Tag Archives: sports

Rolls-Royce Hunting Car

Posted on by
Reply

1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Torpedo Sports Tourer by Barker & Co.

Offered by Barrett-Jackson | Las Vegas, Nevada | September 28, 2013

1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I by Barker

The Rolls-Royce Phantom I was the successor to the Silver Ghost. The first Phantom was introduced in 1925 – making this a launch-year model. It was available from either Rolls-Royce or Rolls-Royce of America. This is from the British arm of the company.

This is actually a really interesting car and I’ve been monitoring it as it sat at the Auto Collections in Las Vegas, where it’s been for sale for a little while. This car was ordered new by Umed Singh II – the Maharaja of Kotah in India. Rolls-Royces were popular among Maharajas (India was under British rule at the time) and a Maharaja Rolls is a thing that pops up every now and then.

The Maharaja had this Torpedo Sports Tourer body put on the car by Barker & Co. of London – the supplier for many of the bodies on early Silver Ghosts. Barker & Co. would be acquired by Hooper (another popular Bentley/Rolls coachbuilder) in 1938. The engine in this car is a 50 horsepower (or “sufficient,” in Rolls-speak) 7.7-liter straight-six.

India is a land of exotic game and many kings of the day liked to go hunting. This car was well-equipped with enough firepower (including a tow-behind machine gun!) to go hunting on his family’s private estate. This has been referred to as the “Tiger Car” as it packs enough punch to take down a Bengal Tiger.

1925 Rolls with Gun

It’s a really awesome car that has the potential to bring a lot of money. You just don’t see outrageous Rolls-Royces like this – especially one armed like a tank. Only 2,269 British-built Phantom Is were built – and there’s only one like this. Click here for more info and here for the rest of Barrett-Jackson’s Vegas lineup.

S/N: 23RC

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

Supercharged Bugatti Type 43

Posted on by
1

1930 Bugatti Type 43 Sports 2/4-Seater

Offered by Bonhams | Greenwich, Connecticut | June 2, 2013

1930 Bugatti Type 43 Sports

The Bugatti Type 43 was part of the line of cars that spawned off the Type 30. Introduced in 1927, the Type 43 stood apart from earlier models in that it, while it used a similar chassis, it added a supercharger – making it quick and one of the world’s first 100 mph production cars with a top speed of 112 mph.

The engine is a 2.3-liter supercharged straight-eight making 120 horsepower. It was a transplant from Bugatti’s current grand prix car of the day. The history on this car goes back to 1928, when the engine was built. It’s titled as a 1930 because it wasn’t sold until then.

This car spent most of its early life on the French Riviera – which is only about the coolest place you could own and drive an old Bugatti. It came to the U.S. in 1950. The current coachwork on the car was already on the car by 1950 – although it is not original, nor is it certain where the body originated. The car has been restored within the last 10 years and finished 3rd in its class at Pebble Beach.

This is basically a road-going Bugatti grand prix car (running gear, short wheelbase, etc.) and it can be yours for between $1,000,000-$1,200,000. Click here to read more and here for more from Bonhams in Greenwich.

Update: Sold $875,000.

Lightburn Zeta

Posted on by
Reply

1964 Lightburn Zeta Sports

Offered by RM Auctions | Madison, Georgia | February 15-16, 2013

Photo – RM Auctions

I think I could best describe this car as “pointy.” It’s very odd looking and it has no doors or opening panels of any kind. Easy to build, I would guess. Produced by Lightburn & Co Ltd of Camden, Australia, the car is sometimes referred to as a Zeta Sports, with Zeta being the marque. But not today. The engine is a somewhat large 494cc two-stroke twin making 20.5 horsepower. And it will do a serious 77 mph. This car was intended to be driven on the road with power and performance like that! Just take your insane pills before trying to do it. Only 28 were built and only 6 survive. Two of them are offered in this sale, the other a coupe. Learn more here.

Update: Sold $51,750.

An Unmodified Toyota Supra

Posted on by
2

1995 Toyota Supra

Offered by Mecum, Kissimmee, Florida, January 24-29, 2012

Yes, a late model Japanese sports car – not a swoopy French classic or a singing Ferrari V12 or a hunk of Detroit iron. No, this is a normal, everyday, Toyota Supra. So why is it featured here? Because it’s a normal, unmodified Supra.

Japanese cars are extremely tuner-friendly and the Supra was one of the go-to cars for people to make a statement with. It is very rare to see an unmolested Supra – the interior and exterior are clean and original. It even has the original wheels – one of the first things to go when a tuner gets their hands on it.

The Mark IV Supra was introduced in Japan in 1993 and lasted there until 2002. U.S. sales ended in 1998. There were different versions: a coupe, a targa, a naturally-aspirated engine and the optional twin-turbo unit which made 276 horsepower.

I’m a purist at heart and while custom cars have their place and own level of respectability, when you see nothing but customized versions of a certain model, it gets kind of exciting when you see a “normal” one.

I am unaware of the mileage, but I’d expect something between $20,000 and $30,000. These cars brought closer to $50,000 when new.

Jaguar XKR Silverstone

Posted on by
Reply

2000 Jaguar XKR Silverstone

Offered by Coys, Essen, Germany, November 30, 2011

The Jaguar XK introduced in 1996 was a major design leap forward for Jaguar. These cars still look fresh today and this limited edition Silverstone edition stands out above the rest. It’s striking Platinum paint with silver “Detroit” wheels and seemingly colorless front lights really make it look like a bullet.

This car features a 4.0 liter V8 making 370 horsepower. It has special Brembo brakes and a custom Silverstone-only interior. This is one of 25 Silverstones delivered to Germany and one of only 563 Silverstones built.

This is a late-model collectible that may never be worth it’s weight in gold, but it has low miles and is very clean and will draw glances wherever it goes. Coys expects it to sell for between $51,000 and $58,000 – which is significantly more than any run-of-the-mill used XKR.

More info on this car can be found here with more info on Coys sale at the Essen Motor Show at their website.