Ferrari Exhibition in Monoca

There are just three weeks left to visit the one-off Ferrari exhibition at the Museum of the private collection of cars of H.S.H. Prince Albert

At the end of the 1950s, the car enthusiast Prince Rainier III of Monaco began collecting old cars. In 1993, he decided to open his extensive and precious collection to the public and inaugurated his car museum on the Terrasses de Fontvieille in Monte Carlo. The 5,000 square meters unique museum brings together about one hundred different cars.

The Ferrari exhibition, inaugurated on November 3rd by Prince Albert II, brings together About fifty of the most beautiful Ferrari models to tell the story of the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer and the emotions related to its products, in an area where the myth from Maranello has grown, between races and glamour. Car lovers will be able to appreciate under one roof a rich assortment of models, including Gran Turismo cars, supercars, sports cars, and Formula 1 single-seaters. A unique event, which involved several collectors and two pilots linked to the house of the prancing horse: Jean Alesi and Charles Leclerc, who both attended the inauguration, together with the FCA president John Elkann and Pierre Casiraghi.

The star of the show is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, a model of that was recently sold for the incredible price of 70 million dollars. However, the impressive exhibition displays also a 250 Le Mans, a 512S, an F40 and, a LaFerrari, just to name a few of the most loved and well-known models.

Jean Todt and his South African Linked Lamborghini Mura

Polo Storico has done it again. Lamborghini's internal restoration division presented its latest work at the classic car show Rétromobile in Paris, France last Wednesday: a 1972 Miura SV.

This important car underwent a complete restoration by Polo Storico and is owned by Jean Todt,  an important automotive industry figure and currently President of the FIA, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. The handover ceremony took place yesterday at the Lamborghini Polo Storico stand in the presence of Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Domenicali, who personally handed the keys of the restored Miura to Jean Todt.

 The vehicle, chassis number #3673, was born on 11 November 1972, taking the chassis  number  of a 1968 Mura S which had been lost in an accident. It was not uncommon to use chassis numbers of written off cars  with fiscal motives, to protect the customer from the extremely high import taxes on new vehicles in certain countries, as well as practical reasons, given that the car kept the previous registration and related documents.

The Miura SV #3673 was delivered in late 1972 to its first owner, Mr. Mecin, in South Africa, painted Rosso Corsa (red), with a lower gold band and interiors in black leather, and this is exactly how it is now, 47 years later, in perfect condition following the Polo Storico restoration.

The restoration took 13 months and involved the complete dismantling of the car, which made it possible to verify each and every detail: from the markings of the frame, body, and interiors, to the numbering and dating present on the other components. Polo Storico also verified the conformity with the notes present in the assembly books stored in the Lamborghini archives.

 When the Miura arrived in Sant’Agata Bolognese for the restoration, it was complete but showed clear signs of wear and tear. The Polo Storico technicians, faithful to the commitment to conserve as much as possible while maintaining the utmost authenticity, gave priority to repairing and restoring rather than replacing.

Polo Storico is only three years old, but the firm has already produced some incredible restorations, including another Miura to celebrate the car's 50th birthday in 2016. It can handle the restoration and certification for every Lamborghini model produced up until 2001 and manages archives to reference for future restorations.

Jerry Seinfeld is in Trouble

Noted car enthusiast Jerry Seinfeld is being sued over an allegedly fake Porsche 356. Seinfeld’s 1958 Porsche 356A 1500 GS/GT Carerra Speedster was sold at Amielia Island Auction in 2016. The company that bought it, Fica Frio Limited has filed a law suit against him claiming the car is not authentic.

In early 2016, Jerry Seinfeld decided to put three cars from his extensive car collection up for auction. One of those models was a 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster, and it is kind of a big deal. The car you’re looking at in the pictures is Chassis No. 84908 with Coachwork done by Reutter.

It was a late production model and was one of just 151 examples built. Making it even rarer, is that it is one of only 13 Speedsters – and the only Carrera Speedster – to be finished in Auratium Green. This example was restored to its original specifications and, in turn, has won itself a few Concours wins including the Best in Class honors at the Quail Motorsports Gathering and the Annual 356 Club Dana Point Concours d’Elegance.

