The big auction houses have caught on to the collector cars of the 1980s and 90s. Some of the best of the best are going to auction next month.
Collector cars from the 80s and 90s such as the Porsche 911 and BMW M3 and M5 have been attracting the attention of car collectors for several years now. This has been reflected in the prices for such cars for some time now.
It was just a matter of time before the icons of the 80s and 90s caught the attention of the large auction houses. A collection of ‘youngtimers’, a term Europeans use to refer to future classics, is coming to auction courtesy of RM Sotheby’s in Paris. Several more collections will go be going to auction in the months that follow.
A dream garage of collector cars from the 1980s and 90s
While iconic vehicles from the 1950s through the 2000-teens are coming to auction next month in Paris, the best cars are in my opinion from the 1980s and 90s. Many of these cars have held a special place in my dream garage for many years now.
A summary of the best cars is as follows:
1996 Ferrari F50 – Powered by a 4.7-liter V12 engine, this particular Ferrari F50 was delivered new to France and has been driven less than 22,000km since new. The sale includes its original luggage, flight case, and hardtop. It is expected to change hands for between $1.9 and 2.2 million.
1987 Ferrari F40 Le Mans – This 1987 Ferrari F40 was a two-time participant in the 24-hours of Le Mans in 1995 and 1996. It finished 12th overall in 1995. It is the third f40 built and was used as a pre-production prototype. The special F40 is expected to sell for between $5.1 and $6.2 million at current exchange rates.
1982 Ferrari 512 BBi – Never officially offered for sale in the United States, the Ferrari 512 BBi was powered by a 5.0 liter flat twelve-cylinder engine. In my mind, it is the most beautiful of the modern Ferraris. This particular example was been lovingly restored and retains its original engine and gearbox. It is expected to fetch between $285,000 and $300,000 at auction. If value was determined by looks alone, this example would sell for in the millions.
Alpina B12 5.7 – This particular Alpina B12 5.7 started as a BMW 850CSI that had its V-12 bored to 5.7 liters. By enhancing the camshafts, intake, and exhaust system, engine output was raised to 416 horsepower. This particular example has been driven only 47,000 km since new. With only 57 examples produced, this is one of the most coveted models of the first generation 8-Series. It is expected to sell for between $200,000 and $250,000 when it goes to auction.
1982 Alpina B7 S Turbo (5-Series) – The Alpina B7 S Turbo was a high-performance follow up to the B7 Turbo. Based on the 3.5 liter BMW M30 engine, the B7 S had a new ignition system and a turbo running more boost that puts out 330 horsepower and 500 newton meters of torque. The BMW E39 M5 would also put out the same torque figures, seventeen years later….
This particular B7 S Turbo was the 22nd built out of 60 ever produced by Alpina. This Alpina B7 S Turbo is expected to sell for between $225,000 and $275,000 when it goes under the hammer in Paris next month.
Mercedes Benz E500 – The Mercedes Benz 500E and E500, post name change was the high-performance version of the legendary Mercedes Benz W124. The Mercedes Benz 500E had the 5.0 liter V-8 engine found in the SL of the era along with suspension and drive train modifications.
Since the fenders were widened to accommodate the new suspension, the 500E was found to be too wide for the Mercedes Benz W124 assembly line. As a result, Porsche was commissioned to complete the manufacturing process. Assembly took place between the two factories over an 18 day period resulting in the need to transport the cars between facilities for different build phases.
This particular Mercedes Benz 500E has less than 25,000 km on the odometer and is expected to sell for between $45,000 to $57,000.
1991 Mercedes Benz 500 SL AMG 6.0 – Prior to buying AMG outright, Mercedes-Benz and AMG signed a cooperation agreement enabling AMG vehicles to be sold in Mercedes Benz showrooms. The first product of that cooperation agreement was the AMG version based on the Mercedes Benz 500SL R129.
Built in 1991, this is one of 50 6.0 liter Mercedes Benz R129 roadsters. The bored and stroked M119 V8 engine produced 380 horsepower, up from 322 horsepower offered in the Mercedes Benz 500SL.
Mercedes Benz 560 SEC AMG 6.0 – The second pre-acquisition Mercedes Benz AMG in the collection is this Mercedes Benz 560 SEC AMG 6.0. Starting life as a 1989 Mercedes Benz 560 SEC, the engine has been bored and stroked to produce 6.0 liters of displacement. It has also been fitted with the AMG designed front and rear fenders and door panels that accommodated much wider wheels and tires.
Experts believe it is one of 50 pre-merger 560 SECs produced. Delivered new, it has a tad under 28,000 km on the odometer. It is expected to sell for between $170,000 and $225,000.
BMW M6 – The BMW M6 was one of the first vehicles to be produced by BMW’s famed M-Division. It was a BMW E24 housing a modified twin cam, 24-valve inline-six cylinder engine from the BMW M1. This particular example was delivered new to Japan and has less than 39,000 km on the odometer.
Audi Quattro coupe – The Audi Quattro coupe brought four-wheel drive systems commonly found in pick up trucks and off-road vehicles to passenger cars. Powered by a 2.1 liter five-cylinder engine, the vehicle put out 200 horsepower. The Audi Quattro coupe was also the platform for the Sports Quattro coupe that saw success during the Group B racing era. This particular example has driven just 42,000 since new.
1989 Aston Martin Lagonda – The Aston Martin Lagonda epitomized 80s excess when it first debuted in 1976. Having a design like no other at the time, the Lagonda was powered by a powerful V8 engine and advanced chassis, it was one of the first vehicles to utilize digital instrumentation, albeit English electronics.
The Aston Martin Lagonda was produced in four different series over its 14-year production. This example is one of 105 copies making up the Series 4 production run. Originally delivered to Japan, this example has been driven less than 13,000 miles over its life. It is expected to fetch $115,000 to $125,000 next month.
BMW B7 Turbo (6-Series) – BMW’s e24 2-door 6-Series and e28 4-door 5-Series both shared the same engine and drivetrain. It is for that reason that Alpina built the B7 Turbo using both the e24 and e28 as a base.
This particular Alpina B7 Turbo was the first of 183 examples to be built based on the BMW e24. It was based on BMW’s 3.0 liter M30 engine but was rebuilt using Mahle pistons and a new fuel injection system. A variable boost turbocharger was added to produce an engine capable of 250 to 300 horsepower. Keep in mind that was 40 years ago.
There are auctions coming up in Germany and Florida that will have additional vehicles from the 80s and 90s that are part of the youngtimers collection.
Chris Harris, the Top Gear presenter with impeccable tastes was fortunate enough to visit the storage facility housing these spectacular cars before they go to auction. He perfectly captures the excitement I would have if I was to be in his shoes.
Thanks Chris…
