CLASSICS

1965 Porsche 911 Art Car 007 By Peter Klasen 22

RM Monaco 2016 – 1965 Porsche 911 Art Car 007 By Peter Klasen

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Vivid airbrushing, wild colors and a vaguely sexualized — yet also high-tech and militaristic — themes pop from every side of this 1965 Porsche 911. The one-off art car will cross the block in Monaco, celebrating Peter Klasen’s remarkable career as an artist since his birth in 1935. The 007 911 will not be to everyone’s taste, and has a strong late-80s vibe to some of its imagery.  The importance and originality of this piece as rolling artwork, however, should still see at least a $300k premium over a similar 911 from this era.  The race-prep seats, bodywork and roll …

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2016 Jaguar XJ Carves $3B China Skyroad in Plush, Superlux Fashion!

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Who loves grand infrastructure projects? We all do, on some level. But the engineering, cost and sheer complexity of many mountain road projects make them cost-prohibitive for all but the grandest planners. Luckily, China and Jaguar are both chock full of the passion and budget to innovate. In the case of the Paxi Expressway in the Sichuan province, this meant building a modern expressway through mountain passes that have been limited to rural, often-unpaved hiking trails for the last 3000 years.  Since 2010, though, the infusion of a million man-hours of prep, and perhaps a billion hours of collective labor, …

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Concept Debrief - 1980 Lamborghini ATHON Speedster by Bertone 15

Concept Debrief – 1980 Lamborghini ATHON Speedster by Bertone

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Bertone (bear-tony) created this one-off Lamborghini concept as a design showcase of the studio’s skills, plus to kick a bit of good energy Lambo’s way. By the end of the 1970s, Lamborghini lad launched and produced a variety of non-hits: GT cars and luxury shooting brakes that never found the same eager audience as the earlier Miura and Countach smash-hits. The 1980 ATHON Speedster hoped to evolve the avant-garde looks of those two icons, but in a high-tech was befitting the first computerized decade: the 1980s. Achieving visual impact on par with the Countach would take a revolution in almost …

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Top 7 Soviet Concept Cars – GAZ Streamliners, Armored Snowmobile, JetCar and HoverCar!

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GAZ is best known these days as the maker of the iconic Volga limousine, but the Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (Gorky Car Plant) was also tasked with creating one-off prototypes and concept vehicles throughout the Cold War period. Their feasibility for mass production still remains questionable all this time later, but they are wacky and show clever ingeniuty.  And a willingness to experiment! Here are six extra curious models, starting with the most recent and moving back in time from 1962 to 1950.  You may note the striking evolution of GAZ vehicles in this same period.  From streamlined aero prototypes at first, …

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2016 Pininfarina H2 Speed – Monaco Palace Intro to EV Champion Prince Albert

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The stunning Pininfarina H2 Speed just scored one of the highest honors in automobiledom: a royal invite to the palace of Monaco! HSH Prince Albert was the honorable host for this glittery and exclusive look at a 503-horsepower exotic that runs on pure hydrogen.  It combines the massive thrust of eAWD via potent electric motors, plus the rapid-refill potential of hydrogen.  Not quite an open-road dream versus gasoline’s ubiquitous availability, but the H2 Speed does show promise for an all-day blast around a racetrack.  This is something that no full EV can promise, as their batteries go dead in about an hour …

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1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Works Rally 9

RM Monaco 2016 – 1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Works Rally

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  You are a rare, delicate flower.  Yes.  This is widely known. But you are nowhere near as rare — or well-preserved! — as this rally-winning Austin Healey 3000! =] RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Works Rally

RM Monaco 2016 – 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Boattail Speedster

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It is hard to fathom sometimes that cars like this are sitting quietly in wealthy garages around the world.  Museum-quality icon or 1993 Mercury Sable?  Which shall we drive today, honey? RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Boattail Speedster

1977 Chevron B36 1

RM Monaco 2016 – 1977 Chevron B36 LMP1 Spider

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This was the magnificent time in top-drawer auto racing where the wedge came to life. Sideways on track, spitting flames from their open rear ends! It was intuitive, low-tech aero.  But race-proven and glorious to behold, then as now. The LMP1 and SPider descriptors above are ours – the car actually competed in primarily North American Can-Am races, we believe.  But the sentiment and bleeding-edge tech certainly makes it LeMans worthy — whatever the classes were dubbed in 1977. RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1977 …

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1977 MV Agusta 750S America

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This is beyond even the rush of speed, the sun in your face and a mechanical symphony down below.  This MV Augusta 750S America has crossed over — into true art.  It may be recalled as one of the purest expressions in all of 20th-century design and engineering.   RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1977 MV Agusta 750S America

RM Monaco 2016 - 2004 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato 11

RM Monaco 2016 – 2004 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato

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There are no words deeper than this Beluga black Aston DB AR1.   RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ 2004 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato

1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Evolution 1 Group B 1

RM Monaco 2016 – 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Evolution 1 Group B

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Fabulous Pug and beautiful livery — this may be a top earner for all-time Peugeots at auction.   RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Evolution 1 Group B

RM Monaco 2016 - 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 Rally Car 10

RM Monaco 2016 – 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 Rally Car

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No, we do not just put together these auction pieces when too distracted or tired to write up a full piece. And we resent the implication! Okay, there might be some truth to that.  But these cars are special enough to warrant a post– with or without color commentary.. RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 Rally Car

KAEGE.de Reveals LED Projector Headlamps for Classic 911s – Even Carbon Optics and Black Chrome Bezels!

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One of the suckiest parts about driving a vintage supercar is the lighting.  LED technology has revolutionized how much style and light you can have in front of you on the roads in 2016… but many classic cars are stuck with their dim, sealed-beam incandescents. No more for 911 owners! Germany’s Kaege.de has rolled out a special line of top-quality LED upgrades for the Porsche 911.  Ones that fit the car’s status and performance, as well as design aesthetics and overall road presence. Very high-quality OSRAM LED elements go into these custom-made lamps, and they even come with a three-year …

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1985 ROUSH Protofab Ford Mustang GTO – Animated Technical Illustrations

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Technical Illustrator Roy Scorer is back with another detailed look below the skin of an iconic racecar! This time we’re looking at the 1985 ROUSH Protofab race team’s Mustang GTO.  This is really a classic silhouette racer with very little chassis similarity to the road cars.  But a similar shouty V8, fettled by some of Dearborn’s finest tuners, as was available to Fox-body 5.0 lovers! Here is a reference photo of this mean race prototype in real life to set the tone..  The let’s peel back those clothes! Check out Roy’s other work at his author link above or new website …

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Fast & Amorous! Michelle Rodriguez Roars Past 200MPH in F-Type

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An endless road?  Check. Helicopter with steady-cams, and team of thirty to run shadow drones and other AV?  Check. 200-mph Jaguar SVR flagship?  Check. Beautiful tomboy actor Michelle Rodriguez at the wheel, delivering real-time whoops and joyous hollers?  Check. Annnnddd… Action!   Watching Michelle’s face light up as she feels how spectacular the F-Type is?  She clearly loves the car.   Capturing that is movie magic, people! The funny thing about this big-budget shoot is that the SVR and F-Type R are sooo, sooo fast…. anyone really could do this in real life.  With the right closed-road conditions… 201-mph in the F-Type R …

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Speed Fleet! 2016 Ford Mustang GT Cali Special + LaFERRARI 5

Speed Fleet! 2016 Ford Mustang GT Cali Special + LaFERRARI!

