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This a sketched photo with an 'alien-like' supercar sculpture that is being built by RoboSteel for 2010 MPH The Prestige & Performance Motor Show. This sculpture will be crafted from recycled steel and will be shaped to look like a unique supercar. The sculpture will be unveiled at Earls Court, London, between November 4th-7th, 2010 and at the NEC, Birmingham between November 11th-14th, 2010. At the end of the show the supercar sculpture will be auctioned off in order to raise money for charity.

The company which decided to blend Gotham City design language with modern supercar styling is RoboSteel, based in Ireland. The 2010 MPH supercar sculpture wants to represent RoboSteel's view of an alien-like vehicle of the future.

According to its creators, the sculpture will take approximately 750 hours to complete and will be shipped to the UK from Ireland in four separate pieces, before being reassembled for the first show.


Press Release

A unique, specially commissioned sculpture of an ‘alien-like’ supercar of the future is being built by RoboSteel using parts taken from hundreds of different cars for the 2010 MPH The Prestige & Performance Motor Show.

Based in Ireland, RoboSteel is an innovative company that creates sculptures from recycled steel and the concept supercar will be the first to roll off their production line.

The sculpture will be unveiled at Earls Court, London, between 4 and 7 November 2010 and at the NEC, Birmingham between 11 and 14 November 2010. The car will then be auctioned to raise money for charity.

To create the sculpture the components will be welded together, the sharp edges will be smoothed and polished and then the completed car will be coated with several layers of lacquer to protect it from the elements.

The finished artwork will weigh in excess of 500kg, stand at over one metre tall and will comprise of thousands of individual parts.

The sculpture will take approximately 750 hours to complete and will be shipped to the UK from Ireland in four separate pieces, before being reassembled in Earls Court in time for the first show on Thursday 4th November.

Piyanuch Chanphet, the owner of Robosteel said: “This is the first time we’ve used our design concept to create a supercar. The initial design for the car was created by our art designer Toonrama. The RoboSteel concept supercar is based on the complex designs and structures of south Indian temples and the Kirtimukha sculptures that are positioned at the entrance to these temples. Dave Murphy from Dublin Ink has added an Alien theme to a second design drawing. RoboSteel will use both drawings to craft the Alien Supercar and we are really looking forward to this project.

“All of our previous projects have been focused on building alien and futuristic creatures but we’ve been involved with the MPH Show for a couple of years now and it feels like the right time to develop our style, and design a concept car. This sculpture when completed will be one of a kind and destined to become a museum piece in the future.”

MPH The Prestige & Performance Motor Show featuring Top Gear Live will take place at Earls Court from November 4-7th and the NEC in Birmingham between November 11-14th.

For further information about the show please visit www.mphshow.co.uk

One of the most glorious cars ever made and a mighty champion at that, a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France is on sale.

Stunning as it is in pristine condition with its original red and orange livery with original racing number, that only conveys the racing heritage behind this particular 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France. In the same year as its construction, chassis number 1321 took first in its class and third place overall at Le Mans and won the 1000km Nurburgring race as well.

It has changed hands a few times only and has been maintained really well. It will now be auctioned by Mecum at Monterey, California. The auction will take place during the Pebble Beach concourse week, after it makes its first public appearance in almost 20 years.




Press Release

Mecum To Offer 1959 Ferrari 250 GT at Monterey Auction

Star Vehicle Took 1st Place in its Class at Le Mans in '59

Marengo, IL - June 4, 2010 --

A Le Mans-winning 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB TdF will headline the second annual Mecum Monterey Auction, August 13-14, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa.

Driven by Jean Blaton and Leon Dernier, the Ferrari 250 GT – serial number 1321 – won 1st place in its GT class and 3rd overall at Le Mans in '59 as the No. 11 car. Earlier that same year, it took 1st place at the 1000 km Nürburgring endurance race. After its race career, the Ferrari was privately owned by only a few collectors – the most recent owning the car since the 1970s – and this 250 GT was last seen in public in the early 1990s at Road America.

"We are excited to offer collectors a chance to bid on this world class Tour de France 1959 Ferrari, the type of car that offers quality, provenance and is fresh to market," said President Dana Mecum. "The list of amazing vehicles continues to grow for our upcoming Monterey Auction. We have expanded it to two full days as more than 400 investment-grade collector cars, exotic vehicles and ultra rare boats are scheduled to cross the block."

