Sunday, June 30, 2019

1985 Ferrari 288 GTO at RM Sotheby's

By 1984, the words Gran Turismo Omologato already carried enormous weight in the Ferrari world. The 250 GTO was long considered the finest sports racer that Ferrari had ever produced. The GTO was nothing short of legend. For Ferrari to revive that legendary moniker, the new GTO would have huge expectations. Group B was incredibly popular following its introduction in the early ’80s, and Ferrari was eager to jump into the fray.
Group B was canceled, leaving Ferrari with a fully developed and homologated car on their hands but no series to compete in. The race-bred, 2.8-liter V-8 engine with twin IHI turbochargers pumped out a massive 400 hp with 366 foot-pounds of twist. The GTO could rocket to 189 mph, making it the fastest road car produced at the time. The car could reach 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and 100 mph in 10.2.
272 examples were built. Chassis 55237 was the 137th Ferrari 288 GTO made and was fitted from the factory with air-conditioning, power windows, red seat inserts, and the optional Ansa sport exhaust.
The 288 GTO is an absolute 'must-have' for any discerning Ferrari collector. As a core 'halo' car, high-quality examples are becoming more difficult to acquire and they command a significant premium over fair examples. Values cross the board trend only upward. Hagerty suggests a top tier example is trending around $2.4m.

This example appears at Monterey in August.

Saturday, June 29, 2019

1962 Ferrari 250 California Spyder by Scaglietti

Behold an icon. 280 bhp, 2,953 cc single overhead camshaft V-12 engine, three Weber carburetors, four-speed gearbox, independent front suspension via A-arms, coil springs, and telescopic shock absorbers, live rear axle with semi-elliptical springs and telescopic shock absorbers, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.
An incredibly rare car, the 1962 Ferrari 250 California Spyder is one of the prettiest and most desirable open-topped Ferraris ever made. Ferrari produced a total of just 106 California Spyders, 56 of them on the short wheelbase chassis. Of those 56, 37 were delivered with the covered-headlamp variant.
The California Spyder was based upon the 250 GT Tour de France, Ferrari’s dual-purpose berlinetta.
This example crosses the block at Monterey in August

All-Wheel-Drive 1970 Ford Mustang Convertible

This 1970 Ford Mustang might not look like much but it carries a remarkable secret "factory" all-wheel-drive, making it likely the only one in existence. Ford examined the concept of AWD and had a British company named “Ferguson Research” fit its crude all-wheel-drive system into the mustang. The AWD Mustangs also featured an ABS braking system, long before the feature was common. In 2017 a 1970 Mustang FF (“Ferguson Formula”) 4×4 was listed for sale in the Netherlands.
No word on what happened to the vehicle.Though performance and handling were improved, the modifications were too expensive and Ford decided not to pursue AWD. It's believed that three Mustangs were fitted with AWD, the other two coupes.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

1969 Shelby GT350 H

For 1969 the Mustang was given a makeover. The hood was constructed of fiberglass and was fitted with five NACA style hood scoops and locking hood pins. Under the hood was a Cleveland 351 V8 that was rated at 300 horsepower. In 1969 for $12 a day, an individual could rent one of these cars from Hertz as part of their 'Rent-A-Racer' program. Or they could get the car for $60 a week plus 11 cents a mile. In 1969 a total of 152 examples were produced.
First cars were 4 speed manual, but that was changed to automatic after cars came back with burnt clutches.
In 2014 a top tier example made $93k.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

1968 Chevolet Corvette L88

The biggest and baddest Corvette of them all was the L88 built from 1967 to 1969. What set the car apart was a racing package that included a big block V8 with solid-lifters and Can-Am spec cylinder heads. Chevrolet actively discouraged L88 orders from dealerships and the public. What was the fuss about? The L88 was capable of 171 mph and sported more than 500 hp. With its exhaust removed, and running on racing fuel, the L88 was capable of 600 hp.
Mandatory L88 factory upgrades included a Muncie M22 Rock Crusher or M20 Hydramatic Transmission, power-assisted heavy duty brakes, an F41 heavy duty suspension with new coil springs and dampers, G81 positraction differential and a special cowl induction hood.

 An award-winning 1968 Corvette L88 recently sold at Barrett-Jackson. One of 80 cars produced that year with the L88 option, it made $495,000.

Monday, June 24, 2019

Ferrari 250 GTO recognized as work of art

The Ferrari 250 GTO is acclaimed as the world’s most valuable car, with an example selling at auction last fall for $48m. Regarded as the Holy Grail of cars, 36 were made between 1962 and 1964.
An Italian commercial tribunal in Bologna has recognized the model not only as a classic, but as a work of art that is original and must not be imitated or reproduced. The judgment came after Ferrari complained that a company in the northern city of Modena was planning to produce 250 GTO replicas.

