1958 Porsche 550A Spyder

Porsche's first race car was the 550 and it was an immediate success. The car would set the template for Porsche's success in racing, with the 550 taking a class win the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans and winning the 1956 Targa Florio. The 550A Spyder debuted in 1956, and while cosmetically similar, it was an entirely different car underneath. An advanced space frame chassis cut down the already minuscule weight and offered a huge increase in rigidity. The 550A pictured here is claimed by the current owner to have been raced by the Piech family and has recently completed a 30-year restoration. With its combination of rarity and history, the 550A Spyder is a must for and serious Porsche collector.

MZR Datsun 240Z Coupes

The market for vintage sports cars is skyrocketing, and the inflation is beginning to reach models like the classic Datsun 240Z. MZR is betting on the increasing popularity of the 240Z with their line of restored models, from a basic restoration on the Classic-Edition to a Singer 911-like makeover of the Sport-Design. The Sport-Design comes with a 2.8 or 3.1-liter straight-six motor making 240 or 280 horsepower mated to a five-speed transmission. The steering is updated with a modern rack-and-pinion system and joints, along with adjustable suspension and creature comforts like air conditioning. Each 240Z body shell is stripped and treated to prevent the rust these cars are notorious for, and ensuring these 240Zs have a long life ahead of them.

1981 BMW M1

Designed in Italy with a chassis developed by Lamborghini, the BMW M1 was a unique blend of German and Italian sports car philosophy. Made to compete in the FIA Group 4 class, the M1 competed head-to-head with BMW's in-country rival Porsche. Powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-liter inline six, only 453 M1s were built from 1978 to 1981 for homologation requirements. This 1981 M1 has had only two owners and came to the US in 1984. The car was prepared for display and sat for 25 years, before being brought back to running condition by BMW specialists The Werk Shop in Illinois. While it still needs a minor refresh to get it back to driving condition, this M1 is in excellent condition and one of the most exotic BMWs ever made.

Photos: James Lipman / Gooding & Co.

1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II Coupe

Introduced in 1964, the Ferrari 500 Superfast was just that — the fastest road-going Ferrari you could buy. Based on the America grand tourer, the Superfast came with a 5-liter Columbo V12 and could easily reach 175 MPH — an incredible speed, especially for the 1960s. This Series II Superfast is the 33rd of only 37 made, and the 8th of only 12 Series II models. The car was originally delivered to Jack S. Durlacher, a London stockbroker and backer of the Rob Walker racing team that competed in F1 in the 50s and 60s. With an older restoration and the original engine, this 500 Superfast is a driver's car, not content with being on static display.

Rod Stewart's 1971 Lamborghini Miura

Rock-n-roll legend Rod Stewart has been one of Lamborghini's best customers since he rose to fame with the Faces in the late 60s. Stewart has owned almost every new model the company has produced, including several examples of the classic Miura. Stewart bought the car in 1970 before selling it a few years later. The car was modified to SV spec during the 1980s before the current owner purchased the car. It was then sent to Lamborghini's in-house restoration division, Polo Storico, where it received a $460,000 restoration to its original state. With the restoration and ownership history, this Miura is one of the best examples on the market today.

1956 Porsche 356A Carrera GS

Most Porsche enthusiasts would scoff at the idea of a classic 356 that had been modified — especially by a Southern California hot rod legend. Dean Jeffries launched his career as a paint specialist, pioneering the use of metal flake and pearlescent paints in the late 50s. Jeffries bought this 1956 356A Carrera GS from its original owner and set about customizing the car to his liking. A stretched nose, frenched headlights, and handmade taillights were fabricated by Jeffries, who then sold the car on in the early 60s. While not a purist original, this 356 has a unique history of being a German car in the early hot rodding SoCal scene, giving it a lineage few vintage Porsches could boast.

Lamborghini Espada & Islero 50th Anniversary Restorations

For the 50th anniversary of the Espada and Islero, Polo Storico Lamborghini has restored one of each car to a concours level befitting the Italian marque. The Espada was Lamborghini's first four-seat car, with a low, wide design by Bertone that was surprisingly roomy on the inside. Powered by a 4-liter V12, the Espada was one of Lamborghini's most successful models, with over 1200 produced during its 10-year run. The Islero was based on the 400GT and is much rarer than the Espada, with only 225 made. Revised from the 400GT for wider wheels and tires, a front-mounted V12 took the Islero to a top speed of 155 MPH. Both cars will be making a tour of Italy in September 2018 in celebration of the occasion.

