The 1947 Tatra T87 is best known as a masterpiece of aerodynamic design and unconventional engineering from Czechoslovakia. This luxury sedan, with its futuristic teardrop shape, rear-mounted V8 engine, and controversial history, remains a fascinating icon for vintage car enthusiasts and collectors. The T87 embodies a rare and daring approach to automotive innovation from a company that consistently challenged conventions.
A look into the T87’s unique features
Streamlined for efficiency
The T87’s stunning, streamlined body was designed by a team led by engineer Hans Ledwinka and heavily influenced by Paul Jaray, an aerodynamicist who worked on German zeppelins. The result was an exceptionally slippery shape, complete with a prominent central fin, which delivered a remarkably low drag coefficient and impressive fuel economy for its era.
Rear-mounted, air-cooled V8 engine
At the heart of the T87 is a 2.9-liter, air-cooled, overhead-cam V8 engine. Constructed from a lightweight magnesium alloy, this advanced engine produced about 85 horsepower and enabled the car to reach a top speed of 100 mph—a formidable feat for a passenger car of its time.
Influential and innovative design
The T87’s advanced engineering had a profound impact on other automotive pioneers. Its rear-engine layout and design principles heavily influenced Ferdinand Porsche during his development of the Volkswagen Beetle. After World War II, Tatra won a settlement against VW for patent infringement related to this influence, though the story has a bittersweet end for Ledwinka.
The myth of the ‘Nazi killer’
One of the most infamous—and likely exaggerated—stories surrounding the Tatra T87 is its alleged reputation as the “Czech secret weapon”. During the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, German officers favored the fast and comfortable T87 for use on the Autobahn. However, the car’s rear-heavy weight distribution and independent swing-axle suspension, combined with inexperience from drivers accustomed to more conventional front-engine cars, led to dangerous oversteer.
Rumors spread that so many officers crashed their Tatras that driving them was eventually forbidden. While the ban and the number of fatalities are often debated, the car’s tricky handling is a well-documented aspect of its history.
Why the 1947 model is special
The 1947 Tatra T87 falls into the post-war production period, after the factory was nationalized under communist rule. While production was briefly halted during the war, it resumed afterward with limited changes, continuing the legacy of its pre-war design. The 1947 model carries the weight of a unique transition: a luxurious, technologically advanced car produced for the elite in a country entering a new political reality. It was also during this period that Czech explorers Miroslav Zikmund and Jiří Hanzelka famously embarked on their multi-year expedition across Africa and Latin America in a T87, further cementing its reputation for rugged reliability.
A collector’s dream today
Today, the Tatra T87 is a rare and highly sought-after classic car, admired for its aesthetic boldness and engineering foresight. Its scarcity, coupled with its captivating backstory, makes it a star attraction at museums and auctions worldwide. Jay Leno, a prominent car collector, has called it “the greatest car that no one has ever heard of,” an apt description for this automotive pioneer that continues to surprise and delight.
Conventional wisdom in the collector car hobby posits that convertible sales taper off after Labor Day. While that may hold true for the car parked at the end of your driveway with the “for sale” sign on it, auctions behave differently. Even before the advent of online auctions, big live events in the supposedly slower months of fall and winter never had a problem finding new homes for cars with folding roofs.
As part of our never-ending quest to help our readers make sense out what’s happening in the market, we have chosen the cars below to dive into the details. All are from European manufacturers. All promise fun in the sun. And all were sold recently via either Hemmings Auctions of Hemmings Make Offer.
* Indicates a vehicle sold as a Make Offer listing.
1964 Austin-Healey 3000 MK II
Reserve: $38,000
Selling Price: $39,900
Recent Market Range: $27,000-$42,000
“Big Healeys” offer tremendous value to collectors of British sports cars. With their torquey inline-six engines, sinewy curves and low stance, they deliver an experience otherwise reserved for more expensive vehicles. Model production lasted from 1959 through 1967. Perhaps the biggest changes came with the introduction of the BJ7. Known more formally as the 3000 MK II Sports Convertible, the 2+2 BJ7 was the first of the range to have a curved windshield. It was also the first with proper roll-up windows rather than side curtains or sliding windows.
This 1964 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II BJ7 had the distinction of being in the same family from new, though it had changed hands several times between two brothers. The seller, a one-time auto shop teacher, restored the car over a number of years, completing it in 2005. It appeared to be a well maintained, driver-quality example.
