Wanderlust

Tag: LAPIS Collection

  • Todd Blue LAPIS Collection Cars Set to Make Blue Splash at RM Miami

    Todd Blue LAPIS Collection Cars Set to Make Blue Splash at RM Miami

    Noted Texas-based car dealer and prolific classic car collector of the blue variety, Todd Blue will be parting ways with some seriously unique German automobiles from his LAPIS Collection. Perhaps not surprisingly, they are each in the same color as his name, and they’re a fixture in the upcoming RM Sotheby’s Miami Sale held during the Moda Miami weekend February 27-28.

    While the name of Todd Blue’s company LAPIS is an acronym, it’s notable that the lapis is also a deep blue rock. That’s fitting given his name, and his obvious propensity for very special cars painted in blue. While his car’s aren’t religiously blue, it’s clear he has a knack for finding, buying and speccing some of the most incredible blue cars one might imagine in the Porsche and Mercedes space.

    We’ve been covering the most special amongst Todd’s cars one-by-one all week, with those stories found HERE. However, we wanted to call out all of those cars in one story, including the ones that may not be tailored in the strictest sense, but are still well worth considering.

    Before we dig into the car’s Blue will be selling via RM in Miami, it’s probably worth taking a closer look at his collection. The Petersen Museum visited him back in 2022 and filmed that visit. We’ve embedded it here, and it’s worth a watch. You’ll see several of these cars in there.

    Now, on to the cars that will be sold. We’ll cover them here by lot number, providing estimates as suggested by RM Sotheby’s along with links to both our coverage and also the RM Sotheby’s lot description.

    Lot #230: 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8

    Estimate: $750,000 to $950,000

    Paint Color: (rivierablau; non-metallic Uni; S8 / L39E; Porsche)

    Links: TailoredDriver.com / RMSothebys.com

    Lot #231: 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Weissach

    Estimate: $800,000 to $1,200,000

    Paint Color: (albertblau; non-metallic Uni; 1818 / 325 / 387; Porsche)

    Links: TailoredDriver.com / RMSothebys.com

    Lot #232: 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster

    Estimate: $350,000 to $400,000

    Paint Color: (dunkelblau; non-metallic Uni; 347 / 55 / 3C7 / Y33; Porsche)

    Links: RMSothebys.com

    Lot #233: 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Flachbau

    Estimate: $400,000 to $600,000

    Paint Color: (diamantblaumetallic; metallic Uni; 355; Mercedes-Benz)

    Links: TailoredDriver.com / RMSothebys.com

    Lot #234: 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic

    Estimate: $500,000 to $650,000

    Paint Color: (manuasblau; non-metallic Uni; W50; Porsche)

    Links: TailoredDriver.com / RMSothebys.com

    Lot #235: 1994 Porsche 968 Turbo S

    Estimate: $550,000 to $750,000

    Paint Color: (nachtblauperlcolor; metallic Uni; 37W / 39C / E9; Porsche)

    Links: TailoredDriver.com / RMSothebys.com

    Lot #236: 1992 Porsche 968 Cabriolet

    Estimate: $100,000 to $150,000

    Paint Color: (kobaltblaumetallic; metallic Uni; 37U / 56 / 3C8 / F6 / LM5N / L37U; Porsche)

    Links: TailoredDriver.com / RMSothebys.com

    Lot #238: 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL

    Estimate: $65,000 to $850,000

    Paint Color: (midnightblau; metallic Uni; 904; Mercedes-Benz)

    Links: RMSothebys.com

    Lot #239: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet

    Estimate: $350,000 to $450,000

    Paint Color: (mittelblaumetallic; metallic Uni; 387; Mercedes-Benz)

    Links: RMSothebys.com

    Want to know more about Todd Blue? We found this background provided on one of the LAPIS press releases surrounding his purchase of Mercedes-Benz Northern Arizona.