Ferris Bueller's Modena GT Spyder California

Over thirty years ago in 1985, a classic Ferrari was too rare and expensive to destroy in a movie. So most of the Ferrari scenes in the 80s coming-of-age classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off were shot with three Modena GT Spyders, built by Modena Design and Development in California. It's a testament to their work that the three custom cars were mistaken for Ferraris — that's how good the design and construction is. This is the third of the three Modenas and was restored by Neil Glassmoyer, a founder of Modena Design. With beautiful fiberglass bodywork and a V8 with four Weber carburetors, this Modena Spyder is a modern classic with a starring role in one of Hollywood's most beloved films.

1969 McLaren M6GT Coupe

Before the legendary McLaren F1 and current offerings like the 720S and Senna, there was the M6GT coupe. The first road-legal car made by McLaren, the M6GT was based on the Can-Am winning M6 and designed under the direction of founder Bruce McLaren himself. Powered by a 5-liter Chevrolet V8 topped with Weber carburetors, only three M6GTs were built — two were converted from M6 racers, and one built from scratch. Bruce himself drove one on the road, but the program was stopped after his tragic death in 1970. A very rare car from one of the premier sportscar makers, this M6GT would be a centerpiece in any collection.

Siemens Autonomous 1965 Ford Mustang

2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed with several big records broken and milestone events. Siemens autonomous 1965 Ford Mustang became the first to run Goodwood's hill climb course without any human input. A unique blend of the past and present, Siemens' Mustang is almost stock and uses sensors from Bentley Systems to navigate the track. The classic bodywork and modern technology showcase where cars have been and where they're going in the future.

Paul Smith x Porsche Artist Stripe 911 Coupe

British fashion designer Paul Smith has a love for automobiles. A Mini and Land Rover Defender has worn liveries by the designer, and the latest car to get the Paul Smith treatment is this 1965 Porsche 911. Paul Smith enthusiast and Porsche fanatic James Turner got the okay to turn this 911 into a rolling work of art, reminiscent of Porsche's Art Cars of the 70s and 80s. The interior features the same bold treatment as the exterior — with no carpets, the paint perfectly mirrors that of the outside. And in true Porsche fashion, this 911 took part in the Porsche Classic and the 2018 Le Mans Classic at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

1963 Aston Martin DP215 GT Prototype

Aston Martin is widely expected to take the record for the most expensive British car at auction when this one-of-four DP215 prototype race car crosses the block at the Monterey Car Week. The DP215 is last race car made by the Aston Martin factory and was designed to compete at Le Mans. Clocked at 198.6 MPH, the DP215 broke the top speed record at the track and looked to be a sure winner, but a gearbox failure forced the car to retire after only two hours. The DP215 has undergone a multiple-decade restoration, including a new transmission made from the original plans, as no others existed. With its history and Aston Martin pedigree, the DP215 is one of the most important British cars ever made.

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta

The Ferrari 250 GT is one of the most sought-after cars in the company's history, and the 250 GT SWB — short wheelbase — is one of the most desirable 250 GTs. Famed for its fast reflexes and excellent handling, along with one of Ferrari's best motors ever, the 250 GT SWB could be driven to the race track, raced, and driven back home with a trophy in the passenger seat. This 1962 250 GT SWB is one of the rarest of the rare, with a fully-documented history since it left the factory. Add to that a complete restoration, numbers-matching engine and transmission, and period-correct competition parts, and you have a recipe for one of the most valuable Ferraris on the market.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSH 2.7 Coupe

Porsche has made a lot of 911s — just over a million of them — but this 1973 911 RSH is among the rarest of them all. After the FIA threw out the 5-liter prototype category that Porsche had dominated in the early 70s with the 917, the factory decided to focus on GT racing and chose the 911 S as a starting point. Porsche substantially lightened the car and increased the flat-six to 2.7 liters, creating the RS, but only 17 were homologation models with RSH designation. Upgraded suspension, fender flares, and wider wheels and tires mark this as one of the most sought-after 911s ever made.

