Vehicle Details
- Year: 2005
- Make: Noble
- Model: M12
- VIN: NUS0022
- Mileage Shown: 4,000
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Steel Gray Pearl
- Seller: prmnorton1
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Midlothian, VA 23112
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0020743
Manufactured in South Africa and assembled by Noble in England, the M12 GTO-3R is a high-performance component sports car constructed from a plastic composite over a tubular chassis, equipped with a twin-turbocharged Ford Duratec 3.0L V6, a 6-speed manual transmission, and a Quaife automatic torque-biasing differential. This 2005 example is finished in Steel Gray Pearl over a blue and black leather interior and is now being offered at auction by its seller out of Virginia showing approximately 4k miles on the odometer.
The plastic-composite clamshell bodywork was manufactured by High-Tech Automotive of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and shipped to the Noble factory in Leicester, England, for final assembly. The exterior is finished in Steel Gray Pearl and features a front splitter, a rear integrated ducktail spoiler, side skirts, a finned rear diffuser, aerodynamic mirrors, a large rear wing, dual oval exhaust tips, side intake scoops, encapsulated projector headlights, “3R” fender badging, black brake calipers with white Noble script, and a vented hood. Staggered width 18” multi-piece wheels wear “3R” center caps, and are mounted with Bridgestone tires.
The interior features sport seats with black outer trim and blue centers, Willans harnesses, and pass-throughs. The door panels are trimmed in black Alcantara suede with blue leather accents, and the center console, passenger-side dash pad, and steering feel are upholstered in matching blue leather. A padded roll cage surrounds the entire cabin. Amenities include billet-aluminum roll-up window handles and mirror adjusters, push-button ignition, a billet aluminum shift knob, a steering wheel with carbon fiber trim and two red horn buttons, a stereo, air conditioning, a heater, and a defroster.
The M12 GTO-3R is powered by a 3.0L twin-turbocharged Ford Duratec V6 producing up to 360 HP and 358 lb.-ft of torque. The rear wheels are driven by a Getrag 6-speed manual close-ratio transmission and a Quaife automatic torque-biasing differential. Acceleration from 0-60 MPH occurs in as little as 3.3 seconds and continues to a top speed of 171 MPH. The M12 GTO-3R has no anti-lock braking system, stability control, traction control, or airbags.
This sale will include a clean title.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $40,000
- Auction End: Aug 10, 2022 07:42:12PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 7
Comments (73)
Sold for $40,000
Bid in the amount of $40,000
Bid in the amount of $39,250
IMO this is basically a barn find Noble.. but its been sitting outside instead of in a barn...
biggest gap here is why this car has its original tires and if its literally sat for the last 15 years.. and the seller seems to have no idea.
@Consynx ty for insight, we’ll said
@beachedferrari I was also just rev for vids
@beachedferrari needs to warm up, once it’s warm it’s fine, see walk around while idled
I think that question is valid, but I'll add some more additional info.
These don't come with an ICV/IAC. The port for it is the little black plate on top of the throttle body that you can see blocked off.
As a result, I believe there are some oddities around idle based on tune/map. Knowing this might help your searches on NobleForums.
At least my stock ECU is one that can be adjusted, albeit it probably has a decent learning curve. Others have opted for things such as Motec, Haltech, and ECUMasters. There is word that a shop is to offer ECU Masters harnesses in the near future as these cars are older. I'm not sure if they'll also offer plug & play patch harnesses.
Oh, and a GREAT thing to know is that NobleForums is supposedly more independently owned while NobleSpeed is not.
Both videos it looks like you have to give it gas to keep the idle at start up? Is this the case?
The chirp is a never ending battle. The rear clam vents allow water to drop on pulleys, valve cover bolts, etc etc. ==> The moisture gets the pulleys dirty, and it also causes some owners to have bad luck with the bolts for the valve covers.
A wire brush to the main crank pulley will usually resolve the squeak...for a while
There are a lot of questions or concerns that I think can be sorted out through research of the car. But I get why, the bang for the buck on these is insane and the current auction price is that of 2017. I've openly complained how this market never even saw the COVID increases, and it's because I sold my NSX to get this, which has DOUBLED in cost in the same amount of time that this has maybe gone up $5k (?*!@$*&).
Just keep in mind that it was designed with practicality in mind. Common (not in US) Ford Mondeo engine, fiberglass clams, square tube chassis, etc. etc. These are often >400whp, in a car that's ~2400-2500lbs. I consider this a car for someone who wants speed, doesn't care about badges, and is either handy, or has a good network. They're fast stock, and, imo, capable of way more when modified
also...SUPRISINGLY compliant ride. Perhaps due to the curb weight.
