Specialty cars

Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, 2009 car review

You may not be able to afford a Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, or even want one, for that matter. But you owe it to yourself to drive one before you pass on. If all you drive are cars such as Toyotas and Chevys, you’ll never get the full picture. The 2009 Phantom Coupe ($400,000) is large, heavy and luxurious. That’s the way Rolls-Royces have always been, so why break tradition? But the car also is powerful, fast and agile on twisting mountain roads near this city, I discovered while driving it at a recent media preview, And that’s not the way Rolls-Royces have always been. The 2009 Coupe should not be mistaken for a Rolls built before Germany’s BMW Group took

Read more

Controversial JFK death ambulance auctioned for $132,000

Nearly 47 years after his death, controversial still surrounds the shooting of President John F. Kennedy — even the sale of the 1963 Pontiac Bonneville ambulance that transported the president after he was killed. The ambulance that took the president from Air Force One to the Capitol after his death sold at auction last weekend for $132,000 — about 13 times more than a “regular” 1963 Pontiac ambulance is worth. Yet, the hopeful selling price was estimated to approach $1 million until a car conservator society questioned the car’s authenticity. McKeel Hagerty, CEO of specialty car insurer, Hagerty Insurance Agency, told Forbes.com: “There’s always something with those celebrity cars…the art world has the same problems. Even if the car is

Read more

Porsche Boxster Spyder 2011 car review

Porsche is among few automakers that can successfully charge more for a model with fewer features than a less-expensive model with more features. One of the classic Porsches is the 1950s Speedster, which was a bare-bones soft-top. It was fairly inexpensive (for a Porsche) to attract more American buyers. And its lighter weight helped it win races. The 1950s Porsche 550 Spyder was even more bare-bones, but was a successful competition car not really designed for comfortable road driving. Actor James Dean raced a Speedster and later got killed on a rural California road while driving his new 550 Spyder to a race in which he was to compete. Now we have the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder, a throwback to

Read more

Great American classic cars: Buick, Mercury, Ford, Rambler

Or how about a head-turning 1955 Nash Rambler cross country wagon or a 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser? Owning a Duesenberg you don’t drive is fine. But how about taking a Sunday afternoon cruise in 1951 Chrysler Thunderbolt? Here are 10 vehicles The Weekly Driver would like to own and drive: James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and

Read more

Bugatti Type 57C leads top-10 most expensive auctioned car list

The automotive website MIBZ.com has compiled a unique car list. It’s a twist on the ever-evolving industry standard list of most expensive new cars. The offshoot list is the 10 most expensive cars sold at auction. The web site doesn’t elaborate how its list was compiled. Nonetheless, the list is a varied, stunning display of vehicles and some extraordinary prices. In all likelihood, the impetus for the list occurred in June when the price record was set in the sale a 1936 Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic, one of only three made, o an anonymous buyer for an estimated $30 million. The site commented: “The buyer remains anonymous and he’d better live in a deserted volcano. Made of platinum. Somewhere on

Read more

Top Gear U.S. version set for debut on History Channel

The U.S.-based version of Top Gear, the globally popular U.K.-based comedic automotive program profiled on 60 Minutes and broadcast in more than 100 countries, will debut Nov. 21 on the History Channel. The 10-episode series is being made by BBC Worldwide Productions and, like its original namesake, will showcase an offbeat celebration of automobiles and driving. The show will be hosted by comedian Adam Ferrara, champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood. The U.S. version will also feature “The Stig,” the faceless and non-speaking fourth  member of the hosting crew. The U.S. version of Top Gear his being promoted as “Full of amped up adrenaline and action entertainment as it tracks the colorful history of

Read more

Top Gear hits top speed on 60 Minutes

The segment was called “Top Gear: Zero to 60 Minutes.” It was a clever title for the 60 Minutes piece on one of the world’s most popular television programs. But as it does with other segments, the longstanding Sunday evening news show allows Internet visitors to view of the story on 60 Minutes Overtime. In the Top Gear overtime segment, CBS enticingly introduced the extended version. “Overtime goes over the top with the blokes behind the British car-show sensation ‘Top Gear.’ All the conversations, crashes, and humor that didn’t make the “60 Minutes” broadcast.” The video didn’t disappoint, and it’s only available on CBS.com In the television broadcast, interviewer Steve Kroft takes a track ride with the show’s silent star,

Read more

Ferrari World iconic theme park set for early opening in Abu Dhabi

The much-talked about, long-anticipated Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor theme park, will open Oct. 27 — one day earlier than expected — in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. Ferrari World is the only theme park dedicated to the renowned racing cars and features the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, which can hit top speeds of up to 150 mph. Ferrari World is home to 20 Ferrari-inspired rides, race simulators and attractions, all nicely package in the 2.2 million square floor edifice covered in famous Ferrari red and styling of a Ferrari GT. Ferrari may have outdone itself with Ferrari World, with its estimated cost of $624 million. A Ferrari logo adorns the roof of the

