- The Daily Vroom
- Posts
- Meet Us This Weekend!
Meet Us This Weekend!
The Daily Vroom
Good Morning Vroomers!
While I spend lots of time sitting at a desk scouring the internet for interesting listings, thereâs something wonderful about seeing carsâand the people who love themâIRL. I often find myself traveling, and great cars are usually involved when I do. Iâm often bi-coastal and international and hope to be in even more places in 2025. It seems that you, our readers, respond well to chronicles of these journeys, and weâre excited to share more.
We recently wrote about our adventures at The Bridge, and we had planned to join for the Audrain Newport Concours, but family obligations got in the way.
This weekendâs activities while Iâm on the East Coast are worth highlighting. On Saturday, weâll be joining the BaT Alumni event in Bedford, NY, hosted by 1600 Veloce. Cars have already been selected for display (I may have a personal favorite on display), but admission is free and open to all.
A live panel discussion will take place at 11:00 am, featuring Randy Nonnenberg, Anthony - 1600veloce, Mercedes-Benz expert and BaT seller Dean Laumbach, and Philip Richter of Coker Farm, Turtle Garage, and the Turtle Invitational.
On Sunday morning, Iâll get an early start to display at the New Canaan Caffeine and Carburetors event at Waveny Park. Display vehicles were all registered a while back, but admission is free and open to all.
If youâd like to try to meet up at one of these events, please email me at [email protected] and we can try to connect. Moving forward, weâd love to schedule some community meetups around these events.
As the East Coast starts to pack up its toys for the incoming winter, weâll shift our sights to warmer climates and 2025 plans. If you have favorite events you think we should be aware of and consider adding to our calendar for the year ahead, please let us know. You can email me here at any time.
With all that traveling in mind over the next few days, Iâll be back on Monday.
Have a great weekend and hope to see some of you out there on Saturday & Sunday.
Sam
MARKET LEADERBOARD
đ° The figures shared below donât 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.
YESTERDAYâS TOP 5 SALES
Want to dive deeper into any of these listings? Just click on the car to take you directly to the listing.
Auctions To Keep An Eye On
A lot of you have been asking for a few unique picks, and hereâs a trio that hits all the right notes. First up, the 1963 Porsche 356 B â not exactly a bargain, but a real showcase of Porsche heritage and a matching-numbers classic that feels like stepping back in time. Then thereâs the quirky 1987 Renault Alliance GTA â a rare gem from Renaultâs American experiment, perfect for those who want to stand out at Cars and Coffee. And finally, a 1990 Land Rover Defender 90, rebuilt and ready to tackle any trail. Each of these offers something unique, and with the latter two at no reserve, thereâs even a shot at a great deal.
The 1963 Porsche 356 B 1600 Coupe up for auction is a true classic. This oneâs got all the right elements: a rare, matching-numbers car with a $18,000 engine restoration and a sleek Oslo Blue finish that pops. Itâs loaded with period features like the Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel, tan upholstery, and a spotless array of details down to the matching wheels. Altogether, this 356 B isnât just any collectible; itâs a time capsule on wheels, carrying Porscheâs heritage in every curve and chrome detail.
Now, hereâs the thing: Hagerty, known for its insurance, also offers a car valuation tool. Youâd think that information would be seamlessly integrated into the listing, but to see it here, youâve got to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and find âHow much is this car worth?â buried in the fine print. Then, if youâre inclined to click, youâre taken off the auction page entirely, which is a poor experience. Regardless of where you stand on Hagertyâs valuation accuracy, that information should be up front, maybe even in a pop-up that doesnât disrupt the browsing experience.
Is this just a lack of focus on the online aspect of their company? Seems like it. For a brand investing in the online auction world, placing data right where buyers need it isnât just helpful; itâs essential. And in a world where attention spans are shrinking, making a user hunt for core information is one way to lose them.
Hereâs one for the left-field crowd: the 1987 Renault Alliance GTA, a one-year-only coupe with a manual transmission, made just for the American market. And letâs be real â how many of you had even heard of this one? But thatâs part of its charm. This is the car thatâll have people doing double-takes at your next Cars and Coffee. Forget the usual suspects; this is the oddball thatâll stand out in a sea of sameness.
Renault took a shot at giving the humble Alliance some street cred with a Zender body kit, 15-inch Ronal wheels, sport seats, and a stiffer suspension. Under the hood, youâre getting a 2.0L engine putting out 95 hp â not a screamer, but in a car this light, itâs enough for some spirited drives. This particular example is mostly unmodified, except for a few period-correct tweaks like an OMP strut brace and springs from a Renault 11 Turbo.
Now, did I mention itâs no reserve? And with bids sitting surprisingly low, this GTA is shaping up to be an absolute steal. Itâs rare, funky, and filled with â80s charm. For the price, youâll be hard-pressed to find something this unique.
Hereâs a twist on the classic Land Rover Defender 90 Pick Up, but this oneâs been given a proper overhaul to make it stand out in a crowd. Itâs got the heart of a 4.2L Rover V8, a new gearbox, and all the touches to make it look as mean as it drives. And best part? No reserve on this one, so someone might just walk away with a serious machine without breaking the bank.
Finished in Hunter Green with a sleek black soft top, this Defender rides on beefy 18-inch âSawtoothâ alloys and BF Goodrich tires â itâs ready to hit the road, dirt, or wherever you feel like taking it. With high-lift suspension, LED lights, a custom bumper, and a bespoke exhaust, this rig has been set up with modern touches but keeps all that rough-and-ready British soul.
Inside, the MOMO steering wheel and DAB-compatible Pioneer stereo bring some added style, because who says you canât enjoy a bit of luxury while youâre climbing mountains? Plus, with the rebuild, youâve got a practically fresh Defender thatâs seen just a handful of miles since its last tune-up.
So, if youâre after a Defender that looks as good at a show as it does in the wild, this one checks all the boxes. This is the kind of ride thatâll turn heads at the coffee meet and then tackle the toughest trails without breaking a sweat. And with no reserve, you might just be able to snag it for a steal.
Your Feedback
Yesterday we asked you what you think this Special-Roadster-Style 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K is worth. The majority of you voted for $5m-$10m. With the 12 days left in the auction, weâll just have to wait and see what happens. In the meantime below is some of your feedback.
Over $10 million. Excellence is always rewarded. Creating awareness to this amazing piece of automotive art is essential to maximizing its potential. This will be or should be on everyoneâs watch list.
All the History that this represents- Steve
I feel like you buried the lead on this one. This car has had not one, but two replacement bodies. Yes, itâs a ârealâ 500 K chassis, but not originally a longtail special roadster. My guess is it was shopped to the main auction companies, who turned it down or wanted to charge their regular rates, and then the owner decided to go with BaT. Not bad, but also not $10m.
I question whether bat is the place for such a car. I believe it is worth near $10m, but cant see someone bidding close to that online.
Enjoying The Daily Vroom?
Pay it forward by sharing this newsletter with an automotive aficionado in your circles. Your endorsement allows us to accelerate our growth.
Send them to thedailyvroom.com to subscribe for free.
Reply