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I have met the bright red devil today! And he is quite friendly. =] But private, as you might imagine. He is mobbed wherever he goes in this 900HP masterpiece. The Mustang GT Convertible California Special is a lovely chase car… even with just half the horsepower.     Speed Fleet! 2016 Ford Mustang GT Cali Special + LaFERRARI!

KAEGE RETRO-41

1972 Porsche 911 Evergreen by KAEGE.de

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Imagine loving a 70s Porsche so much that you rebody the entire machine in carbon fiber and ramp up the power to a very-modern 300 ponies? First off, how could anyone not love their vintage 911 this much?!  Secondly, the upgrades here are so loving and thoughtful that they deserve a big salute. A weight savings of almost 400 pounds is pretty sweet no matter what the starting point. So is the 3.6-liter, air-cooled boxer engine!  Classic style for the lights, of course, but updated to the latest high-dollar Osram LED optics.  Same for the new li-ion LITE-BLOX racing battery, modern seats and …

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700HP, 2.5s 2017 REZVANI Beast X – Wild Carbon Wings, Monster Boost for Street-Legal Racecar

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You are being hunted. The Rezvani Beast X is out for blood.  That much is clear from its 2.5-second 60-mph sprint and tail-out track action! This upgraded model is debuting in Dallas this week with a shockingly sexy carbon-fiber aero kit, a new engine and even optional paddle-shift for the 2017 modelyear. The California team will build just five of these X Beasts for sale worldwide, with pricing from $325k and the order books open now.  (The Beast Speedster is the car pictured here in grey, while the X is previewed in a few of the red photos — but not all …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Ferrari California T

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Any chance to drive an all-new Ferrari is enough for an epic day off.  What fantastic fortune! The 2016 California T is the facelifted and engine-swapped update of Modena’s only 2+2 cabrio.  Its $205k base price actually makes it the cheapest model in the 488, F12 and GTC4Lusso range. The numbers and noise coming from the twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8’s quad central pipes are definitely not entry-level, however! The new turbo drivetrain definitely delivers warp speed… but in a slightly delayed way that betrays this car’s split soul. Love-at-first-drive in the Ferrari California T? Sadly, no. Let’s find out why this car’s conflicted …

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2014 Superformance LOLA MkII Can-Am Spyder at Olthoff Racing12

Dream Garage – Superformance LOLA MkIII Can-Am Spyders

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Lola racecars are extremely special for their value-for-money today, racing pedigree, and also their incredibly timeless grace and beauty. This was a racing team directly formed in the late 1950s with one goal: build a car from scratch to win LeMans. The resulting semi-monocoque chassis design – now known as a unibody – was revolutionary at the time of frame-based racers from nearly every other racing company and nearly every single road car. A semi-monocoque? Oh yes. The other part is also pretty advanced for the time: a steel spaceframe for the engine and rear suspension cradle. In fact, the …

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Wildest Geneva Reveal – 2017 Lazareth LM847 – Monsterbike Runs 500HP Maserati V8!

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Imagine all the show-stopping appeal and road presence of the Dodge Tomahawk V10 concept from the early 2000s… but made real, ride-able and road-legal acros Europe! And then imagine swapping the V10 for a much-better-sounding Maserati V8!? The results would be world-shaking. Such is the case for the custom-engineered Lazareth LM847 out of France.  This firm has been making some insane custom bikes, quads and car/bike hybrids for years, but this LM847 takes the firm to a whole new level. This seems like the perfect bike for the Clooney crew to thrum around Lake Como. But also a great fit …

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2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ 4WD White Diamond Tricoat 73

Do I NEED An SUV In The Midwest? Introducing Anthony Fongaro

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  By Anthony Fongaro They’re everywhere. You can’t go more than two feet in suburbia without bumping into one. They’re hard to ignore and more popular than a boy band in the 90s. Yes, we are talking about SUVs/crossovers. High driving position and four-wheel-drive is appealing but brings us to a question that literally no one has ever asked me: “Do I need an SUV in the Midwest”? While it’s nice to have a SUV, thinking that it’s a necessity to own an SUV just because white powder falls from the sky under certain conditions is ridiculous. Yes, driving in …

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2016 BMW Vision Next 100 – Nightmare Blob Shows Why BMW Sales Are Tanking

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Ready for 5000 German words you cannot possibly care about!? Let’s dive in to the BMW Next 100 Years press conference and new-concept debut, while stripping out 95-percent of the unintelligible corporate babble below. First things first: BMW Group and BMW pressclub have new websites.  Yay! But they do not work as easily as the previous ones. Boo.  At least the zip files do not create unmoveable, undeletable 3GB desktop bombs like BMW USA PressClub’s.   The renderings do turn from brown to pink when saved on a PC tho.  Bonus — some fails live on!   Dear BMW.  Flatten …

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2017 Abarth 124 Spider 10s

2017 Abarth 124 Spider – Boosted Turbo, Shouty Exhaust and Butch Body Mods

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Stunning new Fiat from Abarth at Geneva this year — proving the in-house tuner is still a big asset in the brand’s expansion worldwide.  The Mirafiori speed demons have wasted no time upgrading the design, performance and panache of the adorable baby Fiat: the new 124 Spider. From its cute looks emerges yet another harsh, focused look at what Abarth does best.  The scorpion logo makes sense the first time you fire up one of their specials: pops and brummy exhaust and engine notes that recall Maserati much more than Mazda. Then you turn to see… and are shocked that …

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2016 Abarth 124 Rally Prototype 5

Best of Geneva – 2016 Abarth 124 Rally Prototype – 300HP Kicks Off 2017 Abarth Racing Revival

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  In case the hot new Abarth Fiat 124 Spider were not enough to get your heart revving, Abarth Racing has brought along an even hotter version! A rear-drive rally racecar that started life as a ragtop!?  Sounds like a winner to us.  And it definitely looks like a winner too. A slightly raised ride height, boosted engine putting down 300Hp, plus a locking rear differential promise exciting, tail-out action to rally fans next year. Custom fender extensions, sill extensions and brake air vents behind the back axle speak to this car’s gravel-slinging dreams.  As does its gigantic, fire-spitting single …

