What: 2002 BMW 525i Touring Color: BMW Slate Green (schiefgrün; metallic UNI; 449; BMW) VIN: WBADS43452GD86927 Mileage: 193,400 Price at Time of this Writing: $5,655 with 1 Day Left CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: see photo gallery Location: Moss Beach, CA Auction listing:Link
From the discount tailored rack comes this well preserved and rare specification BMW 525i Touring we found listed over on Cars and Bids. Whether or not you count it as truly tailored is up to you. The exterior color of Slate Green was a standard offering on the E39. And, though we haven’t yet found it in period catalogues, the interior specification of Stone Green and Black doesn’t appear to be listed as special order on the attached Monroney window sticker.
So, it’s a rare spec then and not a tailored ride. Even still, it’s a rare specification that includes tone-on-tone coloring with green on the outside and green on the inside. That all makes it very tasteful.
Alas, it does have an automatic transmission so the true obscure wagon nerds who are seeking gears they can row may find that part a disappointment, but close inspection of the attached photos over on Cars and Bids also shows very detailed record keeping for this car’s nearly 200,000 miles logged, not to mention well-preserved condition in the many photos.
What: 1988 Porsche 959 SC Reimagined by Canepa Color:Emerald Green Metallic (smaragdgrünmetallic; metallic Uni; 264 / 249; Porsche) VIN: WP0ZZZ95ZJS900214 Mileage: 38,500 kilometers (~23,923 miles) at restoration, shows 7,503 km now 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
Reimagining any car to the exacting specification is an impressive thing, though beginning with one of 292 legendary Porsche 959s is a whole other level of commitment. That’s where Canepa comes in, with their reimagining of these Group B homologation specials into what they call a 959 SC (SC standing for Super Carrera).
Worth noting, Bruce Canepa and his firm aren’t just incredibly talented fans of the brand or model. It was none other than Bruce Canepa who was contracted by Paul Allen and later Bill Gates to get the first 959s imported legally into the USA. That effort would result into the legendary “Show and Display” exemption rule. During that time, Canepa taught himself capabilities and familiarity with the 959 that may have been second only to Porsche themselves. Bruce was the go-to for the 959, and his learnings over decades brought him to his 2015 launching of the 959 SC program where a client could bring a 959 for a recommissioning and reengineering that would raise performance as well as luxury.
RM goes into great detail in their listing:
“Whereas the original 959 left the factory with 444 horsepower from its 2.85-liter sequential-turbo flat-six, the 959 SC Reimagined by Canepa uses upgraded BorgWarner turbos (with internal wastegate) in a parallel twin-turbo system and new engine management based around MoTec hardware to nearly double that figure to 825 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.
“Standard 959 engine internals give way to forged pistons, Pankl titanium connecting rods, and other upgraded componentry. The camshafts have been revised to offer improved low-end torque and mid-range power, and the valve train has been entirely redesigned for better responses. Individual coil packs supplant the original ignition distributor, while completely revised intake systems, equal-length, tungsten-ceramic-coated exhaust headers, and a two-stage exhaust system of stainless steel and titanium give the new engine sufficient bark to match its bite.
“As for the suspension, by upgrading the original 959 Sport coilover system with custom valved shocks from Penske and titanium springs, the 959 SC’s handling is greatly improved at all speeds, along with the ride quality on all types of surfaces. Canepa also produced new cast-magnesium 18-inch hollow-spoke wheels that take full advantage of the latest advancements in production and materials technology while staying true to Porsche’s original 959 design.
“More than 4,000 hours go into each build and over 3,000 individual pieces get restored, rebuilt, or upgraded. Nothing is left unchecked or untouched on every 959 that Canepa reimagines; they are completely disassembled, and entirely rebuilt as better-than-new machines. Color combinations and final touches are tailor-made to each client’s specifications in close collaboration with Bruce Canepa. Those fortunate enough to secure a 959 SC order slot can choose from over 200 Porsche factory and “paint-to-sample” colors. Each example is one of one, with production set at just 50 in total.“
959 SC 003
This particular 959, 959 SC 003, began life as one of 207 959 “Komfort” models, was originally finished in Silver Metallic over grey leather and delivered to its first owner in Monaco. It was later sold to Japan where it was displayed in a private Tokyo museum, remaining there until it was imported into the U.S.A. in 2016.
