Lister Storm GT1

Posted on June 26, 2019 by classiccarweekly

2001 Lister Storm GT1

Offered by Bonhams | Chichester, U.K. | July 5, 2019

Here we go! I’m an unabashed fan of the Lister Storm road car, which only exists because Lister wanted to go racing in the top GT classes at Le Mans and the FIA GT Championship. It competed against truly ludicrous competitors like the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, Porsche 911 GT1, and McLaren F1 GTR.

Only three road cars still exist, and only six racing cars (or GTMs) were built to varying specifications depending on what class they were being entered in. Power is from a 7.0-liter Jaguar V12 good for 546 horsepower. The competition history for this car (#005) includes:

2002 24 Hours of Spa – 2nd (with Bobby Verdon-Roe, Miguel de Castro, David Sterckx, and Justin Law)
2002 FIA GT Championship – 2nd

The car entered privateer hands after that, competing in the French GT Championship, where it was crashed and rebuilt with the chassis from car #001. The damaged chassis is included in this sale.

This rare GT1 racer is a brute and should sell for between $570,000-$690,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $583,311.

May 2018 Auction Highlights, Pt. II

Posted on June 2, 2018 by classiccarweekly

We’ll pick up where we left off last time, with Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale. We didn’t get to feature anything from this half of their sale, but the top seller was $362,726 paid for this 1966 Iso Grifo GL 350. Everything else can be found here.

Photo – Silverstone Auctions

Now let’s backtrack to the beginning of the month and head to Auburn, Indiana, for RM Sotheby’s Spring Sale. The Terraplane Utility Coupe we featured failed to meet its reserve. As is customary at mid-western classic car auctions, a 2006 Ford GT was the top seller, bringing $297,000. Complete results can be found here.

Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Next up, Brightwells and their dual Classic & Vintage/Modern Classic sale. The top sale was this 1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II Coupe for $88,666.

Photo – Brightwells

The Fleur de Lys Minibus we featured failed to sell but you can check out everything else that did, here.

Let’s go to Mecum’s huge Indy sale. The top sale was another Ford GT, this time a near-brand new 2017 model. It sold for $1,815,000.

Photo – Mecum

Now let’s go through the feature cars. First, the Diamond T Woody sold for $30,800. Another truck, a previously-featured ’41 Ford Pickup, sold here for $37,400. We had a couple of other previous features cross the block too, including: Brumos Porsche 911 GT3 (not sold), 1906 Packard ($286,000… finally!), Stutz Speedway Four ($71,500), Kurtis KK4000 Indy Car ($291,500).

The Continental Mk II (another previous feature) and Pontiac El Catalina Prototype both failed to sell. Find more results here.

Finally, we have Historics at Brooklands. We featured three cars from this sale and two failed to sell including the Bedford Pickup and the ultra-rare Lister Storm. The Rolls-Royce Camargue brought $99,318. The top sale was this $118,881 1990 Lister Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe. Click here for complete results.

Photo – Historics at Brooklands

Lister Storm Road Car

Posted on May 4, 2018 by classiccarweekly

1994 Lister Storm

Offered by Historics at Brooklands | May 19, 2018

Photo – Historics at Brooklands

!!!! Let’s start at the beginning: Brian Lister founded Lister Cars in 1954 and they built sports racing cars for the duration of the decade. Later they acted as a factory race team for other manufacturers and have been a long-time Jaguar modifier. But in the early 1990s they went berserk and decided to build a monster race car to take on the McLaren F1, Jaguar XJ220, and Ferrari F40 LM at Le Mans.

And then they had to homologate this monster by building some road cars.

And that’s what we have here. One of just four Lister Storm V-12 Road Cars ever built (only three exist today). Honestly this is a vehicle I never thought I would see trade hands publicly at auction. The race cars competed from 1995 through 1999 as a works entry and for a few years after that in privateer hands.

