Offered by Iconic Auctioneers | Birmingham, U.K. | November 11, 2023
Photo – Iconic Auctioneers
This is the ultimate MG. It was offered during the last few years of MG as a British, somewhat independent, manufacturer before the company was acquired by Nanjing Auto in China from the British holding company that held onto the firm after BMW divested itself of anything “Rover.”
The XPower SV was a sports car launched as a concept in 2001 before McLaren F1 exterior designer Peter Stevens revised it for production, which started in 2003. MG collapsed in 2005, so just 82 examples of the XPower ended up being built between the SV and SV-R versions. Apparently 42 of them were SV-Rs.
The car is based on the chassis of the Qvale Mangusta, which is weird. In SV-R form, the car is powered by a Roush-tuned 5.0-liter V8 rated at 385 horsepower, which has to make it the most powerful production MG of all time. Sixty arrived in 4.9 seconds on the way to a 175-mph top end. Manual or automatic gearboxes could be had.
This manual-transmission car has 10,000 miles and a pre-sale estimate of $66,000-$79,000. More info can be found here.
Offered by Historics Auctioneers | Datchet, U.K. | July 22, 2023
Photo – Historics Auctioneers
Here we go. The XPower SV was MG’s last sports car hurrah before being acquired by Nanjing Automobile. It was also completely out of the blue and unlike any other MG sports car before it. Just 82 were produced between 2003 and 2005.
Power is from a 4.6-liter Ford V8 that made 320 horsepower (a 5.0 making 385 horsepower was also offered in the SV-R). Body panels were constructed of carbon fiber, and other trim bits were lifted from other cars, including Fiats. All of this added up to a top speed of 165 mph and a 0-60 sprint of 5.3 seconds.
Sports cars built by a company that is struggling financially are always a risky proposition – MG had a hard time moving these, and some didn’t find owners until 2008. That said, they are pretty interesting and very fast. And they rarely change hands at auction. This one has an estimate of $43,000-$48,000. Click here for more info.
The McDonald’s-liveried Champ Cars of Sebastien Bourdais are some the final iconic cars from that era of American motorsport. Campaigned by Newman/Haas Racing, the cars would clinch four consecutive championships with Bourdais and propel him to Formula 1.
2004 was the first season after they dropped the CART name. Officially, it was called the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford. The Lola B02 chassis made up most of the field (the rest were Reynards). Every car was powered by a turbocharged 2.65-liter Ford-Cosworth XFE V8 that could make over 900 horsepower and rev to 15,000 rpm.
This chassis was initially delivered to Newman/Haas in 2001 and used that season. It was then placed into storage before being pulled out and updated for the 2004 season. The competition history for this chassis, 01-14, includes:
2001 Grand Prix of Monterrey – 20th, DNF (with Christian Fittipaldi)
2001 Grand Prix of Portland – 3rd (with Fittipaldi)
2004 Grand Prix of Long Beach – 3rd (with Sebastien Bourdais)
2004 Grand Prix of Monterrey – 1st (with Bourdais)
2004 Grand Prix of Portland – 1st (with Bourdais)
2004 Molson Indy Toronto – 1st (with Bourdais)
2004 Grand Prix of Road America – 1st (with Bourdais)
2004 Las Vegas – 1st (with Bourdais)
2004 Mexico City – 1st (with Bourdais)
Quite the career en route to Bourdais’ first championship. Click here for more info.
Update: Sold $168,000.
2005 Lola-Cosworth-Ford B05/00
Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The Lola B05 was Newman/Haas’ 2005 competitor, although they retained the successful B01 just in case. The 900-horsepower, turbocharged 2.65-liter Ford-Cosworth XFE V8 remained unchanged. This chassis, HU 01, achieved the following:
2005 Grand Prix of Cleveland – 5th (with Bourdais)
2005 Grand Prix of San Jose – 1st (with Bourdais)
2005 Grand Prix of Denver – 1st (with Bourdais)
2005 Molson Indy Montreal – 4th (with Bourdais)
2005 Surfers Paradise – 1st (with Bourdais)
Add to that: another championship. Click here for more info.
Update: Sold $201,600.
2006 Lola-Ford-Cosworth B02/00
Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The Lola B02 was actually the company’s 2002 CART chassis, and that’s when Newman/Haas took delivery of this one. It was updated over the years and used through the 2006 season, which is the specification it is in today.