If legitimate, this is the purest of purist’s Porsche 356s, authentically restored. The 356 was the first factory production Porsche. The rough idea was to make a Beetle lighter and more powerful. The 356A was a more refined version that debuted in 1956. The Speedster, available from 1954 to 1958, is a pared down, open top, racier version coveted by collectors. The Carrera includes the four-cam engine Porsche used for racing.

There were 151 Carerra Speedsters built. Of those, 56 had the GS/GT trim with lightweight aluminium panels. This is also the only Carrera Speedster from the factory in Auratium Green. That rarity is why this one sold for $1.54 million while Seinfeld’s 1957 356 A Speedster ($687,000) and the 1963 B 2000 GS Carerra 2 ($825,000) sold for less. That $1.54 million was below the pre-auction estimate of $2-$2.5 million.

Keep that emphasis on “if legitimate.” This car was bought from the Porsche factory. Following that, the provenance is basically non-existent. It ended up in the U.S. somehow at some point. A California company called European Collectibles purchased the car unrestored from a broker representing an anonymous seller. Here is a description of that transaction from the car’s history file.

“Unfortunately we do not have a lot of information on the 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 Carrera GT Speedster VIN 84908. We purchased the car from a broker who would not take me to the cars original location to meet the family that owned it originally. I tried very hard to find out more but never could.”

This particular 356 A went under the hammer at the 2016 Amelia Island $1,54 million, making it one of the most expensive 356s in history. Keep reading to find out more about it.

 When trying to authenticate the car for resale, the near absent historical record and the “lack of photographical evidence” of the restoration drew scrutiny from Fica Frio’s Porsche expert. Per the lawsuit, “subsequent inspection and investigation revealed that the vehicle is not authentic.” They did not expound on that assessment.

The lawsuit also claims Seinfeld offered to rescind the sale and refund the money in a voicemail before coming to reason and requesting an independent assessment of the authenticity claim. Hence the lawsuit.

Niki Lauda's Nurburgring Mercedes Cosworth For Sale !!!!!

The Mercedes 190 E 2.3-16 used by Niki Lauda during the 1984 Nürburgring Race of Champions has appeared for sale.

To celebrate the inauguration of the new Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit, promotional events filled the weekend’s schedule for mid-May 1984. Joining in to promote its new car, Mercedes-Benz organised a friendly race with a multitude of racing legends across several generations of Formula 1 – Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were both in attendance as the only drivers not to have claimed the world championship. Little did they know what history was to have in store for them?

As the sun gently brushed the tarmac on the morning of Sunday, May 12, the roar of pre-war machinery filled the skies as Juan Manuel Fangio demonstrated the raw agility of the heritage fleet. Whereas Hermann Lang – the Mercedes factory driver during the 1930s – tanked around the circuit in a W154 Silver Arrow. However, the real event was still to come.

 The 1984 Nürburgring Race of Champions was set not just to showcase the new Benz in the most exciting possible manner, but also to settle the ultimate Petrol-heads pub argument – who was the greatest driver if all the cars were the same?

Taking to the track in a fleet of Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16s, the likes of Sir Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and James Hunt battled for position in a good-natured fracas rife with overtaking and Cosworth-engined mayhem. The cars were largely stock with only minimal race preparation – but they captured the public’s attention and refused to let go.

As soon as Senna crossed the finish line to claim first place, with Niki Lauda hot on his heels with glowing brake discs, the 190 E 2.3-16 was a confirmed automotive icon. Set to hang off teenagers’ bedroom walls and adorn every dream garage, Mercedes had no trouble in finding each production example a new home.

Witnessed by hundreds of people and now enjoyed as an event of legend, finding one of the iconic racing vehicles from that day tops the majority of most Benz enthusiasts’ bucket lists. They rarely appear despite wealthy aficionados spending hundreds of man hours seeking contacts and following leads.

Until now.

Quietly residing in the classifieds is the very Mercedes driven by Lauda himself – in perfect working order; still wearing its original livery and boasting very few miles. The interior has kept the specially-installed racing seats, too.