1957 BMW 507 Hardtop Roadster

On two wheels or four, legendary British racer John Surtees was a winner. Surtees claimed seven World Championship motorcycle titles and the 1964 F1 Driver's Championship for Ferrari, along with the 1966 Can-Am trophy for Lola. After 23 consecutive wins and taking the 1958 championship for MV Agusta, Count Agusta wanted to reward Surtees with a gift — and Surtees picked this ultra-rare 1957 BMW 507 Roadster. The car was driven regularly and remained in Surtees ownership until he passed in 2017, and will be auctioned at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

1958 Porsche 550A Spyder

The 550A Spyder was the car that put Porsche on the racing map. Despite having an only a 1.5-liter four-cylinder motor, the 550A was wildly successful against nearly anything it came up against — including those red cars from Maranello. This 550A Spyder was one of the last to leave Porsche's factory, and would claim three first-place finishes, allegedly at the hands of Piech family, although there isn't any documentation to prove this. A 30-year restoration was recently completed with only 600 miles since, making this important piece of Porsche's racing history ready for what it was made to do &#*212; taking to the track at vintage racing events.

Robert Downey Jr.'s 1970 Ford Mustang

Tony Stark has a taste for performance automobiles, something that his real-world counterpart, Robert Downey Jr, shares as well. The actor commissioned SpeedKore to bring his vision of the perfect Ford Mustang to life in a way Tony Stark would approve of. Starting with a 1970 Boss 302, SpeedKore stripped the car completely down and rebuilt it with carbon fiber body panels and a supercharged Ford Performance Aluminator 5.0 liter V8. Inside, completely new interior by Gabe's Street Rod Custom Interiors, all riding on a Detriot Speed alloy frame and bespoke HRE wheels with high-performance Michelin rubber. Like Iron Man himself, this Mustang has been reborn even better for the modern age.

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Coupe

The Ferrari 275 GTB is one of the most desired cars of the company's golden age of the 1960s. The 275 GTB/C is the ultimate evolution of the 275 — a purpose-built competition model of which only 12 were made. This 275 GTB/C was sold to North American Racing Team founder and Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti and driven by Pedro Rodriguez at the 1966 Nassau Tourist & Governor's Trophy, where it placed first in its class. It then raced at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967, 1969, and 1970 — an incredibly long racing life. This 275 GTB/C will roll across the auction block at Pebble Beach, giving someone the chance to own an important part of Ferrari's racing history.

Icon Old School Broncos

Whereas Icon's BR is a modern reimagining of Ford's classic off-roader, their new Old School Series retains the iconic looks while upgrading a host of components. Chief among those is the custom Art Morrison chassis, custom suspension, custom brakes, and a 5.0L V8 engine taken from the Ford Mustang. The exterior gets glossy, period-correct paint and trim that blends bits and pieces from Sport, Explorer, and Ranger models. Inside, it retains a vintage look but follow's Icon's no-plastic policy, custom machining lookalike parts from aluminum and stainless steel when necessary. One last difference: the Old School's lead time is much shorter than a "modern" BR, as little as six months depending on the number of interior changes.

1968 Lamborghini Miura SVR Coupe

The Lamborghini Miura is extremely rare, but this Miura SVR is the rarest of them all — being the only one ever made. The SVR is based on Lamborghini test driver Bob Wallace's Miura Jota, a bare-bones racing version that was lost in an accident. Originally built in 1968, chassis number 3781 began life as a Miura S. The ninth owner had the car sent back to the factory in 1974 to be converted into its current SVR configuration, which was then sold to a buyer in Japan in 1976. The car became an icon there, serving as the inspiration for the Circuit Wolf comics and gaining worldwide fame as a sought-after model by Kyosho. As stunning as the Miura is, the SVR takes this classic Lamborghini to another level.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti

The Ferrari 250 GTO is the car that pushed vintage autos into the realm of fine art. With prices creeping up to the $100 million mark, the 250 GTO is arguably the world's most collectible car, and opportunities to own one are few and far between. One lucky and very well-heeled buyer will get to take home this 1962 250 GTO at the 2018 Monterey auction. Only 36 250 GTOs were made, with this one being the third. Every 250 GTO was raced, and chassis no. 3413 GT is no exception, having won nine of the ten races it entered in 1962. And it's never stopped, having been raced in numerous vintage events since. RM Sotheby's expects the car to fetch at least $45 million, which would make it the most expensive car ever sold at auction.

