Healey Silverstone

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1950 Healey Silverstone

Offered by Silverstone Auctions | Silverstone, U.K. | July 26, 2014

Photo - Silverstone Auctions

Photo – Silverstone Auctions

Ever write or say a word so many times that it no longer seems like a real word? That’s how I feel about “Silverstone” right about now. Donald Healey founded one of the first post-War automobile manufacturers, building his first car in 1945.

The Silverstone was named for the legendary circuit which hosted its first Grand Prix in 1948, just one year prior to this car’s introduction. It was only built for 1949 and 1950. The aluminium body was light and resembled an open-wheel car of the period, despite being perfectly suited for road use. The engine is a 2.5-liter Riley straight-four making 104 horsepower. One of the coolest things about this car is that the spare tire is housed in such a way that it is the rear bumper.

Photo - Silverstone Auctions

Photo – Silverstone Auctions

This is a 1950 model, so it has a wider, more comfortable cockpit (these wider cars are referred to as the E-Type model and has nothing to do with Jaguar). The cars were very successful in racing – sometimes even with Donald Healey himself at the wheel (he won the 1949 Alpine Rally in one of these cars). Only 105 were hand-built by the Donald Healey Motor Company, making them very rare today. This one is coming off a very nice nut-and-bolt restoration and should sell for between $265,000-$300,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Silverstone’s sale.

Update: Sold $357,420.

AC Greyhound

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1960 AC Greyhound

Offered by H&H Auctions | Duxford, U.K. | April 24, 2014

Photo - H&H Auctions

Photo – H&H Auctions

H&H Auctions comes up with some really cool, really rare British cars to sell. And this is no exception. In the late-1950s, AC offered the Ace and Aceca sports cars. But the Ace only had two seats and the Aceca had a sloping hatchback. What about the sporting man with kids who needed a little more room? So in 1959, they introduced the Ace/Aceca-based Greyhound – a sporty 2+2 to satisfy the masses.

Four different engines were offered. This one uses the second-most-powerful option: a 2.0-liter (1971cc) Bristol straight-six making 125 horsepower. The Aston Martin-esque body was crafted out of aluminium and with this engine, the car could do 110 mph.

Remember three or four sentences ago when I said this car would satisfy the masses? Well I exaggerated a bit, because AC only managed to move 83 of these cars by the time production halted in 1963. That’s a pretty low number, making them very rare today. Rarer than a Cobra. This one should sell for between $66,000-$82,500. Click here for more info and here for more from H&H’s sale.

Update: Sold $73,850.

Frazer Manhattan Convertible

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1951 Frazer Manhattan Convertible

Offered by Auctions America | Auburn, Indiana | May 10, 2014

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The Kaiser-Frazer Corporation built some cool and interesting cars after World War II. The Manhattan Convertible was among the coolest. 1951 would be the last year for Frazer automobiles, while Kaiser would continue making passenger cars through 1955.

The Manhattan was introduced for the 1947 model year and for 1951, it received all-new styling. 1951 Frazer production was over before 1951 even began (it ended in October 1950). The engine is standard Frazer 3.7-liter straight-six making 115 horsepower.

Production for the 1951 Manhattan totaled only 283 units – and only 131 of those were the large, four-door convertible version that you see here. No one makes four-door convertibles anymore, which is a shame as they are really cool. Wouldn’t a drop-top Accord or Taurus be awesome? The price for this car should be between $50,000-$70,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Auctions America on their home turf.

Update: Sold $27,500.

Locomobile Model 40

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1910 Locomobile Model 40 Type I Demi Tonneau

Offered by Mecum | Houston, Texas | April 12, 2014

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

For 1909, Locomobile – who was one of the great, early American automobile manufacturers – switched their model naming convention away from letters and to power ratings. In 1909 they offered the Model 30 and the Model 40. The 1910 lineup was unchanged.

