Just 16 people in the world will be able to buy a Bentley Batur convertible, the latest in a series of ultra-limited coachbuilt cars from the British automaker. The two-seat convertible follows last year’s Batur coupe, of which 18 were made. The coupe was not offered in the U.S., but the convertible reportedly will be. Both are based on the Bentley Continental GT, a model that starts at about $250,000. The Baturs are in a whole other league – indeed, a whole other ball game – with pricing believed to be a bit over $2 million before personalization options.
Even as Porsche moves toward electrification across its line, the German automaker keeps ratcheting up the performance from its gas-fueled sports cars. The recently revealed 718 Spyder RS becomes the ultimate rendition of the Porsche Boxster and arrives next spring. The Spyder RS is basically the open version of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS available now. Both of these incredible mid-engine cars use a 493-hp naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine from the 911 GT3
Here’s the backstory on the Ferrari Superamerica, first introduced in 2005. Ferrari built only 559 Superamericas, with 170 exported to the United States. At its Monterey auction in August, RM Sotheby’s is offering a Superamerica featuring special order paint and interior, with under 12,000 miles.
Picture yourself behind the wheel of this classic 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, with your hair slicked back and Wayfarers on. Back then, you would have paid $14,380 for a new one. Today, the pre-sale estimate for this restored beauty at RM Sotheby’s Scottsdale auction is $300k – $350k.
Think you’re “a very good driver” like Raymond Babbitt? Here’s your chance to own the 1949 Buick Roadmaster from “Rain Man,” the 1988 film starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. The car has been owned by Hoffman for 34 years, and is now offered by Bonham’s at its Scottsdale auction, with a pre-sale estimate of $150k – $250k.
Steve McQueen’s Highland Green 1968 Mustang fastback from the movie Bullitt is going up for sale at Mecum’s auction in Kissimmee, Fl in January. It was a daily driver in the 1970’s, and has now made its way to the auction block.
Put the words “Mercedes” and “convertible” together, and you’re all but guaranteed a highly desirable luxury automobile. Turn the clock back to the late 1960s, and you could only be talking about the 280 SE, the marque’s flagship image model at the time.
When you say “Speedster” in the same sentence as “Porsche,” it’s usually assumed you are speaking about the stripped-down 1954-1958 variant of the 356. Capitalizing on the power of its own heritage – and the power of nostalgia – Porsche also built three different production 911 Speedsters, the most plentiful being the 1989 model. All have become desirable collectibles.
I had owned a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 230SL shortly after graduating college and loved that car for its purely mechanical appeal. The younger 230 SLK had so much of the same DNA it was remarkable. It felt like a modern roadster, yet was unmistakably Mercedes.
