Monterey Preview
Works Speed 6 at Brooklands in 1930
Being the most important week on the automotive calendar, Monterey comes with high expectations. Of all the upcoming displays we've heard of, none will top Bentley's. They will launch the Grand Bentley and Pebble Beach will bring together the fabled 'works' Speed 6 cars including Old #1, #2 and #3. These are the factory team cars which won races like Le Mans and the Brookland's Double 12. Furthermore, four classes will be devoted to the marque at Pebble Beach.
More than anything, the Monterey Historic Races have impressive American cars and we decided to highlight some of the more unique cars. In the participant list are entrants like Old Yeller II, the Baldwin-Mercury Special, the Townsend Typhoon Mk. 2 and the plastic-bodied AMT Piranha CRV-II. Furthermore, we've assembled an entire group of these American Specials, many of which will be at Laguna Seca this month.
We end with Concorso Italiano which will have a section curated by Joe Sackey to include a gathering of Ferrari 288 GTOs. They plan to break the world record, if such a thing has ever been attempted before. The centerpiece of Concoro's display will be all four Alfa Romeo BAT prototypes, including a Stanguellini influenced by the designs.
Ferrari 458
5-Spoke Wheels Look Sharp
Today, Ferrari announced the 458, a logical successor to the F430 that has introduced more stepwise evolution into the mid-engine V8 series. Concurrently, the price of a used 360 Modena or F430 just fell a couple g-notes with the launch of this car.
We expected a new direct-injection V8, but not such a dramatic styling update from Pininfarina. They have abandoned the double intake front end in favor of one unified element. Furthermore, the front headlight treatment uses small vents, similar to what we first saw on the TVR Sagaris.
Michael Schumacher helped develop the 458's handling, which balances 570 bhp and transfers the power to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Electronic trickery includes E-Diff3, brake preloading and deforming aeroelastic winglets.
Naturally we expect performance and racing versions in the coming years. The car will be first shown to the public at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. It would be fitting to have Ferrari's 1962 Ferrari 248 SP there since it was the company's first mid-engine V8 supercar.
2009 SPA 24-Hours
Winning PK Motorsports Corvette @ La Source
The highlight of every FIAGT season is the 24 Hours of SPA and this year marks the end of an era. The top GT1 class is switching regulations in 2010 and many new cars will replace the familiar Corvette C6R, Saleen S7 and Maserati MC12.
In many ways this race was the last chance for a major outright win by one of these historic cars. In the end PK Carsport's Corvette C6R driven by Hezemans, Kumpen, Menten and Mollekens won and fended off a trifecta of Maseratis from the dominant Vitaphone Racing Team.
SPA was unique on the FIAGT calendar because both GT2 and GT3-class cars were raced at the same time. Surprisingly, the Audi LMS placed third overall, which is the car's first major victory, beating all the Ferraris and Porsches in the GT2 class.
All of SPA comes to us from Dirk de Jager. He photographed throughout the 24 hour period with some spectacular results. Furthermore he found the new Reiter Murcielago LP670 R-SV
More Monterey Auction Stars
Rondine Corvette for sale in Monterey!
Now that all the major auction houses have revealed their final lot lists, we can anticipate some great sales. Most of the heavy hitters are already featured, but the following late additions are surprisingly welcome.
Gooding & Company recently announced they will offer the Michael Schudroff collection. Among the 50 or so cars are some great post-war one-ofs including the Corvette Rondine, an Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Spyder and a Bertone Drophead Coupe using the same chassis.
Bonhams have saved some treats until the now. They hope to get huge money for this Siata 208CS Berlinetta that ran the 1952 Mille Miglia. Also included in the new list is a Muntz Jet Bailon Convertible and the unique 1955 Flajole Forerunner. A bright orange Camaro ZL1 will also top the muscle car sales.
Salon Privé
Caparo T1S Debuts
The Salon Privé has gone from strength to strength over the last four events and this year's show has an impressive lineup. First and foremost we have to mention the Caparo T1S which is a specially-livered version of the popular model. Jaguar is also using the occasion to publicly debut the XJL preproduction prototype.
