Jeremy Clarkson, who knows a thing or two about these things, once suggested that the only reason you should buy a car is how it makes you feel when you walk into your garage in the morning. If it causes feelings of pride, vanity or even a slight protuberance in the trousers, then that’s the car you should get instead of that Honda Civic or Toyota Camry.
As threatened promised earlier in the week, today we are going to take a look at Sotheby’s 2024 Arizona auction catalogue.
Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to pick the top five (and only the Top 5) that would give you the above-mentioned feelings if you were to walk into your five-car garage in the morning for the purpose of selecting the car that you were going to drive that day. (And if you’re perfectly happy with your 1995 Chevy C-10 pickup and can’t imagine wanting one of these, feel free not to share that with us.)
As I said earlier in the week, please ignore the prices because they’re just suggestions — some or most of which may turn out to be hopelessly unrealistic come next Thursday’s auction.
I would recommend that you spend some time looking at the descriptions for each of the cars offered, because (as I discovered) your choices may well be influenced thereby.
What I’m looking for is a feeling of desire, and not investment. Please rank your choices, therefore, in order of desirability; and feel free to add the purpose of your drive that day (hot date, cross-country trip, visiting family, getting groceries, whatever).
My Top 5 are listed below the fold.
1. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC
If I’m to be honest, if I was told that I could only have ONE car from the catalogue, this would still be my choice. It’s powerful, reliable, spacious (even for carrying rifle/shotgun cases in its trunk) and drop-dead gorgeous. I would drive this cross-country, out to dinner, or just for the hell of it — in fact, this could easily be my one-car garage car. It’s my all-rounder, and it causes me to have all sorts of stirrings in long-dormant parts.
2. 1970 Jaguar XKSS Recreation
Yeah I know it’s not an original — which means that it’s not going to suffer all the dire consequences of the original 
and will actually work. (I like the Eagle E-types for the same reason.) The XKSS is just more beautiful than any car needs to be, and reminds me of Kelly Brook lying on her side. Like Kelly, it’s totally impractical and serves no purpose in life other than being outrageously fast and did I already say looking voluptuously gorgeous?
3. 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon
I’ve actually been a passenger in an original Ford Woodie wagon, and it was awful: bumpy, juddering, couldn’t corner for shit, acceleration ditto. It was a car of its time, and automotively speaking, that post-WWII time pretty much sucked.
This isn’t one of those. Instead, it’s a Woodie concept shell on a Lincoln Navigator chassis, with the Navi engine and mechanicals to boot. I know, it’s not in the spirit of vintage cars blah blah blah, and it’s really just a fanciful interpretation of an old classic. Whatever. This is the SUV that Ford would have made had they had the technology at the time, and I love it. The fact that it’s all-wheel drive just adds to the allure, because I could load it up with all the gear and drive it 1,700 miles to Boomershoot (which I could never do with its original incarnation).
4. 1934 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster
This is my “oldie” choice (defined as “cars made long before I was born”), and it fills all sorts of criteria for me: stately, beautiful, powerful (that honking great 12-cylinder engine), loin-stirring, you name it — and it has a rumble seat for extraneous passengers! Making this choice in my garage to drive that day would give me nothing but pleasure. After the Mercedes 300 SC, this is my #2 all-rounder.
And finally, my “modern” choice:
5. 1972 Ferrari 365 Daytona GTB/4
I guess no decent car collection is complete without at least one Ferrari, and of all the ones on offer in the catalogue, this one appeals to me the most. I love the color, and the GTB/4 is regarded by the Ferrari cognoscenti as perhaps the greatest Ferrari V12 ever built.
Honorable mentions: 1935 Rolls Phantom II (in the Oldies class), and 1970 Jaguar E-type Series 2 (because E-type).
Ok, Here’s my list for the 5 car garage. That’s the separate climate controlled building off to the side of the Main house, with the staff apartment above the garage over by the tennis courts and the pool, right?
1. Nothing has more of a WOW factor than one of the most recognizable cars on the planet. This one being numbers matching, one of 193, properly maintained, with a documented provenance. So Lot 118 the 65 Aston Martin DB5. I’d like to do one of those long distance organized tours like the Colorado Grand or one of R&T new series of trips. This would be a perfect car for that.
2. Keeping with the British theme, next is the younger sister to Kim’s XKSS selection, LOT 129 – The Jag XJ 220. Particularly since it’s had a reasonably recent $ 170,000 dollar worth of service work done. The XKSS is a magnificent car but a little too zaftig for my taste. Where as the XJ220 is the absolute peak of Jaguar development before they changed hands to the Germans.
3 Speaking of which, next on my list is lot 132 the 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort. One of 207 in the Komfort spec instead of the Sport version. These cars arguably are the cars that started the Super car trend. Completely analog these things are hopelessly complex and hard to maintain. This example was serviced by Bruce Canepa’s shop to the tune of $ 100,000+-. Fortunately I would not need to ship it back to SOCAL for service since one of my local Porsche shops is the east coast 959 specialist. Last time I was in Jerry’s shop there were 3 – 959’s in his shop. Service time for them is measured in weeks since parts are scarce for a 35 year old supercar.
