We have made it tradition of picking and sharing our favorite vehicles when we visit a live auction venue, whether at Monterey, Amelia Island, Arizona or elsewhere. But considering such events have been canceled by the coronavirus pandemic, we’re focusing our attention on vehicles consigned to the AutoHunter online auction site.
Like the Journal, AutoHunter is part of, and the newest aspect of, ClassicCars.com.
If you have not yet clicked into it, AutoHunter is an online auction platform that combines some fantastic cars in a format that offers real-time live customer service for buyers and sellers as well as buyer’s protection and a seller’s guarantee.
The following are cars approaching their bidding deadline on AutoHunter that I would want in my garage.
1989 Porsche 911 Turbo cabriolet — This is a one-owner, 32,000 original-mile example of the last version of the 930 Turbo. This car is finished in Black A1V9 paint over a black leather interior and looks to be in immaculate condition. Options include a factory limited-slip differential, power-operated top, and interior options including a heated, lumbar-adjustable driver’s seat and factory short-shift lever. The seller discloses that when the car was two weeks old someone decided to key both doors and rear quarter panels, but this was repaired by the dealer immediately. This represents the end of the line for the 930 and is rare as a 930 cabriolet and would make a nice addition to my garage.
1962 Chevrolet Corvette — This is the way to live out your Route 66 dreams. This 1962 Corvette is finished in Fawn Beige over a black vinyl interior and is powered by a replacement GM crate 350cid engine mated to a 4-speed gearbox. This would make for a perfect C1 Corvette to take on rallies or just to drive and enjoy on an extended road trip. The C1 is the car that started the Corvette crazy and this one, from the final model year and thus combining the styling of the C1 with the rear-end treatment of the C2 model rear end, has always been my favorite.
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo — Yes, there is another Porsche on my list and if you have read my stories in the past or been on any of my live auction tours, this should come as no big surprise. This is a Euro-specification 944 Turbo finished in Guards Red over a black leather interior. This 944 Turbo has been driven 110,000 miles and, importantly, has had some serious services performed, all of it documented. That service includes a new battery, new motor mounts, new tires, spark plugs, oil and fuel lines. In addition, and of most importance, the timing belt and water pump were replaced at 104K miles. Additionally, the turbo is said to have the studs replaced at 99K miles while the air-intake piping and seals, heater hoses and seals, and exhaust manifold were replaced at the same time.
The Euro-spec 944 Turbo has a benefit over the US spec car as it has a bit more horsepower than the US market model and they are rare to find. The 944 Turbo may be the best 1980s GT Porsche developed and this looks to be a great car that is well cared for with all of the important services done recently.
2006 Shelby Mustang GT-H — And now for something completely different. The 2006 Shelby Mustang GT-H was the relaunch of the mythic Hertz/Shelby cars. These cars were all shipped to the Shelby factory in Vegas and extensively reworked to be real Shelby cars. Each carries a Shelby factory VIN tag and they are a bit of a bargain in the Shelby universe. I love these cars as they offer a lot of bang for the buck in a real Shelby car. Sure they were only offered as an automatic, but that is in keeping with the original 1966 GT350H cars as many of those were also equipped with automatic transmissions. Get over it, these cars are both fast and cool. This car is a true collector’s grade GT-H with only 21,000 miles from new and completely original and includes every bit of paperwork from new including service records and the original window sticker, so if you are looking for a modern Shelby collectible it is hard to go wrong with this one.
1974 BMW Bavaria — The first BMW I ever rode in was a Bavaria my Dad owned. He had changed from a Lincoln and 12-year-old me was simply stunned by the difference in quality compared to the Continental. Everything felt as if it was perfectly engineered and assembled and the car combined luxury with performance that I had never experienced.
With mechanicals based on the BMW E9 coupes, such as the 3.0 CS, these cars are true German sports sedans and have largely disappeared in the last decade, with examples this clean being difficult to find for sale. This 1974 Bavaria is finished in Sienabraun metallic over a tan leather interior and has only covered 45,000 miles since new. Included with the sale are a car cover, a original tool kit, owner’s manual, factory service manuals, and numerous spare parts such as an oil dipstick, ashtray, two spare hubcaps, rear passenger door glass, and various filters.
This is the perfect car to take to Legends of the Autobahn next year and the BMWCCA Oktoberfest celebration.
2000 Honda S2000 — The S2000 is quickly becoming a serious collector car, especially among younger people in the collector car hobby. These cars offer typical exceptional Honda build quality combined with a lot of high-tech engineering. The very best part of the S200 package is the engine. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder F20C is factory-rated at 240 horsepower at 8,300 rpm and has an extraordinary 8.900 RPM redline. Taking an S2000 through the gears is an experience unlike almost any other car. This S2000 is a true collector’s-grade example with 19,000 miles and is completely unmodified. Included with the sale are all original books and manuals and complete service records from new. If you are looking for a car that is exhilarating to drive that also as a lot of potential upside potential, this S2000 is just the ticket.
And there are many others available for bidding on AutoHunter as well.
The GT-H is interesting and historical piece (and yes, they were meant for rental hence the automatics but what the hell – the new ones have them too, with those damn stupid dials no less) but the rest – eh. And you even picked a Porsche filled with water and the motor in the wrong place to boot.
Oh- sir, you picked well, I think. Me? I’d rather have the 911 Turbo in a coupe, just ‘cuz I like that slope of roof to bumper uninterrupted, ever see the Chuck Norris movie “Good Guys Wear Black”? Tho’ I think that might have been a 930.
‘Vette pick spot on for me, as I love the intermediate C1/C2 transition; rather white over red interior and Hooker matte black side mounts, but the car you chose was stellar.
Ms. Christina certainly deserves a place; 944/964’s brilliant and attainable.
Dunno ’bout the Bavaria, my only BMW experience is with two different 2002tii’s. If it drives that well, two thumbs up.
The Honda S2000 is a brilliant piece of kit. Everything an enthuiast would want, nothing unnecessary. And with an aftermarket exhaust will raise the hairs on your body.
Sad about the GT-H. Nothing with Shelby’s name should have an automatic, no matter the driving dynamic. Picture the flat crank Voodoo GT350 with an automatic… it is to weep. As the new midmotor ‘Vette. Travesty.
Peace!