Color is an interesting topic. For the last 20 years or so, you could only order cars in white, black, gray, dark gray, light gray, and gray with a little splash of gray. Things have changed since, as automakers started to realize that paint plays a vital role in self-expression. You can order a brand-new Lamborghini Temerario in 400 colors, and that’s not even including the paint to sample option. Even the new BMW M5, which used to be available in black, red, blue, and gray, now has a color palette that is 145 colors strong. It’s not often you come across a car that’s only offered in one color, even during the grayest of days. But we went ahead and found 10 examples of special or limited edition cars that were only sold in one color.
10 Lotus Carlton
950 Units in Imperial Green
Year Introduced
1990
Units Produced
950
Color
Imperial Green
Engine
3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6
Horsepower
377 hp
Torque
419 lb-ft
The Lotus Carlton is not your normal ’90s sedan. Based on a standard Vauxhall sedan, also known as the Opel Omega outside the UK, the Carlton featured two hood vents, a rear spoiler, and Lotus badging on the front and trunk to denote its serious performance credentials. Naturally, Lotus helped with the development. Underneath the hood is the same 3.6-liter inline-six engine found on the standard Carlton, but with two Garret T25 turbochargers bolted on top. This increased the power to 377 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque.
The Carlton sends its massive power onto the rear wheels, through a six-speed manual transmission from the Corvette ZR1. This enabled the Carlton to achieve an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds with a 177 mph top speed, which made it the world’s fastest four-door production sedan at that time.
GM intended to produce 1,100 examples of the mighty Carlton, but the recession and public outcry were responsible for killing it prematurely. It was expensive and infamous. The car was even debated in the House of Commons in the UK, where a bunch of goody two-shoes politicians wondered why an automaker would build a 170 mph sedan. “Because it’s hella dope,” probably wasn’t the answer they were hoping for.
Only 950 were built, and all examples were finished in Imperial Green with an Anthracite finish on the interior.
9 Buick GNX
547 Units in Black
Year Introduced
1987
Units Produced
547
Color
Black
Engine
3.8-liter turbo V8
Horsepower
300 hp
Torque
420 lb-ft
The Buick GNX was introduced in 1987 as the ultimate and final iteration of the Grand National. The name stands for “Grand National Experiment,” and was developed with the help of McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC. Under the hood is the 3.8-liter V8 derived from the standard Grand National, with a Garret T-3 turbocharger, fitted with a ceramic turbine, a less-restricted exhaust system with dual mufflers, a larger intercooler.
Buick claimed that the GNX makes 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque, but the actual output is 300 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. While GNX is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, it didn’t stop the GNX from accelerating 4.7 seconds (originally 5.5 seconds) from 0 to 60 mph.
Buick produced 547 examples of the GNX in Black, and its dark exterior finish earned its nickname as “Darth Vader’s Car” due to its ongoing popularity with Star Wars movies at that time. It’s a highly sought after car these days, and people are willing to pay supercar money for a pristine example.
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8 Ford Racing Puma
500 Units in Imperial Blue
Year Introduced
2000
Units Produced
500
Color
Imperial Blue
Engine
1.7-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4
Horsepower
153 hp
Torque
119 lb-ft
The Ford Racing Puma is the production version of the Puma ST160 concept that was unveiled at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, and was a showcase of Ford’s technologies and expertise honed from its racing programs, including rallying. Under the hood is the 1.7-liter Zetec SE engine from the standard Puma, but produces 153 horsepower and 119 lb-ft of torque.
Ford initially planned to build 1,000 Racing Pumas, but it only managed just 500 examples. The reason was simply because it was too expensive, especially when being compared to the likes of Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, both sold with turbocharged engines that provided way more power.
All examples are finished in Imperial Blue, together with bespoke Recaro seats with blue finish. Imperial Blue was a unique color that was only offered on other Ford Performance cars at that time, such as the Escort Cosworth RS and Focus RS.
7 Subaru Impreza 22B STI
424 Units in Sonic Blue Mica
Year Introduced
1998
Units Produced
424
Color
Sonic Blue Mica
Engine
2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4
Horsepower
276 hp
Torque
281 lb-ft
The Subaru Impreza 22B STI was created to commemorate its third Manufacturer’s title in the World Rally Championship in 1997, as well as the automaker’s 40th anniversary in 1998. The 22B featured a wider and more aggressive bodykit, with blister fenders on both front and rear sides, as well as a wide scoop and two small vents on the hood. As the name suggests, the 22B is derived from its 2.2-liter turbocharged boxer engine that produces 276 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, with the “B” being the Bilstein dampers with Eibach springs mounted.
Roughly 424 production examples were produced, with 400 of them being sold in Japan at a price of 5 million yen, or roughly $50,000 in 1998. Today, the 22B is within the six-figure mark, with one example being sold for $370,000 in 2020.
All examples are finished in the iconic Sonic Blue Mica with gold BBS alloy wheels. This exterior color was another unique Subaru color that is slightly similar to World Rally Blue, and is also found on other limited Subaru models, such as the Impreza P1, and Impreza WRX type R STI.
6 Ferrari 288 GTO
272 Units in Rosso Corsa
Year Introduced
1983
Units Produced
282
Color
Rosso Corsa
Engine
2.8-liter twin-turbo V8
Horsepower
400 hp
Torque
366 lb-ft
The Ferrari 288 GTO was a special homologation developed with the intention of entering Group B racing in the early 1980s. Based on the 308 GTB, the 288 GTO’s engine was mounted longitudinally over the 308 engine’s transverse layout, while its 2,450mm wheelbase is 100mm longer than the 308 GTB, but its overall length is still 5mm shorter due to a shorter rear overhang.
