Archive
24/11/2020
Art and Brands
This article explores the idea of pairing famous automotive brands with notable artists. Drawing from an interview with a renowned art collector, the article proposes unique matches such as Matisse's famous dance for Maserati.
23/11/2020
Absolute opposites
The article highlights the genius of Paul Arzens, a Parisian artist who built innovative prototypes in the 1930s and 1940s. One of his most striking designs was the Buick La Baleine, a spectacular roadster over seven meters long with a whale-like nose.
22/11/2020
RM Open Roads Fall Auction. Match commentary
The RM Open Roads Fall Auction failed to meet expectations with only 47.4% of the 76 cars offered sold for just under $4 million. One of the top lots, a 2009 RUF CTR3, went unsold at $740,000, while a 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC sold for $660,000. The 1931 Mercedes-Benz 370S Mannheim Cabriolet, a pre-war car more suited to traditional RM auctions, was also sold for $286,000. The article notes that reserve prices and excessive numbers of auctions may be affecting the market. Additionally, the article provides insights into the Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans model and its differences between dealer and factory conversions. The auction results are seen as a disappointment compared to the 80-90% sales achieved at traditional auctions.
21/11/2020
A Stars and Stripes Cobra
The Shelby Cobra, also known as the Ford Cobra, was an American sports car created by Carroll Shelby in the 1960s to challenge and defeat the dominant European Gran Turismo and sports cars such as Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Ferrari.
20/11/2020
Pleasure deals
The article describes a recent car auction held in Las Vegas by Mecum, in which 70.6% of the 398 cars brought in $12.5 million. The author suggests that the success of live auctions may be due to collectors preferring the challenge of bidding in person. The article highlights four eccentric cars, including a 1930 Ford Model A Custom Woody sold for $24,200, a 2018 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet that went unsold at $700,000, a 1967 Ferrari P4 replica sold for $225,500, and a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette AAT Conversion sold for $55,000. The article provides details about each car, their unique features, and their sale prices.
19/11/2020
Great architects and cars. When?
This article discusses the trend of famous architects attempting to design cars and why they have not been successful in doing so.
18/11/2020
Silverstone like Hamilton
The article discusses the success of the November 2020 Silverstone auction, which used a technique of presenting and selling cars individually online. The auction generated £7,149,922 in takings and sold 74.14% of the cars offered. The highlights of the auction included a 1980 BMW M1 Coupé, which sold for £382,500, and a 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4, which sold for £337,500. The auction also included items from Sir Stirling Moss's personal collection, such as his passport and his trusty watch, which he wore during his racing career, including the famous 1955 Mille Miglia victory. The watch sold for £67,850, making it the most expensive item sold at the auction.
17/11/2020
Dino and that unknown document from The Key
The article pays tribute to Alfredo Ferrari, also known as Dino, Enzo Ferrari's son, who died at the age of 24 from a form of muscular dystrophy. Before his death, Dino wrote an article for the Italian magazine Velocità.
16/11/2020
Three steps into the future
This article explores the history of aerodynamics in automotive design and the challenges faced by innovators in introducing new and unusual shapes.
15/11/2020