For those of you that prefer your cars off the beaten track, here is a Bizzarrini Strada 5300 Coupe that was sold at the 2008 Russo and Steele Monterey auction for $572,000.  A Chevrolet small-block engine displacing 5358 cc and producing 365 hp powered the Strada.  A four-speed manual transmission, de Dion tube rear suspension, and limited slip differential were also used.  The aluminum body, designed by Bertone, was a 2-seater.  A single spyder version was also built.  It is not clear if that car is still around, however if it is it would surely fetch seven figures.

In the end, 115-133 examples were produced from 1965 through 1969.

Good Deal/Bad Deal: Considering there were only 115-133 (exact number is not known) of these vehicles produced and this particular car and who knows how many still remain.  This car is among the most exotic of Giotto Bizzarrini's creations throughout his entire career and seems to be a steal at $572,000. 

This first-year, 1957 300SL Roadster was originally delivered to its first owner in Venezuela.  It later found its way to the United States, and has had just three distinct owners since.  In the care of one of these owners, a complete mechanical and cosmetic concours-level restoration was undertaken just ten years ago.  A figure in excess of $180,000 was spent at that time to bring the car to the condition presented before you now, returning the car to its as-delivered condition and appearance, if not better.  Sacrificing none of its inherent mechanical qualities, no expense was spared in bringing the running gear, suspension, brakes, steering and convenience items up to the same level beneath the surface as above.  A contender not just on the open road, the car received 2nd Place in Class during the Dana Point Concours d'Elegance following its painstakingly careful recommissioning.

Today, the 300SL with its unique doors, technological firsts, and low production numbers is considered one of the most collectible Mercedes-Benz models of all time, with prices reaching well past the US$400,000 mark.  In addition, Sports Car International magazine ranked the 300SL as the number 5 sports car of all time.  This particular car was sold at 2008 Monterey Russo and Steele for a cool half million.

Good Deal/Bad Deal: Yes, a good deal.  The SL300’s are an icon of the collector car world and there value will only go up.

No car auction review would be complete without profiling a Porsche.  At Monterey, 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet sold for $34,000 – ah, a car that many of us mere mortals can afford.  This particular car is finished in its original black with black top and light grey leather interior piped in contrasting black, the car presents as well as when it was new.  Tastefully upgraded with Kinesis 3-piece alloys with colored center crests wrapped in competition-grade rubber and featuring an upgraded intake, Borla exhaust, camshaft and RUF turbocharger upgrades, the exhilarating performance of 400 horses under your right foot combined with excellent handling and a top that goes down will leave one lucky individual with a near permanent grin.  As with all Porsches, performance and daily-driver reliability go hand-in-hand.

Good Deal/Bad Deal: This Porsche sold at what appears to be market value.

Although, I do not particularly like Corvettes many folks love them.  At the Barrett-Jackson Vegas, show there was a 1979 White Corvette Coupe that sold for $7500 a price that seems ridiculously cheap compared to the other cars profiled in this article.  This particular car has an automatic transmission, a brand new crate engine, T-tops, complete undercoating, new tires and black leather interior.

Good Deal/Bad Deal: There are ’79 Vettes that routinely fetch $9000 on Ebay; therefore, it appears the buyer made a good deal.

At the Kruse Auction in Ft. Lauderdale earlier, this year there was a 1974 Triumph TR-6 that sold for $24,000.  Not much in known about the car other than the standard information such as it has a 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission.  The car is maroon and black with a black interior. 

Good Deal/Bad Deal: Again, not much is known about the history or condition of this car, however there is a restored 1974 TR-6 convertible selling on Ebay for $10,000 less.  On the surface, it does not appear the buyer did his homework.

By Jim Murray

Jim is a freelance writer.

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