Wanderlust

Tag: The Amelia

  • Market Find: 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo in Slate Grey Selling with Broad Arrow at The Amelia

    Market Find: 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo in Slate Grey Selling with Broad Arrow at The Amelia

    What: 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo
    Color: Porsche Slate Grey (schiefergraumetallic; metallic UNI; 22D; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0AC2992VS375554
    Mileage: 41,500 miles
    Estimated: $280,000 – $320,000
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: Link
    Location: The Amelia Auction, Amelia Island, FL
    Link: Broad Arrow

    If Porsche Club of America’s Rennbow color archive is accurate, Slate Grey Metallic wasn’t a standard color on a 1997 911 Turbo (type 993). Rennbow has it down as offered to 1995, then returning in 1999. If true, that would make the car you see here technically a Paint to Sample specimen. Broad Arrow, the auction house planning to sell it this weekend during the concours weekend at The Amelia has it listed simply as “rare”.

    Whatever. It’s handsome. It’s also interesting in that it’s a metallic take on a classic color. In fact, Porsche has several colors known as “Slate Grey”. There’s the original non-metallic driven into the Le Mans city center by Steve McQueen in the opening sequence of Le Mans, and also Slate Grey Neo reintroduced as part of the launch of the hybridized 911 GTS (type 92.2). In the era of the 993 though, Porsche had added metallic flake.

    In the case of this car, it’s one of 612 Turbos sold to the U.S. in 1997. Broad Arrow suggests “just over a handful” were painted Slate Grey Metallic. It was delivered new through Stead Motors in Walnut Creek, California. Options included metal door sills with insignia, black floor mats, plus self-dimming mirrors & rain sensor. We’re also seeing leather on the dashboard and rare Porsche Tequipment pieces like the partial aluminum shift knob and e-brake lever with Porsche script.

    The car sells this coming weekend, so if you’re game then get to The Amelia or make arrangements to bid from afar.

  • Retrospective: Dames Point Bridge Commission Bentley Continental GTC at Last Year’s Amelia Concours

    Retrospective: Dames Point Bridge Commission Bentley Continental GTC at Last Year’s Amelia Concours

    As the automotive community gets ready for The Amelia weekend March 6-9, we wanted to take a look back at one of the cars that very quickly grabbed our attention on site last year. Amidst the main show field sat an installation by Bentley, and within that this very unique Continental GTC.

    One of the things we love about companies like Bentley is their readiness to jump into tailored and commissioned builds, with display cars for key events like The Amelia offering a perfect opportunity to show off their capabilities. This car, appearing to pay tribute to The Dames Point Bridge as seen on its infotainment screen, is fitting in that it harks the nearby structure in nearby Jacksonville, FL. The span, part of I-295 north and south, spans the St. Johns River to connect downtown Jacksonville with points north… points such as Amelia Island, FL that The Amelia calls home.

    At the heart of any Mulliner build like this is are the special touches. The car’s Silver Taupe (silvertaupe; metallic Uni; 6745; Bentley Mulliner) exterior paint is a light metallic brown that seems an obvious nod to the concrete hue of the Dames Point Bridge. Accents to that paint include a Sky Blue painted pinstripe and Carbon Fiber Bodykit Styling Specification excluding the Bootlid Spoiler. The lower brightware of the GTC is here again color matched in Silver Taupe.

    Obviously, a color harkening concrete is going to be subtle, which sets up perfectly for this cabriolet’s more bold cabin specification.

    Inside, the tribute is to the blue waters of the St. Johns River, the interior leather receives Bentley’s Color Split D configuration, with primary hide being striking Sky Blue, with secondary hide of Beluga and accent hide and seat bolsters in Stratos.

    Frankly, the level of specification for a display car befitting a venue such as The Amelia is staggering, so we reached out to Bentley to get the full Mulliner specification for this remarkable interior. Unsurprisingly, it’s a substantial list. It includes:

    • Bespoke Colour Split (Based on Colour Split D):
    • Beluga Secondary Hide.
    • Sky Blue Main Hide.
    • Scratos Accent Hide.
    • Seat Bolsters in Stratos.
    • Steering Wheel 6 O’Clock Spoke in Sky Blue.
    • Concrast Gear Lever and Steering Wheel Accent Tab in Scratos.
    • Contrast Stitching to Standard Areas with Additional Seat Piping in White.
    • Addiditional Contrast Stitching to Door Armrests in White.
    • Piano Black Veneer:
    • Sky Blue Pinscripe to Fascia and Door Waistrails (Including Upper Bullseye Vane).
    • Bentayga Brushed Metal Finish to Centre Console.
    • Concrast Stitching to Inner and Outer Diamonds of MDS Quilt Pattern in Stratos.
    • Concrast Mulliner Steering Wheel Honeycomb Stitching in Stracos.
    • Embroidered Bentley Emblems – Contrast in Stratos.
    • Personalised Jacksonville Seven Bridges Collection Treadplate.
    • Personalised Dames Point Bridge Overlay on Bentley Rotating Display.
    • Mulliner Overmats:
    • Beluga Carpet.
    • Beluga Binding and Scitch.
    • White Micropipe.