    “From 2010-2020, as Founder and CEO, Mr. Blue lead his former auto group on an unparalleled growth trajectory for ten years before selling the balance of his company in late 2020. During his tenure, Mr. Blue was Dealer Principal for multiple Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, McLaren franchises and single points stores for Aston Martin, Bentley, Volkswagen, BMW as well as four Porsche dealerships. Mr. Blue led with a focus built on and around a love for customers. Mr. Blue was the only dealer selected by Porsche AG to serve on the design committee which conceived the Destination Porsche facility Generation Five facility design. Mr. Blue also became the first in the world to build a Destination Porsche facility in California. Mr. Blue was selected as one of 50 nominees for the Time Magazine National Automobile Dealer Association’s Dealer of the Year in 2019. During his time as CEO, his dealerships were multi-year award winners of the J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence Award, Automotive News Best Dealership to Work For, Audi Magna Society, Porsche Premier Dealer, Pride of Jaguar, Lamborghini Vision, and the Provenance Dealer of the Year award for Rolls Royce. Mr. Blue served on the Board of Regents for Porsche Cars North America, The Aston Martin of the Americas Dealer Advisor Panel, the BMW Western Region Dealer Board, and the Bentley USA Presidential Cabinet.”

  • MB Diamond Blue 911 Turbo Cabriolet Flachbau in RM Miami Sale

    MB Diamond Blue 911 Turbo Cabriolet Flachbau in RM Miami Sale

    What: 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Flachbau
    Color: Paint to Sample Diamond Blue Metallic (diamantblaumetallic; metallic Uni; 355; Mercedes-Benz)
    VIN: WP0EB093XKS070545
    Mileage: 22,731 miles
    Price Estimate: $400,000 to $600,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL
    Listing: Link

    Consider all of the cars from Todd Blue’s LAPIS collection and the blue hue theme is painfully obvious. Even still, it’s the heavy emphasis on Paint to Sample and Sonderwunsch that really seems to drop jaws. Our final spotlight focus on this mix is another early example for this collection – a G-body flat nose Cabriolet in paint to sample Mercedes-Benz Diamond Blue Metallic.

    The car’s special paint pairs handsomely with Porsche’s Silk Grey leather including extended leather placement. The Fuchs wheels are color-matched, while the top is dark blue to complete the special blue-themed presentation of the car.

    This subtle flachbau even has some one-of-one specification bragging rights. According to RM, this is the only G50-equipped U.S. market flachbau (flat nose) Cabriolet produced in paint-to-sample Mercedes Diamond Blue. More relevant perhaps is that it is one of 50 U.S, market flachbau Cabriolets produced in 1989.

    Other equipment include limited slip differential, sports seats, Blaupunkt Reno cassette player, and an additional amplifier.

  • Triple Blue x Pascha for Porsche 968 Cabriolet Headed to RM’s Miami Auction

    Triple Blue x Pascha for Porsche 968 Cabriolet Headed to RM’s Miami Auction

    What: 1992 Porsche 968 Cabriolet
    Color: Porsche Cobalt Blue Metallic (kobaltblaumetallic; metallic Uni; 37U / 56 / 3C8 / F6 / LM5N / L37U; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0CA2969NS840531
    Mileage: 36,000 miles
    Price Estimate: $100,000 to $150,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL
    Listing: Link

    If you were to imagine a fantasy list of Porsche models to be sold by a prominent collector / collection at a headline RM Sotheby’s auction, the 968 Cabriolet may not be at the top of that list. No doubt a car like the 968 Turbo S is an incredibly rare flex, the 968 Cabriolet tends to be one of Porsche’s forgotten or forgettable offerings. Well, that may be in normal factory specification, but when it’s laden in triple blue theme specification and from Todd Blue’s LAPIS collection, we’d argue you should take a closer look.

    Spoiler alert. It’s got blue Pascha.

    While Cobalt Blue Metallic is listed as a standard 968 color according to Porsche Club’s Rennbow color reference website, RM reports the car you see here is one of just 27 North American market 968 Cabriolets to be produced in the color. The configuration also included a radio cassette player, six-speed manual gearbox, a limited slip differential and Cup 1 alloy wheels.

    On the inside…

    Spoiler alert #2: It’s not a factory Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur (option code CXX) interior unfortunately, but you could have fulled us for the most part, though that blue OEM non-airbag sport wheel on a U.S. spec car was a clue.

    According to RM, the interior was created by Porsche customization specialists Rstrada, and it cost over $60,000 to create.

    The car was originally delivered to Massachusetts, remaining there through several subsequent owners. Following that, it was acquired by notable Texas Porsche enthusiast Todd Blue and added to his LAPIS Collection. Todd sent the car to Arling Wang’s Rstrada shop in Torrance, California for an interior restoration that lasted three years.

