Hypercars
See also : Ferrari after 1962
2007 Evolution of the Porsche Spyder
2018 SOLD for $ 4.5M including premium
Competition is expensive when it is an isolated strategy. Porsche stopped it just after the 911 GT1 victory at Le Mans in 1998. The 9R3 project, started in 1998, came to nothing : the only prototype remained hidden for two decades.
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 to manage endurance races by taking model from Le Mans, in close collaboration with the ACO. Ingeniously the authorized cars for the ALMS were eligible for the 24 hours of Le Mans.
Porsche made its comeback in 2005 in the ALMS Le Mans Prototype LMP2 category, with a new RS Spyder under the reference 9R6. The lack of interest of the brand for the top class LMP1 surprised the observers. In fact the rules of the LMP1 were too favorable to the diesel technology with which Porsche had no plans.
From 2006 to 2008 the domination of Porsche in the LMP2 class is total. The highest achievement is reached at the 12 hours of Sebring 2008 with three RS Spyder Evo in the first four positions, the first LMP1 being third.
Fifteen RS Spyders are built from 2005 to 2008. The solutions of its V8 90° 4 liter engine will be reused in the development of the V8 4.6 liter engine of the 918 hybrid. The rules will change again and the success of the RS Spyder will encourage Porsche to create an LMP1, the 919. In the rearview the disdain of Porsche for the diesel looks like a good decision.
On August 24 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells as lot 44 a Porsche RS Spyder made in 2007. It was part of a group of two bought by a private team to compete in the ALMS competitions. The team gave up this project and this car had a very limited use. Here is the link to the press release. The estimate is not published because of the extreme rarity of this model on the market.
Please watch the video shared by the auction a house.
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 to manage endurance races by taking model from Le Mans, in close collaboration with the ACO. Ingeniously the authorized cars for the ALMS were eligible for the 24 hours of Le Mans.
Porsche made its comeback in 2005 in the ALMS Le Mans Prototype LMP2 category, with a new RS Spyder under the reference 9R6. The lack of interest of the brand for the top class LMP1 surprised the observers. In fact the rules of the LMP1 were too favorable to the diesel technology with which Porsche had no plans.
From 2006 to 2008 the domination of Porsche in the LMP2 class is total. The highest achievement is reached at the 12 hours of Sebring 2008 with three RS Spyder Evo in the first four positions, the first LMP1 being third.
Fifteen RS Spyders are built from 2005 to 2008. The solutions of its V8 90° 4 liter engine will be reused in the development of the V8 4.6 liter engine of the 918 hybrid. The rules will change again and the success of the RS Spyder will encourage Porsche to create an LMP1, the 919. In the rearview the disdain of Porsche for the diesel looks like a good decision.
On August 24 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells as lot 44 a Porsche RS Spyder made in 2007. It was part of a group of two bought by a private team to compete in the ALMS competitions. The team gave up this project and this car had a very limited use. Here is the link to the press release. The estimate is not published because of the extreme rarity of this model on the market.
Please watch the video shared by the auction a house.
2014 A Horse from Hell
2016 SOLD for $ 4.7M before fees
Unveiled in 2013 at the Auto Show in Geneva, the LaFerrari brings Ferrari's return to the top level of road legal berlinettas, a position that had been shaken in the previous years by the successive variants of the Bugatti Veyron.
The LaFerrari has a top speed of 350 Km/h comparable to the Ferrari Enzo and is less rare. 400 Enzo were produced from 2002 to 2004 and 499 LaFerrari from 2013 to 2015. It is indeed the pioneer of the hybrid propulsion for high-end vehicles beside the McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918 Spyder.
Its carefully chosen name indicates to the fans that LaFerrari is a culmination of the brand. It is however only a step. New bodies are being studied. The LaFerrari Aperta with a retractable roof will be officially unveiled this fall at the Paris Auto Show. The FXX-K variant for the track is existing since 2015.
