Tag Archives: RM Sotheby's

News

Rare 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider for sale

At the 1960 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari revealed a new car based on the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. It is an extremely rare car which makes it a highly desirable collector’s car. One example, actually the first ever produced and one of four in the world, is owned by former German football player Michael Ballack. Now this car will be auctioned in August, and the estimated value is $16,000,000 – $18,000,000 USD.

“It is extremely difficult to come across a car as interesting to collectors as this California Spider. An icon among icons that has a unique place in Ferrari history, as it is the first 250 GT SWB California Spider ever built. It was even in the Ferrari window at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show,” said an RM Sotheby’s spokesperson.

This 250 GT SWB California Spider is powered by a competition-spec Tipo 168 engine that enables acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 233 km/h (145 mph).

The car is in excellent condition and is equipped with covered headlights and factory removable hardtop, and comes with Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified with original ‘numbers matching’ engine, gearbox, rear axle and bodywork.

Ballack was close friend with Michael Schumacher, which had an impact on the growth of his passion for motorsport and the Ferrari brand.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

Rare 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider for sale
Auctions

1981 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S is for sale

At the beginning of the 70s, Lamborghini started the production of the sports car Countach, and the first model was the LP400. Four years later, it was replaced by the LP400 S model, which is the rarest variant of the Countach. 237 LP 400 S were produced, of which 105 belong to the second production series, and one of them is for sale. It is a 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S with chassis number 1121296, estimated at $650,000 USD.

This car is finished in attractive Tahiti Blue and is in excellent condition. It is powered by a 3.9-L V12 engine with 350 hp (261 kW) @ 7000 rpm and 302 lb-ft (409 Nm) of torque @ 4500 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission.

Compared to the LP400 model, the LP400 S has wider fenders for the widest tires available on a production car at the time, 345/35R15 Pirelli P7. A boomerang rear wing was an option, and tests showed it reduced the top speed by at least 16 km/h (10 mph). Despite that, most owners ordered the car with the wing.

The car was delivered as new to Switzerland, and was finished in red over a beige leather interior. After that, the owner painted it in an attractive Tahiti Blue. In 2005, the car changed owners, and it should be noted that the first owner overhauled the engine. The rest of the vehicle remained unrestored and had only 5,000 km on the odometer. After that, it changed several owners, and in 2021 it was bought by the current owner who, in preparation for the sale, had the car serviced and cosmetically refurbished, which cost 71,000 euros.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

1981 Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S is for sale
Auctions

2015 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is up for auction

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show Bugatti revealed the targa top version of the Veyron Super Sport, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse. It is a limited edition that was produced until 2015 and only 92 cars left the factory. One of them, the 2015 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is up for auction.

This rare car is powered by a quad-turbo W-16 engine with 1,200 hp (882 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 1,100 lbâ‹…ft (1,500 Nâ‹…m) at 3,000–5,000 rpm. That’s enough power to propel the car to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.6 seconds with a top speed of 254 mph (410 km/h), making it the fastest roadster in the world at the time. To ensure that the car can handle the massive power, Bugatti’s engineers strengthened the chassis.

The car is finished in light blue with contrasting blue carbon fiber trim, and in order to make it stand out from other examples, the owner decorated it with details inspired by the movies “Transformers”. The same theme continues in the interior of the car with matching two-tone blue and black leather with Bugatti’s Sport Comfort seats and blue contrasting stitching throughout. A Transformers logo is inlaid between the seats.

This Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse has been well maintained and is in mint condition with 5,163 km on the odometer. In August 2022, the car was sent to Bugatti Munich for an annual service. It should also be noted that the current owner elected to enroll his car in Bugatti’s Passport Tranquillité program in December 2022 for a two-year duration, ending in December 2024. This is a pre-paid comprehensive service program that includes the appropriate annual services for the car . This program remains tied to the car rather than the owner, and the next service will be free of charge if undertaken prior to August 31, 2024.

The auction will take place from 1-3 May 2024 and the car is currently located in Madrid.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

2015 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is up for auction