For a generation obsessed with Mk.4 Supras and R34 GT-Rs the American king of the hill is all but forgotten. Four inches wider and 200lbs heaver than the standard Corvette, it made up for the weight with it’s 375hp DOHC 5.7L V8, designed by Lotus and hand-assembled by Mercury Marine.
That power train improvement connected to the ZF 6 speed manual was good for an impressive 4.9 second 0-60 and 13.4 in the quarter mile. Lotus was also responsible for RPO-code FX3 suspension package with Bilstein parts shares more in common with a Porsche 959 than the Corvette’s pedestrian brethren. You can bet with Lotus assisting in the design of your flagship car, it will turn at least as well as it will accelerate.
With only 2,985 miles on the clock this car had a buy-it-now price of $35,000.
The final model of the 5.0L V8-powered Cobra, distinguished from the 96-98 models by the standard Mustang hood and horizontal bar tail lights. The signature SN95 Cobra hood would not be found on it until the DOHC 4.6L models the next model year. The 5.0L Cobra was good for 240hp and this particular model is equipped with the tremec five speed manual transmission. The combo is capable of 0-60 in 6.3 seconds and a quarter mile of 14.1 seconds. At the time performance was comparable to the Z28 and Formula offered by the General.
The Mustang however came with a much more robust aftermarket, easier accessibility to the engine for modifications and a serious upgrade in interior build quality. This all came at the cost of less aggressive looks in contrast either of the F-body twins or the boxy fox predecessor. With an asking price of $49,900 in the non-auction section of Barrett-Jackson this car has only 106 miles on the odometer.
Lexus has been teasing the idea of a new luxury coupe since 2012, when the LF-LC concept debuted at the North American auto show in Detroit. It took four years to go from concept to production, and the new Lexus LC convertible was unveiled in 2016 and deliveries commencing in mid-2017.
Then in late 2019, Lexus revealed the new 2021 LC 500 convertible at the LA Auto Show. The first-ever vehicle, VIN 100001, made its apperance at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auction in January 2020.
The new LC 500 convertible is more than just the first car off the line – it is also one of just 100 vehicles that Lexus is calling the “Inspiration Series.” These cars will feature limited paint and interior options which befit a luxury flagship car. Things like L-Aniline leather interior, Alcantara door inserts, custom stainless-steel door-sill scuff plates, 21-inch split-five-spoke forged alloy wheels are little touches that will make the Inspiration Series a little extra special.
VIN 100001 is the absolute pinnacle of special, with even more custom treatment given to this 1 of 1 car. In case you had any doubts, the car has carbon-fiber scuff plates imprinted with “LC Inspiration Series Launch Exclusive 1 of 1” to remind you every time you get in or out. It also wears a gorgeous paint job called Structural Blue, with color-matched brake calipers instead of the Nori Green pearl exterior on the other Inspiration Series convertibles. The car even came with its own bottle of wine a 2017 Napa Cabernet by Pruett), custom Halliburton luggage set, and an “exclusive Lexus experience” of some kind.
The chance to own a 1 of 1 car is something that many collectors dream of. One lucky collector got to make that dream come true with a winning bid of $2,000,000 USD for the car. This was of course a charity auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and to the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The car was auctioned around 4:30 PM on Friday, January 17, 2020. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this may be the highest price paid for any Lexus, ever.
If this sounds familiar, you may remember a very similar auction from the 2019 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. It was just a year ago that Barrett-Jackson auctioned the first 2020 Toyota Supra GR VIN 20201 for charity. The highly anticipated car, which sold for $2.1 million, benefited the American Heart Association and The Bob Woodruff Foundation. Like the LC 500 Convertible, the first production Supra was also a 1 of 1 car, with custom colors and materials and an engine cover signed by Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda.
Congratulations to Barrett-Jackson and to the bidders on their amazing contribution to these great charities.
