Wanderlust

Tag: blue

  • European Market Find: Restored 1980 BMW 323i in Biscay Blue

    European Market Find: Restored 1980 BMW 323i in Biscay Blue

    What: 1980 BMW 323i
    Color: Biscay Blue (biscayblaau; non-metallic; 140; BMW)
    VIN: Unknown
    Mileage: 115,000 km (71,457 mi)
    Price at Time of this Writing: € 29.999
    CarFax: N/A
    MonroneyLabels.com Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Palm Harbor, FL
    Private party seller listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Though not as iconic as the 2002 that came before it, nor as loved by enthusiasts as the E30 that came after it, BMW’s E21 3-Series still captures that classic 80s BMW style and makes for an excellent driver… particularly in top-of-the-heap 323i form. Alas, we didn’t get the 323i in the States, which means you have to look in Europe for cars like this private party listed example from Haren, Germany.

    Likely its color, Biscay Blue, wasn’t a BMW Individual specification but rather simply a color that is exceedingly rare today. In this case, it’s also a respray as perusal of the listing will show in both description and ample photography you don’t always find in a European mass market listing. That it also has Alpina kit like those wheels and wooden shift knob doesn’t hurt either.

    Check out the full listing description below, and a mix of photos below that. For the full mix of photos and further details, check out the link above.

    We offer here on behalf of the customer a fully restored BMW E21 323i in the rare and beautiful color Biscay blue with black leather interior for sale.

    As usual with these European market finds, a car older than 25 years is easily importable into the United States (15 years for Canada). Our European Market Find listings take this into account, only focusing on cars old enough for easy import. Any number of companies out there cater to American buyers seeking to bring vehicles such as this one here to North America.

    Details:
    • Engine REVISED incl. attachments, timing belt and water pump
    • Bilstein chassis with H&R lowering springs, HA height adjustable
    • Rims from OZ King 6 & 7×15 with 195/50R15 and 205/50R15 Hankook
    • Alcantara canopy
    • ESD BOSI
    • With TÜV, H license plate, accident-free, approved, restored and ready to drive immediately.
    • Extensively and expertly restored.
    • (German) vehicle documents, TÜV and service reports.
    • The restoration was documented with photos.
    • Expertly completely repainted.
    • New tires and brake system.
    • Hollow sealed and preserved underbody.
    • With sunroof and radio.
    • Very good overall condition.

  • Market Find: Porsche Paint to Sample Albert Blue 2024 911 Turbo S Cabriolet

    Market Find: Porsche Paint to Sample Albert Blue 2024 911 Turbo S Cabriolet

    What: 2024 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
    Color: Porsche Paint to Sample Albert Blue (albertblau; 325 / 1818 / 387; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0CD2A99RS257847
    Mileage: 1,747
    Price at Time of this Writing: $334,898
    CarFax: Link
    MonroneyLabels.com Window Sticker: Link
    Location: St. Louis, MO
    Dealer listing: Porsche St Louis

    Why we love it:

    We see a lot of blue Porsches, and we even see a lot of Paint to Sample Porsches, but we don’t see a lot of Albert Blue Porsches. We also don’t see a lot of non-metallic dark and almost navy blue colors, making it even more unique. Albert Blue is believed to have first dropped in 1970 on the F-type “long hood” 911s, and specifying it as was done here is a great nod to a lesser known hue from the Porsche history books.

    This 911 Turbo S Cabriolet continues its throwback nod on the inside where the Heritage Design Interior pairs black/semi-aniline pepita (a.k.a. houndstooth) fabric with rich cognac leather. There’s a long list of adds on this car as you’ll see via the link or the Monroney label listed above. The car’s also a enrolled in Porsche’s Certified Pre-Owned program, meaning extra piece of mind.

  • Porsche Singapore x Sonderwunsch Pay Tribute to Mille Miglia with GT3 Touring

    Porsche Singapore x Sonderwunsch Pay Tribute to Mille Miglia with GT3 Touring

    A trend with some roots in history from Porsche’s Sonderwunsch department we’re really coming to appreciate is the paying of tribute to moments in Porsche Motorsport history. Porsche Singapore has gotten in on the action, with this special 911 GT3 Touring built to celebrate the brand’s participation in the legendary Mille Miglia.

    Porsche Singapore shared on Facebook:

    “A thousand miles, laser focus, foot to the floor: this was the formula to win at the legendary Mille Miglia road race that ran in Italy from the 1920s to the 1960s. Fun fact: cars were numbered according to their start times in the rally – so a 7:22 AM start meant one’s car would be numbered ‘722’!

    This 9/11, we celebrate the romance of road racing with a special livery paying tribute the legendary Mille Miglia road race, on our ultimate road racer: the 911 GT3 with Touring Package.