The LaFerrari shared with most of its competitors its marketing strategy as a limited edition sold in advance of the realization, stirring in the secondary market the lust of the candidates who had arrived too late. The availability of such vehicles becomes a highly anticipated event and prices are now far exceeding the original commercial value.
On August 20 in Monterey, Mecum sells a LaFerrari made in 2014, lot S110 estimated $ 3.9M. Entirely black including its interior, it is one of only three LaFerrari painted in a very intense Nero Opaco. Its first owner named it Cavallo Infernale in a metal label at the base of the steering wheel. It is almost new : 340 Km on the odometer.
The LaFerrari has a top speed of 350 Km/h comparable to the Ferrari Enzo and is less rare. 400 Enzo were produced from 2002 to 2004 and 499 LaFerrari from 2013 to 2015. It is indeed the pioneer of the hybrid propulsion for high-end vehicles beside the McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918 Spyder.
Its carefully chosen name indicates to the fans that LaFerrari is a culmination of the brand. It is however only a step. New bodies are being studied. The LaFerrari Aperta with a retractable roof will be officially unveiled this fall at the Paris Auto Show. The FXX-K variant for the track is existing since 2015.
The LaFerrari shared with most of its competitors its marketing strategy as a limited edition sold in advance of the realization, stirring in the secondary market the lust of the candidates who had arrived too late. The availability of such vehicles becomes a highly anticipated event and prices are now far exceeding the original commercial value.
On August 20 in Monterey, Mecum sells a LaFerrari made in 2014, lot S110 estimated $ 3.9M. Entirely black including its interior, it is one of only three LaFerrari painted in a very intense Nero Opaco. Its first owner named it Cavallo Infernale in a metal label at the base of the steering wheel. It is almost new : 340 Km on the odometer.
2014 The Time of the Hybrids
2016 SOLD for $ 3.7M including premium
The planet turns green. The FIA cannot ignore this trend and announces for 2009 the authorization of the KERS in Formula 1. McLaren and Ferrari are getting some early success.
The KERS is a system transforming the braking energy into kinetic energy, avoiding a creation of overheating. The engines are designated as hybrids due to the addition of this electrical device to the conventional internal combustion engine, for the first time in the history of competition.
A total synergy still applies at Ferrari between the technologies from Formula One and those of the sports models. The experience of the F60 leads the brand to design the LaFerrari, a berlinetta which is irreversibly changing the high-end car market.
The performances in speed and acceleration of the LaFerrari are comparable to those of the Enzo. With a quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds, it overcomes the Porsche 918 and the Bugatti Veyron. All automakers will necessarily one day adopt the hybrid technologies. The race to the performance is started and no one can really predict how far it will go.
The race to auction is also launched. The production of the LaFerrari was strictly limited to 499 cars, built from 2013 to 2015. The frustration of the rejected candidates whose number is around 200 and of the latecomers is already blowing up the prices.
For the first time, a LaFerrari is offered at public auction. This vehicle made in 2014 is still under factory warranty. It is estimated $ 3.6M for sale by Bonhams at Quail Lodge, Carmel CA, on August 19, lot 95. It is followed on the next day by another LaFerrari that was recently discussed in this column, for sale by Mecum.
The KERS is a system transforming the braking energy into kinetic energy, avoiding a creation of overheating. The engines are designated as hybrids due to the addition of this electrical device to the conventional internal combustion engine, for the first time in the history of competition.
A total synergy still applies at Ferrari between the technologies from Formula One and those of the sports models. The experience of the F60 leads the brand to design the LaFerrari, a berlinetta which is irreversibly changing the high-end car market.
The performances in speed and acceleration of the LaFerrari are comparable to those of the Enzo. With a quarter-mile in less than 10 seconds, it overcomes the Porsche 918 and the Bugatti Veyron. All automakers will necessarily one day adopt the hybrid technologies. The race to the performance is started and no one can really predict how far it will go.
The race to auction is also launched. The production of the LaFerrari was strictly limited to 499 cars, built from 2013 to 2015. The frustration of the rejected candidates whose number is around 200 and of the latecomers is already blowing up the prices.
