VRL NewsBrief

  • One of three Ferrari 308 GT/M prototypes — 288 GTO forerunner — up for Monaco auction

    One of just three Ferrari 308 GT/M competition prototypes built is being offered for sale at RM Sotheby's Monaco sale, which takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Developed in collaboration with Michelotto, the 308 GT/M was conceived as a Group B contender based on the Ferrari 308 GTB. Unlike earlier competition variants of the 308, which had been adapted from production models and saw success in Group 4 stage rallying, the GT/M was engineered as a purpose-built prototype.
  • This Ferrari 275 GTB short-nose wasn't just a beauty but also a transaxle pioneer

    With an unveiling at the 1964 Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari 275 GTB graciously succeeded the long-serving 250-series. The beautiful Pininfarina design of the "Gran Turismo Berlinetta" adapted some Ferrari racing car features like the iconic side air intakes, the egg-crate grille, the short Kamm tail and the faired headlights. Power came from the final evolution of the front-mounted Colombo-60°-V12, pumping out 280 hp from a displacement of 3.3 litres and fed by three twin-choke Weber carburettors.
  • Magneto's Concours on Savile Row event to return next year in May 2027

    Concours on Savile Row will be taking another year off for 2026, due to continued and extensive building work that will make it impossible to run a quality event without disruption. The fourth running of the popular London event, which takes place on the street so famous for tailors and bespoke outfitters, will take place next year on May 19-20, 2027. Several manufacturers and sponsors are already signed up, and once again the activities will extend to the prestigious Royal Academy of Art at the end of the Row. (Image: Magneto Magazine)
  • This '80s Cosworth could outpace an Aston Martin at auction

    A 1989 Group A Ford Sierra Cosworth is the star of Broad Arrow's next Global Icons online auction, and it may even achieve a higher price than one of the most coveted early Aston Martins.
  • Jay Leno's law: The 35-year rolling smog exemption is back (and it might actually pass)

    If you've ever tried to keep an 80s or 90s classic on the road in California, you know the "Smog Check" dance. It's expensive, stressful, and increasingly impossible as parts for older emissions systems vanish into the ether. But there's a new spark of hope in Sacramento: Senate Bill 1392, better known as "Leno's Law," has been resurrected for the 2026 legislative session.
  • The strangest Maserati story nobody talks about

    The Maserati Mostro by Zagato saw the light of day in utmost elegance, being unveiled at the 2015 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, immediately establishing itself as one of the most breathtaking creations of the Italian coachbuilder's "Iconic" era. A period dedicated to reimagining the most spectacular Zagato silhouettes of the fifties and sixties with a modern approach.
  • 6 classic cars collectors are quietly buying

    There aren't many things that are more interesting in the automotive world than the classic car market. Collectors of Classic Cars will often neglect certain cars for years, and then suddenly start spending crazy amounts of money on them. This typically happens when a new era of cars that were once fairly commonplace start becoming rarer and slipping into classic territory.
  • Pembleton T24: A million-dollar grin for less than $50K

    These days, with son Guy at the helm, Pembleton only makes complete vehicles. There's still a three-wheeler, the V-Sport, but the four-wheeled T24 makes up about 90 percent of sales. Phil continues to weld every chassis, while the aluminum body is cut and formed by hand and riveted in place by a team of six craftsmen. (Image: Hagerty)
  • Forget the Miata: This forgotten German roadster is the performance bargain of the decade

    We've all heard the "Miata is always the answer" mantra. It's the law of the roadster land. But what if the answer was actually German, featured a retractable hardtop, and was built like a baby grand tourer? Enter the E89 BMW Z4 (2009–2016). This is the car currently flying under the radar while Miata prices continue to climb toward the stratosphere.
  • The sting that vanished: Inside the hunt for the ultra-rare '71 Hemi Super Bee

    In the world of American muscle, many cars are rare, but few are truly unicorns. While thousands of Chevelles and Mustangs still roam the streets, some legends disappeared almost as soon as they arrived. At the absolute top of this mountain of scarcity sits the 1971 Dodge Hemi Super Bee.