Auction website Bring a Trailer has already helped many drool away their lunch breaks over interesting collector cars, but now the stakes are even higher.
New ‘Premium Listings’, aimed at cars of even greater significance than the regular curated offerings on the website, offer a higher degree of service to sellers.
Those opting for the ‘Plus’ package receive professional on-site photography, whilst the bespoke ‘White Glove’ service takes care of everything on behalf of the seller.
The latter aims to target the high-end collector car vendor, or those with a considerable number of vehicles to sell.
Other important changes as part of the Premium service include the ability to list cars for up to 21 days, instead of the regular seven-day auction used at present.
According to Bring a Trailer founder Randy Nonnenberg, the changes will still allow the site to continue its mission of being “the best way to buy and sell most sought after vehicles of all time,” and that the changes will let the company “connect more great cars to great car people than ever before.”
To launch the new service, the site picked a stunning 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing to be the first car to ‘go premium’, which has now been joined by three other listings
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Offered with no reserve, and currently attracting a bid of $1 million, this Graphite Gray 300SL Gullwing is an elaborate way to demonstrate the new premier service.
The car itself has had just three owners from new, with the latest owner actually being Bring a Trailer, Inc. since 2013. The company has kept the car in storage, apart from occasional outings and even use as a wedding car.
Subject to a thorough and detailed restoration, the car has received important parts such as the belly pans from Mercedes-Benz Classic. An engine rebuild and brake overhaul were also part of the work, along with a fully restored leather interior.
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta
Noted to be just one of 1,406 365 GTB/4 Daytona models produced, this particular car was delivered new in North American specification, wearing yellow paintwork over a black interior.
In 1978 the car was repainted in distinctive Rosso Chiaro, whilst the tan interior was updated and refreshed in 2012. The advert notes that the dashboard was covered in the correct ‘mouse hair’ fabric, although many of the interior parts are original from the factory.
With receipts said to total more than $150,000 in maintenance work, the 4.4-liter Colombo V-12 has undergone a rebuild, along with work to the five-speed manual transaxle.
Most importantly, the seller notes that the pop-up headlights work correctly, and has provided more than 400 photos to indulge Daytona fans with.
1970 DeTomaso Mangusta
There are more pop-up headlights on display, with another red Italian sports car in the BaT premium listings. With just 401 examples built, the DeTomaso Mangusta can legitimately claim to be rarer than the Ferrari shown above.
One of the later Mangustas built, this one features a 302-cubic inch Ford V-8 engine connected to a five-speed manual transaxle. Power steering, air conditioning, and disc brakes were all part of the standard equipment.
This car remained with the original purchaser until 2016, and features a fully documented history of the work done to it over several decades. Most impressive is the recorded mileage of less than 12,800 miles.
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429
A true member of muscle car royalty, only 500 Mustang SportsRoof models were built in the 1970 model year featuring the legendary 429-cubic inch Boss V-8 engine and four-speed manual transmission.
The original owner did not skimp on options, ticking boxes for Competition Suspension, front disc brakes, Drag Pack, and a 3.91 Traction-Lok differential. Leaving the factory painted Grabber Blue, a full respray in 2012 returned the car to its original hue.
Having covered 48,000 miles from new, the current owner has added just a handful of miles to the odometer since acquiring it in 2014.
With the collector car market seemingly continuing to find strength, the decision by Bring a Trailer to target high-value sales is a logical move for the company to make. However, maintaining the affordable options for the average enthusiast is likely to be an important strategy.