Carl Bomstead
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1961 Mercedes-Benz 300d “Adenauer”
From the onset, the 1951 Mercedes-Benz 300 was aimed at the American market. The car’s outstanding quality was matched only by its breathtaking price-it cost as much as three Cadillacs. But the price ensured exclusivity, and early customers ranged from renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to actor Yul Brynner. The 300 was also the choice…
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1955 Lincoln Indianapolis by Boano
Felice Mario Boano and his coachworks may be little known but the influence that he, his son Gian Paolo and their companies had on the evolution of modern automotive design is vastly out of proportion to their size. Felice Mario Boano and his coachworks may be little known but the influence that he, his son…
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1940 Lincoln-Zephyr Continental Cabriolet
Without hard evidence of Babe Ruth’s ownership, the extra $300,000 paid for this car represents a giant leap of faith The Continental is acknowledged as the crowning achievement of Edsel Ford and the head of his design department at Ford, Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie. Like many great accomplishments, it was the creation of a gifted…
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1954 Buick Skylark
Was this sale a market indicator or auction fever carried to an extreme? {vsig}2006-6_1939{/vsig} There were just 836 Buick Skylarks produced in 1954. Each came fully equipped with leather interior, full power equipment, special ornamentation, and open wheel wells with Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. This low-mileage 1954 Buick Skylark received a complete professional restoration, which was…
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1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt
Last year’s $3.2 million Oldsmobile F-88 sale has collectors scouring barns and museums for ’50s dream cars {vsig}2006-5_1927{/vsig} The business of building “show” or “concept” cars was in its infancy in 1940, with the notion of showcasing future styling and innovations. The idea dated back to Harley Earl and his 1938 Buick Y-Job, which was…
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1901 Panhard et Levassor Rear-Entrance Tonneau
The first Panhard rolled out in 1891, and in 1892 this pioneer firm created the mechanical layout nearly all other successful manufacturers would follow: front engine, midships transmission, and driven rear wheels. Called “La Systeme Panhard,” it was the beginning of many innovations this company would bring to automotive development, such as wheel steering and…
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1932 Alfa Romeo P3 Bronze Sculpture
Behind the wheel of a P3, Tazio Nuvolari bested the Third Reich on its home turf, winning the 1935 German Grand Prix in one of the great come-from-behind drives of all time {vsig}2005-1_1804{/vsig} The P3 Alfa Romeo sculpture offered here is patterned after the fantastic and dominant single-seat, eight-cylinder Alfas of the early 1930s. Cast…
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1933 Cadillac V16 Convertible Victoria
As the Depression raged, the market for these cars turned as dry as the Oklahoma dustbowl {vsig}2004-4_1244{/vsig} Cadillac’s introduction of the magnificent V16 in 1930 sent the competition reeling. While others were working on new V12s, Cadillac leapt right past them. Then in 1931, while they were still struggling to respond, Cadillac introduced its own…
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1931 MG Montlhery Supercharged C-Type Midget
Keen to increase car sales, MG decided to attempt to set the Class “H” 750-cc World Speed Record at over 100 mph. A prototype racing car, called the C-Type, was prepared for the 1931 season and George Eyston promptly took the Class “H” record over 5 kms at Montlhéry in January 1931 at 103 mph.…
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1967 Shelby GT350 Competition Fastback
Highly original, genuine Shelby American Mustangs such as Carroll Shelby’s 1967 competition car, production number “20” shown here, very rarely emerge onto the US market. Individual records indicate that only 26 such cars were produced by Shelby American for the 1967 season and that the 20th car’s rarity is heightened by the fact that, among…