For the first time, a LaFerrari is offered at public auction. This vehicle made in 2014 is still under factory warranty. It is estimated $ 3.6M for sale by Bonhams at Quail Lodge, Carmel CA, on August 19, lot 95. It is followed on the next day by another LaFerrari that was recently discussed in this column, for sale by Mecum.
2014 An Aston Martin Supercar for 007
2016 SOLD for £ 2.43M including premium
The sexiest of the spies began in 1964 in the movie Goldfinger a long love affair with the elegant Aston Martin DB5. Half a century later James Bond has not aged and Daniel Craig is his sixth incarnation.
In the latest film of the series, Spectre, the indestructible DB5 is still there but for a minor role. At the end of the story, Bond retrieves his old car friend just rebuilt after the hardship suffered in Skyfall.
At the time of the supercars, a new car is necessary for the super feats of Bond. Aston Martin specially designed the DB10 for Spectre. Unveiled in December 2014, the DB10 is a concept car that has not been tested for public road use. Only ten cars were built but it is likely that the brand will give some following to this beautiful and already iconic coupe.
The automobile acrobatics of the DB10 are astonishing, including its handling in complete circles of very small diameter. The car does not omit to jump into the river, a sequence spectacular enough to be repeated throughout the Bond filmography. Eight units were destroyed for the purpose of filming.
Christie's is managing on February 18 in London a charity sale made of souvenirs from Spectre. The DB10 number 10 of 10 will be sold to benefit Médecins Sans Frontières. It is estimated £ 1M, lot 10. 10 of 10 had been preserved as a show car and was not equipped with the gadgets used in the film: machine gun, flamethrower, ejector seat.
In the latest film of the series, Spectre, the indestructible DB5 is still there but for a minor role. At the end of the story, Bond retrieves his old car friend just rebuilt after the hardship suffered in Skyfall.
At the time of the supercars, a new car is necessary for the super feats of Bond. Aston Martin specially designed the DB10 for Spectre. Unveiled in December 2014, the DB10 is a concept car that has not been tested for public road use. Only ten cars were built but it is likely that the brand will give some following to this beautiful and already iconic coupe.
The automobile acrobatics of the DB10 are astonishing, including its handling in complete circles of very small diameter. The car does not omit to jump into the river, a sequence spectacular enough to be repeated throughout the Bond filmography. Eight units were destroyed for the purpose of filming.
Christie's is managing on February 18 in London a charity sale made of souvenirs from Spectre. The DB10 number 10 of 10 will be sold to benefit Médecins Sans Frontières. It is estimated £ 1M, lot 10. 10 of 10 had been preserved as a show car and was not equipped with the gadgets used in the film: machine gun, flamethrower, ejector seat.
2014 Pagani in the Storm
2017 SOLD for $ 2.4M including premium
The mastery of engineering allows very small car brands to reach the highest range of the grand standing, provided to limit the production to small series and to apply a great care up to the smallest details. Pagani and Koenigsegg, both founded in the early 1990s, are the best examples.
The Pagani Zonda was created in 1999 and the Huayra coupe replaced it in 2012. Each of these models has evolved over time through a practice of continuous improvement of the composite materials and of weight balancing. Packages become available for upgrading to more recent standard the previously delivered cars.
Like the Koenigsegg, the Pagani are road cars. The Huayra reaches 370 Km/h at top speed. It is road legal in the United States, which was not the case of the Zonda. 100 Huayra were built, limited in the deal with Mercedes-Benz which supplied Pagani in that quantity with the custom hand made engine.
The new feature of the Huayra is its active aerodynamics handled by computer to ensure an impeccable stability. On the same principle as an airplane wing, independent flaps at the four corners automatically change the shape of the car according to its speed, acceleration, rotation and to the throttle position.
A 2014 Pagani Huayra including desirable options was sold for $ 2,03M including premium by RM Sotheby's on March 12, 2016.