The road cars were only built in 1993 and 1994 and they were expensive. They also had the largest V-12 engine anyone had stuffed into a production car since the end of WWII. It’s a 7.0-liter V-12 based on the engine from a Jaguar XJR-9 Le Mans car. Power is rated at 546 horsepower (pretty stout for 1993). It was a world class supercar in its day and was the fastest four-seater in the world for over a decade (that’s right, it had four seats!). Top speed: 211 mph.

This three-owner example has just under 31,000 miles on it. It’s a true rarity. It’s one of those cars that they claimed to have built but no one ever really sees (unless you go to Wilton House supercar shows or Goodwood or somewhere on the regular). I’m giddy just writing about it. Great job Historics… now if you could just manage to bring an Isdera Commendatore or Mega Monte Carlo to auction you’d really win my heart.

This car is expected to sell for between $200,000-$225,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Not sold.

Lister-Jaguar “Knobbly”

Posted on March 17, 2014 by classiccarweekly

1958 Lister-Jaguar “Knobbly” Prototype

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 10, 2014

Photo – RM Auctions

These cars are often referred to as “Knobbly”s because of their curvy shape. In all honesty, I didn’t know that was the reason (really, how many people do?) but every time I saw one of these I assumed that was the case. They are kind of knobby-looking cars. And I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not.

Lister built Bristol-powered racers between 1954 and 1957. In 1957, they reworked the car to house a Jaguar straight-six (from the all-conquering D-Type). This car has the 265 horsepower 3.8-liter straight-six from Jaguar. The “Knobbly” debuted in 1958 and this was the first one built. It was originally conceived as a one-off racer but it’s popularity led them to realize they could make money selling these and 11 were built in total.

This car was originally supposed to go to the famed Ecurie Ecosse team, but Briggs Cunningham finagled his way into owning it (and another one). The racing history for this car includes:

1958 12 Hours of Sebring – DNF (with Archie Scott-Brown and Walt Hansgen)
1958 SCCA National Champion – 1st (with Walt Hansgen – he won a lot of races this season in this car)
1959 12 Hours of Sebring – 12th (with Hansgen & Dick Thompson)

Briggs Cunningham owned the car into the mid-1960s before selling it. It has had a few owners since and was most recently sold at RM’s Monterey event in 2013. The pre-sale estimate is not available right now, but it sold about 6 months ago for $1,980,000. You can check out more here and see more from RM’s Monaco sale here.

S/N: BHL EE 101

Update: Sold $1,618,294.

RM Monterey 2013 Highlights

Posted on August 24, 2013 by classiccarweekly

RM’s annual auction held during Pebble Beach weekend was a big one this year. They tried their best to set an all-time record with their top sale, but it fell short by a “mere” $2 million. Still, the car topped the upper end of its estimate by $10 million (!). It was actually one of our feature cars: the 1967 Ferrari 275 N.A.R.T. Spider. It sold for a remarkable $27,500,000. The next highest-selling car was another prancing horse: this 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spider by Pinin Farina for $9,075,000.

Of our feature cars, two didn’t sell. They were: the sale’s only Duesenberg and our featured Maserati A6GCS/53. This sale featured a somewhat obscene 26 million dollar cars. We’ll run them down here. Two other Maserati’s topped the million dollar mark, including our featured Birdcage for $2,090,000. The other was this 1953 Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder by Frua for $2,530,000.

The next two most expensive Ferrari’s were our featured 500 Mondial for $3,520,000 and this 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider by Scaglietti for $4,070,000.

We’ll continue our tour of Europe and head to the Western Front where this 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen sold for $7,480,000.

Our featured Pebble Beach-winning 680 S-Type by Saoutchik sold for $8,250,000. And as always, there were Gullwings galore. This sale included the following (from top to bottom): 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ($1,265,000), 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster ($1,430,000), and another (in a more interesting color, in my opinion) 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ($1,485,000).

How about another pair of Ferraris? First, an early 1950 166 MM Barchetta for $3,080,000.

And then this 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico by Pininfarina for $2,750,000.

For some competition cars we can look to our 1974 Indy 500-winning McLaren which broke the bank at $3,520,000. Then there was this 1958 Lister-Jaguar “Knobbly” Prototype which went for $1,980,000.

