8 Porsches (Including 1 Tractor) We’re Watching at Amelia

It’s good to be a Porsche fan at Amelia Island’s auctions. This year, 53 examples of the Stuttgart marque will cross the block, covering just about every era. We’ll be watching all the sales closely, but here are the ones that particularly caught our team’s eyes.

1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder “Lucybelle III”

Finished in period American racing livery that was slathered onto the car trackside the day before the 1959 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, extensively campaigned, and affectionately named, “Lucybelle III” is the embodiment of a well-loved race car. This 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder passed from one avid racer to another, racking up a host of stories and achievements along the way.

Original owner Ed Hugus won his class at Le Mans in 1957 in “Lucybelle I,” a Porsche 550 Spyder, and had his sights on another class win in “Lucybelle III” two years later. Unfortunately, the engine dropped a valve and Hugus had to retire the car. After the car was fitted with a fresh engine at the Porsche factory, Hugus brought “Lucybelle III” stateside, where it subsequently had a successful SCCA and vintage racing career. “Lucybelle III” underwent a thorough restoration beginning in 2019 and is headed across Broad Arrow’s auction stage with an estimate of $3.5M–$4.5M.

1957 Porsche 356A Speedster

Porsche’s 356 Speedster is one of many models that might not have existed without the successful lobbying of importer Max Hoffman. Porsche heeded Hoffman’s call, and the lightweight bathtub of a car became a more-than-viable alternative to the British offerings in the nascent American sports car market.

This particular Speedster made its way stateside around 1960 and was pressed into service in SCCA E Production racing not long after. As with many race cars, the engine was swapped for something with a bit more oomph—in this instance, a 1500 Carrera engine. The car was painted to look the part as well. It received a restoration back to a more street-oriented configuration in 1986, though it still has several modifications that render it more assertive than your typical 356A. It shows as an attractive example that can be used as intended. Bonhams estimates it will fetch between $285,000–$330,000.

1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 4 By Singer “Classic Study”

Since the original 2008 “Classic Study” example, Singer’s “reimaginations” have blended classic long-hood Porsche aesthetics with no-expense-spared carbon-fiber bodies, exquisite interiors, and powerful air-cooled drivetrains. They rarely come up for public sale, though we have seen a few appear at auction over the last twelve months.

This example, completed in 2017, is one of 40 with an all-wheel-drive setup derived from the 993-generation 911, and also features a 4.0-liter flat-six. Finished in the muted combination of Fashion Grey Pearl over Olive, this Classic Study is understated and minimalist even if the price tag is not: Gooding expects bids will come in from $1.1–$1.3M.

1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S “Package”

In addition to the chassis beneath the Singer above, seven 964-generation 911s are crossing the block on the island this year. 964s have experienced something of a revival in the eyes of collectors as air-cooled Porsches have continued to gain status. This is especially true of the Carrera RS and Turbo models, but this Turbo S is among the most sought-after.

The S cranked the 3.6-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder’s power up to 380, and a host of chassis tweaks further separated it from more pedestrian Turbo models. The choices of body style set the S further apart, however. Toward the end of its production run, the 964 911 Turbo S came in two flavors: The more expensive—and oddly more numerous, at 76 made—Flachbau, which sported smoother, lower fenders and 928-style flip-up lights, and the “Package” that wore the conventional 911 front end. Only 17 of these were produced, making them among the most rare 911 Turbos in existence. As such, Broad Arrow estimates this car’s sale price at a cool $1M–$1.2M.

1961 Porsche RS61

The final iteration of Porsche’s successful Spyders, the RS60 and RS61 took the fight to larger-bore sports cars and helped Porsche drivers compete for overall wins, as witnessed by their outright victories at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring and the Targa Florio. While the bodywork is not dramatically different from that of its predecessors, improvements to the brakes and suspension, along with larger wheels and other tweaks, evolved these cars into their ultimate form.

This example, chassis number 718-076, has a lengthy history filled with victories and solid finishes in hill climbs and endurance races, including an overall win at the South African 6 Hours. Over the course of its life, it has worn different bodywork and paint schemes, but now sits as it did when delivered to its first owner in 1961. Eligible—and well-suited, given its larger interior and higher windscreen—for events like the Colorado Grand, this RS61 is ready to be put to use as intended. Gooding & Co. estimates its sale price at $4M–$5M.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Homologation

Homologation requirements for racing have yielded some of the wildest cars in history and a few interesting stories along the way. Porsche had no trouble getting enough orders for the RS 2.7 to fill the necessary minimum 500 required by the FIA—in fact, they’d eventually produce 1580 of them. But the rules also required that the car’s weight be checked periodically during the production run. To ensure proper spec, Porsche built examples designated “RSH,” which had higher-gauge metal, thinner glass, and deleted components. Most of these cars were then converted to other trims before being sold, but 17 of them stayed in this original, ultra-lightweight configuration.

This example, which Gooding estimates will bring $2M–$2.5M, is from the first production run and was originally built for factory use, possibly to homologate the Fuchs seven- and eight-inch wide wheels. It has been faithfully restored and retains its original drivetrain.

2019 Porsche 935

Though older Porsches tend to be the ones that find the spotlight, there are a few showstoppers from the 21st century at Amelia, too. Bonhams is featuring a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach ($1.75M–$2M estimate), and Broad Arrow has a 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic ($425,000–$525,000 estimate) and a 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Weissach Package ($375,000–$400,000 estimate) among others. Over at Gooding, the one that has our primary attention is this 2019 Porsche 935.

The 76th of 77 factory-built tributes to the incredibly successful 935 race car that debuted in 1976, this modern 935 is based on the 991.2-generation 911 GT2 RS Clubsport and is powered by a 700-horsepower, 3.8-liter flat-six mated to a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission. Showing delivery miles only and wearing a monochrome Martini wrap, this ultra-rare, ultra-capable track special is estimated at $1.5M–$1.75M.

1960 Porsche Diesel 217 Standard Tractor

Its controls might feel rather agricultural, and it’s not likely to set any track records, but for about the price of a service on any of the above selections, this 1960 Porsche 217 Standard tractor could be yours. Broad Arrow puts an estimate of $30,000–$50,000 on this rather aerodynamic and thoroughly restored farming device.

With 18 horsepower and power take-offs at the rear and underneath, this Standard would be equally at home stylishly mowing the lawn, pulling a small hay wagon, or idling its way along a parade route. Or, if you really want to feel the wind in your hair, you could enter it in the Rennsport tractor race at Laguna Seca.

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