This mid-year update to Ford’s turbocharged, four-cylinder Fox body brings the boost up to 15 psi, adds 35lbs injectors and an upgraded EEC among other modifications to bring the car from 175hp to 205hp. Equipped with a factory-installed Hurst shifter for the 5-speed manual model, ultimately multiplied by a 3.73:1 ring and pinion ratio. Paired with 16″ wheels over disc brakes at all four wheels, a Koni-designed suspension and comparatively lighter 2.3L inline four over the front K-member. That ensures this SVO isn’t just faster than the 5.0L model in a drag race, it also handles better in the turns.
The one you see here is painted in Medium Canyon Red Metallic and has only 23,000 miles. Showcased in the area of Barrett-Jackson that has cars for sale instead of at auction, it was priced at $24,900.
As I’ve said in previous articles, I never set out to become an expert on Neoclassic automobiles – but I keep finding them at car shows, and people keep reading these posts, so I guess I’ll go with it. Having written about nearly every other Neoclassic car manufacturer, it was only a matter of time until I came across a Clénet. Well, it finally happened in early 2019 at my local Cars and Coffee gathering in Scottsdale, Arizona. I came across this 1980 Clénet Series II cabriolet and quickly found that it was different from other neoclassic cars I had seen in the past.
Clénet Coachworks was established in 1975 in Santa Barbara, California by Alain Clénet. Their first car was a 1930s styled roadster called the Series I. The company built 250 of the Series I cars from 1977-79, before moving on to the Series II. Just 187 of the Series II cars were produced – this one is #98. Continue reading →
One of the highlights of Monterey Car Week 2019 was attending Exotics on Broadway (formerly Exotics on Cannery Row). This event is notable as the most-attended event of Car Week, being that it is both free and open to the public. More than 30,000 people showed up for this year’s event, according to the organizers.
For car enthusiasts, you might delight in seeing an exotic car in your town as you go about your daily life. A Ferrari 458 Italia, a Lamborghini Huracan, an Audi R8, or an AMG Mercedes would be a notable sighting on any other day of the year. But at Exotics on Broadway, these cars are almost as common as Honda Accords.
It’s hard to appreciate these mid-range sports and exotic cars in the presence of so many unicorns – the elite, multi million-dollar, super limited production hypercars cars you’ve read about online, but have never seen in person. Exotics on Broadway brings together the best of the best – Pagani, Koenigsegg, Bugatti, McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Saleen, Hennessey, and many other top brands. To see so many dream cars all gathered in one place is pretty overwhelming.
I apologize for not being able to include photos of every Porsche GT3RS, Nissan GTR, or Lamborghini Aventador. A quick Google search reveals that as of 2018, Lamborghini has produced more than 8,000 Aventadors since the car’s release in 2011, and more than 11,000 Huracan vehicles. The featured cars at Exotics on Broadway are so rare, that they may number in the low hundreds of examples built. Only 349 examples of the Ferrari F50 were ever made, and there were three of them at this event. Cars from Pagani and Koenigsegg are even rarer, with specific models numbering in the dozens worldwide.
And there wasn’t just one of them. I counted a half-dozen Pagani models, mostly Huayras and one yellow Zonda R. There were several Koenigsegg Ageras, a CCX, and the brand new Jesko on display. Everywhere you looked, there was another amazing car to behold. There was even a beautiful blue Lamborghini Centenario coupe, 1 of just 20 in the world. It it no exaggeration to say that this event was like going to supercar heaven.
I hope you enjoy these photos from the 2019 Exotics on Broadway event in Seaside, California.
Koenigsegg Jesko
Unveiled in early 2019 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Jesko is the latest and greatest creation from Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg. Designed as the replacement for the Agera, the new Jesko features a more spacious interior, more powerful engine, and improved aerodynamics. The car is currently on a worldwide press tour and also appeared at The Quail Motorsports Gathering during Car Week. The approximate price is $2.8 million.
The one you see here is painted in Medium Canyon Red Metallic and has only 23,000 miles. Showcased in the area of Barrett-Jackson that has cars for sale instead of at auction, it was priced at $24,900.