To keep going with the theme, this 1955 Jaguar D-Type was one of the coolest cars of the show (if you’re capable of whittling a list like this down that far). It sold for $3,905,000.

The final million dollar competition car is this 1996 Ferrari 333 SP Evoluzione that sold for $1,375,000.

That car shows that it wasn’t just old classics bringing the big bucks. Two more modern Ferraris did well too: this 1990 Ferrari F40 (first below) sold for $1,155,000 while one of my all-time favorites, a 1995 Ferrari F50 (second below) brought $1,677,500.

This 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet by Pininfarina sold for $1,100,000.

How about a Spanish car? This 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 Cabriolet by Brandone was a car I really wanted to feature (but didn’t for various time-related reasons). It sold for $2,255,000.

Back to England for a couple more cars. This 1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roadster sold for $1,017,500.

Then there was this super-cool 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT which went for $2,200,000.

The rest are all Ferraris. First, another Series II Cabriolet – this a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet by Pinin Farina. It’s in blue (and looks better because of it) and sold for $1,292,500.

Then there was a “usual suspect” – a 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti. These are million dollar cars every time and show up at most big auctions. It went for slightly more than usual at $1,650,000.

And last – but not least – one of my favorite of Enzo’s creations, a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso. It sold for $1,386,000. Check out full results here.

Late August 2013 Auction Highlights

Posted on August 18, 2013 by classiccarweekly

I may end up splitting this up into two posts because it’s bound to be insane. We’ll start with Barrett-Jackson’s inaugural Reno, Nevada, sale. Our featured Studebaker Champ pickup sold for $30,800. Top sale (not counting charity cars, which I don’t count) was this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/360 Convertible for $192,500.

Of all the other cars, the coolest was this truck. It’s a 1955 Dodge C-3B and it sold for a really strong $90,750. Check out complete results here.

Moving forward to Monterey weekend. First up, Bonhams’ sale in Carmel. The top sale here was this 1931 Bentley 4.25-Liter Supercharged Le Mans. It’s a factory blower Bentley and it sold for $4,647,500.

Next up was our featured one-off Ferrari 250 Europa which went for $2,805,000. The most interesting car I didn’t get to feature was this 1902 Knox Model C Runabout. It was the first lot and it sold for $56,100.

Now on to the million dollar sales (in no particular order)! How about a pair of Mercedes-Benz 300SLs? First a 1955 300SL coupe ($1,100,000) and then a 1963 300SL Roadster ($1,430,000).

What would you think about an un-restored, barn-find condition 1963 Shelby Cobra 260 that was used as Car and Driver‘s test car back in the day? The 260 cubic inch engine makes it a very early Cobra. It was sold as-is for $2,068,000.

And now a pair of Ferraris. First, a 1960 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pinin Farina. It sold for $1,375,000.

Then there was the Brussels Motor Show 1965 275 GTS for $1,045,000.

My favorite of our feature cars, the unbelievable American Underslung Tourer sold for $748,000. Speaking of early cars, how about another million-dollar Mercedes? This one is from the pre-Benz era. It is a 1910 Mercedes 45hp 4-Seat Tourabout. It sold for $1,100,000.

Like the Cobra above, this 1958 Lister-Chevrolet “Knobbly” is in completely original condition. It sold for $1,430,000.

Another one of our feature cars was this 1906 Autocar. It sold for $42,600. The final million dollar sale was this also-unrestored and all-original 1952 Frazer-Nash Le Mans Replica Mk II Competition – and just barely: it sold for $1,001,000. It has Sebring race history and was used at the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show.

Our final feature car was the 1910 Peerless Victoria. It brought $176,000. One final cool car is this 1961 Mercedes-Benz Type O321H Bus that was used by the Swiss national hockey team. It sold for $126,500. Check out full results here.

Next up, Mecum’s Monterey sale. The top sale there was a 1955 Porsche 550/1500 RS Spyder for $3,750,000.

Our featured Delage would’ve been next, but it failed to sell. The only other million dollar car that actually sold was this 1990 Ferrari F40 for a very strong $1,325,000.

