Wanderlust

Category: Features

  • Color Check: Audi exclusive Frosted Glass Blue Metallic R8 V10 Performance Spyder

    Color Check: Audi exclusive Frosted Glass Blue Metallic R8 V10 Performance Spyder

    Sometimes, from the archives of the world wide web, we uncover something worth noting. We check forums, social posts, and even old dealer listings. That’s exactly what happened with this find. Lamborghini Newport Beach, thank you for posting those photos online; they’ve found their way to the Tailored Driver audience.

    Here we have an Audi exclusive Frosted Glass Blue Metallic R8 V10 Performance Spyder. If you know your blues, you know this is not an original Audi color. This blue originates from Aston Martin’s “Q” special-order palette and has been adopted by Audi through its Audi exclusive program.

    We weren’t able to source a color code from Audi, but looking at it’s origins at Aston Martin, the official color code is 6003D, also referenced as AST6003D or AM6003. This color is described as a light blue metallic with a subtle white flake, achieved using actual glass particles to create its unique shimmer.

    While Audi does not publicly list a specific code for this color, a user on Reddit mentioned that the Audi/BASF code is DE01-2018-2218-4.  However, this code may not be universally recognized.

    Love it or hate, you’ll have to admit this is a pretty rare color for the 4 rings brand. In our research, we came across a few models wearing this Aston Martin blue, including a TT RS, RS 6 Avant, and RS 4 Avant. While this specific R8 is no longer for sale, we find the VIN in hopes of learning more. We didn’t get far. But if you’re up for a deep dive, the VIN is WUA4BCFX4L7900884. Let us know what you find.

    Enjoy the full gallery below from Lamborghini Newport Beach.

  • Color Check: Maritime Blue 964 RS 3.8 and 718 Spyder at Air Water 2025

    Color Check: Maritime Blue 964 RS 3.8 and 718 Spyder at Air Water 2025

    Events like Air|Water bring a wave of vibrant colors from the Porsche community. When it’s thoughtfully curated, it feels like being a kid in a candy store. @PTSRS and Air|Water teamed up to present “Colors of Air|Water,” and we spent hours capturing content for our site. The rain didn’t stop us. It added mood and contrast, bringing each color to life in both overcast light and the bright California sun.

    We’re kicking things off with Maritime Blue, a color we’ve featured on the site before. In our Color Focus series, we took a closer look at its origins and where it stands today.

    Here’s a quick recap: Maritime Blue (maritimblau, nonmetallic UNI, 5MB, Porsche) was either introduced or rose to prominence during the 964 era. According to Porsche Club’s Rennbow database, it was mainly available from 1991 to 1995, with a few exceptions, including a possible appearance in 1979 on the Carrera SC. Rennbow also notes it may have evolved from early Porsche Enamel Blue.

    At its core, Maritime Blue is a near primary shade that echoes the early national racing colors of France, often called French Blue, made iconic in the prewar era by Bugatti.

    We don’t have many details on this particular 964, but chances are you don’t need us to tell you just how rare this car really is. Built by Porsche Motorsport in 1993, the 964 RS 3.8 is one of just 55 units ever produced. Designed as a homologation special for the 964 RSR race car, it featured a widened Turbo body, a 3.8 liter air cooled flat six, and lightweight construction throughout. With most examples staying in Europe and many destined for the track, seeing one in Maritime Blue is an exceptionally rare occasion. Seeing one in the United States is even more rare.

    Using the Bramo app, we get more insights on this 718 Spyder. The owner states, “Car was spec’d in collaboration with @PTSRS and our local dealership. The car originally resided in MA but has been enjoyed by myself and friends in CA for the last year and a half.” Pretty rad to spec it with PTSRS and bring it to an event organized by him.

    Check out the video and gallery below for a walk around of both cars.

