Another week and another 964 auctions are behind us, with another 830+ live on the site. We never cease to be amazed at the incredible variety and quality of vehicles our sellers bring to BaT, but we understand that it can be hard to keep up for all but the most ardent users. That’s why we are featuring 10 of the strangest, most interesting, and most unique vehicles that appeared on our pages in the last seven days (with a handful of extras thrown in for good measure).
As we always note, this is by no means a comprehensive list and there are certainly many more odd and beautiful vehicles to be seen on the live auctions page. Here are some of the listings that stood out to us this week:
1. 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Mark I
Whatever you do, don’t call CSX2095 a “slabside”—see the informed commentary on this lovely Cobra for more. This is one of the first 126 Cobras built and features transverse leaf-spring suspension, recirculating ball steering, and a notable absence of fender flares or side vents.
There are a number of unique details that have been called out on this McCluskey-refurbished car, like the mixed suite of Smiths and Stewart-Warner gauges and the dual four-barrel Carter carbs. Previous owners and BaT members who have known the car for quite some time are sounding off in the comments. The “Texan” trainer photobombing the gallery is perhaps a nice nod to Shelby’s home state.
2. 203-Mile 1991 Ford Mustang SAAC MKI 5-Speed
Before we move on from the subject of Shelby, let’s talk about this 1991 Ford Mustang SAAC MKI, number 13 of 65 examples produced by Shelby American Automobile Club. The SAAC was not officially affiliated with Shelby himself save for their enthusiasm, but they formed a corporation specifically to offer their unique take on the Fox-body Mustang. They were very careful not to mention the name “Shelby” anywhere the car (it was licensed to Chrysler at the time), but the snake badges, “CS” logos, and GT350-style stripes got the point across. These Mustangs were modified in much the same way as Shelby’s first Mustangs, with upgraded handling thanks to lighter wheels, chassis bracing, and a roll bar, in addition to better breathing via a “GT40” top end from the Ford Performance catalog. SAAC saw fit to trim out the interior with some very nice leather upholstery and handy zip-up map pockets, as well. For the curious, here’s Car and Driver’s 1992 review of the model. We’ve listed three other examples in the past; with just 203 miles on the clock, this one could fetch an impressive result.
3. 1975 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Design Study
As Corvette prototypes go, this one is a bit of an oddball. Previous prototypes and studies (and there were many!) were internal efforts spearheaded by GM executives and departments, with outside resources brought in to advise on advanced materials or engineering as needed. But this 1975 design study was commissioned by Frank Milne, the proprietor of Harry Mann Chevrolet in Los Angeles. As a man responsible for moving significant amounts of Corvette inventory, Milne was close with GM brass. GM stylist Jerry Palmer (who went on to design the C4 Corvette) was brought in to help, and a stock 1975 Corvette received a new fiberglass body with squared-off ends and widened hips from fabricator Eric Ruffo. After hitting the press circuit, the car went home with Milne and eventually made its way to Europe. Fortunately, European Local Partner Colombo and Co. have already brought the car back to the States, where it’s ready to rock with a clean South Carolina title.
4. Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Re-Creation by Tempero
The Tempero family has been hand-building replicas of legendary sports cars out of their shop in New Zealand for nearly 50 years. This 250 Testa Rossa TR59 was created by Errol Tempero around a Ferrari 250 donor car in the early 1980s. As such it’s old enough to be a classic in its own right, and it was refurbished in 2006 with a 3.0-liter V12 built with components sourced from fellow Ferrari replicar specialists at GTO Engineering.
If you’re in need of some music to listen to this evening, please enjoy the sound of 911r exploring the upper end of that big Jaeger tach.
5. 1957 MG Magnette ZB 5-Speed
As we transition from the Wonderful to the Weird, let’s take a moment to briefly discuss a car that is both in equal measure. The MG Magnette is a model that doesn’t come around too often, but it’s easy to see why this handsome saloon has ardent supporters. This example is said to be fresh off of a nine-year refurbishment effort, and it lays the charm on thick with quirky features like trafficators, rope door handle pulls, a geometric woodgrain dash, and an ignition switch on top of the transmission tunnel. The Magnette, particularly the higher-output ZB variant with the optional five-speed, was known to be a great driver in its day, and the 1.5-liter B-series engine in this car benefits from a host of hot rod tricks that were employed during a 2016 rebuild.