This was the most powerful Locomobile you could buy in 1910. The engine is a 40 horsepower straight-four. The body style is the four-passenger Demi (or Baby) Tonneau convertible. It would be easy for someone to mistake this for a Model T – but I assure you it is much, much nicer. And infinitely rarer and more expensive.

Mecum has offered this car previously with a pre-sale estimate of $500,00-$750,000. Obviously, as it is for sale again, it failed to reach that lofty number. 1910 was the final year for the two-year Model 40 before it was replaced by the more well-known Model 48. You can read more about this car here and see more from Mecum here.

Update: Not sold, high bid of $450,000.

Update: Not sold, Mecum Monterey 2014, high bid of $375,000.

Update: Not sold, Mecum Dallas 2014.

Update: Not sold, Mecum Indy 2016, high bid of $370,000.

Update: Not sold, Mecum Monterey 2016, high bid of $400,000.

Update: Not sold, Mecum Monterey 2018, high bid of $370,000.

Update: Not sold, Bonhams Amelia Island 2023.

Dragonsnake Cobra

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1963 Shelby Cobra Dragonsnake

Offered by Mecum | Houston, Texas | April 12, 2014

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

The Shelby Cobra is one of the most famous cars of all time. It was among the fastest street-legal cars built for decades after it as introduced. It dominated tracks in America and Europe and they command big money today. But did you know they also dominated on the drag strip?

Shelby offered the “Dragonsnake” drag racing package for the Cobra. It brought a host of options and made the car ludicrously expensive. This car uses the 289 4.7-Liter V-8 making 271 horsepower. And the Dragonsnake you see here is the winningest competition Cobra in history. It won seven NHRA National events and the 1966 NHRA World Championship. It also holds records in a few classes that aren’t around any more.

Only five Dragonsnakes were built by Shelby – three more were built by customers who bought the Dragonsnake package. This particular car sold in 2011 for $875,000 and failed to sell later that year for $825,000. So I guess it’s about an $800,000 car. You can read more here and see more from Mecum in Houston here.

VIN# CSX2093

Update: Not sold, high bid of $1,100,000.

Update: Sold, RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016, $990,000.

Update: Not sold, Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2018.

Update: Not sold, Mecum Monterey 2019, high bid of $675,000.

American Underslung Scout

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1913 American Underslung Model 22-B Scout

For Sale at Hyman Ltd | St. Louis, Missouri

Photo - Hyman Ltd.

Photo – Hyman Ltd.

The American Motor Car Company of Indianapolis, Indiana built some of the coolest pre-WWI cars in America. The Underslung model line – which was new for 1909 – featured a, well, low-slung chassis that make the cars look incredible sporty.

The Scout was the two-passenger roadster. Larger cars were also offered. The Model 22 was offered for 1912 and 1913 only and 1914 was the final model year for the American Underslung. It uses a 4.1-liter straight-four making about 25 horsepower.

This car was restored in the 1980s and has been used heavily since. The listing on Hyman Ltd’s website says it better than I can, so read more about it there. In summary, it says that this car has more character than just about anything else you could drive – and they’re right. It’s an amazing old car that can be used and driven. You could have a lot of fun in this car. It is priced right too, for what it is (in the $100,000 range). Check out more cars for sale by them here.

Here’s video of a similar car:

Ferrari 575 GTZ

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2006 Ferrari 575 GTZ by Zagato

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 10, 2014

Photo - RM Auctions

Photo – RM Auctions

Coachbuilt cars are few and far between these days. Sadly, it’s becoming a lost art. But fortunately, there are still a few design houses out there that will custom fit a special body on the car of their customers’ choice. In this case, it happened to be a Ferrari 575M Maranello.

The 575M Maranello was the replacement for the very similar 550 Maranello. It debuted in 2002 and lasted through 2006. It uses a 5.7-liter V-12 making 508 horsepower. Top speed was a pretty awesome 202 mph. Ferrari built their own limited-run model: the 575M Superamerica with a retractable glass panel roof, which is a pretty cool car.

