Category Archives: Auctions

Auctions

1992 Simpson-Ferrari V12 GTR is up for auction

The British motor race team, Simpson Motorsport, in the late 1990s/early 2000s, in cooperation with Ferrari, modified the legendary F40 model and equipped it with a V12 engine, which makes it unique. This car, a 1992 Simpson-Ferrari V12 GTR, was built for former driver Stefano Sebastiani and will be offered at auction.

The car has a very interesting story, and here are just some of the details told by Stefano Sebastiani that were mentioned in Keith Bluemel’s book ‘Ferrari F40: a comprehensive look at one of Ferrari’s greatest and most revered cars’. “Simpson Motorsport ran for Stefano Sebastiani his Ferrari 348 LM (chassis 95450) in endurance races between 1993 and 1995, including two Le Mans 24 Hours entries in 1993 and 1994. Through its racing with the 348 LM, Simpson and Sebastiani formed a strong relationship with Mr. Felisa of the Ferrari Factory and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that probably led to the production of the Michelotto-built 348 Competizione and 348 GTC/LM models during 1994.”

After the crash test, Stefan and his driving friend Robin Simpson Smith were given the opportunity to convert the original F40 chassis into the Simpson-Ferrari V12 GTR. It was an expensive project, but it paid off in the end, and the result was a unique Ferrari F40. The car participated in several races and after one of them, World Champion Mauro Baldi, who drove the car at the 6 Hours of Vallelunga with Richard Jones and Fabio Montani said, ‘What a nice and quick car to drive. Much better than the turbo original car!’

This Simpson-Ferrari V12 GTR is powered by a naturally aspirated F133 V12 engine mated to a Hewland 6-speed sequential manual transmission. Although engine output is not specified, it is believed that the engine delivers more than the factory 485 hp (362 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) of torque.

It is equipped with lightweight F40 GTE-style bodywork, a full FIA roll-cage, 11in-width x 18in-diameter front wheels, 12.5in-width x 18in-diameter rear wheels, and custom-made suspension. Until 2023, the car was dry stored and well looked after, and that year it was subsequently being fully checked and gone through by Simpson Motorsport and shaken down at Turweston Airfield.

The estimated value of the car is £500,000 – £600,000, and along with this unique car, the buyer will also receive a history file containing drawings and specification details relating to its original build, a number of relevant invoices, and its UK V5C confirming that it’s road-registered as and ‘Simpson Ferrari GTR’ with the UK registration number J848 JUY. The car is road legal and has a chassis number – SEoGL1576AD45659.

The auction will take place on 23rd August 2024 at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN.

Source: Iconic Auctioneers

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1992 Simpson-Ferrari V12 GTR is up for auction
Auctions

Ultra-rare 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 is up for auction

In 1972, Porsche unveiled a special version of the 911 model, the Carrera RS, which was developed to meet the homologation requirements in motorsport. Two years later, the Carrera RS 3.0 was developed with Carrera RSR 3.0 homologation, and only 55 examples were produced. All the cars were sold to racing teams, and very few survived. One of the best preserved examples in existence, the 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 is up for auction.

The car is finished in Grand Prix White with striking Gold lettering over a Midnight leatherette interior, and is in excellent condition. While sharing many design cues with the Carrera RS 2.7, the Carrera RS 3.0 received wider Fuchs wheels, ventilated disc brakes borrowed from the 917, and strengthened chassis and suspension components. The five-digit odometer shows 29,453 kilometers (~18,302 miles).

This car was a demonstration car for prospective buyers, and after the duty was done, it was sold to the first owner, Sydney Butler, in the United States, and that’s when the interesting story of this car begins. After three years of ownership, Butler sold the car to his friend Charles Stoddard, and it was not the first time he encountered this car. When Porsche premiered this model, a number of people were able to enjoy a demonstration drive around the Hockenheimring, and Charles was in the passenger seat in this car driven by Jürgen Bart. He owned the car for 20 years, kept it in the garage and maintained it as needed. The car was then sold to Japan to return to the United States in 2004, and was sold to the current owner in 2017 when it became part of the White Collection.

The Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 is powered by a 3.0-L engine with around 230 horsepower. It is fitted with the original Pirelli tires that were present on initial delivery.

The auction will take place August 15 – 17, 2024 in Monterey, and the estimated value of the car is between $1,600,000 – $1,800,000 USD.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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Ultra-rare 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 is up for auction
Auctions

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sb Coupe is for sale

At the 1951 Paris Salon, Mercedes-Benz revealed a hand-built two-door car, the Mercedes-Benz 300 which was produced until 1954 as the 300 S when it was replaced by the 300 Sc version. However, between 1954 and 1955, Mercedes-Benz launched an updated version of the 300 S, the 300 Sb. Only 216 cars were produced and one of them, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sb Coupe, will be offered at auction.

Mercedes-Benz 300 represented a strong return of the German manufacturer to the market after the Second World War. It was an elegant luxury car designed to give reliable service under prolonged hard use. However, Mercedes decided to update this model by installing upgraded brakes, a redesigned dashboard, and pivoting vent windows. Ultimately, this also resulted in a 50% price increase over the 300 S ($12,300).

This car is finished in Dark Gray over Light Gray leather, and is in excellent condition. It is equipped with Becker Le Mans radio, whitewall tires, Hirschmann automatic antenna and sealed-beam headlights. What makes this 300 Sb rare is the ultra-desirable and rarely seen floor-shift option, as opposed to the typical column-mounted transmission selector.

Under the bonnet is a 3.0-L inline-6 ​​engine with 150 hp (110 kW).
and 162 lb-ft (220 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission.

The auction will be held in Monterey from August 15 – 17, 2024, and the estimated value of the car is between $375,000 – $425,000 USD.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sb Coupe is for sale