Automotive Museums

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Future Classic Feature – 1999 Saab 9-3 VIGGEN Is Thunderbolt Legend – And This One Is For Sale!

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The SAAB 9-3 Viggen is a legend of a car. Named after the Thunderbolt fighter jet, the Viggen celebrated all that made the Saab 9-3 the firm’s most-successful model throughout the marque’s storied history. Front-drive, mad power and turbo antics were all paramount with the Viggen — but in typical Saab fashion, this was not a badge and stickers job. The upgrades list over the standard 9-3 Aero is absolutely huge — with what amounts to an all-new, direct-injected engine just the start of the custom elements in the Viggen.   EXHAUST NOTE VIDEO INTRO The 225-horsepower and 258-pound-feet of …

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Ferrari IPO! Fiat Chrysler to Float 10% Stake on Global Market

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BBC and FT.com are reporting today that Ferrari will be spun off from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles into a seperate unit. The vast majority of existing Ferrari equity will go to FCA shareholders and current backers, but a 10-percent portion of the firm is heading for an IPO. No word on the timing or location of this first-ever public sale offer from Ferrari, but New York is the most logical venue for a mega-debut of the firm in the stock market. The Ferrari spin-off is said to be part of an overall capital investment plan by FCA, which is heavily leveraged …

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RM London Highlights – 1920 Bugatti Type 23 Was First Rally Supercar + RARE Archive Photos

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When racing in a straight line, the key attributes you want are a long wheelbase and huge power. But when racing up tight mountain roads, with switchbacks every few hundred metres, you want the shortest wheelbase possible. Still with the huge power, but in a nimbler and pointer package. Bugatti has always chased the extremes of performance, and this Type 23 is no different. Chopped short like a Sport Quattro — this Type 23 is hilarious at first. We can see in these extremely rare archive photos a T11 racer and an the enclosed-shell Bugatti T32 ‘Tank’ sharing this same …

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RM Hershey Highlights – 1905 FIAT 60HP Five-Passenger Tourer by Quinby & Co.

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A top earner at the Hershey, Pennsylvania event from RM Auctions earlier this month? This 1905 Fiat Tourer with a whopping 60-horsepower. 60HP is double what anything else offered in 1905 — with huge power like this making it the Rolls-Royce and Bentley of its era. The Fiat packs triple the 20-hp that the Ford Model T’s “L-head” four-cylinder delivered from from 1910 to 1930. A wheel and triple-pedal setup on the floor also predates nearly any other car with this now-standard control layout. This very car was originally owned by August Anheuser Busch Senior — to give a sense …

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Hypercar Hall of Fame – 2011 Bugatti Veyron L’Or Blanc Really Is White Gold

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  What if that enchanting effect of light dancing on paint could be immortalized? Kept flowing forever in perfect for an artistic dream in glowing white? That is the result with the 2011 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L’Or Blanc. The one-of-a-kind porcelain inlays create a Veyron that is unlike any other Bugatti — and unlike any other car. There is real artistry in creating the ‘white gold’ effect shown on this masterpiece, and Bugatti details the process below. We estimate that the design and creation of L’Or Blanc took at least 12 months — from the time the Veyron was …

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RM Hershey 2014 Highlights – 1956 Ford F-100 Panel Truck

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In the auction world, you either go where the money is — or where the collection is. In the case of the Sam Pack collection in Dallas this November, you go to the collection. Same applied here with the Hershey, PA auction earlier in October for the Jeffrey Day estate. A charming collection of mostly pre-war vehicles is specked with stagecoaches from 1860 and curio’s like this F-100 panel van. The more utilitarian models in many millionaire’s collections carry some form of sentimental value. And how could this baby blue Ford not be special? We just wonder: how many cases …

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RM Dallas Preview – 2002 Lincoln Continental Concept + 2004 Lincoln Mark X Concept

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This is a rare pair of concepts — two of more than 75 very special cars that are up for auction November 14 and 15 in Dallas. Part of the Sam Pack collection, these two Lincolns are both very special parts of the Pack auction. Pack appears to have loved American cars best, and Ford and Lincolns best of all. These modern concept cars represent an option to own something that does not exist — true one-offs. But one is far more desirable than the other! Which one? We would say the Mark X concvertible is the more usable versus …

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Gooding Pebble Beach Highlights – 1920 Mercer Series 5 Raceabout Is Charming and Innovative

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With a sale price of $308,000, this handsome yellow Mercer Raceabout was very well bought. There are charming details all over this 1920 classic, including the very deep honeycomb of the grille, twin spare tires in back, and a brake light with illuminated ‘Stop’ letters. Other safety innovations include a rear-view mirror just to the left of the drivers seat, which was an uncommon feature in this time period. Also cool are the manually-tilting headlamps. A form of highbeams 30 years before that was a feature in most cars. But perhaps the most lovely is the steering wheel. This wood-rimmed …

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Bugatti GS Vitesse 1 of 1 Edition Celebrates Type 41 Royale In Bespoke Yellow / Black

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When spending more than $2-million on a single car, every one is inherently special. The Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse falls into this league of ultra-customized purchases – where an extra few hundred thousand dollars in special add-ons in the new normal. Such is the case of this Vitesse One of One edition, delivered in secret last month at Pebble Beach in a private gala. Aside from the gorgeous fly yellow into obsidian exterior, there are unique touches on all sides. The grille is quite special – as the first-ever Veyron to have the normal mesh replaced by a laser-cut PL, …

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RM Monterey 2014 Highlights – 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400S Earns $1.2M

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  After being declined an RM Auctions press pass for this year’s Monterey (Pebble Beach) auction, we froze RM coverage for a few months to focus on Gooding and Bonhams. But this stunning Lamborghini has brought us back into the fold. A combination of the right spec and the right colors makes it one of the hottest classic supercars in the world in 2014. Originally yellow, this early P400S runs an original engine and shows just 30,000 miles under its Carrara White exterior. We have learned a bit about the Carrara White color recently – being named after the Carrara …

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2015 DELAHAYE USA Bugnotti Reimagines Type 165 With New Styling and Modern Mechanicals

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PART TWO: The Bugnotti While researching the Delahaye 135M Figoni et Falaschi article yesterday, we came across Delahaye USA — a custom fabrication specialist with two stunning models in the current range. The Pacific is an ultra-long and low homage to the classic Bugatti Type 57S, but powered by a modern V12 and bodied in carbon fiber.  The Bugnotti is a nod to the Delahaye Type 165, but vastly different in design. Modern running gear and standard AC make Delahaye USA a one-of-a-kind option for those seeking art deco design, exquisite craftsmanship, and fully bespoke choices for every possible element …

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2015 DELAHAYE USA Pacific Is Ultra-Chic V12 Homage to Art Deco Masterpieces

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While researching the Delahaye 135M Figoni et Falaschi article yesterday, we came across Delahaye USA — a custom fabrication specialist with two stunning models in the current range. The Pacific is an ultra-long and low homage to the classic Bugatti Type 57S, but powered by a modern V12 and bodied in carbon fiber.  The Bugnotti is a nod to the Delahaye Type 165, but vastly different in design. Modern running gear and standard AC make Delahaye USA a one-of-a-kind option for those seeking art deco design, exquisite craftsmanship, and fully bespoke choices for every possible element along the way to …

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Pebble Beach Concours – 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster Riviera Is Gilded Dream