4 The next Porsche selection is Lot 156 the 1957 Emory Outlaw 356A — As it happens, I know this car having had a chance to thoroughly view it the Newport Motorweek PCA Concours 3 years ago. Rod even gave us a 1 hour presentation on the car. Of the cars selected this one is one the few that will likely go for MORE than the suggested bid. Along with my next selection.
5 The last selection is another German masterpiece Lot 136 – the 1938 540K Special Roadster – I’ve always wanted to take a car to Pebble Beach like my neighbor Tom did with his Pierce Arrow. Of all the cars on the list this one is the most likely to be invited. It’s been 10 years since it was last on the major show circuit so it’s a prime candidate for an invitation. That also means that it’s going to have to spend a year or so up the road in Essex at Paul Russel’s Shop for a “refresh” at probably north of a half million. They did the Count Trossi SSK that’s in Ralph Laurens collection.
But Kim put in a Honorable mention, so I’d go with the Gullwing since it’s eligible for the Milla Miglia another event I’d like to do .
Ted, your racing background shines through in every word. Not that this is a Bad Thing, of course.
I also like the Jag XJ 220, but it’s an absolute beast to drive — as told to me by the owner of one when I saw it at the Concours at Blenheim Palace in 2017. Too large for most parking spaces, no rear view vision at all — the Countach has better(!), as he said — and the doors… well, you actually need TWO parking spaces to be able to open them. It kinda soured me on the beast, to be honest, even though it’s gorgeous beyond words.
It’s really a racing car made marginally acceptable as a street car. Once again, not a Bad Thing, but I would choose the Porsche 959 over it because I would argue that you really only need one race car in the stable.
All your other choices are excellent, and I would have made any of them myself.
TENNIS courts? You mean 18-hole putting green, surely.
No. I meant Tennis Courts. Here in New England, people, have Tennis Courts, mostly Clay or sometimes even grass but never HardTop. With a Pavillion and most importantly a bar setup. june and July in the 50’s and 60’s, there were informal “touraments” which in my experience, was mostly my parents generation sitting around socializing and drinking with friends while some attempted to play at least one full set. depending on how hot it was. Golf is done at the Club. Some of the New Money people have added a putting green somewhere, but the Tennis courts are still there, just now with weeds sprouting in the clay.
Yeah, but there in New England, you also have shit gun control laws, so don’t come to me with that snooty tennis shit.
😉
Considering my weight/size/age, what causes a tentpole might not actually be healthy for continued existence, so…
118 Aston just because it is sexy to max
130 Ferrari Daytona – actually a useable supercar
135 Gullwing Benz, have always loved that car, rode in one at age 7, sigh!
158 Bentley – Comfort and class
111 67 Vette just because
Nothing wrong with any of them. I think you MAY be a little disappointed by the Gullwing, though. Details upon request.
My 5 car garage picks would be the Toyota FJ45, one of the Mustang GT500’s, the 67 Vette with the 427, maybe an E-type, and then the 58 Vette convertible. I’m not too big on the whole Euro car thing, the E-type is actually bottom of my list and can easily be replaced with another Corvette.
And obviously, my 1995 Chevy C-10 pickup would still be parked in the driveway, cause that’s all I really need. (actually it’s a 11 year old Ram, but the thought is the same).
1983 FJ45 Land Cruiser
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 427/432 Convertible
1965 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe
1967 Shelby 500 Fastback
1935 Rolls-Royce 1935 Phantom II Tourer by Thrupp & Maberly
I think that would do.
JQ
No arguments from me on any of them. And that Roller is absolutely exquisite.
That Land Cruiser is to bring the gear to the range in style. Imagine bringing home a deer in the back of it.
JQ
1974 Ford Bronco Custom–Because I like the way it looks. Yeah, it’s not an *actual* 70s American Car…so much the better.
1983 Toyota FJ45 Land Cruiser–Gotta figure out a way to put a camper on the back.
1984 Audi Sport Quattro–Put some larger rims and Blizzaks on it for winter driving.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing–I’ve wanted an SL for a while now.
2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB–For long trips around the country…plus, I’ve kinda always wanted a blowjob in the back of a Rolls-Royce.
All sound choices. And getting a BJ in the back of a Rolls is a well-established custom.
The only ride on that list that gets me all tingly down south is the Jag. I seem to recall from a Leno vid that the woodys were bitch to maintain; they don’t work & play well with humidity. The Ferrari is about as nondescript looking as I’ve ever seen any Ferrari; looks like a 280Z to me.
Speaking of Leno: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1q0tiWR3kc
Which Jag? There are several.
Also, this Ford Woodie isn’t a Ford — it’s a Lincoln Navigator. No rust issues, really, and it can be serviced by any Ford/Linc dealer.