Another Huayra of the same year 3 serial numbers below the above example is estimated $ 2.2M for sale by the same auction house in Monterey on August 19, lot 229. Announced as the first Huayra delivered to North America, it is equipped with the Tempesta upgrading package released by Pagani in 2016. Tempesta means storm and Huayra is the Quechua god of the wind.
Please watch the short video shared by RM.
The Pagani Zonda was created in 1999 and the Huayra coupe replaced it in 2012. Each of these models has evolved over time through a practice of continuous improvement of the composite materials and of weight balancing. Packages become available for upgrading to more recent standard the previously delivered cars.
Like the Koenigsegg, the Pagani are road cars. The Huayra reaches 370 Km/h at top speed. It is road legal in the United States, which was not the case of the Zonda. 100 Huayra were built, limited in the deal with Mercedes-Benz which supplied Pagani in that quantity with the custom hand made engine.
The new feature of the Huayra is its active aerodynamics handled by computer to ensure an impeccable stability. On the same principle as an airplane wing, independent flaps at the four corners automatically change the shape of the car according to its speed, acceleration, rotation and to the throttle position.
A 2014 Pagani Huayra including desirable options was sold for $ 2,03M including premium by RM Sotheby's on March 12, 2016.
Another Huayra of the same year 3 serial numbers below the above example is estimated $ 2.2M for sale by the same auction house in Monterey on August 19, lot 229. Announced as the first Huayra delivered to North America, it is equipped with the Tempesta upgrading package released by Pagani in 2016. Tempesta means storm and Huayra is the Quechua god of the wind.
Please watch the short video shared by RM.
2015 Hybrid Hypercars by McLaren
2016 SOLD for $ 2.1M including premium
The project of the McLaren P1 was managed in full speed. Once again after the sensational F1, the British brand revolutionized theultra high-end automotive market, opening this time the road to the hybrid hypercars.
The overpowered cars of our time have to offer the best speed, best acceleration and best braking while preserving comfort and stability and reducing the energy consumption.
The solution developed by McLaren is a hybrid with a petrol engine and an electric engine which can be activated separately or combined. The electric motor is supplied by a battery of 324 lithium ion cells loaded by the engine or by an external plug-in in two hours. The cockpit centered in the middle of the chassis for improving the stability is also a new feature.
The P1 concept car was exhibited at the Auto Show in Paris in 2012 and McLaren began accepting orders. Production started in October 2013 for a quantity of 375 cars mostly covered by the sales already in the book at that time. This total was achieved and the last car left the factory in 2015. The cars were hand built with many options.
The 371st is the last P1 made for the US market. It will be sold by Bonhams in Scottsdale on January 28, lot 12. The estimate at $ 1.9M is well above the 2013 commercial price but it should be considered that McLaren did not take new orders during the production phase. It is in near mint condition like almost all the supercars coming to auction.
McLaren is now working on a hybrid P1 GTR for the track for which a population of 45 cars is scheduled.
The overpowered cars of our time have to offer the best speed, best acceleration and best braking while preserving comfort and stability and reducing the energy consumption.
The solution developed by McLaren is a hybrid with a petrol engine and an electric engine which can be activated separately or combined. The electric motor is supplied by a battery of 324 lithium ion cells loaded by the engine or by an external plug-in in two hours. The cockpit centered in the middle of the chassis for improving the stability is also a new feature.
The P1 concept car was exhibited at the Auto Show in Paris in 2012 and McLaren began accepting orders. Production started in October 2013 for a quantity of 375 cars mostly covered by the sales already in the book at that time. This total was achieved and the last car left the factory in 2015. The cars were hand built with many options.
The 371st is the last P1 made for the US market. It will be sold by Bonhams in Scottsdale on January 28, lot 12. The estimate at $ 1.9M is well above the 2013 commercial price but it should be considered that McLaren did not take new orders during the production phase. It is in near mint condition like almost all the supercars coming to auction.