Some of the Prewar classics at the show are top notch including one of the two Bugatti Type 46 Coupé Profilées. A whole section was reserved for post-war Aston Martins with a extremely rare DB6 Vantage Volante. The supercar group included the Prindiville Murcielago and two modern Veritas.
All of Salon Privé comes to us from Dirk de Jager who attended the preview before the show. It continues to the 24th of July at Hurlingham Club in London
Vernasca Silver Flag
Heavyweight Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta
Held in Piacenza near Vernasca, the Silver Flag has its roots firmly tied in Italian tradition. This year the event celebrated the Maserati family which lived in the region. Naturally, this included some OSCAs which were also designed by Maserati and many Italian Specials.
Among them was the Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta, a spectacular design which always catches our attention. Only four of these cars were made and currently six survive. Stirling Moss also brought out his only car, a unique OSCA FS 372 which is hard to pick out among all the red sports cars.
Abarths were out in force including two of the 1300 OT Periscopios and many one-of sports prototypes. Being Italy there were several Ferraris, but the 195 S Le Mans Berlinetta is an especially rare example and one that hasn't been spotted outside Italy in a long time.
Our feature gallery has all the best cars from last week's hillclimb courtesy of Matteo Stucchi. The rest of his great work can be found on swisscarsightings.com/.
100 Jahre Audi
Bernd Rosemeyer drives the streamlined Auto Union
Two days ago Audi started their official 100-year celebration at the Audi Forum which extends through to this weekend. Today, they are hosting a demonstration at the Donauring with the best cars from their heritage collection. Naturally Audi will display some Silver Arrows which is why we chose to highlight their streamlined car of 1937.
Known as the Typ C Stromlinie, this was one of the Grand Prix cars fitted a evocative body shell to reach speeds over 400 kph. It was also raced on the full 12-mile Avus course complete with the 'Wall of Death', a section of banked bricks which were only used once for racing in 1937. We can't think of a better car to represent Audi's 100 years.
Another important Audi era included the Quattro four-wheel drive system. The Urquattro was released in 1980 and a year later they were at the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally. The ultimate rally Quattro was the dramatic Audi Sport S1 with its shortened body shell and carbon-kevlar bodywork.
The current Audi era, the era of Audi at Lemans, is arguably the most successful. From it, the most winning car is the the R8 which has won Le Mans five times. We also unearthed two concepts: have you ever heard of the Audi Asso di Picche or 1981 Audi Quartz Coupé?
Tuning News
Hennessey's new Corvette Z700
Today we have two new American supercars which aren't yet completed. The first of these is John Hennessey's new range of ZR1 Corvettes which complements his recent Camaro work. The standard Z700 model increases boost to offer some 700 BHP and has a body kit to match.
Next we have our first car from Mr. Norm's. This incredible Dealer has been selling performance and drag-strip Dodges since the 60s out of Chicago. A modern reincarnation of this historic drag team has envisioned the Hemi Cuda Convertible which will probably be at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.
Finally we finish with yet another Gemballa Avalanche derivative called the GTR 650 EVO-R. This one is similar to the other Avalanches on Supercars.net, but features scissor doors for the first time. We also have Gemballa's most extreme Cabriolet called the EVO-RS.
Monterey Auction Stars
Ghia Streamline will highlight Gooding's Auction
With five auctions and Blackhawk's sale, there will be almost one of every model for sale in Monterey next August. Gooding & Co. take up the fabled Pebble Beach space and have an impressive lineup. They just announced the unique Ghia Streamline which we've seen at many events this year. At the sale, it will be joined by Ettore Bugatti's own Type 57C Coupe Aerodynamique.
RM will offer more cars than anyone else over the weekend. This L88 Corvette which raced Le Mans with team Scuderia Filipinetti will be offered alongside Phil Hill's Jaguar C-Type.
Bonahams has the most anticipated sale with their Auto Union Typ D. This very car was nearly sold by Christies three years ago, but was withdrawn and the company abandoned motor car sales shortly thereafter. For the most part, this is an original Typ D, but with a newly crafted body.