    Wang and his shop have built a solid reputation in the Porsche community for their ability to perform projects such as these, with quality and precision to appear as if the work could have been done in period by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. While time travel doesn’t exist allowing you to go back in time and CXX option up a car in the era of your choice, Rstrada allows for a notably close alternative. So, it’s with good reason that it’s rumored there’s a year-long wait list for a consultation alone.

    RM also shares that this 968 represents the only time Todd Blue has ever customized a car from its original specification. As the story goes, racecar driver Cort Wagner and the Ruf family were involved in the introduction between Todd Blue and Arling Wang, Rstrada notably also being the West Coast authorized agent for Ruf.

    At the core of the interior restoration is fine Nappa leather paired with striking blue Pascha fabric. The same blue leather abounds over most every surface, including the aforementioned Atiwe Cup steering wheel. A modern Porsche head unit further improves the driving experience.

    Porsche North Houston, the dealership that has maintained the car, is also credited with color-matching the Cup 17-inch Cup 1 wheels in Cobalt Blue Metallic. Worth noting, the original RM lot description lists these wheels as 16-inch rather than the 17-inch wheels seen in the photographs. It’s possible this was just a typo, or it could have been a mistake if the car’s original factory wheels were the 16-inch Cup 1 wheels also fitted on the car in period. For those who may need to know for sure, we’d suggest you inquire with RM Sotheby’s.

  • 1-of-13 Porsche 968 Turbo S Headed for Auction in Miami

    1-of-13 Porsche 968 Turbo S Headed for Auction in Miami

    What: 1994 Porsche 968 Turbo S
    Color: Porsche Midnight Blue Metallic (nachtblauperlcolor; metallic Uni; 37W / 39C / E9; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0ZZZ96ZRS890061
    Mileage: 113,611 km, 70,594 miles
    Price Estimate: $550,000 to $750,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL
    Listing: Link

    Okay, Midnight Blue Metallic may be a standard issue Porsche 968 color and thus paint to sample wasn’t doable for Todd Blue and his LAPIS collection, but when you’re talking about an example of a model where Porsche only ever built thirteen, that he managed to stick with his blue theme at all is remarkably impressive. Even more impressive for those in the market is the fact that the car is about to go up for sale as part of RM Sotheby’s Miami Auction that is part of the Moda Miami event weekend.

    A transaxle era Porsche at the project RM has is a rare thing indeed, but we’d argue the 968 Turbo S qualifies. Unlike the Porsche 924 and 944 where turbocharged variants were common, most of the final 968 version (all but thirteen) were normally aspirated, including even the sought-after Clubsport. However, Porsche built 14 examples from 1992-1994 for the Kundensport customer-racing program.

    The Turbo S was powered by a turbocharged version of the 968’s notably large displacement 3.0-liter four-cylinder engine with single overhead camshaft. It produced an impressive 304 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. In period, only the 911 Turbo 3.6 produced more torque across Porsche’s entire lineup.

    That engine was paired with a six-speed manual transmission pushing power through a Torsen limited slip differential. All told, the 968 Turbo S was good for 0-60 mph in under five seconds.

    Each 968 Turbo S was fitted with the Sport Chassis Package, as well as the same brake components as the 911 Turbo 3.6. On the exterior, the Turbo S got three-piece lightweight Speedline Cup 1 wheels, twin hood scoops, a larger front air intake, chin spoiler and a large adjustable rear wing. Inside, Recaro Pole Position shell seats (not seen here) were also standard.

    The car was developed by Porsche Motorsport drivers Jürgen Barth and Gerd Schmid, with 100 examples part of the initial plan. However, higher-than-expected costs weighed on the program and it was prematurely curtailed in 1994 after only 13 cars plus one prototype had been manufactured. Given the short production run, this qualifies the Porsche 968 Turbo S as one of the rarest Porsches ever produced.

    This particular car was produced in February of 1994. Optioned well for the time, it includes a Blaupunkt Bremen radio and speakers with antenna, air conditioning, front airbags and partial leather seats and anti-theft package. Interestingly, it was also fitted with Porsche’s standard seats in cloth, rather than the hard shell fixed back Recaro Pole Position seats that most 968 Turbo S examples are believed to have received. Both the Recaro and the standard seat were offered in the non-turbocharged 968 Clubsport.