McLaren is now working on a hybrid P1 GTR for the track for which a population of 45 cars is scheduled.
2016 The Final LaFerrari Coupé
2016 SOLD for $ 7M in charity sale
The final Ferrari Enzo was out of business. The production had been set at 349 units later expanded to 399. An additional car with unique options was built in 2005 and donated to the Pope. This Enzo with 179 km from new was sold by RM Sotheby's on 13 August 2015 for $ 6M including premium, far beyond the usual price for that model.
By setting the number of LaFerrari coupés at 499, Ferrari obviously anticipated a similar promotional action. The commercial production was performed from 2013 to 2015 and the 500th LaFerrari was announced in 2016.
2016 was a terrible year for Italy. The 500th coupé is the subject of a dedicated charity auction at Ferrari's initiative to help the Italian state to reconstruct the areas ravaged by the earthquakes. Its first owner will be the only one to enjoy a brand new LaFerrari without having been registered on the list of clients allowed by Ferrari before they launched the production.
The sale is managed by RM Sotheby's on December 3 in Daytona. Here is the link to the press release.
Two LaFerrari were auctioned in California in August 2016. The first one was a normal unit sold for $ 3.7 million including premium by Bonhams. The second was an interesting Nero Opaco sold for $ 4.7M before fees by Mecum.
By setting the number of LaFerrari coupés at 499, Ferrari obviously anticipated a similar promotional action. The commercial production was performed from 2013 to 2015 and the 500th LaFerrari was announced in 2016.
2016 was a terrible year for Italy. The 500th coupé is the subject of a dedicated charity auction at Ferrari's initiative to help the Italian state to reconstruct the areas ravaged by the earthquakes. Its first owner will be the only one to enjoy a brand new LaFerrari without having been registered on the list of clients allowed by Ferrari before they launched the production.
The sale is managed by RM Sotheby's on December 3 in Daytona. Here is the link to the press release.
Two LaFerrari were auctioned in California in August 2016. The first one was a normal unit sold for $ 3.7 million including premium by Bonhams. The second was an interesting Nero Opaco sold for $ 4.7M before fees by Mecum.
2017 Close Out of the Aperta
2017 SOLD for € 8.3M in charity sale
The LaFerrari Aperta was described as the culmination of the first 70 years of the Ferrari brand, combining in a road car the technological developments of the Formula 1 and of the hybrid propulsion not without a wink to the loyal customers of the Corse Clienti department.
This Aperta was the highly anticipated sequel to the LaFerrari coupe. Revealed in 2016 simultaneously with the end of production of the coupe, the Aperta with its open or convertible body was built in 2017 in 209 units, 9 for Ferrari's use in the celebrations of the year and 200 sold in advance by invitation according to the now usual process for the hypercars.
The first and last cars in a series are specifically observed by specialists. The first may be closest to the prototype. The last benefits from all the improvements developed during the production phase. The final car of the higher-end Ferrari models is now the subject of a specific charity operation.
The 400th Enzo was presented by Ferrari in January 2005 to Pope John Paul II who immediately entrusted its sale to RM Auctions to help the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia. It was sold by its next owner with 179 Km from new for $ 6M including premium at RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015.
The 500th and last LaFerrari coupe was the subject of a single lot sale jointly organized by RM Sotheby's and by Ferrari on December 3, 2016 to help the victims of earthquakes in Italy. It was sold for $ 7M.
Announced after the end of production of the first 209 cars, the 210th and final LaFerrari Aperta is the last lot of RM Sotheby's sale in the Ferrari plant in Maranello on September 9. This car still to be produced will not be exhibited at the sale. It is estimated beyond € 3M, lot 154.
Just before the sale the catalogue provides the additional information as follows :
"RM Sotheby’s and Ferrari are pleased to announce that all of the proceeds of this lot will be donated to Save the Children. This lot will also be sold without buyer's premium.