To run down some more feature cars… these feature cars failed to sell: a previously featured Duesenberg, a Ferrari 750 Monza, the JPS Lotus F1 car, and the Jaguar XJR-5. Our feature Isotta-Fraschini did sell: for $145,000. Among cool cars, I like this 1954 International R140 that went for $140,000.

And finally this super-cool 1948 Allard L-Type Roadster. It sold for $44,000. Click here for full results.

RM in Arizona Highlights

Posted on January 26, 2013 by classiccarweekly

RM’s 2013 sale in Phoenix, Arizona had some impressive results: the top sale was our featured Ferrari 250 GT Competizione for $8,140,000. Second place went to my favorite type of Shelby Cobra, a 1967 427 S/C. It brought $2,007,500.

1967 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C

There were a handful of other million dollar cars. Two of them were Ferrari 275s. First (first below) was a 1967 275 GTB/4 for $1,842,500. The other (second below) is a 1966 275 GTB, which sold for $1,320,000.

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/r

Our featured Delahaye 135 MS by Figoni et Falaschi sold for $1,540,000 while our featured Lamborghini 350GT failed to sell. Another of our feature cars, the Duesenberg Model J Derham Tourster, sold for $1,320,000. Two more Ferraris rounded out the million dollar club. First, a 2004 Enzo brought $1,320,000. Then there was this 1954 250 Europa for $1,017,500.

2003 Ferrari Enzo

1954 Ferrari 250 Europa

Other interesting results included this 1953 Allard JR “Le Mans” Roadster which sold for $605,000.

1953 Allard JR 'Le Mans' Roadster

And finally, this kind of lumpy-looking 1959 Lister-Chevrolet. It sold for $528,000.

Our featured Pierce-Arrow Touring sold for $181,500. Check out complete results here.

Bonhams Oxford Motor Cars Highlights

Posted on March 29, 2012 by classiccarweekly

Whoops. I guess we’ve lost a bit of chronology here, but the results from Bonhams’ Collector Motor Cars at Oxford have yet to be highlighted here on this site. So here we go.

First up is the top sale of the auction, a barn-find condition 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series I Coupe that used to belong to film producer Dino De Laurentiis.

It’s in pretty rough shape, but it’s still a Ferrari 250, so it sold for about $158,000. The Morris Isis that we featured here exceeded its estimate and sold for just a touch over $21,000.

The two other top sales were a pair of Series I Jaguar E-Types. The spectacular yellow one pictured here, a 1966 model with the 4.2-liter engine, sold for $142,000.

The other one, this time a red 1965 model also with the 4.2 liter engine, was formerly owned by Sir Elton John. It brought $128,000.

Other interesting cars sold at this auction included a bunch of American cars. And not your normal exports. There were a slew of 1950s Packards in various stages of disrepair and they appeared to come from the same consignor. It’s more like something you’d find in the yard of an American Midwesterner, not in such a stately place like Oxford. There was even a late 70s Trans Am, screaming chicken and all.

My other picks of the auction include this barn-find 1966 Jensen C-V8 which needs an entire restoration – although it does run as is. These cars are very rare, only about 500 were built. It brought $25,000.

Next up is this 1928 Dodge “Fast Four” Landaulette. This was the final year for Dodge’s 35 horsepower four-cylinder engine – coincidentally, the same year Chrysler acquired the firm. It’s a right-hand drive car that was bodied in England and was restored some years ago. It sold for $36,000.

Now how about this monster? It’s a 1985 Lister Jaguar XJ-S HE 7-Liter Cabriolet. There are Lister-Jaguar cars that date back to the 1950s, but this is one of about 90 Jaguar XJ-S cars modified by Lister with a 7.0-liter V12. It’s a beast and it would’ve cost you $29,000.

And last but not least, this 1937 Bentley 3.5-Litre Park Ward Sports Saloon in a wonderful, vibrant shade of blue. There’s nothing exceptional about this car (if that’s even legal to say about a Bentley), but I just really dig the look. It sold for $79,000.