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Design Analysis – 2016 Alfa Romeo DISCO VOLANTE SPYDER By Touring Superleggera + 1952 C52

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It takes a master designer to reinterpret a retro model in a desirable, futuristic modern car.  The fail count is much larger than the short success list of the New Beetle, Ford GT and perhaps MINI. Fails?  Fiat 500, Lamborghini Miura, Ford Thunderbird, Chevrolet HHR, Plymouth Prowler, etc. etc. Among supercars, it is even harder to continue designs from so long ago.  Why? The designs were always extra wacky, with limited appeal even in their original iterations. In addition, supercar shoppers are always craving the next hotness.  The unattainable, never-before-seen machines that will bring traffic to a halt around you. Therefore, Touring Superleggera struck a …

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Design Analysis – 2016 Pininfarina H2 Speed and Sigma Grand Prix

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This is one of the first times someone has dusted off the idea of a hydrogen FCEV supercar in quite a while.  The most notable effort was likely from BMW more than a decade ago. There is certainly promise in a 180-second refill from a hydrogen station, then all the benefits of a full-EV drivetrain. Namely, SPEED! The H2 Speed is quoted at some quite impressive figures.  100-kph flashes by in a 3.4-second whir, and on to a max speed of 186-mph. DESIGN ANALYSIS All this is wrapped in the purest snow white panelwork you’ve ever seen.  The bubble-like nose …

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2016 Ferrari California T – Deserto Rosso

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Ferrari presents a new video and photo tribute to the vast mountains of sand in the Middle East with this glamourous new Cali Turbo video! It is a stark reminder of the natural beauty of the landscape, and its unique nature versus anywhere else on Earth. And also a great reminder of the new California’s beauty and potent performance…! These cars may or may not include the new Handling Speciale package, but look like they are having a ball outside Dubai regardless!     https://youtu.be/xzOQpOGD1YU   2016 Ferrari California T – Deserto Rosso Ferrari Reveals Deserto Rosso Ferrari Pays Tribute …

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1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta by Touring (RHD) 18

1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta by Touring – Surviving RHD LeMans Racer Shows Humble Origins

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How far Ferrari has come! What started out with a genius 2.0-liter V12 engine that was ultra compact yet also super powerful.  The engine roared its way to the top of the racing world by the end of the 1950s, and on to a 5-billion-dollar IPO for just a slim minority of the firm’s shares in 2015?   Now a global luxury juggernaut with brand recognition to rival Coca-Cola, and desirability up there with Apple? Yes to all.  And quite a rare display of modesty and humility from Ferrari. It is intriguing to see how basic and workmanlike the first few …

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RM Monaco 2016 Preview – 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution – Animated Bodywork Peelaways

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The 911 GT1 Evo is a rare sight indeed, and especially so with its bodywork intricately removed for a photo session. This Evo version of the GT1 LeMans prototype integrated the new 996-generation front lamps, and a slightly revised tail over its first year on the track in 1996. 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution RM Sotheby’s  Monaco 2016 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution Chassis no. GT1 993-117 Engine no. M86/60-109 Gearbox no. G96/80/117 Photo Credit: Chris Wilson ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio 44

RM Amelia 2016 – 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio

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1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2016 Lot 129 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 $900,000 – $1,200,000 Chassis no. 5135 bhp, 3,257 cc DOHC inline eight-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, live front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, live rear axle with inverted quarter-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 130 in. Formerly owned by renowned Florida sportsman Alec Ulmann A genuine Stelvio with numerous unique and special features Documented by marque specialist Kees Jansen A famous and beautiful example of the Type 57 In the world of …

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1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Speedster in Left Hand Drive 1

1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Speedster in Left Hand Drive

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Undoubtedly the sexiest Austin Healey we’ve even seen! This 100M Le Mans special was developed by the factory in response to a strong finish in the 24-hour race a few years prior.  This 640-unit special wore an upgraded body with hood louvres, a slimline adjustable-rake windshield and special engine/suspension upgrades. This very rare left-hand drive example was solid in Ohio in 1956, and had a full restoration in the last decade. 1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Speedster RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2016 Lot 175 1956 Austin-Healey 100 M ‘Le Mans’ To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 Without Reserve …

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1925 Bugatti Type 30 Tourer 1

RM Amelia 2016 – 1925 Bugatti Type 30 Tourer

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1925 Bugatti Type 30 Tourer RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2016 Lot 157 1925 Bugatti Type 30 Tourer To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016 $500,000 – $650,000   Photo Credit: Darin Schnabel ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s 100 bhp, 1,991 cc SOHC inline eight-cylinder engine with dual Solex carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, live front axle with semi-elliptic leaf-spring front suspension, live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf-spring suspension, and front hydraulic and rear mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 112 in. The model that begat the straight eight-cylinder Bugatti Highly attractive and sporting original coachwork Known and well-researched history since new Formerly …

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1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Tour de France 45

1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Tour de France – RM Amelia 2016 Preview

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Leading a massive haul of Amelia Island stunners for RM Sotheby’s? This magnificent specimen!  An estimate so high that it is available only on request? That smacks of $30-million plus to us. The vehicle certainly seems like a contender for the most-beautiful Ferrari of all time.      1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta Tour de France RM Amelia Island 2016 Lot 174 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ To be auctioned on Saturday, March 12, 2016   Photo Credit: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys 260 bhp, 2,953 SOHC V-12 engine with three Weber 36 DCL3 …

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1985 Volvo 480ES – ‘Project Galaxy’ Showcar Turns 30 + Lessons In Retrospect

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Trust and affection go hand in hand. When you love a brand, you are willing to follow it to the ends of the Earth if need be. The BMW X5 proved this conclusively — with initial haters eventually loving the SUV’s Bimmer-ness, and its sales success worldwide still quite striking. Volvo proved its brand flexibility in a similar way with the XC90 — a game-changer of an SUV that saved the marque from a possible SAAB-like fate during the industry shakeout of ~2009. In fact, Volvo has long been remarkably flexible in moving beyond its core family sedan and wagon …

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2.8s, 670HP 2017 ICONA Vulcano Titanium – New Video, Specs and 35 Photos Ahead of Top Marques Monaco

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Icona is prepping the Vulcano Titanium for Top Marques Monaco — and has shared a new video about the trials and tribulation of creating a titanium-bodied hypercar. We must say, despite the very enchanting design and clear purpose — challenging the Ferrari F12 — the Vulcano was quite a curious sight on the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn in 2015. Why? It is mostly the exposed titanium finish!  It is distracting, hard to photograph, and presents pretty poorly versus the ultra-high-gloss paintwork of the others with which it shared the practise putting green. But that incredible bodywork is also part of the …

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1986 Lotus 98T/3 F1 Car of Ayrton Senna – Animated 3D Cutaway by Roy Scorer, Tech Illustrator Extraordinaire

