We’ll have some auction-specific highlights in the coming week, but let’s start off with our Top Ten in Monterey Car Week for 2021.
1. 2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo – Mecum
This stunning red Saleen S7 is one of only 14 twin turbo examples built and has less than 800 miles on its odometer. Boasting a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds, the 7.0L V8 produces 750 horsepower, which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Saleen knew what was up when they built this! If you’re looking for a true American supercar, look no further than this ’06 Saleen S7. Mecum estimates it will sell between $850,000 and $1,000,000, but with the relatively low mileage and the rarity of the twin turbo V8, this could easily be a million dollar car.
2. 1984 Lamborghini Countach 5000S – Gooding & Co
Every Countach pops, let’s face it – it’s tough to stop looking at one! But this particular example has a little something extra, for the Countach owner who can’t have “just another Countach.” This one was built for Joe Natasi, a major US importer of Lamborghinis. He wasn’t about to settle for something anyone with enough cash could get – he got the factory to build this car with the “Coda Plexi” – the Plexiglass Tail, which is the red panel between the taillights. One of one. Oh, and did we mention it was also shown at the NY Internation Auto Show in 1985? Or that it came stock with an Ansa F1 sport exhaust? We expect to see some strong bids for this car, which Gooding & Co estimates will sell for between $600,000 and $750,000.
3. 1992 Ferrari F40 – Bonhams
It’s a Ferrari F40 – do we really need to say more? Alright, we will. This is one of 213 US F40s and has been impeccably maintained – though we should note that this isn’t a trailer queen, this car got some genuine use and it’s better for it. The odometer shows a little over 16,000 miles and, lest we forget, the F40 was the last great Ferrari built with Enzo’s guidance. Not to say there aren’t great Ferraris that are newer than this, but the F40 has the Italian’s stamp of approval. Bonhams expects this will sell between $1,500,000 and $1,800,000 and we think they’re pretty spot on with their estimate.
4. 1994 Porsche 911 Type 964 Speedster – Bonhams
Bonhams is selling this ’94 Porsche Speedster with no reserve, so this will definitely be going to a new home. Being one of only 936 built, it has the desirable five-speed manual and less than 16,500 miles on the odometer. When new, this car wasn’t exactly the most popular model in Porsche’s lineup, but it’s aged well and seems to be catching the eyes of newer collectors. Including the original books, manuals, and radio the auction estimate is $175,000 to $225,000 which seems in line when considering the care that has gone into the Speedster’s maintenance. That said, the Porsche market can be fickle so we’ll have to wait until it’s on the block to see what it’s really worth.
5. 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept – Mecum
Talk about unique! This is the modern Cobra that could have been, but never was. Well, except for this single car. Literally the only one of its kind ever built. Automotive journalists were gushing about it back in ’04 – especially after Carroll Shelby himself gave them a first-hand view of what it could do on the track – but the stars never aligned just right, so it never entered production. The last time we saw this car at auction it was not functional – Ford had some liability concerns about selling a one-off car like this, but Chris Theodore, the lucky bidder back in 2017, took “Project Daisy” to all the right places and got it street worthy again. This time around the winning bidder will have a car that can put some serious rubber on the road. Mecum estimates it will sell between $1,500,000 and $2,000,000 but all it’ll take is a couple Shelby enthusiast with deep pockets for this to exceed the estimate. We can’t wait to see what happens!
6. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach – Mecum
Let’s get this out in the open – 887 horsepower, all-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid Porsche. That’s a lot of words to say, “This thing flies!” And really, it should, considering its close relation is the 919 Hybrid of Le Mans fame. Fittingly, Porsche built only 918 examples of the 918 Spyder and this one is finished in Metallic White with a black interior and features Acid Green trim. It includes the Weissach Package and has a top speed of 217 MPH – so it’s got a bit over 10 hours of top speed driving on its odometer. The auction estimate is $1,400,000 to $1,600,000 and that seems fair for this car.
7. 1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R – RM Sotheby’s
Selling with no reserve, this is the JDM car of your dreams. RM Sotheby’s estimates it will sell between $90,000 and $120,000 and we think this would be well-bought within that range. Finished in Midnight Purple, it is in original and unmodified condition – a rarity for a GT-R of this generation. It’s only been in the US since 2020 and it’s covered less than 29,000 miles since new. We expect this R33 will catch a lot of attention on the block.
8. 1989 Porsche 930 Slantnose – Gooding & Co
Quick! Think 1980s, think Porsche, but don’t think that Tom Cruise movie! If you’re anything like us, this is just about the car that popped into your head. This white-on-blue Slantnose is one of only 75 built for the US market that year and it has a copy of the original window sticker with the hefty price tag of $116,000 (that’s 1989 dollars!) which includes the $30,000 Slantnose – or Flachbau – option that makes this car so special. There’s one catch – somewhere along the way the original engine was replaced, although it is the correct engine for this car. Crossing the block with no reserve, the auction company estimates this will sell for somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000. But we won’t be surprised if it goes north of $200,000 – it’s that kind of market these days.
9. 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 “Flat Floor” Roadster – RM Sotheby’s
A very well presented example of an early E-Type with flat floors. In fact, this is one of only 385 left-hand drive models built with the early E-Type features that make it so collectible. This is a matching numbers example and is relatively fresh from a complete restoration done in 2014 that cost more than $160,000. Let’s make this clear – you can buy this car for less than it cost to get it in the shape it’s in today. RM Sotheby’s estimates this will sell between $275,000 and $325,000 and if you’re in the market for an E-Type, we think this is one to keep your eye on.
10. 1997 Land Rover NAS Defender 90 – Gooding & Co
1997 was the final production year of the North American Spec Defender 90, making this example – with fewer than 27,500 miles showing – a very desirable Land Rover. Owned by the same person who bought it from Willow Grove Land Rover until this year, this is probably one of the few cars we’ll see cross the block that comes with a CARFAX report! Should be a fun machine for whoever ends up the high bidder, because it’s going at no reserve!
More Monterey Car Week
We’ll be back with more picks for Monterey car week as the auctions get closer!