    The list of additional standard order book options for this Dames Point show car is also robust. On the outside, this included 22-inch ten spoke wheels painted black, Touring Specification, Blackline Specification, Styling Specification, Black Roof, LED welcome Lamps “By Mulliner”, and standard brakes with black painted calipers. Order book options inside the car include carpets matched to secondary hide, front seat Comfort Specification, Mood Lighting Specification, Naim for Bentley audio, Bentley Rotating Display, heated single-tone 3-spoke steering wheel, Leather Specification and Mulliner Colour Specification.

    What will Bentley bring for 2025? We’ll all have to wait and see.

  • Adriatic Blue Ruf CTR2 993 Headed for Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    Adriatic Blue Ruf CTR2 993 Headed for Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    What: 1997 Ruf CTR2
    Color: Porsche Adriatic Blue (adriaticblau; non-metallic Uni; L50E; Porsche)
    VIN: W09BD0368VPR06008
    Mileage: 60,194 km, 37,403 miles
    Price Estimate: $2,000,000 to $2,500,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction 2025, Amelia Island, FL
    Listing: Link

    Ruf placed itself decidedly on the performance car map in 1987 when its twin-turbocharged CTR dubbed “Yellowbird” showed up and dominated Road & Track‘s Top Speed Shootout, besting the likes of the Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Countach and Porsche 959. Then, in 1995, it launched a credible successor to the Yellowbird when it debuted the 993-based CTR2.

    Like the Yellowbird, the CTR2 was based on the narrow-body version of the 993-generation 911 and the reasoning was due to aerodynamic efficiency. Changes from the equivalent Porsche included a redesigned front bumper constructed from composite materials, larger air intakes, redesigned side sills, smoothed roof sans rain channels, more aerodynamic mirrors, composite rear bumper and redesigned rear spoiler with air intake feeding the induction air box and twin intercoolers located behind the wheels.

    Inside, the CTR2 received leather-wrapped sport seats, air conditioning, electric windows and Integrated Roll Cage (IRC).

    Under the engine cover was 520 hp Ruf-tuned engine derived from the 3.6-liter flat six of the 993 Turbo. For this application, it has been blueprinted and upgraded with larger BorgWarner K26/27 turbochargers, larger intercoolers, upgraded camshafts, pistons, an auxiliary oil cooler, an improved exhaust system and TAGtronic engine management, similar to what was used in the McLaren F1. This was paired to a Getrag 6-speed transaxle with CTR2 specific ratios and limited slip differential.

    Bilstein-supplied upgraded dampers were paired with Eibach springs and stiffer anti-roll bars. Braking was similarly augmented using Brembo stoppers all-round, while the car rolled on 18-inch forged magnesium 5-spoke wheels of Ruf’s own design.

    This particular CTR2 was delivered new to Japan in 1997, one of 18 examples ever built. Finished in Porsche Adriatic Blue, it featured optional all-wheel drive, lightweight black leather interior, carbon fiber bucket seats with Adriatic Blue color-matched backs, a leather wrapped roll cage, black painted brake calipers, body color center cap logos, a premium audio system with subwoofer and airbag delete.

    The car resided in Japan until 2020 when it was imported into the U.S. where only four examples are believed to be registered.

  • Blue Turquoise over Blue Porsche 911 / 993 Carrera S in Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    Blue Turquoise over Blue Porsche 911 / 993 Carrera S in Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    What: 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera S
    Color: Porsche Blue Turquoise (blautürkis; non-metallic Uni; J1; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0ZZZ99ZVS313771
    Mileage: 26,000 km, 16,155 miles
    Price Estimate: $250,000 to $300,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction 2025, Amelia Island, FL
    Listing: Link

    Though striking, Blue Turquoise was a standard color during the 993-era 911. Nevertheless, it was relatively rare and even more rare when you consider details like Midnight Blue interior and color-matched wheels. That’s the case on this rest of world (ROW) example of a Porsche 911 Carrera S ordered by Mizwa, Porsche’s Japanese distributor.