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This Rolls-Royce Phantom Riviera was finished by Brewster in the United States, which saved it from the destruction that many exotics in Europe suffered during the second world war. The gold-lead paintwork is original, as are the 18-carat plating on the door-handles and other detailing. Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster Riviera        

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Pebble Beach Concours – 1911 Hotchkiss AD Amiet Enclosed Limousine

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  Paris-based Amiet bodied this Hotchkiss limo in 1911 — more than 30 years after Connecticut industrialist arrived in France to set up a military armaments factory. The competitors for the Hotchkiss would have been the Benz wagon. Looking like a stagecoach was a nice ‘in’ to gentrified society buyers. These folks had long traveled within enclosed coaches, leaving the rain and smells of the city to the driver up front or simple farmers. For a sense of what the hoi polloi were traveling in? See the steam-car nearby for context! After more than 100 years, this original Hotchkiss limo …

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Spanish Bay Classics – 1948 DELAHAYE 135M Figoni et Falaschi Captivates In Black

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Tucked over in the corner of Pebble Beach resorts is Spanish Bay, a more modern setup than the relatively classic (albeit still uber-lux) accommodations at The Lodge. And in a corner of a mini classic car display at Spanish Bay? This surreal 1948 Delahaye. It took more than a few minutes to even identify this car tonight – we even wondered if it was a replica briefly, simply because there is little info about each of these low-batch supercars handcrafted near Paris. The 135M is very enchanting in a rich black monotone — which is quite a contrast with many …

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New Paris Art Museum from LVMH’s Arnaud Shows Progress in Gehry Design Aesthetic

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Part of the grandeur of the world’s best art museum’s comes not from the collections inside or troved away in the basements – but the designs of the buildings themselves. This latest Parisian masterpiece is called the Fondation Louis Vuitton, named and housing the art collection of Bernard Arnault – the leading man behind LVMH, a luxury powerhouse owning brands far beyond the Louis Vuitton, Moet and Hennessy its name includes. Initially, the space will house the permanent collection of Arnault himself – consisting of thousands of precious artwork so far invisible to the public. Arnault is set to become …

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2015 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Edition 35 Celebrates Otto’s 500K Mile World Tour

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  One of the best parts of any trip is the momentous return home. A place you never knew you missed until seeing and feeling all those familiar sights through a dusty windshield up ahead. In the case of ‘Otto’ the 300GD Mercedes-Benz, the journey has been 26 years, 216 countries and 900,000 kilometers in the making. The photos of Gunther and Christine Holtorf’s long, long journey home to Swabia from Germany are absolutely miraculous. The map of their travels is completely unbelievable! The red lines below are not borders — those are their routes! Along the way, Otto and …

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Meet BharatBenz – India’s Locally-Made Trucks Seeing Huge Growth Via Combo of Low-Cost + High-Quality

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  Familiar with the American FUBU apparel line? The name stands for ‘For Us, By Us.’ Think of BharatBenz as the ‘FIBI’ of big trucks. For India, By India. Heavy trucks may not be huge business by volume, but for Daimler, they are some of the most profitable. Among the truck lines owned by Mercedes’ parent company are big names like Mitsubishi Fuso, Wester Star, Thomas Bus Lines, Freightliner and Setra. The newest kid on the block? BharatBenz — a locally-made and locally-tailored line of trucks both from and for India. Mercedes engineering and safety foundations are a great shared …

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Travel Adventures – Aviation Hall of Fame – U2 Spy Plane and D-21 Recon Drone

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PART TWO – The U2 and D-21. In the days before satellite imagery, broadband and digital photography — it was all about actual aerial photographs in the military planning and intelligence worlds. The Blackbird program was accelerated and approved for use largely as a result of a U-2 being shot down and its pilot captured in the USSR. The U-2 was designed to fly higher than any Soviet missile could reach. It moved slowly, like today’s surveilance drones, because the thinking was that its altitude would protect it from any attack. Flying slower also allowed the Kodak large-format camera systems …

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Travel Adventures – Aviation Hall of Fame – 2,193MPH Lockheed SR-71A and SR-71B Blackbirds

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PART TWO – The Blackbirds. Has there ever been a plane more enigmatic and also enchanting in its design and capabilities? The Lockheed Blackbird is a true icon for the ages. Included below are two of the only SR-71 Blackbirds that are viewable by the public – anywhere on Earth. The first is the world aviation speed record-holder, and the second the SR-71B double cockpit model. They are both housed inside giant museum buildings, making photographs tricky. The lighting is atrocious, but their impact up close is unforgettable. Why inside? Well, despite having their engines removed and on display, these …

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2015 Porsche 911 GTS Is Quickest Route to Big Speed on Atmospheric 911 Models

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  The Porsche 911 GTS is back for 2015 in the coupe and Cabriolet body styles! It is a pretty light upgrade and equipment package – comprised of standard PASM, Sport Exhaust, Powerkit and Sport Chrono packs. Even so, the performance is mighty impressive: as quick as 3.8-seconds to 60-mph with the PDK and a Vmax of 190-mph.  Both are slightly better than the Carrera S, and far easier to order! Aesthetically, the GTS models ride lower and pack a black rear intake accent versus body-color on the standard 911 models.   2015 Porsche 911 GTS   ENHANCED POWER AND …

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Travel Adventures – Robins AFB Aviation Hall of Fame – B1 Bomber

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PART ONE – B1 Bomber There are a few signs you see on a road trip that are usually worth taking the next exit. One of those is an AFB Museum. Without any prior planning or knowledge of the Robins Air Force Base Museum on my way to Atlanta today, we pulled off the highway ASAP and set the navigation with this new destination. 24 minutes off the highway, and we are staring head-on with a B1-B Lancer and a Warthog A10 out front. This is the second amazing detour for an AFB museum — the other being in Kalamazoo, …

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Concept Flashback – 1972 Maserati Boomerang Was Production-Ready Wedge Hypercar

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  The wedge. This design mantra took over the minds of the world’s top stylists collectively around 1970 – as the Ferrari 512 S Module and the Lancia Stratos HF Zero concepts swept everyone to accept the shape. The design was the ultimate expression of mid-engine hypercar engineering of the time. In wind tunnels of the day, the goal was to have as little front surface area as possible. Something like a rocket for the road. Ferrari 512 S Modulo at Atlanta Dream Cars exhibit http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/06/10/dream-cars-1970-ferrari-512s-modulo-pininfarina/     Lancia Stratos HF Zero at Atlanta Dream Cars exhibit http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/06/10/dream-cars-1970-lancia-stratos-hf-zero-by-bertone/ Wind tunnels …

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Concept Debrief – 1969 BMW 2800 Spicup Was Bertone Spider-Coupe Prototype

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Named for its dual purpose, the Spicup is a contraction of ‘Spider’ and ‘Coupe’ into one word. This one was a joint effort and actually led with Bertone proposing the idea of a spider coupe with a retractable hardtop to BMW. A 2.8-liter straight six lives up front and the one-off Spicup BMW opened the door to more Bertone-BMW collaboration later in the 1970s. The machine is certainly unique and eye-popping today: imagine it today as some form of BMW Z4 variant: a cabrio two-door built off a traditional sedan platform. More accurately, considering the roof and semi-popup headlamps, was …

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Concept Flashback – 1978 JAGUAR XJ Spider by Pininfarina