@UTR I dont hear any chirping? also I thiink you can see their other listings next to their username on the grey listing box
What is the chirping noise when you’re revving the car on the startup video?
Please post a video of startup and driving through all of the gears.
Please also include video of the instrument panel while it is running… and if it has separate trip meter and odometer readouts please show those before AND after the drive.
Also - in the back there appears to be strange wear in the carpet or staining from in certain spots… has there been a leak or any water intrusion into the car?
For the videos is there a way to have higher resolution ? With cell phones these days anyone can shoot super high def…
And to help us all, please post a video of some of your cars - the other nobles the McLaren etc etc…
I hope you see that everyone here is being extremely nice… reading through the comment section has certainly been a wild.
I’d be interested… just have some uneasy feelings…
Has anyone on here driven the car or seen it?
@Dsgray16 I’ll do a start up and walk around with the exhaust video shortly
@prmnorton1 This is at least headed in the right direction...
@RipCity hi thanks for insite and assistance
I’m a car collector, I’ve got about 50
Exotic collector cars, i’m not just some dealer selling cars I just have a dealers license when I need to sell them I don’t have a website or anything like that, I live an appreciate and take care of my cars, i’m not very good at selling cars but I love them I love to buy them I love to drive them I don’t have all the history on this car I really don’t know I bought it from I think the original owner and he had it for pretty much the life of his car I think his son died and gave it to him and he didn’t know much about it, fortunately this one came with a title which is why I titled it with my company the other noble I had did not have a title that’s why I was suggesting States were to title it if you don’t have a title, but I just don’t have the history on the car it runs and drives good will probably need new tires I assume they look good to me but again I just I’m not the best at this, look at the videos the paint is is in very good condition lights are good condition there is somewhere on the dash I don’t know what it is I don’t know what it’s from I assume it’s Sun damage
@prmnorton1 These videos aren't tat useful. Primary goal in a cold start video is to see the exhaust on start.. is it blue, is it excessively steamy.. Please try and capture this. Can you do a start and walk around video where you show that the indicators and lights are all working? Can you show and actually driving video where you work through the gears?
As stated below, we are all trying really hard to give you the benefit of the doubt here, but its not getting easier... If you intend to form some sort of dealer that sells through online auction, you have a very very long ways to go. This is all very basic stuff.
@Dsgray16 vids should be up shortly
@prmnorton1 Like others, I have some interest, here. Trying to be very fair and not mistake a more casual or simply less-intense style for anything less admirable. A trust-but-verify approach is not only always appropriate from buyers but seems particular fair, here. Any of us can slap new tires on there and, BTW, thank you for doing so with the sale. The greater interest, at least for me, is understanding the car and history and…sorry…the reliability of all other information. The tires simply speak to other matters. The prior seller installed the tires, most likely in 2005 or shortly thereafter, which may or may not have been used tires and may have just 100 or so miles on them, but you drive this car 2-3 times weekly? Please understand that doesn’t align. Clarity is needed, and it’s not about the tires. I see from your latest reply that we’re about to see a video and a few answers, which I’ll gladly review and thank you for doing so. At this point, reading the room, i would honestly suggest going overboard to address all that’s been expressed in this forum. Were it me, I’d pivot and provide photos of your other enthusiast cars (2 more of these, McClaren, etc.) as context that helps bidders with “who we’re dealing with” and will help you with a sale, I’d address the dash, I’d give a few clear answers, and videos will truly help address the “needs nothing, drives great” topics. I’d post dealer info, I’d post registration/title info - - WHATEVER YOU CAN POSSIBLE DO TO CHANGE THE VIBE is in your best interests, don’t you think? Genuinely, I will watch for the videos and anything further. Thank you for listing this car and any authentic replies.
Other genuine questions: Scale of 1-10, how clear and scratch free are the headlight lenses (10 being lifetime of covered garage storage with temp control, 1 being awful from sitting outside)?
Can you put some timeframe on how long the car has been outside stored?
Can you give your 1-10 assessment of the paint condition, please?
Again, thank you for partnering for the good of buyer and seller.
@prmnorton1 Any updates?
@Dsgray16 I’ll be back in about two hours I’ll check the tires I’ll do a driving video I can include a walk around video also if the tires are old I will include new tires to winning bidder
@jazzyg72 the tires are likely original to the car… it’s possible this Sat for many years. Probably my biggest concern.
