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Image Courtesy of PCarMarket

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS

(PCarMarket, Online)

Regarded as one of the greatest sports cars ever built and the epitome of the air-cooled Porsche 911, the Carrera RS 2.7 was created as a limited production homologation special, enabling Porsche to compete in the Special GT class of Group 4 racing. The Carrera RS is based on a lightened 911S platform featuring a fuel-injected 2.7-liter flat-six engine, revised suspension, larger brakes, rear fender flares, and a ducktail rear spoiler. One of only 1,580 units produced in total, this 1973 example was originally delivered in Berlin, finished in Grand Prix White with red accents and specified in Touring configuration with an optional electric sunroof. This car is believed to be the only RS restored by the Porsche Classic Center in Stuttgart, Germany, which began in 2004 at the factory’s historic Werk 1 building. Senior craftsmen completely dismantled and examined the car, painstakingly cleaning, repairing, or replacing every component with a genuine factory part. After completion in 2006, the car was driven approximately 2,500 miles by its owner in Luxembourg over the next 18 years before it was acquired by the seller in June 2024. Accompanied by extensive photos and documentation, this factory-restored and numbers-matching Carrera RS 2.7 is now being offered for auction out of Illinois.

Estimate: Not Provided

Prediction: The 2.7 Carrera RS is still an undeniable halo car. Although the Touring examples are a little bit lower on the desirability scale that other trims, these are absolute blue chips and this car’s got a lot going for it too. Still, we have seen the market kind of backpedal on these over the last few years, bringing them back to an at least slightly more achievable level. Also, as of late, I’ve been watching a lot of online Porsche auctions go down on multiple platforms (I’m not particularly a Porsche fan, so I generally don’t pay that much attention unless I have to) and I’ve been specifically been watching the comments sections on all of them. Fact is, high end Porsche guys are absolutely ruthless on sellers, they know their stuff and everything is details, details, details. I commend this seller for taking a car like this into the fire of an enthusiast site like PCarMarket, putting an apple on his head and standing at attention in front of everyone. He’s doing a good job taking the arrows too. Still, I think we’re quite a ways away on this one and getting over the line is going to be tough. Anything is possible in the last few minutes though and I will be sitting in front of my screen doing the Michael Jackson popcorn thing and rooting for PCar and the seller as time runs out.

Image Courtesy of Bonhams Cars

1973 Laverda 750 SF

(Bonhams Cars, Motorcycles Online)

This 1973 Laverda 750 SF was purchased by the current vendor in 2019 and they have since carried out extensive work including fitting billet carburetor manifolds; a new correctly laced Borrani rim and tire, two ignition coils; fitting a Jota nacelle for the gauges with the original ignition barrel in place and ignition gaiter; dynamo belt and starter chain; NOS points and wiring together with correct wires and colors through the engine to points; lighter clutch system (D.A.M. classic racing) and Lanfranconi pipes. We’re also advised by the vendor it was started regularly and used sparingly. Offered with a V5C and invoices and with key present.

Estimate: $6,800-$9,500 USD

Prediction: These are interesting bikes for a couple of reasons. First of all, the market for Italian bikes in the US versus Europe tends to be really different. I think this generally breaks down to a location, location, location kind of situation, but it doesn’t seem to be that way with these. Admittedly, they are a touch more here in general, but the gap is much smaller than on similar makes (think Parilla or MV Augusta for example). Additionally, no matter what side of the pond you’re on, these things are an absolute bargain comparatively. When you look at what is likely one of its closest rivals, the slightly less powerful the Ducati 750 Sport, these things are basically free. This is an attractive bike, that appears to be well sorted and Bonhams has an extremely reasonable estimate here. Admittedly, the market is down a little bit lately on things like this everywhere, but if this was in the US, I would guess it goes around or a little over the high estimate. Over there, probably closer to the midway point or slightly below, but I would be very surprised if this thing does not sell somewhere within range.

Image Courtesy of Bring-a-Trailer

2004 Cadillac XLR

(Bring-a-Trailer, Online)

This 2004 Cadillac XLR has 23k miles following registration history in California. It is finished in Light Platinum over Shale leather and is powered by a 4.6-liter Northstar V8 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a power-retractable hardtop, 18″ seven-spoke alloy wheels, Magnetic Ride Control, Driver Shift Control, xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, heated and cooled seats, a head-up display, a Bose sound system, and navigation. This XLR is now offered in Wisconsin by the selling dealer with the owner’s manual, a clean Carfax report, and a California title.