Values for big Healeys dropped approximately 20% between 2021 and 2024, but have stabilized in the past year. The sale price here was strong for a driver-quality example, but more than 60 years of solid ownership in the same family surely helped push this example across the finish line.
1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500
Reserve: $15,500
Selling Price: $16,275
Recent Market Range: $14,500-$22,500
When the R129 generation of the Mercedes-Benz roadster debuted in 1989, it marked a design and engineering breakthrough. Overnight, the company’s premier convertible had gone from the 1970s to the 1990s. The R129 featured multi-cam engines, advanced safety features, and performance that trounced its predecessor and even gave muscle cars nightmares. It was the company’s flagship model upon its debut.
This 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500 showed just under 24,000 miles on the odometer. Its oh-so-Nineties finish in Brilliant Emerald Green appeared to be in excellent condition. While the Parchment leather interior did show some wear, the engine bay looked quite clean. Not a maintenance-free car by any means, but a rewarding combination of power, comfort, safety and design, an R129 SL can make for a fine collectible.
The selling dealer pitched this example with the words “pristine,” “excellent,” and “showroom” to describe its condition. The pictures seemed to back up those words, and the seller did share the car’s few cosmetic shortcomings. This sale appeared to be a sound buy, firmly within the expected market range.
1959 Jaguar XK150 Roadster
Asking Price: $51,000
Selling Price: $46,200*
Recent Market Range: $44,000-$62,000
With five overall wins at Le Mans from 1951 through 1957, Jaguar firmly established its bona fides as a maker of some of the best sports cars in the world. The peak of its volume production sports car expertise in the Fifties arrived with the XK150. With a wrap-around windshield for better visibility and a wider body with more room, the XK150 proved a more comfortable car than the XK120 and XK140 that preceded it. Jaguar pioneered four-wheel disc brakes, first introducing them on the Le Mans-winning C-type. Its XK150 was among the first mass-produced cars with discs on all four corners.
This 1959 Jaguar XK150 Roadster (a.k.a. Open Two-Seater in Jaguar parlance), was in storage for over 35 years. Starting in 2019, the car was “brought back to working condition.” The interior was refreshed during this period as well. Its 3.4-liter DOHC inline-six and four-speed manual were noted as original. The maroon finish exhibited many defects, which was understandable given its decades in an “old barn.” The new clutch dates from 2024, according to the listing.
Given the amount of cosmetic restoration work required, the selling price of $46,200 actually looks a bit strong. But the seller also called out the 7,002-mile odometer reading as being accurate. That low mileage and very high degree of originality clearly resonated with the buyer who acquired this car via a direct Make Offer listing.
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Convertible
Reserve: $13,500
Selling Price: $13,703
Recent Market Range: $10,000-$16,000
Produced from 1985 through 1997, Mercedes-Benz W124 platform underpinned sedans, coupes, wagons, limousines and convertibles. As the midsize, high-volume model in the German automaker’s lineup, the first-gen E-Class provided transportation for executives and families. It proved a solid, high-mileage taxi for legions of drivers around the world. It even served as the basis for hearses and ambulances in Europe.
Along with the 500E super sedan, this 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet was the range-topping model for the E-Class in 1995. As such, it was well equipped from the factory, with such niceties as powered seats and a powered folding soft top with a glass rear window. All W124 Cabriolets sold in the U.S. were powered by a 217-hp, 3.2-liter DOHC inline-six.
This generation of E-Class is noted for being durable and reaching very high mileage figures when properly maintained. Given that reputation, the sub 91,000-mile odometer reading indicates this luxury convertible had lots of life left in it. There were some needs shared by the seller that indicated the top might need some attention. At a $13,703 net sale price via post-auction Make Offer listing, it sold just as expected. Save for that 500E and ultra-low-mileage examples, first-gen E-Class cars have been steady and stable in terms of pricing in recent years.
2007 Bentley GTC
Reserve: $30,500
Selling Price: $32,550
Recent Market Range: $29,000-$44,000
Since its acquisition of Bentley in 1998, Volkswagen has turned the marque into one of the most desirable ultra-luxury automakers on the planet. Production surged from just 414 cars in 1998 to over 10,000 by 2006. That leap in volume came primarily from the Continental GT coupe that debuted in 2004 and the similar GTC convertible produced from late 2006 and on. Demand was so pent up for the drop-top version that some 69% of 2007 Continental two-door sales came from the GTC.
This 2007 Bentley GTC appeared to be a well kept example of what was one of the world’s fastest convertibles when it was new. Thanks to a 552-hp, twin-turbocharged W12 engine, it had a top speed of 195 mph. Finished in Dark Sapphire over Saddle leather, it originally carried a base MSRP of $189,900.
