Archive
03/06/2021
Indianapolis. Mecum puts on a record auction
The Mecum car auction in Indianapolis recently achieved a record-breaking turnover of $96m, with 1,578 of the 1,930 cars on offer sold. The most expensive car was a pre-war 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Victoria with coachwork by Rollston that sold for $2,970,000. This was followed by the 1969 Ford Bronco "Big Oly" which sold for $1,870,000. The auction included a variety of vehicles, including a replica of the 1966 Shelby Cobra Daytona driven by Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant that sold for $51,700, and an 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car Edition that sold for $38,500.
30/05/2021
Cars & Movies 2. Ford: What on Earth are these?
This article highlights the different Ford vehicles featured in popular films, from the GT40 in "Ford v Ferrari" to the Mustang in "Un Homme et Une Femme" and "Need for Speed".
29/05/2021
The beauty of being yourself
This article discusses various vintage campervans and their history, including models from Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Lancia, Fiat, Chevrolet, Dodge, and GMC.
28/05/2021
Bonhams in London: the USA is on a roll, but the “Old Continent” does not disappoint
Bonhams' auction of classic cars in London showed signs of the European market's recovery, albeit cautiously. Out of the 26 cars up for sale, 21 were sold for a total of ÂŁ4,081,925. While the top lot was an Aston Martin DB6 Volante from 1968, which sold for ÂŁ425,500, the 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta was also a highlight, selling for ÂŁ201,250. Meanwhile, a BMW Z8 sold for ÂŁ155,250 and a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Tourer from 1920 sold for ÂŁ89,700. The author notes that the sample was not entirely representative as 73% of the cars on offer were British.
27/05/2021
RM and Bonhams: America to the rescue!
The Amelia Island event held in March 2022 was one of the most significant events in the automobile world. This was due to the fact that it was held after the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the vaccination campaign at full speed across the USA, events like these are now finally being held in person again. RM Sotheby's performed exceptionally well with 99 lots on offer and 92 sold, which took home $40,636,940. The auction was highlighted by the pre-war segment, which exceeded the best estimates, and the seven most expensive lots sold by Bonhams were all pre-wars. The top lot was a Mercedes-Benz 500K/540K Spezial Roadster from Howard Fafard's collection, which sold for $4,900,000. Overall, the event created waves in the automobile world, with beautiful cars, high prices and a lot of euphoria around the return of in-person events.
23/05/2021
Cars & Movies 1. Ford: The American Evergreen
The automobile has always had a significant presence on the silver screen, playing a role in promoting certain products and brands.
22/05/2021
Pininfarina Formula Futuro
The Formula Futuro Exhibition at the National Car Museum in Turin celebrates the 90th anniversary of the Turin coachbuilder and showcases the bridge between the past and future in the automotive industry. Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of the company, presented the "Sportiva" driving simulator designed and built for The Classic Car Trust, which allows enthusiasts to experience driving prestigious classic cars using cutting-edge technology. The exhibition also features futuristic models, such as the hydrogen-powered H2 Speed and the fully electric Battista, as well as models that have interpreted tomorrow, like the P6, BB, and Sergio. The exhibition showcases the importance of structures outside manufacturers that cater to the needs of today and tomorrow and the need to maintain a balanced relationship with nature by recycling already created materials, such as the ancient wooden poles used in the Battista's interior.
20/05/2021
Historics and the ACA: British euphoria
This article discusses recent historic car auctions in the UK, highlighting the differences between collectors and enthusiasts. The auctions showed that the market is healthy and buyers are looking for both rare and fun cars. The article focuses on six cars, including a Lotus 340R and a 1962 Lagonda Rapide, which were sold at ACA auction, and a 1974 Alpine A110 1600S, sold at Historics. The article also mentions a rare 1995 Mercedes-Benz S600 L sold by Historics, which was originally purchased by the late Emir of Qatar and armored to B6/B7 level.
16/05/2021
The Speed Record Story 7. Beyond the speed of sound
The pursuit of speed and the land speed record has seen many daredevils come and go, with progress in technology and engines constantly pushing the limits of speed.
15/05/2021