Mecum's Monterey Auction takes place at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa. Cars will be displayed outside on the beautiful Del Monte Golf Course, while the bidding arena will be staged in a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. The auction is open to the general public. For a complete list of vehicles, visit www.Mecum.com.

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 23 years, now offering more than 5,000 collector cars per year. Consignment, bidder and event information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.


Mecum Monterey Auction
August 13-14, 2010
Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa
1 Old Golf Course Road
Monterey, CA 93940

Vehicle check-in:
Wednesday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Preview:
Thursday 12 – 5 p.m.

Auction: Gates open Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m.

Auction begins Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m.

We've seen our fair share of auto auctions over the years. At this point, it takes something truly rare and truly unique to catch our eye. The car in question has to be more than four wheels and a beautifully engineered engine, which explains why we're all riled over word that a 1935 Bentley 3 ½ Liter Saloon will be auctioned off by Historics at Brooklands. Yes, the car itself is something special. It wears a unique Flying B hood ornament – one of only three ever created – and has extensive documentation following nearly every mile on the odometer, but that's not what makes this particular lot so interesting.

You see, the car is being sold along with complete ownership of Freestone & Webb – the company that originally built the Bentley's special body way back when. The company is being auctioned off with neither assets nor debt, so the winning buyer will essentially have rights to the name alone. The coachbuilder hasn't built anything since closing its doors for good in 1958.

The Bentley and Freestone & Webb will be sold alongside a total of 65 other classics on June 2.

via:autoblog




Press Release

Classic Bentley to be auctioned, complete with free ownership of the company that built it

75 years after it was coach-built to the highest standards of the day, a 1935 Bentley will be auctioned at Brooklands on June 2 with a unique, free 'accessory' - ownership of the British coach-building company that created it.

Billed as one of the finest examples of its kind, the fine 1935 3 ½ litre Bentley Saloon is a jewel amongst 65 other fine classic and collector cars offered by specialist auction company, Historics at Brooklands.

Valued at between £75,000 - £90,000, the Bentley is offered by Historics with a comprehensive array of diaries documenting it's many trips in great detail. It is adorned with a single winged 'B' radiator mascot; believed to be one of only three examples of the experimental design ever produced, whilst the company which originally built the bespoke bodywork and interior of the car - Freestone & Webb - has even greater rarity value.

The renowned British coachbuilder was formed in 1923 by V.E. Freestone and A.J. Webb and, at its height, was producing 15 Rolls-Royces and Bentleys a year with exquisite hand-crafted bodywork and interiors. Freestone & Webb regularly exhibited at the London Motor Show and, for nine consecutive years, its excellence in the industry was recognised with the Gold Medal in the Private Coachbuilders competition.

Following the death of Webb in 1955, the company was taken over by HR Owen and continued to build bodies until 1958, after which the name was shelved.

The car's vendor discovered and acquired the company name and registered the limited company in 1990. It is now offered, together with the Bentley, as asset and debt free, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own not only a fine motor car, but also an iconic piece of British automotive coachbuilding history.

For more information, and to attend the Historics at Brooklands auction on the evening of June 2, call 0800 988 3838, e-mail: auctions@historics.co.uk, or see the website, www.historics.co.uk. Entry by catalogue only, available prior to, or on the evening.

3-litre Bentley Saloon.

Christened 'The Silent Sports Car', the chassis of the 3 ½ litre Bentley Saloon was built from September 1933 in Derby alongside Rolls-Royce – and indeed designed under the influence of Sir Henry Royce - earning its moniker, in part, to excellent handling characteristics and a top speed of 97mph when adorned with the lightweight bodywork.

Despite early examples of the Bentley 3 ½ litre costing around £1,500, the unique blend of style, grace and performance proved popular amongst the inter-war elite, with over 70% of the cars built between 1933 and 1939 said to be still in existence some 80 years on.

A small selection of the 65 fine motorcars consigned to the first Historics of Brooklands auction on Wednesday, June 2, includes the following. Please visit
http://www.historics.co.uk/buying/online-catalogue.aspx for the full consigned list of vehicles.

