Auto Shows/Museums

Monterey Auto Week: rare car auctions to vintage racing

There’s no official “umbrella organization.” It’s just known as Monterey Auto Week. Events come and go, themes and locations change, and it’s all traditionally wrapped up with the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach. But for car enthusiasts, it’s an entire week of all things automotive – vintage racing to memorabilia to rare car auctions. It’s car nirvana. Although some of the events have already occurred, here’s the full calendar of event the Monterey Auto Week, 2010. Monday, August 9th * The Quail Rally – 8 a.m.—10 p.m., Quail Lodge Resort/8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel CA 93923 Tuesday, August 10th * The Quail Rally – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Quail Lodge Resort | 8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel CA 93923

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Concours on the Avenue in Carmel canceled for 2010

Concours on the Avenue, the free, hip and arguably most enjoyable component of Monterey Auto Week, has been canceled this year due to what owners call an “insurmountable financial gap.” [ad#post] “It’s suspended for 2010, but we have every hope that the momentum that we lose can somehow be regained,” said Doug Friedman who ran the show with his wife. “We’re eternally optimistic, even at this tough moment. We have to look to the future. I’ve never given up on anything, so we won’t give up on Concours on the Avenue and Carmel deserving its own signature moment.” Held for the past three years in downtown Carmel, the Concours on the Avenue featured a variety of collectible cars and motorcycles

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Dan Gurney exhibit honors pioneer at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Gurney drove more 50 types of cars in 312 events worldwide, and his All American Racers (AAR) Team designed, built and campaigned 157 racing cars with 66 different drivers during 35 years of competition. Many of the cars are still in existence, owned by collectors or driven on the vintage circuits by racing enthusiasts. * The dark blue Eagle Gurney-Weslake V-12 number 36, known as one of the most beautiful Grand Prix cars ever built, is the inspiration for the 2010 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion event poster. Owned by The Collier Collection in Naples, Fla., it will be on display commemorating Gurney’s win at the Grand Prix of Belgium at Spa in 1967. It was the only victory for an

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Rare Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa set for Monterey Auto Week auction

Delivered new to Brazilian Jean-Louis Lacerda Soares, 0738 TR was raced for several seasons in South America under the Esquardari Largatixa banner where it recorded a number of successful finishes. Continuing RM’s global leadership in the presentation of historic Ferraris at auction – holding seven of the top 10 all-time auction records for the marque – 0738 TR is joined by no less than 22 other exceptional vintage Ferraris in Monterey. Notable entries include: a highly-desirable, covered headlamp 1959 Ferrari LWB California Spyder, s/n 1489 GT, (Est. $2,750,000 – $3,250,000) delivered new to Prince Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia; a rare 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica, s/n 1323 SA, (Est. $1,600,000 – $2,200,000) one of only 12 Series III Superamericas built; a

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Tata Motors debuts electric vehicle Nano EV at Geneva Motor Show

Built in cooperation with the Norwegian electric car specialist firm Miljoebil Grenland, in which Tata Motors acquired a majority stake in 2008, the Nano EV,  is a four-seater electric car with a range of about 80 miles. It  can accelerate from zero to about 35 miles per hour in 10 seconds. The car is powered by super-polymer lithium-ion batteries, which provides superior energy retention. When launched, it will expand the company’s electric vehicles portfolio, which also includes the Tata Indica Vista EV, based on the new generation Tata Indica Vista. The latter debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in 2009. Tata Motors’ plans to launch the Nano EV in Europe in 2012 and in United Kingdom and Scandinavian markets.

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Geneva Motor Show: BMW to Volvo, Audi to VW . . . But Geneva Girls make the show

[ad#post] At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, more than 80 cars, the 2011 Audi A1 to the 2011 Volvo S60 and the 2011 BMW 5 Series to the 2011 Volkswagen Sharan, made their debut. First held in 1905, in the Geneva Motor Show has hosted almost all major internal combustion engined models in the history of the automobile, along with benzene- and steam-powered cars from the beginning of the century. Exotic supercars often steal the spotlight during their debuts at the show. Prototypes, new equipment, technical breakthroughs, international partnerships, as well as political and social debates, have been announced at the show. Despite its lack its own automobiles, the Geneva Motor Show has no inferiority issues when it comes to

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Lexus debuts compact luxury hybrid at Geneva Motor Show

It also reflects the design language of its larger siblings in its front face, roofline and slingshot window graphic. The exterior design is said to maximize aerodynamic efficiency through the corners and fender design, while the taillamp design displays the L-shaped motif that Lexus first introduced on the current LS model. The interior features contrasting use of metallic finishes and dark, soft-touch surfaces. The asymmetrical dashboard design seen in the LF-Ch show car – split into an upper ‘display zone’ and a lower ‘operation zone’ – low driving position and 2600mm wheelbase have all been effectively transferred into the production design. Worldwide sales of the Lexus CT 200h are expected to begin in late 2010. The 80th Geneva Auto Show

