Specialty cars

Monterey Auto Week records: 16 cars, Ferrari to Jaguar, auctioned for at least $1 million, $67M in total sales

Sixteen vehicles were sold for more than $1 million, the most recorded by any single auction house during this year’s Monterey auto week. The 1933 Delage D8S de Villars Roadster, owned by The Patterson Collection in Louisville, Kentucky, and restored by RM Auto Restoration, was named ‘Best of Show’ at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. RM Auctions’ 2010 ‘Sports & Classics of Monterey’ Million-Dollar-Plus Sales: 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C Lago Speciale Teardrop Coupe, $4,620,000 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, $4,620,000 1949 Delahaye Type 175 S Roadster by Saoutchik, $3,300,000 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, $2,612,500 1955 Jaguar D-Type, $2,090,000 2007 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione, $1,925,000 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III Coupe, $1,760,000 1933 Packard Twelve Coupe, $1,622,500 1958 Ferrari

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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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Rare Bugatti could fetch record price at Monterey Auto Week auction

The Bugatti, boasting its original bodywork, engine and gearbox, is predicted to sell for $4.5 million, which would be the highest price ever paid for a grand prix racing Bugatti. The car is being sold by the British private collector who paid the current world record sum for a Type 35 Bugatti two years ago. Bugatti historian David Sewell said the latest sale, 1931-built chassis 51132, is “a remarkably complete and original car and there is no doubt to its authenticity. It ranks among the finest survivors of the highly desirable Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix.” The last time a Bugatti Type 51 came to auction, nearly ten years ago in 2001, it sold for more than $1.5 million. Dan

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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.” “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 on

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Tata Motors named Commonwealth Games official vehicle

Tata plans to provide 1600 cars, including the Indica and Indigo, 100 Sumo Grandes, 50 Safar sport utility vehicles as well as 20 Wingers to transport delegates and their families. The company will also provide few CNG buses and well as disabled friendly vehicles. The 19th Commonwealth Games will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in Delhi and in India, which also hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. It will also be the first time the Commonwealth Games will be held in India and the second time the event has been held in Asia (after 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). James

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Bugatti introduces new Veyron, will debut at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

The new Veyron body was is also lighter and constructed with an all-carbon, monocoque frame. The new Veyron will make its debut at the Concours d’Elegance on August 15 in Pebble Beach. The event will also feature Alfa Romeo, Pierce-Arrow and Jaguar as well as  celebrate the designs of Ghia. And the event will also welcome Hot Rods, particularly lakesters and Bonneville racers, as well as Indy Cars. The second year for motorcycles at the famed show will focus on classic American bikes built prior to 1960. Bugatti is also the marquee for Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, August 13-15. It’s also part of Monterey Auto Week, and will feature vintage Bugattis entered from around the

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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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Cars of the Tour de France, Skoda to Citroen to Fiat

The Czechoslovakian automaker provides approximately 250 Superb, Superb Combi, Octavia, Fabia and Roomster vehicles for race officials’ use and to transport teams, VIPs and the media. The cars are kept spotlessly clean and are presented at the start of each stage. Skoda’s vehicles are not available in the United States, but the brand is distributed in about 40 countries — and that’s reason enough to be part of the cycling biggest event. Despite its large presence at the Tour de France, Skoda (it has a contract with the even through 2013) represents a partially representation of vehicles at the Tour de France. Rental car fleets a depleted for by media representatives. All of the teams, sponsors, police and, of course,

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Chevrolet debuts 2011 Corvette Z06 carbon limited edition

“Designed to further incorporate technology developed through racing, the Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Corvette’s first race in the 24 Hours of LeMans,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet General Manager. “With a limited production of 500 units, this car is a must-have for the true Corvette collector and driving enthusiast.” AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, The Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is another example of the expanded Corvette line-up. Five years ago, customers had the choice of a Corvette coupe or convertible. With the addition of the Z06, Grand Sport coupe and convertible and ZR1, Corvette enthusiasts now have more choices.

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First U.S. Ferrari 458 grabs $530,000 in Los Angeles auction for Haiti charity fund

The 570-horsepower Ferrri 458 Italia will debut in the United States in estimated price tag of $225,000. the Ferrar 458 Italia is the replacement to the F430, with an even more enticing exterior design and a potent 4.5-liter eight-cylinder powerplant rated at 570 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The new Ferrari has a top speed of 202 mph and is rated at 0-100 kilometers kph (62.2 miles mph) in 3.4 seconds. 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

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Porsche, Mercedes-Benz most expensive sports cars to insure

1. Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 $2,943.78 2. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG $2,863.03 3. Dodge Viper SRT-10 $2,851.89 4. Porsche Panamera Turbo AWD $2,837.39 5. Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible $2,815.90 6. Mercedes-Benz CL600 $2,754.80 7.  Audi R8 $2,751.55 8. Porsche Panamera S $2,744.78 9. Mercedes-Benz SL600 $2,715.86 10. Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo $2,706.04 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

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Nissan debuts mini-car March in China, hopes for 1 million global sales in 4 years

The 1,200-cc engine compact, called March in Thailand, China and Japan, and Micra in India, Europe and other markets will have a price range between $11,500 $16,500). Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said the compact would be sold in more than 160 countries, with Thailand one of four main manufacturing and export hubs with China, India and Mexico. Nissan expects production in China to begin in the second half of this year. Production of the March model would nearly double Nissan’s Thai car output to 200,000 units a year. The Micra/March, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, is the Japanese car maker’s most important model in years, the culmination of extensive experimenting with new materials and

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Buy a new Hummer in Chesterfield, Illinois, get a free new shotgun

After recently attaining a license from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, to sell weapons and ammunition in the dealership, Lynch devised the perk for new Hummer buyers. “There is now a real reason to believe that the current inventory on hand at dealers may be the last of the new Hummers, we wanted to send them off with something memorable,” said Lynch. “Browning and Hummer are prestigious brands and American Icons – bringing them together is a natural fit.” Lynch told various media outlets’ reporters. Last week, General Motors announced it will keep Hummer until May 1. If the carmaker doesn’t reach an agreement with a partner for Hummer’s takeover by then, the brand will be “killed.” The

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Ferrari hybrid images leaked, but few other details before Geneva Auto Show

Ferrari has tried to keep its much-anticipated debut secret. But images are now appearing in various publications. The car has an unusual “green” green exterior and the interior features the high-voltage setup that stores braking energy for an extra boost of power via a push of the steering-wheel mounted button. It’s the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) used in Ferrari‘s Formula 1 cars during the 2009 season. The Geneva Auto Show will be held March 4-14. 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

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Mercury rising: Rachel Veitch and her 600,000-mile love affair with a ’64 Comet Caliente

Veitch, who turned 91 in August 2009, is still driving the car she’s owned for more than 45 years and driven nearly 600,000 miles. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Veitch of Orlando, Fla., who has has been married three times, now largely drives her car to volunteer work. A retired nurse, she’s an expert on Robert’s Rules of Order, which she also still teaches. Veitch’s driving is now limited to daylight driving because of her difficulty with night vision. She last took a driver’s license test in 2003. In the three years since she was “discovered,” Veitch’s story has provided keen feature material for automotive journalists

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New Hot Wheels for Danica Patrick called Danicar

Patrick is credited as a co-designer of the new Hot Wheels and will be available as part of the basic 1:64 scale rather than on limited edition. Patrick recently crashed out her NASCAR debut early in a 12-car pile up at Daytona International Speedway. 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 contributor to many newspapers, magazines and

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