Rare Factory Spec Find
Market Find: 1 of 60 2025 Chapman Bespoke Launch Edition Lotus Emira
It was just a couple of months ago that Lotus pulled the wraps off of their own in-house tailoring division Chapman Bespoke and one of the first results is this limited run of 60 "Chapman Bespoke Launch Edition" models.
Euro Market Find: Imperial Maroon Jaguar XK140 Roadster
If you've been seeking a vintage Jaguar Roadster, this one makes a compelling case for a number of reasons. No, it's not any sort of paint-to-sample special, but it is a rare period color that looks great and has all the makings of an incredible heritage story to share with friends.
Euro Market Find: Jazz Blue Volkswagen Bora VR6 4Motion Wagon
Does a perfect spec qualify as tailored? We can debate the issue, but I tend to land on the side of yes, assuming the desirability of a car finely and perfectly specified from a robust factory order book represents a different sort of tailoring. It's the sort of thing that goes with budget cars, from companies that don't typically offer tailoring services. Nevertheless, cars like this are special and it's with that in mind that we present to you this Y2K Volkswagen Bora.
Market Find: 2019 Volkswagen Golf R Spektrum in Copper Orange Metallic
Though VW doesn't have a tailor of their own, most regular readers of this website should by now know of the Golf Spektrum run of cars. Back in 2019, VW built a large collection of Golf R models painted in micro batches of unobtainium colors. These cars command a premium and are highly sought after when they come up online.
Market Find: 1997 Range Rover Vitesse in AA Yellow
In 1997, Land Rover made a limited run Range Rover 4.6 HSE Vitesse editions. 250 were built, in either red or yellow. The high-impact yellow, as you can see here, is known as AA Yellow. It was paired with Ash Black leather.
Market Find: Rare Shade, Low Mile, Manual 2005 Acura NSX
Acura didn't have tailoring at the time this NSX was built, but we're going to give it a pass anyway for representing an excellent and rare specification that is also low mileage and impeccably maintained from all appearances.
Market Find: 11K Mile Audi R8 GT in Samoa Orange on Bring a Trailer
Though popular amongst Audi exclusive clientele, Samoa Orange wasn’t an Audi exclusive color on the R8 GT. In fact, it is believed to have debuted as a launch color on that first limited-series GT Coupé, then has graced a few other special editions over the years.
EU Market Find: Volkswagen Mk1 Cabriolet Toscana in Rare Copper Metallic
For the most part, Volkswagen doesn't have an in-house tailor, but this German economy brand is rife with special editions, ranging from sticker pack mediocre to truly special. We'd weight the Golf Cabriolet Toscana special edition more on the truly special side of that spectrum.
Market Find: Green-on-Green E39 BMW 525i Wagon on Cars and Bids
From the discount tailored rack comes this well preserved and rare specification BMW 525i Touring we found listed over on Cars and Bids. Whether or not you count it as truly tailored is up to you. The exterior color of Slate Green was a standard offering on the E39. And, though we haven't yet found it in period catalogues, the interior specification of Stone Green and Black doesn't appear to be listed as special order on the attached Monroney window sticker.
Budget Rare Spec: Audi TT Mk1 in Goodwood Green
As regular readers of this site will know, special orders aren't always the only path to achieving tailored status. In our mind, rare specifications also qualify and that's where a Goodwood Green first-generation (Mk1) Audi TT comes into play. Goodwood was standard in the latter half of Mk1 TT production, and was offered quite commonly across the Audi range in the early oughts. Even still, it was rarely chosen. So, while we wonder what those early 2000s Audi buyers were thinking not ordering Goodwood, we know it left a mark because Audi's British Racing Green-ish hue parked itself in the Audi exclusive catalogue where it remains a very popular choice for buyers who today seek something special.