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  Ed’s Intro:  Please welcome a brilliant new contributor: Roy Scorer. Roy shares a detailed, step-by-step demonstration of his artistic process here — and it is a fascinating display, indeed! Why is this all so special?  Let’s zoom out for a moment, and know that even in 2016 and with unlimited processing power… 3D ‘cutaway’ technical illustrations of a car’s engine, chassis and mechanicals are all done by hand.  CAD-CAM etc is lovely for surface details, but is singular in that purpose.  To actually “see” inside a car takes near-surreal understanding of every component, from every angle.  Even after photographing …

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Classic Icons Gallery – 1971 RANGE ROVER and 1970 RR Prototype – On Safari in Morocco

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While shamelessly photoshopping the life out of (and in to) numerous vehicles… it is good to get a sense of our roots. Range Rover SuperSport   Classic Icons Gallery – 1971 RANGE ROVER and 1970 RR Prototype – On Safari in Morocco

2016 Citroen C4 CACTUS Rip Curl Edition – Dark Detailing, GripControl + Glass Roof for Surfer Special

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Here is a pretty cool special-edition that Citroen is bringing to Geneva 2016: the C4 Cactus Rip Curl Edition. This light cosmetic makeover darkens the looks of this funky lifestyle-mobile, adds some funky graphics to the bodysides, and includes the best standard-equipment like a panoramic glass roof and other goodies. But how, one might ask, will a front-drive crossover be the right vehicle for a surf trip? Well, even without AWD or 4×4, the C4 Cactus Rip Curl hopes to park comfortably right on the beach.  Standard mud/snow tires join forces with a new GripControl ESP system that enables more slip …

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2016 BMW Motorrad G 310 R 67

2017 BMW Motorrad G310 R – Ultra-Light Stunt Bike Is A Two-Wheeled Dino Ferrari

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This of this new G310 R from BMW Motorrad as the two-wheeled Dino Ferrari. Lighter weight, lower power outputs than its big brothers…. but just as sexy and innovative.  And crucially, with a radically lower price! The G310 R is the production variant of the G310 Stunt concept — -and is a wonderful intro sportbike thanks to its flawless handling, light weight and modest power output. A single-cylinder engine puts out a top horsepower rating of just 34.  But before you balk, just know that the total unladen weight is only 350 pounds! This all ensures flickable, trustworthy maneuvers on …

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3.3s 2017 BMW R nineT Scrambler – Air-Cooled Boxer ThrillRide! USA Arrival + Specs

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All you need to know? Aircooled boxer engine, race-bike fast — but wearing any tires across any terrain you’re brave enough to ride!  A two-in-one exhaust cannon is said to really shout out like a racebike on full throttle…. ThruuuMmmm… Brummm!  110HP is the top R90 output, and 124-mph the Vmax. The new R nineT is set for a USA arrival around August of 2016 as a 2017 model-year bike. To kick off the excitement, here are a few animations of the various looks and modes of the bike…. plus a cool 90 pics of this butch new BMW bike. …

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Range Rover Autobiography Helps Christen VIRGIN GALACTIC SS2 Unity

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The revised SpaceShipTwo from Virgin Galactic made its debut this week — towed into the glamorous launch ceremony by none other than the best 4×4-by-far! The Range Rover Autobiography is a dashingly tiny vehicle versus this rocket-powered space plane.  Towing in such a gigantic aircraft is a great showcase of the Rangie’s 7700-pound max tow rating. Speeds were considerably lower here than normal highway towing…. but there is no better-looking trailer… in the universe!   Range Rover Autobiography – Virgin Galactic SS2 Unity RANGE ROVER HELPS UNVEIL NEW VIRGIN GALACTIC SPACESHIPTWO AT GLOBAL REVEAL AND NAMING CEREMONY 19/02/16   – Land …

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2010 BERTONE Pandion for Alfa-Romeo Is Next-Level Brilliance Inside and Out 30

Hall of Fame – 2010 Alfa Romeo Pandion by BERTONE

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We obviously cover a lot of concepts and dream cars here, but rarely does one captivate the eye and mind more than the 2010 Bertone Pandion. BERTONE: COMPANY SITUATION ANALYSIS First things first: Bertone (pronounced ‘Bear Tony’) is currently restructuring after some lean years in the Italian car business drained its corporate accounts to breaking point. Is this any way indicative of the quality of the firm’s design work? Absolutely, positively not. In fact, it is because of Bertone’s amazing ideas that the firm branched back into actual car factories versus just dreamy, steamy concept cars and prototypes. Full-scale production …

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2017 EAGLE Spyder GT – Third Bespoke E-Type Creation – Much Faster than Speedster, Plus First-Ever Ragtop!

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The Eagle Speedster and Low Drag GT are two of the most-desirable restomods in the history of the genre. And that label barely does these 100-percent unique creations — reborn of aircraft-grade alloy throughout. Its deliciously widened, streamlined bodywork is shaped lovingly, by hand, in the true old-world master craftsmen tradition. Eagle Speedster and Eagle Low Drag GT Since the roofless Speedster made such a splash on Top Gear, and the Low Drag GT brought its mouthwatering appeal to just a single-digit number of total owners….. we are now in the third part of the Eagle ‘trilogy.’ This new Spyder GT …

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2016 BMW M2 – Laguna Seca Photoset – Jaw like Popeye, Shoulders like BRUTO!

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18 photos have never packed such a punch! Look. At. This. Beast! Around Laguna Seca for the international press launch, this ridiculously fast and fun supercoupe dramatically ups the ante to Audi and AMG.  The closest you can get to this speed from outside Europe?  Definitely a pony-car killer, this M2! 2016 BMW M 2 – Laguna Seca     When BMW goes for performance glory, everyone else best stand back or be blown clear in jetwash. The new ~$130k M4 GTS reveal is being followed closely by a shadow that maintains nearly 99-percent of the big brothers’ track pace, …

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2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R – Road Car, Daytona Racer + Christophorus ‘Black Magic’ Sebring Test Feature

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The official Porsche magazine Christophorus has a terrific piece in their latest issue about the shakedown testing of the heavily-revised 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R around the hot, humid Sebring racetrack in Florida.  Dubbed ‘Black Magic,’ the article follows the Porsche customer racing team through a marathon 30-hour race test late in calendar 2015 — ahead of the car’s entry into numerous race series worldwide in 2016. We’re excited to share the unpainted test car in its raw glory — but also some extra cool perspective on the 2016 GT3 R endurance racecar. What is that?  A few snaps of the …

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2016 Toyota RAV4 SE Launches Silver-Accented Style, New RALLY RACECAR!

