More than a decade after its restoration, this is still a spectacular car, as the generous results of the Monterey auction indicate {vsig}2008-11_2249{/vsig} Ferrari chose the October 1968 Paris Salon to launch the Daytona. A year later, at the Frankfurt International Auto Show in September 1969, it showed a Spyder […]
Columns
1936 Lagonda LG45R Rapide
It always used to come to us in November, to be readied for the Mille Miglia, and it’s a gutsy car that hasn’t been tarted up for Pebble Beach {vsig}2008-11_2246{/vsig} Lagonda introduced the 4½-liter M45 at the 1933 London Motor Show. With its overhead-valve 6-cylinder Meadows engine, here was a […]
1939 Talbot-Lago T150C SS Aerocoupe
Three primary factors led to this impressive sales price; good unrestored condition, an exciting competition history, and immaculate provenance {vsig}2008-11_2248{/vsig} There were four Talbot-Lago T150C SSs made with Pourtout Aerocoupe bodies. Two are in private collections, and there are shadowy rumors of another in pieces, although no one has seen […]
Red Mist Leads to Blue Monday
No need to get a second inspection, as the dealer had suggested; the first inspector was a pro and had already found 60-plus defects The unhappy buyer of a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing recently contacted “Legal Files” with an unfortunate story. A couple years ago, he was having a tough time […]
Highs and Whys in Monterey
The 2008 Monterey auctions brought together the largest collection of high-dollar collector cars ever offered anywhere on one weekend. Four of the auction houses featured multiple top-level GT Ferraris, with seven 275 GTBs, four Daytona Spyders, three Lussos, and almost four dozen more Ferraris crossing the block over three days. […]
Everyman Goes Racing
With Ferraris, Porsches, and Alfas around me as the flag dropped, I was living the dream I’d had as far back as I can remember If you walked the paddock at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the 35th Annual Monterey Rolex Historic Automobile Races on August 16-17, you might have […]
Credit-Card Specials in Monterey
The DB7 led directly to the current top-notch Astons, and it’s a huge amount of swagger and eyeball for $50,000 {vsig}2008-11_2242{/vsig} Finding an affordable classic in Monterey seems about as likely as grabbing the “early-bird special” at Alain Ducasse’s newest restaurant. This is after all Monterey, and for five days […]
Just Be Glad It Runs
The cockpit swathed us in leather-trimmed functionality; ancillary systems like heating and coolant temperature control were just afterthoughts “Have you noticed the oil streak that runs across the golf course and ends up under your Alfa?” That was the comment I was greeted with as I ended the Monte Shelton […]
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe
At about $10,000 below the auction company’s low estimate and a titanic $145,000 below the 2005 list price, those 4,500 miles were dear indeed {vsig}2008-10_2236{/vsig} The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren revives the glorious tradition of the 300SLR and marks the reawakening of Mercedes-Benz’s passion for super sports cars. It is a […]
1953 Chrisman Bonneville Coupe
While this car was created to race, it combines a high level of technical competence in construction with the highest standard of finish {vsig}2008-10_2231{/vsig} Hot rodders Art and Lloyd Chrisman were early and successful pioneers of drag racing with their famous #25 dragster, which was the first to achieve trap […]