Category Archives: Uncategorized

1913 AC Sociable

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1913 AC Sociable Runabout

Offered by Coys | “True Greats,” London, U.K. | December 7, 2011

Autocars and Accessories Ltd. was founded by the Weller Brothers who initially produced a three-wheeled delivery vehicle called the Autocarrier. When they decided to sell it to the emerging motoring public as a passenger vehicle, the replaced the cargo box with a front seat and the AC Sociable was born.

AC produced approximately 1800 Sociables from 1907 through 1914. It is powered by a single-cylinder engine of about 630cc that sits below the driver who sits in the lone seat at the car’s rear. This car has a somewhat perplexing convertible top that can be raised over the passenger compartment. It’s purpose, one could suppose, would be to block the sun – as it does not reach the small half-windshield, therefore not really protecting anyone from the elements.

Curiously, it also obscures the vision of the driver. This picture:

shows that, perhaps if the correct height, the operator could see through the porthole window to drive (assuming the passengers aren’t large enough to cover it up), but their vision is still quite limited. It’s an interesting car, no doubt. But it also showcases that we’ve come a long way so far as ergonomics are concerned.

Coys estimates the price to be between £18,000 and £22,000 ($28,000-$34,000 USD). More info on the car can be found here. And more info on the auction here.

Update: Sold £25,370, or about $40,300.

410 Superamerica by Scaglietti

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1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica

Offered by RM Auctions, Phoenix, Arizona, January 19-20, 2012

Sergio Scaglietti, whose Carrozzeria Scaglietti bodied this outstanding Ferrari 410 Superamerica, passed away about two weeks ago. Ferrari built less than 35 410 Superamericas, and this is the only Scaglietti-bodied car.

The stainless steel of the roof and amazing looking tailfins are quite striking. There is much sparkly, shiny silver chrome and steel on this otherwise red car that it makes a grand statement just sitting there.

The 410 used a 5.0 liter V12 that produced 335 horsepower in Series I guise. This Series II car (just one of six) makes even more. In their day, these were the exclusive Ferraris – costing more than twice the amount of a brand new 300SL Gullwing.

That price difference is evident today when Gullwing Mercedes’ are bringing closer and closer to a $1 million each. This car is estimated to fetch between $1.75 million and $2.25 million. More info on the car is available at RM’s site here and more information on the auction, here.

Update: Sold $1,815,000.

1967 Jaguar E-Type

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1967 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2-Liter Roadster

Offered by RM Auctions, Phoenix, Arizona, January 19-20, 2012

One of the most iconic automotive designs of all time, the Jaguar E-Tpye recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. This Series 1 Roadster is equipped with the 4.2-liter straight six that was introduced to the line in October of 1964. The engine produced 265 horsepower, making this car a serious performer in its day.

1967 was the final year for the Series 1 before it became the series 1.5, which carried the same body style with slight modifications. This transitional model was built until the introduction of the Series 2 in 1969. Total production for Series 1 convertibles was 6,749.

Enzo Ferrari called the E-Type “the most beautiful car ever made” and he is not the only person to think so. E-Types come up for auction regularly. Look for this to catch a price right around $90,000-$100,000, the average for a Series I at auction over the past few years.

More info on this car is available here and more on RM in Arizona here.

Update: Not Sold.

Ferrari 512 BBi

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1983 Ferrari 512 BBi

Offered by RM Auctions, Phoenix, Arizona, January 19-20, 2012

The Ferrari 512 BBi was the last of the Berlinetta Boxers built by Ferrari. The cars used a mid-mounted 4.4 (and later 5.0. for the 512) flat-12 (hence the name “Boxer”) – although a flat-12 is essentially just a 180° V-12. The first of the Berlinetta Boxers was the 1973-1976 365 GT4 of which just 387 were produced.

The 512 BB was introduced in 1976 and lasted until 1981 when fuel-injection was introduced to the line. The fuel-injected BBi was a car that could be more easily lived with on a daily basis. I’m pretty sure I could “live with” a 340 horsepower Ferrari on a daily basis if I had to.

It’s an attractive car that remain desirable – a must have for any Ferrari collector. Just over 1,000 BBis were made between 1981 and 1984. The average auction price for these cars over the past few years is almost right at $100,000. Some more, some less. For more info on this car try here and for more on RM in Arizona, here.

Update: Sold $96,250.

Tucker Torpedo

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1948 Tucker Sedan

Offered by Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, Arizona, January 15-22, 2012

This Tucker – one of 51 produced by Preston Tucker’s forward-thinking company in 1948 – is offered from the collection of noted Scottsdale-area car collector Ron Pratte – who is a fixture at Barrett-Jackson each January. While the pictured car may or may not be the car offered – it looks exactly like it in beautiful Waltz Blue.

Tuckers utilize a 166 horsepower flat-6 produced by aircraft engine manufacturer Air Cooled Motors. To secure the supply, Tucker bought the company and cancelled their contracts to make them exclusive to Tucker. The engine is mounted in the rear (and it’s rear-wheel drive). It also features one exhaust pipe for each cylinder – which is certainly interesting.

