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From rally superstars to priceless classic supercars
© BonhamsThe auction scene is one of the major parts of Monterey Car Week, offering collectors the chance to add rare models to their garage. For the rest of us, it is simply a chance to dream.
Modern classics form a major part of this year’s Bonhams The Quail Auction, with all-wheel drive legends from the 1990s on offer. These are listed alongside auction regulars from Ferrari and Porsche.
The Bonhams sale takes place on Friday, August 18 2023 as part of the prestigious Quail event. Viewing is available from Wednesday, August 16, but let us take a virtual look at some of the most impressive cars offered for sale.
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1951 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta
© BonhamsHistoric racing cars form a core part of the Bonhams auction, fitting with the backdrop of The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering event. That includes this early Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta, which competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
First owned by Charles Moran of New York, the Ferrari was entered into the classic French endurance race just weeks after being acquired. It lasted the full 24 hours, finishing 16th overall and 7th in its class. It would go on to compete in further races throughout North America.
Recently restored, but with its original Touring bodywork intact, this is a rare opportunity to own one of Ferrari’s first endurance racers. Accordingly, a pre-sale estimate of between $4.25 million and $4.75 million has been set.
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1967 Ferrari 412 P Berlinetta
© BonhamsThe significance of the Ferrari 412 P to sports car racing cannot be overstated enough, having helped the Italian marque win the 1967 International Championship of Makes. Only four cars were created for customer teams, with this being one of the two examples converted from Ferrari’s 330 P3 racer.
Chassis 0854 took third place at the 1967 1000 kms of Spa for the Maranello Concessionaires team, driven by Richard Attwood and Lucien Bianchi. The points scored in this race were enough to secure championship success for Ferrari that year. Wins would follow in 1968, although the car would be almost completely destroyed by fire in 1969. A nine-year restoration was completed in 2015.
Given the iconic status of this car, there is no pre-sale estimate published. If it helps with your decision making, remember that this 412 P is legal for road use, should you really want to cause a scene at your next car meet.
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1951 Allard J2X
© BonhamsSteve McQueen owned an eclectic collection of cars and motorcycles during his lifetime, buying whatever took his fancy thanks to his considerable on-screen success. Amongst the cars McQueen owned was this Allard J2X, acquired in 1962 and remaining in his collection until his death in 1980.
The Allard in question is powered by a 331-cubic inch Chrysler Hemi V-8 engine, believed to be producing 250 hp and plenty of torque. Combined with a rear-wheel drive layout, and low weight, the J2X delivers serious performance.
Sold by McQueen’s estate at the 1984 Imperial Palace Auction, the Allard has had two owners since. Having such an iconic former owner will undoubtedly have helped with the estimated auction price of $300,000 to $400,000.
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1999 Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S
© BonhamsThe Panoz LMP-1 was radical in the Le Mans Prototype racing world, by placing its engine in front of the driver when all others were mid-engined. This is the second LMP-1 chassis made, which finished 11th at the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Johnny O’Connell, Jan Magnussen and Max Angelelli.
It is now ready for sale, having appeared as a show car at the ‘Race of a Thousand Years’, held on New Year’s Eve in Australia, on 31st December 2000. The downside? At present, this particular Panoz is only a rolling chassis without the fearsome Elan-developed 6.0-l engine or Xtrac sequential six-speed gearbox.
However, it still offers an opportunity to own a true piece of Le Mans history, with the potential to be restored for historic motorsport use. It comes with a pre-sale estimate of $350,000 to $450,000.
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1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL by Pininfarina
© BonhamsItalian design house Pininfarina has worked with many automotive brands, but this car represents a rare collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. In fact, this car is a one-off, being the only 300 SEL 6.3 to wear a body designed by Pininfarina.
Commissioned by a Dutch businessman, a regular four-door 300 SEL was used as the donor car, when Mercedes-Benz refused to sell a rolling chassis. Pininfarina created the bodywork to meet the owner’s requests for a high seating position and limited amount of glass. The result is unusual, but one Pininfarina displayed at the 1970 Turin Motor Show.
Sold after only three years of ownership, the Mercedes-Benz has remained in the Netherlands ever since. The styling may not be to all tastes, but it will certainly always be unique. Individuality comes with an expected price of $400,000 to $600,000.
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1988 Ferrari Testarossa
© BonhamsFerrari and Pininfarina have a much more obvious connection, and the wedge-shaped Testarossa is arguably one of the design house’s most identifiable shapes. Equipped with a 4.9-l flat-twelve engine, the Testarossa easily had the power to match the bold looks.
