One of our favorite manufacturer social media accounts is BMW M on Facebook. Not only have they created a BMW Individual configurator and post historical context on some of their most popular colors on their own corporate websites, they use this account to celebrate that work and highlight exquisite specifications of their cars using those colors.
This week the color is Brass Metallic (messing; metallic UNI; 621; BMW). Yes, brown hues tend to be a bit inside baseball, subtler than intense yellows or blues and less obvious. That may why many buyers of tailored automobiles prefer them.
Over the last few years, BMW has also been great at embracing these earth tones that are nods to interesting metals, with copper accents on some BMW i models, or colors like Brass Metallic. And, there’s no doubt this M8 in Brass Metallic looks great with other brown elements like its cognac style leather.
We’re pushing the boundaries with this particular market find. We suspect it’s a specification straight out of the 1981 order book. We can’t confirm the color name or code. And, it’s in Europe, meaning our primarily North American audience would have to import it. Luckily enough, its 1981 model year makes it an easy import. Its excellent specification and remarkably preserved condition also makes it easy on the eyes.
For those not familiar with the Maserati Merak, it’s a mid-engine Italian sportscar from the 1970s and into the 1980s, a halcyon era of that genre. Penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it has all of the exotic feel of more known 70s/80s mid-engine Italian offerings from Ferrari or Lamborghini, but we’d argue it’s just as exotic a look… especially when built to an exquisite specification.
Regarding specification, drivetrain may be arguably not exotic in 2000 GT form. Maserati launched the 2000 GT in 1977 almost exclusively for the Italian market. The Merak 2000 GT was built to avoid Italian customers from being penalized with a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 19% for any cars over 2-liters of displacement. That tax was deflating enough to Italian car manufacturer sales that brands began to specially make 2-liter examples of their entry-level models. Ferrari launched its 208 GTB, Lamborghini introduced the Urraco P200 and Maserati added the Merak 2000 GT.
Unlike today where Maserati and Ferrari can largely pull from the same corporate parts bin, the brand was owned by Citroën at that time. In as much, Maserati developers turned to the French manufacturer to source a workable engine, and for this it replaced the Merak SS’s 2.9-liter V6 derived from Citroën SM’s 2.7-liter V6 with a smaller 2.0-liter V6 also from the SM.
Visually, the 2000 GT is most easily identified for its black side stripes that run horizontally down the mid-section of the body. Over time, a lot of 2000 GTs had their stripes removed to look higher dollar, though its likely that cars still sporting the original stripes as this one does are probably worth more today.
The Merak 2000 GT was offered in just two colors, a metallic blue or this other metallic that is often referred to as “gold”, though we’d argue is a bit more of a light brown. We’re not 100% sure of the name though as we were unable to dig up any confirmation of the paint colors or codes, despite ample searching and the dealer’s own detailed listing. If you know the color or code, drop us a note in the comments below.
Whatever the case of the name, the look of the color is very unique. Browns were popular in that time period though typically fell out of vogue, and certainly weren’t the more usual reds or blues the mass market tends to prefer. In our eyes, that makes it more unique, and it also makes it incredibly paired with the particular highly preserved tartan interior of this car.
Inside, brown leather helps elevate the feel of quality of an era of dashboard and center console that’s not always the most robust. Here, it looks well-kept and well-paired with tan fabric seats and brown and tan tartan seat centers. Whereas the 2000 GT may not be the most preferable drivetrain, this interior makes this car incredibly attractive despite its power deficiencies.
This Merak 200 GT is listed for sale at Gallery Aaldering in Brummen, NL. Yes, that means you’ll have to import it if you want it. It’s logged just 14,925 km (9,273 miles), so it’s practically new by that count.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the car, you can check it out HERE.
From the affordable tailored segment of the market comes this 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet ( WAUVGAFHXBN001647 listed by 1600veloce on Bring a Trailer. Not only is its brown on brown color combination totally fitting in the midst of autumn, its unique spec on a 67,000 mile 2011 S5 with replaced 7-speed DSG transmission hints that it will result in an approachable number for someone seeking a unique specification on a budget.
Here’s what we know about the specification of the car without having seen the Monroney sticker or build list. The paint color is listed as Audi exclusive Teak Brown Metallic. In 2011, Teak Brown was offered on the A5 and other models, though it wasn’t offered on the S5. This would have made it an Audi exclusive paint, more affordable than a completely custom color because it was in production elsewhere in the lineup.
A puzzle is the interior specification. The BaT listing states that it’s Tuscan Brown Nappa Leather. Using the European model literature as a reference, we’re not seeing a Tuscan Brown option, though do see Magma Red and Mustang Brown. Typically, a car with a deviating Audi exclusive interior would have an aluminum “Audi exclusive” badge on the door panel. This car does not have that, so we’re guessing this amber brown interior isn’t an Audi exclusive specification.
We don’t have a MY2011 U.S. order guide so aren’t able to confirm the specification of the interior, but we’re guessing it was standard and rare color at the time. Whatever, it’s a great specification on a car with low mileage for its age and some wear and tear that should make it an enjoyable and affordable driver.
Check out more on the Bring a Trailer website listing HERE.
When you think of the auto show circuit, chances are the Geneva Motor Show comes to mind. Before COVID turned the world on its head, Geneva in March was must-see TV for auto enthusiasts around the world. Manufacturers would bring concepts and incredibly high spec builds, all positioned atop 7 to 8 figure booths, in an attempt to gain as many eyeballs as possible. This Tailored Driver is especially special to us because per the seller, it happened to be on BMWs booth in 1998.
Yes, adjacent to the then new E46 generation 3 series sat this BMW Individual Bronzit Metallic (bronzit; metallic; 139; BMW) 323ti Sport Edition (VIN: unknown). While we can’t seem to find any images to support this claim, we certainly can picture this sitting under the lights, being crawled over by journalists, customers, and engineers from competing companies all the same. BMW Individual Bronzit Metallic really pops here in the most late-90s way possible.
Since it left that show in Switzerland, this BMW Individual Bronzit Metallic 323ti Sport Edition has covered an impressive 345,000 km (214,000 mi), and so far as we can tell remained in good visible shape and largely unmodified apart from a Supersprint exhaust. With a slightly dipping Euro to USD ratio, the asking price of 9,900EUR (about $10,800 at time of writing) makes it a pretty interesting proposition too.
If you’re ready to own a piece of history, you can find additional details here.
They say that generational wealth lasts just two generations 70% of the time, and if you’re able to beat that, 90% of the time by generation three the last dollar will be gone. So by that metric, coughing up $729,900 for this Tailored Driver could be considered an incredibly exciting way to save your descendants from falling victim to that unfortunate statistic.
Found on offer at Ilusso in Costa Mesa, California, this Ad Personam Marrone Eklipsis Lamborghini LP 750-4 SV (VIN: ZHWUT3ZDXHLA05856) is quite simply a poster car that will look right at home on the walls of your children and grandkids. A far cry from the bright oranges and greens that are quintessentially Lamborghini, Marrone Eklipsis (Latin for Brown Eclipse) is a sure fire way to stand out from all those other Aventadors at your local haunt.
Get all the details about this Tailored Driver on Ilusso’s website, here.
As part of the Global Media Drive for the new Continental GT Speed in Andermatt Switzerland, Bentley has released photos of each car on location for the drive. This includes full build specifications. Over the last few days we’ve been color checking all of them, and our final specification is this tasteful brown droptop.
Technically, the Mulliner hue is known simply as Bronze. Whether bronze (little B) or brown we really don’t care. It’s attractive, and that is especially so when paired with granite painted exterior brightware and machined 22-inch ten swept spoke wheels.
The specification gets even better on the inside where the monotone cabin is Cumbrian Green leather with Camel accents, dark tint Engine Turned Aluminum fascias and contrast stitching throughout.
Worth noting, the car also has several options that we’ll list here along with U.S. pricing. These include First Edition Specification ($41,190), Carbon Ceramic Brakes with Painted Calipers ($18,820), Extended Range Solid and Metallic Paint ($8,655), 22-inch Ten Swept Spoke Wheels ($4,000) and Contrast Stitching ($3,930).
First Edition Specification includes Touring Specification, Front Seat Comfort Specification, Front Wellness Seating including postural and lumbar adjustment, Naim Audio, Bentley Rotating Display, Technical Veneer Choice or Single Finish Veneer, Animated LED Welcome Lamps by Mulliner, Mood Lighting Specification, Deep Pile Overmats front and rear, First Edition Exterior Badge, First Edition Treadplates, First Edition Embroidery to Seats, Garage Door Opener and Valet Key.
Front Seat Comfort Specification (included in First Edition Specification) includes Adjustable Seat Bolsters, Adjustable Seat Cushion Length, Power Adjustable Headrest, Ventilation and Massage, Heated Front Armrest and Hide Trimmed Seat Belt Buckles.
Touring Specification (included in First Edition Specification) includes Lane Guidance, Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Night Vision and Head-up Display.
Though the fantasy of the tailored automobile is likely that of an exotic sportscar or super luxurious grand touring sedan, the reality is that most of us live life in a more practical daily driver. Car manufacturers like BMW recognize this, creating do-it-all products like the X3. If you need performance, you might choose the X3 M Competition, and if you’re also discerning you might choose a tailored BMW Individual specification like this Pyrite Brown Metallic (pyritbraunii; metallic; P86; BMW) example.
If you’re impatient, don’t want to wait for a custom build or wish to enjoy the benefits of some depreciation, you could go one further and try to locate a specification like this on the used market – even better the certified pre-owned market. That’s exactly how this 2,260mi specimen (VIN: 5YM13EC02R9W97255) sits at BMW of Murray, Utah.
You can find more on this listing over at BMW of Murray’s website HERE. Looking at that listing, including Competition Package, Executive Package, and Driving Assistance Professional Package, all listed with specific content broken out, we’d just like hat tip BMW and their dealerships for making evaluation of their cars that much easier. There’s no word salad of options mixed in with mundane equipment like “leather seats”. Ads like this make it easier for savvy shoppers who know what they’re looking for to quickly identify the specification details of the car. Although, the listing still says “Special Order Color”
So how’d we know it was Pyrite Brown? We’ll share a secret with you. The car was posted by a moderator on the BMW Individual market and discussion group over on Facebook (HERE). We’re still waiting for car dealers to start listing paint names in their ad listings. Until then, groups and forums such as this one help enthusiasts locate tailored cars and we can’t thank them enough.
The new Aston Martin Vanquish was just revealed a few weeks ago, and now @AstonMartin on Facebook has revealed a few photos of their display car.
The paint color appears to be Aston Martin Magneto Bronze, one of many standard hues for Vanquish. So, it may not be a Q specification tailored build, but it’s a fantastic color on a fantastic new sportscar so we wanted to share it just the same.
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.