Again, it is powered by a turbocharged 2.65-liter Cosworth V8. The competition history for this chassis, HU 03, includes:
2002 Grand Prix of Monterrey – 3rd (with Christian Fittipaldi)
2002 Molson Indy Toronto – 3rd (with Fittipaldi)
2002 Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio – 2nd (with Fittipaldi)
2002 Grand Prix Americas – 2nd (with Fittipaldi)
2003 EuroSpeedway Lausitz – 1st (with Sebastian Bourdais)
2003 Cleveland Grand Prix – 3rd (with Bruno Junqueira)
2003 Molson Indy Toronto – 3rd (with Junqueira)
2003 Grand Prix of Denver – 1st (with Junqueira)
2004 Long Beach Grand Prix – 2nd (with Junqueira)
2004 Grand Prix of Denver – 3rd (with Junqueira)
2004 Molson Indy Montreal – 1st (with Junqueira)
2004 Grand Prix of Monterey – 2nd (with Junqueira)
2004 Surfers Paradise – 1st (with Junqueira)
2006 Milwaukee Mile – 1st (with Bourdais)
2006 Grand Prix of Toronto – 3rd (with Bourdais)
2006 Grand Prix of Montreal – 1st (with Bourdais)
2006 Grand Prix of Road America – 3rd (with Bourdais)
2006 Mexico City – 1st (with Bourdais)
Bourdais scooped up the championship in 2006, making it three in a row. Click here for more info.
Update: Sold $196,000.
2007 Panoz-Cosworth DP01
Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
2007 was the final season of the Champ Car World Series. They had just one constructor: Panoz with their DP01, all of which were powered by a turbocharged 2.65-liter Cosworth V8. Output was up to 950 horsepower.
I think it’s safe to say Bourdais was a championship favorite going into the season. He piloted this chassis in 10 races during the year, including:
2007 Vegas Grand Prix – 13th (with Bourdais)
2007 Grand Prix of Long Beach – 1st (with Bourdais)
2007 Grand Prix of Houston – 1st (with Bourdais)
2007 Grand Prix of Portland – 1st (with Bourdais)
2007 Toronto Grand Prix – 9th (with Bourdais)
2007 San Jose Grand Prix – 5th (with Bourdais)
2007 Belgian Grand Prix – 1st (with Bourdais)
2007 Bavarian Grand Prix – 7th (with Bourdais)
2007 Surfers Paradise – 1st (with Bourdais)
2007 Mexico City – 1st (with Bourdais)
He was pretty dominant in this chassis, and really, throughout his entire Champ Car career. He would win the final Champ Car championship in 2007. You can read more about it here.
Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Paris, France | February 2, 2022
Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The 2004 F1 season was dominated by Ferrari, but Renault’s R24 was a contender. It won the Monaco Grand Prix that year. And this livery is a nostalgic throwback to some good years of F1. It just screams “let’s watch Fernando Alonso tear it up.”
The R24 is powered by a screaming 3.0-liter V10 that made about 900 horsepower (it is unclear if this car still has an engine). This car was acquired by its first private owner in 2016, at which time it was repainted and fitted with the blue and yellow Mild Seven livery that was made famous by Renault’s two world championships in period (which would both come in the two yeas after this car ran). The competition history for this chassis includes:
2004 Chinese Grand Prix – 4th (with Fernando Alonso)
2004 Japanese Grand Prix – 5th (with Alonso)
2004 Brazilian Grand Prix – 4th (with Alonso)
This car, being used so late in the season is likely, technically, an R24B. The only thing it needs to be perfect is a set of period-correct grooved tires. This Renault is from the team’s brink of greatness and looks the part of the later cars. Check out more about it here and see more from this sale here.
Offered by Mecum | Monterey, California | August 12-14, 2021
Photo – Mecum
This is a pretty iconic concept car from the 2000s. Or really from any time period. In 2004, retro-inspired design was all the rage, and Ford was hitting it hard with the likes of the 2005 Mustang and the GT revival. Although Ford was not the original manufacturer of the Shelby Cobra, they decided to reimagine the Cobra for the 21st century anyway. And that said, it did supply the engines and had a close relationship with Carroll Shelby himself.
Carroll Shelby was also involved with this project, although to what degree I do not know. The styling does look vaguely Cobra-ish. The aluminum chassis was derived from that of the GT, and power is from a 6.4-liter V10 rated at 645 horsepower. Ford only produced four of these engines. So don’t break it.
The car is said to be capable of 207 mph but is limited to 100 mph. It was 100% intended for production. In fact, this car was so ready to go that this, the only prototype built, is plated for the street. It was purchased by its current owner, a former Ford VP of product development, in 2017. No pre-sale estimate is available, but this should be one of the stars of the show at Mecum Monterey. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.
Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Milan, Italy | June 15, 2021
Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Koenigsegg produced three prototypes of its first car, the CC, before entering production with the CC8S in 2002. Two years later they upped the ante with the CCR, which was an evolution of the CC8S with revised braking and suspension systems. Aerodynamic updates, bigger wheels, and engine upgrades were also part of the package, which made the CCR one of the most outrageous supercars of the 2000s.
Built between 2004 and 2006, the CCR is powered by an 806 horsepower, twin-supercharged 4.6-liter V8. It was capable of hitting 60 in about 3.2 seconds on its way to a record-breaking 245 mph.
Only 14 examples were produced, and this is number three. It was the first CCR unveiled to the public and is finished in Lava Orange over a pretty decent-looking interior for a low-volume, upstart supercar manufacturer from 2004. No estimate is available, but it sure won’t be cheap. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.
