Wanderlust

Category: Market Finds

  • EU Market Find: Rare Saab 900 Turbo S Ruby Edition Hits Market in Netherlands

    EU Market Find: Rare Saab 900 Turbo S Ruby Edition Hits Market in Netherlands

    What: 1993 Saab 900 Turbo S Ruby Edition
    Color: Ruby Red (rubinröd; metallic uni; 242; Saab)
    Chassis #: YS3AD35
    Mileage: 197,500 km / 122,720
    Price: €37,995
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Doetinchem, The Netherlands
    Seller Listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    Nothing says 1980s quite like a Saab 900 Turbo. Back in the Reagan era and even then quirky, Saabs came into vogue for their unique shape, hatchback and early use of turbochargers… not to mention kitschy yet trademark three-spoke wheel designs. The Swedish brand from Trollhättan built a cult-like following, long before being purchased by GM and later shuttered by GM during the great recession.

    All that serves to make an already obscure car even more obscure in the collectors market. Throw in an UK-market super limited edition (converted to left hand drive for your non-UK driving pleasure) and you have, what we’d argue, achieved peak obscurity. Enter the Saab 900 Turbo S Ruby Edition.

    The year was 1993, and Saab UK wanted to do something special. The idea was a special edition model limited to just 150 units. With no intentions of homologation or anything like that, the plan was basically a color and trim package, but from a brand that didn’t offer many limited editions it was and remains a highly collectible thing amongst Saab-o-philes.

    At its center is the Ruby Red paint, from which it draws its name. It also got a unique Bridge of Weir Scottish ‘Buffalo’ leather upholstery with ruby-matching Zegna wool inserts [1]. The original Ruby Edition also got color-coded bumpers and grey three-spoke wheels rather than silver [2] in order to set it apart from other period Saab 900 offerings in the UK. From the factory, the car boasted the brand’s turbocharged 16-valve 4-cylinder tuned to 185 bhp.

    While hardcore collectors may grouse, those seeking this car as a drivable classic will likely appreciate the primarily OEM plus modifications you’ll find in the listing linked above. These include the aforementioned left hand drive conversion, and also European bumpers, Aero skirts and GT specs, 16-inch Saab Aero wheels with polished rims, engine upgrades to about 225 hp, Saab 9000 front brakes, OEM rear wiper retrofit, OEM exterior temperature gauge, Bilstein shocks, Blaupunkt Radio, LED dash lights and headlights, OEM third brake light from Saab 900 Classic and more. The seller even lists that he’s got louvered slats for the rear window if that’s desired.

    This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.

  • Market Find: Cumulus Blue Audi exclusive RS 6 Avant in Maryland

    Market Find: Cumulus Blue Audi exclusive RS 6 Avant in Maryland

    What: 2025 Audi RS 6 Avant performance
    Color: Cumulus Blue (cumulusblau; non-metallic; LX5A / U4; Audi))
    Chassis #: WUA1DBF21SN903733
    Mileage: delivery
    Price: $167,695
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: see gallery
    Location: Audi Frederick, Frederick, MD
    Link: Link

    Why We Love It:

    The Audi RS 6 performance is already a compelling case, though a rare Audi exclusive color sends it over the edge. In the case of this new car inventory RS 6 from Audi Frederick in Maryland, that color is Cumulus Blue.

    What’s Cumulus Blue? It’s one of those virtually white colors that we’d hesitate to call pastel only because a ubiquitous Carolina Blue (looking at you college sports team fans) or Hyundai N’s Performance Blue are both notably darker and more saturated in comparison. So, Cumulus Blue is so subtle that you’d be forgiven for mistaking it as white. Park it next to a white car though, and that’s where it becomes obvious. Cumulus Blue is like nothing else really on the road, making ownership of a car in this color an exercise at eliciting comments from people who are paying attention.

    Near as we can tell, Cumulus Blue has never been a standard order book color on any Audi, though it’s’ been in the Audi exclusive color catalogue for years. This makes it known in Audi circles, but also exceptionally rare. That’s all a win in our book.

    Beyond the paint paired with black interior, this particular RS 6 also has some nice options. This includes Matte Carbon Package, Executive Package and Driver Assistance Package.