    AT 26,000 km logged, this is an extremely low mileage car. Options include a Tiptronic S automatic transmission, air conditioning, those aforementioned painted wheel centers, tinted windscreen, electric seats, rear window wiper, multi-function display trip computer, lowered suspension, and “other features specific to the Japanese market” according to Gooding.

    One non-factory upgrade worth noting is the radio. The original factory radio has been replaced with a Porsche Classic unit.

  • Special Order Lapis Blue 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG in Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    Special Order Lapis Blue 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG in Gooding Amelia Island Sale

    What: 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG
    Color: Mercedes-Benz Lapis Blue Metallic (lapisblau; non-metallic Uni; 945U; Mercedes-Benz)
    VIN: WDB2020331F827875
    Mileage: 111,776 km, 69,454 miles
    Price Estimate: $60,000 to $80,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction 2025, Amelia Island, FL
    Listing: Link

    During the era Mercedes-Benz was producing its first-generation W202 C-Class, special paint colors were less common than the more apparent MANUFAKTUR presence today. Bold colors like the Lapis Blue shade shown here were even less common, except perhaps in Europe where home market offerings were a bit more fanciful.

    When it comes to the W202 C43 AMG, only 3,085 of the cars were produced at all. This was the early Mercedes-owned AMG era, and the cars were made worthy of the badge by Stuttgart fitting its 4,266 cc DOHC V8 engine good for 302 hp paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission…. not to mention all the expected braking and suspension upgrades. These cars are often most easily spotted for their subtle bodywork upgrades and more obvious 17-inch Monoblock wheels.

    These cars are just becoming classics given their relative production years, not to mention the resurgence of the so-called “rad era”. They’re even more special when you see it’s a rare-at-the-time special order paint in a color as bold as this Lapis Blue hue. Worth noting, there’s a more commonly found Lapis Blue Metallic from Mercedes that is considerably darker.

    In period, this C43 was a competitor to the BMW M3 or Audi S4, so you have to wonder the thinking of the buyer who dreamed up this particular specification. As it turns out, the car was ordered via the Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart dealership. That’s literally ground zero when it comes to Mercedes-Benz home town, where Mercedes clientele probably don’t get any more savvy. You have to figure too that the owner of such a car wouldn’t want to be missed by Audi or BMW drivers (much less the Porsche types) while blasting down the unlimited speed zones of the A8 Autobahn between Stuttgart and Münich.

    We can draw conclusions, but whatever that buyer was thinking, he or she appears to be the only one thinking of it. This car is believed to be one of one, the only W202 C43 built in that particular bold Sonderlackierung (special-order) shade of Lapis Blue. Inside, that blue was paired with Graphite / Anthracite AMG leather upholstery (code 581A). It’s also reportedly got a long list of factory options.

    The car spent most of its life registered in Germany, remaining well-maintained, well-preserved and highly original without any modifications. To prove this, the offering includes documented owner history, the Mercedes-Benz factory data card, associated books and AMG Classic Conversion Certificate.

  • Market Find: 2005 Ferrari Superamerica in Azzurro California Headed to Amelia Island Sale

    Market Find: 2005 Ferrari Superamerica in Azzurro California Headed to Amelia Island Sale

    What: 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica
    Color: Azzurro California (azzurrocalifornia; metallic uni; 524 / 666010; Ferrari)
    Chassis #: ZFFGT61AX50142963
    Mileage: 4,025
    Price Estimate: $375,000 – $425,000
    CarFax: Inquire with Auction House
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Broad Arrow Auction at The Amelia, Amelia Island, FL
    Auction Link: Link

    Why We Love It:

    Based on the 575 Maranello, Ferrari created a truly unique open-air version from 2005-2006 called the Superamerica. Uniquely, the Ferrari factory deployed a backwards rotating roof made from a single piece of electro chromatic glass. Flipping about 180 degrees on the axis perched near the top of the B-pillar, it came to rest on the top of the rear deck lid when fully opened. That aforementioned B-pillar was actually a reinforced buttress on each side, while the rear window operated as deflector when the top was down.

    Just 559 cars were built, with this one built for the North American market in 2005. Even for such a rare car, it is an even more rare specification of Azzurro California over Blu Scuro leather and optional contrast stitching in Grigio Chiaro. Other options include Scuderia Ferrari fender shields, electric seats, High Power Hi-Fi audio system with six-disc CD changer. It also got the GTC Handling Package that came with 19-inch five-spoke split-rim magnesium wheels from Speedline, stiffer springs front and rear, and integrated roll bar, sports exhaust and carbon ceramic brakes with red brake calipers.

