Alright, we’ll level with you. Green over tan isn’t exactly groundbreaking, and if you’ve been here for a bit you’ve certainly seen it before. But for the truly afflicted, the nuance of this Audi exclusive RS 6 Avant in Oak Green Metallic paired with Cognac extended leather an matching(!) seat belts is clearly a cut above.
Currently on offer at Audi Pacific in Torrance, California, the RS 6 (VIN: WUA1CBF22NN902419) you see here represents arguably the best of the Volkswagen Group’s portfolio- a monumentally fast wagon in a Porsche color. Equally at home in the canyons and in the pick-up line at your local elementary school, we simply have zero edits. Whoever initially spec’d this one crushed it.
Having covered just under 17,000 miles and priced at $103,995, this Audi exclusive Oak Green Metallic RS 6 Avant seems like a pretty good deal too. It’s clearly been loved, used, and it’s ready for the right home. We sincerely hope that home is with one of you.
See the full listing for this Tailored Driver, here.
To quote YouTuber and Cars and Bids founder Doug DeMuro.. “Now THIS is cool!” We’re big fans of BMW’s Z3 platform and even bigger fans of early BMW Individual builds, so when this came across our desk there was admittedly hesitation- do we add to the fleet, or do we showcase for our obsessive audience?
This BMW Individual Atlantis Blue Z3 2.5i Roadster (VIN: WBACN33411LK46065) might not pack the punch of it’s M sibling, but it’s still quite special in our eyes. To fully understand why, consider that BMW Individual formally announced themselves in the US at the 2006 Miami Auto Show- a full five years after this car was built. To put it bluntly, the original curator of this Z3 had some insider knowledge.
If you fancy yourself a cheap point of entry into the world of Tailored Driver, look no further. This BMW Individual Atlantis Blue (atlantisblau; metallic; 399; BMW) Z3 2.5i Roadster is currently located in Buffalo, New York and offered for sale by it’s current owner on Cars and Bids. At time of writing, the current bid is a scant $2,244. Find additional photos and more information about this Tailored Driver, here.
We love forums. They’re where we cut our automotive enthusiast teeth- we dreamed, we learned, we maybe embellished a little, and we met some friends along the way. Some on the Tailored Driver staff were even fortunate enough to call forums and the sites associated their employer. With all this as context, Market Finds sourced via the forums like this one almost feel like somewhat of a homecoming.
Finished in Paint to Sample Albert Blue and hiding more than $32,000 in custom tailoring approved through Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program, this 911 Speedster (VIN: WP0CF2A96KS172707) represents the level of obsession that made forums the go-to for enthusiasts like us. So far as we can tell from the photos, Sonderwunsch tailoring is mostly in the form of (but likely not limited to) deviated brown extended leather on the dash, center console, steering wheel and upper door cards. For good measure, the owner also had Justin Placek create heritage seat inserts with additional lumbar pads to complete the package.
Speaking of the photos, they’re not great. And surprisingly enough, we’re also having trouble tracking down additional images from the usual suspects on Instagram like PTSRS, but that almost adds to the allure- a Tailored Driver, built for the Tailor themselves, and not for social media. So for this example we’ll forgive the less than ideal shots, because to have the vision and the funds to secure this build, the owner is clearly talented in other areas.
This Paint to Sample Albert Blue (albertblau; 325 / 1818 / 387; Porsche) Porsche 911 Speedster is currently for sale by owner in Scarsdale, New York at an asking price of $435,000. Find more information about this Tailored Driver on Rennlist, here.
Even though we’re primarily a U.S.-based publication and tend to focus on North American cars, we occasionally pivot to other markets. That might be to cal out a particularly unique color or compelling specification, or in the case of our Market Find series, it might be to call out a car that is either older than 25 years (so an easy import) or on the NHTSA list of importable cars. In the case of this purple 1995 968 Clubsport, it’s both older than 25 years and also a desirable model in an even more unique Paint to Sample color.
First, a little background. America did get the Porsche 968 coupé and cabriolet, however the more aggressively sporting Clubsport model never came here. And while the engine was largely the same as the U.S. model (think 964 RS America), it got a host of upgrades and lightening measures in order to make it more of a turn key track weapon with practically a 50:50 weight distribution. Since attaining 25 year status, 968 Clubsports have begun finding their way into the U.S., and Paint to Sample specimens tend to be the preferred lot.
When we consider Paint to Sample on the 968 Clubsport, we tend to see of that era’s Carrera Cup colors. Think Maritime Blue, Ruby Stone, Mint Green, or Speed Yellow. This one painted Amaranth Violet (L39D) may be the first purple 968 Clubsport we’ve seen.
