scuderia of champions symbolizing the daring of British sportsmen, the Bentley Boys.
The Blower Bentley 4.5 litre equipped with a supercharged engine is a technical success. This heavy single-seater with a very long chassis is fast, strong and spectacular. Its main competitors, the Bugattis, were frail and light compared to this new monster of the circuits.
Made in 1929, a prestigious example is for sale by Bonhams at Goodwood on June 29. In 1931, this car broke the lap speed record of Brooklands at 215 km/h (134 mph, as they say at Brooklands). The car was then driven by the most charismatic of the Bentley Boys, proudly wearing a military mustache, "Tiger Tim" Birkin.
I invite you to play the video shared by Bonhams, which includes extracts from silent films to remind the extraordinary speed, at that time, of this remarkable car.
POST SALE COMMENT
Announced since over six months, this racing car from another era was eagerly awaited. It was sold £ 5M including premium.
The Blower Bentley 4.5 litre equipped with a supercharged engine is a technical success. This heavy single-seater with a very long chassis is fast, strong and spectacular. Its main competitors, the Bugattis, were frail and light compared to this new monster of the circuits.
Made in 1929, a prestigious example is for sale by Bonhams at Goodwood on June 29. In 1931, this car broke the lap speed record of Brooklands at 215 km/h (134 mph, as they say at Brooklands). The car was then driven by the most charismatic of the Bentley Boys, proudly wearing a military mustache, "Tiger Tim" Birkin.
I invite you to play the video shared by Bonhams, which includes extracts from silent films to remind the extraordinary speed, at that time, of this remarkable car.
POST SALE COMMENT
Announced since over six months, this racing car from another era was eagerly awaited. It was sold £ 5M including premium.
1931 Bentley was too fast
2013 SOLD 4.6 M$ including premium
A new era began in 1926 for Bentley Motors when Barnato acquired the financial control of that British brand of luxury cars created in 1919.
For sport and specially to win at Le Mans, two concepts were clashing. The founder W.O. Bentley is in favor of huge engines like his 6 1/2 liter model to get more power by an extension of the mechanical movements.
Pushed by the flamboyant team of the Bentley Boys, Barnato prefers overloading the engine of the 4 1/2 liter model. So starts the Blower Bentley in 1929. Unfortunately the new car, capable of outstanding speed performance, is not yet reliable enough to win endurance races.
A Blower Bentley manufactured in 1931 is estimated $ 4M, for sale by Bonhams at Quail Lodge (Carmel) on August 16. Here is the link to the catalog.
Its outstanding feature is its original Le Mans-type chassis, consistent with the rules of the time for this endurance race. Its original bodywork had been made by Vanden Plas also in a Le Mans configuration. It was replaced in 1938, probably due to wear, with a nice Brooklands-type racing body with which it is still equipped today.
Bentley was too fast. The Blower had not won at Le Mans against the other models of the brand. The Blower Bentley for sale was one of the last to carry the hopes of this model that the crisis was to wipe out: in 1931, Bentley was bought by Rolls-Royce.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is consistent with the expectation for this interesting Bentley: $ 4.6M including premium.
For sport and specially to win at Le Mans, two concepts were clashing. The founder W.O. Bentley is in favor of huge engines like his 6 1/2 liter model to get more power by an extension of the mechanical movements.
Pushed by the flamboyant team of the Bentley Boys, Barnato prefers overloading the engine of the 4 1/2 liter model. So starts the Blower Bentley in 1929. Unfortunately the new car, capable of outstanding speed performance, is not yet reliable enough to win endurance races.
A Blower Bentley manufactured in 1931 is estimated $ 4M, for sale by Bonhams at Quail Lodge (Carmel) on August 16. Here is the link to the catalog.
Its outstanding feature is its original Le Mans-type chassis, consistent with the rules of the time for this endurance race. Its original bodywork had been made by Vanden Plas also in a Le Mans configuration. It was replaced in 1938, probably due to wear, with a nice Brooklands-type racing body with which it is still equipped today.
Bentley was too fast. The Blower had not won at Le Mans against the other models of the brand. The Blower Bentley for sale was one of the last to carry the hopes of this model that the crisis was to wipe out: in 1931, Bentley was bought by Rolls-Royce.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is consistent with the expectation for this interesting Bentley: $ 4.6M including premium.