High res photographs are available of all vehicles

1930 Bentley 4.5 litre Vanden Plas Tourer

A beautifully presented 1931 Bentley 4.5 litre boasts a well-documented and wonderful history, a fabulous finish with the correct engine and period-style supercharger. Examples of these important cars rarely come to the market, and a high level of international interest is expected £625,000 - £775,000

1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe

Very original, four owners from new, long-term owner since mid 80's
£110,000-£145,000

1954 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe

Discovered in a barn after 20 years and recently re-commissioned
£48,000-£50,000

1987 Aston Martin Zagato Volante

Extremely rare, 1 of 37
£45,000-£60,000

1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I

Body by Thrupp & Maberly. Engine, body and interior restored
£130,000-£155,000

1955 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

Stunning body on uprated XK140 chassis
£45,000-£55,000

1937 MG TA Special

All aluminium body, built to very high spec, demonstrated at Le Mans Classic 2004
£25,000-£35,000

1937 MG TA

Well-known 'Team Rosbif' racing T-Type. Raced extensively from early sixties onwards in the UK and Europe
£23,000-£28,000

1955 Ford Thunderbird

Imported to the UK in early 1960's
£12,000-£18,000

1969 Chevrolet Camaro 396 SS Convertible

Genuine numbers-matching 396SS in restored condition
£30,000-£40,000
1968 Ford Escort AVO Rally

Absolutely correct period rally car, beautifully restored.
£35,000-£45,000

1939 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith by Mulliner & Co

A stunning Razor-Edge saloon with a 6,000 hour restoration.
£30,000-£40,000

Bidding Commences! Three Evoras Were Auctioned at The Fashion For Relief TM Event, With The First Two Reaching Over GBP 300,000 Each!

The discerning fashion show audience at the Fashion For Relief TM show last night made their feelings clear about the design of the “Naomi for Haiti” Lotus Evora with the bidding reaching an incredible GBP 320,000. The winning bid came from Naomi Campbell’s boyfriend, Vladimir Doronin, who wanted to ensure that he got the first car, number one of eight.


Bidding on the remaining five “Naomi for Haiti” Lotus Evoras started at 0800 GMT today on the www.naomiforhaiti.com website. There are only 9 days to register a bid for these highly desirable "Naomi for Haiti" Lotus Evoras as the auction will end at 1200 noon GMT on the 28th of February 2010.

The grand total raised for the Fashion For Relief TM charity and the highest bidders will be announced by Naomi Campbell at the Lotus press conference on the 2nd of March at the Geneva Motorshow.


Naomi made a stylish entrance in one of the “Naomi for Haiti” Lotus Evoras, with a further fifteen Lotus Evora sports cars being used to provide a VIP chauffeur service for the celebrities that supported the Fashion For Relief TM show. The Fashion For Relief TM charity supporters included; Yasmin Le Bon, Kate Moss, Geri Halliwell, Piers Morgan, Sarah Brown, Eva Hertzigova and Andrew Flintoff.

Naomi Campbell said: "I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has generously donated their time and effort to make Fashion For Relief TM happen. I’m thrilled with the support from Lotus and to have teamed up with my great friend Gino Rosato for this important cause. I hope we continue to raise as much awareness and funds as we can.”


Gino Rosato, Director of Corporate Affairs at Lotus Cars stated, “I am very proud to welcome my good friend Naomi into the Lotus family. We are delighted to be able to work together to raise money for such a worthy cause. The Fashion For Relief TM event has proven to be exceptionally successful and it is fantastic to be able to help the nation of Haiti.”


The special “Naomi for Haiti” Lotus Evora sports car that Naomi arrived in was on display at Somerset House during the Fashion For Relief TM show. The exclusive styling reflects Naomi’s design direction and has been specially designed by Donato Coco, Lotus Director of Design. The bespoke "Naomi for Haiti" Evoras include a full range of options which combined with the custom design and special components make these cars an instant collectors item.

Naomi's Fashion For Relief TM event selected to support the White Ribbon Alliance as it campaigns for the health needs and rights of women and girls around the world, especially supporting its partners in Haiti at this time to rebuild the healthcare system for mothers and babies.
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Time was, automotive magazines used to do stuff that was awesome. This IMSA Pinto is evidence of that. Car and Driver built this car in 1974 to illustrate that racing on a big scale for a modest budget was possible.The car grabbed the pole position in half the races it entered that season and won outright at its second race at Charlotte. Surely more powerful than the emissions- and oil-crisis choked street Pintos of the day, this race car is better suited to road courses than hugging the wall at Talladega, but it's likely loads of fun either way.


Although the car itself is built from a ’72 Pinto, the team chose to use the larger 2.3-liter I-4 introduced in 1974, and had its block modified by Doug Fraser Racing Engines. A number of other changes, including a Corvette radiator, full roll cage, tall 4.10:1 and 4.30:1 rear axle ratios, and brakes and a steering box cribbed from a ’74 Pinto, were all part of the recipe.