  • Market Find: BMW Individual E36 M3 Coupe in Daytona Violet

    Market Find: BMW Individual E36 M3 Coupe in Daytona Violet

    What: 1994 BMW M3 Coupe
    Color: BMW Individual Daytona Violet (daytonaviolett; metallic uni; 283; BMW)
    VIN: N/A
    Mileage: 150,000 km
    Price: €36,999
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Görlitz, Germany
    Link: Mobile.de

    If an E36 BMW M3 Coupe isn’t on your bucket list of 1990s cars then we need to have an intervention. If you already like E36 M3s then read ahead with interest. If you’re not, well, be prepared to be won over.

    What’s that, purples like Daytona Violet aren’t your thing? Okay, we’ll give you a pass on that one. Purple’s aren’t for everyone. But, if they were, then we suspect BMW Individual Daytona Violet is up there when it comes to likable purples.

    Now throw in a manual transmission, well-kept vader seats and black leather and you have a really incredible specification. This one’s located private party in Europe, so you’ll need to import it.

  • Euro Market Find: 1 of 1 1996 Mini Cooper S

    Euro Market Find: 1 of 1 1996 Mini Cooper S

    What: 1996 Mini Cooper S
    Color: Porsche Paint to Sample Riviera Blue (rivierablau; non-metallic Uni; S8 / L39E; Porsche)
    VIN: N/A
    Mileage: 40,000 km
    Price: €32,500
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: DT-Motors, Darmstadt, Germany
    Listing: Link

    This car’s a bit of a puzzle. It’s an “ur” Mini. “Ur” means “original” in German, which is how Germans designate the original Audi quattro from every other Audi with quattro. Given this Mini is in Germany, not far from Frankfurt, the German descriptor sort of works.

    The car itself is listed as “1 of 1” in Porsche Riviera Blue, with bespoke blue leather interior as well. It’s possible it wasn’t done by the factory, though the amount of interior details and “1 of 1” description makes us wonder if it’s some sort of factory special.

    The dealer ad isn’t all that revealing in this regard, so we’ll just not that here. Otherwise, if you’re into something unique and don’t mind going through importation, this Mini makes a compelling case.

  • Market Find: 2002 Audi S4 Avant, Nogaro Blue, Manual Transmission

    Market Find: 2002 Audi S4 Avant, Nogaro Blue, Manual Transmission

    What: 2002 Audi S4 Avant
    Color: Nogaro Blue (nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi)
    VIN:  N/A
    Mileage: 123,500
    Price: $23,999
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: New Milford, CT
    Listing: Facebook

    Okay, technically Nogaro Blue was a standard color offering on the B5 Audi S4. Even still, it’s rare enough and sought after enough by enthusiasts that it bears mentioning. Now throw in excellent specifications like Avant body (wagon in Audi speak) and manual transmission and we most definitely have a winner.

    And while black leather with matching blue Alcantara may be the ultimate spec, we’re not going to hate on the light grey found in this car. Yes, it does show wear, but it’s a bold move that looks very period and incredible.

    This one’s not exactly delivery miles, but the odometer is low for the age of the car. It’s well kept, and we’d argue it’s fairly priced. Check it out on Facebook Marketplace.

  • Market Find: BMW Individual Atlantis Metallic E36 328i Touring on Bring a Trailer

    Market Find: BMW Individual Atlantis Metallic E36 328i Touring on Bring a Trailer

    What: 1998 BMW 328i Touring
    Color: BMW Individual Atlantis Metallic (atlantisblau; metallic uni; 322; BMW)
    VIN:  WBACF11090EV10413
    Mileage: 160,000 kilometers, ~99,000 miles
    Price: GBP £3,800 at time of publication
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Gussage All Saints, United Kingdom
    Listing: Bring a Trailer

    Here’s an interesting long roof we’ve found on Bring a Trailer. The car is a BMW Individual 328i wagon from the E36 era. Special painted Atlantis Metallic over black leather, it sports the European specification M52 inline six-cylinder with five-speed manual transmission.

    The car is a great specification, including left-hand-drive configuration. Even though it’s in the UK, it’s under a Polish registration. So, any American buyer will need to import it, but at least the steering wheel is on the proper side.