At that point, it was completely disassembled in order to begin its restoration and 959 SC augmentation.
The car is was painted paint-to-sample Emerald Green Metallic, matched tastefully with Dark Green leather. It features 18-inch variants of the stock 959 wheel design , these featured in Canepa’s proprietary graphite finish that matches the appearance of oxidized magnesium.
Since the completion of its conversion, 003 has been displayed at Luftgekühlt 4 in 2017, Rennsport Reunion VI in 2018, and the 2022 Velocity Invitational. It returned to Canepa in December 2024 for an engine-out service and other work totaling $70,000.
What: 1997 BMW 540i Color: BMW Individual Aubergine(aubergine; non-metallic UNI; 348; BMW) VIN: unknown Mileage: 115,000 miles Price: $11,000 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Fair Lawn, NJ Listing: Link
We’re fond of tone on tone cars, wearing the same color on the inside as they do on the outside. White on white was popular in the 80s, blue on blue isn’t that uncommon, F40s were red on red, and green on green happens. Purple on purple though, that’s almost never seen… and yet here one is in the form of a 1997 BMW 540i that is purple inside and out.
Technically, this color is Aubergine, the BMW version and not the Porsche version that appears to be darker. Some quick research shows remarkably that this wasn’t the only one built to this spec. Even still, it sounds like two or three may have been sold here in the USA. Even that begs the question on how two or three buyers would have landed on a color combination so unique. They all appear to be 540i configurations, though not all have automatic transmissions as does this car.
Is there more to the story? We haven’t found it yet, but suspect there is. In the meantime, this car is an excellent example of an affordable tailored driver. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine a car this unique at an approachable price, but they happen and this purple on purple E39 is proof positive of that.
Bonus points to the seller for both knowing the paint name and sharing a photo of the factory decal confirming it.
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.
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.
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.
What: 2024 BMW M4 Competition Color: Sepia Brown II (sepiabraunii; non-metallic Uni; P7Y; BMW) VIN: WBS33AZ09RCP43984 Mileage: 12,093 Price: $81,990 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Beaverton Nissan, Beaverton, OR Listing:Link
Why We Love It:
We’re solid fans of “tone-on-tone” cars, where the exterior and the interior are coordinated as the same color, perhaps off by a degree of shade. Now, throw in an unexpected color like brown and you’re playing at a whole other level of originality.
In the case of this G82-generation M4 Competition, that exterior color is BMW Individual Sepia II Brown and it’s paired with Tartufo Brown Leather. No doubt brown-on-brown is going to be polarizing, but to the people who get it this car likely has a whole other level of attraction.
What: 2023 Ferrari SF90 Spider Color: Atomic Orange (unknown) VIN: ZFF96NMA5P0294030 Mileage: 243 Price: $849,900 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Boardwalk Ferrari Maserati, Plano, TX Listing:Link
Why We Love It:
Built via Ferrari’s Atelier program, the SF90 Spider you see here boasts no less than $260,000 of additional options and customization over your average SF90 Spider. This includes striking Atomic Orange 2-layer paint paired with Arancio Mikonos interior. It’s also got the Assetto-Fiorano package and Assetto-Fiorano-Extended package, plus additional carbon fiber everywhere.
All told, the customization budget on this SF90 Spider is greater than the cost of buying a new Roma and the dealership theorizes that this could make it one of the most expensive SF90 Spiders ever ordered… from a production run that is already sold out.
One wonders how you order a car this special and then only log less than 300 miles on it, but that’s a conversation for another day. We’re going to go ahead and post the list of options as itemized by the dealership below. Check out more details, photos and information on the car via the link above.