6. Euro 1976 Renault 16 TL
We have an unofficial rule that this feature must include at least one French car whenever possible, so say hello to the first Renault 16 ever auctioned on BaT! The five-door hatchback was called a “Sedan-Wagon” by the manufacturer, and though that’s a little non-committal, the car is a wonder of efficient packaging with front-wheel-drive, flat floors throughout, and a spare tucked away under the hood.
This lesser-seen model can still be eminently useable when in good tune, if you can get comfortable with the body roll. The brochure calls out several different ways that the versatile interior of the Renault 16 can be enjoyed, though the “Play Pen” configuration hasn’t aged well.
7. LS3-Powered Fast Attack Vehicle from Furious 7 Movie
Welcome to the party, Mr. Shaw.
This “Fast Attack Vehicle” from Furious 7 is much more than a rolling set piece. Built over a custom tube-frame chassis and outfitted with an LS3 V8, multi-link suspension setup, Sway-A-Way coilovers, and 17″ beadlock wheels, it is certainly off-road equipped. We’re told that it can only withstand bullets and or cliff-drops with Jason Statham at the wheel, so your mileage may vary.
Some six of these buggies were built for the movie, and this is the second that has been listed on BaT. Guess we’d better get busy making a model page.
8. Ferrari GTS Turbo
It’s hard to think of Ferrari buyers as the kind of people who would need to save a buck, but the GTS Turbo is a 2.0-liter turbocharged variant of the 328 made specifically to avoid a hefty increase in the VAT levied on cars with over two liters of displacement. Perhaps there was an enthusiast or two within the bureaucracy, because the law conveniently didn’t say anything about forced induction. Ferrari’s de-stroked V8, with its new turbocharger and Behr intercooler, was rated around 20 horsepower less than the regular 328—but some think the true number was higher. Strangely enough, this is the second GTS Turbo we’ve had on BaT in as many weeks.
9. 63-Mile 2021 Lamborghini Sian FKP 37
We’ll admit it—we’ve had a hard time keeping Lamborghini models straight in recent years. Even so, the Sían being sold here is a special car. The model featured Lamborghini’s first hybrid-electric drivetrain, adding an electric motor to party with a hopped-up version of the Aventador SVJ’s 6.5-liter V12 for a combined total of 808 horsepower. Just 63 were built, and this example appropriately shows 63 miles. To avoid retinal or other damage, please do not stare directly at the window sticker.
10. 1955 Austin-Healey 100S
In the 1950s, it was possible to purchase a new race-ready car that was capable of delivering results in major competitions. That was certainly the case with the 100S, a special aluminum-bodied variant that punched well above its weight in storied contests like the Mille Miglia, 12 Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Just 50 were built, and this car (chassis AHS-3802) was delivered new to husband-and-wife team John and Evelyn Mull. The couple raced the car in the northeast US, and Evelyn later published a book entitled Women in Sports Car Competition. The gallery shows photos with both Evelyn and John racing at places like the old Watkins Glen road course.
As was its mission, #3802 spent much of its life racing all over the world, from Pennsylvania to New Zealand and Australia. After coming back to the US in 2000 the car was treated to a multi-year refurbishment with marque experts Fourintune Garages, and has since resumed its racing career. The seller FantasyJunction notes several years of participation in the Mille Miglia Storica, the Colorado Grand, the California Mille, and other vintage rallies.
Honorable Mention: 1936 Dodge LE-31 Canopy Truck
This Dodge canopy truck is an AACA Nationals winner. The original bed-mounted brass band is no longer with the truck, so the new owner will have to source their own.
Honorable Mention: SEMA-Exhibited 1995 BMW 850Ci
We hadn’t thought the E31 BMW to be the kind of car that would respond well to the boy-racer treatment, but this build has a lot going for it.
Honorable Mention: 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage 5-Speed
There are so many great things on the site this week that a DB6 in Vantage spec with the five-speed gearbox is all the way down here in the honorable mentions. We mean no disrespect, we swear!
That’s all we’ve got for this week, but we’d love to hear what caught your eye or what you think we’ve left out! Let us know in the comments.
