Wanderlust

Category: Features

  • Market Find: Dark Olive Metallic 911 Dakar at Porsche Jacksonville

    Market Find: Dark Olive Metallic 911 Dakar at Porsche Jacksonville

    What: 2024 Porsche 911 Dakar
    Color: Dark Olive Metallic (dunkelolive; metallic UNI; M6X / 7G; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0AB2A92RS225433
    Mileage: 1,030 miles
    Estimate: $349,990
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Porsche Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    In modern times, where we’re all a bunch of judgy Karens scrolling past click-bait graphics of celebrities whose houses mysteriously didn’t burn down in the L.A. fires, it’s hard to not be a little solemn at the idea of a MY2024 Porsche returning to the pre-owned lot with barely 1,000 miles on it. Find some grace though, because this one’s special and we’d argue the person who specced and owned it for barely 1K miles is still deserving… even if modern Porsche “used” status means a notable markup.

    We’re going to make some assumptions here, but consider them educated guesses. We’re guessing your common quick flipper wouldn’t build a car like this. Okay, maybe a PTS allotment for the teacher’s pet client at Porsche Anywhere isn’t that rare, but subtle Dark Olive Metallic straight up and sans stickers or nostalgic livery nods isn’t your typical spec and flip behavior. Nor is fitting a set of custom fuchs-inspired Rotiform rally wheels finished in a muted and tasteful gold and then leaving them on for the trade in order to go to the new customer. We’re going to hat tip the builder of this car, for living his or her best life, building a tasteful thing and actually logging **some** miles before passing it on and likely taking delivery of some other brilliant specification we’ll be featuring here in six months.

  • EU Market Find: Parisian 1992 Mercedes 300 3.4 AMG in Crystal Green

    EU Market Find: Parisian 1992 Mercedes 300 3.4 AMG in Crystal Green

    What: 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 CE 3.4 AMG
    Color: Crystal Green Metallic (kristallgrün; metallic UNI; 256; Mercedes-Benz)
    Chassis Number: N/A
    Mileage: 100,500 km, 62,447 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: €95,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Casting Automobiles, Paris, France
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Likely due to rarity, it’s not uncommon to see a W124-generation Mercedes-Benz 300 CE coupe built by AMG crossing the six figure mark. Transaction prices approaching six figures (actually passing them by the time you convert to U.S. dollars and import) aren’t something we typically see of 1990s era cars from Mercedes-Benz. However, make them a well preserved AMG and it’s a whole new ballgame.

    If you’re a connoisseur of these cars, then we think it’s worth pointing your attention towards this particular specimen – a tone-on-tone coupe in a rare color of Crystal Green Metallic paired with green-tartan seating. It appears to have originated from Japan, though can now be found at a specialty dealer in Paris, France.

    Translating the listing gleans a few more notes about the car based around option codes. Where’s what it says:

    • 916 VEHICLES FOR HOT COUNTRIES – ADDITIONAL PARTS, HEATED REAR WINDOW
    • ORIGINAL JAPANESE CAR CRYSTAL GREEN (256U) with PINE CANVAS (066)
    • 221 LEFT FRONT SEAT WITH ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT
    • 222 RIGHT FRONT SEAT WITH ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT
    • 240 EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
    • 341 ADDITIONAL INDICATORS
    • 425 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX
    • 430 HEADRESTS, TINTED UPPER PART
    • 600 HEADLIGHT WASHER-WIPER DEVICE
    • 613 LEFT-HAND DRIVE HEADLIGHTS
    • 664 20 LITERS OF FUEL AND VE III PACKAGING MODE
    • 802 CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, LAMINATED GLASS

    Now, throw in the fact that this is a fully-built and well-preserved AMG model constructed on the W124 chassis a full 13 years ahead of Mercedes-Benz’s own buyout of AMG and you have a thoroughly interesting specimen for a serious MercedesBenz collector.

    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.

  • Color Focus: Porsche Peridot Metallic – 2S1

    Color Focus: Porsche Peridot Metallic – 2S1

    CODE: 2S1

    COLOR DATA:

    TYPE: Metallic UNI

    CONTENT ARCHIVE: Racing Yellow

    SUMMARY:

    Launched most memorably on the original Porsche Cayman R (987) in 2012, Peridot Metallic (peridotmetallic; metallic UNI; 2S1; Porsche) has seen regular use since that time. This citrus green/yellow metallic harkens the neon-like colors from Porsche during the 1970s, shades like Linden Green. In the case of Peridot Metallic though, it is a thoroughly modern metallic.