    Check out this specially-decorated car at Porsche Studio Singapore, on display until 22 November.

    We reached out to Porsche Singapore to learn a bit more about the car. Namely, we can confirm the light blue paint is Gulf Blue (gulfblau; non-metallic / non-metallic UNI; 328; Porsche), and we admit we wouldn’t have guessed that straight away. Typically paired with Gulf Orange and perhaps dark blue as part of a Gulf Oil livery, the Gulf Blue here almost takes on a more green hue when paired with the Italian TriColore red, white and green.

  • Market Find: 2019 Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue RS 5 Sportback

    Market Find: 2019 Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue RS 5 Sportback

    What: 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback
    Color: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue (nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi)
    VIN: WUABWCF56KA903510
    Mileage: 60,902
    Price: $52,999
    CarFax: Link
    Location: Kent, Washington
    Dealer listing: Unique Motors Seattle

    Why we love it:
    Audi’s B9 generation RS 5 is pretty tough to beat- good power, great size, and featuring a modernized interpretation of box flares. This Tailored Driver is finished in Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue (LZ5M) over Black leather with Rock Grey stitching, alu-optic exterior trim, and was optioned with the dynamic package which raises the speed limiter and adds Carbon Ceramic brakes. For a quite reasonable $52,999, this West Coast two-owner example would be an impactful addition to your Tailored fleet.

  • Color Focus: Porsche Maritime Blue – 5MB

    Color Focus: Porsche Maritime Blue – 5MB

    CODE:  5MB (also LM5A, L38B, F2, 38B)

    TYPE: Non-Metallic

    CONTENT ARCHIVE: Maritime Blue

    SUMMARY:
    Near as we can tell, Maritime Blue (maritimblau; non-metallic UNI; 5MB; Porsche) as a color was introduced or at least popularized during the 964 era. Porsche Club’s Rennbow website lists it as mainly available from 1991 to about 1995 with a few exceptions since and potentially in 1979 on the Carrera SC. They also suggest it may have evolved from early Porsche Enamel Blue. Whatever the case, the idea is simple enough – a practically primary blue that harks early national racing colors of France, often referred to as French Blue and popularized in those early pre-war racing years by Bugatti.

    By the 964 era, the boring tones and colors (or ubiquity of Guards Red) of the 1980s were about to give way to a return to more avant-garde hues. While just colorful and envelope-pushing as were the 1960s and 1970s, the 1990s had their own unique feel. Its in this timeframe that Maritime Blue drops, alongside other colors like Rubystar and Mint Green, and quickly made even more sought after thanks to an association with the just-launched 911 Carrera Cup.

    Some will mistake Maritime Blue for Audi’s Nogaro Blue. That’s not surprising given they are both very close to each other in tone, and Nogaro Blue traces its own roots to the Porsche-developed Audi RS2 Avant that came to market during the 964 era. Even still, they’re not the same and that becomes evident on the rare occasions each of these colors find themselves parked next to each other. Worth noting, Nogaro Blue is also a pearlescent paint whereas Maritime Blue is not.

    Given its history with the Porsche brand and the much-loved 964 era in particular, Maritime Blue remains a popular Paint to Sample color to this day.

    RELATED LINKS:

    VIDEO REFERENCES:

    PHOTO REFERENCES:

  • European Market Find: 1993 Porsche 911 Speedster in Maritime Blue

    European Market Find: 1993 Porsche 911 Speedster in Maritime Blue

    Fans of air-cooled Porsche 911s will want to take note. A 964 Speedster is already a rare bird, but one built to an extremely choice specification such as this Maritime Blue (maritimblau; non-metallic UNI; 5MB; Porsche) example going available on the market is a truly special thing. We’ve just run across it available in the south of France (because of course) and wanted to make you aware.

    While the Porsche Speedster became an icon during the early 356A portion of Porsche’s history, the idea of the low-slung windshield and lightweight take on Porsche’s mainstay sportscar didn’t return until the G-body 911 Speedster of the late 80s. And while those G-body cars were very cool with their wider Turbo fender flares, the Speedster would go back even more to its roots in the guise of the 964 when it went narrow body and took even further measures to emphasize light weighting.

    According to the ad over on the website for the dealer Alsphalt Classics, only 936 examples of the Porsche 911 (type 964) Speedster were ever produced. That makes them rare, although not altogether unseen as they were federalized and sold in America as well. Even still, many of the ones you tend to see are a standard color such as Black or Guards Red, and when Paint to Sample was used they always seem to be some form of yellow.