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How advanced is this Pininfarina concept for Jaguar? It is hard to believe there is an XK under these swoopy panels, which predated anything else curvy by more than eight years. Very, very impressive for 1978 — especially considering that this basic template was a huge hit for the Aston Martin DB7 and even the Jaguar XK from 1996. 1978 JAGUAR XJ Spider by Pininfarina

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2012 Giugiaro BRIVIDO Martini Racing Honors Lancia Beta Montecarlo and 037

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In the world of iconic racing liveries, Martini Racing is right up there with Golf Oil as the most-loved in history. What better way to salute the long collaborative partnership between ItalDesign Giugiaro than to dress their sexy Brivido GT concept in fast red and blue stripes on a white base. In the case of the Brivido Martini Racing, the homage is more than paint-deep. With a semi-exposed rear diffuser and and long, low nose splitter, the Brivido is close in spirit to the legendary 037 and Beta Montecarlo racecars. These wild turbo rally specials were so fast and wild …

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Top 10 Most Beautiful Pebble Beach Hood Ornaments

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One of the most delightful details of cars in the 1920s and 1930s are their hood ornaments. These free-standing sculptures became a symbol of prestige and class and were a sign of a super-luxury car due to their labor-intensive casting and polishing processes — not to mention the actual concept vision, sculpting prototypes for the reverse mold, followed by chrome or brass plating. The below are all pretty outstanding, with the anthropomorphic ones featuring living creatures as perhaps a bit more captivating than the pure Art Deco style shown by the LaSalle and Horch Auto Union cars. In terms of …

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‘Little Volvo’ PV444 Celebrates 70th Anniversary In Charming Retrospective

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Volvo has come a long way in the last few weeks – selling out the launch edition of the new XC70 in less than 48-hours and poised to grow its market share across the globe. These new products are whole-heartedly Volvo’s to the core. But what is that core? Outside Sweden, the ubiquity of the PV444 was never an issue. Despite being a huge hit in the domestic market, the PV444 is exceptionally rare in the US today, where the car was imported by the mid 1950s. If VW has their Beetle, and Citroen the DS, and BMW the 2002 …

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2014 Pebble Beach Concours – Class Award Winners Showcase

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Okay now. Start your classic car appreciation engines! About a hundred fantastic cars here, and triple that many amazing, high-resolution photos from 2014’s Pebble Beach Concours. The clear favorite for this non-expert and non-judge? The fabulous 1939 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Pourtout Coupé all the way from Hong Kong.   Forgive me if some of these are out of order. But included are generally the top-3 in every category. Enjoy! Special Thanks to Photographer Collin Graves.   2014 Pebble Beach Concours – Class Award Winners Showcase   Class A: Antique 1st: 1910 American Underslung Traveler Toy Tonneau, William Johnston & Ronald Elenbaas …

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1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Zagato vs. 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C SS Spider

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This silver Alfa-Romeo is pretty sneaky: dirty = dollars! Being filthy dirty and in barn-find condition actually may have doubled the sale price of $1.02-million. That and the cars only-recent discovery and arrival on the market. Or its racing pedigree and Zagato coachwork. Or all of the above.  The 1955 1900C SS Zagato Coupe earned a whopping million-dollar sale price at Gooding & Co.’s Pebble Beach auctions in August. That is almost $200,000 more than this fantasy 1929 6C SS Spider brought in…! 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Spider   1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe By Zagato GOODING …

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1954 Ferrari 375MM is 2014 Pebble Beach Best of Show

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1954 Ferrari 375MM is 2014 Pebble Beach Best of Show This Ferrari has been all over the car news world since winning Best of Show. We know it is beautiful and one-of-a-kind since being reshelled as a coupe for one special owner. The tag itself is car-friendly. This is the classic auto world’s highest honor, but every one of the cars there is an absolute obsession and treasure for its owners. Great cars. The Best “of” show is a bit more human than the “Best in Show” label on many other pursuits.     1954 Ferrari 375 MM is 2014 …

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Quail Porsche Experience – 2015 911 Turbo and Turbo S Cabrio + Generations Showcase

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  Who doesn’t love the 911 Turbo! Here are two lovely Porsche 911 Turbo models recently featured at the Porsche Experience Center of the Quail Lodge Motorsports Gathering 2014. In addition, we have a look back at all the 911 Turbo cars through the generations To top it off, official Porsche 911 Turbo specs/features and a guide to the best options — like Special GT silver metallic with Porsche Anniversary wheels.       2015 911 Turbo S Cabrio   Porsche 911 Turbo – Generations       2015 Porsche 911 Turbo S – Configurator Options     Description   No.   Info  …

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Pebble Beach 2014 Reunions – Three 1914 Mercedes-Benz French Grand Prix Cars in 78 Photos

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After falling hard for this machine in Amelia Island,it is great to meet the rest of the crew. This trio of amazing Mercedes-Benz racing machines took a 1-2-3 victory at the 1914 French GP near Lyon. Reuinted 100 years later in Pebble Beach — looking not a day older and perhaps a bit cleaner than the finished the race out front!   1914 Mercedes-Benz French Grand Prix Cars   Mercedes-Benz At The Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance: Coupes From The Past, Present And Future August, 2014 International debut of the 540K Streamliner Coupe 1914 French Grand Prix 1-2-3 racers reunited Concept …

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1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider Is Flawless at $15-Million for Gooding PB 2014

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1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spider   LWB Spider below.   GOODING & Co. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Coachwork by Scaglietti Lot 18 Pebble Beach 2014 Estimate: $13,000,000 – $15,000,000 SOLD: $15,180,000 Chassis: 2903 GT   *Please note this vehicle is titled 250GT2903. CAR HIGHLIGHTS One of Only 37 Covered-Headlight Examples Distinguished Show-Car Pedigree and Celebrity Provenance Successful Participant in Numerous Concours and Rally Events Certified by the Ferrari Classiche Department Offered with Rare and Desirable Hardtop  

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1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ by Zagato Crosses Million Mark At Gooding PB 2014

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Great results for this little “Julia” rally special from Alfa Romeo. The Zagato provenance, racing livery and fantastic interior all certainly contributed to the final price, as performance will be pretty mellow by modern supercar standards. 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ   GOODING & Co. 2014 PEBBLE BEACH Estimate: $1,250,000 – $1,500,000 SOLD: $1,023,000 Chassis: 10511AR750099   CAR HIGHLIGHTS Among the Most Successful Competition Cars of the 1960s A Wonderfully Presented Example of an Italian Masterpiece An Incredibly Capable Touring or Vintage Racing Car One of 112 TZs Built Between 1963 and 1967 Well-Documented History of Caring Stewardship TECHNICAL SPECS …

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Updated 70 New Photos – Malboro White 1995 McLaren F1 – Reserve Not Met at Gooding Pebble Beach

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Updated 8.29.14 Surprise no-sale on this amazing F1. Prices may have been a bit rich, or the right buyer was simply not in the market at this time. The good news is: the car is still on the market somewhere, so we may see it again…! In fact, the value for this car will skyrocket in 2019 or 2020 as it becomes exempt from all US import and road legality issues on its 25th birthday.   White 1995 McLaren F1   PREVIOUS: Sure, the fact that this Japanese-ordered McLaren F1 is the sole example in factory Marlboro White is not …

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1992 AAR Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP Brings $1M At Gooding Pebble Beach 2014

