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Record Bids, Bold Listings, and a Masterclass in Presentation

The Daily Vroom

Hey Vroomers!

Welcome to all our new community members that joined over the weekend.

Weekends tend to be for me anyway a time to get out to that local cars and coffee event and meet like minded enthusiasts. For others it's about finding, bidding and winning that car of their dreams. Well there were two such sales over the 'weekend' with the Friday sale of the Countach we mentioned last week for a 'reasonable' $2.5m which was the 3rd highest online sale of the year behind two Bugatti Chirons. And then on Saturday this Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder Re-Creation didn't sell and then eventually sold after the auction for $820,000. So not exactly the quiet weekend...

Catch you tomorrow, 

Sam

A Masterclass in Presentation

Every day we see fabulous and unique listings come up across the many auction sites that we check daily. Often we see the great sellers on these platforms rise above the rest with the way that they present the treasures that they have sourced with knowledge, passion and appreciation for the significance of the listed item and for the benefit of bidders, buyers and passionate watchers, who often need to rely on these online listings to show the facts, flaws and details of a six or seven figure purchase that they may well not be able to inspect personally.

In this case, we saw a historically significant vehicle, with an entirely unique and documented history, that was presented in such rich detail that I felt like I could feel the finishes and appreciate the incredible work that went into restoring and resurrecting this from a barn find to a concours winner.

The owners of this particular listing went to almost unimaginable lengths, and unfathomable expense, to recreate the original quality and details, utilizing a team of experts over a number of years to faithfully recreate and perfect this one of a kind masterpiece.

You may be thinking that this vehicle is some sort of Bugatti, Duesenberg or Ferrari, but it is not. In this case, it is a Ferrari of the lake. A stunning early Riva design with a V12 that is the one remaining boat of the four that were ever built.

Leading up to the sale, commenters doubted whether BaT was the right place to list it. Seemingly stuck at $350K with a day to go, there were questions about whether it would meet reserve. In the end, with a high bid of $550K, it seemed that reserve would not be met.

As it turns out, using the new best offer system as a starting point and with some shrewd negotiating between the parties, a deal was struck for $725K. In most cases this would not be able to happen as the best offer system only allows you to make one offer. But no doubt since the seller is ‘well-known’, the buyer would have been able to find out their contact details and then negotiate out of the system. Kudos to both the buyer and seller for informing the platform, so that they receive their commission cut.

Now, for some land lubbers, this may seem an outrageous sum, but a look at some of the prices for modern fiberglass boats will help put this in context. The Perlita Too has been meticulously prepared for another 50 years of service that will be delivered in unmatched performance and style.

Congratulations to both the seller scott_ales (who is often featured in listings here) and the buyer Tiny_Tim. Many of us were watching in awe as this listing progressed. From the initial presentation, with incredible documentation and hundreds of incredible photos, through to the auction close and the post auction negotiations, this should be offered up as a masterclass on how to list and manage a sale.

Auctions To Keep An Eye On This Week

In another attempt to chase the perfect example, we see a listing that some might dismiss as an inferior recreation. In this case, it seems that the owner, who sought out a Carrera RS N/GT unicorn, could not find or source the perfect example.

Instead, they faithfully recreated one using a 1991 Carrera 2 as a base and opening their checkbook to the tune of â‚Ź250K. While 2,282 examples of the 964 Carrera RS were produced in total (and these are wildly desirable themselves), just 290 of these were built in ‘Clubsport’ specification to FIA Group N regulations and for GT racing.

Like the buyer of the Riva above, the buyer of this auction listing can be assured that absolutely every detail has been documented and looked over in this build. We will be watching this unfold to see where the bids end up.

This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet is all about that timeless, mid-century style paired with the unmistakable elegance of a black-on-cognac color combo. Collector-owned and meticulously maintained, it's got all the right ingredients: a smooth inline-six engine, rare KĂźhlmeister air-conditioning, and those iconic double-stacked headlights that scream vintage Hollywood.

