The Daily Vroom

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of The Daily Vroom, your one-stop-shop for collector and modern car online auction news, trends, and insights.

I try to keep it to a 5-minute read for you, but today there is so much to cover, I might have gone over slightly!

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Here's what we've got for you today:

• 10 most expensive cars sold on auction yesterday

• Nissan GT-R 2023 sale trends

• Not a car as we know it sells for record amount

• Unique & special cars up for auction

• Old ads are the best

There are two 'cars' that stand out to me from yesterday's auctions. (Porsche's are such a regular occurrence in the top 10 that I don't count them) They are the Nissan GT-R, I cant pin the one reason I love it but I just do! See further down on Nissan GT-R trends.

The second 'car' being the 917 Slot Track 4-89203. Just when you think you've seen it all on BaT, some auction comes along and surprises you and this did that and more. See below our run down on it, with all the pics.

NISSAN GT-R 2023 SALE TRENDS

In 2023, there have been 12 Nissan GT-R sales,(see below) with the majority of the sales coming from outside of the U.S, in the UK & Australia. Collecting Cars has dominated the sales so far. The highest sale in 2023 was a 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R m-Spec nürhas, which was sold by Bring A Trailer on March 25th for $341,000.

For those who don't know, the Nissan Skyline GT-R was the high-performance variant of the R34 Skyline that debuted in 1999. The Skyline GT-R quickly gained a reputation as a high-performance sports car, dominating the Japanese touring car series in the 1990s. The R32, R33, and R34 generations of the Skyline GT-R are still highly sought after by enthusiasts worldwide.

The 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R m-Spec nürhas that sold for $341,000 is a rare and highly sought-after version of the R34. It featured a range of performance upgrades, including a larger turbocharger and a revised suspension system.

The current generation of the GT-R, known as the R35, was first introduced in 2007 and has undergone several updates and improvements since then. It's known for its advanced technology, including a dual-clutch transmission and an advanced all-wheel drive system.

Currently, there is only one GT-R being auctioned, which is an Original-Owner 30k-Kilometer 2009 Nissan GT-R Premium that is being sold out of Canada. This makes it a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to get their hands on a well-maintained, low-mileage GT-R.

Interestingly, the Nissan GT-R was originally intended to be a joint project between Nissan and Porsche. However, the two companies were unable to come to an agreement, and Nissan continued the project on their own, resulting in the original Skyline GT-R.

The Nissan GT-R does hold a special place in Japanese car culture, with many enthusiasts participating in "touge" racing on the winding mountain roads of Japan. The GT-R's handling and performance make it a popular choice for this type of racing.

UNIQUE & SPECIAL CARS UP FOR AUCTION

This Slot Mods Porsche 917 Le Mans Slot Car Raceway was sold for an unbelievable $205,000 on Bring A Trailer yesterday.

This 1:32-scale slot car raceway by Slot Mods of Detroit, Michigan, is housed in a replica Porsche 917 body and built in the style of the 24 Hours of Le Mans racecourse as it appeared in the movie Le Mans. The raceway had a high number of comments at 963, but still short of the Bring A Trailer record of what I believe is 1960 comments.

History:

• The dual-slot raceway was inspired by the Le Mans racecourse as depicted in the namesake movie that was released in 1971.

Features:

• The two-lane track is constructed of wood and features a hand-painted centerline, shoulder stripes, and Armco-style railings.

• The player station is equipped with power switches and trigger-style analog race controllers that enable two cars to race simultaneously.

• The layout measures 13′ long by 6′ feet wide and is wired for use with a 120-volt power source.

• The loop course incorporates two hairpin turns and is bordered by trackside structures, lighting towers, hay bales, trees, and shrubbery.

• The pit area features crew stations, covered workshops, fenced car storage, and a two-tier grandstand that faces the straightaway.

• Outfield bleachers are situated in front of the player station and overlook the pit area.

• Miniature figurines positioned around the course depict track workers, drivers, and spectators.

• Among the corporate logos displayed trackside are Shell, Agip, Champion, Girling, Bilstein, and Solex.

• Period sponsor installations include an illuminated Esso oil man, the Martini barn, the Marchal elevated sign, and the Dunlop bridge with spectators positioned on the arch.