That incredible sticker price brings us to the depreciation that higher volume has delivered to the nameplate in recent years. The net sale price of $32,550 here is clearly in the recent market range and akin to the modern Aston Martin market as well. These cars require expensive upkeep but can reward their owners with a driving experience like no other, wrapped in top-level luxury and bestowed with speed.
1959 MGA Roadster
Asking Price: $21,900
Selling Price: $21,000*
Recent Market Range: $16,000-$23,000
MG was in danger of getting lost in the shuffle of the many brands under the BMC umbrella in the 1950s. Its TF sports car was modern enough with coil springs and rack-and-pinion steering, but it looked like the clock had stopped in 1938. Based on a streamlined Le Mans entry, the company created the MGA for 1955, giving the British automaker a competitive entrant in the burgeoning sports car scene, particularly in its largest market, North America.
This 1959 MGA Roadster was the recipient of a body-off restoration completed in 2011. It had been upgraded from the stock 1,588-cc engine to a 1,798-cc unit from an MGB. The seller listed a host of maintenance and services completed recently that indicate a well cared for machine.
A net sale price here as a Make Offer listing so close to the asking price tells us that the seller was reasonable from the start. The seller remained engaged and responsive to questions throughout the duration of the listing. Bidders are always more likely to make an offer when such sellers are involved.
Other recent European Convertible sales on Hemmings Auctions and Hemmings Make Offer
2006 Mercedes-Benz SL500
Reserve: $19,000
Selling Price: $20,213
Recent Market Range: $18,000-$26,000
Details: M113 5.0-liter, 302-hp V8, clean Carfax, 32,517 miles
1993 Jaguar XJS 4.0 Convertible
Reserve: $21,000
Selling Price: $18,900*
Recent Market Range: $17,000-$25,000
Details: Five-speed manual, 4.0-liter DOHC inline-six, white with a maroon top, 35,290 miles
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Convertible
Reserve: $0 (No Reserve)
Selling Price: $14,700
Recent Market Range: $11,000-$18,000
Details: M272 3.5-liter, 268-hp DOHC V6, Thulite Red Metallic with a black top, 47,385 miles
In the midst of the 2025 Drag Week, which began on Sunday, September 14 and runs through Friday, September 19, we got to thinking: Which Hemmings Marketplace cars will make excellent race cars for drag-and-drive events? While scrolling through the plethora of hot rods and muscle cars listed for sale, we found several high-performance classic cars that are already modified to be race-ready.
Whether you’re chasing the next speed record or just looking forward to good times with race car buddies, there are several options that will get your engine revving. The hot rods and muscle cars listed below are turn-key and ready to dominate upcoming drag-and-drive events like Drag Week, Sick Week, and Rocky Mountain Race Week. Equipped with powerful built engines, roll cages, upgraded suspensions and more, these race cars are equipped to burn rubber down the dragstrip then hit the road to the next race track, over and over again.
This pro street 1970 Chevrolet Camaro is built for pure performance. According to the listing on Hemmings Marketplace, this modified muscle car features a massive cowl-induction hood, drag tires and a roll cage, all of which are clearly not just for show. Its aggressive stance is matched by a race-ready interior complete with harnesses, bucket seats, and a nitrous system. From the Hoosier tires to the wheelie bars and parachute out back, every inch of this build screams “speed!” While it still honors the classic Camaro silhouette, this pro street build is all about power, precision, and turning heads at both the track and car shows.
Love a muscle car with flames? Cloaked in a deep purple that dances with flame orange, this 1969 Pro Street Camaro flaunts its ferocity with airbrushed flames blazing across its body.
There are gobs of ‘55 Chevy Gassers out there, but how many 1967 Cougar Gassers are there? OK, there were a few back in the golden days of drag racing, but hardly any now. According to the Hemmings Marketplace listing, this drag racing ready 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 gasser began as a rust free body. The entire suspension was pulled and replaced with a Global West suspension kit straight axle set up, which includes all the goods to keep its Mickey Thompson drag tires planted to the pavement.
Under the hood, the rebuilt 302 was treated to Trick Flow aluminum heads, roller rockers, a custom cut CompCams cam, and more. The odometer reads 39,272, however, there is less than 5,000 miles on the car and engine since the rebuild. A top loader four-speed transmission sends the power back to a Ford 9-inch rear diff.