    Also popularized during the 964 era was a Porsche Carrera Cup color called Maritime Blue. One of many Porsche takes on classic French Blue, non-metallic Maritime Blue became a popular standard color on the 964 generation Carrera RS, often paired with blue interior accent such as color-matched Recaro Pole Position seats with Maritime Blue painted shells and gradients of blue leather on the seat centers.

    No doubt whomever specced this 911 Speedster was influenced by the Carrera RS. The car makes use of the same gradient and color-matched Recaros, going several steps further with color-matched leather on the dashboard and one-piece shift knob with boot, plus webbing on the lightweight door pulls. It even gets the optional color-matched wheels also in Maritime Blue.

    Interestingly, the background on the Alsphalt Classics website reveals this car to be a pre-production model with pre-series engine and gearbox. Given it’s a 1993, that’s more intriguing than it might be concerning as the 964 had been in production since late 1989 and with few changes. We’re guessing what would have made this pre-series was simply early production of the Speedster body style.

    The dealer reports this car has spent its time in Spain and the South of France, while the clear side markers on the fender also confirm it’s not German market specification, as that would have no side repeaters just like North American models.

    It’s logged 99,500 km, meaning about 60,000 miles. Looking at the excellent photos from the dealership, it appears to be in relatively original condition with some wear on things like door pulls. Priced at 244,900 Euros, it’s about what we’d expect for a rare and incredibly tasteful specification of the 964 Speedster. Also, being older than 25 years makes it a relatively easy import for any of our North American readers. Check out further details HERE.

  • Sonderwunsch Porsche 911 Dakar Shines with Extraordinary Design

    Sonderwunsch Porsche 911 Dakar Shines with Extraordinary Design

    After building 2,500 examples, Porsche has celebrated the end of the 911 Dakar model with the handover of a Sonderwunsch special at the Porsche plant in Zuffenhausen. Extensively customised and refined, this Sonderwunsch 911 Dakar was commissioned for an Italian collector of sports cars.

    [source: Porsche AG]

    Porsche introduced the 911 Dakar, a sports car equally at home off-road as it is on country routes, in November 2022. The car’s standard ground clearance is approximately 50 millimetres higher than that of a 911 Carrera with sports suspension. Off-road-specific details include red, forged aluminium recovery eyelets at the front and rear, as well as widened wheel arches and sills. The three-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine producing 480 PS (353 kW) and a maximum torque of 570 Nm delivers impressive performance with a distinctive and emotive boxer sound.

    To the final of the model: customised three-tone paintwork

    Now, a special example of this limited-run model has been handed over in the Porsche Museum – but not before getting the full Sonderwunsch treatment, including a unique three-tone paint job. Signalyellow (signalgelb; nonmetallic UNI; 1YH; Porsche) and Gentianbluemetallic (enzianblaumetallic; metallic UNI; W96; Porsche) tie neatly into the Rallye Design Package, echoing the look of the winning vehicle from the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally, while a painted blue line between the two larger coloured areas completes the trio. The shade, which has been named Lampedusablue after the Italian Mediterranean island, was created in collaboration with the new owner of the car.

    The spokes of this one-off car’s alloy wheels are also painted in Signalyellow, while the rim edge features Lampedusablue. The livery was done entirely by hand and in close co-operation between the customer and Porsche designers. The LED Matrix headlights are individualised with a Lampedusa-coloured accent ring, and the stainless steel protective elements on the front, rear, and sills are black.

    Inside, more yellow appears against the contrasting black, such as in the stitching and trim strips on the dashboard, centre console, and door panels. The ‘911 Dakar’ lettering is also embroidered in Speedyellow thread on the headrests of the Sports Seats Plus, and the gear selector of the eight-speed PDK is enhanced with a Speedyellow leather insert. When the doors are opened, LED projectors cast the Sonderwunsch logo onto the ground. The extensive customisation ensured that this 911 Dakar of type 992 was refined right up to the end in the Sonderwunsch manufactory.

    Before the car makes its way to its new home, visitors to the Porsche Museum can catch a ‘last’ glimpse of this special model. Sitting alongside other unique derivatives of well-known limited series, it will be on display in the museum’s foyer.

  • Market Find: 2018 Audi exclusive Cumulus Blue RS 3

    Market Find: 2018 Audi exclusive Cumulus Blue RS 3

    When Audi finally brought their RS 3 to the US, enthusiast forums were littered with posts about what color their cars would be ordered in. In speaking with a few Dealer friends at the time, this online chatter proved to be more than just posturing, as the queue for special paint was long enough to span well beyond the current model year. But since those days, Audi exclusive-painted RS 3 models are admittedly (and somewhat surprisingly) scarce.