    Peridot takes its name from the semi-precious stone of similar color that is common in olivine deep within the earth’s crust and is brought to the surface by volcanic activity. In Hawaiian lore, peridot symbolized the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess of fire who controls the flow of lava.

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  • Market Find: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Giallo Fly set for Broad Arrow at The Amelia

    Market Find: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Giallo Fly set for Broad Arrow at The Amelia

    What: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV
    Color: Giallo Fly (giallofly; non-metallic UNI; 215201 / 83671; Lamborghini)
    VIN: ZA9CA05A9HLA12162
    Mileage: 24,500 kilometers (15,225 miles)
    Estimate: $550,000 – $650,000
    CarFax: Inquire with Broad Arrow
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Broad Arrow The Amelia Auction 2025
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    In Italian “countach” is an expression like “goodness” or “oh my God.” Sounds about right. Car-aware kids of the 1980s likely exclaimed it when they first encountered one, maybe in the pages of Road & Track or maybe in that opening scene of Cannonball Run. No doubt they headed on down to the local mall and picked up a Choices poster at Spencer Gifts, hung it on their bedroom wall and stared longingly at it for years to come. Now, they’re adults and they all dream of the same Countach fantasy. And, if they’re appropriately funded, they add one to the garage. If you’re that kid, you should check out this ’87 Countach 5000 QV set to cross the Broad Arrow block at The Amelia in a few weeks.

    And while monochromatic “cocaine white” on white will get you Wolf of Wall Street cred, or black on gold will get you reliving the Cannonball Run, we’d argue a Giallo Fly (Fly Yellow) on brown leather brings back 80s vibes with just as much authenticity.

    This one’s a desirable setup, a later Quattrovalvole 48-valve version of the V12 with “round belly” design, yet predating all the plastic cheese gratery of the final 50th anniversary models. This car is one of just 66 fuel-injected U.S. market cars ever produced. It is well preserved and unmodified, and has spent much of its life in California and Florida. It’s also had mechanical refurbishment done recently in 2024.

  • Market Find: Singer “Step on It” Commission on Bring a Trailer

    Market Find: Singer “Step on It” Commission on Bring a Trailer

    What: 1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 2
    Color: “Paint to Sample Blue” (unknown)
    VIN: WP0AB2966MS411379
    Mileage: 68 miles on Build
    Price at Time of this Writing: $550,000 with 11 days left of auction
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Charlottesville, VA
    Auction Listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Frankly, we’re going to love any Singer, though the “Step on It” Commission is pretty unique. The color is simply stated as “paint to sample blue” so unspecified, but appears to be close to Porsche’s Albert Blue. The car is tastefully appointed, with red accents though the red wheels may be polarizing to certain buyers.

    Another interesting point worth noting is that the CarFax lists the car as a Carrera 4, though the auction description states a Carrera 2 and with a limited slip differential. Perhaps it was converted.

    Another interesting quality on this car is the mileage. The CarFax shows 84,000 logged since new, but a surprisingly low 68 miles since the build was completed. If you don’t want to wait in line but want a well appointed and practically new Singer Classic build, this car demands a closer look.

  • Market Find: 2011 Porsche Paint to Sample Mexico Blue 911 Turbo S

    Market Find: 2011 Porsche Paint to Sample Mexico Blue 911 Turbo S

    What: 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S
    Color: Paint to Sample Mexico Blue (mexicoblau; non-metallic UNI; 336; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0AD2A96BS766484
    Mileage: 14,855 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: $197,888
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Porsche San Luis Obispo, CA
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    The 997.2 Turbo S is, in most cases, a Porsche model which wears the ‘good value’ for money badge proudly. Enthusiasts have overlooked the shocking performance due to a lack of engagement from the PDK-only transmission, and as such the 997 Turbo S can often be had for a song- even more so should it’s roof be made of fabric rather than metal. This Tailored Driver is not one of those ‘value’ examples, but when it comes to spec, this is incredibly enticing. Paint to Sample Mexico Blue was a bold choice in 2011, but it works, especially when juxtaposed with Yellow brake calipers and silver center lock wheels. All of this is to say there’s plenty of ‘value’ in this blue chip Turbo S even if the price is a bit high compared to others in market. We think when appreciation for this variant hits, it’ll hit incredibly hard.

