Ford Mustang GTD

 

The GTD is the most extreme and insane factory-built street-legal Mustang to date. Inspired by the Mustang GT3 race car, it was added to the Mustang Portfolio in 2024 for the 2025 model year and is powered by a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 with 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Zero to 60 mph occurs in 2.8 seconds, while Ford claims a top speed of 202 mph for the Mustang GTD. The GTD gains much more aggressive bodywork over lesser Mustang models, including wider fenders, larger vents in the hood, fenders, and trunk, more pronounced front splitter and rear diffuser, and a massive rear wing mounted towards the bottom of the rear window on the B-pillar. Internally, the Mustang GTD eliminates the back seats for optimal weight savings, and the trunk's cargo-holding capacity has been replaced with a rear-mounted transaxle and cooler. In fact, there is a window inside the GTD's interior where the back seats would normally be in a regular Mustang that provides a clear view of its rear suspension system, especially when in action, and this is certainly one of the coolest aspects of this particular Mustang. The GTD's interior is very similar to those of lesser Mustangs, except more carbon fiber, leather, and suede trim, along with 3D-printed titanium paddle shifters, rotary dial gear selector, and serial placard are added to the GTD. Exclusive performance menus are added to the GTD's infotainment system as well. 

Ford plans to produce a total of approximately 1,000 examples of the Mustang GTD, with pricing starting at roughly $328,000 and up to $375,000 depending on options. I spotted this Mustang GTD in Carmel during the one day I was attending Monterey Car Week festivities this year. It is only the second Mustang GTD that I have seen in person, with the first one occurring at the Exotics on Broadway show two years ago. Back when I first saw the GTD in person two years ago, I only took a few photos, did not think much of it, and did not fully understand why its price tag was over $300,000. After hearing and viewing more about the Mustang GTD later on, I began to see the GTD as cooler and more amazing than most other Mustangs. Its significant styling changes, reworked suspension, performance upgrades, and greater exclusivity make the GTD a more intriguing package and its hefty $300k+ price tag a bit more justifiable. Enjoy and stay tuned for a recap of the best, coolest, most unique, and most unusual exotic cars I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week coming up in the next two posts.

Vehicle Specifications Source: Car and Driver 

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TVR Tuscan (2000-06)

 

The Tuscan from the early 2000s is one of TVR’s most iconic and successful sports cars. Throughout its production run, it offered a targa top and a front-mounted 'Speed Six' inline-six available in either 3.6-, 4.0-, or 4.2-liter displacements that sent power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. This generation of TVR Tuscan initially produced 360 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while later versions produced as much as 400 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque. It launches from zero to 60 mph in about four seconds and can accomplish a top speed of over 180 mph. Like other TVR sports cars and unlike most modern cars, the Tuscan is as analog as they come, forgoing anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and modern safety amenities including airbags. While the Tuscan does not contain any visible traditional door handles, its doors are opened by pressing buttons on the bottom of the side mirrors. Besides being fully analog, TVR sports cars are known for being super lightweight, and the Tuscan is no different, weighing in at around 2,400 pounds. Inside, the TVR Tuscan features a fairly minimalist cabin design that is more roomy than some similar sports cars of its era, and is lined in mostly leather upholstery along with some brass, aluminum, and copper trim pieces and switchgear. Its trunk allows for some, but not abundant, space for some things to be stowed in it. 

Although it was never officially sold in the United States, the earliest versions of the TVR Tuscan Speed Six can be legally imported to American shores since they are at least 25 years old. Pricing on the resale market for the early 2000s TVR Tuscan varies significantly but currently averages around $60,000. I spotted this particular TVR Tuscan in Carmel parked along Ocean Avenue during the one day I attended Monterey Car Week festivities this year. I first saw it there right before arriving at the Ferrari Concours show taking place along a few blocks of Ocean Avenue and surrounding streets that day. This Tuscan's gold exterior with rally/racing decals, white wheels, and a yellow leather interior certainly made for an interesting, unique, and attention-grabbing spec. I would personally not have any car in my possession outfitted with a yellow interior, but this TVR Tuscan looks great otherwise. It is also only the second TVR sports car besides a Chimaera from the early 90s that I have ever seen in person. Overall, the TVR Tuscan is a cool, fascinating, beautiful, and rare analog sports car that represents a great relic from a past era, and I am very fortunate to have seen one up close. Enjoy and stay tuned for more unique exotic cars I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week coming up in the next few posts.

