All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Auctions

Restored 1959 Porsche 356A is for Sale

A beautifully restored example of Porsche’s early sports car legacy is now up for grabs. This 1959 Porsche 356A coupe, a Reutter-bodied classic, is being offered on dealer consignment and presents a compelling blend of period charm and carefully selected enhancements. Accompanied by a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and a clean California title, the car is an alluring opportunity for collectors seeking a driver-focused vintage Porsche with tasteful modifications.

Originally delivered in Silver Metallic, this 356A underwent a comprehensive refurbishment following its acquisition by the current owner in 2015. The most visually striking change is its respray in Aquamarine Blue, a period-correct and highly desirable Porsche hue that complements the coupe’s rounded silhouette. Alongside cosmetic upgrades, structural work included replacement of the battery box and floors, addressing common rust-prone areas and ensuring long-term solidity.

Adding to its distinct profile are a set of polished 15-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in Vredestein Sprint Classic 165HR15 tires. These are paired with factory-style drum brakes, serviced during the restoration, and upgraded with Koni shock absorbers to enhance ride quality while maintaining period-correct mechanical authenticity. A rare sliding steel sunroof adds both value and an extra dose of charm.

Inside, the cabin presents a vintage racing-inspired aesthetic, with fixed-back Speedster-style bucket seats trimmed in vibrant red vinyl. Beige squareweave carpeting lines the cabin, and while the dash retains a Porsche-branded radio blanking plate for a clean look, an antenna and speakers were discreetly added during the refurbishment. Instrumentation is classic VDO, with a central 8,000-rpm tachometer, a 160-mph speedometer, and a combination oil temp/fuel gauge. The five-digit odometer reads 15,000 miles, though true mileage is unknown.

Powering this 356A is a rebuilt flat-four engine sourced from a 1967 Porsche 912, installed during the restoration. It maintains the original six-volt electrical system and is fitted with dual Solex carburetors, a 356-style oil filter, and a later-series fuel pump. Shifting is handled by a replacement 741/2 four-speed manual transaxle, rebuilt by Ron’s Transaxle of San Pablo—renowned specialists in vintage Porsche drivetrains.

While not a fully numbers-matching car, this 1959 Porsche 356A strikes a thoughtful balance between originality and usability. The factory colors and serials are documented by its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring a level of provenance. Ideal for vintage rallies, weekend drives, or display in a curated collection, this lovingly restored 356A coupe is a tribute to Porsche’s golden-era design and engineering.

The auction ends on July 10 and the highest bid at the time of writing was USD $65,000.

Source: Bring a Trailer

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Restored 1959 Porsche 356A is for Sale
Auctions

A Rarely Optioned 2014 Ferrari FF with Panoramic Roof and 30K Miles is for Sale

Few cars on the modern grand touring landscape balance practicality and unfiltered V12 performance like the Ferrari FF. Now offered on dealer consignment is a meticulously cared-for 2014 Ferrari FF, showing 30,000 miles, and spec’d with an array of high-end options—including the ultra-rare $17,000 panoramic glass roof. Delivered new via Foreign Cars Italia in North Carolina and now residing in California with a clean title and Carfax, this example captures both Ferrari’s performance heritage and avant-garde shooting brake design in a single, compelling package. This vehicle is currently available for auction.

A Ferrari for Four, Powered by V12

Beneath the elegant white Pininfarina-sculpted bodywork lies the formidable 6.3-liter Tipo F140EB V12—Ferrari’s last naturally aspirated twelve-cylinder engine before the brand shifted to hybrid electrification. Rated at 651 horsepower and 504 lb-ft of torque, this high-revving engine (with an 8,200-rpm redline) sends power to all four wheels through the innovative 4RM all-wheel-drive system. The setup includes a rear-mounted seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle and a front-mounted two-speed gearbox—an exotic configuration that delivers balanced handling in all conditions.

Recent maintenance in February 2024 includes an oil change, new drive belt, thermostat, air filters, and lower radiator hoses—ensuring the FF remains as healthy mechanically as it is visually striking.

Italian Elegance Meets Touring Practicality

Finished in Bianco Avus over a two-tone tan and black leather cabin, this FF blurs the line between high fashion and long-haul comfort. Inside, diamond-stitched leather and Cavallino Rampante-embroidered headrests elevate the interior, while front and rear bucket seats, heated power-adjustable fronts, and a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and cruise control speak to the car’s usability.

A rare panoramic roof option floods the cabin with natural light and adds an airy, open feel that complements the grand touring ethos. Other appointments include machined aluminum pedals, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with the signature Manettino drive-mode selector, and dual digital display screens flanking the central tachometer.

The dashboard was reupholstered in November 2024, and while some “sticky” interior surfaces are noted—a common issue for Ferraris of this era—the overall presentation remains cohesive and well-cared-for.

