The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of the most important events of its kind, and possibly the most emblematic. The class of car on display is unparalleled, and attention to detail is taken to the extreme in this car elegance contest. A true showcase of vanities, engineering, art and beauty.
In order to take advantage of the concentration of collectors and those interested in historic cars, some auction houses keep their greatest assets for this time. Pebble Beach auctions run from 15th to 17th August and are held by RM Auctions and Gooding & Company.
After some internal discussion here at Razão Automóvel, among which the best cars that will be auctioned this year in Pebble Beach, I decided to create a TOP 10. In a mix of personal taste, historical importance and beauty, I selected the following models:
10 – Tucker 48
Three headlights and six tailpipes. Why not? This was more or less the thinking of the American company that in 1948 decided to produce the Tucker 48. A rare car, with 51 units produced and with details that fit perfectly into the exuberance of Detroit productions of the 40s and 50s. The Tucker 48 is an important car since it is the materialization of the effort and audacity that the company had to abandon the production of aircraft engines – an activity that guaranteed good profits – to dedicate itself to research and development of automobiles. Values of around 1,200,000$ (882,000€) are expected.
9 – Vector W8 Twin Turbo
Remember talking about the 90's in the form of 4 wheels at the beginning of the text? Well, it was the Vector W8 Twin Turbo that I was referring to. This model dates back to 1993 and is an excellent summary of the 90s in car form. Vector was an American company that made a W8 based on the most advanced materials in the aeronautical industry, hence the full brand name being Vector Aeromotive Corporation. The W8 Twin Turbo is equipped with a 6 liter V8 engine, capable of taking it to 350 km/h. In total, 17 W8 Twin Turbo were sold, a factor that, together with the bold design, make this one of the most coveted cars at this auction. It is expected to sell for no less than $500,000 (€370,000).
8 – Dual Ghia
Automotive critics at the time wrote that the Rolls Royces had become the cars for those who couldn't afford a Ghia. Although we may or may not agree with the opinion, what is certain is that this Dual Ghia presents itself as an extremely rare car, whose luxury impressed at the time, and the shapes still do it today. Frank Sinatra is just one of the names on the list of celebrities who have owned a branded car.
7 – Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype
The Ford GT40 is already a fantastic car now imagine listening to that monstrous V8 with hair in the wind. This particular unit was used by, among others, Carroll Shelby in development testing. Again, rarity is a crucial factor as only 12 Ford Gt40 Roadster Prototypes have been built. More than 4 000 000$ (€3 000 000) are expected.
6 – Aston DB3s
The Aston Martin DB3S was used by the brand in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Although it hasn't won any races, the Aston Martin DB3S has the pedigree and the right credentials: fluid lines that seem to have inspired other manufacturers like Ferrari, a 3-liter engine producing 210 hp and the mythical green. 20 units were produced. A value of between 5,000,000$ and 7,000,000$ (3,700,000 – 5,000,000€) is expected.
5 – Porsche 917k
Coveted as one of motorsport's most successful automobiles, the Porsche 917k up for auction was the first Porsche of the 917 series to enter competition, in addition to being featured in the 1971 film Le Mans and being sponsored by the mythical Gulf . It is said that the experience of driving a Porsche 917 was simply terrifying. Unfortunately we didn't have the opportunity to prove it, but we can see and hear the glorious sound of a Porsche 917K on the track. As for the value it will reach, one can only expect many “zeros” in the final value.
4- Lamborghini Miura SV
A car that needs no introduction. The result of the imagination of a small and young group of engineers from the house of Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Lamborghini Miura is still considered by many to be the first supercar. In the particular case of the Miura SV that is up for auction, the exterior is in traditional yellow while the interior is black, in leather. A lush combination.
3 – Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R
Also known as “Hakosuka,” this 1972 Nissan Skyline features an in-line 6-cylinder engine. This was the model that truly started Nissan's GT-R legacy. A true Japanese cult car that is increasingly becoming a difficult dream to achieve with an expected sales value of $170,000 (€125,000), with a tendency to increase in value.
2 – Ferrari 275 GTB/4
What sets this Ferrari 275 GTB/4 apart from the rest is its former owner, the “King of Cool”, Steve McQueen. The Ferraris 275 GTB/4 that have been auctioned already raise millions, but in this case, a value of around 10,000,000$ (€7,350,000) is expected. The Ferrari 275 is powered by a gorgeous old-fashioned Ferrari 3.3l V12 block, hidden under the iconic long bonnet.
1 – Toyota 2000GT
There are some cars that will certainly reach 6 or 7 times the expected value of this Toyota 2000GT, which could be worth 1 300 000$ (950 000 €). However, this is the car that occupies the first place in my Top 10. Why? Because it's the first truly collectible Japanese car, the first super sports Japanese car, and… because I love this car! Despite the modest 150hp obtained from the inline 6-cylinder block with 2 liters of capacity, the Toyota 2000GT proved to have an exemplary behavior for its height. The Design is also an asset, with a long “nose” and lines that still inspire current cars like the Toyota GT86. 351 units were produced.
Now, if you allow me, I'm going to play in the Euromillions and I'll be right back…
Images: RM Auction and others.