  • Market Find: Porsche Paint to Sample Aetna Blue Macan

    Market Find: Porsche Paint to Sample Aetna Blue Macan

    What: 2021 Porsche Macan
    Color: Paint to Sample Aetna Blue (aetnablau; non-metallic UNI; Y31; Porsche)
    VIN:  WP1AA2A57MLB14202
    Mileage: 13,093 miles
    Price: $47,250
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Austin, TX
    Listing: Porsche Austin

    Fairly base spec, incredibly low miles, Paint to Sample color- this Macan is a bit of a head scratcher. While there is no denying Aetna Blue as a special color, the choices made (or not made) on this Tailored Driver have us wondering why not. Agate Grey partial leather is pretty middle of the road although it does work well here, and the standard 18″ rollers do little to help this Macan stand out from the crowd. Having covered just 13,000 miles in four years of service, there is certainly no shortage of potential here, though. Perhaps you can use depreciation to your advantage, because at $41,000, it sure leaves plenty of room in the budget to further Tailor this future daily driver.

  • Market Find: BMW Individual Santorini Blue X5 M Competition

    Market Find: BMW Individual Santorini Blue X5 M Competition

    What: 2024 BMW X5 M Competition
    Color: BMW Individual Santorini Blue (santorinblauii; non-metallic uni; 327; BMW)
    VIN:  5YM13ET06R9S32784
    Mileage: 9,000 miles
    Price: $119,990
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Ridgefield, CT
    Listing: BMW of Ridgefield

    When seeking out new Tailored Drivers for feature on this site, there are few better phrases than “Corporate Fleet Vehicle.” While some could dismiss that as a rare form of abuse by jaded OEM employees, we see it as the opportunity to get into something taken to new heights by those internal folks who had a chance to spec a vehicle without finance asking about take-rates and forcasting depreciation. This $141k sticker X5 M Competition is just that- fresh from 9,000 internal-use miles wearing the stunning Santorini Blue paired with Taruma Brown seats. Found currently at BMW of Ridgefield, Connecticut, we think this would be a great way to check the family hauler box in a hypothetical 3 car solution game.

  • Market Find: Volkswagen Spektrum Squirrel Grey Golf R

    Market Find: Volkswagen Spektrum Squirrel Grey Golf R

    What: 2019 Volkswagen Golf R
    Color: Volkswagen Spektrum Squirrel Grey (non-metallic; R700; 9707; Porsche)
    VIN:  WVWWA7AU5KW227167
    Mileage: 26,509 miles
    Price: $33,974
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Birmingham, AL
    Listing: Serra Volkswagen

    While not the most staggering of all Golf R Spektrum statistics, we’re somewhat surprised at the rarity of Squirrel Grey. Just 6 Volkswagen Spektrum buyers opted for a color that’s equal parts unique and inoffensive. Perhaps it was the dull, pastel grey’s similarity to so many other colors that were then- and still are now- somewhat in vogue. Or maybe it was a symptom of the Golf R’s audience and attainable price point. Regardless, at just under $34k we feel this is a phenomenal value for someone looking to enter the world of Tailored Driver.

  • Mega Spec: Dark Olive Metallic over Cocoa Extended Leather 911 Targa 4

    Mega Spec: Dark Olive Metallic over Cocoa Extended Leather 911 Targa 4

    What: 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4
    Color: Dark Olive Metallic (dunkelolive metallic; M6X; 7G; Porsche)
    VIN:  WP0BA29917S745230
    Mileage: 56,551 miles
    Price: $73,997
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Concord, CA
    Listing: Vanquish Motors

    No Paint to Sample, no Leather to Sample, just an incredibly tasteful Tailored Driver build using standard menu ingredients. This 997-generation 911 Targa 4 was ordered by some sort of visionary, being built in the early stages of a global economic meltdown and delivered to Carrera Motors Porsche in Bend, Oregon where we can only assume it shared space with a plethora of black, grey, and silver. We’ve featured Dark Olive before and we’re delighted to do so again as it is one of the most dynamic colors in the range. Shown here on a Targa 4 with an equally tasteful Cocoa brown leather- extended, of course- and a 6 speed manual transmission, we anticipate this one won’t be around for long.