    Originally registered in Quebec, the car then moved to Oahu Hawaii, Florida and California before its most recent home in Ohio.

    The car is one of many cars to be sold at the Broad Arrow sale planned at The Amelia. Interested parties should inquire with Broad Arrow or attend the sale during The Amelia weekend.

  • Market Find: 2023 Sonderwunsch Porsche 911 Sport Classic Set Broad Arrow Amelia Island Sale

    Market Find: 2023 Sonderwunsch Porsche 911 Sport Classic Set Broad Arrow Amelia Island Sale

    What: 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic
    Color: Dolphin Grey (dolphingrau; non-metallic UNI; Z99 / 6410; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0AG2A92PS252355
    Mileage: 2,383 miles
    Price Estimate: $450,000 – $500,000
    CarFax: Inquire
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Broad Arrow The Amelia Auction 2025, Amelia Island, FL
    Auction Listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    It takes a special kind of buyer to dip into Paint to Sample, much less Sonderwunsch, orders with a solid approach to subtlety. It happens though, and we appreciate it because what makes the car special becomes less of a look-at-me scream and more of an invitation of if-you-know-you-know nods from those who get it.

    Cars like this 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic in the very light and almost-white looking Dolphin Grey paired with color-matched wheels are textbook if-you-know-you-know. To many, this may look like just another white 911 with a ducktail, but to the Porsche-aware it is just so much more.

    To the uninitiated, the Sport Classic dusts of the name of the 997.2 era 911 and reformulates it ever-so-slightly, basing this most modern Sport Classic on the 911 Turbo S. This means Porsche’s most potent turbocharged model, which trades its whale tail for a retro duck tail. It is the Sport Classic and only the Sport Classic where a manual can be had with the 911 Turbo S engine, a configuration this car most definitely boasts.

    Dolphin Grey comes from the latter 356 and earliest 911/901 era of the mid-60s at Porsche. Such subtle pastel takes of that era are en vogue again, and translate well to modern cars with timeless design. In this case, that’s even more pronounced by a pairing with Black Heritage Design Classic leather interior with Pepita (houndstooth) seat centers.

    Since it’s a Sport Classic, standard features include the aforementioned Classic Black Heritage Design trim and Black carpeting, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, Sport Chrono, PASM Sport Suspension, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, Adaptive Sport Seats Plus with Backrest Shells in Leather, Extended Dashboard and Door Panel Package in Leather, Front Axle Lift and Carbon Fiber Roof. Options include the Burmester Surround Sound System, Interior Trim Inlays in Leather, Inner Door-Sill Guards in Leather, Ambient Lighting, and Under Door Puddle Light Projectors.

    Though not mentioned in the auction listing, we also note that the Sport Classic-specification modern center-lock Fuchs 5-spoke wheels appear to be distinctively color-matched to the car’s Paint to Sample Dolphin Grey body panels for a further flourish of subtle tailoring.

    As shown on the badging, this car is #299 of the 1,250 Sport Classics manufactured. It was delivered new in Minneapolis, MN and, thus far, has had two owners.

    This car will be part of Broad Arrow’s auction at The Amelia 2025. Interested parties should plan to bid on it there.

  • Market Find: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Giallo Fly set for Broad Arrow at The Amelia

    Market Find: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Giallo Fly set for Broad Arrow at The Amelia

    What: 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV
    Color: Giallo Fly (giallofly; non-metallic UNI; 215201 / 83671; Lamborghini)
    VIN: ZA9CA05A9HLA12162
    Mileage: 24,500 kilometers (15,225 miles)
    Estimate: $550,000 – $650,000
    CarFax: Inquire with Broad Arrow
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Broad Arrow The Amelia Auction 2025
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    In Italian “countach” is an expression like “goodness” or “oh my God.” Sounds about right. Car-aware kids of the 1980s likely exclaimed it when they first encountered one, maybe in the pages of Road & Track or maybe in that opening scene of Cannonball Run. No doubt they headed on down to the local mall and picked up a Choices poster at Spencer Gifts, hung it on their bedroom wall and stared longingly at it for years to come. Now, they’re adults and they all dream of the same Countach fantasy. And, if they’re appropriately funded, they add one to the garage. If you’re that kid, you should check out this ’87 Countach 5000 QV set to cross the Broad Arrow block at The Amelia in a few weeks.

    And while monochromatic “cocaine white” on white will get you Wolf of Wall Street cred, or black on gold will get you reliving the Cannonball Run, we’d argue a Giallo Fly (Fly Yellow) on brown leather brings back 80s vibes with just as much authenticity.