I want to thank @TexasHP for clearly listing the concerns many of us potential bidders have with this car and the seller. I am still baffled by the sun damage comment regarding the dash due to the two concentric circles on the surface. Why would sun damage only occur in two spots and not the entire surface of the dash? These both look like some kind of repair took place.
I also asked for documentation of the RO service history so clearly I wanted to see what ever you have to show. Instead of being transparent and posting what you have you asked me a second post to confirm that I really wanted to see the documents. Who does that? You're selling a car. This is basic car selling 101A the first class stuff for beginners! You are making this very frustrating and yes it does feel evasive. You said you are a dealer correct? Would you mind sharing the business name so we can google you to verify that statement?
@Dsgray16 understand, welcome
@prmnorton1 miles are irrelevant if they are 2005 date code tires. Thanks for checking.
@Dsgray16 I don’t know the date I’ll go double check I know the tires only have about 100 miles on them though, previous owner may have used used tires I’m not sure
@prmnorton1 Pic 14 shows a tire DOT code "5005" which would indicate late 2005 manufacturing date.. yet in a comment below you say the tires are brand new with 100 miles... can you please clarify here?
@Dsgray16 Yeah I mean I’m sorry I’m not trying to not sell the car I’m just answering questions the best I can yeah I’ll be back later today and I can do a driving video for you
@prmnorton1 you have to appreciate how poorly this is being presented... I really want to find a way to justify taking a flying on this, and you are making it really hard.. hah
So to clarify, you wont have the ability to post any videos of this car running before the end of the auction?
@Dsgray16 I’m referring to individuals at 1g and not mass produced by machines, the car is stored at my house in the driveway and is driven two or three times a week and well taken care of
This auction is amateur hour… these cars were built as kits on an assembly line and disassembled and shipped here and reassembled by 1G racing… they weren’t assembled by different individuals, thus each being unique etc.. while they are relatively simple, they are still modern sports cars with many components and systems. They are also modern collector cars and should be represented as such. The provenance of this car is “stored in my back yard, history mostly unknown”. That combined with a seller who basically has a take-it-or-leave-it mentality…. Woof
GLWA. Hard out.
Bid in the amount of $39,000
@TexasHP for* an enthusiast, also happy to send pic of title via direct message
Let me know if you have any questions thanks
@TexasHP So these are basically kit cars and basically hand made, some of the pieces don’t always line up it’s just the way they are, I’m a dealer I have lots of dealer plates, I just put random tags on cars, the car is registered in Texas if you wanna direct message me I’ll send you a picture of the registration, these are simple cars and fun to drive so this may not be the car for you if you’re super particular, it’s her and enthusiast who loves to drive cars and have fun with them, I’m currently out of town so when I get back I’ll try to get a driving video, again the car has no issues they are simple cars fun to drive parts are cheap, Ford motor, shifts drives handles amazing, thanks for your interest
@texasHP agree completely… something seems off here. Seller doesn’t seem to care. Either this car was neglected for most of its life or the millage is not accurate, or both.
Still waiting on videos.
I'm interested in this car and would really like to bid on it, but some of the seller's answers don't make sense.
1. In the listing for the M400 last week, the seller said "I have three of these I’ve registered them and titled them in California Vermont and Montana ." In this listing he says he bought three of these and this one was titled in Texas. Which is correct?
2. Seller says he titled, registered and plated this car in Texas. Why is it wearing California plates and why is there no Texas registration sticker on the windshield?
3. In one post he stated " I just did quite a bit of work to it" and in another he says "did a lot of work to it." Most recently he said "all I had to do was basically in oil change and a new battery." Which is it?
4. The seller stated that the spots on the dash were from the sun, and then said "the front dash is hard plastic and wears easy and be refinished easily." I'm not sure what sun damage has to do with wear, but I'd love to know how to easily refinish this dash.
5. There was no answer about the fuel fill misalignment. It is important to know what is out of place, the body panel or the fuel fill, and what caused it to be so badly out of line (poor assembly or impact)? How long has it been that way and how badly has the panel has been rubbed?
I apologize if I seem too picky, but the seller's uninformative, evasive, and conflicting answers are raising red flags for me. I'm new to the PCM community, but am a long time member and buyer on another site, and this type of seller response would be roasted there. Let's hope this seller will better address the questions which have been raised before the end of the auction.
@groach yes
Your red Noble listing stated 425 hp. Is this the same engine? To a lesser state of tune? Thanks
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@Jabbawock911 ok, this is in my company name, yes can be titled anywhere, it’s a regular title and registration just like any other car
@Dsgray16 yes of course has ecu, yes I have title
Please post some videos with engine running and exhaust sound if possible. What’s the name of your dealership? Can it be titled back in California? Thanks
@prmnorton1 I hope it has a computer.. note sure the motor will run will without an ECU.. I understand these are relatively simple.. these factors all contribute the value of a car and will play out in the bidding here accordingly. Appreciate the patience as this is a critical part of auctioning a car online..