But not cool enough for Japanese Ferrari collector Yoshiyuki Hayashi, who custom ordered this specially-bodied, one-off 575M Maranello from legendary coachbuilder Zagato. The design hearkened back to the 250 GT Zagato and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 250. You should really check out more pictures on RM’s site here because this thing looks awesome from all kinds of angles (especially the back). You can also check out more from this awesome sale here. As far as price goes, I’m not sure – but it will be way cheaper than it cost originally.

Update: Not sold, high bid of $1,100,880.

Marmon “Pace Car” Speedster

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1923 Marmon Model 34B Speedster

Offered by H&H Auctions | Duxford, U.K. | April 24, 2014

Photo - H&H Auctions

Photo – H&H Auctions

Marmon is one of the great pre-war American automobile marques. Their association with the Indianapolis 500 alone makes them legendary, having won the inaugural race. The company was actually based in Indianapolis as well.

The Model 34 was introduced in 1916 – amidst the looming backdrop of world war. The model would last through 1923 – making the Speedster you see here from the last year of manufacture. The car uses a 34 horsepower 5.5-liter straight-six. The body was modeled after the Barney Oldfield-driven 1920 Indy 500 pace car. A Model 34 was also driven coast-to-coast by Erwin “Cannonball” Baker as a publicity stunt.

This car presents well as an older restoration and was used in two different British television series. It actually looks like something that would be fun to drive – not to mention it would surprise people that it is something as rare as a Marmon. It should sell for between $46,500-$58,000. Click here for more info and here for more from H&H Auctions.

Update: Sold $90,300.

Here’s video of a similar car:

MG Magna F1

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1932 MG F-Type F1 Coupe

Offered by Coys | Essen, Germany | March 29, 2014

Photo - Coys

Photo – Coys

The MG F-Type – also known as the Magna – was introduced in 1931 and became available in three types: the F1, F2, and F3. The F2 was only available as a two-seat roadster while the F1 and F3 was a four-seat tourer or four-seat coupe. Production ended after 1932, with the F1 being available both years.

It uses a 1.3-liter straight-six making 47 horsepower. It can do 70 mph (if you dare – those are practically bicycle tires). This car is basically all-original and cost £286 when new. The F-Type Magna was replaced by the L-Type for 1933.

In total, 1,250 F-Types were built – I’m unsure of how many F1 “Foursome” Coupes were built – but it is believed that only three remain. This very nice unrestored example should sell for between $55,000-$70,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of Coys’ Techno Classic lineup.

Update: Sold $76,700.

ex-Scuderia Ferrari Alfa 6C 1500 SS

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1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Super Sport by Zagato

Offered by Coys | Essen, Germany | March 29, 2014

Photo - Coys

Photo – Coys

The Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 was the first of Alfa’s legendary 6C/8C models. It was a lightweight, low-slung sports car – especially when compared to the big touring car it replaced. And with bodies from the likes of Zagato, their sportiness would never be questioned.

New for 1925, the 6C 1500 used a 1.5-liter straght-six and in blown Super Sport trim, this car wears a supercharger that pushes output to 76 horsepower. Top speed was 87 mph. It was more powerful than many of the 6C 1750 models that were introduced as this car’s replacement in 1929.

This 1930 model is one of the last 6C 1500s built and it was delivered new to Scuderia Ferrari in April of 1930 – Ferrari sold it three months later. It has period competition history as follows:

  • 1933 Mille Miglia – 16th, 2nd in class (with Giuseppe Mignini)
  • 1937 Mille Miglia – 10th, 1st in class (with Pasquale Contini and Salvadori)
  • 1938 Mille Miglia – 21st, 1st in class (with Felice Bellandri and Vegelli)

The car was restored in 1980 and has been in current ownership for 30 years. It is obviously eligible for the historic running of the Mille Miglia. About 3,000 6C 1500s were built but only 12 of those were supercharged Super Sports like this one. I don’t even want to guess how many came through Scuderia Ferrari. This is a big time, big money car. Read more here and see more from Coys here.

Update: Not sold.