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Lacoste & Battmann

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1903 Lacoste et Battmann 12hp Twin-Cylinder Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau

Offered by Bonhams | London, U.K. | November 1, 2013

1903 Lacoste et Battmann 12hp Twin-Cylinder Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau

I’ll start by saying that this car is described as “believed 1903 Lacoste et Battmann” – meaning no one’s really sure what this is. It was believed to be a Regal for many years until 2000 when an expert said it might actually be a Lacoste et Battmann. But if it were a Regal, it would still be a Lacoste et Battmann.

Here’s why: Lacoste & Battmann was founded in 1897 by Jacques Lacoste in Paris. But they rarely sold cars under their own name. In fact, they built cars for other companies – as many as seven different marques. Regal was one of those seven companies.

This car was purchased by its second owner at auction in 1908. It was worn out and restored (after only five years!) and put back on the road in 1910. The car has been in the same family since. The second restoration (which was mechanical in nature only) was completed in 2001.

The engine is a 2.4-litre two-cylinder making 12 horsepower. If this truly is a Lacoste et Battmann, it is very rare. Even if it isn’t, it is very likely one of their cars that was marketed under a different name – and the rarity remains. The company closed up shop in 1913. This example – with 1908-era interior and exterior – should sell for between $210,000-$260,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Bonhams.

Update: Sold $123,920.

CLK GTR Roadster

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2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster

Offered by RKMCCA | Charlotte, North Carolina | November 1-2, 2013

2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is one of the most outlandish road cars ever built. It was a byproduct of the FIA GT1 class homologation rules of the late-1990s that stated any car competing in the class must be available for purchase on the street. The class was cancelled for 1999, but Mercedes decided to build some road cars anyway.

Between 1998 and 1999, 26 road cars were built (25 were promised by Mercedes with regards to the rules). This car is titled as a 2002, but was likely built in 1999 (at the time of construction, these were the most expensive cars in the world and moving them was no small feat). The cars use a 6.9-liter V-12 making 604 horsepower and could hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds on their way to a top speed of 199 mph.

The final six cars were built sans roof. This is the third roadster constructed (and the one most often seen for sale). A solid million dollars isn’t out of the question by any means for this ultra-limited edition supercar. You can read more here and check out the rest of RKMCCA’s auction lineup here.

Update: Sold $1,300,000.

IKA Torino Sedan

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1970 IKA Torino 380S

Offered by Silverstone Auctions | Birmingham, U.K. | November 15-16, 2013

1970 IKA Torino 380S

It’s not often you see Argentinian cars come up for sale. Most people probably don’t even realize there are cars native to Argentina. Here’s the brief history of IKA: in the early-1950s, some Argentinians met with U.S. automakers, hoping to lure some production to South America. The only manufacturer to take the bait was Kaiser and they created a wholly-owned subsidiary known as Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA).

They built mainly Willys and Jeep products in the early days before becoming a joint venture with Renault in 1959. In 1962, they formed another joint venture – this time with AMC and they built Rambler-based cars, such as this Torino. 1975 was the end of the road for IKA, when it was absorbed entirely into Renault.

The Torino was introduced in 1966 and built as an IKA model through 1977 (and as a Renault-badged vehicle from 1978 through 1982). This is a very famous car in Argentina. Why? Because in 1969, IKA sent three cars to the 84 race at the Nürburgring. The team’s manager was none other than Juan Manuel Fangio himself – the most famous Argentine racing driver of all time. One of the Torinos finished first but was not awarded the win due to penalties. It was a big deal in Argentina.

This particular car was Fangio’s personal ride. It’s all original and is being sold by his family. The engine is a 3.8-liter straight-six making 215 horsepower. There is no pre-sale estimate available, but you can read more here and check out the rest of Silverstone’s auction lineup here.

Update: Sold $45,644.

