Latest news with #CarCollector
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Low-Mileage Rimac Nevera Supercar Hits Auction With $1.1M Bid and Rising
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector A barely driven Rimac Nevera—one of the world's most advanced and extreme electric hypercars—is currently drawing serious attention on Bring a Trailer, where bids have already cleared $1.1 million ahead of Friday's auction close. Chassis No. 006 of just 150 units slated for production, this 2023 Nevera was delivered new to Ohio's Triple F Collection and has been meticulously maintained since. With only 1,371 miles on the odometer, it offers collectors the rare opportunity to own one of the earliest and most pristine examples of Rimac's groundbreaking EV, without the wait or markups typical of the ultra-exclusive hypercar market. Dressed in shimmering Pearlescent Nevera Blue and accented by the Carbon Level 2 trim package—a combination that reportedly added $100,000 to the original spec—the car's dramatic butterfly doors open to reveal a matching blue leather interior fitted with dual widescreen displays and carbon accents. But looks are just the beginning. Beneath its sleek exterior lies a quad-motor electric powertrain generating a staggering 1,914 horsepower and 1,741 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to rocket the Nevera from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 1.74 seconds, with a top speed of 258 mph. Range is estimated at 300 miles, though few owners are likely to test its long-distance cruising potential. At the time of publication, bidding has reached $1,112,111—well below the original sticker price but expected to climb. For collectors chasing bleeding-edge performance, futuristic design, and exclusivity, the clock is ticking on this high-voltage offering. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Two Generations of Pontiac Trans Am Muscle Cars to Headline Mecum Houston Auction
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Two iconic Pontiac Trans Ams—separated by nearly three decades of engineering and muscle car history—will cross the block at Mecum's Houston 2025 auction in a back-to-back showing of performance evolution. On Friday, April 4, collectors will have a shot at a 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6, one of the final and most refined iterations of the Firebird line. This one-owner car is finished in Black over Black leather, showing just 12,525 miles on the odometer. Garage-kept and meticulously preserved, it features the desirable Ram Air performance package, which boosts the 5.7L LS1 V-8 engine to 325 horsepower, paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Capable of 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds and a 160 mph top speed, it represents the peak of fourth-generation Trans Am performance. With T-tops, air conditioning, cruise control, and full service history, it's as modern as vintage muscle gets. But the real heavyweight arrives on Saturday, April 5, in the form of a 1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty, one of only 731 examples built with an automatic transmission. This rotisserie-restored classic retains its numbers-matching 455 Super Duty V-8, conservatively rated at 290 horsepower, though its real-world output far exceeded that figure. Finished in Blue with Bright Blue accents and a Tan bucket-seat interior, this rare muscle machine includes a copy of the build sheet, Rally II wheels, and correct original components from carburetor to heads. Together, the two cars reflect Pontiac's golden age and its swan song—offering collectors a chance to own both the beginning and the end of one of America's most iconic muscle car lines. To see the full selection of cars selling at Mecum Houston on April 3-5, visit Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Original 1965 Ford GT40 Prototype Roadster Heads to Mecum Auction
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector One of the most historically significant American racing prototypes, a 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster, will cross the auction block at Mecum's annual Indianapolis sale this May, presenting a unique opportunity for collectors. The GT40 Roadster, bearing chassis number GT/109, is one of only a dozen original prototypes built by Ford between 1964 and 1965. Of these, just five were roadsters, and today only two survive. Notably, GT/109 is the sole roadster variant ever to compete at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. In its single Le Mans outing in 1965, GT/109 was driven by the renowned French racing duo Maurice Trintignant and Guy Ligier. Although it showed promise, mechanical issues forced its retirement after just 11 laps. After its brief competitive life, Ford sent GT/109 to Shelby American for refurbishment. However, the car instead became a testbed for various Ford and Kar Kraft developments, including experimental automatic transmissions, innovative brake systems, and high-performance Indy-style engines. In 1968, Ford released the car to famed customizer Dean Jeffries, who maintained it until it was eventually acquired by Mecum Auctions founder Dana Mecum in 2013. Mecum commissioned an extensive restoration, meticulously returning the car to its original Le Mans racing configuration. Its distinctive features now include a rebuilt HiPo 289 cubic-inch V8 engine equipped with a rare Shelby-designed experimental intake manifold and the famed 'Bundle of Snakes' exhaust system. Additionally, the original five-speed manual transmission has also been fully restored. While most early GT40 prototypes were destroyed after testing, GT/109's survival underscores its exceptional rarity. The other remaining roadster prototype, chassis GT/108, sold in 2019 for over $7.6 million, highlighting the potential value of GT/109 at the upcoming sale. This marks Mecum's third attempt to auction the iconic GT40 prototype. Previously offered in 2018 and 2020, the vehicle did not meet its reserve price. Now, collectors have another chance to own a unique piece of motorsport history at the Indianapolis auction running from May 9-17, 2025. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gordon Murray Automotive to Unveil New Supercar at Goodwood 2025