Available through Jan B. Lühn, the hugely desirable Benz won’t hang around for long. The asking amount is Price on Application – but expect to pay anywhere in the region of £100,000 to £200,000. Money well spent.

Race Results

·         1st – Ayrton Senna

·         2nd – Niki Lauda

·         3rd – Carlos Reutemann

·         4th – Keke Rosberg

·         5th – John Watson

·         6th – Denny Hulme

·         7th – Jody Scheckter

·         8th – Jack Brabham

·         9th – Klaus Ludwig

·         10th – James Hunt

·         11th – John Surtees

·         12th – Phil Hill

·         13th – Manfred Schurti

·         14th – Sir Stirling Moss

·         15th – Alain Prost

·         16th – Udo Schütz

·         17th – Jacques Laffite

·         18th – Hans Herrmann

·         19th – Elio De Angelis

·         DNF – Alan Jones

CLASSIC CAR MARKET 2018

Is the classic car market stalling? Prices up just 1% this year and a quarter of collectible cars fall in value, with Aston Martins and 80’s Ferrari’s hit

Classic cars have been the top-ranking alternative investment assets in recent years with values soaring in the last decade

·         A report reviewing classic car prices says the market has slowed in 2018

·         Of 50 collectible models that are popular in the UK, just half went up in value

·         A quarter depreciated during the 8 months - the rest were unchanged

The classic car market has boomed in recent years, but there are now signs that it could be slowing.

That's according to a new report, which has tracked the sale values of popular collectible models in the UK and found that overall sold and insurance valuation prices grew by just one per cent between April and December - the slowest rise in almost four years.

Of the cars analysed, just 52 per cent had increased in value in the last eight months and a quarter had depreciated, with classic Aston Martins, Jaguar E-Types and 1980’s Ferrari’s named among the stragglers.

A slowdown in the collectible vehicle market has been predicted for some time.

Classic cars have been deemed the top-ranking alternative investment assets in recent years, with values soaring for even the modern classic examples from the '80s and '90s.

A report released last year by insurance specialist AXA Art said that prices have grown 192 per cent in a decade, putting it way ahead of other asset classes including fine art and wine.

Transaction data reviewed showed that the sector peaked in 2015, and there was evidence to show that year-on-year growth had slowed by the end of 2017. 

This latest report from Hagerty Price Guide - a classic car index managed by the classic car insurer and valuations experts - suggests growth in the sector has almost ground to a halt during the last few months.

Since April 2018, values of 50 popular collectible models it logged had increased by just 1.07 per cent - the slowest periodic rise since the insurance firm started tracking prices in 2012. 

This was calculated after reviewing over 40,000 individual values of more than 2,000 classic cars based on auction sales, insured values and private sale prices. 

The report says the most significant declines in value were for models that were relatively cheap for a long time, then rose rapidly and have since started to shrink again.

This includes cars like the Aston Martin Lagonda Series I, which posted an average value decline of 11.9 per cent. 

The average values of Aston Martin Langonda Series I models have fallen by almost 12%, according to Hagerty

It was also a difficult period for a couple of iconic Ferraris, with the 308 GTB Standard down 10.7 per cent and the Testarossa shedding 7.6 per cent of its value between April and December 2018.

Some Ferraris are bearing the brunt of the decline. The Testarossa shed 7.6% of its value since April 2018 and the 308 GTB was down by 10.7%

Hagerty also found that some cars that had risen steeply over the last few years have now started to hit a ceiling, with values for models including the MKIII Ford Capri, Mini Cooper 1275S and Porsche 911 (930) Turbo all tapering off. 

Of the cars that did increase in value - which were 26 of the 50 models reviewed - the most significant riser was an unlikely classic car choice.

The MkI Mazda MX-5 saw the biggest value increase from 1989 to 1994 up by 8.5 per cent over the last eight months - more than any other collectible motor. 