  • EU Market Find: 1997 BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic M3 Coupe

    EU Market Find: 1997 BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic M3 Coupe

    What: 1997 BMW M3 coupe
    Color: BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic (ägäischblau; metallic; 336; BMW)VIN: WBSBG91000EW36422
    Mileage: 59,000 kilometers
    Price at Time of this Writing: €59,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: CarJager, Aix-en-Provence, France
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Say it with us- BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic over Cream Nappa Leather. In 1997 this particular Tailored Driver was the choice of an M3 connoisseur, choosing the classiest of color combinations at their dealer and achieving a jaw-dropping finished product. Understandably the former custodians of this car loved looking at it, but it seems they liked looking more than spending time behind the wheel as the car has covered just 59,000km in it’s 28 years of existence.

  • Color Focus: BMW Estoril Blue – 335

    Color Focus: BMW Estoril Blue – 335

    CODE:  335

    TYPE: Metallic

    CONTENT ARCHIVE: BMW Estoril Blue

    SUMMARY:

    Introduced in 1992 on the E36 M3, Estoril Blue (estorilblau; metallic; 335; BMW) has become one of the more memorable rad-era colors to come from BMW M. BMW shares that the color was inspired by the blues of Portugal where the Estoril racing circuit calls home. Whether it’s the cool blue surf of the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast or the almost always-clear skies overhead, the reference to Estoril definitely sticks. That BMW Motorsport in both two and four-wheeled forms has plenty of history with the Portuguese track doesn’t hurt either.

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  • EU Market Find: 1994 Audi S2 Avant in Porsche Onyx Green

    EU Market Find: 1994 Audi S2 Avant in Porsche Onyx Green

    What: 1994 Audi S2 Avant
    Color: Onyx Green Metallic (onyxgrün; metallic UNI; LD6V; Porsche)
    Chassis Number: N/A
    Mileage: 284,000 km, 176,469 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: €30,500
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Private Seller, Kronstorf, Austria
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Here’s an interesting specimen that popped up on the European market recently – an Audi S2 in the ’80s era Porsche 924 color Onyx Green Metallic. We’ve never seen an Audi S2 in this color before and the listing doesn’t state that it’s a respray, so we’re guessing it’s a very early example of Audi exclusive paint. In this period, custom paint did happen on these cars though it’s more common (yet still uncommon) on the hotter RS2.

    What’s an S2? Though they never came to America, Audi continued installing its now 20-valve turbocharged I-5 in its B3 and B4-era cars, beginning with the B3-based S2 Coupe and then later the wagon (a.k.a. Avant) and much lower production sedan body styles. Though the Porsche-built and tuned RS2 gets more love from the automotive community, Audi connoisseurs often prefer the more subtle look of the S2. Now, throw on some rare-at-the-time custom factory paint and you have a winner.

    This car is modified in some respects, and it’s also high mileage. From our perspective, that makes it a great candidate for a daily or weekend driver and less attractive as a museum piece bound to tucked away untouched as part of a collection.

    As S2s go, it may be a bit on the high side. Even still, it’s probably half of what the equivalent RS2 will cost, which still makes it a bargain. If its condition is as good as presented and it is actually factory paint in a Porsche color, we’d also argued it’s priced appropriately.

    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: 2016 Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue RS 7

    Market Find: 2016 Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue RS 7

    What: 2016 Audi RS 7
    Color: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue (nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi)
    VIN: WUAW2AFC7GN901572
    Mileage: 28,311 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: $59,990
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: Pictured below
    Location: MDK International, Los Angeles, CA
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    When it rains, it pours. Just a few days ago, we featured a different Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue RS 7, and here we have another. Albeit not a Performance model like our prior post, this RS 7 packs plenty of performance courtesy of the deep aftermarket support that brands like Audi benefit from. All told, this RS 7 is said to have about 800 horsepower, which is certainly more than enough to do just about anything- legal or not. Other highlights include HRE Wheels, an H&R lowering module, software from APR, and full paint protection film. So whether it’s this particular RS 7 or the stock example featured previously, a Tailored RS 7 in Nogaro has never been more attainable.