“Turn the key and go. This thing runs and drives great. Obviously, it’s not a canyon carver. This goes fast – very fast – in a straight line.”
1967 Plymouth Belvedere
Drag and drive-ready 1967 Plymouth Belvedere race car listed for sale on Hemmings Marketplace.
For collectors or enthusiasts looking for a drag-and-drive-ready Plymouth Belvedere with show-quality execution, this race car for sale is as impressive in presentation as it is in performance.
According to the classified listing, this 1967 Plymouth Belvedere has been transformed into a high-quality, purpose-built race car, engineered with top-shelf components. Under the hood sits a 440 Stroker 500 cubic-inch INDY block with a solid roller camshaft, dual 1050 carburetors, a tunnel ram, and INDY aluminum heads. Supporting equipment, including the electric water pump, electric fuel pump, dual Optima Yellow Top batteries, and a fuel cell, makes this a true drag car designed for serious performance.
The Chevrolet Nova’s compact and lightweight body is a significant advantage in drag racing, allowing for greater acceleration and speed with less power. According to the classified listing on Hemmings Marketplace, this custom 1971 Chevy Nova, equipped with a high-performance engine built by Scott Blakeney of SPE Racing Engines, is meticulously engineered for superior speed, handling, and visual appeal. Upgraded suspension systems further enhance stability and traction during racing. Its compact chassis and advanced suspension system contribute to excellent track performance, while unique styling and racing heritage make it a standout for automotive enthusiasts.
This 1972 Plymouth Road Runner embodies the spirit of street and strip performance with extensive modifications aimed at the enthusiast who values both speed and style. Featuring a 499 cubic-inch engine and supported by high-performance components such as a Holley 850 double pump carburetor and Nitrous Oxide system, every aspect of this vehicle screams performance.
Take High Anxiety to low ETs with this 1969 Oldsmobile 442 drag racing machine. The seller describes it as a “street-legal monster with a blown 455 cubic-inch V8 and a stance that lets everyone know it’s not here to play nice.” You’ll notice that a massive BDS supercharger dominates the hood, which feeds twin Edelbrock carbs and makes it clear that this 442 is far beyond stock. From the sound, to the power, to the attitude, this thing is alive.
The 1955 Ford Beatnik Bubbletop Custom is a breathtaking feat of automotive artistry, a one-of-a-kind, retrofuturistic show car built decades after the original vehicle rolled off the assembly line. Masterfully crafted by customizer Gary “Chopit” Fioto, this rolling sculpture stands as a tribute to the golden age of custom car design, borrowing inspiration from iconic builders and the space-age optimism of the 1950s and 1960s. More than a mere restoration, the Beatnik represents a full-scale reimagining of a custom bubbletop, blending a modified modern chassis with a stunning hand-formed body.
A Fusion of Classic American Iron
While the project started with a 1955 Ford, very little of the original vehicle remains, aside from a few key components. Fioto’s vision involved extensive modifications and the seamless integration of parts from several different classic American marques. The exterior features a distinct lavender paint job with hand-formed steel and aluminum bodywork, meticulously welded to create a cohesive, flowing design. The front is dominated by a customized bumper from a 1959 Cadillac, while the rear features a bumper from a 1958 Cadillac. The fins and taillights are sourced from a 1960 Chrysler, and the canted quad headlights nod to late-1950s Lincolns. The result is a spectacular blending of iconic automotive styling cues into a singularly unique and radical aesthetic.
The Largest Bubbletop Custom Ever Built
The car’s most defining and unforgettable feature is its enormous, custom-molded Lexan bubbletop. Inspired by the futuristic concept cars of the jet age, this transparent canopy is reportedly the largest ever created for an automobile. Unlike most customs where the roof is chopped and lowered, Fioto raised the roofline to accommodate the immense dome, creating a remarkable, spaceship-like profile. The interior is a work of art in its own right, upholstered in pearl white Naugahyde with a rolled and pleated design. Occupants are treated to a futuristic experience with a yoke-style steering wheel and a Chrysler Astradome instrument cluster. A tubular center console and four custom bucket seats complete the audacious interior.
Modern Foundation with Classic Power
Underneath its exquisite body, the Beatnik incorporates modern engineering for reliability and drivability. The custom body sits on a modified chassis from a 1988 Lincoln Town Car, providing a solid foundation for the ambitious project. Power is supplied by a high-performance Chevrolet 350 cubic-inch V8 engine, topped with six carburetors. The powerplant is dressed with period-appropriate chrome and polished components, including finned Moon valve covers and stainless-steel braided hoses. An automatic transmission, Vintage Air climate control, and an updated audio system also bring modern convenience to this vintage-inspired machine.