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In terms of racing successes for Toyota, no single car has delivered more victories than this AAR Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP. The rear wing is interesting versus the TS010 and TS020 racers, which wore a much-mellowed version of this super-Vmax longtail. For Comparison, Toyota TS010 and TS020 1992 AAR Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP       GOODING & Co. PEBBLE BEACH 2014   CAR HIGHLIGHTS Most Dominant Prototype in US Racing History Winner of 14 of 23 Races Entered 1992 and 1993 IMSA GTP Champion with Juan Manuel Fangio II 1992 and 1993 Winner of the 12 Hours …

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1938 Tatra T97 Aerodynamic Sedan at Pebble Beach 2014 Concours – 54 Gorgeous Photos

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Snapping a full round of this red Tatra T97 Aero was a rare treat on Pebble Beach Concours Sunday. Very early in the morning, the sun was shining bright for the first time of the week. Tatra was a special marque invite for the 2014 Concours – in a mission to seek more variety and representation from unconventional marques. We know very little about the Tatra T97, in truth, but adore it almost instantly. Perhaps it is the long-running Volkswagen Beetle passion, or its flare for the aerodynamic… but the Tatra T97 is very charming. In many ways, the Tatra …

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1955 Aston Martin DB3S Earns $5.5M At Gooding Pebble Beach 2014

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$5.5-million is a very high tally for any Aston Martin, but this 1955 DB3S is surely a deserving specimen. As both a show car and a racecar, the DB3S is a stunning beauty and a timecapsule of design in the 1950s. The chassis design was completed by a famed Austrian engineer with experience designing Auto Union racers in the 1930s, while the exterior design by Frank Feeley is perhaps Mr. Feeley’s finest-ever work. Feeley was a Lagonda man until joining Aston with Lagonda’s buyout in 1947, where his ultra-luxury model focus was shifted to racecars. One amazing element of the …

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1953 Maserati A6GCS MM Alfieri Barchetta by Fantuzzi

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Widely known as one of the most influential racecars of the early 1950s, this delicate little A6GCS influenced future icons like the Jaguar C-Type, Ferrari 250 and the AC Ace — among many others. The straight-size layout delivered just 168-horsepower from its 2.0-liter displacement, but lightweight aircraft aluminum in the chassis and bodyshell delivered some stunning specs all the same. The 60-mph sprint is just 6.3-seconds, while the top speed is a frankly-terrifying 148-mph. The beauty and grace of the design is perhaps this Alfieri GCS MM’s legacy. The A6 in the name stands for Alfieri, by the way, and …

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Update1 New Photos – 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC Black Series Rendered by VirtualModels.org

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  Updated 8.27.14   1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC at Pebble Beach 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC Black Series This first one is a group effort … with the side profile by Sebastian Motsch and the front three-quarter angle by Car-Revs-Daily.com VirtualModels.org Mercedes-Benz 300S and SLS Bonneville Speed Special 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300S (W188) – Style Update Germany’s Sebastian Motsch is a very talented individual – a guy who loves cars so much that he spends some of his free time imagining the impossible cars we all dream about. The quality of his renders puts most magazines or websites to shame. These cars of his …

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Hero Racecars – 1997 PORSCHE 911 GT1 Marlboro LeMans at The Quail

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For fans of anything remotely modern, The Quail Motorsports Gathering is far more enticing than the actual Pebble Beach Concours. Both are filled with wondrous cars that one cannot believe actually exist in the flesh. Cars like this 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 in Le Mans racing specification. So rare is this machine that a google search of its name comes up with far more Tamiya 1:24-scale models than it does actual racecars… This powertrain and design became the GT1 Evo mid-year in 1997, adopting the fried-egg headlamp style of the 996 Porsche 911s. The 911 GT1 is fantastic to experience …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 – 1967 Toyota 2000GT in White with Original, US-Delivered Left-Hand-Drive

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If the GT-R is Japan’s ‘Godzilla’ supercar, the 2000GT is the ‘Godfather.’ Just as lovely and perhaps a bit more special than the Ferrari 275 GTB delivered to Haiti the same year, this 2000GT is definitely one of the rising stars in the classic car world. From values that rarely topped $500,000 until very recently, the $1.15-million earned by this original US car has much room to move upward. Stay tuned in the coming decades: this car will be neck and neck with the Ferrari values that are currently sitting about 4X above any Japanese car — even this godfather …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 – 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy Earns $4.6M

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Can a classic Ferrari be enough to restore one’s faith in the world? In the case of this majestic 275 GTB Long-Nose — the answer is a firm Yes. Or, considering its original license plates and title wearing Haiti plates — “We!” Owned by the globally-chic Albert Silvera of Paris, Port-Au-Prince and Miami — this 275 GTB deserved every penny of its sale price. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy     GOODING & Co. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy Coachwork by Scaglietti Estimate: $3,750,000 – $4,250,000 SOLD: $4,620,000 Chassis: 07993   http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1966-ferrari-275-gtb-long-nose-alloy-2 CAR HIGHLIGHTS Quite Possibly …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 Highlights – 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona Competizione

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When it comes to classic sports cars, any link to Le Mans is generally as good as gold. For this amazing machine, that gold is shiny and pure.  This Daytona Competizione is a factory-prepped race car delivered to Chinetti Motors at Le Mans a week before the 1971 race. The car came in 5th overall and later second in its class in the 1972 Daytona race — proving its worth on nearly every major global circuit. The racing upgrades make the car worth nearly 10X what a Daytona coupe is worth, however, with the estimate topping $5.5-million in pre-sale materials. …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 Highlights – 1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster

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Here is a real glam-shuttle for Jay Gatsby himself. If only it were yellow, it might finally woo Zelda from across West Egg…. The Playboy Roadster’s sale price of $264,000 is at the low end of the estimate, with lots of upward mobility in the future.   1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster   CAR HIGHLIGHTS One of 28 Brewster Playboy Roadsters One of 15 Playboys Retrofitted to a Springfield Silver Ghost Chassis Recent Mechanical Work by Rolls-Royce Specialists Taylor’s of West Sussex, UK TECHNICAL SPECS 7,428 CC Side-Valve L-Head, Inline 6-Cylinder Engine Two Jet-Type Carburetor 85 BHP at 2,300 …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 – 1966 Ferrari 365P Tre Posti Is Surprise No-Sale at $22-Million

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By all expert accounts, this 1966 Tre Posti may be one of the most important Ferrari road cars ever made. It contains a number of racing technologies that took decades longer to reach actual Ferrari road cars — and not just this Paris Auto Show concept. — Mid-engine V12 — Central driving position flanked by two outer seats (a la the McLaren F1 much later) — Lightweight plexiglass roof — Shrouded headlamps, ultra-wide and super-low proportions This car can be thought of as Ferrari’s Miura rival — but far more incomplete in many ways. The overall biggest reason that the …

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Update1 – Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 – 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 Speedster

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Updated 8.23.14 This Speedster brought a very affordable $181,500 last week. Well bought! 1994 Porsche 911 Speedster Update The 911 Speedster is exceptionally rare and quite a milestone for Porsche. Just as this car was hitting showrooms, the 1994 Porsche Boxster concept drop-kicked the enthusiast world into a hysterical frenzy. Everyone was mad for the chopped-windshield look — but only 409 of the Porsche 964 Speedsters arrived for sale in the United States. Rare and certain to cause a double-take among even hardcore Porsche fans – the Speedster is an amazing vehicle to consider for collectors and sunny-day drivers. Its …

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2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 Racecar in 100-Plus Real-Life Photos + Tech Specs

