1954

1954 SIATA 200CS Balbo Coupe 15

Kiawah 2016 Highlights – 1954 SIATA 200CS Balbo Coupe – Inspired Design and Iconic Beauty

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Here is a vehicle whose beauty is only surpassed by its rarity. The 1954 Siata Torino 200CS. It has the elegance of many Maserati’s, but also the purpose and aeronautical inspiration that made the Aston Martin DB3 and DB4 such hits.  And what is this!?  No cutlines whatsoever in the back bubble fastback?! Hidden headlamps? These might be the second-ever application of pop-up headlights since they made their first aero-inspired appearance in the Cord 810 of the 1930s.  The elegance of a pure, clean upper hood edge would come in vogue by the 1970s, and ride the wave through the …

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1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster 5

RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster

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RM Sotheby’s is on a major roll lately — establishing classic cars as a true luxury auction staple, along with fine art of all kinds. The 2016 calendar is filling up fast — with some exciting new additions to the Paris auction on February 3rd, 2016. To kick off the preview, let’s feature this stunningly original and fabulous Kaiser-Darrin Roadster. Brave and innovative, the car was a massive super-GT car with power and prestige unlike its contemporaries. 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis no. 161-001031 Body no. 161-1031

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2015 Ferrari California T by Tailor Made Evokes Hollywood Royalty of ‘Grigio Ingrid’ 375MM

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There is a timeless elegance associated with Hollywood and the global jetset enjoying 1950s Italy. Thanks to commercial aviation — the world’s elite could now, for the first time in history, vacation in far more exotic locales efficiently and without any month-long boatrides there and back. This magical era of big-budget Hollywood movies also was the first time films would be distributed globally as well, thanks to advances in projector and film reel affordability. Upon arrival in Capri or St. Tropez, the stars of the day fell hard for all the accoutrements of the Italian luxury lifestyle — including Ferrari’s. …

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Amelia Island 2015 Galleries - 1954 Jaguar D-Type 4

Amelia Island 2015 Galleries – 1954 Jaguar D-Type Factory Team Racecar XKD403

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The Jaguar D-Type is easy to love – with its swoopy panels almost bending upside down to form a bullet-like casing for these lightweight mechanicals. The rear wing is a treat, while the provenance of this actual car is also hard to neglect. Raced with the Jaguar factory team the wing lists none other than Sir Stirling Moss as one of the brave men to pin the thottle of this dark-green beauty. One thing that is plain to see with this Jag compared with racers from after 1955 is that its nose intake appears to be quite small. This is …

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RM Amelia Island 2015 - 1953 Chevrolet Corvette 21

RM Amelia Island 2015 – 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Is Rare, Flawless First-Year Example

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  The power of the model-year in full effect with this 1953 Corvette, which is ballparked at $350,000 when it goes up for auction in March. This is triple the estimate of the identical 1954 model. But the 1954 is far less exclusive. The first year of Corvette production was actually fraught with peril and assembly issues. The never-before-used fiberglass bodywork proved extremely challenging to produce accurately, let alone assemble. A new setup wherein the complete bodywork was lowered onto the frame helped make 1954 a massive production year. They are both special, but obviously the collector value of the …

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1954 Mercedes-Benz 'Blue Wonder' Race Transporter 55

Racing Icons – 1954 Mercedes-Benz ‘Blue Wonder’ Race Transporter in 69 RARE Photos

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Part publicity stunt, part engineering exercise — and all fun and playful. The 1950s Mercedes-Benz Racing Division needed a rapid transport vehicle to supplement the big trucks with closed canopies that typically moved racecars and teams among the European circuits. Lower, faster and far more nimble than the big trucks, the Blue Wonder could navigate under any bridge or within any narrow city streets — areas typically off-limits for a heavy heauler. Powered by a race-ready engine from the 300SL and plopped into Mercedes sedan chassis, the ‘Blue Wonder’ was billed as the fastest transporter in the world. A top …

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