An Award-Winning Show Car Sensation
Upon its debut in 2005, the Beatnik immediately captured the attention of the custom car world and began racking up prestigious awards. It took home the Sweepstakes Award at Blackie Gejeian’s Fresno Autorama in 2005 and followed up with numerous accolades in 2006, including the George Barris Kustom d’Elegance Award and Outstanding Custom at the Grand National Roadster Show. Its success continued with a Grand Prize victory at Darryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Car Show and the American Cup at Carl Casper’s Custom Car Show. The 1955 Ford Beatnik Bubbletop is more than just a car; it is a legendary piece of custom automotive history that continues to mesmerize and inspire enthusiasts today.
The 1955 Ford Beatnik Bubbletop Custom Will Sell At Auction Without Reserve
The award-winning 1955 Ford Beatnik Bubbletop Custom is going to auction this Saturday, September 20th, 2025, as part of Larry’s Legacy at the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum in Chicago, IL. It will sell without reserve.
The Ford Beatnik has sold at auction multiple times, including a $396,000 sale hosted by RM Sotheby’s during Monterey 2006, and another sale hosted by RM Sotheby’s in California in 2015 (sold by Barry Weiss) for $165,000.
It’s not a model that we saw very often in the U.S., which makes the appearance of this 1977 Lotus Éclat project car in the Hemmings Classifieds all the more unusual. The Type 76 Éclat and the closely related Type 75 Elite were the keys to Colin Chapman‘s efforts to reinvent Lotus in the mid-1970s. With the cost of buying and insuring cars like the Elan and the Europa rising beyond the reach of most younger buyers, Chapman believed that an older (and wealthier) crowd might be drawn in by a new range of cars built for grand touring rather than on-track performance.
Both the Elite and the Éclat featured daring, up-to-the-minute angular styling by ex-Jaguar designer Oliver Winterbottom and enough interior space for four. While the Elite was a shooting brake with a dramatically chopped-off rear and a glass hatch, the Éclat featured a more conventional swept fastback, with a trunk that could swallow a surprising amount of gear. The two cars were so similar that the Éclat (“glow” in French) was originally to have been called the Elite Coupé.
You’d expect a Lotus to have a willing engine, and the Éclat doesn’t disappoint. The model initially was powered by the 16-valve, 1,973cc, all-alloy Lotus 907 four-cylinder making 160 hp at 6,500 rpm; when the Series 2 was launched in 1980, the 907 was replaced by the 2,174cc unit introduced in the Sunbeam-Lotus that made the same horsepower, but more torque. Though the example for sale dates from 1977, the seller says it’s equipped with the larger engine, as well as the five-speed Getrag transmission that replaced the earlier four-speed.
You’d also expect a Lotus to be light, and the Éclat is, with a curb weight of a mere 2,160 pounds. Incorporating a design first used in the Elan of 1962, the Éclat had a mild steel backbone chassis and a molded fiberglass body. Series 2 cars introduced a galvanized steel chassis to combat rust. The ad for this Éclat makes no mention of the chassis. The engine is mounted longitudinally in front, and drives the rear wheels. Braking is by discs all around, and the steering is by rack and pinion.
The car is described as complete, with a new stainless steel exhaust system and new tires. “Prefer sell all for restoration but may consider parts sales,” the seller says. There are no photos of the interior or engine provided, though we can see that this is one of the left-hand-drive Éclats produced for export. We couldn’t find records of how many LHD cars were built, but with production of all Series 1 Éclats amounting to just 1,299, there couldn’t have been many.
Could this seldom-seen Lotus be your next project? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. And if you’re interested in putting a Lotus in your garage, but this isn’t the one for you, check out some of the other listings in the Hemmings Marketplace.
The Filling Station • 800-841-6622 • fillingstation.com • $39.95/each
After nearly 50 years of popping the hood on your Chevy truck, you may have noticed the rear of the hood is not as flush with the cowl as it was from the factory. It’s possible your hood hinges are worn and if you’ve been adjusting them more often, it might be time to replace them. These new reproduction hood hinges are now available for 1973-’80 Chevrolet light trucks. They are said to be heavier and stronger than the original hinges to provide several more decades of service. They’re available separately for the left and right side, and are direct replacements for the factory hinges, but springs are not included. Ask about p/n RW-672L (left) and RW-672R (right) for more information.
