To those who savor provenance and performance,
Chris Harris just took a $3 million gold-plated Aston Martin Valkyrie out for coffee. The one-off “Anemos” hypercar proved to be both an art piece and a speed machine.
Would you drive a masterpiece or keep it in the vault?
📰 Upcoming in this issue
🏎️ Chris Harris Takes a $3M Gold Aston Martin for a Coffee Run
💎 Rolls-Royce Marks 100 Years With $3M Phantom Masterpiece
🐴 The Ferrari You’ve Never Heard Of, and Why Collectors Want It
📈 Trending news
🏎️ Chris Harris Takes a $3M Gold Aston Martin for a Coffee Run
Car legend Chris Harris test-drove the only 24-carat gold-plated Aston Martin Valkyrie “Anemos.” The $3M hypercar, built with gold-leaf detailing and 1,160 horsepower, turned heads before it even reached the track. Harris called it “a monster” after pushing it to 250 mph in a rare RM Sotheby’s test.
Key Takeaways:
💰 Gold-Plated Unicorn: The Valkyrie Anemos features $600K in gold-leaf trim and a 6.5L V-12 hybrid engine.
☕ Coffee-Run Fame: Harris’s flat-white drive through a British village drew instant crowds and viral buzz.
🏁 Track Beast: The former Top Gear host hit 250 mph, praising the suspension that felt astonishingly stable.
🔨 Auction Ready: RM Sotheby’s will sell the one-off Anemos on November 1 to collectors chasing rarity.
💎 Rolls-Royce Marks 100 Years With $3M Phantom Masterpiece
To honor a century of the Phantom, Rolls-Royce created just 25 identical “Centenary” sedans, each a $3 million showcase of craftsmanship, history, and 24-karat detail. Every inch tells a story, from embroidered maps of Sir Henry Royce’s journeys to gold-inlaid wood panels and a 440,000-stitch starlight ceiling.
Key Takeaways:
🪞 Art on Wheels: Each Phantom Centenary took 40,000 hours to build and includes 147 hand-drawn sketches.
🧵 Historic Tapestry: Rear-seat embroidery maps the Phantom’s legacy, with 24-karat gold woven into key landmarks.
⚙️ Hidden Stories: Easter eggs like Roger the Rabbit and a rumored Karl Lagerfeld teddy tribute add playful whimsy.
🚘 Golden Touch: An 18-karat Spirit of Ecstasy and gold-detailed V-12 engine crown this cinematic black-and-white icon.
🐴 The Ferrari You’ve Never Heard Of, and Why Collectors Want It
CarBuzz spotlights the ultra-rare 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi by Koenig Specials, a German-tuned evolution of Ferrari’s flat-12 Berlinetta Boxer. With as few as 20 examples made, the Koenig boosted the 512 BBi’s power by 50 percent, and with twin turbos, some reached 600 hp. One is now up for auction at Bonhams.
Key Takeaways:
🔧 Born From Frustration: Founder Willy König reworked his Ferrari 365 BB after finding its 339 hp too tame.
🐉 Power Leap: The Koenig-tuned 512 BBi gained 450 hp stock, or 600+ with the twin-turbo option.
🧱 Widebody Icon: Radical body panels, deep vents, and a towering rear wing delivered a race-ready look.
💸 Rare and Rising: Built in runs of 20 to 30, recent examples sold for $113K to $224K, making them collector gold for 1980s exotica.
📊 Take This Edition’s Poll:
This or that: which masterpiece earns your vote for design immortality?
Why It Matters
Bespoke performance cars blend craftsmanship, exclusivity, and extreme engineering to attract collectors worldwide. Start by tracking limited-production builds and upcoming auctions.
Provenance and rarity remain the ultimate drivers of long-term value.
Until next time,
Juliana Miller
Editor-in-Chief
Exotic Car Insider
P.S. Interested in sponsoring a future issue? Just reply to this email and I’ll send packages!