The 250 GTO became one of Ferrari’s most successful racers, widely renowned for its aerodynamics, great handling and powerful V12 engine.
See ----->1963 Ferrari 330 LM Berlinetta

Sunday, June 23, 2019

1954 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider Scaglietti

In the early 1950s, Ferrari shifted from using the compact Colombo-designed V12 engine in its smallest class of sports racers to a line of four-cylinder engines designed by Aurelio Lampredi. Inspired by the success of the light and reliable 2.5 L 553 F1 car, the four-cylinder sports racers competed with great success through the 1950s, culminating with the famed 500 Mondial and 750 Monza.
1954 saw the introduction of the 750 Monza. 35 were made. Sporting a three-litre version of the 500 Mondial's engine, the Monza was more powerful, with 250 hp (186 kW) on tap.

The new-style body was penned by Pinin Farina.

Mike Hawthorn and Umberto Maglioli piloted their 750 Monza to victory at Monza on its very first race, giving the car its name.
As might be expected these to die for Ferrari race cars don't cross the block often. When they do they aren't cheap. In 2013 a 1954 750 Monza Spider made $3.7m

Saturday, June 22, 2019

1936 Auburn 852 Speedster

The Auburn Supercharged Boattail Speedster was introduced during the Great Depression to widespread praise for its elegant styling and incredible performance. The Speedster was one of the fastest cars on the road in mid-'30s America.

In 1936 came the 852, identical to the earlier models with the exception of the '852' on its radiator grille.
Power came from a 150bhp, 280 cu. in. side valve straight-eight engine, supercharged or unblown. The end was not far off for Auburn, and the company ceased production in 1937.
About 150 authentic speedsters were produced. Its signature “Flying Goddess” hood emblem is iconic of the Art Deco aesthetic.
A cool 1936 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster changed hands for $550k at RM Sotheby's in 2014.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Aston Martin unveils Valhalla

Odin selected fallen warriors for the afterlife and sent them to a paradise called Valhalla. Enter Aston Martin. Formerly the AM-RB 003, Aston Martin’s latest is the little brother of the Valkyrie.
The Valhalla is powered by a hybrid system comprised of a high-output turbo V6 and battery-electric power. 500 examples of the all-carbon-fibre hypercar will be built.
No specs have been revealed but it's expected to be a 1,000hp rocket with a starting price north of $1.1m.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Unreserved super duper supercar collection up for grabs

Bonhams will conduct an auction September 29 at a Swiss chateau of a single collection of 25 “supercars, hypercars and luxury motor cars.” Bonhams expects the sale to generate more than $13.5 million. Leader is a 1-of-9 Lamborghini Veneno roadster driven only 325 km. It's expected to sell for as much as $5.6m.
A Ferrari La Ferrari with 1,000 km on the clock is expected to bring $2.8m. A McLaren P1, one of 375 and driven only 1,000 km. $1.5m. An Aston Martin One 77, the 35th of the 77 produced $1.5m. A Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is expected to bring $800k.

A 2014 Koenigsegg One, one of six examples is estimated at $2.25m.

Friday, June 14, 2019

1957 Ford Thunderbird F-Codes - The Amos Minter collection

Many consider the 1957 Ford Thunderbird to be the very best of the two-seater T-Birds. That year, the Thunderbird was offered with several engine options, ranging from 212 to 300 hp. At the highest end was the 312-cid, F-code V8, fitted with a 4-bbl carburetor and McCulloch VR57 Supercharger.

There were 196 'F-Code' Thunderbirds built in 1957.
The F-Code option brought serious performance to the T-Bird, enabling 0-60 mph times in the low 6-second range and a top speed approaching 130 mph.

Factory dealer invoice of $3,757 made it a very expensive car for it's time.
The Amos Minter F-Bird collection contains without question the finest 1957 Ford Thunderbird F-Codes on earth. These spectacular cars crossed the block May 14-19 2019.

£1.75m prototype McLaren up in smoke

The new 2020 Speedtail has already sold out ahead of its release – with all 106 limited edition units spoken for. With over 1,000bhp and a top speed of 250mph, the British manufacturer’s fastest-ever road car is due to be released next year. But it experienced a few bumps in the road after it started smoking out and narrowly averted a major catastrophe.

Two McLaren employees were pictured dousing it with fire extinguishers, before they managed to move it away from the pumps. It's thought an electrical issue sparked the fire.