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Famed race driver Ryan Millen has adopted a hell of a challenge for 2016!  Race to win in a front-wheel-drive RAV4 SE using a bone-stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder making just 176 horsepower. Millen and his co-pilot (fiancé Christine!) seem like the perfect ambassadors for a Rav4 racing adventure.  He will man the controls as she co-drives with extremely detailed trail notes all along the way.  Such limited power and traction in the 2WD-Open Class take much of the mechanical innovations out of the normal WRC race calculus.  The races then become much more about driver skill, unbreakable reliability and extreme co-driver directions. …

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2016 McLaren 650S GT3 SWEEPS Bathhurst Debut! But Race Photos Are 70s Sepia Hell

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    Always great to launch an updated racecar with a first-place finish in its debut! That’s the story with the new 650S GT3, which just won the Bathhurst 12 Hour. And not just won: the car destroyed its rivals.  McLaren sums it up well… “650S GT3 claimed the clean sweep over the course of the weekend with pole position, fastest lap, overall race win and a new lap record.” Hard to beat that concise summary of the new 650S GT3’s debut glories.  Almost as hard as it will be for its GT3 rivals.  ONE PROBLEM: McLaren GT’s Over-processed Photos …

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rELAX yOUR jAW! DS VIRGIN Scores First SeXY ePRIX Win! Formula E Action GIFs + Private Track Practice Video

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You got dreams? We got dreams. You got big budget, and passion too? How big? Yes indeed. To both.   Welcome to DS Virgin Racing!     The crew at DS Virgin racing are popping bottles tonight down in Buenos Aires.  Bottles of Dom as well as Deep Woods! Thrilled to welcome Virgin into the racer’s winner’s circle. Upon a scratch to the surface of the new Citroen DS Automobiles racing venture, your scribe found a virtual fountain of youth.  Everything one could ever dream of is available for media-digitization. Hence, the three=hour love affair that is leaving my two …

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2016 McLaren 650S GT3 – Geneva Prelaunch + Photo Comparo Insights vs. 2015 Racecar

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GT3 is the closest thing we have to an authentic battle-of-the-supercars — and demands a great amount of manufacturer attention.  The learnings on track with these cars are some of the quickest tech intros to road cars.  Advancements in aero and drivetrain behaviour on track actually translate directly to a street superstar — without just the lip service most race series pay to this tech transfer. And best of all, it is a two-way street.  Better turbo and cooling settings on the road for the 675LT have fed directly into the updated 2016 racecar from McLaren GT. McLaren below confirms …

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If NFL Teams Were Cars…? MegaGraphic Nails All 32!

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  We love cars. We love football. So what better way to combine the two than to look at this new infographic from CJ Pony Parts that shows what would happen if you combined the two and gave every NFL team their own car or vehicle. Some are based on team performance, while others on team name or certain players. Some can be pretty painful if you’re a fan of the team (sorry Browns, Jaguars, and Jets fans!). Check it out and be sure to share!   If NFL Teams Were Cars..   Scott Huntington @SMHuntington

Max Verstappen performs during the F1 Showrun at the Hahnenkamm

Got Grip? Red Bull F1 Car On Snowchains Rips Up Tyrol, Austria Ski Slopes

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You really have to stand back and admire Red Bull sometimes. From a category-defining launch product — a carbonated and canned version of a centuries-old Asian ‘shot’ typically slammed ahead of business meetings — the company has become one of the most iconic sports marketing phenomenons in history. These days, you can love Red Bull for its media empire as much as its new sugar-free flavor specials. Every type of sport has a Red Bull tie-in for 2016, but few are as high-profile as the F1 racing team. How to bring some levity and playfulness back to the slightly down-trodden race …

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1964 SHELBY COBRA DAYTONA 78

1964 SHELBY COBRA DAYTONA 24H Coupe – Reborn from 1965 Bonneville World Speed Record-Holder

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Few better ways to kick off the 2016 Daytona 24-Hour race this weekend than to meet one of the all-time greats! The Shelby Cobra Coupe had no official name when it took the grid for this grueling 1964 race — then the fastest in the world.  But being designed and prepped for this track earned the Daytona Coupe its forever name the moment it started leading the race. This car is *exactly* like the Shelby that took the green flag around Daytona, but bowed out after an engine fire. That Daytona Coupe no longer wears the medium blue metallic over …

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Daytona Icons - Jaegermeister 1979 Porsche 935 K3 Kremer 11

Daytona Icons – Jaegermeister 1979 Porsche 935 K3 Kremer

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  I don’t care how many racecars or exotics you have driven or loved. Nothing in this universe can prepare you for the Kremer 935 K3 Porsche. The fire-spitting widebody raced at the Daytona 24-hour in 1981 after two years of fine-tuning in German race series. There, the original 911 under all the bespoke bodywork became virtually unrecognizable. Drilled lightweighting, massive widebody additions, ground-effect aero, slatted and active aero vents across the entire slantnose.  And that is just the front! Around back, the flared fenders with their integrated winglets on top come into view.  Or the magnesium-alloy BBS wheels with …

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2016 Dodge VIPER ACR - Bondurant Black 4

2016 Dodge VIPER ACR – Bondurant Black Mamba

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Updated 1.31.16 Just drove the 2016 Viper GT on track and am still in V10 nirvana. But there is a new king in the Viper range: the road-legal American Club Racer. Seeing the car in person is a jaw-dropping experience — this exterior is the coolest supercar since the TVR Sagaris! Huge new fender vent slashes, a underbody fully shrouded with air channels, and a nose and tail treatment more aggressive than even the wildest tuners can make real. Let alone make for sale as a $20k option! 2016 Dodge VIPER ACR – Bondurant Black 2016 Dodge VIPER ACR PREVIOUS …

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RM Arizona 2016 - 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra DRAGONSNAKE 20

RM Arizona 2016 – 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra DRAGONSNAKE

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Quite a few gorgeous classics included in a row.  These are a bit of a niche interest among readers… we know you guys prefer 2016-2020 models far more than these oldie foldies. Here is one to get you young bucks back onboard: the most successful dragracing Shelby Cobra of all time! Certainly, the Cobra is best known for its circuit racing and international endurance racing prowess. But it turns of the delicate-looking original 289 Cobra was also a world-beater on the dragstrips of the USA. So light, so grippy and so powerful…. literally nothing could keep up with this fuchsia …

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1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special 1

12-Million-Dollar Merc? 1937 540K Special Is Longtail, Highdoor Roadster with 7k Original Miles

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Mercedes Benz 540K’s are some of the most-collectible cars in history.  They are one of the few non-Ferrari marques to clear the $10-million hurdle nearly every time they come up for auction air. This example will be one of the all-time greats for RM Sotheby’s. A long-tail, high-door configuration with left-hand-drive and virtually no miles…. the car is a dream in red silk. What will really seal the obscene price estimates for this car?  Its condition and originality.  Not a re-do — this is the original item.  Proof is just the 7k total miles ever travelled in this straight-eight stunner. …

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1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Torpedo Sports by Barker 1

RM Arizona 2016 – 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Torpedo Sports by Barker