Read more

Automotive history celebration for 100th Indy 500 anniversary

The event will celebrate the significance of vehicular transportation and competition to Indianapolis and be a centerpiece of the numerous festivities planned to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars The 100th Anniversary Indy 500 Celebration of Automobiles will feature two divisions of automobiles manufactured between 1911-’61, the first 50 years of the Indianapolis 500. Cars representing the 24 manufacturers that competed in the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911: Alco, Amplex, Apperson, Benz, Buick, Case, Cole, Cutting, Fiat, Inter-State, Jackson, Knox, Lozier, Marmon, McFarlan, Mercedes, Mercer, National, Pope-Hartford, Simplex, Stutz, Velie, Westcott., as well as other great classic cars produced between

Read more

New hot rod photography exhibit, book gets Jay Leno video praise

Harholdt’s photographs of builders, known as sculptors with sheet metal, magicians with motors, paragons of paint, reveal their stories and passion for automobiles as works of art. In addition to the photographs, local hot rod enthusiasts have contributed to The Art of the Hot Rod. Ray Bracey of Calvert County has loaned a Richard Petty stand up/ cut out in addition to other memorabilia and parts; Jon Edwards of Town Creek Shop has contributed a 1931 Ford Model A left front fender as well as antique fittings and other hot rod souvenirs.  J.W. Langley has loaned his 1970 Triumph TR-6 and Howard Pouncey has loaned his 1934 restored Ford Pick-up for the exhibition. The Art of the Hot Rod, on

Read more

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, 2011: It's Superman

And in one early passage, Neil, whose column is titled Rumble Seat, writes: “The Super Sport can accelerate from highway speeds to more than 200 mph in the time it takes you to read this sentence out loud. Literally.” “And then, just when other hypercars—Lambos, Ferraris, Paganis and even rarer isotopes—run out of steam, the Super Sport accelerates harder. This experience quickly exhausts one’s supply of Old Norse oaths and curses and one is reduced to childish wows and holy cows.” “At full throttle in the Super Sport, the world comes at you in one ferocious, howling, soul-shaking, Newtonian sneeze.” Here are some facts and figures about the 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport: Price: $2.8 million (estimated) Horsepower: 1,200

Read more

Bugatti set to replace Veyron with Galibier in 2013

The four-seat Bugatti 16C Galibier sedan is expected to go on sale in 2013 for about $1.5 million. Only 300 will be produced. The Galibier, made of carbon fiber and aluminum, will use the Veyron’s 8.0-liter W-16 engine, but will employ superchargers rather than turbochargers and will produce 800 horsepower. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars The limited-edition, two-passenger Veyron 16.4, introduced in 2005, is near the end of its 300-unit production run. So far, 260 have been built. The Veyron has 1,200 horsepower, 268 mph Super Sport edition debuted this summer at a price range between $2.2 million and $2.6 million, including shipping. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist

Read more

Bentley bizarre hood ornament impalememt potential prompts recall

As such Bentley is recalling nearly 1,500 vehicles for fear that unwitting pedestrians could become impaled on the brand’s historic “flying B” bonnet ornament. Bentley reports: “It’s been discovered that in some cases, water ingress into the internal mechanism might prevent it from retracting. The recall will affect 1,436 cars worldwide, including 620 in the United States and Canada. The bizarre defect affects three discontinued Bentley models – the Arnage, Azure and Brooklands – which were produced between 2007 and 2009 and which cost as much as $300,000. The Bentley signature miniature statue ornament is an option. David Champion, senior director of auto testing for Consumer Reports, commented that said safety regulations required a minimum radius for anything on a

Read more

Tata Motors plans 'luxury' Nano Plus for 2011

The Nano, predicted to be available in 2011, with feature a 1,000 cc engine instead of the 623 cc engine of the current Nano model. It will also include ABS brakes, alloy wheels, and integrated music system and an improved interior. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars Tata hopes the Nano Plus, for which reservations recently began, will compete with the Maruti Alto and Chevrolet Spark, but its price has not been announced. Tata Motor is also expected to fix the safety problems that caused numerous 2010 Nano models from catching fire. The Nano is projected to come in at the No. 2 spot in 2011 after Tata raises production. According

Read more

Eric Clapton’s rare Ferrari 250GT for sale via Hot Wheels replica

Hot Wheels Elite, a division of Mattel, will issue a limited edition 1:18 scale diecast model of Eric Clapton’s Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso later this year as part of its “Ferrari in Music” line of replica cars. In an interview with ferrari.com earlier this year, Eric said that even as a small boy he was crazy about motor racing, and that the car he’s always most fancied is Ferrari. The replica of Clapton’s silver 250GT Berlinetta Lusso will be a “faithful” reproduction. Limited to 5,000 individually numbered pieces, it will come in a dedicated package featuring pictures, EC’s facsimile signature and Ferrari‘s logo. It’s definitely not a child’s toy, but aimed at adult collectors as the Hot Wheels Elite

Read more

Rare Mercedes Benz, purchased new by Elvis Presley, set for Bonham's auction

The article details that Presley kept the car for two years before giving it to a friend, James Leroy Robertson. The car also had another owner but was auctioned at the Important Motor Cars and Fine Automobilia sale at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, England, last December. The restored Mercedes has an estimated value of $230-$300,000, and is among only a handful of vehicles Presley registered in his name. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif.,

Read more
Previous Next