1931 The Ideal Bentley according to Barnato
2007 SOLD 4.5 M$ including premium by Gooding
2012 UNSOLD
PRE 2012 SALE DISCUSSION
Barnato was the chairman of Bentley and the sponsor of the Bentley Boys. His high-end model was the Bentley 4.5 liter Blower.
Within eight decades, most cars have been repaired and transformed. One of them however, bodied in boat-tail shape in 1931 by Gurney Nutting, has been preserved in its original state and is considered as the closest copy of what Barnato was wishing. It has even kept its original fabric covering, probably somehow worn.
This car is known by the friendly nickname Green Hornet which was given to it by one of its former owners. It was sold $ 4.5 million including premium by Gooding on August 19, 2007.
It comes back at auction on August 19 in Monterey, also by Gooding. Here is the link to the catalog.
Its estimate, $ 8M, may seem ambitious. However, it is in the same range as the excellent result obtained by Bonhams on June 29 on a single-seater racing car built on the same chassis model: £ 5M including premium.
Some observers used to say that racing cars are more appreciated than other units. In today's market of vintage cars, I am tempted to doubt this assertion. The sale of the Green Hornet is a good opportunity to check the trend.
POST 2012 SALE COMMENT
Unsold. I am not surprised: the expected gain above the 2007 result was exaggerated.
The day before by the same auction house, a very rare 1928 Bentley in Bobtail shape was sold $ 6M including premium.
Barnato was the chairman of Bentley and the sponsor of the Bentley Boys. His high-end model was the Bentley 4.5 liter Blower.
Within eight decades, most cars have been repaired and transformed. One of them however, bodied in boat-tail shape in 1931 by Gurney Nutting, has been preserved in its original state and is considered as the closest copy of what Barnato was wishing. It has even kept its original fabric covering, probably somehow worn.
This car is known by the friendly nickname Green Hornet which was given to it by one of its former owners. It was sold $ 4.5 million including premium by Gooding on August 19, 2007.
It comes back at auction on August 19 in Monterey, also by Gooding. Here is the link to the catalog.
Its estimate, $ 8M, may seem ambitious. However, it is in the same range as the excellent result obtained by Bonhams on June 29 on a single-seater racing car built on the same chassis model: £ 5M including premium.
Some observers used to say that racing cars are more appreciated than other units. In today's market of vintage cars, I am tempted to doubt this assertion. The sale of the Green Hornet is a good opportunity to check the trend.
POST 2012 SALE COMMENT
Unsold. I am not surprised: the expected gain above the 2007 result was exaggerated.
The day before by the same auction house, a very rare 1928 Bentley in Bobtail shape was sold $ 6M including premium.
1956 Aston Martin targets Le Mans
2017 SOLD for $ 22.6M including premium
When David Brown buys Aston Martin and Lagonda in 1947, his ambition is to lead Aston Martin to win at the 24 hours of Le Mans by relying on the innovative achievements of both brands. Twelve years of stubborn efforts will follow.
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 will be sold by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 18, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959. The press release of June 23 expects a price in excess of $ 20M.
Wikipedia and several sources on the web since 2013 indicate that DBR2/1 was sold for £ 9.2M in a private sale.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 will be sold by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 18, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959. The press release of June 23 expects a price in excess of $ 20M.
Wikipedia and several sources on the web since 2013 indicate that DBR2/1 was sold for £ 9.2M in a private sale.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
1959 Everything goes well for Aston Martin
2017 SOLD for $ 6.8M including premium
Everything goes very well for Aston Martin. Unveiled in September 1958 the new grand tourer DB4 will be a success. By winning for the first time at Le Mans in 1959 with the DBR1 the British brand also takes the FIA title of world sports-car champion.
The team manager John Wyer and the chief engineer Ted Cutting are brainstorming. They will cut five inches in a DB4 to produce a cheap and cheerful GT. This shortening to gain some weight is concomitant with the shortening by Ferrari of the chassis 250 GT for improving the handling. The project is accepted by Aston Martin under the acronym DP-199 (DP stands for Design Project).
The prototype DP199/1 is tested at Le Mans in April 1959. Stirling Moss, always keen to drive a new machine, convinces Aston Martin to engage the car on May 2 at Silverstone in a 12-lap race in the GT class. Moss wins the pole position, the race and the lap record without even pushing the engine beyond 5,500 rpm.
The demonstration is impeccable. The prototype remains unique but its technical solutions pave the way for the entire Aston Martin GT line starting with the DB4 GT and the highly efficient DB4 GT Zagato.