Lotec C1000

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1995 Lotec C1000

Offered by RKMCCA | Charlotte, North Carolina | November 1-2, 2013

1995 Lotec C1000

The Lotec C1000 is a fairly famous one-off supercar from the 1990s. It was so radical at the time that most supercar fiends heard about it through whatever we did pre-internet to learn about crazy, new cars. It was built by race car constructor Lotec in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz (hence their logo on the front of it).

It was built at the request of a very wealthy individual from the UAE who wanted something quicker than a downright pedestrian McLaren F1. This thing ending up costing him $3.4 million (the F1 would’ve been a better return on his investment… but I don’t think he needed to worry about that).

It uses a rear-mounted twin-turbocharged 5.6-liter Mercedes-Benz V-8 that makes 1,000 horsepower. The body is all carbon fiber (which was ridiculously expensive in 1995). The top speed? 268 MPH. It isn’t slow. But it’s also not the world’s fastest production car, because it was never put into production and only this one was built. The pre-sale estimate is between $1 million and $1.3 million (which is reasonable because I’ve seen it sell for about that previously). You can read more here and check out more from this sale here.

Update: Not sold.

One-off Mills Busy Bee

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1919 Mills Busy Bee

Offered by H&H Auctions | October 30, 2013

1919 Mills Busy Bee

What, you’ve never heard of a the Mills Busy Bee? Well maybe that’s because there is only one of them. It’s interesting to me how a company could build hundreds or even thousands of cars and only one or two (and sometimes zero) remain almost 100 years later. And here’s this thing – the only one constructed and it’s still around.

I’ll bet this phenomenon has to do with the fact that J.A. Mills of Mansfield, England, built this car himself for his own personal use. In fact, it was his own personal driver from the time of its completion in 1920 until he died. It has covered over 100,000 miles! Then it was probably passed down or sold to someone who loves the unusual aspect of it.

The original engine is long gone, but in 1928 the current 6 horsepower AJS V-twin was installed. The body is plywood and held on with only 10 bolts. It seats one and has a three-speed transmission that drives the lone rear wheel. It’s a lot like a Morgan of the time. It’s also likely the only shot you’ll ever have at owning this. H&H estimates a selling price between $16,000-$19,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of H&H’s October 30th lineup.

Update: Sold $15,100.

A Brough Superior Road Car

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1935 Brough Superior 4-Litre Drophead Coupe by Atcherely

Offered by H&H Auctions | Buxton, U.K. | October 30, 2013

1935 Brough Superior 4-Litre

George Brough built, perhaps, the greatest motorcycles of all time. Brough Superior motorcycles are the most sought-after collector bikes out there and with good reason: they were the result of fantastic engineering and incredible build-quality. They were the most expensive motorcycles you could buy and were the equivalent of a two-wheeled Rolls-Royce.

Motorcycle production started in 1919 and continued to 1940. In 1935, George Brough decided to produce a few cars as well. The first model used a Hudson-sourced 4-litre straight-eight engine making 125 horsepower. They offered quick acceleration and a 90 mph top speed. The 4-Litre lasted only through 1936 before it was replaced by a six-cylinder model. Most had this bodywork from Atcherley.

Only about 20 4-Litre cars were built and only eight are known to survive (Brough Superior only built about 85 cars total). This car is “described as ‘restored.'” What’s interesting to me is that Brough Superior motorcycles, while very rare, outnumber cars by a lot to a few and bring prices very similar to the $110,000-$130,000 that this car is supposed to bring. I’ve just always assumed cars would be more expensive than motorcycles. I guess that’s not always the case, but it sure makes this car seem like a bargain. Click here for more info and here for more from H&H.

Update: Sold $107,800.

Matra Djet V

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1966 Matra Djet V Luxe

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | October 20, 2013

1966 Matra Djet V Luxe

The Matra Djet (which is pronounced “Jet”) was a sports car built by French Matra – who built sports cars, racing cars of all varieties and all kinds of weaponry and aeronautic equipment. Matra stopped producing cars in the mid-1980s, but soldiered on producing cars for other manufacturers until 2003.

