With Monterey Car Week around the corner, this week’s edition of Market Finds features some of the choicest collector cars coming up for auction in California alongside the usual gems from the Classic Driver Market. Take a look below!
Ancient Astronaut
Usually any mention Aztecs and spaceships has us thinking of tin foil hats and ‘Ancient Aliens’ on the History channel, but at the 1988 Turin Motor Show, Giorgetto Giuigiaro’s ItalDesign shocked the world with this road-going UFO: the Aztec Barchetta. Built to celebrate the firm’s 20th anniversary, it debuted as part of a trio of concepts that included the Asgard space wagon and Aspid coupe. Fortunately for us earthlings, it actually did make it to production, albeit in an ultra-limited run of fewer than 25 examples, and now you could own this incredible Aztec as it heads to Broad Arrow Auctions’ Monterey Jet Center sale on August 14th.
Looking like a mashup between HR Giger and Hotwheels, the Aztec’s party piece is obviously its dual-cockpit configuration, but there are plenty of other fascinating details to admire. It features intricate side-fairings that house space-age service panels, each activated by a 3-digit code. Equipped with a Audi-sourced 5-cylinder turbocharged engine and Lancia Delta-derived four-wheel drive system, the Aztec could reportedly hit a top speed of 150 mph, something this example should have no issue with thanks to a recent mechanical refresh. So, if you like your cars to seem like they just fell from the stars, look no further!
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A Beaut of a Ute
Australia is known for three things: scorching sun, dangerous fauna, and utes, and fortunately its the latter we’ll be experiencing today. This raunchy, red, and shockingly rare ute is a 1999 Ford Falcon XR8 Tickford, of which a mere 25 were believed to be built. Powered by the widely-loved 5.0-litre Windsor V8, this Falcon packs around 250 horsepower, which should be more than enough to trouble your local hot-hatch touting youths.
Boasting bespoke Tickford bodywork, this ute is understood to be the only example in the UK and presents in phenomenal condition, having only covered 33,400 miles. If you need a car that can haul in both senses of the word, this Falcon combines speed and practicality in equal measure, with an extra helping of exclusivity to boot!
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Gruppe Mentality
Granted, in 2024, there are some pretty spectacular-looking endurance racers in the hypercar class, but arguably the most savage and seductive racing cars of all time competed in Group C in the 1990s, with this 1990 Sauber-Mercedes C 11 being the perfect example. Picking up where the C 9 left off, the C 11 employed an entirely new chassis and safety cell constructed from cutting-edge materials such as carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and lightweight metal, resulting in a much stiffer, more controllable track weapon. Powered by a 740 horsepower 5.0-litre Mercedes V8, in qualifying spec and with the boost ramped up, the C 11 could produce as much as 917 horsepower, while it would cap out at a top speed of 400 km/h. Potent is an understatement.
This example is chassis 03, is the most successful of its ilk from the 1990 Sports Car World Championship, ultimately securing the overall win. In four race appearances, chassis 03 secured pole and then first place four times with Jean Louis Schlesser and Mauro Baldi at the wheel. Fresh from a 30 year stay at one of the world’s most exclusive collections, this is your chance to acquire one of the most impressive racers to ever turn a wheel.
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A Vision in Verde Scuro
Green over tan cars are all the rage these days — and we’re certainly not complaining — but Bill Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors in Reno, Nevada, were clearly ahead of the curve, taking delivery of this incredible Verde Scuro over Pelle Beige Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta way back in 1973. Its first owner obviously had taste, lovingly caring for his dark green Daytona until the late 1980s, when he sent it in for restoration, at which point it changed hands and, tragically, was resprayed red.
We could write an essay lamenting this ludicrous decision and hurling insults, but what matters is that in 2014 it was reimported to the US and restored to its original specification by the maestros at Todd Biron’s Classic Restoration of Vero Beach, Florida. Following a five-year recommissioning, chassis 15749 received its Ferrari Classiche Red Book, which not only confirms the wonderful colour combination, but that it also retains its original engine. If like us you’re green with envy, keep an eye out as this gorgeous Daytona heads to Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction on August 16th.
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McQueen’s Q Car
Steve McQueen was no stranger to an eye-catching sports car or two, but like any true petrolhead, he also had a penchant for the ever-appealing sleeper, and nothing in the 1970s fit the Q car memo quite like the Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3. Powered by Mercedes’ legendary M100 6.3-litre V8, this SEL could give the supercars of its day a run for their money with a sub-7 second 0-60 mph time and top speed north of 130 mph. Delivered to McQueen’s home in Brentwood, California, when questioned by his son, Chad, about his uncharacteristic vehicle choice, Steve responded “This thing is so ******* fast, you wouldn’t believe it!”
According to Chad, this unassuming Merc remained a firm favourite in Steve’s fleet up until his untimely death in 1980. In 2013, this example received a comprehensive restoration by Kienle Automobiltechnik of Germany totalling over 125,000 euros and now presents in outstanding condition. Any fans of McQueen and Mercedes will certainly want to mark August 16th on their calendars, when this 300 SEL 6.3 will cross the auction block at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale.
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