Coat your vehicle with a clear, hard, smooth and mirror-like shine with Liquid Glass Polish/Finish. It will not chip, peel, crack or yellow and is safe to use on any automotive paint finish. The easy-to-apply formula will help you seal and protect chrome, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, glass and more non-porous surfaces too. It’s also available as part of a set with other cleaning formulas including Pre-Cleaner, Wash Concentrate, Connoisseur’s Choice Leather, and Vinyl & Rubber Protectant, plus it comes with an application cloth and buffing towel (not shown). Ask about p/n LG900 and LG999 (kit) for more details.
If you’re looking to add some stopping power to your Porsche 914, these new front and rear big brake kits will fulfill your needs. They are said to yield a 53 percent reduction in unsprung rotating mass compared to the original equipment brakes in the 1970-’76 914. Front and rear kits are available, and they come with forged-aluminum four-piston calipers, brackets, and hubs with oversize vented rotors. The Powerlite calipers are designed for proper front-to-rear braking bias while the rotors are larger in diameter and wider than the factory rotors. Calipers are available in black or red finishes (plus 24 other colors), and the rotors are available in plain face or slotted and drilled. Rear kits feature parking brakes for right and left-hand applications, and the parking brake cable kit is included. The kits must be used with a 914/6 or 911, 19-mm master cylinder. Inquire about part numbers 140-17473 (’70-’72 front); 140-17474-DR (’73-’76 front); and 140-17475 (’70-’76 rear) for full specifications.
Chevelle Cooling
Summit Racing • 800-230-3030 • summitracing.com • $1,631
New Griffin Radiators are now available for 1964-’67 Chevrolet Chevelles. These are exact-fit radiator combo kits that are direct replacements for the factory units on cars without air conditioning. They have OEM-style stamped tanks, proper mounting points for factory equipment, and the proper mounting tabs and brackets for quick and easy installation. The kits also feature built-in transmission fluid coolers for Chevelles with automatic transmissions. The radiators are made from AA3003 aluminum and have two-row cores with 1.25-inch-wide tubes. They are said to provide 25 percent more cooling than radiators with 1-inch tubes. Also included in the kit are dual 12-inch electric fans, an aluminum shroud, a temperature sensor, a wiring harness, and a radiator cap. The packages are shipped with the fans and shroud mounted to the radiator. Inquire about p/n CU-70054 for more details.
The Silver Seraph is a uniquely important Rolls-Royce model: the tangible, technological link between the pre-Goodwood and contemporary Rolls-Royce eras.
It was the first Rolls-Royce in history to be designed using computer-aided design.
And, more importantly, the first to be powered by a V-12 engine from BMW Group, which acquired the Rolls-Royce name in July 1998 after a byzantine tug of war with Volkswagen AG while the Silver Seraph was in production.
The new Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph had been unveiled to the world’s press in January 1998 at the suitably aristocratic location of Ackergill Tower Castle in Scotland. The assembled journalists were informed by the company’s head of public relations that the car had, “Solidness without heaviness. Authority without arrogance. Elegance without effort. Presence without pomp.”
Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he? It’s his job…
Yet it was all true: the Silver Seraph marked a technological milestone as the first Rolls-Royce designed using the aforesaid computer-aided design (CAD).
This innovation complemented traditional design methods, allowing for greater precision and efficiency. Moreover, the decision to use BMW engines, a 5.4-liter V12 for the Rolls-Royce and a 4.4-litre V8 for the Bentley variant, foreshadowed BMW’s eventual acquisition of the brand. This move proved instrumental in making Rolls-Royce an attractive proposition for its new owners.
The Seraph was powered by a 5.4-liter, aluminum alloy BMW V-12 engine and was operated via a five-speed automatic transmission, making it the first twelve-cylinder Rolls-Royce since the 1939 Rolls-Royce Phantom III.
Right now at Beverly Hills Car Club were have one of those 1,570 Silver Seraphs, a one-owner and ultra-low mileage 2000 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph featured with merely 7,740 miles on the odometer.
If you’re in search of a classic Rolls-Royce that combines elegance, opulence, and optimal performance, look no further than this Silver Seraph that is mechanically sound.
1) Immediate offer from a real cash buyer. There’s no consignment, no committee, no “let’s see how the auction goes.” Share a few photos and basic details, and schedule pickup on your terms.
2) Deep Testarossa expertise. I understand the nuances across early Monospecchio, Monodado, and later five‑lug wheel updates, as well as U.S. vs. Euro specs, paint codes, interior hides, books/tools/jacks, and other details.
