All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Auctions

2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04 is up for auction

On January 7, 1985, the most successful Formula 1 driver in history, Lewis Hamilton, was born. In his career so far, he has achieved 103 victories and 7 championship titles, as many as the legend of this sport, Michael Schumacher. He achieved his first victory in the new team in 2013, and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04 car he drove in the race for the Hungarian Grand Prix is up for auction.

The F1 W04 was the last Mercedes F1 car to be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4 liter V8 engine with 750 + 80 hp (559 + 60 kW) @ 18,000 rpm, which was later replaced by a Mercedes-Benz V6 engine. The engine is paired with an Xtrac 7-speed semi-automatic transmission.

The car has chassis number 4, the same one in which Hamilton took pole position and then won the Hungarian Grand Prix during a season dominated by Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull Racing. It was the second team in his Formula 1 career, and before moving to Mercedes, Hamilton was part of the McLaren team for six full seasons.

At the time of writing, an auction date has not been announced, and the car is estimated at $10,000,000 – $15,000,000 USD.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04 is up for auction
News

2025 Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar

Aston Martin has announced that it will participate in the FIA WEC (World Endurance Championship) and the IMSA Championship in the most powerful Hypercar class from the 2025 season, with a prototype based on the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

“It is time to return to the fastest in endurance racing, the most important of which is the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as it has been many years since our last overall win at Le Mans back in 1959,” said CEO Aston Martin, Lawrence Stroll.

The car will be adapted to the rules of the Hypercar class (LMH – Le Mans Hypercar) and will have slightly less horsepower than the current endurance-focused Aston Martin Valkyrie. The Valkyrie is powered by a Cosworth 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 engine assisted by an electric motor totaling 1,160 hp (865 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed Ricardo single-clutch automated manual transmission. It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.6 seconds with a top speed of 402 km/h (250 mph).

Lawrence Stroll also said he hopes owners of current road-legal Aston Martin Valkyries will drive their cars and not keep them in garages.

Source: Aston Martin

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2025 Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar
Auctions

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 is up for auction

In 1969, Ford presented one of the rarest and highly valued muscle cars to date to fulfill Ford‘s need to homologate the 429 semi-hemispherical engine for NASCAR racing, the Mustang Boss 429. It was produced until 1970, and 1359 cars left the production lines. One of them, a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 is up for auction.

Mustang Boss 429 is powered by a 7.0L 429ci V8 engine with a factory output of 375 hp (280 kW) and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque at 3400 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission and a Traction-Lok differential. It sits on 15″ Magnum 500-style wheels wrapped in 205/70 Goodyear Polyglas GT tires.

This car is finished in Candyapple Red, well maintained and in good condition. It is equipped with a front spoiler, a vented hood, dual side mirrors, a rear spoiler, Boss 429 badging, dual exhaust outlets, a Traction-Lok differential, revised control arms, a higher-rate front anti-roll bar than other Mustang variants, a rear anti-roll bar, a competition suspension with staggered rear shocks, and power-assisted brakes with discs up front and drums out back.

Inside, high-back bucket seats are trimmed in black vinyl that also covers the door panels, rear bench, center console and dashboard, with color-keyed carpets, and simulated woodgrain appliqués on the dashboard. In front of the driver is a three-spoke wood-trimmed steering wheel behind which is a five-digit odometer showing 4,407 miles. Additional equipment includes the Interior Decor Group–Deluxe and Visibility Group packages, and it features a Philco AM radio, a dash-mounted rally clock, deluxe seat belts, and courtesy lights for the glovebox, ashtray, and trunk.

The car comes with the removed factory wheels, a window sticker, two build sheets, an owner’s manual, and a clean Missouri title.

The auction ends on October 7th and the highest bid at the time of writing is $400,000 USD.

Source: Bring a Trailer

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1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 is up for auction