Archive
15/02/2025
RM Sotheby’s Auction in Paris: Bangs, Booms and Backfires
RM Sotheby’s Paris 2025 set a European auction record with €65.7M in sales. The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM stole the show at €34.88M, while hypercars like the LaFerrari, Pagani Huayra R, and Koenigsegg Agera dominated. Some high-profile cars went unsold.
15/02/2025
Ferrari’s Technological Innovations Part 18: How Schumacher turned the Steering Wheel into a Computer
Ferrari revolutionized steering wheels with Schumacher’s push for innovation in 1996. The "Manettino", introduced in Formula 1, evolved into road cars by 2004, enhancing control and performance. Today, it remains a defining feature of Ferrari vehicles.
15/02/2025
The First Internal Combustion Engine in History Has Roared Again
In 1853, Barsanti and Matteucci created the first internal combustion engine. Forgotten for decades, it was faithfully rebuilt after 5,000 hours of research and work. In 2025, the engine was restarted in Florence, honoring Europe’s technological legacy.
15/02/2025
Unforgettable Car Geniuses: Rudolf Diesel
Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the diesel engine, revolutionized transportation. His motor powered ships, trains, and later cars. In 1913, he mysteriously disappeared at sea, sparking theories of suicide or assassination.
15/02/2025
Broken Dreams: Pininfarina 512 S Modulo. The Eighth Wonder of the World
The Pininfarina 512 S Modulo, designed by Paolo Martin in 1970, remains an icon of avant-garde automotive design. With its futuristic lines, semi-faired wheels, and a Ferrari V12 engine, it stunned the world and is now digitally preserved.
08/02/2025
Scottsdale Auctions: Barrett-Jackson and Bonhams like Marilyn and Charity
Scottsdale's Barrett-Jackson and Bonhams auctions saw record-breaking sales and surprising flops. A Corvette ZR1 sold for $3.7M, while Bonhams struggled with a Miura P400 failing to sell. Meanwhile, a Marilyn Monroe-associated Land Rover plummeted to $28K.
08/02/2025
Unforgettable Car Geniuses: Hans Ledwinka
Hans Ledwinka, a visionary Austrian engineer, shaped Tatra's groundbreaking designs. His innovations influenced Ferdinand Porsche’s Volkswagen Beetle, sparking legal disputes. Despite post-war challenges and political shifts, Tatra continued.
08/02/2025
1954 Mercedes W 196 R Streamliner: The Last Record of a Dream Car
The 1954 Mercedes W 196 R Streamliner became the most expensive Grand Prix car ever, selling for €51,155,000. A symbol of innovation, it was the only fully streamlined F1 car. Despite performance issues, it remains a legendary piece of motorsport history.
08/02/2025
Ferrari’s Technological Innovations Part 17: F50. When Formula 1 Became Road-Legal
The Ferrari F50, introduced in 1995, was a road-legal supercar designed with true Formula 1 engineering. With a load-bearing V12 engine derived from the 640 F1, carbon-fiber monocoque, and advanced suspension.
08/02/2025