All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Auctions, News

Aston Martin DB5 from “No Time to Die” is for sale

Aston Martin DB5 became famous thanks to James Bond, and the greatest credit goes to Sean Connery and Goldfinger in which the DB5 plays a major role among cars. British auction house Christie’s has announced the sale of this unique car used in the latest sequel called “No Time to Die.”

The car looks flawless. Eight replicas were made for the film, and only this one was offered for sale. The carbon fiber body is painted in the classic Silver Birch color. Inside, the car is equipped with sports seats and belts, as well as a specially installed protective cage for stuntmen. There is also a hydraulic handbrake so that drivers can perform attractive maneuvers more easily. In front of the driver there is a 3D printed dashboard and the original steering wheel.

The DB5 is powered by a 3.2-liter inline-six petrol engine from the BMW M3 (E46), mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. To make it capable of incredible stunt performance, Aston Martin has equipped the car with a new braking system and new suspension.

The auction starts on September 15 and will last until October 5. It is estimated that the car will reach a price of between 1.5 million – 2 million pounds.

Source: Christie’s

News, Tuning

Ferrari Portofino M with 704 HP

In 2017, on the Italian Riviera, Ferrari presented its new car, the Portofino. Three years later, the Italian car manufacturer presented the Portofino M (Modificata) version, with several improvements and additional horsepower.

The Ferrari Portofino M is powered by a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 612 hp (456 kW) and 561 ft-lb (760 Nm) of torque. By comparison, the Portofino has 592 hp (441 kW). The engine is paired with an 8-speed Magna 8DCL900 dual-clutch transmission. It reaches 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, 124 mph (200 km/h) in 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph (320 km/h).

However, the German tuner Novitec believes that this super car can do much more. First of all, the engine power has been increased by an additional 92 hp, so now the drop-top 2+2 seater has 704 hp (518 kW) and 650 lb-ft (882 Nm) of torque. Thanks to this, this supercar reaches 62 mph in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h).

Novitec equipped the Portofino M with naked-carbon components, which improved the car’s aerodynamics. These include the frontspoiler lip, air inserts on the engine cover, inserts on the side openings on the bumper, side skirts, side mirror covers, air inserts on the front fenders and rearspoiler lip. There are also carbon tailpipes, a set of sports springs that bring the car an additional 35 mm closer to the ground, a new exhaust system, but also a set of forged 21 and 22-inch Vossen rims wrapped in 255/30 ZR 21 (front) and 315/25 ZR 22 ( rear) tires.

When it comes to the interior, Novitec allows each customer to personalize the design according to their own wishes.

Source: Novitec

Auctions, News

1968 Maserati Ghibli Spyder Prototype by Ghia is for sale

In 1966, at the Turin Motor Show, Maserati presented its new car, the Ghibli Spyder, whose design was based on Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car attracted great interest among car enthusiasts, and only 125 cars were produced.

RM Sotheby’s has announced the auction sale of the first ever produced example of this model. It is a prototype produced by Ghia for Maserati. Maserati Ghibli Spyder Prototype by Ghia is finished in Giallo paint and is powered by a 4.7 liter V-8 engine with 310 hp.

The car with chassis number 1001 differs from production examples by the handles that are mounted over recessed oval sections that improve hand access, as well as by the fact that the tank cover is hidden in the trunk. The rear deck lid is longer, and is characterized by a line that also increases rigidity.

The Ghibli Spyder Prototype by Ghia has had four owners so far. In 2013, the car underwent mechanical restoration by Brian Joseph’s Classic and Exotic Service in Troy, Michigan, while in 2015, it underwent further freshening measures by RM Auto Restoration. The car underwent a full rebuild of the engine with new pistons, rings, connecting rods, main bearing, valve springs, rod bearings, and intake, exhaust valve guides, carburetors, distributor and transmission. Also, new wiring harness, water pump, and hoses were installed. It is mounted on restored Campagnolo rims wrapped in new Pirelli Cinturato tires.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in brown leather. Leather is also found on the dashboard, the upper part of which is covered by mousehair fabric and new brown carpeting. The complete restoration, which took three years, cost $422,000.

Maserati Ghibli Spyder Prototype by Ghia comes with copies of factory records and correspondence, period photographs, Auto Club d’Italia estratto cronologico, period magazine articles and restoration invoices.

The auction will take place on August 18 – 20, and the car is expected to reach a price of $1.6 million.

Source: RM Sotheby’s