The Monterey car week over in the States is one of the biggest automotive events anywhere and the auctions are well known for drawing out unique metal. At last year’s RM Auctions event there was a special Ford-themed sale that put some of the various blue oval concept cars from the last decade under the hammer. For 2011, Ford and RM Auctions have once again teamed up to flog off a couple of unique concept machines.

With proceeds going to charities, the concepts up for grabs are the 2001 Thunderbird Sports Roadster Concept and the 2005 Shelby GR-1 Concept Platform Model.

The Thunderbird Concept (pictured in red) was first shown at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show as a retro-themed production Thunderbird with some extra goodies. The Concept’s long rear-end is shaped by a fiberglass tonneau, like the original Sports Roadster it’s named after. In the cabin the retro theme continues with styling that nods to the Thunderbirds of the ’50s and 60s.

The Shelby GR-1 Concept debuted at Pebble Beach in 2004 and while also sharing influence from the past, it didn’t enter production in any form. It was built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Shelby Daytona Coupe and features silver paint work with blue stripes and 19-inch wheels. (more…)

RM Auctions has just announced plans to sell the 2004 Mustang GT-R Concept vehicle at their Ford-only event coming up in Monterey, California, U.S.A.

The concept was first introduced at the 2004 New York International Auto Show, the GT-R was built as a tribute to the Mustang’s 40th anniversary. Key features include a Tremec T-56 6-speed manual transmission, a Winter’s race-spec rear differential, a Ford Racing “Cobra R” heavy-duty clutch/flywheel set-up, a metal matrix composite aluminum custom driveshaft, Brembo brakes, and 20-inch wheels outfitted with Pirelli racing slicks.

Power comes from a 5.0-litre V8 engine, with 440 hp (328 kW) and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque. The GT-R concept isn’t certified for use on public American roads but is still expected to sell for $250,000 to $350,000 USD.

Other notable vehicles featuring in the same auction include the 2004 Lincoln Mark X Concept (estimated at $200,000 – $250,000 USD), the 2003 Ford Supercharged Thunderbird Concept (estimated at $175,000 – $250,000USd ), and the 1962 Lincoln Continental “Bubbletop” Limousine (estimated at $500,000 – $750,000) used by President John F. Kennedy.

Check out some photos of this Mustang concept in the gallery below.

With many ultra-expensive classics not reaching reserve at auction it was a surprise to many that the Shelby Daytona Coupe that failed to sell back in May has found a new home. The price tag for this exclusive piece of racing history? $7.25 million USD ($10.7m NZ), a new record for an American car sold at auction. The special Shelby sold on Saturday at Mecum’s Monterey Auction.

Chassis CSX2601 was one of six cars built by Carroll Shelby to compete against the dominating Ferrari in the F.I.A. (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) World Manufacturers Championship for GT race class. An experimental coupe body designed by Peter Brock was built on an existing Cobra chassis, immediately increasing the top speed by 25 mph. That car won its first race, the 1964 Daytona Continental (prompting Shelby to adopt the name), and five more coupes were built, including CSX2601.

After competing at Daytona, Monza, Spa and Nurburgring, CSX2601 made history when it clinched the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship for the United States and Shelby American on July 4 in Reims, France. Driving the car to victory was American race car driver Bob Bondurant.

Bondurant drove the Daytona Cobra Coupe across the Mecum auction block as it set the new high-bid record.