Ford Capris have been enjoying a period of appreciation, along with other Fast Ford models from later generations. However, Hagerty said values appear to have hit a ceiling

Mazda MX-5, which are now becoming more collectible surprisingly, the model that was showing the most fruitful increase in value was the MkI

RISERS 

Mazda MX-5 1.6i: +8.5% 

Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato 1.6: +5%

Fiat 500 F: +4.3%

FALLERS 

Aston Martin Lagonda Series I: -11.9%

Ferrari 308 GTB Standard: -10.7%

Willys MB Jeep: -8.6%

NO CHANGE

Ford Capri Mk III 2.8i: no change

Mini Cooper 1275S: no change

Porsche 911 (930) Turbo: no change

Source: Hagerty Price Guide (value changes from April 2018-December 2018)

Angus Forsyth, MD of Hagerty International, said it was clear the market is 'in a state of flux' but said prices were 'correcting rather than anything else' after years of rising values.

The biggest percentage drops are in those cars that rose rapidly in value over the last few years: early Jaguar E-Types, Aston Martins and 1980s Ferraris 

Angus Forsyth, Hagerty International 

For example, the Aston Martin DB4 Saloon has dropped by around 3.5 per cent (average value now £385,500 from £399,500).

'We’ve also seen some of these models struggle at auction. For example, we’ve noted six no-sales at auction since August of early ‘flat floor’ Jaguar E-Types - including two desirable ‘outside bonnet lock’ cars.'

·Even the iconic Jaguar E-Type has endured a difficult 2018, with some failing to sell at auction

The classic vehicle insurer said it had noted a disparity between sold values and advertised prices, especially for those cars that had taken a downturn.  

For example, the average price of a Ferrari Testarossa sold at a major European auction this year was £87,800 and the most expensive was sold for £111,886 including commission by Artcurial. 

In the US, these figures are similar with an average of £85,300 and a top value of £120,710 (RM Sotheby’s).

We believe that some sellers’ expectations are still higher than the market will bear 

However, when we looked at advertised values the average is £116,000 and the top priced private car for sale is priced at £199,950. 

'We believe that some sellers’ expectations are still higher than the market will bear, and we caution against using advertised values as a guide to valuing your car for insurance purposes or otherwise,' Mr Forsyth added.

'That said, this autumn, we have seen many of the UK auction houses setting realistic guide prices which their customers seem to be accepting; this is good for the market in the long run.'   

Information supplied by Rob Hull.

A BMW Owned by the Man that designed Up for Auction

A 1958 BMW 507 is headed to Bonhams' Bond Street Sale auction in the United Kingdom, and this particular example was owned at one point by the man who designed the car.

Count Albrecht Graf von Goertz, the car's chief designer, is the third registered owner of this 507. According to the consignment information, the car was delivered new in Austria to a BMW agent before it traded hands and was sold to Germany's commerce counselor. In 1971, von Goertz took possession of the car.

The 507 was BMW's crack at wooing the American market with a Thunderbird and Corvette competitor. It was also meant to rival the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. von Goertz, an independent industrial designer, was named as the lead designer after his involvement with Studebaker years prior. Until the 507, von Goertz had never designed an entire car.

His work, well, it speaks for itself. The 507 features gorgeous proportions and a wonderful swoopy body with elegant curves only 1950s-minded design could produce.

The car sat on the chassis of the 502 coupe, but the hulking mass required aluminum body panels to keep weight down on the small convertible. And up front sat a 3.2-liter V-8 that made 150 horsepower.

Although it captured the wallets of some of America's pop culture icons such as Elvis Presley, as well as love among European stars, the R135000-00 price made the car far too expensive for even upper-class drivers. For some reference, R135000-00 in 1956 when the 507 began production was the equivalent of roughly R1,3 million today. BMW canned production of the 507 after just three years and 252 cars sold.

This particular car was originally finished in a silver-gray color and underwent an extensive restoration in the 1990s. During his ownership of the car, von Goertz installed a replacement engine just one year after he picked it up, though it's unclear why.

The 507 will cross the auction block at auction this weekend where it's expected to fetch up to R42,5 million.

Count Albrecht Graf von Goertz also worked on the Datsun 240Z

Historic Celebration at Historic Circut

East London will once again reverberate with the sounds and smells of grand prix cars when the South African Historic Grand Prix Festival begins on 24 and 25 November. But it won’t just be pre-war vintage cars that will be celebrating the festivities of over 84 years of motor-sport at this historic site.

