The Pantera was a queen of diamonds, a sexy Italian-built supercar that inspired lust on first sight, but with a Ford V8 under its rear hood promised.
Looking to start the year on the right foot, RM Sotheby’s 18th annual Arizona auction is bringing style and power in equal measure to Scottsdale.
Bonham’s, one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished auction houses, is bringing no less than their best to this year’s Scottsdale sale. Their docket covers all colors of the automotive spectrum, from pre-war racers to modern supercars.
The 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta, based on the 599 GTB and with just 80 built, exemplifies that continuing devotion to the ultra-special car for the most dedicated customers. Those clients, Ferrari knows, understand they are purchasing rare automotive artworks, which are usually pre-sold even before they’re unveiled to the public.
Every January, Arizona’s dry, salt-free climate brings automotive enthusiasts from around the world to Scottsdale for a week of shows, auctions, and seminars. As the first major event on the collector car calendar, Scottsdale showcases a quality of cars rarely seen off of a concours green.
Automotive connoisseurs are likely to keep their garages stocked with the best internal combustion vehicles from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche for a long time. But it’s a safe bet those same garages will make room for high-performance EVs.
Known as the “Rambo Lambo” for monster proportions, monster looks and monster capability, the Lamborghini LM002, also was a 6,600-pound, 4-wheel drive leviathan powered by a V12 and capable to traversing the Arabian Peninsula at very high speed – without a road. On Rodeo Drive, it was the ultimate status machine, able to frighten small children and make grown men swoon – and vice versa, too.
We’ve assembled our “12 Classics Cars of Christmas” with cars that inspire lust but won’t end up gathering dust in the garage. A few, admittedly, may also bring back Santa’s own memories searching in every store only to find all have been sold. We even included a few stocking stuffers for family enjoyment.
The Levante takes its name from a warm Mediterranean wind. Maserati must get credit for successfully transferring its design language to the SUV form. There doesn’t appear to be a straight line anywhere on the body, just plenty of elegant curves and no attempt to look truckish. Squint, and you can see a bit of Infiniti’s SUV designs here and there, and the mini fender vents still look a bit Buick-ish to some.
