mod@tech

Attendees of Bonhams’ auction next month in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, will see a pristine example of the Ferrari 250 GT TDF go under the hammer.

The car is a 1959 example bearing chassis number 1401. According to its listing it is the last long-wheelbase TDF with a body by Scaglietti.

The current estimate is between five million and seven million euros (approximately $5.3 million and $7.5 million based on current exchange rates).

Although Ferrari used the TDF designation in recent years on a version of the F12, the three letters weren’t part of the name of the earlier TDF cars, like this 250 GT whose official name is 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione. It was only later added following some successes of the 250 GTs in the former Tour de France race for cars. Chassis no. 1401 was entered in the 1960 running of the Tour de France, though it is unclear how well this car did in the race.

The car originally left the factory with a red exterior and beige interior. Its first owner was Luigi Taramazzo, a resident of Bordighera, Italy. He entered the car in a number of races around Italy, including the 1959 Garessio-Colle San Bernado hill climb, which he won. He soon sold the car to Gérard Spinedi of Geneva, Switzerland, who painted it gold metallic and also raced the car.

It then traded hands a few more times before eventually ending up with Plinio Haas in 1976. The resident of Arbon, Switzerland, held onto the car for the next 37 years, often driving it in races for classic cars. After Haas passed away in 2013, the car was transferred to his son Felix, who sold it to current owner Marc Devis in 2014.

Devis commissioned a full restoration in 2016, which saw the car reunited with its original engine. The engine is a 3.0-liter V-12 estimated to deliver around 280 hp.

The auction is scheduled for Oct. 8. Other impressive cars set to grace the block include a 1929 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix, a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, and a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: 1959 Ferrari 250 GT TDF bearing chassis no. 1401 – Photo credit: Bonhams

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com

Nothing says 1990s like removable T-tops, and this red-hot Trans Am has all the right ingredients to make it a cherry example of one of Pontiac’s most popular muscle cars.

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1991 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in San Antonio, Texas. (Click the link to view the listing)

“Extremely clean Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with very low miles: 17,200,” the listing says.

This sports coupe hails from the third-generation of the Firebird which lived from model year 1982 to 1992 and shared the F-body platform with the Chevrolet Camaro. Body styles for this car were available in either convertible or liftback (as seen here) variations. Incremental changes were applied to engineering and design over the car’s decade-long lifespan, and in 1991, Firebirds received a restyled and more rounded nose that was modeled after General Motors’ “Banshee IV” show vehicle.

Many incredibly low-mileage cars come with a lot of unknowns: When a car sits for an extended length of time, it can create issues with tires, gaskets, hoses, fluids, and any component of the car that has a shelf life. The good news is that this time capsule hasn’t just been placed up for sale after pulling it straight out of the garage: It has been mechanically brought up to date with a list of service items. Recent work according to the seller has included replacement of the tires, air conditioning refrigerant, alternator, starter, battery, wheel cylinders, and brake shoes as of July 2023. Window tint has also been added, which provides privacy in addition to keeping the upholstery from getting faded prematurely.

Power for this muscle car comes from a fuel-injected 305cid V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The seller says regarding the mechanical condition: “Runs and drives perfect. Ice cold air conditioning. Everything works including the pop-up headlights. You won’t find a better 1991 Firebird Trans Am.”

The listing includes a three-minute walkaround video showing the exterior, interior, and a start-up. The gauges appear to be in working order, and even the power activated soft-close rear liftgate is operational.

If a third-generation Firebird has been on your watch list (or “want” list) for a while now, you will want to take a close look at this one! The asking price is $20,000 or best offer.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

There’s something special about black cars to some collectors. Long a color that signified luxury and formality, it never was associated as hue for performance cars until perhaps the late 1970s. Two very interesting black cars will be crossing the block at the inaugural Barrett-Jackson’s 2023 New Orleans Auction on September 28-30th.

Even if you’re one of those people who hates black cars because they’re difficult to keep clean, there’s bound to be a more palatable vehicle for you if you glance through the docket. You can also consign your own vehicle for sale so that Barrett-Jackson visitors can be distracted from the auction by your own personal transportation device. With the resources, experience, and reputation to market and sell your collector car, Barrett-Jackson has your best interest in mind.

Now, onto the black cars:

1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible
The car with the 400cid engine plus four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts was in fine form for 1969, supported by novel “Youngmobile” advertising from Dr. Oldsmobile. Standard was a 350-horsepower engine (325 with automatic), with options that included force-air W32 and W30 engines, both with those nifty air scoops underneath the front bumper. And if General Motors’ edict limiting cubic inches was a problem, then Hurst came to the rescue with the 455-powered Hurst/Olds.

This 1969 4-4-2 convertible features the standard 400 backed by an automatic transmission. The glistening Ebony Black paint is complemented by optional W42 stripes on the hood plus pinstriping on the trunklid. The red interior consists of the standard buckets bisected by the optional console, N34 Custom-Sport steering wheel, AM/FM radio, power windows, and more. Best of all, the pedigree of this hairy Olds is documented thanks to GM of Canada Vintage Vehicle Services.

1960 Kaiser “IKA” Carabela Hearse
When Kaiser ceased automobile production in 1955 (along with its Willys partner), it formed a partnership with the Argentinean government. The new entity, Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA), produced the Jeep CJ and other Willys Jeep products like the Station Wagon, but it also built the Kaiser Manhattan for several years after importing about a thousand to the South American country. Called the Carabela, IKA produced the this captive import through 1962, the same time IKA began producing Ramblers under license.

Among the IKA Carabelas built, few are as unique as this 1960 hearse. Featuring a 190-inch wheelbase and powered by 226cid straight-six paired to a three-speed manual on the column, the Kaiser-inspired funeral car features wrap-around back glass, rear fold-down gate and 89-inch sliding casket holder with rollers. The ornate casket cover with columns and working flame-illuminated casket lights add a special touch for the final ride.