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy Coupe

The 275 GTB is one of the most collectible Ferraris on the vintage market. With each one being handbuilt, there are several configurations, and this 275 GTB has one of the rarest options lists of them all. Only three other 275 GTBs carry the long-nose alloy bodywork, triple carburetors, and torque tube driveshaft of chassis number 08497. Originally white with a black leather interior, 08497 was sold in Italy, before crossing the Atlantic to the US in 1973. After its return to Europe in 1989, this 275 GTB received Ferrari Classiche designation, meaning it retains its numbers-matching engine and gearbox. With its rare specification, this 275 GTB is a must for any serious Ferrari collector.

1956 Porsche 356 Super Speedster

A car with a great history doesn't always mean wins at prestigious races — sometimes it just means meeting your future wife at a local sports car club. Robert Howry Jr. was a successful butcher in Pennsylvania and purchased this Porsche Super Speedster from its original owner. Mr. Howry put only 3,000 miles on the Speedster over the next 51 years, keeping the car in excellent condition, even going so far as to regularly apply glycerine to the rubber weatherstripping. In excellent, completely original condition, Mr. Howry's Super Speedster is a great example of the car that put Porsche on the sports car map.

1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II

Ferrari is synonymous with the V12 engine, but a whole host of cars from the Prancing Horse have had motors with fewer cylinders. Known as the Admiral's Mondial, this 1955 Mondial Series II has a 2-liter four-cylinder motor, which became legendary on the racetrack. Painted an unusual blue, the car was ordered in the color by its first owner, François Picard. Admiral Robert Phillips purchased the car in 1960 and spent the first eight months of ownership getting the car back into drivable condition — and it's been his ever since. A recent 10-year restoration ensures that this Mondial is in pristine condition, and will come across the auction block August of 2018 at Pebble Beach.

1966 Ford GT40 Le Mans

1966 was the year Ford made its name in racing. The year GT40s placed 1-2-3 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This was one of those three. Chassis no. P/1016 came in third that day, bearing the number 5 and a striking gold livery. Powered by a race-tuned 7.0L V8 engine, it is the only one of the three to have run as an automatic model. It was raced only a handful of times following Le Mans and has recently been completely restored to the condition it was in when it crossed the finish line. An exceptional piece of automotive and racing history.

1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster

In 1948, Jaguar introduced the XK120, the company's first sports car since the 1940 SS 100. The XK120 advanced straight-six and aerodynamic bodywork could propel the car to over 120 MPH — and hence the 120 in the name. This 1950 XK120 is one of the last alloy-bodied roadsters made, with a production date of January 9, 1950, and one of 148 left-hand-drive models. The car has had a professional restoration and still carries its original motor, making it one of the best early XK120 examples available.

1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta Zagato

Produced between 1947 and 1956, the Maserati A6 came in several configurations — grand tourers, full-on race cars, and single-seat grand prix cars. This 1956 A6G/2000 is one of only 21 made with lightweight bodywork by design house Zagato. With its alloy 2-liter straight six, this A6G was the factory car entered in the 1956 Mille Miglia and would go on to appear in many vintage races under private ownership. The car is still intact with matching engine and transmission, making it one of the very few A6's to remain in such original condition.

James Bond's Toyota 2000GT Roadster

The Toyota 2000GT was a mold-breaker for the Japanese auto industry. A joint venture between Yamaha and Toyota, it changed how the world saw Japanese cars. This particular model was driven by James Bond on-screen in You Only Live Twice, and is one of only two roadster versions ever built — rumor has it that Sean Connery, who stands 6' 2", was too tall for the hardtop version and stuck out of the targa model. It's currently on display at LA's Petersen Automotive Museum as part of the Roots of Monozukuri exhibit.

Photos: Petersen Automotive Museum