Jaguar XJL Supersport Anounced
Elle Macpherson sells the XJ
Earlier today Jaguar previewed their first preproduction XJ at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London. The car on display was a long wheelbase XJL which will be fitted with the 510 bhp V8 for the Supersport model. You can watch the entire launch with Jay Leno here
More than anything else, this model borrows elements from the impressive Jaguar CX-F Concept revealed in 2007. Looking even further back, we can trace the XJ's lineage back to the 1966 Jaguar 420G. In top specification, the flagship 2010 Jaguar will sell for $115,000 USD.
This car shares much in common with Arden's newest project, the Fastcat. Based off the basic 4.2-liter XF, Arden's version comes out faster than Jaguar's own 5.0-liter XFR.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Auto Union Typ D draws a crowd.
Filled with mixed motor sports and eclectic exhibitions, the Goodwood Festival of Speed appeals to almost everyone. This year, the main themes focused on some of the most iconic eras. First of these was '100 Jahre Audi' for their centennial. Naturally, they brought their latest R15 Le Mans contender, as well as the successful R10 and a historic Auto Union Typ D.
Bugatti's Centennial ensured several of the best models would be present. A nice selection by Lord March included two Atalantes and the superb 1936 Bugatti Type 59/57. Mini's 50th was celebrated with many unusual versions including Peter Seller's Hooper-trimmed Mini Cooper.
Many new cars were launched at Goodwood including the Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special and the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathhurst S Edition. Vauxhall also brought along their 1970 SRV and 1966 XVR.
All of Goodwood can be found in our feature gallery. This week we have excellent work from Tim Scott of fluidimages.co.uk/ and Chris Harrison.
Spectacular Bugatti from Goodwood
Mick Walsh Pilots the Grand-Mere
Built for a king. That's the story of this Bugatti which was one of the first road-going supercars. It competed alongside the best German Grand Prix cars and later became the sports car you see here. In a sense, the modern equivalent would be a Renault F1 car with some fenders and lights.
Today, this car appears in the exact configuration as delivered to Leopold III of Belgium. Remarkably it is completely original, offering a tremendous sight at the 2009 Festival of Speed.
Today we feature Leopold's Bugatti straight from Goodwood courtesy of photographer Tim Scott. Once the weekend is over we hope to have this and more cars in great detail. Here is a great flickr search too.
Modena Motorsport
Important Ferraris for scheduled Concours
Before Ferrari launched their Clienti program, Uwe Meissner was already hosting F1 races for his Modena Motorsport clientele at the Nurburgring. This year's event was graciously extended to include all GT1 cars from the 1990s and the result was spectacular.
Among 2 McLarens and 2 911 GT1s, the most interesting car at Modena Motorsport was a CLR GT. This model is best known for flipping off the Mulsanne straight at the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, taking Peter Dumbreck for a wild ride into the trees. This particular car hasn't been seen since 1999 and is one of three surviving cars. With its incredibly low stance, production taillights and chrome front grill, this has to be one of the most photogenic closed coupes from Le Mans.
Also at the event were many spectacular classic cars, including the Ferrari Breadvan and numerous other multi-million dollar cars. All these can be found in this week's entertaining gallery by Dirk de Jager.
Balboni honored with Lamborghini LP550-2
Valentino Balboni leaves Lamborghini a Special Edition
Ever since the Lamborghini LP560-4 was announced, we knew a rear wheel drive (RWD) version was on the horizon. Like the Reiter Gallardo LP560 we saw at the 1000kms of SPA, this car is lighter and just as powerful as the four-wheel drive counterpart. This has to be the ultimate Gallardo and it is a fitting homage to Balboni who is retiring this year.
Having only 2WD means the car will be lighter and easier to maintain. We recall the stories of Diablos with disconnected front differentials to save them from impending breakdowns. For the most part, Audi cured these issues with the Murciélago but the 550-2 is much more carefree.
Furthermore, the 550 benefits from all the 560 upgrades including direct fuel injection and a more angular body kit. It's too bad Lamborghini didn't keep the Sport Veloce name from the 1996 Lamborghini Diablo SV.