Estimate: Not Provided

Prediction: I remember the first time that I saw one of these on the road. It was owned by a greasy concert promoter and after remarking to myself what a cool-looking car it was, I also recall thinking that it was the perfect type of thing for somebody like that to drive. When you think about the early 2000s, a lot of pretty interesting and pretty exciting cars come to mind. As we move down the line of history, although your frosted tips and eyebrow ring may not fare so well, I think more and more of these cars (outside the big hitters like Ferrari 550s, Porsche Carrera GTs, etc which are obviously already there) are going to be exposed for just how great a lot of them were, the chances they took will start to come into focus and I think the XLR is probably going to wind up on that list. With just over 4,000 made in 2004, it’s a significantly more exotic beast than a Corvette of similar vintage, which by comparison, saw sales numbers that were more than eight times higher than this. Sort of the initial introduction of the C6 chassis, these were pretty well put together cars that had a lot of performance attributes. Unfortunately, the needlessly complicated convertible top and the notoriously finicky and difficult to service Northstar V8 engine is a major drawback. This car with an LS1 probably would have been a no-brainer, but would that have really made it a Cadillac? I think the answer that is probably no and the complexity and the smooth power delivery from the Northstar does actually suit this car pretty well (when it’s working….). Within the current marketplace, it’s still sort of in that depreciated used car territory so those that really want one, probably should jump now before they transition over into classics (which they most assuredly will). The high-performance V examples are obviously always going to be the more desirable trim, but for a good, solid, unique and interesting cruiser, these base model cars are still attractive and this looks like it’s probably a pretty decent one too. You see cars like this sell all over the place for anywhere from like $19k-$23k on the regular (I’ve seen them as low as 13K on dealer lots around here – I’m sure with horrid mileage and no service records), but I think this one does a little bit better. I would bet if this one sells it will be somewhere in the general realm of $23,000-$27,000 (or at least that’s what the seller should hold for). There’s definitely cars I would rather have than one of these (Mercedes SL or Jaguar XKR coupe is what immediately comes to mind), but at least for right now, these are kind of a lot of car for the money.

Note: We love your suggestions, but on reader requests, please allow enough time for us to publish and make predictions prior to the end of the sale.

Image Courtesy of Cars and Bids

1970 Lamborghini Espada Series II

(Cars and Bids, Online)

NO SALE at $43,000

Description: 1 of just 575 Series II examples produced, this 1970 Lamborghini Espada Series II is finished in red with a black interior. A partial list of notable currently installed equipment reported by the seller includes 15-inch Campagnolo wheels, leather upholstery, wood cabin trim, power windows, dual electric radiator fans, and more as detailed below. Envisioned by Ferruccio Lamborghini as an “Italian Rolls-Royce,” the Espada emerged in 1968—just five years after the tractor magnate and disillusioned former Ferrari customer began producing competing exotics under his own name. Styled by an ambitious young Marcello Gandini under Nuccio Bertone, the Espada featured a — slightly — detuned version of the Miura’s Bizzarrini V12, a spacious four-seat cabin, and offered legitimate cross-continental comfort and luxury for a quartet of ground-going jet-setters—making it perhaps the most compelling and distinctive ultra-GT of its era. Power comes from a 3.9-liter V12, rated at about 345 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. Output is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission.

Estimate: Not Provided

How We Did: For a car with this much risk involved, $43k should have gotten the job done. This said, we kind of expected this would be the outcome. As Cars and Bids will learn the further that they get into the old car side of things, sometimes you can smell an “I know what I’ve got, don’t waste my time bro” type of situation ahead of time and this one had all the markers. This has kind of been my beef with Cars and Bids since its inception as well. It’s got a real Facebook Marketplace kind of vibe to it that I think probably isn’t doing them any favors (of course, unless that’s what you’re looking for). This probably continues the cycle and attracts these types of sellers as well. Cars and Bids definitely did their job on this one for sure and the ball should have gone across the goal here. Onward and upward and on to the next….

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