"This LaFerrari Aperta will be finished in a one-of-a-kind livery in stunning metallic Rosso Fuoco with a metallic Bianco Italia double racing stripe on the bonnet and rear deck. The interior will be trimmed in black Alcantara with red leather inserts on the seats, red stitching, and glossy black carbon fiber trim."
This Aperta was the highly anticipated sequel to the LaFerrari coupe. Revealed in 2016 simultaneously with the end of production of the coupe, the Aperta with its open or convertible body was built in 2017 in 209 units, 9 for Ferrari's use in the celebrations of the year and 200 sold in advance by invitation according to the now usual process for the hypercars.
The first and last cars in a series are specifically observed by specialists. The first may be closest to the prototype. The last benefits from all the improvements developed during the production phase. The final car of the higher-end Ferrari models is now the subject of a specific charity operation.
The 400th Enzo was presented by Ferrari in January 2005 to Pope John Paul II who immediately entrusted its sale to RM Auctions to help the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia. It was sold by its next owner with 179 Km from new for $ 6M including premium at RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015.
The 500th and last LaFerrari coupe was the subject of a single lot sale jointly organized by RM Sotheby's and by Ferrari on December 3, 2016 to help the victims of earthquakes in Italy. It was sold for $ 7M.
Announced after the end of production of the first 209 cars, the 210th and final LaFerrari Aperta is the last lot of RM Sotheby's sale in the Ferrari plant in Maranello on September 9. This car still to be produced will not be exhibited at the sale. It is estimated beyond € 3M, lot 154.
Just before the sale the catalogue provides the additional information as follows :
"RM Sotheby’s and Ferrari are pleased to announce that all of the proceeds of this lot will be donated to Save the Children. This lot will also be sold without buyer's premium.
"This LaFerrari Aperta will be finished in a one-of-a-kind livery in stunning metallic Rosso Fuoco with a metallic Bianco Italia double racing stripe on the bonnet and rear deck. The interior will be trimmed in black Alcantara with red leather inserts on the seats, red stitching, and glossy black carbon fiber trim."
2017 Chiron after Veyron
2018 SOLD for € 3.3M including premium
The performances of the supercars are more and more amazing. These road going models now arrive at auction in the months following the first deliveries. After the Bugatti Veyron, the LaFerrari and the LaFerrari Aperta, here is now the Bugatti Chiron.
The Chiron has the same engine as the Veyron, 8 liters with 16 cylinders in W. For the rest it benefits from all the improvements imagined by the brand in its ten years of experience of the Veyron. It is taller and wider, for an better comfort and an impeccable handling up to the highest speed and in braking.
The top speed of the Chiron is currently electronically limited to 420 km/h for remaining below the critical threshold of tire wear but the brand lets know that studies are ongoing to go faster. At maximum speed the fuel tank gets dry in 7 minutes. Driven on the road by Juan Pablo Montoya, a Chiron was timed in 41.96 seconds on the maneuver 0 - 400 km/h - 0, over a total distance of only 3,112 m.
The model had been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016 and a total production target of 500 vehicles was announced, to be spread over several years starting in 2017. For that first year it is estimated that 70 Chiron have been delivered.
The first Chiron exported to the US was sold for $ 3.8M including premium by RM Sotheby's on December 6, 2017. Not yet registered, it had only run at that time the 400 km of its factory tests.
The next Chiron at auction will be sold by Mecum in Kissimmee on January 13, lot S85.1. Its record at the odometer is the same as for the example above. Another Chiron with less than 1000 Km from new is estimated € 3,2M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Paris on February 7, lot 151. And another one at Mecum in Los Angeles, on February 17, lot S98.
The story will not stop at that point. The Bugatti records are already beaten or threatened by Koenigsegg.
RESULTS :
Mecum (Kissimmee) : unsold
RM Sotheby's : SOLD for € 2.95M before fees
Mecum (Los Angeles) : withdrawn
The Chiron has the same engine as the Veyron, 8 liters with 16 cylinders in W. For the rest it benefits from all the improvements imagined by the brand in its ten years of experience of the Veyron. It is taller and wider, for an better comfort and an impeccable handling up to the highest speed and in braking.