• An assortment of 19 slot cars accompanies the track, each finished in period livery and outfitted with a driver.

Other Details:

• The raceway is offered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with two stools, two controllers, and 19 slot cars.

• The track is constructed of wood and is equipped with trackside lighting, Armco-style railings, and grandstands.

• The replica Porsche 917 body houses the raceway and is constructed of composite material fitted over a tubular frame that rolls on casters.

• The shell is finished in Gulf livery with sponsor logos and features number 20 on the front, sides, and rear.

• Details include functional headlights and taillights, a windshield wiper, side windows, simulated dual exhaust outlets, and a hinged fuel-filler cap.

• Black center-lock wheels are fitted with racing slicks that show wear.

• The body features a clamshell design with three hinges fitted to the right side, and the power-operated opening mechanism can be activated via a surface-mounted switch or a wireless remote control.

Have you ever seen a 1996 Daihatsu Midget II? I haven't. It's super cool. It has a U.S. title and being a no reserve auction, someone is going to be the talk of the town with this very unique little truck.

History:

• Produced from 1996 to 2001

• Sold as a mini-truck or cargo van with optional all-wheel-drive

• Built within Japan's "kei" car specifications for size and power

Features:

• Japanese-spec, right-hand-drive truck

• Equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission

• Titled in Arizona, USA

• Metric instrument cluster with odometer showing 117,800 km (approximately 73,200 miles)

• Finished in Emerald Green Metallic with a gray interior

• Factory equipment includes 10-inch wheels, front and rear chrome bumpers, a front-mounted spare tire, a chrome roll bar, and air conditioning

• Modifications include Pioneer Carrozzeria door speakers, an aftermarket wooden console and interior trim, an aftermarket shift knob, an aftermarket headliner, and an aftermarket window crank handle

• Powered by a 659cc 3-cylinder engine, rated at approximately 30 horsepower and 37 lb-ft of torque

• Rear-wheel drive

Other Details:

• Some flaws such as chips, scratches, and faded paint around the exterior, wear on the floor mat, and some corrosion on underbody components

• Recent service history includes an engine oil and filter change, new tires, a new battery, and a sales inspection performed in February 2023 at 73,126 miles

• Sale includes 1 key, dual-power outlet, import documents

This mini-truck is being auctioned off by cars & bids. Details can be found here.

Who doesn't love a one-owner vehicle for over 50 years?? Especially when it's a Lotus. Check this Lotus out that is being auctioned off by Clasiq. Here are the details.

History:

• 1967 Lotus Elan Series 3

• First Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fiberglass body

• Rare to find one with same owner for over 50 years

• Purchased in 1969

Features:

• Complete body-off restoration with extensive upgrades

• Body prep and paint by Brian Sittenauer of Oxnard, CA in 2-stage Audi Ice Silver Metallic

• Wide-body professionally executed with flared-out fenders and wide wheels and tires

• Red vinyl bucket seats with black cloth inserts and black piping by Dan Miller Upholstery of Westlake Village, CA

• Black carpets, solid cherry wood dash, Black dash pad, new door cards

• GPS speedometer, shift-light tach, oil pressure, water temp, and fuel gauges, 200W audio system, hidden antenna, leather shift boot

• Tri-spoke steering wheel and short-throw shifter

• Original 1558 cc Twin-cam engine is now 1615 cc with 130 hp

• 4-wheel independent suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, Spax front shocks, Koni rear shocks, conversion to CV-joint half-shafts

Other details:

• Full documentation includes restoration pictures, history, provenance, craftsmen builders and performance modifications

• Everything great about the original has been dialed up to make this a head turning sports car equally at home on the street, track or show

• Lightly driven since complete frame-off restoration

• No issues of note

• New red tonneau cover, black Robbins soft top, windscreen and rubber seal

• Original badges, original spare wheel and 145-13 Dunlop tire, jack, knock-off hammer, and some original tools included

• Multiple spare parts included with sale of the car

• Original owner’s manual and shop manuals included

VROOMY OLD ADS

Love some of these old ads. Wish car companies today would be so bold

That's all for today's edition of The Daily Vroom. Until next time, happy bidding!

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A ROADERS REVIEW