Ten wonderful cars from the Santa Monica auction

This is a replica of an Isetta built for former BMW board member Kurt Donath. And it is excellent. “Essentially a golf cart for the wilderness,” explains AA, “this car was based upon a stock Isetta chassis and running gear, with custom bodywork designed as a mount for two gentlemanly sportsmen”.
 
Yep. Two gentlemanly sportsmen. The original was lost nearly 60 years ago, so this one is pretty much an exact replica. Estimated sale price? Between $25,000 to $35,000.

Yep, from the mind that brought you the original Batmobile from the 1960s – Mr George Barris – comes this fibre glass slice of 70s wondrousness. The body is fitted onto a “shortened VW pan”, and is described as being in ‘original condition’, with metallic blue flake paint. It drives excellently, we’re told.
 
Estimated to sell for up to $60,000.

It’s the M3. It’s got a 2.3-litre inline four. It has 190bhp. It’s red. You don’t need much more information than that. Other than this: yes, you really should.
 
Estimated to sell for between $40,000 and $60,000.

You might like to know that this ’65 Amphicar gets a 1.2-litre, 43bhp four-pot engine, also used in the Triumph Herald. You might also like to know that because it’s an Amphicar, and can travel on WATER, it features twin propellers at the back, an anchor and some floating cushions.
 
We know, just superb. Should sell for between $40,000 to $50,000.

So Seventies, so cool. This two-owner car, originally from California, has been subject to a complete restoration. The engine was rebuilt with performance cams, pistons and valve train bits, there’s a refinished wood grain on the dash, custom flared arches, and a custom stainless steel exhaust.

It’s expected to sell for between $37,500 and $42,500.

It has a 5.7-litre, LS6 V8 engine from the Corvette Z06. It has a new automatic gearbox. It has an aluminium and steel body, independent suspension, and there is much polishing and chrome evident.
 
It also looks stunning, and is expected to sell for between $80,000 and $100,000.

In 1951, a magazine called Mechanix Illustrated ran an advert showing readers how to transform a 1931 Ford into a 100mph sports car 'for only $500'.
 
Yes, it basically told you how to build your own kit car. This rusting heap of magnificence is one of the few remaining MIS roadsters alive, featuring a modified frame, new body, and a dropped front axle.
 
This one recently benefitted from a modern Chevy engine and four-speed gearbox, but otherwise we’re told it’s a genuine 1930s car. “The thick paint is chipping off in places and many different colours are visible,” explains AA.
 
Not one colour, but many.
 
It’s expected to sell for between $30,000 and $40,000.

Yes, it’s an old 911 Turbo with the revised face, dubbed ‘slantnose’. It’s also got a turbocharged flat six engine, is painted in metallic brown and gets mahogany leather interior.
 
Can cars get any more Eighties? Will sell for up to $180,000, according to AA.

All you really need to know is that this LM Rally Fighter features a mighty V8, and that its suspension has 18 inches of travel up front, and 20 inches at the back. We’ve driven a Rally Fighter, and can very much recommend the experience. You need one in your life.
 
This one will sell for between $70,000 and $90,000.

A car built by an actual Man In A Shed. That man’s name was Ed Williams, a machinery repairmen and blacksmith in Illinois, who dreamed of creating his own car suitable for the road and the track.
 
And this is it. The so-called 'Williams Special' features a homemade frame, leaf spings, a Ford front axle, a Borg Warner four-speed gearbox and a V8 from an Oldsmobile.
 
After build, Williams trailered his car to Daytona Beach in 1958 to compete in the ‘Flying Mile’, where he topped out at 148mph. Brave. He later replaced the V8 with a Ford 427, but sadly passed away before he could max it at Bonneville.

It’s expected to fetch up to $100,000.

Which would you take home?