This car was a Belgian-delivered example featuring the standard seats in black cloth, multi-function steering wheel, rear seats with backrests, basic alarm system and power door windows and mirrors. The car has logged 178,464 km (110,892 miles). It’s currently for sale in Belgium at Autos-David.be with a price of €44999.
One of a claimed 34 to be produced in BMW Individual Java Green over Silverstone leather, this Tailored Driver (VIN: WBS8M9C51J5K98980) has quite a lot going for it. Apart from the obvious BMW Individual Java Green paint and must-have Competition package, the original curator if this spec opted 666M wheels in black, the Executive and Driver Assistance packages along with the incredibly tasteful but often overlooked extended leather package.
In the 36,000 miles since taking delivery, this M3 saw quite a few performance add-ons as well including a full turbo-back exhaust, intakes, upgraded intercoolers and injectors, and a stage 2 tune to ensure it all works cohesively. Add to that the OEM+ items from the GTS variant and a Vargas V2 crank hub as preventative maintenance, and it’s a fairly compelling package if you’re into this sort of thing.
This BMW Individual Java Green M3 is currently offered for sale at Clearwater, Florida’s Premier Auto Lounge for an asking price of $65,500. See additional images and get more details on this Tailored Driver, here.
Porsche’s GT3 variants of their 911 range seem to be the frequent flyers of the Paint to Sample and Sonderwunsch world these days, with Touring seemingly having Platinum status. It’s easy to see why- the GT3 Touring’s near-perfect mix of sport and comfort makes it a compelling forever car, so you might as well make your order count.
This 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring in Paint to Sample Nordic Gold (VIN: WP0AC2A94PS270254) was configured with nearly $53,000 in optional equipment, requiring a discerning eye to really digest the scope of this build. It’s a mix of must-haves like the expanded range fuel tank (drive it!), carbon ceramic brakes and front axel lift, and some nice to haves like the carbon roof, deviated seat belts in grey, and LED-matrix headlights.
Currently offered on Bring a Trailer by power seller Northwest European (username “nweuro”) at a current bid of $229,666 at time of writing with roughly 3 days left to bid, this Paint to Sample Nordic Gold Porsche 911 GT3 Touring represents a great opportunity to own one of the least common hues of Stuttgart’s creation. Get additional details about this Tailored Driver, here.
With a few new creative classes, the Pebble Beach Concours is showing it can evolve into the future and be even more relevant to younger generations. It gets there by embracing car trends that came after the golden era cars that typically grace their greens. And had you wandered past the homologation car arrangement and 70s wedge class, you’d have rolled up on the first SUVs ever to occupy real estate at this vaunted event. Were they worthy, well they each belonged to Queen Elizabeth and were presented by Defender and Range Rover.
JLR’s association with the Royals goes considerably far back, and is an official supplier for their vehicles.
“It was amazing to witness Her Majesty’s ten Land Rovers and Range Rovers rolling past the front door of The Lodge at Pebble Beach and pulling on to the famed fairways of Pebble Beach Golf Links – and I was honoured to greet them there. Crowds were astonished and delighted. Later in the day, the vehicles were an impressive sight parading across our show ramp during the Awards Ceremony – to great applause.,” commented Sandra Button, Chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
We took particular interest in a segment of the display that included a line of Defenders and Range Rovers painted very similarly. Each was a deep and dark red-purple, with thin pin stripe and with royal coat of arms on the door. These cars were official royal service vehicles known State Review or Royal Ceremonial State vehicles. Each were built by Land Rover to specification for the royals for use in the given period ordered. As you can see, there’s a distinct lineage and these vehicles can see service for many years.
Walking past each generation Royal Ceremonial State, it was clear there was a shared specification. Wanting to learn more, we reached out to representatives at JLR and learned some interesting details.
The color of these cars is known as “Claret”, though sometimes called “Royal Claret”. This traditional royal color actually pre-dates the automobile and was used on state carriages. It is reserved only for vehicles in Royal service, meaning neither Land Rover nor JLR have ever offered it on a civilian model.
The first State Review Land Rover was built on a 1954 Series 1 and featured a custom rear platform. It traveled with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on a six-month tour of the British commonwealth. It even made its way to Australia in that time, though today resides in the U.S. where it is owned by a private collector.
This next State Review vehicle was the first Range Rover to carry to serve in such capacity and was built on a 1974 model. It was used from 1975 to 2002, with a modified rear that featured foldaway seats and a lectern with concealed umbrellas. An additional exhaust silencer was also fitted. This vehicle is currently housed in The Royal Collection at The British Motor Museum in Gaydon, UK.