    Thanks to Chris Stewart for the tip.

  • Market Find: 1999 BMW Individual Violet Blue M3 Evolution Convertible

    Market Find: 1999 BMW Individual Violet Blue M3 Evolution Convertible

    What: 1999 BMW M3 Evolution Convertible
    Color: BMW Individual Violet Blue (violettblau; non-metallic; 528; BMW))
    Chassis #: WBSBK920X0EX67158
    Mileage: 46,400mi
    Price: Auction
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Ryan Friedman Motorcars, Glen Cove, NY
    Auction Link: Link

    Why We Love It:

    The M3 we didn’t get, in a color we couldn’t- there’s a ton to like here. Sure the E36 generation’s M3 was offered in the US, but to many enthusiasts (or snobs), the S52 that powered it wasn’t really an M motor, just a 328i motor that’d been hot rodded a bit. Regardless of opinion, this M3 has the full-fat M3 Evo motor, and more importantly, the 6 speed manual that was specific to the Evo version. Further adding to the conversation is that this Tailored Driver is a right hand drive version, and a convertible- hardly the hardcore enthusiast’s choice. But to us, this represents a great opportunity to get in the Tailored market with a genuinely cool car.

  • EU Market Find: 1992 Porsche Paint to Sample Violet Amaranth 968 Cabriolet

    EU Market Find: 1992 Porsche Paint to Sample Violet Amaranth 968 Cabriolet

    What: 1992 Porsche 968 Cabriolet
    Color: Paint to Sample Amaranth Violet (amarantviolett; non-metallic; L39D / T3; Porsche)
    Chassis #: Unknown
    Mileage: 123,000 km
    Price: €38,950
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Renes Collectables, Vught, The Netherlands
    Dealer Listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    The prospect of an “internal” car is always an interesting one. Generally ordered by a executive, a board member, or simply a department looking to get a reaction, a given brand rarely orders a vehicle without some larger purpose. Porsche, in this case, initially ordered this Tailored Driver for themselves, wearing then-Paint to Sample Violet Amaranth paint. The reaction sought must have been achieved, as Amaranth was promoted to series option just two years later.

  • EU Market Find: Great Spec Manual Mercedes C124 E 300 Coupe

    EU Market Find: Great Spec Manual Mercedes C124 E 300 Coupe

    What: 1990 Mercedes-Benz E300
    Color: Surf Blue a.k.a. Deep Blue (surfblau; non-metallic; 900; Mercedes-Benz)
    Chassis #: Unknown
    Mileage: 52,000 km, 32,311 miles
    Price: €43,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Lestizza, Italy
    Private Seller Listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    Log this car in as under the tasteful and rare factory specifications column, and maybe something you only would find in a market like Italy. Yes, it appears to be an order guide specification, but its combination an exercise in extravagance more akin to a passionate Italian than a logical German.

    The car in question is a 1990, a C124 (a.k.a. coupe-version of the W124 E Class). While its 3-liter V6 engine wasn’t the V8 of its era, it was still an extravagance in markets like Italy that love to tax displacement. Also, the V6 still came with a manual as did this car, making it exceedingly rare in Mercedes-Benz circles where automatics were even ubiquitous during this era.

    While the ad doesn’t confirm it, we believe this car was painted Surf Blue (a.k.a. Deep Blue) that was offered in that model year. While that medium blue hue isn’t quite as eye-catching as some other cars in the palette, it’s handsome and bold in context of what was offered. Now throw in red leather and it bestows the car with the flair you’d expect from a wealthy Italian buyer.

    This car isn’t an AMG, nor is it the era darling that was the Porsche-developed 500 E. In as much, it’s more obscure. However, for a Mercedes collector or someone seeking something truly unique, we think it qualifies.

    This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.