Finished in classic Rosso Corsa, combined with a tan leather interior, the Testarossa has covered less than 11,000 miles since first being delivered. As a result, the Ferrari is in original condition, with even the paintwork the same as when it left the factory.
To own this 1980’s classic, expect to pay $140,000 to $170,000.
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1988 BMW E30 M3
© BonhamsThe original E30 BMW M3 continues to be one of the most desirable compact performance cars from the 1980s, with fine handling and a powerful four-cylinder engine as standard.
This particular example was first owned by a director of BMW Munich, and remained in Germany until 1998. In 2001, it was bought by a technician at motorsport engineering company Prodrive. The company was responsible for running E30 M3s in the British Touring Car Championship during the 1980s, giving all the expertise for a thorough restoration of this car.
Taking seven years, the restoration included an overhauled engine with a Prodrive ECU, taking the power output to 231 hp. Used sparingly since being finished, the car is now expected to sell for between $100,000 and $140,000.
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1989 Porsche 930 Turbo S by Sonauto
© BonhamsWhen it comes to cars associated with the 1980s, the original Porsche 911 Turbo is certainly a leader. Taken from the final year of 930-generation Turbo production, this is a rare and desirable example of the high-performance 911.
This is the seventh of ten Porsche 911 Turbo S special editions created. It was ordered through Sonauto, the French Porsche distributor, and featured a 30 hp power boost, upgraded exhaust, sport suspension, and seats from the Porsche 959. Later additions by RUF included an upgraded fuel-injection system and a new exhaust.
With a total of 330 hp from the 3.3-l turbocharged flat-six engine, this is still a serious sports car. With bespoke upgrades, the Turbo S has a pre-sale estimate of $380,000 to $450,000.
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1991 De Tomaso Pantera 90 SI
© BonhamsOriginally launched in 1971, the De Tomaso Pantera matched Italian styling with All-American engines and performance. For 1990, the Pantera underwent a comprehensive overhaul, with almost every component being upgraded and improved.
Marcello Gandini updated the exterior design, whilst a new 5.0-l Ford V-8 engine delivered 247 hp. Disc brakes taken from the Ferrari F40 were added, aiding stopping power. In total, only 41 examples of the 90 SI version were built, including this Giallo Cromo yellow car.
Accompanied by an extensive history record and comprehensive maintenance, this Pantera 90 SI could sell for $325,000 to $400,000.
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1992 Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione Martini
© BonhamsThanks to the Delta Integrale, Lancia dominated the World Rally Championship during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It took the Italian brand to 46 individual rally wins, alongside multiple championship titles.
For 1992, Lancia released the Delta Integrale Evoluzione ‘Martini 5’, designed to celebrate a 5th consecutive Constructors’ World Rally Championship win in 1991. Only 400 examples were made, with a special Martini livery and Recaro seats found inside. The 210 hp 2.0-l turbocharged engine remained unchanged, combined with all-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission.
Federalized for use in California, it is believed to be the only Martini 5 edition in the Golden State. To become the newest owner, expect to pay between $160,000 and $190,000.
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1995 BMW E36 M3
© BonhamsForever in the shadow of the original E30 BMW M3, the second-generation E36 M3 has slowly become more desirable with the passage of time. There is plenty to like with a 3.0-l six-cylinder engine delivering 240 hp, a five-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive.
What makes this particular Black Sapphire Metallic example notable is the low mileage recorded. The odometer shows just 27,600 miles, with an accompanying history file and maintenance records. Heated seats and an electric sunroof were desirable options fitted at the factory.
Demonstrating the increasing interest in the E36 BMW M3 is a pre-auction estimate of $80,000 to $100,000.
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1996 Nissan Skyline R33 Tommykaira R
© BonhamsThere are perhaps few cars more notable from the late 1990s than the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Thanks to the Gran Turismo series of video games, the turbocharged all-wheel drive sports car became well-known by fans across the globe.
Tommykaira has a lengthy history of tuning Nissan models, with this being a ‘Full Spec R’ version of the R33 Skyline GT-R. This included the addition of a bespoke aero package, 18-inch rear wheels, and engine improvements resulting in 400 hp.
Only 16 cars are believed to have been converted to ‘Full Spec R’ trim, making this a genuine rarity. As such, it commands an estimate of $75,000 to $100,000.
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1997 Subaru Impreza 22B STI Prototype
© BonhamsAnother car made famous by video games, and World Rally Championship success, the Subaru Impreza is another icon of the 1990s. No version is more collectable than the 22B STI, designed to mimic the looks of the successful rally cars. It also celebrated Subaru’s 40th anniversary and its third consecutive WRC manufacturer’s title.