What really sets this one apart is how easy it is to keep on the road. Forget the wallet-draining restorations—this one's already been sorted inside and out, from the wood-trimmed dash to the silky leather seats. It’s an effortlessly cool cruiser that turns heads and makes every drive feel like a scene from a ‘60s film. The best part? It delivers almost all the charm of the late-model 3.5 cars but at a fraction of the cost. If you’re into classic drop-tops that combine luxury, style, and drivability, this 280SE is one to watch.

The 1986 Ferrari Testarossa ‘Monospecchio’ is an icon that defined a generation. Finished in Rosso Corsa over Nero leather, this Testarossa is more than just a pretty face—it’s a piece of automotive history. The Monospecchio (single mirror) is the early, rare configuration that screams ‘80s cool, combining a sleek, wide body with those signature side strakes that defined supercars of the era.

With only 16k miles, this car’s got its whole life ahead of it, backed by a 4.9L flat-12 engine delivering 390 horsepower. It’s got the pop-up headlights, the gated shifter, and all the drama you’d expect from a car that doesn’t just roll down the road but demands it. And let's not forget the driving experience—smooth manual shifts, precise handling from the double wishbone suspension, and a top speed pushing 180 mph. This isn’t just a car; it’s a time machine on four wheels that transports you straight back to the golden age of excess.

This Testarossa isn’t just about looks—it’s about the way it makes you feel. A genuine Monospecchio is a rare find and an absolute thrill to drive or even just admire in the garage. If you want a Ferrari that captures the bold spirit of the ‘80s, this one’s worth keeping an eye on.

This isn’t just any AE86; it’s a bona fide star, thanks to its high-octane appearances on Throttle House’s YouTube channel. If you know, you know—this is the legendary road trip car that’s been ripping up the internet, and now it’s up for grabs with a no-reserve listing. Under the hood, you’ve got a 2.0-liter BEAMS ‘Black Top’ engine swap mated to a 6-speed manual that’s primed for action. Add in the Tomei LSD, T3 coilovers, and a killer white and black wrap, and you’ve got a JDM icon that’s been taken to the next level.

This isn’t just some garage queen; it’s a beast built to be driven, with a sound and style that scream ‘80s drift king vibes. Pop-up headlights, that unmistakable shape, and the kind of mods that make every drive an event. If you’re looking for a car that’s dripping in coolness, history, and outright fun, this is it.

Forget your average collector car—this GT-S is a rolling legend, a piece of internet fame, and a damn good time on four wheels.

Quite a few people might be a little upset with me for highlighting this one - as they want it kept quiet! But I just couldn’t not write about it.

This 1995 BMW M3 Lightweight is one of those rare unicorns that every BMW enthusiast dreams about. Only 126 were ever built, and this one is showing just 29k miles—truly a needle in the haystack. Finished in iconic Alpine White with tri-color Motorsport flag decals, it’s got all the hallmarks of a proper ‘90s legend: slicktop roof, aluminum door skins, an adjustable splitter, raised rear wing, and of course, that punchy 3.0-liter S50 inline-six mated to a five-speed manual and limited-slip diff. It’s sharper, lighter, and just a whole lot cooler than a regular E36 M3—and no, it’s definitely NOT a clone.

The Lightweight badge isn’t just for show—these cars are packed with details that make them feel special. The Turner Motorsport ECU chip, forged alloy wheels, and European-spec suspension all add up to a driving experience that’s still just as exhilarating today as it was back in the ‘90s. And let’s not forget that this isn’t just a car you’ll drive—it’s a car you’ll talk about at every Cars and Coffee, with people constantly asking, “Is it real?”

These cars were once dealer lot sleepers, practically given away, and now they’re absolute crown jewels of the M3 lineage.

This M3 Lightweight is a pure statement piece—rare, distinctive, and an absolute riot to drive. It’s a no-reserve listing,(wohoo) so someone’s going home with a serious piece of BMW history. If you know, you know. And if you don’t? Well, time to catch up, because cars like this don’t stay hidden for long.

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