One more.. is the title in your name? This car is not yet past the 20 year mark, so in CT, ill need to title this car (imaging this is the case for many other states). DMV will likely want to see a title or registration doc that matches the BOS to prove prior ownership and facilitate transfer of ownership.. any comments here would be great.
Thanks
@Dsgray16 Also comes with a huge book that has every bit of information on the vehicle if needed
@Dsgray16 I have maintenance on what I did, everything is factory, they are simple cars, everything is easy to fix if needed, no computers, all Ford parts, motors are bulletproof,
@prmnorton1 So there is no maintenance history and no real history in general on the car? mildly concerning if so.. since you have 3 of them, or had 3.. can you comment on the throttle cable.. are those clamps factory spec or is that a cheap and quick repair with those hardware store style clamps?
@Dsgray16 I bought three of these from a guy in California I don’t have too much history on the car they all ran and drove great, he has them inside, there were no issues, I do keep the car outside, I drive it probably two or three times a week it can be a daily driver if needed, when I got it all I had to do was basically in oil change and a new battery, these are just some of the funnest cars I’ve ever driven they handle amazing super quick they can actually beat my McLaren off the line
@prmnorton1 Understood.. have to be careful on these things though. Any notes on the history of the car and how you came to own it etc would be greatly appreciated.
@Dsgray16 ok will do, no condensation, no it was just in my backyard if it’s there for more than a day it’s going to get debris on it, cars clean, really needs nothing
Also, as a follow up to @arrow please post a pic with ignition on and the odometer visible, and please post another pic of the gauge cluster and assure me im not seeing condensation inside the cluster in pic 37... seeing a lot of debris and things that make me concerned this car sat outside for a long while and was then rescued... any history on provenance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
@seller Can you post a cold start and driving video?
Bid in the amount of $35,000
@Arrow yes mileage is original and accurate, car sat for a long time before I got it awhile ago, did a lot of work to it, car needs nothing, thing rips!
@Arrow sure, there is no corrosion, interior is like new, as is motor, the front dash is hard plastic and wears easy and be refinished easily, there is no wear on motor, just a little dirty
Seller, please provide a photo of the odometer. Is the Milage original. Any reason to suspect that the Milage is incorrect. For the stated 4k Milage, the car shows significant corrosion, dirt and wear in the engine bay. Any additional information would be appreciated. Also, the gas filler appears to be misaligned. GLWTA.
Bid in the amount of $30,250
@jazzyg72 yeah I just did quite a bit of work to it I can get you some records if you need them clutch is in excellent condition feels brand new, tires are about a year old they have probably 100 miles on them
@jazzyg72 wear on dash from
Sun, It is registered and plated in Texas, it was titled in California I retitle it in Texas recently,
What are the 2 visible marks on top of the passenger side dash in pic #41? Is the car still registered and plated for use in Calif? Any records of recent services performed? Clutch condition? Date codes on tires?
@Dsgray16 yes has ac and yes works great
Assuming this has AC as without was rarely optioned… does it work?
@dtchild1 Yeah I had a friend of mine consign some of my cars, I think he put it on eBay, I will address that thank you
And no that is incorrect
The horsepower is stated correctly on this listing
Thanks for letting me know
Aren’t you selling the exact same car on eBay right now? That auction ends in about 12 hours and states the car develops 425 HP. Can you please clarify? Thank you
Bid in the amount of $30,000
These engines are tough as nails. Best V-6 ever. This has the outside water pump. This is the one to have. The trim and finishing on these is done to a higher standard than most all other low volume true high performance sports cars. That Binder with all that Info is exactly what you need for working on this car. Love it. But with 2 Ferrari's I have no room. GL
@burnrubr yea they are awesome, I’m not sure, just google noble gto-3R all info on cars should come up, they are pretty cool
I currently have a 92 Carrera Cup Car and weighs around 2700 lbs with only 270 HP so this one might be a hoot to drive? With your claim of 370 hp is that to the wheels or crank? thanks
Bid in the amount of $25,000
@burnrubr they were all
Built for the nobles, they weight just a little over 2k pounds, very quick
@beachedferrari hi no it’s all original all stock
Are the Ford Duratec engines on these cars factory issue or built special for the Noble? What's the current wet weight?
All original, any upgrades like shifter or anything?