Overall, the experiment was a success -- the Pinto won its second race (at Charlotte), and managed to garner two pole positions in the four races it was entered in. Although it was relatively underpowered, the car’s forte was handling, and it could more than hold its own on tight road courses.


The car had been sold off by Car and Driver back in 1974, and was subsequently restored by Don Sherman, now of Automobile Magazine, but a C/D alum, in 2005. Sherman had his nostalgic fun with the car before selling it to Fox Motorsports. Fox has added some more beans to the Pinto's powerplant, and now has it up for sale on eBay Motors. You've got seven days to scrape some dough together and go vintage racing in the car that started Pat Bedard's respectable – if short – racing career.

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What was once one of the most important collections of vintage and collector Ferraris in the world has been salvaged from bankruptcy wreckage and sold by Hamann Classic Cars of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Founded in 1902 by the great grandfather of current Chairman Frits Kroymans, Kroymans was the exclusive Ferrari Distributor in Holland. The $3 billion automobile empire ended in early 2009, when the company filed for bankruptcy.

"We are thrilled to be a part of the salvation of this very important collection of vintage Ferraris," said Thomas Hamann, Owner of Hamann Classic Cars and Chairman of the New York City Concours d'Elegance, who brokered the deal between the European banks and Tom Price, a prominent classic car collector from Northern California.


Experts and collectors agree that this has been the most significant sale of classic Ferraris within the last twenty years. Among the collection recently sold include the following automotive masterpieces:

250 Europa GT
375 America
250 Boano
250 SWB Berlinetta
250 Testarossa
250 GTO
275 GTB/4 Alloy ex N.A.R.T.
330 GTC
365 GTS
365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe
365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder
246 GTS Dino Spyder
365 GT4/BB
512 BB
550 Barchetta
Enzo 2002 Formula1 Winner of US Grand Prix

This exquisite collection of cars is now coming to the U.S.

About Hamann Classic Cars:

Hamann Classic Cars is one of the leading classic car brokerage houses in the world for specialty collector automobiles. Dedicated to procuring European vintage race and sports cars, Hamann Classic Cars is the world's preeminent source for fine classic European cars specializing in classic Ferraris. www.hamannclassiccars.com

About Thomas Hamann

Thomas Hamann is passionate about cars. For 30 years, he has built an enterprise connecting equally passionate collectors with the vehicles of their dreams. He has become one of the most recognized and established classic car dealers in the world. Specializing in Ferraris, Mr. Hamann is also an authority in all European race and sports cars of the 50s, 60s, 70s and select European pre-war sports and luxury automobiles. He is a consultant to many private collectors, automotive museums, and auction houses. Mr. Hamann assists in managing some of the largest classic car collections in the world.
SOURCE: Thomas Hamann
Photos:zercustoms

RM Auctions, the global leader in the collector car market with a specialization in the sale of Ferraris, is representing the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis no. 4675 GT) – one of the most coveted cars in the world, for private treaty sale.


In addition to its impressive motor car auction results at prestigious locations around the globe, including the sale of seven of the top 10 Ferraris ever sold at auction, RM generates an average of $50 million in private treaty transactions year over year.


"The Ferrari GTO is unquestionably one of the most iconic and coveted cars in the world," says Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe. "This is truly a rare occasion for collectors to acquire such an important piece of automotive history and we are pleased to be chosen by 4675 GT's current custodian to represent it on the open market."


The 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis no. 4675 GT) is one of only 36 250 GTOs originally produced and one of a limited few with Series II GTO bodywork. In addition to being considered one of the most beautiful cars ever built by Ferrari, the GTO was tremendously successful in competition, securing multiple World Championships for the Modenese car builder.


In April 1963, 4675 GT left the factory finished in Rosso Cina. It was raced by such drivers as Guido Fossati, Jean Guichet, Oddone Sigala, Vincenzo Nember and Luigi Taramazzo and proved itself a tremendously capable racing car, rarely finishing outside the top three in its class and achieving numerous race wins. It participated in the full range of competitive events, including hillclimbs, endurance races and rallies.


The present owner acquired 4675 GT in 1996, and has maintained it in his exceptional, world-renowned Japanese collection ever since. Most recently 4675 GT has participated in the ultra-private events reserved only for GTO owners, namely the 35th and 45th GTO Anniversary Tours in France and California.

For more information about the purchase of this car, please contact Max Girardo at RM Auctions on +44 (0) 20 7851 7077.
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