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Classic.com, Evo.co.uk, Magneto Magazine

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Aston Martin Vanquish Volante (2026-)

 

Aston Martin has brought back the Vanquish nameplate for its latest flagship grand tourer. It made its return as a fixed-roof coupe for the 2025 model year, followed by the Vanquish Volante convertible for 2026 as the replacement for the DBS in Aston Martin's portfolio. Powering the new Vanquish is a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 with 823 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels. It launches from zero to 60 mph in around three seconds and has a top speed rated at 214 mph. Standard mechanical features on the new Vanquish include an electronically-assisted rear differential, carbon ceramic brakes, and traction control with eight intervention settings, while a titanium exhaust system is optional. As for the Vanquish Volante specifically, its fabric soft top can open in 14 seconds and close in 16 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph or remotely with the key fob. The Volante also adds extra structural bracing for increased vehicle rigidity and a suspension tune to keep its handling on par with that of the Vanquish Coupe. Inside, the new Vanquish is adorned in leather, faux-suede, and other high-quality materials, and contains two digital displays (central infotainment and gauge cluster) that are well-integrated into the dashboard design. In addition, the latest Vanquish is only a two-seater and offers enough trunk space for a weekend getaway for two. 

Pricing for the newest Aston Martin Vanquish starts at around $440,000 for the Coupe and close to $500,000 for the Volante. Aston Martin plans to build less than 1,000 units of of the new Vanquish Volante per year and make its production more limited than that of its coupe counterpart. Pictured here is the first example of the new Aston Martin Vanquish that I have ever seen in person, which is an all-black Volante that I spotted driving down Ocean Avenue in Carmel during the one day I was attending Monterey Car Week festivities this year. Like the Wiesmann MF5 Tributo from the previous post, I only managed to snap a few photos of this particular Vanquish Volante, and they all turned out amazing. Out of all the Aston Martins I saw during Monterey Car Week this year, the new Vanquish Volante is my third favorite behind only the more extreme Valhalla and Valkyrie. Overall, the latest Aston Martin Vanquish is an absolutely beautiful and incredible car that provides a fantastic combination of supercar performance and grand touring comfort. Enjoy and stay tuned for more unique exotic cars I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week coming up in the next few posts.

Vehicle Specifications Source: Car and Driver 

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Wiesmann MF5 Tributo

 

Next up among the rarest and most unique exotics I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week is a revived version of an ultra-exclusive and obscure German roadster originally produced from 2008 to 2013. This particular vehicle is known as the Wiesmann MF5 Tributo, and it was announced and made its official debut at this year's Monterey Car Week as an extremely limited revival of the original Wiesmann GT MF5 and Roadster MF5. The MF5 produced from 2008 until Wiesmann filed for bankruptcy and went under in 2013 was initially powered by a BMW-sourced naturally-aspirated V10 used in the E60 M5 that was rated at 500 horsepower, launched from zero to 60 mph in under four seconds, and topped out at over 190 mph. Later versions of the MF5 replaced the E60 M5's V10 with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 from the first-gen BMW X5 M rated at 547 horsepower. This latest version of the MF5 is reportedly motivated by the 4.0-liter V8 from the E9X BMW M3 and paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 

While less than 200 examples of the original GT MF5 and Roadster MF5 are known to exist, Wiesmann confirmed a production run of just five units for the MF5 Tributo and was vague regarding pricing and other specs for its most recent completed vehicle. Besides the MF5, all previous Wiesmann sports cars followed the same formula: a small, lightweight body with serious BMW M power sold in incredibly small numbers that provides for an unreal, visceral, and analog driving experience. Since its return from the dead, Wiesmann was set to go all-electric with its Project Thunderball that was first announced in 2022 and initially expected to go on sale in 2024, but has been delayed ever since. Wiesmann's next sports car project following the MF5 Tributo is known as Meisterwerk and set for a Spring 2027 debut. 

Considering how rare and obscure Wiesmann MF sports cars are, it should come as no surprise that this is the first one of these that I have seen in person, which was spotted driving by on Ocean Avenue in Downtown Carmel during the one day I was attending Monterey Car Week festivities this year. I first heard about and became familiar with Wiesmann sports cars several years ago, and a long time had passed since then before hearing about them again and officially seeing one in the flesh two months ago. Despite managing to only get a few photos of it, spotting a Wiesmann in the wild made for an absolutely unexpected and under-the-radar top moment from my experience at Monterey Car Week this year. Overall, the Wiesmann MF5 Tributo is a stunning and super cool sports car that not many people know of or about, and I am thankful to have seen it passing through Downtown Carmel around the time of its official debut. Enjoy and stay tuned for more unique exotic cars I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week coming up in the next several posts.

