5 collector cars to put into your garage this week

Pepper Meets Mint 

If you can get past the 3.0-litre inline four cylinder engine lacking a couple cylinders compared to the ever-appealing 911, the 968 represents the ultimate evolution of Porsche’s front-engined rear wheel drive sports cars, capping off a lineage that dates right back to the humble 924. Although Europe is already heading into Autumn, this 968 Cabriolet would be the perfect way to soak up the last rays of sunshine as you canter along your favourite local backroads. 

Finished in the rare and stunning shade of Mint Green, this 968 also boasts Cup alloy wheels and heated seats to keep you toasty on colder days. Having covered just 68,000 km since 1993, this 968’s Classic Grey interior remains in fabulous condition, while its 236 horsepower engine should offer up plenty of excitement should you desire. As a rare convertible cruisers in a sought-after hue, this 968 has modern classic written all over it. 

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Bat-Shift Insane 

When the Murciélago first broke cover in 2001, it dispelled any worries that Lamborghini’s new Volkswagen overlords would sanitise the raging bulls we all knew and loved. Named after the Spanish word for bat and powered by a mighty 6.2-litre, 572 horsepower V12, the Murciélago was a more than worthy successor to the Diablo and one that has aged like fine wine to this day. In fact, we would argue that Luc Donckerwolke’s bodywork for the Murciélago pulled off a trick that no subsequent V12 raging bull has repeated, combining clean, uncluttered surfacing with a design that still carried enough road presence to leave the general public slack-jawed in amazement. 

However, the Murciélago also heralded a new era of rather clunky automated manual gearboxes, which — although cutting edge for the time — detract somewhat from the joy of putting that naturally aspirated V12 through its paces. Fortunately, this 2003 Murciélago is a rare manual example with just 51,600 km on the odometer. Finished in Grigio Avlon over a black leather interior, it’s the perfect subdued spec for what many consider to be the ultimate Batmobile. 

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Val D’Isere Dreaming 

If you’re ever looked at the Bentley Turbo R and thought “It’s perfect, but where will I put my assortment of guns and various hunting dogs?” Then you’re in luck, because during the 1990s, the Brunei Royal Family commissioned 11 ‘shooting brake’ variants of the luxurious saloon, dubbed the Bentley Val D’Isere after the famous French ski resort. 

This particular example was finished in 1992 and is thought to be the final Val D’Isere ever built. First registered on British soil, it entered the Royal Brunei garages before making its way back to the shores of England and is now the only ex-Brunei Royal Family Val D’Isere in private ownership. 

As if a shooting brake Bentley wasn’t a rare enough sight, this Val D’Isere was specced in an unmissable bright metallic blue, while the interior is even more retina searing, combining canary yellow, sky blue, and acres of burr walnut inlays. Finishing off this eccentric spec is the set of polished 17 inch alloys, resulting in a shooting brake that perhaps only a Sultan could truly pull off. 

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Rear-Engined Rallyist 

If you want a rear-engined sports car for rallying your choices are somewhat limited. The Chevrolet Corvair wasn’t exactly the paragon of agility, and it’s reputation for being prone to explosion is somewhat off-putting, if unjustified according Donald Osborne. Meanwhile, the Porsche 911 is technically brilliant, but also a tad too obvious, which leaves us with the fabulous and French Alpine A110. 

This 1974 Alpine A110 1600 SC was the range topping model at the time of its production, boasting the 136 horsepower 1.6-litre engine from the A310 fitted with twin Weber carbs, double wishbone suspension at the rear instead of swing axles, and flush-fitting push-button door handles. This example remains in impressively original condition throughout and boasts a history of rallying and amateur racing. Currently showing a healthy 77,630 km on the odometer, this Alpine could be your ticket to historic rallying action. 

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Peak Ferrari?

The just-announced Ferrari 849 Testarossa had us thinking back to the greatest mid-engined V8 prancing horses of yesteryear, among which the 458 Speciale A certainly ranks right near the top. The 458 was the final mid-engined V8 Ferrari designed by Pininfarina, and the Special A was the absolute rarest variant of the breed. With only 499 ever built, it’s rarer than both the La Ferrari and SP3 Daytona which now carry multi-million dollar price tags and, as you’ll soon learn, this might be one of the best examples of the Speciale A out there. 

Ordered through Ferrari’s exclusive Atelier programme, this Speciale A has just one owner since new and will be auctioned as part of RM Sotheby’s sale of the Tailored for Speed Collection. Finished in rare and striking combination of Rosso Maranello with Bicolore Nero Stellato stripes, this gorgeous example shows just 12,010 km on the odometer. Inside the cabin, you’ll encounter a sea of Alcantara Nera upholstery, while carbon fibre has been liberally applied throughout this incredible machine. However, beyond the low production numbers and rare specification, the real reason to buy this Speciale A is the chance to savour that 597 horsepower naturally aspirated 4.5-litre V8 at full song with the roof down. Surely you can’t put a price on that? 

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