Can a car crash ever be positive? Just ask collectors who seek the rare Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ, a lightweight racer that could also be road driven. In major European sports car races, the Alfa became known as a giant killer for its winning ways. It all started when a race driver had an older Alfa re-bodied by Zagato after a crash. Alfa Romeo like the result enough to commission 200 copies from the famous coachbuilder. Bonhams is offering one of those at its Amelia Island auction, with a pre-sale estimate of $350K-$400K. Meanwhile, Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island auction also has one of these rarities, also red, with an estimate up to $500K.
Spanning August 12th-14th, Bonhams annual Quail Lodge Auctions will be held online. They will be part of Petersen Museum’s Online Car Week, welcome set of car events including a Concours d’Elegance finale on August 16.
In 1964, Porsche introduced the 904 Carrera GTS for competition. It was a more focused track machine with an eye on FIA GT racing, and had immediate racing success. This model put Porsche on an endurance racing path that would culminate with its first Le Mans overall wins with the astounding 917 racers in 1970 and 1971.
The Porsche Werks Reunion has been a highlight of Monterey for the last three years. Now, the Porsche Club of America is setting up shop in Amelia Island, and bringing over 600 Porsches with it.
Despite the Porsche 911’s immense and ongoing success, the 356 series has always maintained a loyal fan base. The 356 was, however, a notorious ruster, which claimed many of the 76,000 built from 1948-1965. The rarest, including the first 50 or so coupes hand-built in Gmund, Austria between 1948 and 1950, plus some later models, can fetch $1.5 million.
This weekend, the Porsche Club of America’s national convention drifts into the Jay Peak resort for a week of friends, fun, and eclectic German humor. The biggest event on the PCA calendar, the Porsche Parade is one of the world’s largest agglomerates of 356s, 911s, and their lesser-known siblings.