  • Market Find: 2023 Sonderwunsch Porsche 911 Sport Classic Set Broad Arrow Amelia Island Sale

    Market Find: 2023 Sonderwunsch Porsche 911 Sport Classic Set Broad Arrow Amelia Island Sale

    What: 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic
    Color: Dolphin Grey (dolphingrau; non-metallic UNI; Z99 / 6410; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0AG2A92PS252355
    Mileage: 2,383 miles
    Price Estimate: $450,000 – $500,000
    CarFax: Inquire
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Broad Arrow The Amelia Auction 2025, Amelia Island, FL
    Auction Listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    It takes a special kind of buyer to dip into Paint to Sample, much less Sonderwunsch, orders with a solid approach to subtlety. It happens though, and we appreciate it because what makes the car special becomes less of a look-at-me scream and more of an invitation of if-you-know-you-know nods from those who get it.

    Cars like this 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic in the very light and almost-white looking Dolphin Grey paired with color-matched wheels are textbook if-you-know-you-know. To many, this may look like just another white 911 with a ducktail, but to the Porsche-aware it is just so much more.

    To the uninitiated, the Sport Classic dusts of the name of the 997.2 era 911 and reformulates it ever-so-slightly, basing this most modern Sport Classic on the 911 Turbo S. This means Porsche’s most potent turbocharged model, which trades its whale tail for a retro duck tail. It is the Sport Classic and only the Sport Classic where a manual can be had with the 911 Turbo S engine, a configuration this car most definitely boasts.

    Dolphin Grey comes from the latter 356 and earliest 911/901 era of the mid-60s at Porsche. Such subtle pastel takes of that era are en vogue again, and translate well to modern cars with timeless design. In this case, that’s even more pronounced by a pairing with Black Heritage Design Classic leather interior with Pepita (houndstooth) seat centers.

    Since it’s a Sport Classic, standard features include the aforementioned Classic Black Heritage Design trim and Black carpeting, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, Sport Chrono, PASM Sport Suspension, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, Adaptive Sport Seats Plus with Backrest Shells in Leather, Extended Dashboard and Door Panel Package in Leather, Front Axle Lift and Carbon Fiber Roof. Options include the Burmester Surround Sound System, Interior Trim Inlays in Leather, Inner Door-Sill Guards in Leather, Ambient Lighting, and Under Door Puddle Light Projectors.

    Though not mentioned in the auction listing, we also note that the Sport Classic-specification modern center-lock Fuchs 5-spoke wheels appear to be distinctively color-matched to the car’s Paint to Sample Dolphin Grey body panels for a further flourish of subtle tailoring.

    As shown on the badging, this car is #299 of the 1,250 Sport Classics manufactured. It was delivered new in Minneapolis, MN and, thus far, has had two owners.

    This car will be part of Broad Arrow’s auction at The Amelia 2025. Interested parties should plan to bid on it there.

  • EU Market Find: Viola Ophelia Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4

    EU Market Find: Viola Ophelia Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4

    What: 2007 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4
    Color: Viola Ophelia (violaophelia; metallic uni; 0061; Lamborghini)
    Chassis #: ZHWBA37S07LA02526
    Mileage: 17,383 km, 10,801 miles
    Price Estimate: €200,000 to €260,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s Paris Auction 2025
    Auction listing: Link

    Why We Love It (and You Probably Can’t Have It):

    When we feature cars from Europe or other markets, we tend to limit them to cars that are of an age that is easily importable. From Europe to the U.S., that’s 25 years and so a car first sold in 2027 like this Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4 doesn’t qualify. We’re truly sorry about that, but this Ad Personam special deserves mentioning just the same.

    As colors go, Viola Ophelia is said to have first appeared during Diablo era. It’s an Ad Personam exclusive color, making this really and truly a tailored spec. In this case, it’s paired with a two-tone mauve and cream leather interior with diamond stitching.

    This car is reported to have been delivered new to the Middle East in April of 2007. From there it was registered in Monaco, then later sold to the current Danish consignor in 2022.

    The car is believed to be one of just two Murciélagos built in this color. The transmission is Lamborghini’s 6-speed E-Gear automated manual transmission, and it’s also got the nose lift system.

    Alas, it’s not old enough to import into the USA just yet, so maybe register it in Monaco for seven more years before it can join your stateside collection.

  • EU Market Find: Speed Yellow Porsche 968 Clubsport

    EU Market Find: Speed Yellow Porsche 968 Clubsport

    What: 1993 Porsche 968 Cubsport
    Color: Speed Yellow (speedgelb; non-metallic uni; L12G / X4 / 12H / 12G; Porsche)
    Chassis #: Unknown
    Mileage: 158,000 km, 98,176 miles
    Price: €41,500
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Wolbert Sportscars, Achterveld, Netherlands
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    There are fewer and fewer deals to be had in the Porsche world, particularly amongst rare models, performance models or in rare colors. That’s why the never-sold-new-in-America 968 Clubsport is a favorite of ours.

    Built at the end of the front-engined so-called transaxle era, the 968 was the final evolution of the 924/944 lineage. By the end of the run, the 968 featured a normally-aspirated 3.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Other than an exceedingly rare 968 Turbo S, the 968 Clubsport was the most extreme of the range. It featured a track-tuned chassis, 50:50 weight distribution and further excellent kit from the factory including larger Cup wheels and optional Recaro Pole Position. Six colors were offered, including Grand Prix White, Black, Guards Red, Maritime Blue and Speed Yellow.

    Yes, Speed Yellow was a standard color, on elf six . So, the car you see here isn’t a Paint to Sample Porsche. Even still, we believe it’s worth mentioning. That’s even more-so in this case, because it also has the optional color-matched Recaro Pole Position shell seats and is priced very competitively on the 968 Clubsport spectrum.

    This car does have a few modifications worth noting for collectors. This includes a cage, Momo steering wheel, upgraded sport suspension and a 993 “Big Reds” brake upgrade. We’re guessing it was someone’s track toy, a task at which most 968 Clubsports excel.

    The dealer also states that the car is damage-free.

    This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.

  • Market Find: 2025 Audi RS 7 Sportback in Goodwood Green

    Market Find: 2025 Audi RS 7 Sportback in Goodwood Green

    What: 2025 Audi RS 7 Sportback
    Color: Goodwood Green (goodwoodgrünperleffekt; metallic UNI; Z6X; Audi)
    VIN: WUAPDBF27SN904802
    Mileage: 300 miles
    Price: $167,995
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: See Below in Gallery
    Location: Audi Freehold, Freehold Township, NJ
    Marketplace listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    We are always, and I mean always, fans of dealer salespeople getting the jump on tailored builds by posting them to enthusiasts on social media. We’ve seen it happen all the time, an enthusiast at the dealership knows what they have, grabs their own photos (see them in this story) and shares them online (see it on Audi Club North America’s Classifieds Facebook Group HERE) as Danny Alves just did.

    The car in question is a very tasteful spec, 2025 Audi RS 7 Sportback performance with Audi exclusive Goodwood Green Pearl Effect paint. Inside, it’s also got Iguana Green interior stitching to round out the look. Other options include Matte Carbon Package, Executive Package and Driver Assistance Package. We’re going to give bonus points to whomever built it for going with more subtle black brake calipers over red that bestow just a bit too much of a yuletide vibe on a Goodwood Green Audi.

    Thanks again to Danny Alves for sharing it with his own photos before the dealership has them live on their site. If you call Audi Freehold to inquire, check in with him since he was kind enough to share these photos. Email him at dalves@audifreehold.com or call him at 732 347 5371.

  • Market Find: 2019 Volkswagen Spektrum Viper Green Golf R

    Market Find: 2019 Volkswagen Spektrum Viper Green Golf R

    What: 2019 Volkswagen Golf R
    Color: Volkswagen Spektrum Viper Green (vipergrün; metallic uni; LR6T; Audi)
    VIN: WVWVA7AU0KW222986
    Mileage: 41,488 miles
    Price: $39,900
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Hiley Mazda, Arlington, TX
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    We’ve covered Spektrum Golf R’s here before, and each time one pops up it’s admittedly somewhat of a surprise. Cult following, roughly 200 built for the US (33 in Viper Green), enthusiast brand and model- which is a long way to say “these things are sold before hitting market.” Yet here we have a Viper Green that was seemingly traded into a Mazda dealer of all places. Now, Mazda is a great brand with compelling offerings… but really? Perhaps if you scoop up this Tailored Driver, you can let us know what the previous owner walked away with.