Jaguar’s last Le Mans racer
Built from 2006 right up to 2014, the second-generation Jaguar XKR is perhaps only now starting to get the limelight it deserves. It’s a car that oozes style, charm and plenty of power when needed, often found cruising along England’s south coast with the odd rust spot and electrical issue here and there. Cruisers they are, racers they are not, but in 2010 Jaguar and American race team Rocketsports Racing wanted to change all of that, creating the XKR-S GT2.
This truly unique piece of Jaguar’s extensive racing history was the very last car from the brand to compete in the gruelling Le Mans 24hr endurance race in 2010, marking Jaguar’s 75th anniversary plus 25 years since their last participation with the XJ220C. Not only did this sleek racer tackle Le Sarthe, but it also competed in multiple ALMS seasons, as well as the Sebring 12 hour. If a slice of modern British motorsport history is what’s missing from your collection, this will certainly fill that gap, and is available via Duncan Hamilton ROFGO.
Drop head gorgeous
Often regarded as one of Alfa Romeo’s greatest creations, the 6C 2500 debuted in 1939 as the third series of Vittorio Jano’s legendary inline six-cylinder Alfas, instantly becoming an icon within the brand’s vast history.
Despite being initially produced in 1939, the war meant production was halted for the 6C, but afterwards, Alfa got right back to it and continued the assembly for this elegant machine. As Alfa’s post-war cars followed pre-war practices, so did the coachwork of Turin’s Pinin Farina, although the art deco obsession had faded somewhat. This fine example available via Very Superior Old Cars has been impeccably maintained and is finished in a glorious colour combination. Even better, it's eligible for multiple concours and historic events around the globe.
One brutish Benz
If you’re looking for the ultimate wolf in effortlessly stylish sheep’s clothing, look no further than this bruiser. Priced new in 2009 at a staggering 319,000 euros, this Mercedes-Benz CL65 was the pinnacle of luxury and refinement from the brand at the time, all wrapped up in a sophisticated and effortlessly stylish package. If you could afford it new, this was arguably the ultimate car for demolishing motorway miles, thanks to its 612 horsepower and - wait for it - 1,000 NM of torque. 1,000!
Being an exceptionally expensive car from new, examples of CL65s are something of a rarity nowadays, but this example from Koster & Hogeslag Automotive is the real deal, offering supreme luxury for a fraction of the original sale price!
The milestone Mercury
Wrap your head around this one, by May 1927 - a mere 24 years after being incorporated - Ford Motor Company built its 15,000,000th Model T, a vehicle that became a symbol of everyday usability and reliability. Fast forward to 1953, exactly 70 years ago, and Ford celebrated their 40,000,000th car to roll off their production line. That car was this very Mercury Monterey offered in Gooding & Company’s upcoming sale.
Seemingly never used for any significant journeys, this time-warp Mercury Monterey shows a staggering 688 miles on the clock. As a car of serious historical significance, both for its place in the history of Ford and as a preservation reference for the model, this amazing find deserves serious consideration by any Ford collector!
As good as it gets
In case you haven’t discovered it yet, perfection exists, and it comes in the form of a golden-era Rosso Chiaro Ferrari. This undisputed king of cool has been one of the prancing horse’s jewels since it burst onto the scene in 1967. A mere 330 275 GTB/4s were built, and while many have been lovingly restored and repainted, this example at Schaltkulisse is one of the very few that has been left to age like a perfectly crisp fine wine.
Its history and low number of owners suggest that the car has been preserved, with no evidence of resprays or retrimming. Its rich black leather interior shows just the right amount of patina, allowing the next custodian to enjoy it to the fullest without the worry of ruining its originality. If you’re looking for automotive perfection, this is absolutely it.
