Category Archives: Auctions

Auctions

Custom 1955 Ford “Beatnik Bubbletop” Set to Cross the Auction Block

In a world where modern cars often blur together in shades of gray and practicality, the Beatnik Bubbletop is a brazen reminder that automotive design can still be wild, wonderful, and a little weird. Built from the bones of a 1955 Ford, this custom creation is anything but conventional—and nearly a decade after its last auction appearance, it’s once again ready to turn heads as it heads to the Mecum Auctions block this September.

Originally the brainchild of renowned custom car builder Gary Fioto, the Beatnik Bubbletop took over four years to complete. The project was no mere restomod—it was a full-blown reinvention. Fioto chopped the roof off a ’55 Ford and mounted the body on the chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car. From there, things only got more radical.

Up front, a bumper from a 1959 Cadillac makes a bold first impression, while the rear is capped with a 1958 Caddy bumper and striking finned taillights sourced from a 1960 Chrysler. All the bodywork in between was handcrafted in steel, painstakingly joined with oxy-acetylene welding to achieve a sculptural, seamless flow. It’s a design that feels more at home in a Jetsons cartoon or a mid-century sci-fi dream than on any city street.

But the most striking feature—and the reason for its name—is the clear Lexan bubble roof, giving the car a full-blown space-age silhouette. The oversized dome isn’t just a design flourish; it defines the car’s entire persona. It’s audacious, theatrical, and undeniably unique.

Inside, the show continues. The cockpit is as bespoke as the bodywork, featuring a yoke-style steering wheel, custom dashboard, and sleek, color-matched air vents that extend into the rear. Pearl White upholstery shimmers beneath the light pouring in from the transparent canopy, while a Vintage Air HVAC system and Alpine screen add a modern touch to this retro-futuristic fantasy.

The Beatnik Bubbletop isn’t just a novelty—it’s a decorated showpiece. It cleaned up on the custom car circuit in the mid-2000s, taking top honors at events like Daryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Show, where it earned a $20,000 grand prize in 2006. It later joined the eclectic collection of the late Larry Klairmont, a well-known Chicago collector who passed away in 2021.

Back in July 2015, the car fetched $165,000 at an RM Sotheby’s auction. Now, ten years later, collectors and custom enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see if its value—and its legend—have grown with time.

Whether you love it, loathe it, or simply marvel at its existence, one thing is certain: the Beatnik Bubbletop wasn’t built to blend in. It’s an automotive statement piece, a rolling work of art that revels in excess and eccentricity. As it heads back to the auction stage, the question isn’t whether it will attract attention—it’s whether anyone will be bold enough to take it home.

Source: Mecum Auctions

Auctions

Dua Lipa’s Custom Porsche 911 GT3 RS Heads to Auction for Charity

Three-time Grammy Award winner Dua Lipa may be conquering the global music stage with her Radical Optimism world tour, but her passion isn’t confined to soundtracks and stadiums. Like many automotive enthusiasts, she’s been indulging in the digital thrill of supercar configurators — and now, that virtual hobby has translated into a very real, very special car.

Meet the Rennstall Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Dua Lipa’s custom-built dream machine, heading to auction via RM Sotheby’s. “Rennstall,” which means “racing team” in German, might sound like a prelude to a motorsport debut, but Lipa isn’t gearing up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans — at least, not yet. Instead, this striking, track-focused Porsche is destined for the auction block, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting her Sunny Hill Foundation, which supports youth, art, and culture in her native Kosovo.

Unveiled at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, the car reflects Lipa’s signature boldness and flair. RM Sotheby’s describes the car’s vivid, retro-themed colorway as “a perfect reflection of the liveliness that characterizes Dua Lipa’s stage design and performances.” And they’re not wrong. With a bespoke configuration and meticulous attention to detail, this GT3 RS is as performance-focused as it is artistic.

Underneath the eye-catching exterior lies Porsche’s finest performance tech. The Rennstall GT3 RS is equipped with the Weissach Package, offering extensive weight reduction through carbon-fiber panels and suspension upgrades. It rolls on lightweight magnesium wheels, stops with carbon-ceramic brakes, and features a Guards Red Sport Chrono package, matching the red tachometer and stopwatch inside. It’s a true enthusiast’s car, with every box ticked — and the aesthetic to match.

While not destined for Dua’s personal garage, the car was recently seen in action at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where she rode shotgun with Karen Gaillard of the all-female Iron Dames racing team. The car has covered just over 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles), and now the question remains: what price will it fetch at auction?

Given its unique spec, celebrity provenance, and charitable cause, it wouldn’t be surprising if this Rennstall GT3 RS becomes one of the most coveted 911s to hit the block in recent memory. For collectors and Porsche purists alike, it represents a rare intersection of performance, personality, and purpose.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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Dua Lipa’s Custom Porsche 911 GT3 RS Heads to Auction for Charity
Auctions

Han’s Iconic Mazda RX-7 From Tokyo Drift Sold for Staggering $1.2 Million

The Fast and Furious franchise has a storied legacy of turning modified cars into silver-screen legends, and now one of its most recognizable rides has just fetched a jaw-dropping price at auction. The 1992 Mazda RX-7 FD, featured in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), has sold for £911,000—or roughly $1.2 million—through Bonhams, marking one of the highest figures ever paid for a Japanese tuner car from the film series.

This particular RX-7 is believed to be one of only two surviving examples used during the filming of the franchise’s third installment. On screen, it was piloted by Sung Kang’s fan-favorite character Han, and though it was mostly used for static and close-up shots, its screen presence has etched it firmly into JDM and movie car history.

Built to impress, the RX-7 wears an aggressive VeilSide Fortune widebody kit, giving it a stance over 7.9 inches wider than a standard FD3S. Only the roof and tailgate remain from Mazda’s original design. Its pearlescent orange finish, paired with 19-inch Andrew Premier Series Racing Evolution 5 wheels wrapped in meaty Pirelli P Zero Nero tires (a massive 12 inches wide at the rear), makes the car instantly recognizable.

Closer inspection reveals its film roots, with remnants like “#71 HANS” stickers and mounting marks from camera rigs still visible. Despite being a showpiece on set, the RX-7 isn’t just for looks—it underwent a significant mechanical refresh before the auction. RE-Amemiya, a legendary name in the rotary tuning world, rebuilt the car’s twin-rotor turbocharged engine. Although the odometer reads 66,785 miles, it has clocked only 5,000 miles since the overhaul. That said, it has reportedly been sitting for a while, suggesting some recommissioning may be required before it’s back on the street or track.

The RX-7’s $1.2 million sale eclipses the price paid for Paul Walker’s orange 1994 Toyota Supra—another franchise icon—which brought in $550,000 in 2021. However, it still falls just short of the record set by Walker’s 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, which sold for $1.35 million in 2023.

With the continued rise of nostalgia-fueled collector demand and the cultural cachet of the Fast franchise, this RX-7 proves that movie cars—especially those with the right mix of rarity, tuning pedigree, and emotional appeal—can command supercar-level prices.

Source: Bonhams