Unusual Doesn’t Cut It
With far fewer than 10,000 Alpine GTAs ever built, this 1999 example was always going to be a rare sight on the road, but that’s before German tuning company Autohaus Pahnhenrich GmBH transformed it into a unique drop-top totally unlike anything else. However, don’t think this was a simple job, because being based in Germany, Pahnhenrich had to make this unusual Alpine comply with the strict TUV rules.
Fortunately, the Alpine GTA’s fibreglass bodywork and steel chassis made the roof removal fairly straightforward with minimal strengthening required. With the challenging part out the way, they added a wide body kit for maximum attitude, 15 inch three-piece BBS wheels, a bespoke Koenig leather interior, and a modest power bump to 220 hp. Finished in burgundy inside and out, this unique Alpine currently shows just 27,554 km and would be the perfect way to totally confuse other enthusiasts at your next car meet.
Mr Boombastic
Nothing in recent years has exploded in value quite like the JDM heroes of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, and we would argue the first-generation Toyota MR2 is more than likely going to follow suit. This final-year 1989 example would be an excellent candidate to preserve or simply enjoy on the open road, with razor-sharp 1980s styling, a lightweight Lotus-esque chassis, and a firecracker of a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine mounted just behind the cockpit.
Finished light Mica blue metallic, this MR2 presents in time-warp condition with a scant 24,680 miles on the clock. Climb inside the driver-focused cabin, and you’ll notice the blue velour interior looks practically showroom-fresh. As far as affordable modern classics go, there’s very little for the money that will offer such a rewarding driving experience.
V10 with a Side of Anxiety
Out of all the generations of the BMW M5, the E39 is likely the model that receives the most adoration among petrol heads. However, if you’re feeling brave, there’s an even more exciting and far less appreciated iteration ready to give you the ride of your life: the V10-powered E60 generation M5. Sure there’s always the risk of rod bearing failures, Vanos issues, SMG troubles, and water pump woes, but when properly maintained, the E60 offers some of the most fun that can be had in a vehicle with four doors.
If you’re going to buy one of these V10 super saloons, this 2005 example with just 77,950 km would be an excellent choice, boasting a full BMW service history from new. Naturally the star of the show is the S85 5-litre V10, capable of producing over 500 horsepower and rocketing this Bavarian spaceship to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Its spec is also right on the money, combining an Interlagos Blue exterior with a full Merino leather interior in light Sepang Bronze. With Karl Elmitt’s exterior styling ageing gracefully, we recommend snapping up one of these naturally aspirated V10 rockets before they disappear into the stratosphere.
Hide Your Tyres!
If we could point to a single car being responsible for the simply unhinged horsepower figures that have seemingly become commonplace in the hypercar arena, it would be the Rimac Nevera. Capable of deploying almost 500 horsepower to each individual wheel, Mate Rimac’s 1,914 horsepower Croatian cruise missile did a fabulous job of embarrassing every other hypercar when it was first unveiled with the name ‘Concept Two’ at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. In fact, it was so successful that Mate Rimac was promptly made the CEO of Bugatti, and the rest is history.
It may not have an ear-splitting naturally aspirated engine, but the Nevera makes up for it with sheer tyre-shredding pace. 0-60 is dispatched in just 1.97 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 258 mph. Even the range is impressive, with the Nevera capable of travelling up to 300 miles on a single charge. This particular delivery-mileage example is finished in the bespoke combination of Quantum Silver over a Burgundy leather interior, while touches like the Teran Red metallic stripes and tinted red matte carbon add to the curb side appeal. All we can say is good luck to anyone trying to keep up in something with a combustion engine.
The Way of the Mantis
No, this isn’t the villain’s ride of choice from F-Zero, Speed Racer, or some other fantasy racing series, this wild Marcos Mantis XP was a cutting edge British prototype built in 1968 to hunt down glory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its science fiction exterior, designed by the Adams brothers, was quite unlike any other racing machine of its era, while the 296 horsepower 3-litre Repco Brabham Formula 1 engine gave it the pace and exhaust note to strike fear in the competition.
Unfortunately, the Mantis XP’s chance at victory was denied when the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans had to be postponed due to student riots in Paris. Instead, it headed to Spa Francorchamps that year, where it took part in the 1000 km endurance race, only to complete 17 of the 71 laps due to biblical weather conditions. While it may not boast a glittering resume packed with race wins, the Mantis XP’s otherworldly design and F1-derived powertrain place it among the coolest prototype racers of the 1960s.