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector British supercar maker Gordon Murray Automotive will debut its latest high-performance model at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed this July, aiming to captivate enthusiasts with another engineering masterpiece. Details of the upcoming vehicle remain under wraps, but industry insiders strongly anticipate it to be the much-awaited GMA T.33S, a sharper, more track-oriented version of the existing T.33 supercar. Gordon Murray Automotive first confirmed development of the T.33S two years ago, positioning it as the most performance-focused variant in the T.33 lineup. The T.33S is expected to feature extensive upgrades designed specifically for track driving, including refined suspension tuning, uprated braking components, and enhanced steering precision. Aerodynamic improvements will likely include significant downforce enhancements, allowing for greater stability and faster cornering speeds. Powering the anticipated T.33S will be a high-revving 4.0-liter V12 engine, derived from the unit found in the standard T.33. That model currently produces 609 horsepower and comes mated to a six-speed transmission. Enthusiasts can expect the T.33S to offer even greater performance, pushing the limits of what a street-legal track machine can achieve. Aside from the T.33S, there has also been speculation around a potential one-off model based on the acclaimed GMA T.50 hypercar. The T.50, widely celebrated for its innovative design and groundbreaking aerodynamics, would provide a perfect platform for an exclusive, bespoke variant to showcase Gordon Murray's design ingenuity. The Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled for July 10-13, 2025, remains a highlight of the global automotive calendar. With Gordon Murray Automotive choosing the prestigious event to showcase its newest creation, fans and collectors alike eagerly anticipate what promises to be a significant debut in the world of high-performance cars. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Stolen Ferrari 375 Plus: A Legal Battle Spanning Decades
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Few cars in history have endured a journey as tumultuous as the Ferrari 375 Plus once owned by Karl Kleve. Designed by Pininfarina in 1954 for the World Sports Car Championship, only five of these iconic race cars were ever built. Yet, one of them—a charred chassis purchased by Kleve in 1958—spent nearly 30 years deteriorating in an open lot in Cincinnati before vanishing in the late 1980s. What followed was a saga of theft, deception, lawsuits, and an eventual record-breaking auction. Kleve, a collector with an eye for rare cars, bought the damaged Ferrari for $2,500. But in the late 1980s, the vehicle disappeared from his property. It resurfaced across the Atlantic, eventually landing in the hands of Belgian race car driver and Ferrari collector Jacques Swaters. Swaters, believing he had rightfully acquired the car, spent years restoring it to its former glory. When Kleve discovered his stolen Ferrari on display at Ferrari's Maranello museum in Italy, he launched a legal battle to reclaim his prized possession. In 1999, a disputed settlement was reached in which Swaters reportedly paid Kleve $625,000 for the car. However, Kleve claimed his agent had made the deal without his approval, sparking further litigation. Following Kleve's death in 2003, his daughters—Katrina English and Karyl Kleve—continued to fight for the car. Meanwhile, a series of dubious legal maneuvers took place, with individuals such as Joseph Ford and Christopher Gardner inserting themselves into the case. Ford, later accused of fraud, managed to extract a significant sum from the Ferrari's eventual sale. A crucial ruling came in 2013 when an English court determined that Florence Swaters, daughter of Jacques Swaters, held the title to the car before it went to auction. The decision paved the way for the Ferrari to be sold at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it fetched a staggering £10.7 million (approximately $16.3 million), with the final ownership going to Les Wexner, the billionaire owner of Victoria's Secret. Despite the sale, legal battles persisted. English and Kleve claimed that if they had been properly represented, they would have received over $8 million from the sale. Instead, Kleve's estate received a fraction of that amount, while Ford walked away with more than $2.4 million. Today, the Ferrari 375 Plus sits in Wexner's collection in Columbus, Ohio—just over 100 miles from where it sat abandoned for decades. From a stolen wreck to a multi-million-dollar legal dispute, the car's journey is a testament to how a rare Ferrari can spark decades of controversy, deception, and high-stakes courtroom drama. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