The car features a number of innovative features such as the directional headlight – or “Cyclops Eye” – that turns with steering angles of more than 10 degrees. It has a padded dashboard (hey, in a pre-airbag world, it’s better than nothing). The windshield is shatter-proof pop-out glass and the car was one of the first to feature seat belts.

There were only 51 Tuckers built (50 production models and 1 prototype), yet they still manage to pop up for sale every now and then. Look for this to bag about $1 million. More info is available here and here for more about the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction.

Update: Sold $2,915,000.

1954 Allard K3 Roadster

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1954 Allard K3 Roadster

Offered by RM Auctions, Phoenix, Arizona, January 19-20, 2012

The sleek, simplistic style of this 1954 Allard K3 calls back to Sydney Allard’s early trials cars that were built with little more than speed in mind. By 1954, however, style, comfort – as well as speed – were all combined to create this wonderful little American-British car. The cars were built in Clapham, London using a Cadillac V-8 making 325 horsepower. This car has a complete ownership history from new.

Only 63 were made, making this a rare alternative to just about any Triumph, Healey or Jaguar you’ll see at British car gatherings. RM doesn’t have it’s estimates on line just yet, but the last K3 that sold at auction as by Gooding & Co in 2009 and it went for $132,000. I would expect anything between $75,000 and $125,000. This car was for sale recently with a sticker of $125,000.

Update: Sold $57,750.

Jaguar XKR Silverstone

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2000 Jaguar XKR Silverstone

Offered by Coys, Essen, Germany, November 30, 2011

The Jaguar XK introduced in 1996 was a major design leap forward for Jaguar. These cars still look fresh today and this limited edition Silverstone edition stands out above the rest. It’s striking Platinum paint with silver “Detroit” wheels and seemingly colorless front lights really make it look like a bullet.

This car features a 4.0 liter V8 making 370 horsepower. It has special Brembo brakes and a custom Silverstone-only interior. This is one of 25 Silverstones delivered to Germany and one of only 563 Silverstones built.

This is a late-model collectible that may never be worth it’s weight in gold, but it has low miles and is very clean and will draw glances wherever it goes. Coys expects it to sell for between $51,000 and $58,000 – which is significantly more than any run-of-the-mill used XKR.

More info on this car can be found here with more info on Coys sale at the Essen Motor Show at their website.

1967 Maserati Quattroporte

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1967 Maserati Quattroporte

Offered by Bonhams at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands, December 1, 2011

Bonhams December 1st sale at Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands has a number of very interesting cars including a very rare Arab as well as the most unusual Lanchester I have ever seen. But their pictures remain hard to come by, so I present this, a 1967 Maserati Quattroporte. Four-door Italian elegance. The one offered by Bonhams is red.

This was the first generation of the Quattroporte (“four doors” in Italian). The modern version is one of the best performing luxury sedans in the world and, in its day, this car was no different. This car features the 4.2-liter V8 making 256 horsepower allowing it to hit a top speed of 143 mph (according to Maserati, Car & Driver was able to get it comfortably to 120) – which, either way, is pretty quick for a full-size sedan in 1967.

The car was bodied by Frua and just 776 examples were produced. The interior of the car for sale is gorgeous tan leather with red striping. It underwent mechanical “refurbishment” a few years ago and still looks great. Pre-sale estimates range from about $70,000-$85,000.

More info (and pictures) here, with more sale information here.

Update: Sold $80,000.

’68 Z28

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1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Offered by Mecum | Kansas City, Missouri | December 3, 2012

This matching numbers Z28 is one of 7,199 sold in 1968, the second year for Camaro production. This car sports a fresh restoration and the 4.9 liter V8 down rated to 290 horsepower (it was actually more like 350).

This is a one-owner car in attractive Grotto Blue. F-Body Camaros are the best-looking and most desirable and this Z28 has its original interior, original body panels and other original parts under the hood. Other than a respray, I’m wondering what is meant by “Ground-Up Restoration” when everything else is listed as original. In any case, it’s a great looking car.

No pre-sale estimate was given, but based on Z28 results from the past few years (not taking into consideration condition, originality, etc.), I’d estimate this somewhere between $55,000-$70,000.

You can find out more about this car here and more about Mecum’s Kansas City auction here.

Update: Not sold, high bid of $65,000.

1953 Nash-Healey

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1953 Nash-Healey Roadster

Offered by RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, January 18-20, 2012

The Nash-Healey was re-designed for 1952 after just one brief year with it’s original design. The restyle is the classic design you see here with the Nash grille and inboard headlights – all courtesy of Pininfarina. The 4.1 liter Nash inline six produces 140 horsepower – enough to make it true to its claim of “America’s first post-war sports car.” The powertrain was sent to Healey in England for installation into a chassis and then onto Pininfarina in Italy to have this attractive body fitted. The European-American collaboration to produce a good-looking and well-performing sports car is a formula that would continue for years to come.

All of this shipping made the car rather expensive at $5,908 compared to the then brand-new Corvette which sold for $3,513. The car is offered by RM without reserve and without a current pre-auction estimate but if I had to guess I’d put it between $75,000 and $110,000… although Gooding & Co. sold one last year in Arizona for $143,000. Anything is possible in Arizona in January.

See more on this lot here and more on the sale here.

Update: Sold $71,500.