Category Archives: Auctions

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

August 2, 2022 Francis Mitterrand

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

Auctions, News

1968 Maserati Ghibli Spyder Prototype by Ghia is for sale

August 2, 2022 Francis Mitterrand

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

Auctions, News

Schumacher’s 1998 Ferrari F300 is up for auction

July 23, 2022 Francis Mitterrand

Michael Schumacher is one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history, about whom very little is known since the accident that happened to him. Everything related to him attracts a lot of attention, including this 1998 Ferrari F300 car with which Schumacher achieved four out of six victories that season. The car is listed at RM Sotheby’s and the auction will take place on August 18 – 20.

The car is in excellent condition and was sold by Ferrari in 1999 to the owner who has now put it up for auction. It has chassis number 187, and driving this car in Canada, Schumacher achieved the fastest lap, but also the most important first victory of that season with an advantage of 19 seconds. He achieved his second victory in France, and his third in Great Britain. The fourth victory came in the Italian Grand Prix.

The Ferrari F300 is powered by a 3.0-liter V10 engine with 805 hp (592 kW). It is equipped with carbon-carbon composite discs, electro-hydraulic 7-speed transmission, independent push-rod, twin wishbones, torsion bar springs, Good Year tires, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar.