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  • 🦄 80's AMG Unicorn Sparks Six-Figure Bidding Battle

🦄 80's AMG Unicorn Sparks Six-Figure Bidding Battle

PLUS: The $100k+ Fiat That Spawned a Bidding War

The Daily Vroom

Good morning Vroomers!

A big shoutout to everyone who's sent in questions for our upcoming chat with a BaT powerseller. Some of you really knocked it out of the park with your queries - seriously impressive stuff.

But hey, if you're kicking yourself for not sending one in yet, don't sweat it. There's still time to get your burning questions on the list. Just hit reply to this email or shoot me a message at [email protected].

I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with more automotive goodness.

Catch you on the flip side, Sam

MARKET LEADERBOARD

💰 The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc… All online auction sites are analyzed to put this leaderboard together.

I only include websites that have sold 5+ vehicles in the chart below.

Alright, let's dive into this, shall we? Yesterday was your run-of-the-mill Monday for us, a sight we hadn't seen in a few weeks since the last few Mondays actually outperformed the norm. We clocked in just north of $5.5m in sales, with an average sale price of $39k, which is actually below our usual mark.

But the real story is how BaT is consistently pumping out 100+ vehicle sales every single day. This isn't a fluke anymore, folks. It's becoming their bread and butter, and I need you to really let that sink in for a moment. These numbers are absolutely bonkers.

Let's break it down, shall we? Think about the sheer volume of submissions they must be wading through to hit 140-150 listings daily. And that's not even counting the ones they're turning away. Then there's the whole song and dance of haggling over reserves (if there are any), crafting those meticulous write-ups that do each car justice, and making sure all the photos, videos, and paperwork are up to snuff. And remember, this circus is running seven days a week, non-stop.

The amount of elbow grease that goes into making these auctions run as smooth as butter is mind-boggling. It's easy to take it for granted when you're scrolling through those listings, but the behind-the-scenes effort to create what you see is nothing short of Herculean. Sometimes, when something becomes the norm, we forget to appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears that go into making it happen. But trust me, the work that goes into this operation is seriously impressive.

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

Want to dive deeper into any of these listings? Just click on the car to take you directly to the listing.

2005 Ford GT $10,000

2018 Porsche 911 GT3 6-Speed $184,000

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC AMG 6.0 $180,000

1974 Ford Bronco $179,000

1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/ L76 Split-Window Coupe $170,000

SALE(S) OF THE DAY

Vroomers, we just witnessed a masterclass in high-stakes bidding over on Cars & Bids. The subject? A drool-worthy 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEC AMG 6.0. But what really caught my eye wasn't just the car itself - it was how the bidders went to war over it.

This wasn't your typical auction with folks nervously inching up by a hundred bucks at a time. Oh no, these bidders came to play, and they brought their big boy wallets.

We saw multiple jumps of $20,000 or more. That's not someone dipping their toe in the water - that's a cannonball off the high dive. But the real fireworks came at the end. In the final moments, we watched the price rocket from $155,000 to the winning bid of $180,000. That's a $25,000 leap, folks. Clearly, the winner wanted this car bad and wasn't about to let it slip away over a few grand.

This kind of aggressive bidding tells us a few things:

  1. The buyers knew exactly what they were looking at. This wasn't some casual window shopping - these were informed enthusiasts who recognized the rarity and value of this pre-merger AMG beast.

  2. There's serious money out there for the right cars. In a world of flippers and bargain hunters, it's refreshing to see bidders willing to pay top dollar for quality.

  3. The market for '80s and '90s German performance cars is red hot. We've seen it with air-cooled Porsches, and now AMG is getting its moment in the sun.

As one commenter put it, "It's crazy seeing bids jump increments of $10-$25K. So many auctions spend their overtime increasing in $100 or $250 increments... makes it pretty clear that the final bidders were heavy hitters who placed far more priority on winning the auction than getting the best deal."

Couldn't have said it better myself. When bidders are willing to throw around five-figure increments like it's nothing, you know you're watching something special.

So hats off to the new owner - you've got exquisite taste and a willingness to back it up with cold, hard cash. And to all you other bidders out there, take notes. This is how you go after a car when you really want it. No hesitation, no half measures. Just pure, unadulterated automotive passion backed by a hefty bank account.

I've already served up one tasty morsel from today's auctions, but this next sale? It's so outrageous, I couldn't resist tossing it onto your plate.

This 1970 Fiat Moretti 850 Sportiva S2 just rolled off the auction block for a jaw-dropping $110,000. You read that right – a Fiat for six figures!

Now, I know what you're thinking. A Fiat for that kind of cash? Has the world gone mad? Well, hold onto your steering wheels because this isn't your average Italian compact. This beauty is one of only 52 S2 examples ever built, making it rarer than a politician keeping a campaign promise.

Let's break it down. This Sportiva coupe is a Fiat 850 at heart, but with a stunning Moretti bodywork that'll make you do a double-take. It's like the automotive equivalent of a supermodel in a designer gown – head-turning and unmistakably Italian.

The current owner snagged this beauty in Switzerland back in 2013 and gave it a makeover that would make any car jealous. We're talking a full refurbishment – bodywork, a slick metallic gray paint job, and an interior decked out in red leather that's so luxurious, you'll feel underdressed just sitting in it.

Under the hood, the inline-four engine got some serious love too. It's been bored out to 965cc and paired with a four-speed manual transaxle that's smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy. And let's not forget the Abarth exhaust system – because if you're going to turn heads, you might as well sound good doing it.

Now, I'm not saying this Fiat is worth more than some houses. But with its Cromodora wheels, front disc brakes, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel that feels like it belongs in a yacht, it's certainly making a case for itself.

Is it overpriced? Maybe. Is it a work of art on wheels? Absolutely. One thing's for sure – whoever bought this Fiat Moretti 850 Sportiva S2 isn't planning on taking it through the drive-thru anytime soon.

So there you have it – a Fiat that's making Ferrari owners nervous. It just goes to show, in the world of classic cars, it's not always about the badge on the hood. Sometimes, it's about the story, the rarity, and let's be honest, a healthy dose of automotive insanity.

Why Didn’t the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster Sell?

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster—stunning, rare, and bid to $268,700, yet still no sale. This isn’t its first rodeo, either; back in January, it was auctioned with a high bid of $277k, and once again, Reserve Not Met.

Presentation matters. We’ve said it countless times here in The Daily Vroom: when you’re dealing with high-end cars, especially in this price range, presentation is everything. Yes, the seller retook the photos, but they still didn’t do this SLR justice. Combine that with chipped paint, a non-functional stereo, and eight previous owners—serious buyers are going to hesitate. As one commenter pointed out, fixing the stereo isn’t rocket science, but leaving it broken raises questions about what else might be lurking under the surface.

I like Jeeps, but should it really be in the background of $300k+ car?

Market reality bites. Buyers in the high-six-figure range are a picky bunch (rightly so). At nearly $270k, they’re weighing this car against better-preserved examples with fewer miles and fewer owners. And let’s not forget the comments—everyone’s got an opinion, but the consensus was clear: for this kind of money, everything should work perfectly.

Selling strategy slipped. The seller missed a crucial opportunity (AGAIN) to address these small but significant issues. A little more polish—literally and figuratively—could have made all the difference. As one commenter pointed out, not getting the car in perfect shape for auction is a missed chance to hit that top dollar.

Time Capsule or Tragedy?

Hold onto your wallets, Vroomers, because we've got a yellow missile of Italian engineering up for grabs. This 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse isn't just rare - it's practically unused. With only 600 miles on the clock over 10 years, this bull has spent more time grazing in a garage than terrorizing the streets.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Only 600 miles? That can't be right." Trust me, I had the same reaction. It's like buying a gourmet pizza and only eating the crust. This Lambo was built to be driven, not displayed. But hey, to each their own, I suppose.

Let's talk numbers: This is one of only 50 Squadra Corse models ever made, and word on the street is the last owner shelled out a cool $257,000 for it.

But here's where it gets interesting. Despite its low mileage, this isn't a completely stock time capsule. The current owner threw on a Capristo exhaust (because apparently the stock Lambo exhaust wasn't Italian enough) and swapped in an Imperial instrument cluster. So it's got a few mods, but nothing too crazy.

Look, I get it. These ultra-rare supercars are often treated more like investments than actual vehicles. But seeing a screaming 562-horsepower V10 with all-wheel-drive only stretch its legs for 60 miles a year? That's enough to make any gearhead shed a tear.

So, potential bidders, I implore you: If you win this auction, please, for the love of all things holy and combustion-powered, drive this thing. Take it to Cars and Coffee. Hit up some canyon roads. Heck, use it for grocery runs if you must. Just don't let this gorgeous giallo garage queen waste away for another decade.

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