Subaru made just 400 examples of the 22B STI, with widened bodywork and a 2.2-l turbocharged flat-four engine. Five pre-production prototypes were built, with this car being the example displayed at the 1997 Tokyo Auto Show. It was then gifted to David Lapworth of Prodrive, responsible for masterminding Subaru’s rally success.
Kept in a private collection for the past 20 years, this 22B STI has been driven for just 49 miles. For Subaru fans, this represents the Holy Grail of Imprezas, with an accompanying pre-auction estimate of $450,000 to $550,000.
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1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello
© BonhamsAging gracefully, the Ferrari 550 Maranello has gained a reputation for being one of the greatest cars to ever emerge from the Italian company’s gates. With a front-mounted 5.5-l V-12 developing 485 hp, and Pininfarina styling, there is certainly plenty to like.
Add fine handling, and a six-speed manual transmission, and it is easy to see why the 550 Maranello is held in such high regard. Finished in Rosso Corsa with a tan leather interior, this particular car spent much of its early life in Silicon Valley.
With relatively low mileage, and plenty of history, this V-12 Ferrari could sell for $190,000 to $220,000.
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2003 Ferrari Enzo
© BonhamsIt seems impossible to believe that the Ferrari Enzo is over two decades old, having been launched in 2002. Even today, it still looks radical, thanks to the angular Pininfarina styling. Built to celebrate Ferrari’s continuing Formula 1 success, the Enzo featured technology inspired by the race track.
The 651 hp 6.0-l V-12 engine was matched with an F1-style electro-hydraulic six-speed manual transmission, with carbon disc brakes and pushrod-operated shock absorbers also adopted from Formula 1 racers. Aerodynamic styling ensured the Enzo could achieve a top speed of 217 mph.
This car represents one of 111 Enzo units allocated for the United States, being delivered in 2003. First painted in Rosso Corsa red, it was later changed to black by Ferrari, before returning again to its original hue. Now, buying this Enzo at auction could require between $2.9 million and $3.4 million.
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2003 Aston Martin DB AR1
© BonhamsRarer than the Ferrari Enzo, and also powered by a V-12 engine, Aston Martin produced 99 examples of the AM DBR1 with California firmly in mind. Unveiled at the 2003 LA Auto Show, the AM DBR1 was based upon the Aston Martin DBZ, but with a special Zagato-designed roadster body.
Power from the 5.9-l V-12 engine was increased to 435 hp, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, with a potential top speed of 185 mph. This particular car for sale comes with the rare six-speed manual transmission, whereas most were fitted with the optional automatic.
Painted in Tungsten Silver, this DB AR1 has covered less than 1,000 miles since being delivered. In Monterey, the pre-auction estimate suggests a price of $250,000 to $300,000.
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1971 Citroen ID20 Break
© BonhamsNew estate cars are in danger of becoming extinct, with manufacturers and consumers continuing to pivot towards SUVs. Thankfully, the Bonhams sale includes a trio of relatively affordable wagons that could be added to your garage.
That includes this rather impressive Citroen ID20 ‘Break’ Station Wagon, having been fully refurbished. It features Citroen’s famed self-leveling hydro-pneumatic suspension, along with power-operated brakes, clutch, and steering.
Painted on the outside in Gris Typhoon, with the dashboard finished to match, the seats were reupholstered in blue cloth. At auction, it could fetch between $30,000 and $40,000.
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1980 Mercedes-Benz 500 TE AMG
© BonhamsModern Mercedes-Benz AMG wagons may be relatively common, but classic examples are much harder to find. Built in February 1980, this Mercedes began life as a United States-market 300 series estate. It was later found in Chicago as an unfinished project, with a host of AMG parts suggesting it to be an original 500 TE AMG wagon.
These parts included a 240 hp 5.0-l V-8 engine, making for the perfect vehicle to be subjected to a complete restoration. More than 2,000 hours were spent taking the car back to bare metal, with both the engine and automatic transmission rebuilt. On the inside are Recaro seats, with the exterior featuring an AMG aero kit and AMG Penta alloy wheels.
Being sold without reserve, the 500 TE AMG could attract a sale price of $75,000 to $100,000.
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2002 BMW M5 Touring
© BonhamsBMW never officially produced a Touring wagon version of the E39 M5, leaving enthusiasts forever wondering what one could have been like. Fortunately, thanks to the experts at Bavarian Professionals, Inc there is no need to wonder anymore.
The body of a 540i Touring was combined with the 400 hp 4.9-l V-8 engine and six-speed manual transmission. In a process that took more than a year, the end result is a car as close to what factory created E39 M5 Touring would have been like.
More than $66,000 was spent on the conversion process, making the pre-auction estimate of $60,000 to $80,000 seem like a bargain.