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Motor1, CarBuzz, Wheel Front 

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Singer DLS Turbo

 

Pictured here is not just any classic Porsche 911, but one that has been reimagined and perfected by Singer. Based on the 964-gen Porsche 911, DLS in this instance stands for "Dynamics and Lightweight Study," and this particular project is Singer's tribute to the 934/5 endurance racer and one of their most insane creations to date. Motivating the DLS Turbo is a twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six with 710 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. This twin-turbo motor revs to over 9,000 rpm and is paired to a six-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. Also added to the DLS Turbo's 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six are an electric wastegate, air-to-water intercooling, an an electrically-powered, horizontally-mounted fan. 

Key distinctive exterior features on the Singer DLS Turbo include massive front and rear fenders, a large hood vent, air intakes in both of the rear quarter windows that feed into the engine, and the option of either a track-focused appearance with a huge rear wing and more aggressive front fascia or a road-focused appearance with a ducktail rear spoiler and front fascia designed to reduce drag. Singer reconstructed the 964 Porsche 911's body and made the DLS Turbo entirely out of modern carbon fiber. Underneath the DLS Turbo is a monocoque chassis that is stiffer and more refined than most other classic Porsche 911s. Inside, Singer completely remodeled the interior to give it a more modern and sophisticated feel over the average classic Porsche 911. Notable highlights of the DLS Turbo's interior include five floating analog gauges and two rollbars behind the leather bucket seats. 

Singer has capped the DLS Turbo at 99 total commissions, with values ranging from $2.5 million up to $5 million. I spotted this particular Singer-ized Porsche 911 in Carmel during Monterey Car Week this year. It was first driving down a casual downtown street setting and then parked by the L’Auberge Hotel alongside several other rare and unique exotics as part of Miller Motorcars’ mini showcase display there. Traveling alongside this particular DLS Turbo finished in light green with a track-focused package was another Singer Porsche 911, specifically a 930-gen 911 Cabriolet finished in light blue. However, the DLS Turbo was certainly the most amazing of the two Singer Porsche 911s I saw in Carmel during Monterey Car Week. In fact, the Singer DLS Turbo is easily one of the coolest and most impressive classic Porsches I have ever seen up close. It is a fantastic combination of classic spirit, head-turning design, modern supercar performance and refinement, and great exclusivity. Singer executes on these elements in the DLS Turbo better than practically any other classic Porsche 911 aftermarket build. Enjoy and stay tuned for more unique exotic cars I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week coming up in the next several posts.

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Car and Driver, Top Gear, Singer Vehicle Design, Stuttcars 

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Miller Motorcars JC9

 

The JC9 is a one-off modernized vintage endurance race car for the road. Based on the Porsche Carrera GT, it was commissioned by Miller Motorcars and designer Jason Castriota to commemorate the Greenwich, Connecticut-based exotic car dealership's 50th anniversary. The 9 part of its name indicates Castriota's ninth creation, and he is primarily known for designing vehicles like the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina, Ferrari 599 GTB, Maserati GranTurismo, and SSC Tuatara. The Carrera GT's powertrain, a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V10 with 604 horsepower and 435 pound-feet of torque paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, remains intact in the JC9. Assuming no mechanical changes were made to the JC9 from the Carrera GT, the launch from zero to 60 mph occurs in 3.5 seconds and its top speed is 205 mph. Most importantly, the JC9's body is completely redone compared to the Carrera GT, primarily inspired by the classic Porsche 917 endurance race car and constructed out of carbon fiber. Other key exterior elements of the JC9 include a custom wing, glass canopy-style cutout doors, multi-pod LED headlights, and an iconic Gulf Racing livery finish. The JC9's interior is similar to that of the Carrera GT, except the former is adorned in mostly blue Alcantara and features blue plaid inserts in its bucket seats with light blue seat belts. 

With average Porsche Carrera GT values hovering around $3 million today, I expect the one-of-one JC9 to be worth significantly more if it ever finds the open market. I spotted this one-off in Carmel during Monterey Car Week, and it was part of Miller Motorcars' showcase display outside of the L'Auberge Hotel. It was certainly one of the most unique cars I saw during the one day I was attending Monterey Car Week festivities this year. While the fact that a Carrera GT was sacrificed to make the JC9 may upset some enthusiasts, the remodeling and attention to detail placed into this one-off creation is simply amazing. Overall, the JC9 is a super cool, fascinating, unique, and special one-of-one supercar, and I am grateful to have become more familiar with its existence after seeing it in the flesh during this year's Monterey Car Week. Enjoy and stay tuned for more unique exotic supercars I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week coming up in the next several posts.

