Nine stunning cars to buy in the Bonhams|Cars Quail sale

1905 Fiat-Isotta-Fraschini Volo-6 Competition Two-Seater

The Fiat is an astonishing Edwardian monster with a 16.6-litre six-cylinder airship engine. Originally conceived as a land speed record car with twin four-cylinder engines, the Isotta-Fraschini lump was subbed in for the long-lost mills during the car’s re-construction in the 1990s. 

The engine is a ‘Volo 6’ airship engine from the late 1910s, good for 250PS (184kW) at 1,650rpm – the same revs some of today’s high-performance cars idle. That made the Fiat good for a terrifying top speed of 160mph. Apparently, the engine itself has evidence of being in combat, with bullet holes on the oil sump that appear to have been plugged.

The car has recent history at Goodwood, starring at the 2016 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard as well as the 74th Members’ Meeting. It also appeared at Brooklands, Prescott, and Shelsley Walsh.

1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso

While the Fiat has a brutish beauty that some might struggle to unpack, this Ferrari 250GT/L Lusso Berlinetta's good looks are there for all to see; it carries an estimate of £1,100,000 – £1,400,000.

One of just 350 built, the Berlinetta looks quietly confident in its original colours of Grigio Argento over Nero Leather. Although it had a refreshed paint job, the car is said to be one of the most original available. With the organic growl of a 3-litre V12 fed by triple Weber Carbs, there can be too many better ways to spend your millions.

1957 BMW 507 Series II Roadster with Hardtop

This BMW, too, is some two generations the pre-war Fiat’s junior and is also a much prettier prospect. This is a special example, with the current owner letting it go at the Quail after a full-bodied 63-year term of ownership. Yes, the owner has had this car since 1961.

The car saw real use in its early years, covering almost 50,000 miles. As such, the car received thorough work throughout to tighten it up and improve it in 1966. It was also repainted in Ultramarine Blue around about the same time, though it was later returned to its original spec in 1986. That re-spec was part of an enormous reconditioning operation with authenticity the goal. To this day the car has covered just 1,509 miles since that mechanical overhaul all the way back in 1966.

1971 Plymouth Roadrunner 

Spread throughout the Bonhams|Cars Quail Auction are a selection of iconic American muscle cars, each coming from the Golden State Muscle Car Collection. Everything from a 1970 Dodge Challenger, to a Chevrolet Chevelle, Shelby GT500 KR and more. But the real star for us is the 1971 Plymouth Roadrunner.

This one will appeal to those on tighter budgets, though somewhere in the region of £150,000 isn’t exactly cheap. And this for an American pony car that, in its day from new, was considered attainable. Such is the mythos of the 1960s and 1970s American muscle car that the Roadrunner epitomises. This car is exactly what you’d hope it to be: a 7-litre semi with a four-on-the-floor transmission and over 425PS (313kW). Just 28 cars with the four-speed were made so it’s an incredibly rare car and is considered to be Plymouth’s final muscle car flourish. Freshly restored, it’s ready for its next race between the lights.

1971 Porsche 911 S/T

There are a number of magnificent Porsches in the sale including rare 911s, from an early 911S 2.0 to a 1971 911 S/T road racer – the latter has the potential to make up to £1million.

Why? This thing is the real deal, with factory lightweight glass, the M471 lightweight body option, widened rear arches, a 100-litre fuel tank, a roll bar and its original engine, upgraded to 2.3-litre Group 4 spec. It’s believed to be one of just seven built in 1971. It’s also a race winner, with an overall win at the 1972 DARM Jochen Rindt Trophy at Hockenheim. But it’s also road registered in the UK. We couldn’t think of a cooler 911 to go touring the Scottish Highlands in.

1979 Porsche 928

The most curious Porsche in the sale though, is a 1979 928 that has itself a crazy seven-figure predicted sale price. That’s because it’s something of a Hollywood star, being the 928 featured in the 1983 cult hit film, Risky Business and is said to be the car in which a certain Tom Cruise learned to drive with a manual transmission.

Apart from that, it really is just a 1979 Porsche 928, albeit obviously enhanced by having the desirable five-speed manual transmission. Bonhams|Cars reckon this might be the most famous transact Porsche in the world.

2021 Ford GT Mk II

How about if you want to make a splash at your local track day? Then this 2021 Ford GT Mk II ought to do it. Like bringing a Trident missile to a pub fistfight, Ford's GT pumps out a mammoth 710PS (522kW) from its twin-turbocharged V6, which should be enough to get Renaultsport Clio owners twitching. The Ford has a seven-speed Getrag dual-clutch gearbox, race-spec suspension, carbon ceramic disc brakes, and onboard pneumatic jacks for added pitlane cool factor. 

One of just 45 built, this Ford naturally costs much more than a caged Clio – the bidding starts from £780,000. 

1963 Huffaker Genie Mk 8

A couple of Revival-eligible star cars should catch your eye, too. This stunning 1963 Huffaker Genie Mk 8 is an SCCA championship-winning machine, campaigned in period by Pedro Rodriquez and Dan Gurney. This would be the perfect car in which to secure a go at the Revival in the Whitsun Trophy…

1961 Porsche Sabel Mk1

Or what about this Porsche Sabel Mk1 sports prototype from 1961? Granted, it has about a sixth of the power of the big-banger Genie but it’s a wonderful curiosity nonetheless.

All these join a range of incredible cars that will be up for grabs in the Bonhams|Cars Quail Sale on the 16^th August.