RM Sotheby’s latest sealed drop auction is dedicated to supercars from the past few decades. A welcoming blast from the past, this unique auction format has been carefully curated to spotlight iconic performance machines, luring in discerning automobile enthusiasts from around the world.
This month’s lots represent some of the finest expressions of modern coachbuilding, featuring ultra-limited production models alongside a singular, bespoke creation. Below, we spotlight three exceptional examples: a reimagined Porsche 911 Speedster, a rare Ferrari styled by Zagato, and a one-of-a-kind showcase of coachbuilt artistry from Bertone.
Bidding is now live and will close on 17 July.
1995 Porsche 911 Speedster Remastered by Gunther Werks
Gunther Werks, a California-based business, is a renowned specialist in Porsche customisation – specifically, the Porsche 911. However, it is much more than an artistic pursuit. Gunther Werks sees their craft as a continuation of Porsche’s legacy, picking up where the marque left off in 1998 when they axed the air-cooled 993-generation of the 911 model. Each model is a custom version of what the 993 would look like if it were still being built today.
The redesign process for the 911 Speedster involved extensive use of carbon fibre, integrated throughout the chassis and expressed through bespoke bodywork. The final convertible body is, as per Gunther Werks, doubly as stiff as a coupe in spite of not having a roof. This added rigidity, paired with its lighter build, is said to deliver performance that supersedes its fixed-roof variant.
A new and improved suspension system includes computer-controlled active suspension, custom-made suspension arms, anti-roll bars, lighter struts, and a hydraulic front lift system that’s ahead of its time.
Engine work was entrusted to Rothsport Road and Race, an Oregon-based specialist in air-cooled 911s. The original naturally aspirated 3.6-litre engine was replaced with a more powerful 4.0-litre block. Every component was upgraded and refitted, resulting in an output of over 430 horsepower. Finished beautifully in Tungsten Metallic paint, the dual-toned interior is clad in luxurious Brandy and Onyx Nappa leather. The vehicle also has the optional Travel Package that includes a steering wheel made of carbon fibre and a carbon centre console.
Just 25 examples of the Speedster were built, and this is one of the very few right-hand drive models, originally configured for a Hong Kong buyer. It is road-registered with all taxes paid locally, yet has only ever been driven for testing purposes. With all Gunther Werks Speedsters now sold, this example stands as a rare opportunity to acquire a truly singular piece.
2009 Zagato GTZ Nibbio
Zagato needs no introduction for any supercar aficionado, having produced some of the most exquisite vehicles in the past century. The 2009 GTZ Nibbio, commissioned in 2013, is the eighth out of only nine GTZ Nibbios ever produced.
Zagato sought out a donor car that would serve as the skeleton for the build, with prior approval of the consignor. The final selection was a pristine example, both mechanically and physically, with fewer than 25,000 kilometres on the clock.
The car was completely stripped to prepare its transformation into the Nibbio. Marella Zagato, wife of CEO Andrea Zagato, chose a striking silver shade for the facade. The interior, a sharp, contrasting red, was fully retrimmed. The Nibbio incorporates several of Zagato’s signature touches, including a double bubble roof and a tapered rear section. Its bodywork echoes design cues from the 550 and 575 GTZ models, which also showcased similar carbon fibre detailing.
A 6-litre V12 engine bursts into action with 613 horsepower and a maximum speed of 330 km/h, managed by an automated gearbox modelled after the ones found in F1 racers. Cutting-edge braking, damper, and traction control systems ensure that the Nibbio’s road performance is tightly controlled.
Since completion, the car has covered just 200 kilometres and remains in impeccable condition. Zagato carried out a comprehensive inspection in 2020, with the full report on file. The GTZ Nibbio stands as a benchmark of 21st-century coachbuilding, an essential for discerning collectors.
2012 Bertone Nuccio
Truly ‘one-of-a-kind,’ this gem exemplifies the artistry of a celebrated coachbuilder and the evolution of supercar design in the 21st century. A tribute to Bertone’s 100th anniversary, the car was named after the son of founder Giovanni Bertone and was inspired by an iconic previous one-off - the Lancia Stratos Zero.
Over a period of three and a half months, the car was completely reimagined, showcasing a futuristic edge. Ergonomics were a significant consideration during the process to ensure that the Nuccio’s aesthetics and performance didn’t come at the expense of comfort.
A 4.3-litre V8 engine is at the heart of the car’s operation, along with a six-speed automated gearbox by Graziano and F1-style paddle shifters. Bertone also introduced a patented lighting feature — a section of the headlight emits a blue glow while braking, designed to alert pedestrians ahead.
The Nuccio made its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, followed later that year by a separately produced production version at the Beijing Auto Show. It also appeared at the Concorso Italiano in the United States, marking its introduction to the American market.
Unfortunately, financial difficulties would ultimately lead to Bertone’s closure in 2015, leaving the Nuccio abandoned in storage. The brand would be revived in 2022 under new ownership, but it was already too late for the Nuccio, which was sold off at auction in 2018 along with several other Bertone assets. At that point, it was acquired by its first and only owner, remaining quietly within a private collection ever since.
The Nuccio has recorded just over 29,000 km, most of which was accrued by the original car prior to its conversion. It is a singular work of automotive craftsmanship; it holds a unique place in history as a 21st-century masterpiece from one of the great coachbuilding names.
