Chef’s Kiss
This slice of 1970s delight is one that will certainly turn some heads. Not only is it a beautiful, Pininfarina-designed and highly capable rear mid-engined sports car, it was cutting edge in its design and has since become a fan favourite around the world. Many are Rosso Corsa, some are Giallo, but just 69 were ever built in this incredible shade, known as Verde Germoglio. How many out of those 69 are still running, and still in this colour is likely to be far, far less.
This example from Classic 42 has been lovingly restored in 2018, and is now running sweeter than ever thanks to a freshly refurbed high-revving, 65-degree V6 engine. With prices of the Dino steadily increasing over recent years, finding one in a unique colour combination such as this, with matching numbers is a real rarity!
427 reasons to go racing
First registered in 1968, this long-bodied 427 Big Block powered Corvette started life as a pretty regular highway cruiser, before it was purchased by Sacramento native and racer Randy Bryan to compete in events with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).
What followed was almost a decade of racing in the Corvette, competing in the GTO class at IMSA Camel GT Championship, and facing the challenge against Porsche 935s driven by the likes of Dick Barbour and co, as well as the monstrous McLaren-built works BMW 320 Turbos. Now this V8 racer resides with Duncan Hamilton ROFGO, and is eligible to compete in several historic events all over the world, including Le Mans Classic!
111 of a kind
Is it a Volkswagen Corrado? Is it a Ferrari F355? Is it some kind of 1980s Renault? Well, not quite. What it is though, is a 1991 Venturi 111, a car born from an admiration of design and performance, and a car that could have very easily been a huge success.
Derived from the contemporary Renault 21 Turbo, this example is powered by a turbocharged, fuel-injected 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine developing a claimed 185 horsepower. It’s sleek styling initially proved to be a hit, but it’s reported a mere 600 Venturis of any kind were produced, making this time-warped, 201 miles from new example possibly the rarest survivor of them all! This example heads to auction with Broad Arrow Auctions in the Amelia Auction 2023.
A future icon
The time to invest in the early 2000s cars is right now. We’ve written this many times before, and a prime example of the future classic is the R230 Mercedes-Benz SL. Effortlessly stylish, aging like a fine wine and still packing a punch in its V8-powered derivatives, examples such as this one are becoming incredibly sought after.
This miniature McLaren SLR is in fact one from the runout series of the R230s and features a unique package that gives it a closer resemblance to the gullwing-doored icon. It features a carbon fibre bonnet & a finned rear diffuser, adding some further drama to the already eye-catching design. Better still, this stealthy example available from Young Timers Garage has covered just 8,100kms from new!
Make Touring Cars Great Again
This is one that needs no introduction, a car that simply by looking at that perfectly level suspension setup and cambered wheels, you know this is a car built for hugging apexes. Starting in 1987, the Italian Superturismo Championship was an instant success, and it wasn’t long until Alfa Romeo wanted to continue their long history of motorsports and decided to use their stylish 155 as their warrior.
Piloted by Fabrizio Giovanardi for the 1995 season, the Italian duo brought home seven podiums in 20 races and a win at Mugello. As 1990s racing cars go, there aren’t many as cool as the sleek lines of a race-ready 155, sat on lightweight OZ Wheels that seem to sink into the body of the car. Doesn’t it make you want to go racing? If so, head to Gooding & Company's upcoming sale!
