While the “Imperial” and “LeBaron” names became diluted on mainstream Chrysler cars in more recent history, the two had once created great American luxury together. LeBaron was America’s most distinguished designer of the period, creating bodies for the world’s top luxury automakers. The early 1930s Chrysler Imperials designed by LeBaron are among America’s most beautiful classics. Marjorie Merriweather Post, who owned General Foods Corporation, must have thought so when she purchased this 1933 Chrysler Imperial CL Dual Cowl Phaeton. Bonhams is offering the car at its Amelia Island auction, with a $375K-$450K pre-sale estimate.
You might remember Lamborghini’s LM002. One of the first people to purchase an LM002 back in the 1908s was Sylvester Stallone, of “Rambo” movie fame, which inspired the vehicle’s “Rambo Lambo” nickname. Since that era, you may have always wanted to own this V-12, three-ton off-road monster that goes from 0-60 in under 8 seconds, and carries a 75-gallon fuel tank. At its Miami auction in December, RM Sotheby’s is offering a 1991 LM002, with under 6,000 miles on the odometer, which is #279 out of 328 made. Putting this Rambo Lambo in your driveway is guaranteed to make a statement to the neighbors.
More than 10 years after the introduction of Ferrari’s 458 Spider, this open-top version of its mid-engine Berlinetta remains one the marque’s most sought after cars. Our most recent “Model Masterpiece” explains why.
There were only nine Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale ever made. According to RM Sotheby’s, each was built at a cost of $1m in 2010, and one of them sold at the Elkhart Collection auction in October for $489k. It was virtually a brand new car, with just over 200 miles.
The 2020 Bentley Flying Spur has been called “the ultimate expression of the internal combustion age” by the marque. It been priced at $215,000 and features a 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, a rather curious choice for a huge luxury sedan.
The early results of automotive streamlining were nothing less than art, which is why the Portland Art Museum is celebrating the era with a special exhibit. Featuring 19 rare streamlined vehicles,The Shape of Speed: Streamlined Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1930-1942, opened June 16 and runs until September 16.
The 1965 Maserati Sebring offered by Bonhams was built in July 1965 and delivered to a customer in Rome. Although the car’s history after the first owner is not well known, its equipment and Azzuro Vincennes color with Senape interior have been verified by the Maserati Classiche program.
Now in its 20th year, RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island hopes to cement its superiority in sell-through rate and top-tier consignments. 2018’s docket is a perfect example, with 100 classic automobiles for sale, 11 of which are predicted to fetch 7 figures.
Over a four year period, 7,085 were made, with most sold in the U.S. Many Tiger owners modified, raced and wrecked their cars, and so models left in stock or near-stock condition are relatively rare. Bonhams is offering such a car, a 1965 Tiger that remained in the hands of its original owner until 2014. The red Tiger has a pre-sale estimate of $90,000-$120,000 and will be offered without reserve.
