European Market Finds
EU Market Find: Cypress Green Mercedes 280 CE Coupe with Period Lorinser and Zender Upgrades
Nowadays, the W123-generation Mercedes Benz 280 CE is a pretty rare thing. Built in a day when nomenclature and badging actually stood for something, the 280 CE is an E-class Coupe (a.k.a. "CE") with a 2.8-liter V6 (i.e. 280).
EU Market Find: Viola Hong Kong Ferrari 512 TR
We’re not sure about 1994, but in 2025 Viola Hong Kong has become recently popular as an extra range Tailor Made option. This two layer metallic is said to price in around as a $33,000 option. Back in 1994, it likely wasn’t that expensive though custom paint from the factory was exceedingly more rare. So, finding a 512 TR in that color was remarkable. Then, reading over the listing we noticed that it was painted this color in 2023.
EU Market Find: Red-on-Red 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 MFI
Nothing like a highly unique car in a highly unique build. In 1974, one year after producing the legendary 911 Carrera RS 2.7, Porsche introduced the 911 2.7 with mechanical fuel injection (MFI). And while it had gone to G-body construction including bigger and heavier bumpers, it made up for that with countermeasures such as lighter seats an aluminum arms in the rear suspension. All told, it weighed in at 1075 kg (2370 lbs) and was capable of 0-62 mph in 5.5 seconds... in 1974.
EU Market Find: 1998 Evergreen on Green BMW Z3 M Roadster
This isn’t a paint to sample BMW Individual specimen, nor is it technically a variant North America never received. Even still, we find a low mileage Evergreen on green BMW Z3 M Roadster like this noteworthy enough for a mention.
EU Market Find: Ex-Factory Porsche 993 Targa in Blue Turquoise plus MT6 in Belgium
In the lexicon of air-cooled Porsche 911s, the 993 Targa is both obscure and hard to find. By the final air-cooled type 993 generation, Porsche had ditched the full-width open top with roll hoop-style design it had pioneered throughout F-body, G-body and 964 generations, replacing them with a more livable (and heavier) glass panorama-style panel that slide back underneath the rear window glass. It's a design that would stick around through 996 and 997 generations. During the 993 generation, it wasn't terribly popular, making it a rare find today. Now add a very rare paint color and you have a very unique find indeed.
European Market Find: 2000 BMW Individual Carbon Black Metallic 328i Sedan with Individual Arizona Sky Leather
Will·
Yes, in just a few days we'll be 25-year survivors of the Y2K panic. And while our computers didn't all self-destruct when asked to display '00' in a date window, the cars coming out of German and Japan were equally exciting- just in a much more controlled, less stressful way.
Market Find: Singer “UK 1” Porsche 911 Classic Study in RM Private Sale Listing
The cue for a Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer is measured in years, so for those seeking to own one and not hung up on creating their own commission, purchasing one off the pre-owned market is the most likely play. Granted, they don’t come up often, and when they do we tend to expect them in prestigious places like an RM Sotheby’s private listing.
European Market Find: 1994 BMW Individual Violet Blue 318is Coupé in Switzerland
However special or deep the options list may have been for European market BMW buyers in the 1990s, cars remained expensive to own and operate. Seeing an exceedingly well appointed and appreciable specification with a small displacement engine wasn’t uncommon, which is how you end up with such a special build on what would otherwise be a more mundane BMW model.
European Market Find: Rubystone Red Porsche 968, Low Mileage / High Price
The Porsche 968 is (or rather was) one of the last good deals in the Porsche market. It's also arguably one of the best Porsches of the transaxle era. And while the European market only Clubsport or the super rare Turbo are the big money versions, super low mileage, great spec and incredible condition can approach 911 money.
European Market Find: Mystery Blue 1999 Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG Avantgarde Wagon
Hear us out. Yes, we know the E 55 AMG Station Wagon was sold in the United States. They're exceedingly rare, especially in solid survivor condition, but they were sold here. Still, anyone who loves these cars or is seeking a unique long roof may find this one worth going through the extra effort of importation. That it's old enough for easy import is one obvious reason, but more so is the unique build specification this car got from the factory. This sort of specification would have been extremely difficult if not impossible for anyone in North America to order, so it's worth noting... even if it does have a dash of turn-of-the-century Y2K kitsch in the color choices.