Venturi 111 Cup

Posted on February 22, 2023 by classiccarweekly

1991 Venturi Coupe 111 Cup

Offered by Broad Arrow Auctions | Amelia Island, Florida | March 4, 2023

For such a small company, Venturi sure produced a lot of different models. Or at least a lot of sub-models off of its early MVS Venturi Coupe platform. Their coupe models were produced between 1987 and the mid-1990s with essentially the same styling. Tweaks came for the Atlantique 300 of 1996.

The 111 Cup was a car aimed at the Italian market and built in 1991 and 1992. Italy had some big taxes on cars over 2.0 liters in capacity, and other Coupe/Transcup models exceeded that engine size. So they decided to swap those out for a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four sourced from Renault. It made 185 horsepower.

It’s thought that only three examples of this model were produced. This one has a remarkably low (claimed) 350 kilometers on it since new. The pre-sale estimate is $90,000-$110,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $56,000.

Allard J2R

Posted on September 19, 2022 by classiccarweekly

1952 Allard J2R

Offered by Broad Arrow Auctions | Gloversville, New York | October 14-15, 2022

Allard is best remembered for its J2 and J2X sports cars. They were British-built and powered by American V8s. Styling incorporated cycle fenders, giving the car a near open-wheel look. J2s were popular race cars – even Carroll Shelby raced one back in the day.

The third and final iteration of the J2 was the J2R (sometimes called the JR), of which seven were built between 1953 and 1956. This car, as visible above, had more traditional 1950s sports car body work. Power in this example is provided by an overbored 5.4-liter Cadillac V8.

This was the last J2R built and is said to be the only one originally configured in left-hand drive (and was apparently the only one built with doors on both sides). Why it’s listed/titled as a 1952, I do not know. But it does have a pre-sale estimate of $400,000-$450,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $527,500.

Duesenberg J-368

Posted on July 26, 2022 by classiccarweekly

1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby

Offered by Broad Arrow Auctions | Monterey, California | August 18, 2022

Fixed-roof Model Js have never been the most sought after. Maybe in their day when they were used by titans of industry or Gilded Age heiresses to be chauffeured around in. But not now. Everyone wants an open car of some kind, disappearing top convertibles or even touring cars.

So, because of this, many sedans and limousines have been rebodied, and those that haven’t are generally less expensive. Well those days are apparently over. This car features a limousine body by Willoughby, a design that was updated in period as updates became available. It was later reverted to more closely resemble how it looked when new. The 6.9-liter inline-eight was rated at 265 horsepower.

This car was purchased new by the co-founder of Esquire magazine. A restoration by a later owner was completed in 1991, and the car was subsequently donated to a museum, who sold it for profit. The current owner bought it in 2018. The estimate is $1,000,000-$1,500,000. You’re gonna have to find a different “cheaper” entry point into the Model J owner’s club. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $1,000,000.