Worldwide Auctioneers Enthusiast Auction
The 2024 Enthusiast Auction by Worldwide Auctioneers will take place April 25-26 in Auburn, IN and Worldwide are living up to the very impressive reputation they’ve been building. In the lead up to the auction The Enthusiast Tour will run through April 26, culminating in a private tour of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum the morning of the first auction day. Let’s take a look at some cars we’re particularly excited to see cross the auction block.
The 1995 BMW M3 GT is a stunning and rare example of the iconic German sports car. It was developed as a more powerful high-performance model of the M3 series, with only 356 units produced. Under its hood, it boasted an optimized S50B30 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, which was a significant innovation at the time. This engine featured six individual throttle valves and the newly developed camshaft control called VANOS, enhancing fuel injection and torque. With a maximum output of 217 kW (295 horsepower) and a torque output of 323 Nm at 3,900rpm, the M3 GT could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.
The car was exclusively available in British Racing Green, making it instantly recognizable. Its design included specially made front and rear spoilers, aerodynamically optimized mirrors, and M double-spoke aluminum forged wheels. These features, along with its distinctive engine sound and high rev character, made the M3 GT a masterpiece of its time.
The example being offered by Worldwide Auctioneers was originally delivered to Germany with its first two owners residing in Berlin. Today the car shows about 145,500 km since new, just under 91,000 miles. It benefits from recent upkeep courtesy of the seller. As the market for E30 M3s continues to keep prices out of reach for most, this presents an excellent opportunity to purchase a collectible M3. We saw a very similar example sell for $125,000 last year so that should probably be the low-end of the acceptable price for the seller of this M3.
The 1970 Chevrolet Corvette GT ‘Shark’ is a rare and iconic custom Corvette, one of only five hand-built examples. It was crafted by Joel Rosen of Motion Performance, showcasing a 454-cubic-inch V-8 engine that was modified to a 427 for enhanced performance.
It’s equipped with a correct M21 four-speed transmission, power steering, and front disc brakes, ensuring a powerful yet smooth driving experience. Its impressive performance and striking looks made it a magazine cover car, celebrated for its unique design and engineering excellence. The ‘Shark’ moniker comes from its aggressive styling cues and the aerodynamic bodywork that resembles a shark, making it a standout piece of automotive history.
The rear window of the car – well, the three of them – is reminiscent of the Split Window that was only produced for 1963. It’s difficult to really put a price on this car due to its rarity. A standard 1970 Corvette equipped with the 454 cubic inch V8 engine can range from $35,000 to $55,000 so for the right buyer this could bring a very strong price.
The 1972 Datsun 240Z Coupe is a car that has captured the hearts and minds of automotive enthusiasts around the world. Known for its sleek design and impressive performance, the 240Z was a game-changer in the automotive industry. It featured a smooth 2.4-liter overhead-cam straight-six engine, which provided enough power to compete with contemporary European sports cars like the Porsche 911T and Jaguar E-Type, but at a fraction of the cost.
The 240Z’s performance was impressive for its time with the ability to go from 0-60 mph in just 7.8 seconds and a top speed of around 125 mph. Its styling, combined with its affordability and performance, made it a popular choice for those looking for a high-quality sports car experience. The example being offered by Worldwide Auctioneers benefits from a mechanical and cosmetic refurbishing completed in 2018 and presents very nicely in Fire Red paint.
Photographs of the restoration are included with the car as well as a set of aluminum rear drums and front and rear lip spoiler. Although the 240Z isn’t the fastest example of a Z car, they’ve been very popular in the market in recent years. An example in good condition, a 2 on our scale, can be expected to bring as much as $60,000 at auction.
The De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S is a remarkable example of Italian automotive craftsmanship combined with American muscle. Produced between 1971 and 1992, the Pantera, which means “Panther” in Italian, was the most popular model from De Tomaso with over 7,000 units made.
The GT5-S variant, introduced in the mid-1980s, featured significant design enhancements over its predecessors. Notably, it had single-piece flared steel fenders and a smaller steel front air dam, distinguishing it from the GT5’s bolted-on fiberglass flares. The ‘S’ in GT5-S stands for “steel,” indicating these material changes. This model maintained the mid-engine layout and was powered by a potent Ford Cleveland V8 engine, known for its robust performance. The GT5-S represented a blend of sleek European styling and raw American power, making it a coveted classic among car enthusiasts today.
The one being offered by Worldwide Auctioneers is one of three that were delivered new to Carroll Shelby and is documented by factory paperwork and a variety of other documents. It benefits from a restoration that was finished in 2021 and is one of only 40 examples produced for the US market from 1986 through 1991.
We saw a similar example sell for $250,000 in Monterey last year and the Shelby-related provenance of this one should carry through to the bidding this weekend. This was previously bid to $230,000 at a Mecum auction a couple years ago, but with the recent sale in Monterey the seller of this Pantera GT5-S should consider that the lowest acceptable price.
The 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster, also known as the “Pagoda” due to its distinctive concave hardtop design exudes elegance and sophistication. It’s renowned for its sleek lines and refined engineering, featuring an inline 6-cylinder engine with mechanical fuel injection, which was fairly advanced for its time.
The 280SL was part of the W113 series and is enjoyed by collectors thanks to its balance of performance and style, with a well-tuned suspension, powerful brakes, and radial tires contributing to its impressive handling capabilities.
The example being offered by Worldwide Auctioneers shows just 57,052 miles since it was new and comes from a single-family ownership dating back to 1981. It includes both the soft top and the removable hardtop and is finished in a classic silver with a red interior.
We don’t expect this to bring the same price as one freshly restored to a concours-level condition, but the Pagoda roof cars have been increasingly popular in the past five years. Considering the low mileage and well-documented ownership history, this should be able to sell for around $125,000.