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Full disclosure: this is the 919 design and aero prototype on loan from the Porsche Museum in Germany, and not one of the team’s actual Le Mans 2014 competitors. Even so, being touchably close to any racecar is enought to get the heart beating faster. In fact, even cropping these photos has made a big thump-thump in my neck! The closer my eye comes to the quad-beam lighting setup, the more exciting the car seems — even a static model.   Despite much respect for the Audi Motorsport team, the Porsche 919 Hybrid was the favorite on this sofa during …

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1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Streamliner is One-Off Coupe With Wrap-Around Glass and Aero-Smooth Design

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Mercedes-Benz was coupe-focused at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours – with a number of sexy back catalog models reinforcing the gravitas of the just-launched S-Class Coupe and S63 AMG Coupe’s on display. These can be called “Coupes” but they are fancier and more fun as “Coup-pays” — pronouncing the accent over the “e” like the Europeans do. None drew more stares than this one-off 1938 540K Streamliner, which feels many years younger than its 1938 build date would suggest. The most striking elements of the hyper-flowing panels are: — the sheer scale of the machine from tip to tail, and …

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Gooding 2014 Pebble Beach Highlights – 1938 Alfa-Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia

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This Alfa-Romeo coupe with coachwork by Touring Superleggera is special because it is a racecar that doubled as a luxury coupe. This was in the era of open-wheeled, open-cockpit racers — so any car that could compete on the long, twisty and bumpy Mille Miglia route while being so luxurious was something innovative indeed.   1938 Alfa-Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia

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Hypercar Icons – 1969 McLaren M6B GT with 2014 McLaren 650S at The Quail

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The McLaren M6B GT is perhaps even more important to the foundation bedrock of McLaren Automotive than the all-conquering F1. In many ways, the latest McLaren Automotive division is the realization of founder Bruce McLaren’s dream of a supercar operation that is enhanced and supported by the racing team. 35 or so years on from the first prototype M6GT, the dream is more than some future longing. It is real and thriving with the latest 650S and P1 cars building a devoted following among hypercar fans all over the world. Even among those who do not follow Formula One closely, …

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McLaren P1 Mission Monterey is Million-Dollar, Overnight Hypercar Street Marketing Brilliance

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Just parked nicely in a street spot: this McLaren P1 is worth more than a million dollars. During the brief time we spent snapping a few hello photos, more than six other full vehicles full of showgoers stopped, parked, and took similar photos of this rare and all-new hypercar. This is cultivating a legacy for McLaren Automotive. Conspicuously absent altogether from day one of Pebble Beach is Ferrari SpA. Sure, there are old Ferrari’s and many owner cars. But no official representation. A sign of arrogance? Or complete lack of market sizing and sales promotion from Ferrari? This 24-hour McLaren …

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Update1 – The Porsche Story in 99 Rare Photos – A Legacy of Victory

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Porsche is ambitious to a fault. It is a core brand trait to excel in almost every single way – To the point where many thought a win at LeMans this year was almost an inevitability. Preparation, research, expertise and brilliance…. Equals: Porsche Racing. So when the 919 suffered out on the track, it was partial global surprise and partial relief. I mean, if Porsche could come in and snatch the title from Audi after 12 near-consecutive wins for Audi Motorsport — what does that really “say” about Audi? Nothing too flattering. So a bit of a relief, a bit …

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2014 JAGUAR Lightweight E-Type Full Details Revealed: 340HP, Removable Alloy Hardtop, Standard Roll Cage

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Did you know that Jaguar loves the E-type in their back catalog from more than 50 years ago? Don’t believe it? Yes, they sure do! It is true, we swear! Not a year goes by without romantic E-type navel-gazing from this immensely unprofitable car brand. More of the same in this project. Great nose and shrouded front lighting, but the rump is much frumpier than the smooth fastback profile of the Eagle Low Drag GT. On the plus side for the official Jaguar Special Operations model: the amazing race-car E-Type setup paired with a removable hardtop. Win win! 2014 JAGUAR …

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4 New Q by Aston Martin Specials Revealed for Pebble 2014 to Inspire Your Very Own Q Car

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Four brand-new Q models by Aston Martin just arrived ahead of their global debut in Monterey next week. They are all stunning 2014 Pebble Beach Q specials. The real news about Q by Aston Martin is the range of wild options outside — as well as inside. Colors and materials like no other supercar. The Q cabins are nothing short of exquisite.   4 New Q by Aston Martin Specials Revealed 2014 Q by Aston Martin Vanquish Coupe       2014 Q by Aston Martin Vanquish Volante   2014 Q by Aston Martin DB9 Volante   2014 Q by …

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RM Auctions 2014 Monterey Preview – 1911 Mercer Type 35R Raceabout

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If the official name of Raceabout is not confirmation enough! This Mercer 1911 Type 35R Raceabout is perhaps the worlds first rally sportscar. Outstanding. 1911 Mercer Type 35R RaceAbout Monterey 15 – 16 August 2014 Lot 235 1911 Mercer Type 35R Raceabout $2,500,000 – $3,500,000 Chassis no. 35-R-354 Engine no. 35-R-137 Contact Us View Lots An institution for over 25 years, the historic Monterey auction is held at the Portola Hotel & Spa, steps away from downtown Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf. The spacious plaza, ballroom, and lobby at the Portola present ample room and comfort to preview the diverse offering …

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Porsche Rally Stars – 2007 Cayenne S Transsyberia and 1978 911 SC Safari

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Porsche has always loved rallying in a way that sets them apart from Ferrari and other exotic sportscar makers. Something about the engineering challenges beforehand, the technical expertise needed out in Oman or Siberia, plus the driver skill required to win — are all just very alluring to the Stuttgart legend. Two manifestations of this hidden rally passion are the 2007 Cayenne S Transsyberia and the 1978 911 SC Safari. Amazing cars, both. We at Car-Revs-Daily.com would love to see a Cayman Safari or perhaps a full Macan Turbo decked out in Martini colors…. The 911 SC visited Goodwood recently… …

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RM Motor City 2014 Highlights – 1976 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser is Flawless, Earns $70k

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“Icon” or “hall of fame” status for a new automobile is never a sure thing. Those first few hundred models roll out from an engineer’s blueprints, down the assembly line, and into global showrooms (relatively) untested and unproven. Will it sell? Will it break down? Time will tell. So nobody claims current cars are icons right away. Even fewer automakers would say: will this truck define the brand (and even ‘Made in Japan’) in the eyes of global car shoppers from this point forward? Will it be a good reputation? All of these are lofty goals, but ones the FJ40 …

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RM Monterey Preview – 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff is Ultimate Beach Cabrio

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A charming story with this car, as told below by RM Auctions. 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff           RM Auctions Monterey 15 – 16 August 2014 Lot 115 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff $800,000 – $1,000,000 Chassis no. 57597 Engine no. 82 C 210 bhp, 3,257 cc supercharged DOHC inline eight-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, solid front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 130 in. Formerly of the Bob Pond Collection Mechanical restoration by the legendary “Bunny” Phillips First in …

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RM Monterey Preview – 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione Will Make You Ferrari Owners Club VIP

