Rare Cars is an exquisite compendium that blurs the lines between appliance and art, showcasing the genius of great artisans who have crafted a select number of cars that are true masterpieces. Curated by esteemed automotive journalist A.J. Baime, this volume features over forty exceptional motorcars produced from 1931 to today, many of which command tens of millions of dollars.
Spanning the globe—from Japan to Detroit, England to Turin—this collection highlights legendary marques and iconic vehicles, including the Toyota 200GT Roadster featured in the Bond film You Only Live Twice, James Dean’s infamous Porsche 550 Spyder, and one of Ralph Lauren’s favorite Ferraris.
Some cars are celebrated as fine art for their groundbreaking engineering, such as the revolutionary 1947 Ferrari 125 S with its Colombo V-12 engine. Others are noted for their unique characteristics, like the 24-karat gold-plated DeLorean, crafted during a 1980 promotion with American Express. Headline-making vehicles like the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which sold for a record-breaking $142 million, exemplify the extraordinary value of these masterpieces. The book also features modern innovations like the Rimac Nevera Time Attack, designed by a Croatian teenager, and the ultra-exclusive Pagani Zonda Barchetta, which made international news after a crash in 2022.
All of these automobiles share a hallmark of timeless beauty and shocking rarity, celebrated for their trailblazing engineering, illustrious racing histories, and sculptural perfection.
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This luxurious volume not only pays homage to the extraordinary materials and craftsmanship of these iconic automobiles but also offers readers a chance to immerse themselves in the art and engineering that define the world of high-end motorcars.