The third State Review Vehicle was based on a 1990 Range Rover. This particular vehicle was notably featured in the photo chosen by the Queen herself for her 1994 Christmas Card. That photo depicted the Queen and Prince Philip aboard the Range Rover attending the 50th Anniversary the D-Day landings in Arromanches. It is also part of The Royal Collection at The British Motor Museum.
The fourth in this State Review vehicle series is a 1998 Range Rover P38A. Built by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, it replaced the previous 1990 State Review Range Rover and featured a rear platform design now featuring four foldaway seats rather than the previous two.
The fifth and final State Review vehicle on display at Pebble Beach is this 2005 Range Rover L322. Again built by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, this vehicle was notably used to transport the then Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry during Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday parade in 2016.
We have to say, while we understand why JLR has no interest in building a Queen Elizabeth-specification Royal Claret Range Rover, that doesn’t make us want one any less. Special thanks to the team at JLR North America who entertained and provided answers for our very specific questions in regard to these vehicles.
In the mid-2000s, there quite simply was not a more iconic shape than Audi’s R8, and to help market, Audi pulled an all-out product placement blitz. Iron Man drove one. Will Smith drove a derivative in I, Robot. Justin Timberlake impressed Cameron Diaz with his in Bad Teacher.
This example (VIN: WUATNAFG6BN001428) finished in Audi exclusive Ipanema Brown (Y8Y) over chestnut leather (also exclusive but unconfirmed) could be easily considered a best of pre-facelift non GT spec R8. V10 engine, gated 6 speed manual, and perhaps somewhat controversially a spyder, this Audi exclusive Ipanema Brown R8 V10 spyder checks all the right boxes.
Certain to be a future classic and a decent near-term investment, this Audi R8 V10 spyder is currently available at Porsche Barrington for $134,991. Get more details about this Tailored Driver, here.
You don’t get to the point of viability for Ferrari ownership by half-assing it, especially if the goal is new vehicle allocation. So should your number be called, why opt for Rosso Corsa over Beige? The individual who made the selections for this build certainly had a vision, and we’d say they knocked it out of the park
A reported one of one finished in Ferrari Tailor Made Blu LXL Lucido Tetto Nero over Lava SC–235 Leather sourced from Italian luxury furniture firm Poltrona Frau with Sail Aunde 3D Nero centers to accentuate the stripes Daytona style seats are legendary for, this may be one of the more intricate interiors we’ll feature. Moving past the obvious, the lengthy list of options does include other notable additions like Airbrushed Shields on the fenders and embroidered on the headrests, Carbon Fiber wheels, and Apple Carplay.
After all that time, dedication, and agonizing, its genuinely a shame that this Ferrari Tailor Made Blu LXL Lucido Tetto Nero SF90 Spider has covered only 160 miles since new. In other words, it’s pretty likely it’s got some original fuel in it, even if the driver didnt take advantage of the claimed 8 miles of electric range. We can only hope the next caretaker of this Tailored Driver exercises it regularly.
This Ferrari Tailor Made Blu LXL Lucido Tetto Nero SF90 Spider (VIN: ZFF96NMAXP0292368) is currently on offer at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, FL in $851,585. See all the details, here.
While we’d love to think that everyone is as fascinated by the world of Tailored Driver as we are, we’re also realistic. Unfortunately to some a vehicle is just inventory, the color is secondary, and in the post-COVID marketplace, effort required to move that inventory isn’t as high as was once required. Case in point is this Audi exclusive Panther Black Crystal Effect (Z9Z) RS 5 Sportback (VIN: WUAAWCF5XNA900593) at Porsche South Orlando. Hear me out.
First we’ll start with the good. Audi exclusive Panther Black Metallic is a fairly dynamic color, and we feel the selling dealer did a pretty good job of capturing the brown and purple metallic flake found within the paint that tends to pop in the Florida sun. Second, while there are few images, they’re fairly clear, certainly in focus, and set an expectation that leaves us wanting more.
But sadly this Tailored Driver has not been detailed or prepared (a license plate is visible), the images are fairly low resolution, and the color, while called out as an exclusive hue, is spelled completely wrong. Now none of these are mortal sins, but for something that is marketed at $67,499 at time of writing and likely a one-of-few ever made at a highline dealer with a photo booth, we’d love to see a bit more effort put into the listing.
Regardless, this Audi exclusive Panther Black RS 5 Sportback represents a great point of entry into the world of Tailored Driver, that we’d happily park in our driveway. Learn more about this Tailored Driver, here.