    This 968 Turbo S was first registered by the Porsche company in Münich, then later sold by the Porsche Motorsports department to a German owner in October of 1995. It was acquired by its next owner in April 2000 and imported into the United Kingdom.

    It’s also very well documented, including past registrations, MOT paperwork, owner’s manuals, correspondence and invoices dating back to 1999. It returned to Germany once more before being acquired by the LAPIS Collection of Porsche enthusiast Todd Blue.

  • Triple Blue Porsche 911 GT2 RS ‘Weissach’ with RM Sotheby’s in Miami

    Triple Blue Porsche 911 GT2 RS ‘Weissach’ with RM Sotheby’s in Miami

    What: 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS
    Color: Porsche Paint to Sample Albert Blue (albertblau; non-metallic Uni; 1818 / 325 / 387; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0AE2A93KS155244
    Mileage: 526 miles
    Price Estimate: $800,000 to $1,200,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL
    Listing: Link

    We’re noting a theme amongst the cars from the Todd Blue LAPIS collection, mainly blue and sometimes triple blue (blue body, blue wheels, blue interior) with some sort of incredible fabric pattern on the seats for good measure. Such is the case with this 991-era 911 GT2 RS “Weissach Package”, an incredibly unique build with a long list of special wishes touches.

    How unique? The original MSRP on this GT2 was $588,115, including over $232,000 worth of specific tailoring from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur (option code CXX). That all adds up to a 101% increase in CXX options alone over the base price of the 911 GT2 RS!

    The configuration begins with paint to sample Albert Blue bodywork with blue carbon fiber accents. The color dates back to Porsches of the early 1970s, though looks the part on this more modern 991 GT2 RS, especially with color-matched Albert Blue wheels.

    Inside, leather to sample Yachting Blue leather is accented with Chalk stitching and Graphite Madraskaro plaid. The leather has been extended to what appears to be every interior space available. The roof liner is in matching Yachting Blue Alcantara. Silver Grey seatbelts accent tastefully with the plaid-centered carbon fiber backed seats.

    Dials on the gauges and Sport Chrono have been specified to black, with black gloss carbon fiber trim and yatchting blue floor mats.

    Order book options begin with the Weissach Package ($18,000) including carbon used on the fiber roof panel, anti-roll bars, front trunk lid and additional components. Interestingly, CXX tailoring was even specified here at Mr. Blue’s request, adding dark blue tint to the carbon fiber on the roof panel, front fender louvers, mirrors and rear wing. According to RM, this car is one of just three to be fitted with the blue carbon fiber specification. The Weissach package also included magnesium wheels, with the wheels on this particular car tailored in color-matched Albert Blue. All told, Weissach cars weighed in at just 3,241 lbs.

    Other options on the car include the Light Design Package, Sport Chrono Package, front axle-lift system, extended range fuel tank and Porsche Dynamic Light System.

    The car was delivered new to Todd Blue’s LAPIS Collection via Porsche of North Houston

    When it was launched in 2017, the 991-era 911 GT2 RS was the most powerful 911 Porsche had ever produced. It featured a twin turbocharged 3.8-liter flat six delivering 700 horsepower to the rear wheels via 7-speed PDK (DSG) transmission. Acceleration from 0-60 mph was accomplished in just 2.8 seconds and it was capable of a top speed of 211 mph.

  • Riviera Blue Porsche 911 / 993 Carrera RS 3.8 Headed to RM Miami Sale

    Riviera Blue Porsche 911 / 993 Carrera RS 3.8 Headed to RM Miami Sale

    What: 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8
    Color: Porsche Paint to Sample Riviera Blue (rivierablau; non-metallic Uni; S8 / L39E; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0ZZZ99ZTS390261
    Mileage: 8,725 miles
    Price Estimate: $750,000 to $950,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL
    Listing: Link

    Another from the Todd Blue LAPIS collection is this über rare 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.8 RS, #261 of 1,104 examples ever produced. It was delivered new in Germany. Of those, it’s the only example produced in Riviera Blue with Clubsport aerodynamics and black leatherette interior with Grey seat centers and Riviera Blue accents from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.