While the circuit in East London has existed in numerous formats over the past 84 years, there will be representative cars racing on its historic ground over many of those years. Over 80 entries have already been received for the full race weekend planned for 24 and 25 November that will include historic single seaters from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s to some of the wild formula cars of the 1980s and 1990s with their aerodynamics and wide slick tyres, appropriately nick-named “Wings and Slicks”. Some of these come from that golden era of Formula Atlantic, although they’ll be racing alongside the Indian Ocean.

Pre-90 Production Saloons, including the Historic Pursuit series and Racing Saloons from the same period will round out the programme along with races for Sports and GT cars.

Spectators can expect to see historic Formula Fords and Lotuses in action, Formula Vees and dramatic Formula Atlantic cars at full tilt, including a March 77b.

Alfa Romeos, Datsun’s, Fords and BMWs will run door handle to door handle in the saloon car categories, while Porsche 911s, Chevrons and Lolas are expected to complete the spectacle. 

Stars of the show, however, will be 24 cars that will seldom be seen in action in South Africa, some of them racing against each other again through the same corners as they did over 80 years ago.

The feature event of the South Africa Historic Grand Prix Festival will have seventeen of the 1930s cars racing in anger. Some of the owners are flying their professional drivers out just for the race, which will likely see a four-way battle at the front between the two ERAs (one of which won the 1937 South African Grand Prix), the Maserati 8CM that won the inaugural South African Grand Prix in 1934, and the Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3. And these four cars get raced hard and fast – it will be interesting to see who can claim victory again after 80-odd years!

Behind them is likely to be a good battle between a brace of MGs, Rileys, Austin Seven Specials, Aston Martin Ulsters, a Bugatti Type 35, Singer Le Mans and Plymouth Special.

Off the track, some famous friends will also be joining the Festival. Camilla Bowater is Whitney Straights’ daughter and will be reunited with her father’s Maserati 8CM in which he won the 1934 South African Grand Prix, his final race. There will also be three generations of Scheckters including Ian, David (son of Tom Scheckter who raced in the 1937 South African Grand Prix) and his grandson, Alan. In addition to various other VIPs and motorsport personalities, Colin Meyer will also represent some history as the son of Buller Meyer who came 2nd in 1937 and won the 1938 South African Grand Prix.

A fantastic Drivers’ Club Hospitality facility will be available on the day with a great view of the start/finish line and in close proximity to the Paddock. VIP packages are available that include a lunchtime grid walk, VIP parking and all-day Premium Canape Food experience and drinks.

In addition to the actual races, the pre-war cars will be retracing the original 17km Prince George Circuit that hosted the South African Grand Prix between 1934 and 1939. The only part of the original circuit that no longer remains is where the East London airport is now built and the cars will parade around its full length that incorporates the East London track as we know it today.

Issued by Meropa Communications on behalf of Speedstream Events Ltd

Sam Tingle Autographed Image.

Porsche Classic Builds a Classic 911 Using Genuine Parts

Porsche Classic has built a highly desirable collector’s item: the last 911 Turbo with an air-cooled engine - 20 years after the end of series production.

“Project Gold” represents Porsche Classic’s spectacular contribution to the “70 years of Porsche sports cars” celebrations: With this anniversary in mind as well as the forthcoming market launch of the Taycan as the first purely electric Porsche sports car, the experts at Porsche Classic came up with the idea of constructing a completely new vehicle based on an existing genuine type 993 body shell, showcasing both tradition and innovation. The experts were able to rely on a selection of over 6,500 genuine parts that Porsche Classic offers exclusively for 993 generation models. Overall, the Classic division currently stocks some 52,000 parts, which can be sourced via Porsche Classic Partners and Porsche Centres around the globe to repair and restore classic Porsche cars.

Construction of the unique vehicle took approximately one and a half years. A brand new 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine developing 450 hp was installed, delivering the performance the vehicle originally had when it was in production.

Perhaps to distance itself from Singer’s recreations, which tend to be based on the 964-series 911 built from 1989 to 1994, Porsche picked the 1998 993-series for Project Gold. This was the last of the coveted air-cooled Porsches.

