The Radiator Cap

MYSTERY MOTORS
W
hat car is this?
Last month’s mystery motor was a Porsche R64. It was one of three prototypes
built as a sports car version of the original Volkswagen in 1939, and it
made headlines in August this year because of a disastrous auction. It was
thought the car might fetch $20 million but it failed in extraordinary circumstances.
In front of a packed room at the annual RM Sotheby's auction in Monterey, California,
auctioneer Maarten ten Holder announced the opening bid at US$13 million. However,
the bid was misunderstood by the person working the electronic screens around the room
and US$30 million was displayed on the screens. As the bidding moved to $US14 million,
the screen changed to US$40 million. With more gasps and cheers from members of the
audience, the trend continued until the screen showed US$70 million, and only then did
Mr ten Holder realise the discrepancy.
"It says 70, guys, but it's 17," Mr ten Holder said.
"It's a bit exciting to write seven-zero, it may be my pronunciation, but it's $17 million."
Amid booing from people in the audience, the auction was abandoned after the bidding
failed to reach the reserve.
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