The 288 GTO’s name is derived from the engine and its displacement, which is powered by a 2.8-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 400 horsepower and 366 lb-ft of torque. Only 272 units were made to satisfy the minimum required number for Group B homologation.
All 288 GTOs were finished in Rosso Corsa, which is a typical yet iconic Ferrari color.
5 BMW M3 GTS
138 Units in Fire Orange
Year Introduced
2010
Units Produced
138
Color
Fire Orange
Engine
4.4-liter twin-turbo V8
Horsepower
450 hp
Torque
325 lb-ft
The BMW M3 GTS was a hardcore, lightweight version of the standard E92 M3. The M3 GTS weighs just 3,373 lbs, which is 300 lbs lighter than the standard M3. That was the result of further weight reduction by ditching the air-conditioning and audio system, lightweight carbon fiber door panels, and polycarbonate materials on the rear and the side rear windows. The M3 GTS also features Recaro carbon bucket seats with 6-point safety belts, while the rear seats can be replaced with an optional roll cage.
Its naturally-aspirated V8 engine had a larger displacement of 4.4 liters, compared to the standard M3’s 4.0 liter engine. As a result, the GTS has 450 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque.
While BMW planned to build 150 M3 GTS units, they ended up producing just 138 of them, making it one of the rarest modern BMWs ever made. All examples were painted in Fire Orange II, which is a BMW Individual color, together with 19-inch M lightweight alloys finished in black.
4 Toyota 86 GRMN
100 Units in White Pearl Crystal Shine
Specification
Detail
Year Introduced
2016
Units Produced
100
Color
White Pearl Crystal Shine
Engine
2.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-4
Horsepower
216 hp
Torque
163 lb-ft
The Toyota 86 GRMN is essentially a hardcore, lightweight version of the 86, unveiled at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon. The GRMN name stands for “Gazoo Racing Meisters of Nürburgring,” which is where Toyota gained its know-how from endurance racing with the 86. The 86 GRMN sports a lightweight bodykit, which includes two large hood vents, and fixed rear spoiler, and loads of carbon fiber on the hood, trunk, and roof.
The 86 GRMN’s 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated boxer engine produces 216 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque over the standard 86. The GRMN version also has lighter pistons, upgraded internal parts with reduced friction, and a new exhaust and intake system, all of which improve the engine’s throttle responsiveness.
Only 100 examples were made exclusively for the Japanese market, and all are finished in White Pearl Crystal Shine together with black and red alcantara interior, and the black carbon fiber accents. White Pearl Crystal Shine is a manufacturer option that can be found on other Toyota models, such as GR86, Prius, and Land Cruiser.
3 Lamborghini Reventón
20 Units in Grigio Barra
Year Introduced
2007
Units Produced
20
Color
Grigio Barra
Engine
6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12
Horsepower
641 hp
Torque
486 lb-ft
The Lamborghini Reventon was a limited-run model unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show based on the Murcielago LP640-4 . The Reventon’s groundbreaking wedge design was inspired by fighter jets, and it influenced the Aventador launched in 2011.
The Reventon is powered by a 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 that produces 641 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque, which can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, with a maximum top speed of 211 mph. Only 20 Reventon Coupes were ever produced, at a price of $1.2 million at that time.
All Reventon Coupes were painted in the stealthy Grigio Barra matte finish, complemented by a matching interior combination of Nero Perseus Leather and Verde Oliva Alcantara with Grigio Stitching.
2 Honda NSX-R GT
5 Units in Championship White
Year Introduced
2005
Units Produced
5
Color
Championship White
Engine
3.2-liter flat-4
Horsepower
290 hp
Torque
224 lb-ft
The Honda NSX-R GT was introduced in 2005 as a special model, which was developed for homologation in the Super GT Championship at that time. Based on the NA2 NSX-R, the NSX-R GT features a more aerodynamic bodykit, which is 180mm longer and 90mm wider than the NSX-R, as well as wider side air ducts and a non-functional hood scoop.
While the exterior had a significantly different look, the car’s mechanical bits underneath haven’t changed. That means the same 3.2-liter naturally-aspirated V6 that produces 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque. The NSX R-GT is linked to a 6-speed manual transmission with shorter gear ratios for quicker acceleration.
Only 5 units were ever made, to satisfy the homologation requirements, but only 1 was sold to private ownership, which also had a special plaque of the first owner’s name on the floor carpet. All examples were finished in Championship White, which is an iconic color combination with red suede from Honda that is found on many Type R models, including the current FL5 Civic Type R.
1 Toyota GR GT4 Evo 100 Edition
3 Units in Plasma Orange
Year Introduced
2016
Units Produced
100
Color
Plasma Orange
Engine
3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6
Horsepower
444 hp
Torque
479 lb-ft
Toyota delivered its 100th GR Supra GT4 last year. And to celebrate it, they’ve released the Toyota GR Supra GT4 Evo 100 Edition. While it’s based on the GR Supra GT4 Evo, the ‘100 Edition’ isn’t homologated for GT4 racing. As a result, this special edition features a unique front bodywork, with larger hood ventilation and revised dive planes for extra downforce on the front axle, as well as improved handling.
The ‘100 Edition’ also uses the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six that produces 444 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, which sends the power to the rear wheels via the seven-speed automatic transmission.
Only 3 examples were ever made, and sold to each collector in Europe, America, and Asia at a price of around $236,000. All examples are only finished in Plasma Orange, which is also available for the Japan-exclusive, unfortunately-long named GR Supra RZ Plasma Orange 100 Edition.
Sources:
BMW
,
Ferrari
, Gran Turismo Wiki via Fandom,
Lamborghini
,
Phil Mires Classic Cars
,
Racing-Puma.co.uk
, RM Sotheby’s, Supercar Nostalgia, and Toyota