Striking from Every Angle

Visually, the FF stands apart even among Maranello’s stable. The shooting brake profile is unmistakable, with dramatic front intakes, a sculpted rear diffuser, and quad exhaust outlets. Scuderia Ferrari fender shields and adaptive bi-xenon headlights bring a subtle motorsport edge. A full Xpel paint protection film was applied to the front end in 2020, although the front bumper shows minor imperfections—honest signs of use rather than neglect.

The 20″ forged alloy wheels were refinished in October 2023 and wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Ferrari-branded Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes—refreshed with a fluid flush in early 2024—ensure this 4-seater stops as well as it accelerates.

Documented Provenance and a $343K MSRP

Originally stickered at $343,156, this FF includes the window sticker, service records, owner’s manual, and clean Carfax. Since being purchased by the current owner in 2020, the car has covered approximately 22,000 of its 30,000 miles—suggesting it has been enthusiast-driven, but responsibly maintained.

Whether you’re an aficionado seeking a modern V12 GT or a collector looking for one of Ferrari’s most versatile creations, this 2014 Ferrari FF offers rarity, usability, and pedigree in equal measure.

The auction ends on July 11 and the highest bid at the time of writing was USD $100,000.

Source: Bring a trailer

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A Rarely Optioned 2014 Ferrari FF with Panoramic Roof and 30K Miles is for Sale
News

50 Years On: Celebrating the Lotus Esprit, the Ferrari-Fighter from Hethel

When we think of junior supercars, the Porsche 911 usually takes centre stage — enduring, versatile, and ever-evolving. But from 1976 to 2004, there was another contender in the wings: the Lotus Esprit. Over a 28-year run and more than 10,000 units sold, it carved out its own legend — sharp-edged, lightweight, and unmistakably British.

This year marks a major milestone: half a century since the Esprit made its debut at the 1975 Paris Motor Show. That show revealed for the first time Giorgetto Giugiaro’s radical, wedge-shaped vision in production form — a car that looked like it had driven straight out of the future. Under the stewardship of Lotus founder Colin Chapman and his small but fiercely focused team in Hethel, the Esprit became the company’s first serious tilt at Ferrari territory.

Though it launched with a relatively modest four-cylinder engine, the Esprit compensated with a featherweight sub-900kg curb weight, a brilliantly balanced mid-engine layout, and the kind of handling purity that Lotus had already become famous for. In that sense, it wasn’t just a Ferrari fighter — it was a statement of intent.

So it’s only fitting that the Esprit’s golden jubilee was celebrated with appropriate reverence at the Classic Team Lotus Garden Party, hosted at East Carleton Manor. The location, once home to Colin and Hazel Chapman, lies just a stone’s throw from Lotus HQ and was transformed into a lush stage for this tribute.

Fifty Esprits were gathered on the manicured lawns — one for every year since its debut — with just a handful of original S1s among them. These are the purest incarnations of the original concept, all angular aggression and concept-car boldness. Sitting not far from one of them was Giugiaro himself, who answered a question about working with Chapman with a smile: “Drawing was our common language.”

It was a poignant moment — one that was quickly complemented by the roar of Lotus’s racing heritage coming to life. Out front, a selection of 1960s Lotus single-seaters — including Jim Clark’s Type 18, Type 32B, and Type 35 — were brought to life and driven onto the manor’s driveway, a reminder of the motorsport DNA that underpinned the Esprit’s ethos.

Clive Chapman, Colin’s son and guardian of the Classic Team Lotus legacy, reflected on the model’s place in Lotus folklore. “Dad was always looking forward,” he said. “We had gone from the Elan to the Esprit, but this extraordinary car still had the Elan’s handling characteristics… so you had your foot in both camps.”

Walking among the assembled cars gave a clear sense of just how much Lotus evolved — and maximized — the Esprit over nearly three decades. By one count, there were 22 distinct derivatives, from the early S1s through to the Peter Stevens-designed X180, Julian Thomson’s S4, and the V8-powered final iterations by Russell Carr. Special editions were well represented too: the iconic black-and-gold Esprit JPS and the Essex liveries in red, blue, and silver — all nods to Lotus’s Formula 1 pedigree.

And yes, no Esprit celebration would be complete without a cinematic cameo. By the manor’s pool sat not one, but two Bond Esprits: the half-scale submersible ‘Wet Nellie’ from The Spy Who Loved Me and the full-size Turbo Esprit from For Your Eyes Only. If ever a car bridged the gap between road and silver screen legend, it was the Esprit.

As the event drew to a close, Giugiaro could be seen seated in an S1 Esprit, parked next to Lotus’s 2024 Theory 1 concept — the company’s boldest statement of design and intent in the electric era. Whether it will prove as pivotal to Lotus’s future as the Esprit was to its past remains to be seen.

But as history shows, bold design, lightweight performance, and Chapman’s pursuit of driving purity never go out of style.

Source: Autocar