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An FXX coming to Pebble Beach is pretty special. It will do exceptionally well among this high-rolling bidder pool. Typically, exotic prototypes are known to seal many orders from Pebble Beach as one of the best concours and car shows on the annual calendar. Therefore, the FXX Evo will be a sort of Top Trumps among ‘who bought what’ recaps. The Ferrari FXX is special for simply being a hardcore Corse Clienti model already – but also upgraded to the latest racing spec. This is quicker than even the Ferrari 458 Evo on the CC circuit this year. It is …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 Preview – 1995 McLaren F1 – The Only White F1 Ever Made = $12Mil+

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Sure, the fact that this Japanese-ordered McLaren F1 is the sole example in factory Marlboro White is not the only reason for its $12-million-plus pre-sale estimate. Other key reasons are: This F1 has only 1,000 total miles since new and was fully restored in Woking in 2008. The white paint preference among Japanese car fans is really returning on its investment in 2014 and beyond. White paint has never been so appealing or indicative of modern status. So a great time to sell, with the flat black alloys just extra on-trend style — but ordered like this 20 years ago. …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 Preview – 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 Speedster

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The 911 Speedster is exceptionally rare and quite a milestone for Porsche. Just as this car was hitting showrooms, the 1994 Porsche Boxster concept drop-kicked the enthusiast world into a hysterical frenzy. Everyone was mad for the chopped-windshield look — but only 409 of the Porsche 964 Speedsters arrived for sale in the United States. Rare and certain to cause a double-take among even hardcore Porsche fans – the Speedster is an amazing vehicle to consider for collectors and sunny-day drivers. Its proportions say classic 911 at first glimpse, but the detailing is 100-percent surprising thanks to the ultra-low windshield, …

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LOTUS Esprit, Elan, Elite, and Eterne Have The Vision, But Missing The Investor Millions

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Talk about a huge missed opportunity: Lotus’s 2010 Paris business plan and five-pack of concepts might be arriving for sale about now if the world had be different. The cars are so on-trend and stylish four years later that it is hard to really see them in real-life photos without a deep sense of regret. Only the city car seemed silly then and still does. In the world of car-making and luxury brands, the three hardest and most unattainable pieces of the puzzle are: — great ideas — a fantastic brand name and legacy — global distribution and sales The …

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Hypercar Heroes – Aston Martin One-77 Mega Gallery + Digital Colorizer and Black Trim Pack

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The Aston Martin One-77 is so incredibly sexy and dramatic – as rare as it is special. The typical Aston GT visuals are all stretched, lowered and made more bad-ass in every way. Far down below in this article are 42 high-res photos of the 77-copy hypercar out and about at a few fancy shows in England – looking dapper even in a mature maroon. Directly below is a visual color test, including a virtual ‘black pack’ of tinted glass, dark headlamps and a few shades of darker grille. Still very impressive designs on the One-77 — with the large …

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Junkyard Jems – The Japanese – Datsun 240Z, 280Z, Toyota FJ40, 1978 Celica Supra, RX-7 and XT6

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PART THREE: The Japanese finds This is the last part of this little series of articles – featuring some of the collectable or rare Japanese cars discovered in American junkyards over the last few years. My advice is not to weep for the cars seen here. They all had good runs, and are likely missed by their owners and remembered fondly.   Junkyard Jems – The Japanese – Datsun 240Z, 280Z, Toyota FJ40, 1978 Celica Supra, RX-7 and XT6  

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Canned Hypercar Debrief – 2010 JAGUAR C-X75 Is Too Sexy For Its Turbines

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Too sexy for Milan, New York and Japan? Just kidding. Despite the jokey “I’m too sexy” headline, the Jaguar C-X75 really could do no wrong when it debuted in Paris in 2010. It was a design so captivating that they painted it a dull beige – and people still went absolutely mad for it. As you can see in the difference between the 2010 Paris announcement at the bottom, and the production announcement in 2011 directly below — the car had a rough gestation period. The initial gas turbine hybrid technology was no-where near production feasible, and the truly jet-age …

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Supercar Icons – 1992 JAGUAR XJ220 Still Enchants the Eye and Mind, 22 Years Later

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Of all the many car models in my collection as a kid, the XJ220 was a real favorite. Hours spent caressing its smooth panels – and visually dissecting it from all sides. Moving it around in my hands, it was forever more captivating than the Diablo or F40 that also sat nearby in the bookcase. While its doors and hood and front trunk all opened, it was the shallow lock of the steering action that really stood out. Was it so unwieldy in real life too? Of the 280 cars made in 1992 and 1993, there are very few available …

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This Superformance Mark III COBRA with Roush Power Could Be Yours – $20 Charity Raffle On NOW!

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A fantastic car and a great cause – what is not to love? The Ohio Cobra Club and Superformance are still selling raffle tickets to win a stunning Mark III Cobra at the London (Ohio) Cobra Show. Enter now and feel good about supporting medical research, while gaining a chance to have this beauty in your driveway for only $20! Photo Credit: Ted7 Photography http://ted7.smugmug.com/Cars/Professional-Party-Photoshooti/SPF/SPF-20th-anniversary-NO-TAGS/     OCC Meets and Raises Cystic Fibrosis Awareness      The Ohio Cobra Club has been fund raising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for over 10 years.  Each year they have held an event …

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Supercars Then and Now – 1980 BMW M1 versus 2008 BMW M1 Hommage

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The great irony about the BMW M1 supercar is that it was a huge failure. A re-purposed version of the same design often trotted out by Giugiaro through the mid-1970s, the original Paul Bracq-penned 1972 BMW Turbo concept was very, very dated by its production intro in 1978. (1972 Turbo on the right) The ultra-wedge aesthetic was popular, of course, but was hard to make workable in a sports car. Visibilty was atrocious, making racing especially challenging. In addition, the wedges of the 1973-forward Lamborghini Countach or Lancia Stratos were hard to top. This M1 seemed like a pretender from …

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2009 Citroen GTbyCitroen Becomes Working Media via Real-Life Art Installation in Venice

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One of my favorite pieces of marketing jargon from my past career in advertising is Working Media. This contrasts, of course, with Non-Working Media. The difference is cut/dry – Working media is something that consumers will see and may influence a purchase. Non-working Media is a line item for creative brainstorming, ideation, story-boards — everything that goes into making the ads. As a media guy, we worked hard deciding how to get the target market to see the creative. Technically, all of our exhaustive media modelling and planning was Non-Working Media as well, so not just a jab at creative …

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TVR Sportscars Brand Chronology 1956-2006 Plus a Roadmap to Global Sales for 2014 and Beyond

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TVR is one of the greatest success stories in British sports cars. Not by sales or commercial volume, mind you, but the global popularity of TVR is evidence of: — universal appeal of low-volume sportscars with character — broad appeal of English-language auto journalism with a highly qualitative edge — global appetite for automotive and supercar-themed entertainment content — the power of visceral appeal to an exotic car that is nothing like anything sold locally or by big OEM makes As an American who has lusted after TVR’s since first glimpsing the Tuscan in the pages of BBC’s TopGear magazine …

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Sportscar Legacies: Then and Now – 2012 Renault Alpine A110-50 Is A Blend of 1964 M64 and A110 Berlinette

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Just a few days after Bastille Day lit up France with fireworks, we honor of the Alpine M64 article yesterday and now the Alpine A110-50 Concept? We, monsieur. This 2012 concept is still on the road to limited production – but Renault will go it alone versus its previous joint-venture with Caterham. It is such a small-volume project that the cars will be largely hand-assembled halo supercars anyway, so the RenaultSport team is more than capable of finalizing it solo. The design of this 2012 concept is a nicely blend of the M64 and the A110, in fact, but is …