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What a lovely theme running through the auction list of RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale — happening today the 29th of January. Boat-tail roadsters from the 1930s are certainly a niche genre — but one that has significant value. Their rarity and beauty and hand-made nature makes these shapes all the more special. The shrouded rear fenders of this Phantom Torpedo are definitely something to write home about. The ultra-tall tires make the design flourish extra complex — but lead to a gorgeous trunkline design as a result.  A tall teardrop element forms the upper edge of the Torpedo’s tail — …

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RM Arizona 2016 – 1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster

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You can really tell that RM photographer Darin Schnabel fell in love with this steel grey speedster. We did too after seeing is incredible teardrop shape, aero-sculpted fenders and smoothly rounded nose. Favorite element of the design must be the leather inner fenders.  So ingenious and pragmatic — they are touchable pieces of automotive history. 1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster RM Sotheby’s Arizona 28-29 January 2016 1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster   Photo Credit: Darin Schnabel ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sothebys 85 bhp, 221 cu. in. Ford flathead V-8 engine with a Stromberg 81 two-barrel carburetor, …

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1939 JAGUAR SS100 2½-Litre Roadster by Van den Plas 6

RM Arizona 2016 – 1939 JAGUAR SS100 Roadster by Van den Plas

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Long before it was shorthanded to the VDP option package, Van den Plas was making their name with stunning vehicles like this SS100. Favorite details in this gorgeous, closed-body art deco coachwork?  How about the insanely ballooned fenders, edged in a thick sheath of chrome all around the lower bodyside. Or that fabulous grille and blinding lights. But the all-time coolest detail?  The almost-nonexistent windshield — presented with no top edge and at an ultra raked angle — for 1939 or today! 1939 JAGUAR SS100 Roadster by Van den Plas RM Sotheby’s Arizona 28-29 January 2016 1939 SS 100 Jaguar …

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1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV 13

RM Arizona 2016 – 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV

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This Miura SuperVeloce is the epitome of cool — and also in crisply clean condition all around. Check out this cabin and the lovely black badges and grilles in back! 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV RM Sotheby’s Arizona 28-29 January 2016 Lot 132 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV by Bertone To be auctioned on Thursday, January 28, 2016 $2,000,000 – $2,400,000 Chassis no. 4912 Engine no. 30673 Photo Credit: Robin Adams ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s 385 bhp, 3,929 cc DOHC transverse mid-mounted alloy V-12 engine with four Weber twin-choke carburetors, five-speed manual transmission, independent front and rear suspension with …

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First 2016 Ferrari F60 America Delivered + F60 Speedster Renderings

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Ferrari just delivered its first F60 America in Palm Beach.  This 10-unit special edition celebrates Ferrari USA in the best way possible — a future collector classic! The F60 America is a fully redesigned F12 custom — sharing no bodywork with the hardcore V12 hero coupes. Nor does it share the roof of its sibling — this F60 is a pure spyder meant for sunny days only. The F60 America is a double-edged sword as a loyalty perk to its ten most loyal clients.  Sharp on one side from its devastating beauty and all-new design elements in front and back. …

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Hypercar Heroes – Lamborghini DIABLO Evolution – VT to SE, Jota to SV, SVR and Roadster, then GTR and 6.0

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The Lamborghini Diablo is a true icon in the supercar business. And despite all the sideways hooning and 200MPH bragging rights, it is indeed a business. As the Diablo launch in 1990 seems farther and farther in the past, let’s look at how this car saw off challenges from all sides of the hypercar world.  And how the Diablo and Lamborghini’s clever reinventions helped the car evolve from an 80s throwback of a drive into an ultra-modern GTR and 6.0VT near the end of production in 2001. Think about that: 11 years.  Staying in production is an achievement in its …

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2005 SALEEN S7 Twin Turbo Competition Package 22

3.3s, 850HP 2005 SALEEN S7 Twin Turbo Competition Package – RM Arizona 2016

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The S7 is a strange bird. One the one hand, it has little to no hypercar brand prestige beside a Bugatti, McLaren, Ferrari or Pagani. On the other hand, it is road-legal in the USA — where it was designed and assembled as well.  And it is also far better-finished and more reliable than most racecars adapted for the road. Overall, the S7 promises a rare guilty pleasure for owners. Almost all the speed of any hypercar in the world, but none of the baggage.  The S7 is RAPID, by the way. It leaves its contemporary rival, the 2005 Ford …

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2016 DUCATI Concept Quartet! DRAXTER Racer & ARTIKA Are Dream HyperBikes

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A gorgeous intro the the new dragracing Ducati tonight! Just a few official photos of the exotic prototype — but its fat-tire and launch control seem plausible in the near future. THe Artika is the rally race side of the new Ducati concept group — with electric neon paintwork and exposed contrast framework. Stunning!  They look amazingly fun. The other two new hotties are the Peace62 and the Revolution Scrambler. 2016 DUCATI DraXter Concept   2016 DUCATI Artika Concept       DUCATI SCRAMBLER UNVEILS THREE NEW SPECIALS AT THE MOTOR BIKE EXPO OF VERONA The Ducati Scrambler Land of Joy will …

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1987 Toyota BJ-74 Land Cruiser RHD TURBO Automatic with White FRP TOP 15

1987 Toyota BJ-74 Land Cruiser RHD TURBO Automatic with White FRP TOP

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Not clear what kind of strange mood your snapper was in during the Mecum walkthrough.  Whatever it was, we came home with some curious finds! This certainly fits the bill! Freshly restored to as-new condition outside, the truck looks stellar with its white details over shiny blue-black metallic paint. The cabin is a delightful throwback — also looking absolutely crisp and clean.     1987 Toyota BJ-74 Land Cruiser RHD TURBO Automatic Mecum Auctions Lot S168.1 // Kissimmee 2016 // Jan 15-24 1987 Toyota BJ-74 Land Cruiser Trans Automatic HIGHLIGHTS – From the Unique Collectibles Collection – Turbo Diesel engine – …

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2012 Factory Five GTM Road Special 21

Mecum 2016 Favorite – 2012 Factory Five GTM Road Special Is Mid-Engine Vette!