The Djet was originally known as the Rene Bonnet Djet beginning in 1962. Near the end of 1964, Rene Bonnet was in financial trouble and Matra bailed them out (and basically took over the company). The Djet was slightly redesigned and put back into production by Matra in 1965 – and it lasted through 1967.

This is a Djet V model, which means it uses a mid-mounted 1.1-liter Renault straight-four making 70 horsepower. It’s a sporty little car that can attain 106 mph. This example has been professionally restored, has been in the same family since new and has only covered 26,000 miles in its life. Only 1,495 Matra Djets were built. It should sell for between $40,000-$55,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of Artcurial’s auction lineup.

Update: Sold $67,432.

Lamborghini LM002

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1990 Lamborghini LM002

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | October 20, 2013

1990 Lamborghini LM002

In 1977, independent Lamborghini built a prototype off-road vehicle for consideration by the U.S. Army. It used a Chrysler V-8 and had 4-wheel-drive (a Lamborghini specialty hearkening back to their tractor days). The Army went with AM General’s Humvee instead.

Fast forward to 1981 when Lamborghini decided to tweak that prototype (which they no longer owned) and introduced another concept vehicle called the LM001, which evolved into the LMA002. Finally, with all the details and design flaws worked out (such as moving the engine to the front instead of housing it out back) the production-ready LM002 was introduced in 1986.

It used a front-mounted 5.2-liter V-12 making 420 horsepower – the same engine that powered the Countach. All were essentially four-door pickups that predated the civilian Hummer. One wagon (or more traditional SUV) was built for, who else, the Sultan of Brunei.

The truck seen here was delivered new to Belgium and was imported into France in 2003. It is said to be the only fuel-injected LM002 in France. It is one of either 301 or 328 built and should sell for between $110,000-$160,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Artcurial in Paris.

Update: Sold $125,669.

Argyll Torpedo Tourer

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1913 Argyll 12hp Torpedo Tourer

Offered by H&H Auctions | Duxford, U.K. | October 16, 2013

1913 Argyll 12hp Torpedo Tourer

I’ve literally been waiting months to feature this car. I saw it pop up in H&H’s catalog early on and have been excited about it since. Argyll was a Scottish marque that was founded in Glasgow in 1899 by Alex Govan.

Right around 1913 was when Argyll really hit their stride. Business was expanding – in fact, this car was sold new in Sydney, Australia. It didn’t re-arrive back into the U.K. until 2001. I’m not sure about the John Deere paint scheme, but I kind of like it. I also like the upright windshield and pillarless sides when the top is stowed back.

The engine is a 12 horsepower (presumably taxable) four-cylinder. The “artillery” look of the wheels is one of my favorite early wheel styles (yes, I have multiple categories for favorite wheel styles). This just looks like a fun, usable car from what was once Scotland’s largest automobile manufacturer. It is expected to sell for between $48,500-$56,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of H&H’s auction lineup.

Update: Sold $56,250.

Briton Tourer

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1910 Briton 10hp Tourer

Offered by H&H Auctions | Duxford, U.K. | October 16, 2013

1910 Briton 10hp Tourer

First off, apologies for the grainy photograph that was apparently taken with a circa 2002 cellphone… in a rainstorm. I can’t do anything about it (and likely, neither could the auction house) – but it doesn’t change the fact that this is an interesting car.

The Briton Motor Co. Ltd. was actually founded in 1908 as the Star Cycle Co. Ltd. of Wolverhampton. Star built a car called the Starling but when that venture proved unsuccessful, Star moved to a new facility, hired a new manager, and rebranded.

The cars were affordable and of good quality. The first model (such as the car featured) featured a twin-cylinder engine making 10 horsepower. There was a four-cylinder variant as well, but this 10hp model was much more popular. Briton survived until going out of business near the end of 1928.

This car is described as “very usable,” having just underwent a fair amount of reconditioning. It is expected to sell for between $40,500-$48,500. Click here for more info and here for more from H&H’s sale.

Update: Failed to sell.