3) Any condition means any condition. Running, non‑running, mid‑restoration, or stored for decades; I’ll buy it, I’m a serious buyer.
4) Nationwide. I acquire cars from all 48 continental states and Hawaii. My team coordinates paperwork, immediate wire payment, and transport around your schedule.
5) Respect for your story. Every Testarossa has a life, and I value the narrative as much as the numbers. I’ll listen, and I’ll treat you and your car with respect, always.
My sales pitch is simple: a direct sale at a fair market figure with immediate payment and pickup—no fees, no guessing. And I keep people first: candid communication, respectful offer, and a smooth, professional handoff.
How Do I Value These Sports Cars Worth?
You don’t need a studio photo shoot; smartphone photos are perfect. A few photos plus a short ownership summary is often enough for an offer:
• Exterior: four corners, sides, lights, glass, wheels, any paint blemishes. • Interior: dashboard, seats, carpets. • Engine bay: the flat‑12 from multiple angles. • Any Documents: title/registration, service receipts, owner’s manuals, tool roll, jack, spare.
Ready When You Are!
If you’re a Hemmings reader with a Ferrari Testarossa, I’m ready with a serious offer, immediate payment, and white‑glove, enclosed pickup anywhere in the U.S. and Hawaii. Whether you are selling a showroom-quality car, or a total restoration project, the Beverly Hills Car Club is always looking to add to their wide-ranging inventory. For cars that are barn-find restoration projects, all the way up to top-of-the-line concours cars; you are sure to find your dream car!
The Ferrari Mondial has outgrown its punchline years. Today’s enthusiasts appreciate it for what it actually is: a charismatic mid‑engine 2+2 with usable space, classic Pininfarina lines, and a sound that only a Ferrari V8 makes. For Hemmings readers considering a sale, here’s a straight‑talk field guide to the car, the process, and why sellers pick me.
Mondial, Decoded (Model family & eras)
• Mondial 8 (1980–’82): Bosch K‑Jet injection, early U.S. emissions tuning, many on TRX wheels. • Mondial Quattrovalvole (’82–’85): 4‑valve heads; stronger, sweeter revs; coupe/cabriolet. • Mondial 3.2 (’85–’88): Refined drivability; coupe/cabriolet; ABS appears later in the run. • Mondial t (’89–’93): Longitudinal engine/transverse gearbox; power steering; updated interior.
What buyers (like me) notice: originality – paint codes, interior hides, wheels; documentation such as service history, ownership chain; the recency of servicing (helpful but not a dealbreaker); rust and structural integrity; basic running status – whether it starts, runs, and drives—etc. I’ll buy any condition: running, non‑running, mid‑restoration, or disassembled! If it’s been stationary for decades, that’s okay; we bring the right gear and enclosed transport to move it safely.
Selling to Alex, versus Elsewhere
Here’s the scoop on auctions/classifieds:
• Prep, transport, and waiting for a sale date • Seller commissions and after‑sale friction • Time spent on calls, messages, showings • Outcome uncertainty (weather, headlines, bidder moods)
Here’s the scoop when selling to me:
• Direct sale to a ready buyer • Immediate payment (your preferred secure method) • Enclosed pickup coordinated around you • No hidden fees, no “almost sold” stories • Clear communication start to finish
All I need are these few things!
• A handful of clear photos • Year/model, coupe or cabriolet, and whether it runs. • Ownership story you’re aware of. • A day/time that suits pickup at home, office, or storage.
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Off-road motorcycling innovator, and racing champion, John Penton died on September 7, just a few weeks after celebrating his 100th birthday on August 19.
John Penton, pictured alongside a Penton at the Southern Ohio Two-Day Trial in 1973 in this Rick Kocks photo. This image was published in the book, “John Penton and the Off-Road Motorcycle Revolution.”
Penton’s longevity came as no surprise to his legions of fans. The Ohioan’s grit and determination in competition, as well as in business, were his stock-in-trade. Penton’s achievements on a motorcycle were numerous, but a generation of riders remember him as the creator of the Penton Sport Cycle, founder of Penton U.S.A. and Hi-Point Racing Products. These Penton startups have survived into the 21st century as products widely recognized today, including KTM off-road motorcycles and Golden Spectro lubricants.
