Just how much will an all-original Ford Mustang from the 1968 Steve McQueen classic Bullitt go for? Arguably the most iconic of several Blue Oval cars going under the hammer at Mecum's auction at the end of the Monterey Car Week, some are expecting it to fetch a significant six-figure sum, particularly because this car was the one to feature most in those iconic San Francisco car chase scenes. But even if it exceeds predictions, McQueen’s battered ‘Stang will be far from the biggest earner at the Californian event.
That title looks set to go to a McLaren F1, which is just one of two (here's the other) to be produced in Le Mans race specification back in 1994. It was then upgraded at the turn of the century with a race-tuned version of BMW’s iconic V12 producing 680hp, as well as a High Downforce Kit that added the enormous front splitter and rear wing, but the original cream leather interior remained, helping this to become arguably the most intoxicating mix of race and road tech in a McLaren F1. As such, the RM Sotheby's estimate is $21-23 million.
The McLaren’s biggest threat – in terms of sale value – is the Porsche Type 64, a competition car first commissioned by the Nazis to compete in a race from Berlin to Rome in 1939. The race never happened as Europe fell into conflict, but the innovative, Beetle-based 64’s legacy includes inspiring the 1948 Porsche 356, which set Porsche on the path that created the 911. That’s quite the lineage, so it could fetch more than $20m in the RM sale – making it the most valuable Porsche to go under the hammer yet.
Then, of course, there are dozens more iconic cars and racing machines, as well as no shortage of new metal to be shown on the Pebble Beach lawn. There’s a stunning 1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII racer and a 1978 IMSA-spec BMW 320i Turbo for sale, while the limited-run Brown Lee Performance-fettled Mustang GT (the latest one!) will be shown on the Pebble Beach lawn. It comes dressed in Gulf colours in dedication to the 1968 and 1969 Ford GT Le Mans 24 Hours winners and produces a rather healthy 808hp. Yes. Please.
Are you at the show, or have you a favourite car you’d sell an organ for? As always, let us know in the comments below.
1 / 6
