- 1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray V8 LS5
- 1994 Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo Manual
- 1971 Ford Capri Perana V8 Automatic
- 1985 Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0L
- 1987 BMW 333i
On 18 March, Creative Rides is hosting a huge auction in Cape Town to attract novice buyers to the collector car scene.
The catalogue of 79 autos has drawn much attention from local enthusiasts, so much so that five lots are standing head and shoulders above the rest for receiving the most interest in terms of online views and registration numbers, said Kevin Derrick, Creative Rides CEO.
Derrick breaks down the attraction of these cars, and what they’re expected to sell for, below.
1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray V8 LS5
The Stingray is one of the most iconic American muscle cars in history, its sweeping bonnet proving an unmistakable design cue for young and old alike.
The period-correct Vette’ being auctioned on the 18th is a two-owner model that has never been on the local market before, sporting a 454 7.4-litre engine.
“The value of Stingrays across the board has been rocketing, though, so now’s the time to buy because they’re only going to get more expensive in the months and years ahead,” said Derrick.
According to the expert, the budget for the Chev is “the amount your wife thinks you paid for last year’s ‘boys’ weekend’ to watch the Monaco Grand Prix live.”
1994 Nissan 300ZX Twin-Turbo Manual
The Nissan 300ZX is a Japanese supercar through-and-through, and it boasts an all-aluminium twin-turbo V6 powerplant to go with its futuristic (for the time) design.
The ZX crossing the auction blocks this weekend has only ever had own owner, and it’s being sold with a pink slip and full service history from South African agents.
“Nissan 300ZXs are soaring in popularity on the global collectibles market because millennial buyers are crazy about Japanese cars. It’s an investment buy you’ll enjoy driving every day,” said Derrick.
The budget?
“You could add a bathroom to your house, or buy this investment car that also happens to be fast enough to rip off your toupee if you’re driving with the windows down,” said Derrick.
1971 Ford Capri Perana V8 Automatic
The Perana V8 is a legendary South African-exclusive Capri that is as sought after inside our borders as it is across the pond.
The Perana was the only car in the world allowed to be fitted with a V8 Mustang engine under the Ford brand, and its name was, unsurprisingly, derived from the infamously-dangerous Piranha fish species.
“It’s hands down the best Perana we’ve ever seen, with matching numbers and just over 57,000km on the clock. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy a Perana this good,” said Derrick.
This two-door Ford is expected to be “cheaper to buy than get divorced – and you’ll have more fun,” he said.
1985 Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0L
Another South African-exclusive icon, the Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0L, was once the most powerful vehicle in the world and has achieved celebrity status among collectors.
Fewer than 200 examples of the Italian sports car was ever produced, and extensive research by Creative Rides has concluded that less than 50 units are still in existence.
In July last year, a 1984 GTV6 sold for a whopping R1.18 million.
“The 1985 model in this month’s Cape Town sale is an incredible, pristine car, and by registrations we already know it’s going to be one of the most hotly contested cars on the day,” said Derrick.
You’ll be able to buy this Alfa “if you can afford to buy a garage in Clifton on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard,” said the CEO.
1987 BMW 333i
Almost equal in rarity to the Alfa, the BMW 333i was the result of a collaboration between BMW South Africa and Alpine Germany in 1984 after a decision was made not to launch the M3 in the domestic market.
Only 210 units of the 333i ever rolled out of the factory, developing 145kW from a 3.2-litre, naturally-aspirated motor.
“This is the first BMW 333i I’ve seen in nearly a decade of classic and collectible car sales, and it’ll probably also be the last,” said Derrick.
Buying one of the most collectible cars in Africa – possibly the world – will be “equivalent in cost to a big family emigrating to the UK at the current exchange rate of nearly R22 to £1. Think ‘dream car’ budget.”
Keyword: Top 5 picks for this week’s rare car auction in Cape Town – and how much they could sell for