Porsche has resisted the temptation to relegate Project Gold to the company museum in Zuffenhausen. Instead, it will auction the car at RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th Anniversary Sale being held at the Porsche Experience Centre in Atlanta on October 27.  Proceeds will go to the Ferry Porsche Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to youth development.

Sadly, potential bidders hoping to drive Project Gold to their local Cars & Coffees are going to be disappointed. Legal issues mean that, as with Jaguar’s recent XKSS and Lightweight E-Type recreations, the 911 isn’t road legal and is restricted to track-use only. As for acquiring the world’s-finest 993-generation 911 Turbo and donating to a great cause? Priceless.

The Car sold this past weekend at the RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction held in Atlanta USA for a Staggering $3,415,000 US Dollars. 

Is this Volkswagen Beetle Really Worth $1 million

Stored for 54 years, this 'brand new' Volkswagen Beetle might just be the most perfect example in the world.  

The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the world’s most iconic cars with its characterful shape and pop culture status. This car of the German people was originally designed to be a cheap means of getting the country moving.

Volkswagen Beetles are steadily becoming a collectors. In 1964, Rudy Zvarich bought the Beetle brand new as a ‘spare’ as he did not like the new features on the 1965 model that was about to be launched. His idea was to keep the car until his currently daily driver a 1957 model finally cried enough. The brand-new car was put into storage, waiting for its chance to hit the open road for the first time — but that time never came. Rudy Zvarich’s old 1957 Beetle kept going and the new car was forgotten about.

Rudy had a passion for using is other cars and could be seen attending many motoring shows in them. At the age of 87 in 2014 Rudy passed away. Mr Zvarich’s nephew inherited the stored Beetle, but even he was shocked to find that it had only covered 22-miles from new. Everything on the car is said to be entirely original and in perfect condition, as it had never been driven in any meaningful way, left outside, or seat sat in.

The time capsule Beetle was carefully brought up to running condition with careful attention not to disturb the originality of the car. The windscreen wipers and hubcaps had never been attached to the car and were still in their original boxes from the dealership. The black paint was a little bit dusty but as the car had never been washed before, the Leatherette interior looked like the day the car came off the assembly line. The original battery has never been activated and is still with the car as when Rudy went to collect the car he brought his own spare battery to connect and drive the car home with,

This essentially new Volkswagen Beetle should be celebrated, but how do you put a value to such a special one of a kind vehicle taking into consideration that over Nine Hundred thousand were built in 1964?

James Hunt's Mercedes Benz 560SEC Sold on Auction

Better known for his partying lifestyle and 1976 Formula 1 World Championship title, James Hunt was also an avid breeder of budgerigar birds and an owner of some great road cars. One of his cars, a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC Coupe, has just been sold by Brightwells Auctioneers for a bargain price of £15,400. It's not often you can say you're the owner of a car formerly belonging to an F1 world champion for less than the cost of a new hatchback.

The big, V8-powered coupé attracted an encouraging amount of interest prior to the auction and was eventually sold to a telephone bidder from Germany.

The exact origins of the car aren't known, but it is believed it was a gift to Hunt, and meant Hunt joined fellow F1 stars Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell in owning a SEC model, he owned it up until 1991 - a year before his death, after which it changed hands and registration numbers several times.

Accompanying the sale is the original logbook, which displays Hunt's names, and shows that the new owner also changed the car's registration plate when he received the keys. Subsequent owners also made the decision to change the plates, including one who went back and bought the old plates for the car, and was last sold a couple of years ago.

Approximately 142,500 miles have been covered by the car since 1988, and after the mileage started to show the car was sent to Fraser Pemberton Classic Automotive for refurbishing. This included a sprucing of the paintwork to make it look showroom fresh, a replacement front windscreen and a thorough service. The full leather Mushroom colour interior was cleaned and recolored, and the complex 1980s electrics still work, including the heated seats, sunroof, steering column, outside temperature gauge.

When the gavel fell on this 560SEC, its buyer acquired a slice of British racing history at a rather good price…