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If you ever wondered why Chevy flirts with a mid-engine Corvette so regularly… here is proof positive. The concept works. The concept works. The sum of stock Corvette parts flipped to mid-engine is a race-winning car right out of the box. Fast barely begins to capture the experience. This 2013 GTM Special is the car we most wanted to rip away from the Mecum auction lineup for 2016! 2012 Factory Five GTM Road Special   Mecum Auctions Lot F276// Kissimmee 2016 // Jan 15-24 2012 Factory Five GTM LS3/480 HP, 5-Speed   Engine LS3/480 HP Trans 5-Speed Color Red Interior …

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1987 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S 6

Updated with Live Photos – 1987 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S

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Updated 1.23.16 Still the best Pantera we have ever seen!  But it could certainly use some love in the paint shop. The contrast between the shimmery gloss black of the bodywork still clashes pretty sharply with the black plastic nose-cone, and flat-black rear bumperlet. ORIGINAL Think what you may about the DeTomaso Pantera from the 1970s. This machine is a totally different beast. Where time and special-edition hell really destroyed the original Countach elegance, the Pantera appears fully revitalized. The car has the presence of a F40, the nose elegance of the Lotus Esprit, yet rear-drive, naturally-aspirated purity to shade …

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1979 Ferrari 512BB Koenig Special 7

1979 Ferrari 512BB Koenig Special Is Disco Cokedream

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Reserving judgement as much as possible on this coked-out disco supercar. A factory upgrade to one-off widebody, ram-air tail — the Koenig Special was meant as a real Countach challenger — both on track and on the high street. Think what you may about its garish style mods, they are official from the Modena factory. Our new Nikon DSLR hated the car, it should be noted.  Often refusing to focus at all… it might have the best eye among us.   1979 Ferrari 512BB Koenig Special

1989 Lamborghini COUNTACH 25th Anniversary Edition 9

455HP 1989 Lamborghini COUNTACH 25th Anniversary Edition

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You know what they say… don’t meet your heroes. We say… don’t meet your hero cars unless you can also drive them! As a static piece, this very special 1989 Countach sits awkwardly among giant 60s musclecars. It is tiny in the flesh.  Much, much smaller than you would imagine.  At least two feet narrower in back than the DIablo or Murcielago, let alone the fairly gigantic Aventador. And you’ve all heard the cabin is impossible to enter or exit. This is true. We weren’t expecting to be SO, SO SMASHED inside once in though.  Butt down, then legs in… …

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2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series 21

Mecum 2016 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

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If you can get past the LED-free nose of this 2009 SL65 AMG Black Series, the machine is still one of the fastest Merc’s to ever make production. In the flesh, this car really brings major heat. Its widebody fenders front and rear, all-new bumpers on both ends, and active aero details all set it far above a standard SL — even an SL65. The new hood with reverse vents cutting deep are a highlight too.  The fixed hardtop is slightly disappointing — but the extra rigidity it delivers versus a folding unit is part of what makes the SL65 …

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1953* Chevrolet Corvette with Bubble Hardtop – Featuring A Nasty Surprise

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Replicas are tricky. That is why they work on some people: they trick the brain into a false recognition. We like this ‘Corvette’ nonetheless. You see very few first-gen Corvettes out in the real world, and none with this level of finish. Bright chrome and even a contrast-white bubble hardtop?  Lovely! But there were clues, in retrospect, that this car was a replica. The cabin cupholders and Pep Boys steering wheel, for one. Another is a total lack of badges outside. The modern rear-window weatherstripping is also a giveaway, as is the fuel door. The most damning evidence of all, now that …

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Own the ONLY 2016 Aston Martin DB10 – SPECTRE Hero, Vulcan, DBX and DP-100 All Slightly Awful, Though

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The DB10 is finally available to buy! But not for you.  =] Just ten of the bespoke 007 rides were created ahead of the film. It was not immediately clear if that ten included the movie stunt cars, or how the ten DB10’s would be sold. We now know.  Eight were used to film the movie, while two stayed in pristine and brand-new condition. Aston is keeping one of the new cars for itself to enjoy.  And that last one? Up for grabs!  Christie’s auction house is selling the DB10 on February 24th to benefit MSF, or Doctors Without Borders …

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1987 Buick GNX by ASC McLaren – Detail Photo Flyaround Inside and Out

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The GNX left a sweet mark on the brand and perhaps the car business in general.  It was the announcement of POWER and speed — rejoining mainstream car lines after more than a decade of downsizing, Cimmarons and K-cars. The heart and soul of the GNX is of course its McLaren-upgraded V6 engine. The 3.8-liter, intercooled turbo was a revolution at the time. Its output bested most V8s and its power delivery was the best part. Through the also-racier standard automatic transmission in the GNX, the giant lump of turbo torque made the most of its lag. Momentary boost-up for …

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1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 in Raven Black 28

Mecum 2016 Florida Favorites – 1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 in Raven Black

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This Mustang Boss 429 was the top ponycar of its year: fast, loud and even slightly luxurious! This example is a four-speed manual (v desirable) with period Magnum 500 wheels.  An alloy intake and rumble hood scoop complete the Boss appeal when static.  When rolling, this thunderclap of a car is happiest on a tire-shredding launch start. The mean style, wide and large new dimensions, plus rear-window louvres and spoiler would set the tone for 70s supercars and even superminis. 1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429

1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera 12

Mecum 2016 – 1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera Customs

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This amazing one-off Bronco has a special ops / Lambo Rambo vibe in all the best ways. That’s no accident: this beaut by Chimera Customs was made to taise money for the Armed Forces FOundation. ANd did it deliver! A cool half-mill bought this desert jackal in 2013. The 2016 estimate is a snip then, at just $125k. Mecum 2016 – 1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera Customs Lot T205// Kissimmee 2016 // Jan 15-24 1969 Ford Bronco Built by Chimera Customs   Engine 406 CI Trans 5-Speed Color Black Interior Black ESTIMATE: $100,000 – $125,000 Chimera Customs of North Palm …

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2013 Custom 24-inch Caddy Chopper 21

2013 Custom 24-inch Caddy Chopper by Rods & Rides Motorcycle Company

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Love this bike. Hard to stress enough how fabulously low and artful it is in the flesh.  Hopefully these photos do it some justice!  The creation is out of Missouri-based Rods & Rides.  Pop them a like on the faceplace link below. https://www.facebook.com/rodsandridesmotorcyclecompany/ This one-off bike goes under the auction block at Mecum’s Kissimmee Florida event this Saturday.     2013 Custom 24-inch Caddy Chopper by Rods & Rides Motorcycle Company

1961 Dodge POWER WAGON WM300 Pickup 7

1961 Dodge POWER WAGON WM300 Pickup – An American Hero: As-New, In Box

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What makes this Power Wagon special?  Few in person will need concrete reasons to love it: the pre-war curves to the roof, fenders and hood all speak to the design charm of extreme utility. The truck is an icon worldwide as one of the US Army’s main troop transports and 3/4-ton haulers. Back at home, few Power Wagons stood the test of time after less than half returned from foreign theaters of WWII. Sold off as army/navy surplus and widely adopted for farm and mining use, the Power Wagon legacy literally went to dusty rust with the introduction of salted roads and …

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1978 Pontiac Trans Am Pro Touring 15

1978 Pontiac Trans Am Pro Touring – Track-Attack Showcar Is Also Road Legal

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I defy you to find a faster, meaner and more intense second-gen Firebird Trans Am! No. Not even ‘find.’ I defy you to imagine a more hardcore upgrade of this iconic F-body. Nearly every detail under the skin, the carbon-fiber hood and bespoke racing cabin is all-new and all-modern.  Only the custom Forgeline alloys with a massive tire bite betray the original looks outside this stunner, however. That combination of old and new makes this a real dreamweaver of a machine.  The estimate of this Pro Touring custom is about $120k — for which you will have a showcar, track car …

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Mecum Florida Faves – 2014 Maserati Quattroporte – Hate at First Drive, or As-New for Half Off?