In a first phase DP199/1 was fitted alternately with a 3.7-liter engine and a 3-liter engine to meet the regulations of various competitions. It has been restored in a configuration prior to 1961 when it left the factory team to be sold to a private owner. It retains its 3.7-liter engine of that period and has not suffered clumsy enhancements. It never had an accident and its body is remarkably original.
Cutting had met Wyer's expectation. Despite an intensive use DP199/1 is still today light, lively and easy to drive fast, inspiring confidence. It is estimated $ 6M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 18, lot 147.
The team manager John Wyer and the chief engineer Ted Cutting are brainstorming. They will cut five inches in a DB4 to produce a cheap and cheerful GT. This shortening to gain some weight is concomitant with the shortening by Ferrari of the chassis 250 GT for improving the handling. The project is accepted by Aston Martin under the acronym DP-199 (DP stands for Design Project).
The prototype DP199/1 is tested at Le Mans in April 1959. Stirling Moss, always keen to drive a new machine, convinces Aston Martin to engage the car on May 2 at Silverstone in a 12-lap race in the GT class. Moss wins the pole position, the race and the lap record without even pushing the engine beyond 5,500 rpm.
The demonstration is impeccable. The prototype remains unique but its technical solutions pave the way for the entire Aston Martin GT line starting with the DB4 GT and the highly efficient DB4 GT Zagato.
In a first phase DP199/1 was fitted alternately with a 3.7-liter engine and a 3-liter engine to meet the regulations of various competitions. It has been restored in a configuration prior to 1961 when it left the factory team to be sold to a private owner. It retains its 3.7-liter engine of that period and has not suffered clumsy enhancements. It never had an accident and its body is remarkably original.
Cutting had met Wyer's expectation. Despite an intensive use DP199/1 is still today light, lively and easy to drive fast, inspiring confidence. It is estimated $ 6M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 18, lot 147.
1960 Italian Experiences for Aston Martin
2013 SOLD 3.25 M£ including premium
Italy dominates the market of Gran Turismo cars, and brands from the rest of Europe subcontract to the best Italian specialists. Aston Martin is one of the most ambitious.
The DB4 already has a strong Italian inspiration, but it is not enough to conquer the market. In 1960, the British brand is looking for new alliances, and has some DB4 GT coachworked by Zagato and Bertone.
The Zagato will have some success and 20 cars will be made. However the first DB4 GT Bertone coupe will not have a follow. It is believed that the failure of the Bertone project is not due to a competition from Ferrari but to the success of a new British chassis, the E-type by Jaguar.
The unique DB4 GT Bertone passed into private hands, but has been restored and maintained regularly by the workshops of Aston Martin. It is estimated £ 2.8 million, for sale by Bonhams on May 18. Here is the link to the catalog.
This auction is taking place in the Aston Martin facilities in Newport Pagnell and only includes cars from Aston Martin and Lagonda brands.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Bonhams.
POST SALE COMMENT
Great result, £ 3.25 million including premium, for this unique car that also anticipates the transition between the DB4 and DB5 models.
The DB4 already has a strong Italian inspiration, but it is not enough to conquer the market. In 1960, the British brand is looking for new alliances, and has some DB4 GT coachworked by Zagato and Bertone.
The Zagato will have some success and 20 cars will be made. However the first DB4 GT Bertone coupe will not have a follow. It is believed that the failure of the Bertone project is not due to a competition from Ferrari but to the success of a new British chassis, the E-type by Jaguar.
The unique DB4 GT Bertone passed into private hands, but has been restored and maintained regularly by the workshops of Aston Martin. It is estimated £ 2.8 million, for sale by Bonhams on May 18. Here is the link to the catalog.
This auction is taking place in the Aston Martin facilities in Newport Pagnell and only includes cars from Aston Martin and Lagonda brands.
I invite you to watch the video shared by Bonhams.
POST SALE COMMENT
Great result, £ 3.25 million including premium, for this unique car that also anticipates the transition between the DB4 and DB5 models.
1961 Aston Martin for Competizione
2015 SOLD for $ 14.3M including premium
It seemed difficult to compete with Ferrari without using Italian coachbuilders. In 1960, Aston Martin chose Zagato to equip 25 DB4 GT chassis.
The DB4 GT Zagato is a lightweight car in which most of the elements previously in steel have been replaced by aluminum. With its rounded forms specially designed for aerodynamics, it looks like an Italian car without being close to a Ferrari.
Designed for the road with a willingness of compatibility with the competition, it is stripped of all unnecessary equipment and can be directly compared with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione developed by Ferrari in 1959.
The racing success did not meet the expectations of Aston Martin and the release of the Ferrari 250 GTO diverted from the English brand the customers of high-end Italian cars. The production of the DB4 GT Zagato is stopped after the 19th unit. Due to the popularity of cars from this prestigious period, the six remaining Zagato bodies are assembled from 1988 on old DB4 chassis upgraded to DB4 GT specification.
On December 10 in New York, RM Sotheby's sells the 14th Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, completed in December 1961 to prepare for the 1962 season in which it had a significant racing history in Australia. It was restored in 2002 with the collaboration of the Carrozzeria Zagato.
This car is estimated $ 15M, lot 215. I invite you to watch the short video shared by the auction house.
The DB4 GT Zagato is a lightweight car in which most of the elements previously in steel have been replaced by aluminum. With its rounded forms specially designed for aerodynamics, it looks like an Italian car without being close to a Ferrari.
Designed for the road with a willingness of compatibility with the competition, it is stripped of all unnecessary equipment and can be directly compared with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione developed by Ferrari in 1959.
The racing success did not meet the expectations of Aston Martin and the release of the Ferrari 250 GTO diverted from the English brand the customers of high-end Italian cars. The production of the DB4 GT Zagato is stopped after the 19th unit. Due to the popularity of cars from this prestigious period, the six remaining Zagato bodies are assembled from 1988 on old DB4 chassis upgraded to DB4 GT specification.
On December 10 in New York, RM Sotheby's sells the 14th Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, completed in December 1961 to prepare for the 1962 season in which it had a significant racing history in Australia. It was restored in 2002 with the collaboration of the Carrozzeria Zagato.
This car is estimated $ 15M, lot 215. I invite you to watch the short video shared by the auction house.
1995 McLaren F1 in America
2017 SOLD for $ 15.6M including premium
The McLaren F1 is the result of a brainstorming between the leaders of the group in 1988. Their dominance on Formula 1 is total : Senna and Prost won 15 of the 16 official competitions of that season. The new idea is to transfer this know-how to a road legal sports car that will be the fastest, most powerful, most comfortable and most elegant of all time.
Produced from 1993 this monocoque car is effectively a breakthrough in automobile manufacturing practices with innovative materials and new components. An F1 recorded 386 km/h in top speed.
The security rules are not the same in America. The central position of the driver is tolerated but the side seats for the passengers are not allowed. Other differences include bumper height, headlights and cooling system. A company named Ameritech makes the changes necessary for the legalization in a way that can be easily and completely reversible. 7 F1 are processed by them around 1997.
On August 18 at Quail Lodge - Carmel, Bonhams sells as lot 73 an F1 made in 1995 which had been in 1996 the first to be shipped to the United States, transformed by Ameritech and legalized. It was later returned to its original configuration as almost all (or all?) the F1 Ameritech.
It is announced as a dream car, consigned by its first owner with only 15,500 Km from new and an excellent history of services, in its original configuration without any further option. With a population of 64 in its basic version the McLaren F1 is however less rare than the Ferrari 250 GTO. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Produced from 1993 this monocoque car is effectively a breakthrough in automobile manufacturing practices with innovative materials and new components. An F1 recorded 386 km/h in top speed.
The security rules are not the same in America. The central position of the driver is tolerated but the side seats for the passengers are not allowed. Other differences include bumper height, headlights and cooling system. A company named Ameritech makes the changes necessary for the legalization in a way that can be easily and completely reversible. 7 F1 are processed by them around 1997.
On August 18 at Quail Lodge - Carmel, Bonhams sells as lot 73 an F1 made in 1995 which had been in 1996 the first to be shipped to the United States, transformed by Ameritech and legalized. It was later returned to its original configuration as almost all (or all?) the F1 Ameritech.
It is announced as a dream car, consigned by its first owner with only 15,500 Km from new and an excellent history of services, in its original configuration without any further option. With a population of 64 in its basic version the McLaren F1 is however less rare than the Ferrari 250 GTO. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1997 The McLaren Longtail
2014 SOLD 5.3 M$ including premium
The McLaren F1 model was produced in 106 units between 1992 and 1998. Its designer Gordon Murray had a vision of the high end road car.
The F1 had the great merit to start the commercial production of supercars after the dark years overshadowed by the oil crisis. Nearly fifteen years after the end of the series, the F1 was still the fastest model of road cars.
The racing car was a logical development for the F1. The F1 GTR was released in 1995. The F1 road car was far ahead of its time, but on track the competition was rude with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. In 1997, the chassis is changed. The F1 GTR Longtail, produced in ten units, is the ultimate competition model in this series.
The third Longtail is presented for sale by Gooding on 17 and 18 January in Scottsdale. Here is the link to the press release. It is estimated $ 5M.
With its good racing history, it will probably be better received than the last car of the series, unsold in the saleroom by Bonhams on August 17, 2012 with the same estimate but for which a post sale transaction at $ 3.85 million was announced.
Road cars have benefited from the technological advances of the racing cars. A highly rare 1997 road F1 with less than 14,000 miles on the clock was sold for $ 8.5 million including premium by Gooding on 17/18 August 2013.
POST SALE COMMENT
Very good result for the McLaren : $ 5.3M including premium.
The F1 had the great merit to start the commercial production of supercars after the dark years overshadowed by the oil crisis. Nearly fifteen years after the end of the series, the F1 was still the fastest model of road cars.
The racing car was a logical development for the F1. The F1 GTR was released in 1995. The F1 road car was far ahead of its time, but on track the competition was rude with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. In 1997, the chassis is changed. The F1 GTR Longtail, produced in ten units, is the ultimate competition model in this series.
The third Longtail is presented for sale by Gooding on 17 and 18 January in Scottsdale. Here is the link to the press release. It is estimated $ 5M.
With its good racing history, it will probably be better received than the last car of the series, unsold in the saleroom by Bonhams on August 17, 2012 with the same estimate but for which a post sale transaction at $ 3.85 million was announced.
Road cars have benefited from the technological advances of the racing cars. A highly rare 1997 road F1 with less than 14,000 miles on the clock was sold for $ 8.5 million including premium by Gooding on 17/18 August 2013.
POST SALE COMMENT
Very good result for the McLaren : $ 5.3M including premium.
1998 A McLaren F1 signed by Murray
2015 SOLD for $ 13.8M including premium
The McLaren F1 is the most prestigious production supercar of the 1990s. The project developed by Gordon Murray was to offer the most powerful model that still remained legal for the road. There are however some variations among the 106 vehicles produced from 1992 to 1998.
The F1 GTR is the version for the race. The F1 GT was created to demonstrate to the boards regulating the competitions that the concepts of GTR were consistent with the features of a grand tourer. It was not proposed in the commercial catalog but after the completion of the prototype two F1 chassis were upgraded to F1 GT on special orders from private clients.
The F1 LM is a lighter version of the F1 GTR. Intended for wealthy private clients, it was built in 1995 as one prototype and five units. It could reach 385 km/h through a modification of the engine that disqualified it against the competition regulations.
In 1998 the F1 series is going to its close out. The engineers from McLaren Special Operations are responsible for producing the most exciting car of this so successful series, somehow the ultimate F1 with all possible improvements, the best supercar of its time.
The 63th and penultimate F1 street legal chassis is equipped altogether with an engine meeting the LM specification and with the comfort provided to the wealthy clients of the GT. Aware of creating a masterpiece of contemporary automobile, Murray signed it on the transmission tunnel.
This extraordinary McLaren is for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 13, lot 107. This car is exceptional without being unique: another F1 chassis was also equipped with a LM engine.
The F1 GTR is the version for the race. The F1 GT was created to demonstrate to the boards regulating the competitions that the concepts of GTR were consistent with the features of a grand tourer. It was not proposed in the commercial catalog but after the completion of the prototype two F1 chassis were upgraded to F1 GT on special orders from private clients.
The F1 LM is a lighter version of the F1 GTR. Intended for wealthy private clients, it was built in 1995 as one prototype and five units. It could reach 385 km/h through a modification of the engine that disqualified it against the competition regulations.
In 1998 the F1 series is going to its close out. The engineers from McLaren Special Operations are responsible for producing the most exciting car of this so successful series, somehow the ultimate F1 with all possible improvements, the best supercar of its time.
The 63th and penultimate F1 street legal chassis is equipped altogether with an engine meeting the LM specification and with the comfort provided to the wealthy clients of the GT. Aware of creating a masterpiece of contemporary automobile, Murray signed it on the transmission tunnel.
This extraordinary McLaren is for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 13, lot 107. This car is exceptional without being unique: another F1 chassis was also equipped with a LM engine.