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RM Auctions 2014 Monaco Highlights – 1964 Alpine M64 Is Gorgeous and Historically Significant Racing Hero

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As we watch the rebirth of Renault-Alpine and the Alpine sportscar legacy over the next few years, it is great to trace the roots of the firm and appreciate some of its greatest-hits. The A110 Berlinette was by far the most iconic machine produced for sale by Alpine, but was it the quickest around a track or the most gorgeous? Despite how cute that A110 looked in Amelia Island earlier this year above… http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/03/10/amelia-parking-lot-finds-1960s-renault-alpine-a110-cali-plates-passenger-seat-full-suitcases/ No sir – those awards go to the long-body M64 racercar version shown here. One of only three ever made, the M64 Alpine won its class …

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1940 Packard Custom Super Eight Convertible Sedan by Darrin

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Here is a gorgeous car with a unique back-story ahead of the RM Auctions Motor City event on July 26th in Plymouth, Michigan. After working as a master apprentice with French coachbuilders for more than a decade, Dutch Darrin returned to America to set up his own shop. The French coach-built car industry from the 1920s to the 1930s was the absolute best in the world – delivering wild one-off creations to buyers around the world. Cars like the Delehaye 139, the Hispano-Suiza Xenia or the Rolls-Royce Round Door Coupe all came from this small piece of land around and …

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McLaren P1 on GEMBALLA GForged-one Wheels Specially Designed for McLaren 12C, 650S and P1

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Upgrading the wheels on a hypercar is a small change that can make a world of difference in the style, handling and tire options available. But choosing an aftermarket wheel that is made to the same standards as the rest of the vehicle? Not easy! That is why Gemballa is stepping up to deliver McLaren P1, 12C and 650S clients the absolute best in German quality with an aftermarket alloy design called the G-Forged-one. These are rims that are designed to balance ultra-light weight, low-drag and high-strength priorities that a supercar demands. Also fitting the Porsche 911 991-series, the wheels …

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Bugatti Veyron Lightning Wrap by CAM SHAFT for Gemballa

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Of all the various custom Veyrons – none wear quite as dramatic a shell as this one for Gemballa Racing! While Gemballa is moving forward with a new website and new distribution for its tuning and limited-edition cars, the Gemballa Racing effort itself appears to be shelved at this point in time. No matter – the Veyron in this custom blue lightning foil wrap from CAM SHAFT is still a fine showpiece for the company. And can you blame them for not taking this beauty into a real race? Even a slight bump would be very costly to sort out… …

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Amazing 1971 Alfa-Romeo Caimano and 1976 Alfa-Romeo Navajo Concepts

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So many supercar concepts, so little time! These two really cool ideas that did not get made into production models. The Caimano is based on the small, rear-drive Alfasud platform – but with one key difference: the windshield is part of a one-piece canopy door that hinges upward — just like the coolest concepts seen from Ferrari in the 512 series. The Navajo, on the other hand, is crisp to the extreme. With a huge wing in back that makes it look more like a stunt airplane than a sports car. 1971 Alfa-Romeo Caimano       1976 Alfa-Romeo Navajo …

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Concept Flashback – 1969 Ferrari 512S Coupe Speciale by Pininfarina in Leopard Onesie at Marble Quarry

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This car is RARE! Of course, many concept cars were one-off creations for a specific auto show or other event. And many more are not actual cars at all – they cannot roll on their own power whatsoever. But almost all of them are trotted out of the archives at some point after their initial show. If only to be sold at auction, they are almost always seen again at some point. This allows there to be more photos of the car than just one or two. Cars from the 1960s are almost nonexistent in photos from their original debut. …

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Concept Flashback – 1988 Peugeot OXIA Is T16 Mid-Engine Road Racer

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    This car doubtlessly inspired the ONYX’s name and chassis layout, as well as perhaps the idea of previewing a new grille and nose on a hypercar before production hatchbacks. Pretty striking propoertions on the OXIA to this day, especially the hugely flared front and rear wheel-arches versus the trim cabin. This one is also more of an authentic hypercar – with 205 and 405 T16 rally-car running-gear under the rear canopy. Peugeot OXIA

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Concept Flashback – 2012 Peugeot ONYX Is Mixed-Media Hypercar Delight

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The mixed-media description applies inside and out for the 2012 ONYX hypercar concept. It is a wonderful design, enhanced by the contrast flat-black and copper exterior. Inside, recyled news-print forms its padded surfaces. Try not to spill that Evian, or the cabin will become a chowder bowl… The ONYX hypercar design study did mosey up the Goodwood Hill in 2013 – but otherwise is a fantasy car only. There are wires hanging from its undercarriage in several photos. But if this is what it takes to get rid of the giant-mouth Peugeot production cars, so be it! Peugeot ONYX

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Design Talent Showcase – Jan Rosenthal 2023 Rolls-Royce Concept Wins Official RCA Contest

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This is an oldie but a goodie. Not so old – 2012 — and previewing a Rolls-Royce for 2023. So it is a bit of Days of Future Past. Forgiveness Please if you have seen this already! Royal College of Art students submitted ideas for a 2023 Rolls-Royce back in 2012, with the winning design selected by Rolls-Royce executive leadership and designers themselves. The winning study is shown here in all its magnificence. Jan Rosenthal is the artist and elegantly combines many disparate ideas into one glamor-soaked luxury car. It is a four-door coupe with a SUV ride height. Very …

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QOROS Design Analysis – Qoros9 and Flagship Concepts Preview Exciting Future Models

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QOROS is the German-led Chinese car firm that could change global perceptions about Chinese vehicles through sheer strength of engineering. The firm aims to deliver the best of European safety, handling, styling and quality standards to an affordable-produced model for the first time. Headed by Gert Hildebrand as design chief, Qoros is on firm footing to bring his MINI Cooper design expertise to all sorts of new segments. Here is Hildebrand with the Qoros Flagship model discussed below. QOROS Design Analysis – Qoros9 and Flagship Concepts Preview Exciting Future Models After many false starts by other brands, the Qoros 3 …

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Concept Flashback – 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog vs 2014 Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GranTurismo

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Concept Flashback – 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog vs 2014 Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GranTurismo Aston took its future vision and threw it into fast-forward by the mid-1970s and early 1980s. The model range at the time was a mix of the Vantage and the Lagonda sedan – one looking and feeling like it was frozen in 1969, the other, 1999. So one very antiquated, and one ahead of its time. The 1980 Bulldog concept was ostensibly a range-topper; something to leapfrog the competition and bring the Vantage and supercar customer base into a bold and futuristic new decade. Alas, the …

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2014 W Motors Lykan Hypersport in 40+ Amazing New Wallpapers, Including MegaLux Interior

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As if the world of hypercar manufacturing were not hard enough: try balancing performance, style and delivery deadlines all at the same time! There is one other component of the hypercar that must not be forgotten, yet is undoubtedly the last thing on most startups’ list: the interior. W Motors has overcome this obstacle with flying colors. The finished cabin was shown for the first time recently — and is magnificent. Better than the renderings – which is very, very impressive. Just add that to the tally of home-run hits for the Lykan Hypersport!   http://www.wmotors.ae/   2014 W Motors …

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1935 Bugatti Aerolithe – Digital Colorizer