    With all that in mind, we were incredibly excited to see this 2018 Audi exclusive Cumulus Blue RS 3 (VIN: WUABWGFF5J1905196) pop up on Cars and Bids. Not just because it’s an Audi exclusive build, but also because of the color itself- Cumulus Blue (Color Code: X5A). It’s a shade we here at Tailored Driver are big fans of, and are lucky enough to have an example of in our fleet. Incredibly tough to capture in photos, it’s a bit like Porsche’s Chalk Grey with a hint of blue, or a much less saturated version of Audi’s Kemora Grey. For those who really know their colors, it’s also incredibly comparable to Vapor, a rare shade that was briefly available on Volkswagen’s New Beetle.

    While this RS 3 may be a bit rough around the edges and perhaps modified beyond your wishes, we think the scarcity is worth the minor items that need to be addressed. Get all the details of this Tailored Driver on Cars and Bids, here.

  • Market Find: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 in Paint to Sample Riviera Blue

    Market Find: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 in Paint to Sample Riviera Blue

    While the Paint to Sample program has enjoyed a long history at Porsche, it’s safe to say that custom colors weren’t nearly as common back in 2014 as they are in today’s private commission-all-the-things model. Over the years, and likely inspired by privately commissioned reimagineers like Singer, Porsche has found the value in making its in-house tailoring programs much more widely offered. That’s more of a recent phenomenon though, and we don’t need to go that far back to find years where a PTS Porsche was a lot less common. That relative rarity is one of the reasons cars like this 2014 911 GT3 (Vin: WP0AC2A91ES183490) painted in eye-catching Riviera Blue (rivierablau; nonmetallic UNI; 39E; Porsche) are so noteworthy.

    We’d also argue cars like this 911 GT3 are a bit of a sweet spot. They’re new enough to offer modern amenities, reliability and rust-proofing, but old enough to be rare and relatively affordable ($139,900)… at least in the context of a Porsche GT car. We’d also argue the 997-era 911 hits the sweet spot in size, a little bit larger and more livable than the original air-cooled cars yet not as remarkably wide as modern ones.

    Back to this particular car, it’s currently in inventory at Udrive Automobiles in West Chester, PA, has logged 55,174 miles. Its specification is made more attractive by the presence of red stitching and comfort seats, though it notably has the PDK twin-clutch automatic transmission that is less desirable than a manual. Modifications are relatively short, but they are there and include most of the original parts such as wheels and steering wheel.

    Check out more details over at Udrive Automobiles HERE.

  • Market Find: Audi exclusive Sprint Blue RS 5 Cabriolet

    Market Find: Audi exclusive Sprint Blue RS 5 Cabriolet

    Today we’re excited to bring you the first of what we hope to be many for Tailored Driver– fan submitted content. Kaleb, the owner of this Audi exclusive Sprint Blue (sprintblau; pearl UNI; LZ5F / 5N; Audi) RS 5 Cabriolet, reached out shortly before his Cars and Bids listing went live, and we were happy to hear from him. Not only a fantastic, incredibly high sticker ($94k!) Tailored Driver, but also a truly great enthusiast’s car to boot.

    The B8.5 Audi RS 5 Cabriolet is already a rare car. If production numbers we’ve found over on Audiworld.com are accurate, only 769 U.S. market Cabriolets were produced (versus 2747 Coupes) between MY2013 and MY2015. And while this does sound consistent with what we’ve heard in the past, it’s the note of Audi exclusive painted examples that make us think their count may be missing at least some color data as they list no “individual” colors in MY2013 or M&2014 (like this car), though do list 25 “Exclusive” colors in MY2015. No doubt Audi might provide more specific details on the Audi exclusive mix, or if this car is one of multiple or one of one as it sits in its Sprint Blue on black leather color way.

    What is Sprint Blue? The color appears to have debuted on the B7-generation Audi S4. Having produced Nogaro Blue from the earliest RS2 production (as RS Blue) and through B5 and B6, it seems the brand was looking for a new bold blue paint code to freshen up that end of the palette spectrum. Sprint Blue Pearl was that blue, though favors more to the green/cyan side of the blue spectrum as compared to the more purple/magenta oriented Nogaro Blue.

    In period, Sprint Blue was a popular factory color choice and is seen regularly on the B7 S4, B7 RS 4 and early B8 S and RS models. By the time the B8 received its “B8.5” facelift like this car though, Sprint had been replaced with Audi’s Sepang Blue that is a bit lighter and with less green. So, when cars like this RS 5 were produced, Sprint Blue had already gone. Likely the person who chose this specification fell in love with the color and kept it going with this special order. And it’s hard to argue. The car looks fantastic.

    Get all the details and follow along on Cars and Bids as the auction for this Tailored Driver (VIN: WUAC6AFH5EN900954) will close in just two days.