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Rare 1937 BMW roadster set for London auction

The BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Büegelfalte’, chassis no. 85032, was part of the manufacturer’s early sports racing activity in the pre-war years. Chassis 85032 was manufactured in May 1937 as a standard-bodied car for Rudolf Schleicher´s Experimental Department at BMW. The car participated in the 1937 Le Mans with the well-known British driver of the period, A.F.P. Fane, as well as the 1937 Tourist Trophy in the hands of H.G. Dobbs. The following year it participated in the 1938 Mille Miglia and won a notable victory in the 2.0-litre class, again with Fane driving and William James as co-driver. The beautiful and entirely unique bodywork of ‘85032’ was designed by Wilhelm Kaiser, an experienced member of BMW`s new design department,

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Honda three-wheel concept vehicle will debut at Geneva Motor Show

According to Honda, the electrical powertrain consisting of a motor and a battery pack will be housed in a front storage cell ahead of the driver’s seat. The power cell will be provided with a lock in order to ensure enhanced safety of the battery pack. The enclosed capsule of the auto will make the Honda 3R-C an all-weather motor option. With the introduction of the third wheel, physically challenged persons will also be able to experience the thrill of biking using the Honda 3R-C. European designers created the concept at the Honda’s R&D facility in Milan, Italy; however, there is no information yet about post-production marketing of the vehicle. This new sci-fi design of the Honda three-wheeler is certainly

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Chevrolet showcasing Cruze, Aveo, Spark at Washington Auto Show

[ad#post] Here are the cars’ details: Chevrolet Spark: The five-door Chevrolet Spark is the manufacturer’s smallest car. It combines style, roominess and versatility to a segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars. Spark will provide great fuel economy, and its trim size makes it agile. The U.S. production version of the Spark will debut in early 2012. Chevrolet Aveo RS show car: The Aveo RS show car provides a glimpse of what designers have in mind for the production car. Its electric Boracay Blue finish, motorcycle-inspired exposed headlamps and taillamps, low roofline, fender flares, large wheels and tires, and dual-cockpit interior hint at the next-generation Aveo. The Aveo has a sporty aggressive front fascia; clean, uninterrupted body side lines; an integrated

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Women of the North American International Auto Show

[ad#post] The women normally aren’t experts, and they may actually know little about the companies they’re representing. But they do well when cameras click and video cameras roll. Of course, that’s their jobs. The North American International Auto Show in Detroit was no different. Roman Mica, owner and editor of the automotive site TFL.com, attended the show and he took a healthy supply of  images, including of pictures of pretty healthy-looking women. To read more about the North American International Auto Show as well as a vast offering of other automotive content, visit: www.tflcar.com.

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MINI debuts concept car Beachcomber at North American International Auto Show

[ad#post] Here’s Mica’s dispatch and video on the new MINI: “Fun in the sun was the theme of the new MINI Beachcomber concept car which debuted rat the 2010 North American International Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS). “There’s nothing like a bunch of beach-going, dancing, half-naked surfer guys and gals to introduce a new car concept to the world, right? “Will the MINI Beachcomber be coming to a beach near your house? It depends how much you like it. So here’s how the gang at the beach in Detroit helped debut the MINI Beachcomber.” To read and view more of Roman Mica’s perspective on the automotive scene, visit: www.TFLcar.com.

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Ford sweeps Detroit Auto Show honors with Ford Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect

[ad#post] The double victory for Ford on Monday marked only the third time in the history of the award an automaker swept the competition. The honors are voted on by a panel of about 50 U.S. and Canadian automotive journalists. The Ford Fusion Hybrid, the gasoline-electric hybrid that debuted in the U.S. market in March 2009, has gas mileage ratings of 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg highway. It was honored over the Buick LaCrosse and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI. A utilitarian truck shorter than the Fusion, the Transit Connect defeated the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback for the truck title. Introduced in 2002, the Transit Connect is a leisure activity vehicle that replaced the Ford Escort van line.

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Audi debuts super sports car, 2010 R8

[ad#post] New for 2010, a refined 5.2 FSI V10 engine joins the R8 lineup. With menacing, unmistakable styling and the unshakable performance of quattro all-wheel drive, the R8 represents the very edge of what is technically possible in a sports car today. The 2010 Audi R8 is unique in the Audi portfolio and is hand-assembled at a maximum of 20 cars per day. A wide, low stance is derived directly from the Audi motorsports program and helps to provide the R8 with its world-class handling. The R8 was inspired not only by victorious Audi Le Mans race cars, it shared the same design team. Two large bladed air inlets and aggressively slanted headlamps join the signature Audi single-frame grille, while

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