Some truly breathtaking classic vehicles recently sold at auction, and these beauties showcase the power, craftsmanship, and attractive designs that the car-loving public has come to associate with classics. These vehicles included a 1965 Porsche 911, a 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia Berlinetta, a 1978 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser, a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, and a 1976 BMW Alpina B2. Join us on our tour of these remarkable entries in automotive history!
1965 Porsche 911
The 1965 Porsche 911 has certainly stood the test of time in terms of performance and style. With its short wheelbase, sloping hood, and short rear deck, the vehicle is striking and distinct. Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designed the car.
The remarkable 1965 Porsche 911 unit that was recently sold, chassis 300751, was one of the first 1,000 911s that Porsche produced, and it was manufactured at the Stuttgart production line.
Incredibly, the unit is believed to have remained with its original owner until his passing in 2014, when it was then inherited by his son.
In 2018, the original owner’s son sold the car to the consignor, and a year later, the vehicle underwent important repairs. These repairs helped this car sell for an incredible €126,500 at auction. The car was initially delivered to Hartman + Köster in Bielefeld, Germany, due to an oil leak. They rebuilt the car’s factory replacement engine and upgraded it to a 2.2-liter and replaced its clutch. It originally came with a 2.0-liter air-cooled flat-six engine with 130 horsepower.
The car’s powertrain wasn’t the only part to receive an update — the consigner had the car’s original factory interior reinstalled, and it was repainted to an attractive cream color.
With its rebuilt and upgraded engine, iconic style, and other improvements, this stunning classic car is a dream for Porsche enthusiasts and is a force to be reckoned with.
1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia Berlinetta
The next entry on our tour is exceedingly rare. Alfa Romeo only produced 107 units of its 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia, some of which had Spider coachwork. This car features a Berlinetta body crafted by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan.
Since its production in 1938, chassis 815053 has changed hands many times and has undergone two restorations. In 1990, Alfa Romeo collector and dealer Douwe Heida had much work done on the run-down vehicle. The collector had it restored and repainted its original light blue color.
In 2003, an American collector named David Smith bought the car, and he had the vehicle undergo another restoration, which took two years. Those working on the car repainted the exterior black and retrimmed its interior with dark green leather.
Those restoring the car paid close attention to detail to ensure that its updates were period appropriate, including Carello driving lights and an in-dash Jaeger chronograph. They also installed an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce-sourced five-speed gearbox with a BMW clutch assembly, and it also still has its correct-type Alfa Romeo gearbox, number 843047. The Alfa Romeo brought in an astounding €850,000 at auction.
Additionally, the car has its matching-number 95-horsepower engine with correct-type triple Solex carburetors.
1978 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser
Toyota solidified its reputation as a high-quality manufacturer with their 40-Series Land Cruisers, which first came on the scene in 1960. These vehicles immediately made waves with their highly unique design as well as their ability to take on tough terrain.
This stunning 1978 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser features a torquey long-stroke 4.2-liter straight-six “2F” engine that’s mated with a dual-range, 4-speed transmission, and free-wheel hubs. Its horsepower is rated at 135 hp at 3,600 revolutions per minute and 210 foot-pounds of torque at 1,800 revolutions per minute. While many Toyota Land Cruisers run on diesel, the FJ40 runs on petrol. It also sports durable and capable BF Goodrich all-terrain tires.
It features disc brakes on its front axle and hydraulic 4-wheel drum brakes. Plus, its suspension is a semi-elliptical leaf spring.
This FJ40 is part of The Degenève Collection, which is a collection owned by one of Europe’s first Toyota dealers, and this one sold for €36,800 at auction. Its exterior boasts the Toyota Land Cruiser’s distinct and attractive box-like, 2-door jeep style, and it’s finished in its original Freeborn Red color.
With unmatched durability, unforgettable style, and a gorgeous red finish, this classic land cruiser can do it all. It can make a splash at classic car shows while also being able to navigate tough terrain.
1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
1959 was an especially notable year for Mercedes-Benz and the automotive industry in general. The manufacturer debuted the 300 SL, which showcased new stunning innovations that were truly revolutionary at the time. Its body was distinct, attractive, and aerodynamic. It was groundbreaking that such a beautiful car was also a remarkable powerhouse.
It featured an innovative fuel-injected 182.89 cu in M198 straight-six engine with a 4-speed manual transmission, boasting an impressive 215 hp at 5,800 revolutions per minute. Many consider the vehicle to be the first supercar because of its phenomenal performance and chic, one-of-a-kind style.
From 1954 to 1956, Mercedes-Benz only offered the vehicle as a coupe, but in 1957, the manufacturer switched from the coupe to the roadster. The 1959 model year is particularly special because the company only produced 211 units.
Chassis 9500070 is one of the greatest remaining units because it features its full-matching engine, gearbox, suspension, hardtop, differential, and steering box.
The car underwent an incredibly detailed and expensive restoration from 2016 to 2021. Its engine and mechanical components were restored, and its electrical system was replaced to factory specifications. All of the parts and materials were factory-correct.
It was also reupholstered in Creme leather, an appropriate choice for the 1959 model year. The restoration cost a whopping 700,000 euros (around $751,842). With its stunning tour de force restoration, it’s no surprise that the vehicle sold for nearly $2 million.
1976 BMW Alpina B2
The final car on our tour is a remarkable 1976 BMW with an Alpina B2 engine that was based on the E12 528. The engine is a 3.0-liter straight-six with double barrel carburetors that was rated at 230 hp. It boasted a top speed of just under 143 miles and could go from zero to 60 in 6.9 seconds.
This particular BMW Alpina B2 was first owned by a German named Dr. Schmitt, and he retained the car until 1990. Over the next two years, the vehicle was bought and sold three more times.
In 1996, the car’s owner entered the vehicle into storage. It was then rediscovered in 2008 and brought back to life. From 2008 to 2014, it underwent a detailed restoration, with the restorers rebuilding the car’s gearbox, steering, suspension, rear axle, and engine. This restoration was well worth it, helping bring €118,000 at auction for the classic BMW.
The car also received a new coat of white paint as well as Alpina decals, and its white paint looks especially attractive juxtaposed with its black cloth interior.
Since its restoration, the car’s only been driven just over 800 miles. Currently, the car features 16-inch Alpina wheels, but it sold with a refurbished set of factory-correct 14-inch wheels. The car is truly an impressive sight to behold.
Get Premium Insurance on Your Classic Car
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