Lightweight sportscars are my kryptonite. These have stirred my loins today:
156: 1957 Porsche 356 A Outlaw by Emory. I’d daily drive this 90% of the time and be perfectly happy. Always been a fan of Emory and his craftsmanship.
148: 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder
143: 2021 Ford GT Mk II
146: 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale
159: 2020 McLaren Speedtail. Polarizing design, but a lot of technology packed in this beauty.
Runner-up qualifiers:
144: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pininfarina
121: 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra
128: 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino ‘Chairs and Flares’
135: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
137: 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Villa D’Este Coupe by Touring
“Lightweight sportscars are my kryptonite.”
Well, it’s not like you didn’t have enough to choose from in this catalogue. I’m just amazed you didn’t go for the Alfa 8C Monza… possibly the best racing car Alfa ever made. And alone among all these cars, it’s actually underpriced. An original 8C — IF you could find one — would set you back millions.
I’m afraid that would be too much Midnight in Paris for me. While I appreciate what they did in the time, I’d be fearful of mechanical malfunction each time I would take it out.
BTW, I visited the NRA museum last week and think you’d rather enjoy it if you’ve never been.
The Aston Martin DB5. Hey, it’s a James Bond thing, okay?
The ’34 Packard 12. That’s just a beauty of a 30’s car.
The 1983 Toyota FJ45. Land Cruiser looks like a fitting name.
The 1960 Amphicar 770. Just because it’s weird.
And I’ll round out my 5 car garage by tracking down my first Jeep Wrangler. A ’92 YJ. Just because.
Nothing wrong with having a James Bond thing. That said then, I’m surprised you didn’t go for the 1935 Bentley; it too was a Bond car (not in any of the movies, but in the Casino Royale book).
It’s been a very long time since I read a Hard Cover Bond Book in the original Fleming, but as I recall the Original Bond Car was a Blower Bentley. 29 to 32
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1099050
YMMV
Close enough.
1962 Chevy Corvette Fuelly
1967 Shelby GT350 Fastback
2012 Audi R8 5.2 Quattro Spyder
74 Ford Bronco
1970 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 4.2-Litre
Not in any particular order, but my choices would be:
Toyoda Land Cruiser (because Toyoda, stone axe reliable, but the Woody is very tempting)
Ghia L 6.4, absolutely fabulous “space-age” styling with big-block Chrysler power, and royal provenance is nice
Alfa Romeo 6C, stirs something in me, stunningly beautiful
Bentley Continental GT No 9 by Mulliner, that green is SO gorgeous, although the relic enclosed is odd, to my mind
last would be a scissors, paper, rock between any E-type and the Shelbys
In lot order:
Lot 104: 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha ‘Armored’ Wagon. Paint it OD Green, cut a hatch in the roof, mount a turret ring to said hatch, mount an M2HB (or M134!) to said turret ring, and it’ll be perfect.
Lot 123: 1967 Shelby GT350 Fastback. It’s sexy as hell, and I love the color.
Lot 130: 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Because Miami Vice. Need I say more?
Lot 170: 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello. Yes, the styling is controversial, but it’s a front-engine V12 and comes with a factory six-speed gated shifter. This was the last* of the V12 Ferraris to come from the factory with a six-speed gated shifter (There are something like 20 599s with gated shifters, but those are rarer than hens’ teeth).
Lot 178: 2001 BMW Z8. The first James Bond movie I ever saw was “The World Is Not Enough,” and one of these co-starred in it alongside Pierce Brosnan.
Roger, and affirm on that whole pride, vanity, protuberance thing; I often wander into my garage just to look at the two BMW Z4s parked there–a Duct Tape Millionaire’s roadster fleet!
Now, if I had real money, I’d blow some of it on
(1) one of the ’58 Covettes
(2) the BMW Z8 (there’s one in my local mechanic’s garage, and I covet what I see)
(3) the 1935 BMW 319/1 Sport, just for cruisin’ the hood and makin’ ’em cry
(4) the 1939 American Bantam Roadster, see (3) above
(5) the 1934 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster
I do love me some ragtops.
For me a car is first and foremost a tool. I don’t need to get sexually aroused by it, it just needs to do its job reliably and safely.
If it looks good doing so, so much the better.
That said, my picks from that list based on looks, in no particular order:
– 1960 Jaguar XK150
– 1965 Aston Martin DB5
– 1984 Audi Quattro
And that’s it. I like older 911s, but not in those horrendous colours.
” I don’t need to get sexually aroused by it, it just needs to do its job reliably and safely.”
You’re SUCH a Euro… and yet you guys make things like Spykers, Wiessmann and the like.
Born in 1940, came of age in 1958. Could name all of the ’50s and ’60s American Cars.
Favorites by year old to new
1 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon AWD Custom (That color blue was fantastic)
2 1958 Chevrolet Corvette 283/245 (high school crush)
3 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti (A Superamerica 410 would be better)
4 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra (Carroll Shelby blew us all away)
5 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra (0-100-0 in 13 seconds)