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Road and Track, DuPont Registry, CarBuzz 

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Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Aperta

 

This and the next post will showcase two of the rarest and most obscure supercars I spotted in Carmel during this year’s Monterey Car Week, starting with the Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Aperta. Built by Milanese coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera and based on the Ferrari 550, the Veloce12 was first unveiled in 2024 as a fixed-roof coupe, followed by the roofless Barchetta a year later, and the targa-top Aperta earlier this year. Motivating the Veloce12 Aperta is a 5.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 producing 503 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque paired to a six-speed manual transmission. Touring Superleggera estimates a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph for the Veloce12 Aperta. As part of the Veloce12 assembly process, customers must supply the Ferrari 550 donor car, and Touring Superleggera handles the rest. Unlike its coupe and Barchetta variants, the Veloce12 Aperta features an aluminum arch as its B-pillar with Aperta badges made of 24-karat gold on its sides and two removable roof panels that can be stowed in its trunk. While its silhouette remains the same as the 550 it is based on, the Veloce12 takes on an almost completely different design, most notably a carbon-fiber body, a redesigned front bumper and grille, more modern headlights and taillights, and a revised and thinner hood vent. Inside, the Veloce12 Aperta's interior is outfitted in burgundy leather and aluminum trim, along with two-tone white and burgundy leather and suede seats. It also retains the Ferrari 550's buttons, switches, and analog gauges, and comes with an exclusive set of fitted luggage.  

Touring Superleggera has limited production of the Veloce12 to only 30 units across all three of its body styles. Pricing for the Veloce12 Aperta starts at well over $700,000. This particular example was parked outside of the L’Auberge Hotel in Carmel with some other exotics during Monterey Car Week when I saw it up close for the first time. It was certainly one I was not expecting to see during the one day I was attending Monterey Car Week festivities this year, but doing so made for a thrilling experience. While I did not make it to any of these events, I can guarantee that the Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Aperta made appearances at specific shows throughout Car Week this year, namely the Quail, Concorso Italiano, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Overall, the Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Aperta is a beautiful and impressive ultra-rare, retromodded Ferrari 550, and for those who view most Ferraris as too ordinary. Enjoy and stay tuned for more unique exotic supercars I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week coming up in the next several posts.

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Car and Driver, DuPont Registry, Touring Superleggera, Smart Motoring 

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Aston Martin Valhalla

 

The Aston Martin Valhalla is a race car for the road that follows the same formula as the more extreme Valkyrie, but in a more usable package for everyday driving. It was created in collaboration with Red Bull Racing, all-new for 2026, and powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG paired to three electric motors (two front, one rear) producing a combined 1,064 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels. Aston Martin claims that the Valhalla can launch from zero to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and accomplish a top speed of 217 mph. Key exterior features of the Valhalla consist of an oversized Aston Martin signature grille, butterfly doors, a roof-mounted air intake, movable front and rear wings for optimal aerodynamics, and two sets of exhausts: one at the rear decklid and the other at the rear diffuser. In order for its rear wing to deploy, the Valhalla needs to be in race mode and in motion. Its central tub is composed of carbon fiber, and Formula 1-style pushrod front and multi-link rear suspensions with adaptive dampers and carbon ceramic brakes are standard. Also available in the Valhalla is an EV mode that provides up to six miles of range on pure electricity. Inside, the Valhalla features an extensive use of carbon fiber and leather trim, a Formula 1-inspired squared-off steering wheel that houses physical infotainment controls, and two separate digital displays in front of and to the right of the steering wheel, both of which hold important vehicle information. Like some serious purpose-built supercars, a trunk or luggage compartment of any kind has been excluded from the Aston Martin Valhalla. 

Aston Martin plans to build 999 total units of the Valhalla, with each example priced starting at $1,051,700. A Spider version of the Valhalla is in the works and should make its debut soon. Pictured here is the first Aston Martin Valhalla I have ever seen in person, which occurred in Carmel during Monterey Car Week this year. It was parked outside of the L’Auberge Hotel and brought to the Monterey area for Car Week courtesy of Greenwich, Connecticut-based exotic car dealership Miller Motorcars. This particular example and a handful of other ultra-rare and unique exotic supercars were part of Miller Motorcars' showcase at Carmel's L’Auberge Hotel during this year's Monterey Car Week, and while it technically constitutes a pure spotting scenario, this gathering of exotics felt like a mini car show when I was there. Overall, the Valhalla is one of the coolest, most insane, and most impressive Aston Martins ever created, and it was certainly one of my top spotting highlights from the one day I attended Monterey Car Week festivities this year. Enjoy and stay tuned for more unique exotic supercars I spotted in Carmel during Monterey Car Week coming up in the next several posts.

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Car and Driver, Classic.com, Carscoops 

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