Another increasingly sought-after circuit-inspired special is the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0, and if you ever had any doubt about its status as a collector’s car, consider that a pristine example sold for R1.1 million over the weekend at the Legend & Classics auction that was held at the Creative Rides showroom in Bryanston.
The event, which saw over 100 collectible cars go under the hammer, drew an online global audience of more than 15 000. Bidding for the 1985 Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 started at R200 000, but after a bidding war between local and Australian collectors, the car was eventually sold to a South African from Cape Town for R1.1 million.
According to High Street Auctions Director and Lead Auctioneer Joff van Reenen, this GTV is a completely original, low-mileage example that has been “mollycoddled” by its previous owner.
Developed in South Africa as a homologation car for the Group One production racing series in the 1980s, only around 200 of them were ever produced at the Italian car brand’s factory in Brits, and it’s believed that only around 35 remain in existence today.
Powered by a 3.0-litre engine that produced 128kW and 222Nm, the GTV6 3.0 was the most powerful Alfa Romeo production car at the time. Of course, this car is not to be confused with the GTV6 2.5, which is a far more common sight.
“The star lot of the day was without doubt the Alfa GTV 6, which was also the last lot in a packed catalogue of some of the rarest collector cars I’ve ever seen,” Van Reened said after the auction. “The good news is this extremely rare 3L beast that was originally designed for the Group 1 local racing circuit is going to be staying in South Africa.”
FORD CAPRI PERANA AND OTHER RARE CARS SOLD
The Legend & Classics auctioneers sold 106 collector cars over the weekend, including a 1971 Ford Capri Perana that fetched R780 000. Other high price achievers were a 1960 Chevrolet El Camino, which fetched R915 000, a 1972 Ford Fairmont GT (R900 000) and a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL (R800 000).
Creative Rides CEO Kevin Derrick said that 80 percent of the buyers were South African, with the majority residing in Gauteng, and several buyers indicated that their new prized rides would be going into private car museums around the country. Van Reenen said that the COVID-19 pandemic had fueled even more interest in classic cars, as it pushed more people online, both locally and abroad. “Prices never decrease on a collector car,” Van Reenen said. “The collector car market in the US and Europe has exploded, a lot more people are getting into it, and the values just keep climbing.”
South African-built classics, which often had bigger engines than their international counterparts, are increasingly in demand in both Europe and Australia, from muscle cars like the Peranas to once-ordinary sedans like the Ford Cortina XR6.
MAX VERSTAPPEN’S TITLE PROBABLY RED BULL’S BIGGEST, SAYS CHRISTIAN HORNER
Max Verstappen’s first world championship is probably Red Bull’s biggest achievement in Formula One, team boss Christian Horner said on Sunday after the Dutch driver took the title in Abu Dhabi.
The team won four successive drivers’ and constructors’ titles from 2010 to 2013 with Sebastian Vettel before the Mercedes era started. Verstappen sealed his victory with a last lap overtake of Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton, who had been heading for a record eighth title.
“All credit to Lewis, he’s been a phenomenal opponent all year and he’s a great world champion and that’s what makes it even more valid to win this,” said Horner. “It’s right up there with the first one.”
Vettel, now with Aston Martin, took his first title in 2010 at the same Yas Marina circuit after coming out on top in a four-way battle in the season-ender.
Milton Keynes-based Red Bull entered the sport in 2005, the energy drink-owned team taking over the Jaguar outfit that was previously Stewart.
Mercedes had won every title since 2014 when the 1.6 litre V6 turbo hybrid era started and they retained their constructors’ crown on Sunday for an unprecedented eighth year in a row.
“Mercedes are such a quality team and they’ve got stronger and stronger over the years. And that’s what’s made this so intense,” said Horner, who has traded barbs with counterpart Toto Wolff all year.
“Because of the quality of the opposition we’ve had, that’s what makes this one so special. This is probably the biggest championship that we’ve ever won.”
RUGGED NEW FEATURES FOR THE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 70TH EDITION BAKKIE
Toyota’s Land Cruiser bloodline now stretches back seven full decades, with the original Toyota BJ having hit the scene back in 1951 as a hardcore off-roader intended for military use, but also serving as the precursor to today’s Land Cruisers. To celebrate this milestone, Toyota South Africa has launched a new 70th Anniversary edition, based on the 79-series bakkie.
Available in both single cab and double cab formats, the Land Cruiser 70th Anniversary edition comes with an array of unique equipment, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes.
On the outside, the edition flaunts a mesh-pattern grille with ‘TOYOTA’ block lettering, as well as a tubular front steel bumper, integrated winch preparation, rubberized load bed and a tubular rear step bumper with detachable tow bar. A final garnish comes in the form of Land Cruiser heritage and 70th anniversary logos on the front fenders and doors.
The cabin of the Land Cruiser 70th Anniversary edition is decorated with grey seat covers that feature 70th edition embroidery, as well as Land Cruiser branded floor mats. Although this is an old fashioned product, it still comes with a modern touchscreen audio system with satnav and Bluetooth connectivity.
The special edition models are fitted with the familiar 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel engine, which produces 151kW and 430Nm. It is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.
“The special edition model builds upon the core Land Cruiser credentials and adds a host of utility-boosting parts and visual enhancements to deliver a bespoke model true to the needs of the ‘hardcore’ Land Cruiser enthusiast,” Toyota said. Only two exterior colour options are offered, these being Sand Beige and Ivory White.
MAX V. IS THE NEW WORLD CHAMPION
Max Verstappen became the first Dutchman ever to win the Formula One world championship title when he won a dramatic season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Red Bull driver notched up a 10th victory of the season when he took advantage of a second safety car to overtake seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton on the final lap after Nicholas Latifi crashed.
Verstappen and Hamilton, who went into the race level on points, went wheel to wheel to the chequered flag with the Dutchman edging the race.
Hamilton, who had won the three previous races, made the perfect start when he overtook Verstappen before by the first corner.
The two then tangled on the first lap with Verstappen overtaking and forcing Hamilton wide off the track but the Mercedes driver cut across and rejoined the race in the lead. He slowed to give back time but the stewards decided not to investigate the incident.
Hamilton built up a lead which was then threatened when Red Bull took advantage of a virtual safety car on lap 36 of 58 to switch to a new set of hard tyres. Hamilton stayed out and saw the Dutchman erode his lead with every lap. Another safety car on lap 54 enabled Verstappen to pit again and switch to soft tyres.
When the safety car came off, just one dramatic lap remained and the two began it neck and neck. But the fresh tyres paid off for the 24-year old Verstappen who surged through to win the race and the title to roar from the stands at the Yas Marina stands.