Archive for Famous Owner
2005 MINI Cooper S with RennTech Supercharger
The MINI Cooper has been hailed as one of the most fun and best handling cars for the money but many owners have been left wanting more oomph out of the tiny 4-banger. While I haven’t driven the JCW, I can imagine it offers a good bump in performance. An alternative to these straight-from-MINI upgrades is a RennTech package, which doesn’t quite make sense seeing that MINI is a BMW brand and RennTech is a Mercedes tuner…
Anyway, the RennTech package, which I couldn’t find any information on, consists of a RennTech Supercharger with larger Pulley and Air Intercooler. In addition, this Mini received a Race Short Shifter, Pagid Brake Pads with Red Calipers, Borla Exhaust and powder-coated 17’s which adds up to roughly $10K in upgrades.
This Cooper also carries the added significance of being owned and driven by Bob Snodgrass (1942-2007), President of Brumos Racing. The auction says Bob specifically made this car for himself and described it as “truly like driving a Porsche”.
With low miles, nice upgrades and the status of the previous owner, I doubt that this Cooper will get away for a MINI price…sorry it was just too easy.
-Ben
Back in Black: 2008 Cayenne Turbo
Here we have a heavily optioned 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo on eBay. This Pepper has under 17k miles and comes with $9k worth of Techart wheels and Pirelli tires. Anyone who has driven a turbocharged Pepper will tell you that the performance is rather eye opening. These cars do surprisingly well in the twisties but where they really shine is when you mash the pedal on the highway. Do so and the Cayenne responds with a growl and acceleration that can only be described as violent. In fact the Cayenne Turbo’s straight line performance is dangerously close to that of a 911 while weighing nearly a ton more. If money is no object, and it almost always is, the Turbo Pepper is the SUV to have.
2008 Cayenne Turbo Video Brochure:
This example has the following options:
22″ Techart Wheels & Tires
Soft Look Leather Seats
Light Comfort Package/Memory
Exterior Package Black
Satellite XM Radio
Black Top
Black Full Leather
Custom Tailoring Cayenne
Delete Model Designation
Front & Rear Floor Mats Interior Color
Moonroof
Roll-Up Sunscreen 1/4 Windows
Porsche Entry & Drive System
Non-Smoker Package
6 Disc CD Changer
3 Spoke Multi Function Steering Wheel w/ Light Olive Wood
Interior Package Light Olive Wood Trim
Roof Rails Black w/ Protective Strips
Fender Flares
At a touch less than $74k this Pepper has depreciated almost $45k since new, to put it another way this car’s value has declined an amount equal to that of a new Touareg. Putting that aside these cars are intoxicating to drive and return a highway MPG of 19 which makes this a viable grocery getter. Would I pay anywhere near the asking price for this car, absolutely not. However, in a few years these post face lift Peppers are going to be a good used car buy. If you are looking for an SUV and want 500 horsepower under foot there is no substitute.
~Aaron.
Pistol Pete’s Carerra for Sale
I ran across Pete Maravich’s 1974 Porsche Carrera on Craigslist this weekend. Pete Maravich was a basketball prodigy that played collegiately at LSU. From there he went on to a Hall of Fame career playing for several teams, ending his career with the Boston Celtics. Maravich is known for the flair he played for the game, really setting the bar that modern point guards are measured by. Maravich died in 1988 at the age of 40 doing what he did best, playing basketball.
“Pistol” Pete Maravichs 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera for sale:
“This is a rare opportunity to own the 1974 Porsche of basketball legend Pistol Pete Maravich. This 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera is in excellent running condition, the engine has been rebuilt, interior seats recovered etc.. There are many other details I can provide for anyone who is seriously interested. Proof of ownership is available for your review.”
Values for these cars are all over the place so $50k for this vehicle is not out of the realm of reason. While the Pete Maravich connection is a neat one, it does not add any real value to the vehicle. I would imagine Pete drove his cars much like he played basketball, full blast. As such this car has gone through a mild restoration with a rebuilt motor, restored interior, among other things. This is a rare car, with a unique history, and a interesting color combination that deserves a good home.
~Aaron
1995 Mercedes S600 Armored
This is one battle ready S class. If you are just looking for regular luxury transportation this is not for you. If your ride to work may lead you through an area known for IEDs or near that former business partner you screwed over who happens to also own a collection of sniper rifles, this may be perfect. This car was built for the Sultan of Brunei by TRASCO a company that was known for building the ultimate in specialized urban protective vehicles. TRASCO is now one of the companies that falls under the Centigon nameplate. The original cost, and you can be sure no expense was spared, was $400,000 you also can be sure that whatever this sells for now it will include a lot of priced in depreciation, the buy-it-now price is $85,000.
With 3″ thick glass and 1/2″ steel plating the car meets European level B6 armor standards, or in other words it’s capable of fending off 7.62mm rounds from the guy parked next to you with a machine gun. Naturally all that armor is going to add a literal ton of weight, the car weighs 7600lbs, but thankfully you have Mercedes’ 6.0 liter V-12 helping put plenty of power through run flat tires and also an upgraded suspension. The car comes with the stock rims as well as a nice set of big Carlsson wheels.
With 20,000 miles the car looks brand new. It even is coming off of a year long stay as an exhibition car in the Petersen Automotive Museum. Here is a link showing the car at the museum.
This is not really a collectible car and should not be seen as an investment, but should go to someone who will use it for what it was built for. Someone who has a chauffeur and is genuinely concerned for their own and their family’s security.
~Evan
1993 Mercedes 500SL for the Superbowl
For the Superbowl I thought this car was appropriate.
A 1993 Mercedes 500SL formerly owned by NFL player and broadcaster Pat Summerall. I don’t really think there is much value added in the former owner status though, no offense to Pat.
67,000 miles is not much at all. With so many of these 5.0 Benz engines out there parts should not be outrageous. The seller says the car has a brand nw convertible top and another $1600 in recent tuneups. I kind of like the blackberry color on this car.
It is nice that it comes with both tops as I think if you aren’t going to drive topless the hardtop on the SL is a much better look than the softtop.
The $11,700 ask should have some play in it if the owner wants to sell.
~Evan
-
Subscribe Via Email
Receive new updates!