The Tim Birkin Legend: Serialized #4 of 48 Le Mans Edition examples

As one of the 48 North American "Tim Birkin" examples, Chassis #086393 is finished in a crisp Glacier White, a colorway chosen specifically to honor Birkin's historic racing livery. This edition is distinguished by its subtle yet prestigious exterior cues, including Le Mans Edition fender badges, a dark-tinted matrix grille with a bright chromed lower bumper, and 21-inch diamond-turned seven-spoke wheels housing high-performance red brake calipers. It is a silhouette that manages to look both contemporary and deeply rooted in pre-war racing glory.

At the heart of this flagship is the legendary 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12. For the 2013 model year, the Speed was tuned to produce a staggering 616 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Perhaps more important than the power was the new 8-speed ZF transmission, which transformed the driving experience by providing lightning-fast shifts and ensuring the engine is always in its massive torque band. This combination allows the 2.5-ton masterpiece to sprint to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds, pulling relentlessly to a top speed of 205 mph.

Unlike earlier grand tourers that prioritized comfort above all else, the 2013 Speed received a bespoke chassis setup. The air suspension was lowered by 10mm, and the damping was stiffened to provide sharper turn-in and better body control. The permanent all-wheel-drive system features a 40:60 rear-biased torque split, giving the car a more athletic, rear-driven feel through corners while maintaining the "go-anywhere" confidence the brand is known for. It is a car that can cross a continent at triple-digit speeds and then carve through an Alpine pass with surprising agility.

Inside, the Speed comes standard with the Mulliner Driving Specification, turning the cabin into a masterclass of British hand-craftsmanship. This example features diamond-quilted hides, a knurled gear lever, and drilled alloy pedals. Every piece of wood veneer is mirror-matched and every stitch is applied by hand in Crewe. Despite the performance focus, the cabin remains a sensory-deprivation tank, isolated from the outside world by double-paned acoustic glass and hundreds of pounds of sound deadening.