The top speed of the Chiron is currently electronically limited to 420 km/h for remaining below the critical threshold of tire wear but the brand lets know that studies are ongoing to go faster. At maximum speed the fuel tank gets dry in 7 minutes. Driven on the road by Juan Pablo Montoya, a Chiron was timed in 41.96 seconds on the maneuver 0 - 400 km/h - 0, over a total distance of only 3,112 m.
The model had been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016 and a total production target of 500 vehicles was announced, to be spread over several years starting in 2017. For that first year it is estimated that 70 Chiron have been delivered.
The first Chiron exported to the US was sold for $ 3.8M including premium by RM Sotheby's on December 6, 2017. Not yet registered, it had only run at that time the 400 km of its factory tests.
The next Chiron at auction will be sold by Mecum in Kissimmee on January 13, lot S85.1. Its record at the odometer is the same as for the example above. Another Chiron with less than 1000 Km from new is estimated € 3,2M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Paris on February 7, lot 151. And another one at Mecum in Los Angeles, on February 17, lot S98.
The story will not stop at that point. The Bugatti records are already beaten or threatened by Koenigsegg.
RESULTS :
Mecum (Kissimmee) : unsold
RM Sotheby's : SOLD for € 2.95M before fees
Mecum (Los Angeles) : withdrawn
2018 The Golden Porsche
2018 SOLD for $ 3.4M including premium
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Porsche brand, there is nothing better than a 911, still in production through many variants since the first generation in 1964. The millionth 911 has been released in 2017.
The 911 (993), produced from 1993 to 1998, is an important step in that lineage. Its Turbo version is the final 911 equipped with a six-cylinder flat engine with air cooling. Its 60 mph in 3.7 seconds was a remarkable performance for its time. Later models have water cooling.
Porsche keeps a spare parts bank very carefully. The shell used as a straightening reference for this model was still available in the plant. The engineers came up with the idea of using it as a bodywork to build a car benefiting from technological advances over the last two decades. This ultimate 993 relies essentially on the original parts of the model and is thus a demonstrator of the brand's know-how in the repair of classic models.
This car built in 2018 is and will remain unique, and is not homologated for the road. It is painted by electrolysis in orange, specifically identified as metallic gold yellow, and is named Project Gold. With its new turbo 6-cylinder 3.6-liter engine it is the most powerful 993, developing 42 hp more and 45 Nm more than the 993 Turbo.
The Project Gold car will be sold without reserve price by RM Sotheby's as lot 220 in the anniversary sale to be held on October 27 at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta. Beyond the reimbursement of expenses incurred for the manufacturer, the proceeds of this lot is for the benefit of the new Ferry Porsche Foundation, a German charity supporting the youth.
The 911 (993), produced from 1993 to 1998, is an important step in that lineage. Its Turbo version is the final 911 equipped with a six-cylinder flat engine with air cooling. Its 60 mph in 3.7 seconds was a remarkable performance for its time. Later models have water cooling.
Porsche keeps a spare parts bank very carefully. The shell used as a straightening reference for this model was still available in the plant. The engineers came up with the idea of using it as a bodywork to build a car benefiting from technological advances over the last two decades. This ultimate 993 relies essentially on the original parts of the model and is thus a demonstrator of the brand's know-how in the repair of classic models.
This car built in 2018 is and will remain unique, and is not homologated for the road. It is painted by electrolysis in orange, specifically identified as metallic gold yellow, and is named Project Gold. With its new turbo 6-cylinder 3.6-liter engine it is the most powerful 993, developing 42 hp more and 45 Nm more than the 993 Turbo.
The Project Gold car will be sold without reserve price by RM Sotheby's as lot 220 in the anniversary sale to be held on October 27 at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta. Beyond the reimbursement of expenses incurred for the manufacturer, the proceeds of this lot is for the benefit of the new Ferry Porsche Foundation, a German charity supporting the youth.