John Penton is aboard a Penton Six-Days 125, while competing in the 1969 ISDT in West Germany, in this Jerry West photo. The text, added when the photo was used in a KTM advertisement, reads: “All I ever wanted was a lightweight motorcycle that I could rely on. I never realized that I was redefining the sport.”
Penton was born August 19, 1925, in Amherst, Ohio. He was raised on the family farm — where he lived his entire life — one of Harold and Nina Penton’s seven children. The Penton brothers started their longtime love affair with motorcycling when John’s older siblings dusted off their father’s 1914 Harley Davidson and rode it. John, standing at 5-feet 5 inches tall and growing up with three older brothers, pushed himself in athletics, becoming the quarterback of his high-school football team and setting a pole-vaulting record.
Penton graduated from high school as World War II was raging in 1943. In 1944, he joined the Merchant Marines, serving aboard transatlantic convoy ships hunted relentlessly by German U-boats. He then joined the U.S. Navy in 1945.
After being discharged in 1946, he returned to Ohio and, in 1948, co-founded with his brothers a business: Penton Brothers Motorcycle Agency. The enterprise began selling BSAs out of a converted chicken coop next to the Penton Brothers Machine Shop on the family property. The business grew, and the Pentons eventually added Ariel, Matchless, NSU and Zundapp to their portfolio of brands. Eventually they added titans BMW, Husqvarna and Honda.
In 1958, Penton began amassing national off-road titles aboard a modified NSU 175 street bike. In 1959, Penton attracted national attention when he set a cross-country riding record aboard a BMW R69, leaving New York on June 8 and arriving in California 52 hours and 11 hours later.
For the 1962 season, Penton converted a BMW R27 single street bike into an enduro machine and netted three more titles. BMW liked what they saw, and sponsored Penton in the 1962 International Six Days Trials — the Olympics of off-roading — in West Germany. Penton won a silver medal that year, and his efforts landed him on the cover of Cycle World magazine – plastered in mud aboard his plucky BMW, wearing a red-white-and-blue helmet.
The ISDT would become a passion for Penton and lead him to creating his own motorcycles suited to competing in the grueling races: the Penton Sport Cycles. By the late 1960s, lightweight, powerful two-stroke powered Husqvarnas had become the ride of choice for off-roaders, including the great Malcolm Smith and Hollywood legend Steve McQueen. But Penton believed Husqvarna needed to build a smaller machine for tight woods riding and deep mud runs. The Swedish firm rebuffed him — bigger, after all, in America is always better.
But, while competing in the 1967 ISDT in Poland, Penton met an Austrian rider racing a motorcycle of his own design, built from parts of bikes manufactured by his employer, Kronreif, & Trunkenpoltz of Mattighofen — aka KTM. Penton soon visited KTM and asked them to build his motorcycle. He put up the $6,000 fee company President Erich Trunkenpoltz requested and the first Pentons were born in late 1967. Production followed in 1968.
A 1969 Penton 125 Six-Days restored by Kip Kern and pictured when it was on loan to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. These early Sachs-powered “steel tankers” were small and lightweight but proved to be giant killers.
The first Penton “steel tankers” look like mini-bikes by modern standards, and their 100cc and 125cc Sachs engines made less than 20 horsepower. But they were giant killers, paving the way for a line of Pentons ranging from 100s to 400s winning national and international titles through the 1970s. Dozens of off-roading greats cut their teeth racing Pentons, including Penton’s own sons: Tom, Jeff and Jack, as well as his nephews, the late Dane and Ted Leimbach.
A 1973 Hare Scrambler 250 used the KTM engine, introduced the year prior on the 1972 Jackpiner 175.
KTM eventually took over the Penton U.S. distribution network and the last Pentons were sold as 1977 models. Estimates are that more than 25,000 Pentons were built.
Capitalizing on the success of his motorcycles, Penton also launched the Hi-Point accessory brand. One of its most famous products were its Hi-Point boots made by the Italian ski boot manufacturing firm, Alpine Stars and worn by countless riders. Meanwhile, Hi-Point lubricants survive today as Golden Spectro.
John Penton addresses a crowd in 2008 at a celebration of the Penton motorcycle’s 40th anniversary in this photo from the Penton Owners Group archives.
Penton is one of the greatest names in motorsports known mostly by seasoned hardcore off-road motorcyclists. But like the bikes it created, and Penton himself, it had an outsized influence on the world.
Penton was the father of six children and grandfather of 13, According to the Penton family, a celebration of life will be held October 11, 12:30 p.m., at the Amherst Eagles Club in Amherst, following a funeral and an interment of ashes with military honors.
