A place where people and cars meet
As the challenging economic situation looks likely to continue into next year, so the effect it may have on the Classic Car Market for 2023 is still an unknown, but Silverstone Auctions consigners highlight what they think the cars to watch will be this year. Continue reading
$20,500 – 22,800
Making a return to the list, albeit at a value increase of nearly 300%, is the first-generation (FB) Mazda RX-7 Series 3 in the top-of-the-line GSL-SE trim. The SE was significantly different from the other trim levels, not only in its more refined appointments like leather upholstery, but in its underpinnings. Its 13B rotary engine put out 34% more horsepower than the GSL, GS, and S models while gaining only 14% in displacement. This resulted in a Porsche 944-like zero-to-sixty time of under eight seconds and a top speed of 125 mph. It elevated the RX-7 from its retro-inspired funabout to a world-class sports car. Enthusiasts and collectors seem to agree, with values climbing at an inspired pace.
WALWORTH, Wis – Mecum Auctions’ 32nd annual Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction will return to South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this Jan. 24-28, with headlining consignments for the world’s largest vintage motorcycle auction. In total, the Las Vegas auction will feature an estimated 1,750 motorcycles from 18 collections—including the Southwest Collection, Jim’s Forever Collection, and Mike Wolfe’s As Found Collection—crossing the block throughout the four live auction days as well as additional Road Art selections. Continue reading
$20,250 – 22,500
Though much maligned by Porsche purists when it debuted here in the states in 1977 (not without good reason), the Porsche 924 has been going through a period of redemption fortysix years on. The early Audi-based models still don’t get much love but even they can be given some grace as the first “transaxle” cars that Porsche offered to the masses, a legacy that is now their bread and butter with models like the Cayenne, Panamera, Macan, etc.
The car that earned genuine respect, even at the time (perhaps grudgingly by the air-cooled, engine-in-the-back traditionalists), was the 924 Turbo (931 in Porschespeak). By its last years, in 1981 and 1982, its performance was not far off from the 911SC while offering far more precise and balanced handling. It was especially Porsche-like with the M471 option, which included four-wheel internally ventilated disc brakes on five-bolt hubs, mounting forged 16 x 6-inch 928-style alloys, upgraded springs and shocks, front and rear anti-roll bars along with a different steering ratio.
Not that long ago, a 931 would’ve been a bargain relative to their air-cooled siblings, hovering around $10K for a well-sorted drive-and-show, $15K – 20K for an exceptional example. But now, as the luftgekülts climb toward or surpass the six-figure mark, the 924 Turbo—particularly those from the latter 154-hp years with the M471 pack—has become a get-one-before-it’s-too-late collectible.
Santa Monica, Calif. (December 27, 2022) – International market leader and renowned auction house Gooding & Company concludes its second most successful business year to date since its inception in 2003, posting an overall sales total surpassing $212 million realized from all 2022 auctions. With its most profitable Amelia Island Auction to date, its largest ever Pebble Beach Auctions offering, and its second live auction event in the UK, coupled with two Geared Online auctions, Gooding & Company sold a total of 597 lots, attaining an 87% sell-through rate for all vehicles auctioned, and an 89% sales rate for automobilia. The firm sold 55 cars valued over $1 million, signifying a staggering increase from the year prior. Additionally, the average price per car sold in 2022 was $695,375, a figure which also increased from the previous year.
Continue reading
This looks like fun. A second-year BMW Z3 Roadster that has been lovingly cared for by a single owner since new. Its 78,000 miles indicate it has been enjoyed but not abused While not the M model, it has the 189-hp 2.8-liter inline six, that is plenty spirited and perfectly suited to the 5-speed ZF gearbox. It has been garaged since new and retains the original window sticker. This, along with fastidious maintenance records demonstrate the car has been cherished. It’s hard to think of a better color combo as well. Get it before its gone here on Craigslist for an underpriced $10,800.
$17,750 – 20,250
It wasn’t that long ago that sporty Japanese cars, while admired by drivers for their relative fun factor (relative to their cost to own), weren’t paid much attention from collectors. A well-sorted, rust-free 240Z, for example, could easily be had for under $15K six or seven years ago. In the past month alone, auction sites have seen those same quality examples exchange hands at around $70K, with a couple exceptional-quality Zs climbing well into six figures.
It’s not surprising then that collectors are looking for the Next 240Z and an obvious place to look is to its contemporaries. The Toyota Celica wasn’t considered a true sports car like the Z (which, by the time the Celica GT Liftback arrived in the States, had evolved into the more refined 260Z and 280Z). It aimed instead, as the name implies, to be thought of in buyers’ minds as a GT. Not so much GT in the European sense, but rather, the Mustang GT. Its styling, rather than taking inspiration from 60s Ferraris, borrowed heavily from Ford’s pony car and in particular, the 1968 Sportback.
The 97-hp 20R engine wasn’t going to win any drag races against its American exemplar, but its bucket seats nested deep between a center console that housed a still-uncommon 5-speed stick, along with a five-gauge instrument panel, gave the driver the feeling of something more sporting. Today it’s the aesthetic, inside and out, that continues to hold their appeal and with it a steady rise in value.
There were over a quarter million Celicas brought to US dealers in 1976 and 1977 (unknown how many of those were GT Liftbacks), yet today they do seem scarce; much more so than the Z cars of the day. Many have rusted out or ended up in scrap heaps (the fate of many Japanese cars of the 70s) so finding one, especially in unmodified, well-kept (No 2) condition, may take some determination and patience. The Next Z? Only time will tell but in the meantime you’ll enjoy a fun, reliable GT that exudes Steve McQueen cool on a smaller scale.
Hope you were nice this year. Drive on.
May your days be merry and bright. Happy Holidays from moto+match.
Sealy, Texas, December 22, 2022 – Hennessey, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer and high-performance vehicle creator, has attained a new unofficial holiday record, having driven its Venom 1000 Mustang GT500 to a velocity of 192 mph with an illuminated Christmas tree strapped to the roof. The achievement occurred earlier this week at the Continental Tire Proving Grounds in Ulvade, Texas, under the impartial eye of jolly old Saint Nick. Continue reading
© 2024 moto+match
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