Archive
07/08/2020
Italy's beach cars: dreams of summer
This article highlights the history of "beach cars" in Italy, which were small utility cars transformed into vehicles suitable for the narrow and difficult roads in places like Capri and Portofino.
06/08/2020
An encore worth twice as much
The article discusses the success of the Silverstone Auctions event, held on the eponymous circuit in July-August 2022, where 166 cars were sold out of 226 on offer, making it the most profitable sale ever for the British company, with total takings of ÂŁ15m. The event featured many highlight cars, including a 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV, which sold for ÂŁ1,912,500, becoming the most expensive car ever to have passed through Silverstone's hands. The auction also set a new world record for a road-legal Subaru Impreza, a 1998 22B-STI, which sold for ÂŁ130,500. The article discusses various other cars sold, including a 2007 Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS, and two first series, 3.8-liter engine, flat floor Jaguar E-Types, one of which was owned by racing driver Eddie Irvine and converted into Lightweight evocation with aluminium panels.
05/08/2020
Ascari and that cold hand
The article tells the story of Alberto Ascari, a famous Italian race car driver who had a premonition of dying at the age of 37, which also happened to be the same age his father had died while racing.
04/08/2020
Walking the high wire? Watch out!
This article is a report on the failure of the online auction "Open Roads - North America" organized by RM Auctions between 23rd and 30th July. The article notes the low number of cars and the reduced average price per car, suggesting that RM might have become overconfident and careless due to their past success. The auction resulted in a poor performance, with only 50.56% of the lots sold and takings of just $2,840,700. However, the author notes that there were some good deals to be had, including a 1985 Ferrari Testarossa that sold for a bargain price of $84,000.
03/08/2020
Brilliance cheated of its due
This article tells the story of Tatra, a car manufacturer that built innovative vehicles and had a remarkable understanding of the future of aerodynamics, but never got the recognition it deserved due to the turn of historical events in the last century.
02/08/2020
Bonhams, MPH and the grass on the other side…
The article discusses the recent online auction held by Bonhams, a London auctioneer, and their attempts to attract younger collectors by introducing modern and affordable cars. The auction achieved a 48.2% sales rate, with the top lot being a pre-war 1927 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model which sold for £225,000. Other notable cars sold included a 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6-Litre 964 Coupé and a 1995 Land Rover Range Rover 4.6 HSE. The article explores the performance of these cars and highlights the growing interest in classic cars among collectors.
01/08/2020
Take part in The Classic Car Trophy on Instagram
This article presents a game to determine the most loved and admired classic car through a Champions League-style knockout competition. The article lists eight categories of classic cars divided by years, and for each category, four cars are presented. Cars are chosen from a survey, and fans will vote through Instagram every other day until a winner is determined. The article provides brief descriptions of each car presented in the game. The article ends with the message to vote for the best car and let the best car win.
31/07/2020
Certification pays
This article discusses the importance of authenticity in classic car purchasing, specifically focusing on the Ferrari Classiche certification. The article explains how finding out if a classic car is in its original condition can determine the success or failure of negotiations. The article notes that manufacturers now have special departments created to provide information on classic cars from their archives, and they are equipped to restore vehicles to their original condition if required. The article examines the cost of certification and the boost in value it provides, citing examples of Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytonas and Ferrari 512 TRs. Finally, the article emphasizes that classic cars are handcrafted products, and no two are identical.
30/07/2020
Clouds over the online?
RM, the Canadian auction house, recently held a virtual auction for the European market with 107 cars. Despite high expectations, only 60 cars were sold, resulting in a sales rate of 56.63%. RM sold just €7,774,375 out of the €18,183,000 on offer. The auction house believes this result is due to oversupply, which has made buyers delay purchases while waiting for better opportunities, and the novelty effect of online auctions diminishing. RM has announced that they will return to in-person auctions in September. The auction's top lot was a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy by Scaglietti, which sold for €1,430,000. The auction also featured a 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'X-Pack', which sold for €230,000 and a 2004 Maybach 57, which sold for €52,800.
29/07/2020