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Month: June 2023

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1979 Porsche 930 Turbo RUF BTR 3.4 5-Speed

1979 Porsche 930 Turbo RUF BTR 3.4 5-Speed

Published June 24, 2023 by Carter

In the world of Porsche tuners, RUF may be the name that is most hallowed. The company made its name long ago by taking cars with excellent performance and turning everything up – sometimes, way up. Their early work began with the 911, and here we have the model that began the madness: the RUF BTR. Using Porsche’s already prodigiously powered 930, RUF bored the engine to raise displacement to 3.4 liters and then raised the turbo pressure to increase output to 374 hp. But these were never intended to be cars simply producing more power. The braking and suspension setups were improved, aerodynamic aids fitted, and the interior outfitted to meet a customer’s specifications. All together you had a car instantly recognizable as a 911, but with enough visual cues to make clear it was not any old model. These were special.

Today’s car isn’t a full RUF BTR because it predates the RUF-specific VIN period; rather, this is a conversion that has most of the goodies you’d want in a BTR. For good measure, it’s a very rare color combination. Let’s check it out:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo RUF BTR 3.4 on eBay

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1995 Alpina B3 3.0 Cabriolet

1995 Alpina B3 3.0 Cabriolet

Published June 22, 2023 by Carter

Update 6.22.2023: Browsing eBay inventory for a post I came across this B3 that Carter wrote up previously. The price is now $39,499, some 32% less than the original asking. While still a strong ask for an e36, it’s an imported Alpina in really nice shape, has the hardtop (which is appealing to me in the PNW), and has the manual transmission too. Good luck to buyers and seller! Links updated. -dc

Want a 3-Series convertible that’s a bit more…let’s say “old school”, while still standing apart from the crowd? Look no further than the wizards from Alpina. The successor of the slightly less powerful B6 model, the B3 kept many of the same improvements to the E36 chassis – unique stabilizers, springs and shocks, and larger brakes. Inside the B3 received the normal Alpina-branded shift knob, steering wheel, and seats, and in their typical style, Alpina also provided unique front and rear spoilers along with their own badging. Of course, the package was rounded out by some of the best-looking wheels ever fitted to a BMW. While the B3 was down on power to the European M3 3.2, it wasn’t really much slower – again in typical Alpina fashion, the car was tuned to make the most of the power that was available rather than just provide a shockingly high number. A reported 1,000 of these ultra-exclusive B3s were produced, with about 2/3rds of those being the earlier 3.0 model, and in four different configurations – Coupe, Cabriolet, Touring, and Sedan. 119 of those were the drop-top version, and today’s car is number 99:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1995 Alpina B3 3.0 Cabriolet on eBay

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2022 BMW M4 Competition x KITH

2022 BMW M4 Competition x KITH

Published June 17, 2023 by Carter

I like to consider myself pretty well-versed in all things BMW. But this one caught me completely by surprise, much like the M2 Edition Designed by Futura 2000 I looked at earlier this year. So what is it?

Like the Futura M2, this one is an appearance package, though instead of a street artist, KITH is a New York-based apparel company. You get a loaded M4 Competition xDrive coupe in one of three matte colors, and outside there are special M/KITH emblems front and rear and a hard-to-miss ///KITH logo on the carbon-fiber roof. Step inside and the M Carbon bucket seats are done in full M/KITH regalia, with debossed Kith-logo headrests and illuminated Kith accents. There are a few more ///Kith logos thrown here and there for good measure. The price for all this special treatment? About $31,000 on top of the M4 Competition xDrive’s ~$80,000 base price. If that feels too pricey for you, not to worry – they only made 150 of them, and they’re already sold. But if you love the package, you can grab this Frozen Dark Silver one right now:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2022 BMW M4 Competition x KITH on eBay

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Halo Homologation-off: 1985 Audi Sport Quattro v. 1981 BMW M1

Halo Homologation-off: 1985 Audi Sport Quattro v. 1981 BMW M1

Published June 10, 2023 by Carter

It’s a bit amazing to consider that two of the most significant halo cars in German motoring history – both homologation models intended to lead their respective marques into the next decade – so closely paralleled each other, yet were so very different. It’s but a 35-minute train ride between Munich and Ingolstadt, and in the late 1970s both BMW and Audi wanted a range-topping model to grab attention. But their approaches were radically different. BMW designed a bespoke mid-engine, tube-frame supercar around a basic engine design it already had. Audi, on the other hand, took a basic car design it already had and added a revolutionary drivetrain.

Both were styled by Giugiaro. Both had to be built out-of-house; Baur had a hand in each. Both had legendary engineers – Walter Treser and Roland Gumpert for Audi, Jochen Neerpasch at BMW. Both raced, though the series they were intended for were ultimately canceled. Both launched a brand name – BMW’s M division, and Audi’s quattro (and later quattro GmbH). And today, both are both legends and highly sought by collectors. So today we have an interesting showdown; two prime examples have come to market and are nearly the exact same price. Of course, for that to occur the Audi entrant is the ‘ultimate’ evolution of the Quattro, the Sport model. So let’s put aside the ridiculous $600,000 asking prices of each of these cars for a moment, and consider – all things being equal (which they nearly are!), which one would you choose? Let’s start with the Audi:

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1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

Published June 3, 2023 by Carter

The Gullwing. In terms of legendary cars, it’s up there. While one could argue that many cutting-edge race cars for the road are beautiful in their own right, there’s just something that sets a few of them farther apart from the others. The Ferrari 250 GTO, the Bugatti Type 57, the Toyoto GT-One; they were not only the best-performing cars of their day, they are also among the most stunning objects created by man. To me, the Gullwing is right there, too. Pressed, I’m not sure I would choose it over the others I’ve mentioned; it’s the most attainable of the quartet, but it’s still so far from the realm of mortals that it’s hard to conceptualize. When I was young, it was rare to see these cars but they turned up at vintage events, raced in hill climbs, and occasionally even on track at local vintage events. But that was back in the days when a good SL would set you back around $150,000 – $200,000. A lot of money for sure, but compared to these days it wasn’t even the amount a restoration would cost. Prices on these iconic cars have plateaued and even come down slightly over recent years; still, a top-condition example will set you back well over a million dollars:

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