    This one’s a desirable setup, a later Quattrovalvole 48-valve version of the V12 with “round belly” design, yet predating all the plastic cheese gratery of the final 50th anniversary models. This car is one of just 66 fuel-injected U.S. market cars ever produced. It is well preserved and unmodified, and has spent much of its life in California and Florida. It’s also had mechanical refurbishment done recently in 2024.

  • Market Find: Canna di Fucile Ferrari 348 Spider in Broad Arrow Amelia Sale

    Market Find: Canna di Fucile Ferrari 348 Spider in Broad Arrow Amelia Sale

    What: 1994 Ferrari 348 Spider
    Color: “Canna di Fucile” Metallic (cannadifucilemetallic; metallic UNI; 703/C; Ferrari)
    VIN: ZFFRG43A3R0098406
    Mileage: 17,800
    Price at Time of this Writing: $110,000 – $140,000 estimate
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: The Amelia Auction 2025 by Broad Arrow, Amelia Island, FL
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    One of the great things about a tailored build is the ability to move away from the predictable. On the spectrum of Ferrari, red over tan is ubiquitous, but grey over blue… now that’s something pretty unique. Such is the case with this ’94 348 Spider that’s been entered into the upcoming 2025 Broad Arrow auction held during The Amelia concours week in Florida.

    The name of the color is Canna di Fucile Metallic, a medium grey metallic that might look a bit drab with simple black interior, but throw in some deep Blue Connolly leather with matching blue top and it’s a whole new ballgame.

  • Market Find: Special Wishes Pearlescent White Porsche 911 / 964 Turbo Headed to Broad Arrow Auction at The Amelia

    Market Find: Special Wishes Pearlescent White Porsche 911 / 964 Turbo Headed to Broad Arrow Auction at The Amelia

    What: 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo (type 964)
    Color: Pearlescent White Metallic (perlweißmetallic; metallic uni; L0A9 / 947; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0AA2963NS480308
    Mileage: 937 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: Estimate:$350,000 – $450,000
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: Link
    Location: Amelia Island, FL at The Amelia Concours 2025, Broad Arrow Auction
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Hit up sites like Porsche Club North America’s Rennbow paint resource and you’ll see Pearl White Metallic was a color that began in the 1980s on cars like the 928 and 944, though Broad Arrow also shares in this car’s Lot description an even more exotic Porsche history for this metallic shade of white. You see, it was also sprayed onto more spotlighted debuts such as the 956 sports racing prototype, the 959 “Gruppe B” concept that previewed the 959, the 911 Speedster Studie, and even the 924 Carrera prototype, all in this distinctive paint. Not surprisingly given the popular use by Porsche at auto shows, Pearl White Metallic was most definitely available in the brand’s Paint to Sample program.

    Back in 1992, Porsche only produced 233 of the early 3.3-liter 911 Turbo (type 964) for the U.S. market. This particular car was the final one produced for North America that year, and delivered to Porsche Clearwater (then Bert Smith International). Its specification went well beyond Paint to Sample Pearl White Metallic and Black full leather with Can-Can Red piping to include almost 20 X-Code options and addition Z-Orders from Porsche Exclusive. Additions to the build included Dark Rootwood trim, additional leather on interior components including headliner, rare leather center console and remote remote CD-1 CD changer.

    In addition to the factory specification, this car also is currently fitted with Rest of World front bumper lights, Turbo 3.6 “Speedline for Porsche” wheels, and period TechArt accessories.

    Interestingly, the order process was retained in the car’s history file, and reveals that the owner even attempted to order his 911 Turbo 3.3 with 959-style fenders though unfortunately that never happened. Broad Arrow goes on to detail the ownership of the car in their lot description.

    “According to the clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report, the car was registered to its first long-term caretaker in July 1992 based in Florida who would retain it for the next 24 years until its sale in 2016 with a scant 712 miles on its VDO odometer. In 2019, it was acquired by the current owner, a noted collector of highly original, low mileage 1980s and ’90s sports cars. With years of proper preservation, the Turbo’s Pearlescent White Metallic finish remains “show car” radiant while its full Black leather interior with its multitude of Exclusive options, including a rarely seen leather headliner, remains as expected in pristine condition. Most recently, the car visited European Performance in Raleigh, North Carolina for a new fuel pressure accumulator and AC system recharge in 2022 and later an inspection and oil filter service in October 2024. Perhaps, as expected, this final 1992 911 Turbo retains its window sticker, manuals, toolkit, air pump, spare, and correspondence between Porsche and the original long-term owner. This impressive level of documentation is, just like its exceptionally low mileage, a superb indication of the careful preservation afforded to this highly collectible, special-occasion supercar.”