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Q: How color sensitive are the iconic shapes of the Bugatti Aerolithe? A: Very! Something about the wildly flexed panel shapes of the Bugatti’s fenders, combined with the sheer flat surfaces of the body-sides and the edges of the hood, combined with the riveted panels… A trilemma of surfaces for any paint to master! The original pistacchio green is accurate and lovely for the period, but how would the car look in other shades? Would its deep recesses and sunken cab melt away from the eye, or become even more prominent? You can be the judge for yourself… via the …

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Atlanta Dream Cars – 1935 Bugatti 57S Competition Coupe Aerolithe Wears Gorgeous Elektron Magnesium Panels

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This Bugatti’s name really rolls off the tongue quite nicely – even without much car for the accents and the pronunciation. Perhaps that is because the principles of speed competitions, swoopy two-doors and lightweight, low-drag machines are so important today. Those last two really nail the brilliance of this one home. Light and smooth was the goal of this shape, in an era when most cars (and drivers!) would be terrified above 30-mph. This car could easily double that, and perhaps go on to about 75-mph before the tires and brakes became a serious liability. My apologies that these photos …

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Atlanta Dream Cars – 1951 General Motors LeSabre XP-8 Struck Gold With Yank Tank Ethos of 1950s

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I usually formulate a rough outline of what I want to say about a car while cropping and straightening out the photos beforehand. In the case of this 1951 LeSabre, I wish you could have seen my face recoil in horror at all the tacky, gaudy details on this car up close. Thus, my theory was initially that the LeSabre showed General Motors the good and the bad of design. The good is that it can excite you in ways that will open wallets and checkbooks by the millions. The bad is that certain elements would need to be explained …

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Quick Pics Post – 2014 Ferrari F12 at Goodwood FoS + A Few Classics Too!

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Is the F12 your favorite Ferrari? Yep, mine too. Here is a silver example with black wheels at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend. Quick Pics Post – 2014 Ferrari F12 at Goodwood FoS + A Few Classics Too! These next photos are from Goodwood 2013.

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Happy B-Day to the Volkswagen Minibus and Transporter! Work Van Legend Turns 60 in UK This Year

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 Happy B-Day to the Volkswagen Transporter We’ve been pretty down on VW USA this year. Can you blame some pushback from automotive media here in the US in the face of the two-year delay on the Golf 7 arriving on our shores? The first GTI’s are arriving in VW dealerships now, but these are from Germany. The bulk of the line is still months out, at the earliest. The Jetta makes me cringe when I see it on the road, and the new US-market Passat is looking less-good every single day. These old products are priced at the tippy-top of …

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2005 Ferrari Pininfarina Crowd-Sourced Design Contest Is Gift That Keeps on Giving

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2005 Ferrari Pininfarina Crowd-Sourced Design Contest Is Gift That Keeps on Giving You know your brand has reached top-level icon status when you can ask the world to give your their best ideas, to possibly be used without credit, free of charge. That is exactly what Ferrari and styling lead Pininfarina did in 2005 to solicit ideas for a new hypercar flagship – something along the lines of the Enzo 2.0, or what we now know as LaFerrari eight years later in present-day. Do you recall the 2005 Ferrari and Pininfarina design contest? It was big news at the time …

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Goodwood 2014 Galleries – Toyota TS040 Hybrid, 87C, Celica Gt-Four ST205 and Hilux Overdrive Racing

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A few super obvious observations about the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2014: — It is pretty grey and gloomy in all the photos – UK really is a bit rainy all the time, huh? — there is a dirt course as well as the paved run, which would be fun for seeing rally cars — or even better, driving them — While these Toyota pics do not really show this point clearly, in many of the others I wondered: Where are all the people? Totally empty grandstands. Must have been early morning? Unknown. — I want to go to there. …

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Goodwood 2014 – Renault 5 Maxi, 1926 40CV Type NM, 1965 Alpine M65, 2014 Megane RS + Clio RS

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Renault… has been making cars for a long time. Very unique cars! I usually crop off the UK press release info from photos,  but will leave it on for a few of these for information purposes. The 1926 40CV Type NM de recordes is a speed racer, believe it or not. Looks like the steering wheel is about 40-inches across – helping leverage when steering the very heavy-looking nose of this machine. So cool. The Alpine M65 is simply amazing.   This Renault 5 is definitely not being pushed by someone… despite what it looks like here…. The new Megane …

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RM Auctions Monterey 2014 Preview – 1974 versus 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

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Wow. Original barely does this one justice. It looks as-new and totally unaltered from its factory state. It might not be as butch or low-riding as some tweaked 1975 Stratos — but is probably the more valuable of the two among serious collectors. A similar, but less original, 1975 model (shown at bottom) brought $375,000 at last year’s RM Monterey sale. This 1974 car is being sold without reserve by RM Auctions August 15th (or 16th) in Monterey, California. 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1068220 Photo Credit: Neil Gardner ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions   1975 Stratos Sale by RM …

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PART ONE! DODGE Hits 100-Year Anniversary of First Car in 1914 – Going Strong into 2015 and 2115

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PART ONE: These posts are getting huge and are breaking the interwebs.  Here is part one – featuring the first 50 or so cars from Dodge below. Dodge is celebrating its 100-year anniversary today with the release of special-edition 2014 Challengers and Chargers, a new line of merchandise, and a bold outlook into the next 100 years of the Dodge Brothers legend of affordable power. Another bit of news from the 100th announcements is that SRT is being rolled back into the Dodge fold after a go at being a stand-alone brand. Below is the official announcement from dodge – …

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PART TWO! DODGE Hits 100-Year Anniversary of First Car in 1914 – Going Strong into 2015 and 2115

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Dodge is celebrating its 100-year anniversary today with the release of special-edition 2014 Challengers and Chargers, a new line of merchandise, and a bold outlook into the next 100 years of the Dodge Brothers legend of affordable power. Another bit of news from the 100th announcements is that SRT is being rolled back into the Dodge fold after a go at being a stand-alone brand. Below is the official announcement from dodge – and you should also check out the new Dodge products page for some cool shirts, accessories and ways to show your Dodge/Life balance. http://www.life.dodge.com/dept_prod.asp?dept_id=316 Below are some …

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Rally Legends – 1983 Lancia Beta Montecarlo and 1982 Lancia 037 at Goodwood 2014

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These Lancia rally cars from 1983 and 1984 really defined and propelled Group B’s creation – and perhaps the unlimited performance class’s ultimate demise. They were rally cars only in tire and suspension settings. For all other intents and purposes, these were the hardest-core sports racers in decades. They leveraged new innovations in tech heavily – things like electronic fuel injection, carbon-fiber chassis construction, and turbocharging – to wild effect. The Martin colors are just icing on the cake, really. But while Group B might have taken these cars with them to history, the legacy lives on proudly today in …

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MASERATI Goes All-In At 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed with Alfieri, MC12 and A6GCS Berlinetta

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The big guns were out in force from Maserati in England this weekend! Compared with the Trident – who has been visiting Goodwood since the track was on the official world racing calendar – all other OEMs might rightly be called ‘johnny-come-lately’s. The MC12 is wearing a special Centennial paintjob in dark grey with airbrushed heroes past in the paintwork, while the ever-popular A6GCS captures the collective mood of 2014 very, very well indeed. MASERATI HIGHLIGHTS AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 2014 30/06/14 Maserati Alfieri Concept takes centre stage in the Stable Yard for Maserati’s centenary Maserati A6GCS named ‘best …

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