    Other options include the Clubsport front spoiler, Clubsport rear wing, Clubsport strut tie bar, power steering, motorsports steering wheel in leather, air conditioning, German market equipment group, radio, locking differential and special-order heated and power adjustable Clubsport sport seats with Riviera Blue color-matched fiberglass shells. RM shares that they also have an accompanying build shit confirming further Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur options such as door pulls and seat belts in matching Riviera Blue.

    For those who don’t know, a 993-generation Carrera RS 3.8 is effectively a homologation special. These cars were built to qualify the visually similar Porsche 911 3.8 RS for BPR GT3 and GT4 classes of racing. Like many homologation specials, this effectively makes the car a bit of a racing car for the road. It’s widebody stance is also believed to be an inspiration to the RWB Porsche movement and the Idlers racing series from which it spawned.

    Of the 1,104 911 Carrera RS 3.8s built between 1994 and 1996, 227 were spartan Clubsport versions. It’s not known how many were standard RS versions utilizing the lightweight Clubsport options as did #261 that RM will be selling as part of their Miami sale this year.

    The 993 Carrera RS 3.8 is powered by a 3.8-liter version of Porsche’s normally-aspirated M64/20 engine. It produces 296 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 262 lb-ft of torque at 5,400 rpm. As with the previous 964 3.8 RS, the 993 3.8 RS also makes use of 18-inch modular 3-piece alloy wheels from Speedline, though their magnesium centers were updated to match the 993 era “Cup 2” design.

    As for the Riviera Blue paint color itself, it is a hue that seems to harken earlier decades like the 1970s, but was actually introduced as a 993 launch color. Like many colors over the years, Riviera Blue was a bold color Porsche introduced with their new models that suffered in period from being polarizing enough that the take rate was very low. However, it aged gracefully and today is highly sought after by collectors both for its unique hue and its rarity.

    The car was delivered new to Porsche Center Dusseldorf in June of 1995. It remained in Dusseldorf until 2007 when it next spent its time in several significant Porsche collections in England, Holland and France before being imported into the U.S.A. prior to being 25 years old via NHTSA’s “Show and Display” exemption. Today, it is titled in the USA.




  • Manaus Blue over Blue Sonderwunsch-Laden 911 Sport Classic Headed to RM Miami Sale

    Manaus Blue over Blue Sonderwunsch-Laden 911 Sport Classic Headed to RM Miami Sale

    What: 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic
    Color: Porsche Paint to Sample Manuas Blue (manuasblau; non-metallic Uni; W50; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0AG2A96PS252312
    Mileage: 1,177 miles
    Price Estimate: $500,000 to $650,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL
    Listing: Link

    From the Todd Blue LAPIS collection comes this 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic, #269 from a worldwide production of just 1,250. Even in that rare group though, this particular Sport Classic comes heavily laden with special details via a truly remarkable Sonderwunsch tailored focus.

    How remarkable exactly? RM Sotheby’s reports the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur CXX-code options add up to no less than $111,355. That’s some serious tailoring, so let’s dig into the details.

    The exterior paint color is Manuas Blue, a hue added to the Porsche Paint to Sample program the same year this car was produced. Its Fuchs-like 5-spoke wheels are color-matched in Manuas Blue, while other detailing like the Porsche script stripes are in Shadow Blue.

    Inside, the car features a truly unique interior taking a tone-on-tone approach of using blue nearly everywhere. The main leather color used on the seats is Graphite Blue with Pebble Grey stitching, extending also to the air vents, center tunnel, knee pads, front trunk, rear side panels, lower dashboard, inner door sill guards and also the owner’s manual wallet.

    And while a bold leather choice might do it for some, this car goes so much further with its details. Striking Paldao Wood inlays are found on dashboard, door cards, cupholder surround and vertically on the seatbacks. In the centers of the seats is a bespoke Pepita houndstooth in Black, Chalk and Speed Blue that is said to be inspired by the fabric used in the 911 Carrera “Sally Special” built by Sonderwunsch as a tribute to the Cars character and auctioned for charity by RM Sotheby’s in August 2022 and generating $3.6 million. This car is one of very few and reportedly possibly the first to receive this exclusive fabric.

    As RM’s Moda Miami event weekend takes on The Amelia for spring concours week bragging rights, it would seem there’s a bit of a throw down to be found between RM’s Miami sale and auctions at The Amelia. We aim to bring a spotlight to the highlights.