ATOMIC ORANGE EXTERIOR
ARANCIO MIKONOS INTERIOR
SPECIAL LIVERY LIVREA SU SPECCHI
REVERSE STITCHING
CARBON FIBER FRONT SPOILER
CARBON FIBER SIDE AIR SPLITTER
CARBON FIBER REAR BOOT TRIM
REAR DIFFUSER IN CARBON FIBER
CARBON FIBER UNDERDOOR COVER
CARBON FIBER DRIVER ZONE+LEDS
CARBON FIBER UPPER TUNNEL TRIM
APPLE CARPLAY
SYSTEM AMERICA
ATELIER NEW YORK
DRAWING ATTACHED
DRAWING DEDI PLATE
TWO TONE BODY PAINTING NERO
BACK RADAR
GOLD BRAKE CALIPERS
ZONA BAULE IN CARBONIO
CARBON FIBRE DASHBOARD INSERTS
DAYTONA STYLE SEATS
DEDICATION PLATE IN SILVER
DREAMLINE F1 PADDLES-1 COLOR
HORSE STITCHED ON HEADREST NERO
TITANIUM EXHAUST PIPES
ADVANCED FRONT DRIVING CAMERA
ASSETTO FIORANO
ASSETTO FIORANO EXTENDED
HOMELINK GARAGE DOOR OPENER
READINESS MYFERRARI CONNECT
OUTDOOR LEATHER ARANCIO MIKONOS
COLOUR LIVERY UPPER ARCH EXTRACAMPIONARIO-NOT STANDARD
What: 2000 BMW Z3 3.0 Coupé Color: Evergreen (immergrün; non-metallic uni; 358, BMW) VIN: N/A Mileage: 208,930 km (129,823 miles) Price: € 19,950 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: AutoMooij, Beek en Donk, The Netherlands Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
This particular BMW Z3 Coupé isn’t low mileage, though not hatefully high. It’s not a one-off BMW Individual paint, though it is fairly rare. At the time, BMW offered Evergreen with dual-tone black and green interior. That was the late 1990s / early 2000s when such combinations were kitsch cool for those in the know. The take rate wasn’t high, which made them rare. And Evergreen, we’d argue, should be due to have its day again given the uptick in pastel colors we’ve been seeing in paint to sample catalogues.
Back to this car, don’t be fooled that it’s a Z3 M. It’s a 3.0 wearing M Coupé wheels, but hardcore aficionados will recognize that the bumpers are different, the side vents and single side exhaust. Even still, for someone seeking a rare spec “clown shoe”, this car’s a great spec and appears to be a solid driver.
This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.
What: 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Color:Bianco a.k.a. Bianco Avus (bianco; non-metallic; 100; Ferrari) VIN: ZFFTA17B000065669 Mileage: 34,500 Price: Upon Request CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Los Angeles, CA Listing:Link
Why We Love It:
Popping up in RM Sotheby’s Private Party sales is this very desirable 1986 Ferrari Testarossa. Granted, it’s a factory order book specification car, so why is it desirable? We’d point to two reasons.
First, it’s a ‘Monospecchio, Monodado’ configuration. For the non-Italians amongst us, that translates to “single mirror, single nut”. From the beginning of production of the Testarossa in 1984, Ferrari fitted cars with a single mirror mounted half-way up the A-pillar, and center-lock single nut alloy wheels. When the car received its mid-lifecycle freshening in 1987, the mirror was replaced with two conventional mirrors at the base of the A-pillar, and the wheels now had exposed conventional lug nuts.
Next up, it’s Bianco over Bianco leather. Monochromatic colors are always a unique decision – red over red on the F40, green over green, blue over blue, and so on. Bianco over Bianco (white over white) was a standard yet rare option that helps make this car so very 1980s poster spec whether that’s because of the product placement presence of a near identical car in Miami Vice or because that television show likely helped inspire the phrase “cocaine white” for such configurations – cocaine being also associated with the gluttonousness of the 1980s that inspired the Testarossa itself.
This is a European specification example delivered new to Salem Ali Abdul Al-Sabah of Kuwait, a member of the Kuwaiti Royal Family, via the Ferrari dealer in Kuwait. It was imported into the USA in 2001.
We notice this car has what appears to be plus-sized replicas of the original wheels (possibly via Augment Wheel Company where we’ve seen these offered, but we’re not entirely sure and it’s not disclosed in the listing). What is disclosed is that the car is accompanied by its four original Monodado wheels, some original Testarossa marketing literature, a set of manuals, tool kit, jack, original key, Ferrari-branded car cover, and OEM Ferrari seat covers. It’s also got a period-correct Nakamichi head unit with an A/D/S amplifier.