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How did this new QP end up between a Camaro IROC-Z and a violently impotent custom Wrangler? One of the great parts of the week-long Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is the ‘come-as-you-are’ vibe about the place. They make a carnival atmosphere of these 3000-plus cars finding new homes — and it is truly a fun way to see many curious cars up close and personal.  In fact, they are all unlocked and ready for close-up inspection — so it is a bit like an ‘all-you-can-sit’ sampling of various exotic cars. Wish it were all-you-can-drive… but that’s okay. One very curious find? …

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1963 Maserati 3500GTi Superleggera Coupe 25

Mecum Florida Favorites – 1963 Maserati 3500 GTi Superleggera Coupe Is Ultimate Old-Money Villain

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Part of the joy of owning and driving a vintage exotic is how rich they make you look.  Of course, a modern supercar leaves few doubts about your large account balance, sure. But for a real old-money glamour among those who have seen and done it all?  A vintage exotic has few peers — it is so inherently extra, superfluous and special. This breathtaking 1963 Maserati 3500 GTi certainly impresses at all times. More than external vainty, though, the 3500GT makes you feel quite special inside. That gorgeous oval grille with oversized Trident badge as large as a dinner plate. The …

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1959 Chevrolet APACHE Pickup Custom 20

Mecum FL 2016 – 1959 Chevrolet APACHE Pickup Custom 6.0L LQ9

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From the solid steelies and lowered suspension, to the unpretentious cabin and that fabulous custom-airbrushing?  This truck is a dream for the eyes — but also packs a modern V8 to move and shout like no ’59 Chevy truck should!  The engine is a 6.0-liter LQ9 LS motor with a six-speed automatic and custom axles. Big brake kit and full redo of the steering, brakes and suspension mean this Apache will drive very fast and modern. The exterior is a lovely baby-blue powdercoat, with one-off copper accents to recreate that perfect Death Valley style. This truck crosses the block on …

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2017 Chrysler PACIFICA 23

2017 Chrysler PACIFICA Is All-New Minivan – PHEV Hybrid, Luxury and Tech to Leapfrog Sienna/Odyssey

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Welcome to the next Town & Country: the all-new Pacifica! This name-swap is quite justified when you take a peek at the seriously all-new platform, drivetrain, interior and exterior of the next-gen Chrysler minivan. The impressive details abound from every seat: the seven-seater has a stunningly advanced offering for families from July of this year when the new vans hit showrooms. What is the big deal, beyond a very swish new exterior design? Where to begin!  The biggest news is the first-ever plug-in hybrid offering in the van segment. Dubbed simply the Pacifica Hybrid, the EV tech is quite sophisticated. Not …

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2017 BMW i8 Spyder Teased Via BMW i Vision Future Interaction + ConnectedRide HUD Cycle Helmets

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  BMW debuted a half-dozen new tech innovations at CES this year, including gesture control and mirror-less exteriors. But the real eye-catcher?  The BMW i Vision Future Interaction — a near-production 2017 BMW i8 Spyder. Sans two critical pieces, of course. Yes, the production car will have doors.  At first we thought the BMW i VFI Concept hid its doors in the side sills, a la the BMW Technik Z1 model sold in Europe briefly in the early 1990s. Alas, the lack of doors is just to give full view of the new cockpit controls and layouts.  This new user …

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1988

1988.5 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Bianco White is AS_NEW! Just 8k Miles

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One of just 75 with the full factory aeroit, this 5000QV makes 420-horsepower from its 48-valve 5.2-liter V12.  This particular model has me ait its black badging and 1988.5 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV in Bianco White RM Sothebys Arizona 28-29 January 2016 1988½ Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV Chassis no. ZA9CA05AXJLA12340 Engine no. 1556 420 bhp, 5,167 cc DOHC V-12 engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, five-speed manual transmission, front and rear independent suspension with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. Wheelbase: 96.5 in. A desirable 1988½ model in well-preserved condition Currently showing fewer than 8,600 …

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1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC 6.0 AMG Widebody Looks Ready for One-Way Back to Affalterbach

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If there was one car that finally convinced Mercedes-Benz to launch a sportscar division, it would be this 560SEC Widebody. The car proved the global appeal of the AMG formula: giant power, wild style and exclusivity to shade any M5 — that upstart sports badge recently launched in full by rival BMW. At this time, BMW was just spreading its wings — and eating into market share — of its dominant German rival. Audi, as we know, was a total also-ran in the luxury segment throughout the 80s. It went from ultra-pricey models like the 5000 to a hard reboot …

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1995 Ferrari F512 Modificata 10

1995 Ferrari F512 Modificata – Last Flat-12 Fezza Updated Testarossa Details for 1990s

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Here is a deeply bizarre Ferrari — a one-year special that even tifosi will have trouble naming. The F512M was a run-out special for the Testarossa and 512TR, which dated to the mid 1980s, or earlier, mechanically. This superficial update brought the 512 into the new Ferrari name scheme: starting with F for the names, and ending in M for modificata. The nose dropped the very-tired flip lamp look for the 1990s vogue of flush-mounted clear lamps, plus a rounded grille to mirror the smiley droop of the 456 and F355’s faces. A fresh tail treatment also brought more rounded …

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Rally Dakar 2016 Peugeot DKR16 Red Bull 27

DAKAR 2016 – Prologue and First Stage Gallery – Red Bull PEUGEOT-TOTAL DKR16

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Dakar got off to a fairly rough start this year: a big crash canceled the timed events of the Trucks class, while a smaller incident saw the four-time defending champion MINI Countryman careen off the course and injure multiple spectators. Reuters and AP report a father and son were seriously hurt and are in serious condition. The MINI driver was the first female driver from China, and she also sustained injuries.  Initial reports are of a hard jump landing and subsequent loss of control of the vehicle. This was always a very, very dangerous race. And at least these traumatic events …

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1951 Harley-Davidson WRTT 8

Mecum Vegas 2016 – 1951 Harley-Davidson WRTT Was Race-Fast Roadie

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This WR-TT classic from 1951 is gorgeous and cool as fahk! This Harley is just one of thousands of bikes at the Mecum Las Vegas auction next week, from January 7th, so act fast…. 1951 Harley-Davidson WRTT Mecum 2016 Auctions Las Vegas Motorcycle, January 7-9, 2016 S75_1951 Harley-Davidson WRTT Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions