918 Spyder

Make
Porsche
Segment
Compact

With an I or a Y, the term Spider (or Spyder) is bound to get the juices flowing – assigned as it is to the most lustworthy roadsters from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren. Porsche uses it from time to time too, like it did with these four rather magnificent examples that are coming up for auction, each with a seven-figure price tag.

Arguably chief among them is a 2007 Porsche RS Spyder – the last of only six made that year. Developed to compete under LMP2 regulations, the precursor to the recently retired 919 Hybrid positively dominated its class a decade ago.

Campaigned by Penske, the RS Spyders scored three consecutive drivers' and constructors' championships in the American Le Mans Series between 2006 and 2008, and did the same in the 2008 Le Mans Series on the other side of the Atlantic. Most of those built, as you might surmise, were raced, and raced extensively. But not this one.

Chassis number 9R6.706 was purchased by a private collector, kept in its bare carbon fiber, and used only occasionally for high-profile track events. This is the first time that one has come up for auction, and is evidently so valuable that the auctioneer hasn't even publicized a pre-sale estimated value.

The modern racer will be joined on the auction block by three more classic Porsche Spyders, each more valuable than the next. There's a 911 Spyder uniquely coachbuilt by Bertone in 1966, wen it was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept was ultimately rejected in favor of the 911 Targa, leaving this example all the more rare as a result. It's estimated to fetch between $700,000 and $1 million.

Alongside it is a 718 RSK Spyder that's one of just 34 made and was raced in-period at Le Mans and Pikes Peak, valued between $3.6 and 4.1 million. And there's an example of the legendary 550 Spyder from 1950, estimated to sell for $4-5 million. All four will feature as part of the 15th Annual Pebble Beach Auctions to be held by Gooding & Company on August 24-25 during the festivities of this year's Monterey Car Week.

(Photos courtesy of Porsche, and by Mathieu Heurtault, Mike Maez, and Brian Henniker courtesy of Gooding & Company.)