Offered by Mecum | Las Vegas, Nevada | November 12-14, 2020
Photo – Mecum
This is, potentially, the manliest passenger vehicle ever made. It helps that it started out as a military vehicle (in 1983!) that AM General started selling to civilians in 1992. Those were called “Am General Hummer”s. In 1999, General Motors purchased the Hummer name and launched the former Hummer model as the Hummer H1.
The original H1 lasted through 2004 (2006’s H1 Alpha was an updated version for one year only). Up until 2004, there were four engine/gearbox combos offered through the years. This wagon is powered by a 6.5-liter diesel V8 that made a wimpy 205 horsepower and a more significant 440 lb-ft of torque.
Different body styles of the civilian Hummer/H1 were sold, and this wagon version is the best-looking for those of you who like to drive through brick walls. These are big. They are spacious. They are slow. And they are just so damned cool. Not inexpensive to own or drive, they will continue to turn heads everywhere they go for as long as those of us are still around who remember what big-boy, big-money SUVs looked like before the year 2000 (yeah, this may be an ’04… but this is a 90s truck). Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.
Offered by Bonhams | Chichester, U.K. | July 5, 2019
Photo – Bonhams
Toyota leaped into the wild world of Formula One in 2002. After untold millions were spent – and without a single victory to show for it – the company bolted after the 2009 season. They didn’t even really sell the team to anyone else as is F1 fashion. They just left.
The TF104 was campaigned during the 2004 season, and an updated “B” variant was introduced mid-season. The team’s lineup started with Christiano da Matta and Olivier Panis – neither of which finished the season with the team. Instead, Ricardo Zonta and Jarno Trulli rounded out the last few races.
In all, 11 chassis were built for the 2004 season, two of which were used solely as test cars, including this one. Normally powered by a 3.0-liter Toyota V10, this car had its mechanicals removed before it was purchased by its current, private owner. Still, it should sell for between $75,000-$100,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.
Offered by Worldwide Auctioneers | Auburn, Indiana | September 1, 2018
2004 Ford GT Confirmation Prototype CP4
Photo – Worldwide Auctioneers
We’ve featured prototypes of the original Ford GT40, but here’s one of what we’ll call the “second coming” of the GT. The original concept car for this model debuted in 2002 and it’s thought that Ford built nine “confirmation prototypes” of which this is CP4, or vehicle #00007. Its purpose was to be the test bed for ride, steering, handling, and climate control systems.
All black, it was the first GT to hit 200 mph. It’s powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 making 550 horsepower. It joined the collection it is being sold from in 2012 and it is street legal. It’s the only “CP car” from the GT program that is road-registered and not governed to 15 mph. It’s thought that only four GT prototypes remain and this one is selling at no reserve. Click here for more info.
Update: Sold $467,500.
1997 Ford Ghia Vivace Concept
Photo – Worldwide Auctioneers
Well here’s a weird one. It looks like the love child of a Ford Ka and a last-gen Mercury Cougar (it’s actually based on a Mondeo platform aka the Ford Contour). It’s honestly pretty crazy this car still exists at all. It’s just a rolling concept car – there’s no engine, no interior. It’s just a two-door coupe body with some wheels on a chassis.
Ford and Ghia teamed up for two concept cars in 1997 just to explore new shapes and using aluminium space-frame construction. The body is fiberglass, the wheels don’t steer, and the doors don’t even open. It’s like having a rolling brick. Not much to do with it other than look at it. But hey, at the same time, you’re going to be the only person who has one. Click here for more info.
Update: Sold $1,650.
1960 Seagrave Prototype
Photo – Worldwide Auctioneers
In 1960, the Seagrave Fire Apparatus, the longest-running producer of fire apparatus in the United States dating back to 1881, decided they wanted to build passenger cars. But not just normal American passenger cars, but economy cars. This in 1960, when American automobiles were perhaps approaching their largest.
This two-door hardtop is much smaller than the photo above makes it look and it weighed in at only 1,700 pounds. Seagrave managed to build three prototypes (two in fiberglass, one in aluminium), and this fiberglass example was powered by a 2.7-liter Continental straight-four engine capable of 65 horsepower. It was pulled out of a barn in Michigan in 2013 and is restoration ready. It’s one of the most interesting cars for sale in Auburn this year. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.
Offered by Worldwide Auctioneers | Auburn, Indiana | September 1, 2018
Photo – Worldwide Auctioneers
We’ve featured prototypes of the original Ford GT40, but here’s one of what we’ll call the “second coming” of the GT. The original concept car for this model debuted in 2002 and it’s thought that Ford built nine “confirmation prototypes” of which this is CP4, or vehicle #00007. Its purpose was to be the test bed for ride, steering, handling, and climate control systems.
All black, it was the first GT to hit 200 mph. It’s powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 making 550 horsepower. It joined the collection it is being sold from in 2012 and it is street legal. It’s the only “CP car” from the GT program that is road-registered and not governed to 15 mph. It’s thought that only four GT prototypes remain and this one is selling at no reserve. Click here for more info.
