Pair of Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR road cars to be auctioned by RM in London

<center><img alt="" height="267" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/clkgtrpairrm_01.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /></center> Supercars like the SLS AMG and SL65 AMG Black Series might be the flagships for the current Mercedes-Benz lineup, but back in the late 1990s it was all about the CLK GTR -- an all-out race car slightly disguised as a road car. The street version you see here was built to homologate the race car that competed in the FIA's GT1 class in 1997 and 1998 (wining the championship in 1997). Each came with a 6.9-liter V12 putting out 612 horsepower as well as features found on modern supercars like a sequential six-speed transmission with paddle shifters and carbon fiber brakes. Just 25 examples were built including five roadsters, making the CLK GTR one of the most exclusive supercars ever built. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="265" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/clkgtrpairrm_02.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /></center> It's for this reason that the auction of two CLK GTR road cars immediately caught our attention. Both will be offered at RM Auction's Automobiles of London sale on October 28. One coupe and one roadster will go across the block, each completely brand new and unregistered with delivery miles only. Interestingly, both cars are right hand drive, custom built for the original owner. RM lists the estimated price for each CLK GTR at around 1/3 the original cost to build the cars, meaning some lucky collector might take home a supercar for a bargain. <br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="263" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/clkgtrpairrm_03.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br /></center> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/pair-of-mercedes-benz-clk-gtr-road-cars-to-be-auctioned-by-rm-in/">more detail.</a> ... </span>

Pair of Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR road cars to be auctioned by RM in London

Supercars like the SLS AMG and SL65 AMG Black Series might be the flagships for the current Mercedes-Benz lineup, but back in the late 1990...

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eBay Find of the Day: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette SCCA racer recreation

<center><img alt="" height="300" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/69sccavettetribute---01.jpg" width="400"></center><br />Next up on the auction block is every Corvette-loving Walter Mitty's fantasy come true, a 1968 SCCA Corvette hardtop convertible race car. Okay, maybe that's not everyone's idea of the perfect Corvette, but for those of you old enough to remember the glory days of SCCA Trans-Am racing circa 1968, this car should hit all the right buttons. <br /><span class="fullpost"> <br /><center><img alt="" height="302" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/69sccavettetribute---02.jpg" width="400"></center><br />What started life as a perfectly adequate, four-speed 327/350 optioned 'Vette, has been transformed into the very special race car tribute you see in our gallery. It's a street car that looks an awful lot like the Trans-Am racers of the late '60s and early '70s.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="300" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/69sccavettetribute---03.jpg" width="400"></center><br />The good folks at 2nd Generation Automotive Restorations are the ones who turned it into what you see here today, minus this car's current fire-breathing factory race engine, a genuine Bowtie ZL-1. That's right, the current owner found one of the factory's limited edition Ram Jet ZL-1 engines (number 155 of only 200 made) nestled in a '55 Chevy show car.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="300" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/69sccavettetribute---06.jpg" width="400"></center>The engine had just 36 miles on it and needed a better home. We'd say the result is pretty spectacularly awesome. This very car was featured in the August 2007 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines and can be yours for a Buy-It-Now price of just $60,000 – it would probably cost nearly twice that much to replicate it today. If this sounds like the right car for you, you'd better act fast. Bidding ends today at 7 PM PDT.<br /><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/ebay-1968-corvette-tribute-car/#8">More Photos<br /></a><br /></span></p>

eBay Find of the Day: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette SCCA racer recreation

Next up on the auction block is every Corvette-loving Walter Mitty's fantasy come true, a 1968 SCCA Corvette hardtop convertible race ca...

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eBay Find of the Day: BMW 3.0 CS/CSL Group 2 Racing Coupe

<center><img alt="" height="266" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/cs80.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />So how'd you like to get your hands on this? First, a little explanation of what this is. You are looking at (and hopefully bidding on) a car that began life in 1968 as a 1969 BMW 2800 CS where it served for five-months as a BMW test car. <br /><span class="fullpost"> <br /><center><img alt="" height="240" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/cs00.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />It then spent close to 40-years kicking around various race circuits. Notable stops include 1977 when it was painted lime green and raced in Group 2 competition, after which someone painted our hero orange.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="235" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/cs130.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />There it sat, all dressed up until the seller went to Sweden in 2006 and discovered the Bimmer in cold storage. He then performed a "rotisserie restoration" taking the car back to its original factory Alpine White.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="261" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/cs20.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />The seller even got this 3.0 CS together in time to race at the 2007 Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca. In fact, the car -- which is now fitted with a 3.5-liter six, Weber carbs, a CR5 Getrag and adjustable coilovers -- is still active and entered in the 2009 Coronado Speed Festival this September. Meaning that if you're the winning bidder, you get to go race!<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="274" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/cs10.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />One teeny piece of bad news -- the opening bid of $75,000 didn't quite meet the reserve. Happy bidding!<br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/bmw-3-0-cs-csl/#10">More Photos</a><br /><br /></span><p>

eBay Find of the Day: BMW 3.0 CS/CSL Group 2 Racing Coupe

So how'd you like to get your hands on this? First, a little explanation of what this is. You are looking at (and hopefully bidding on) ...

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[Videos] eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Datsun 280ZX Black Gold #1

<center><img alt="" height="256" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/bgichibon80.jpg" width="400" /></center><br /><br />There's a great Sam Kinison routine that goes something like this: the problem with cocaine is that it ends one of three ways. You die, you go to jail or you run out coke. Of course, there's a fourth possibility -- you buy a Black Gold Datsun 280ZX! Only, we'd hardly consider the latter a "problem." Besides, if you buy this Black Gold you're Pablo Escobar, king of all that is 1980s. Why? Because it's ichiban, baby: Black Gold #1!<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="213" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/bgichibon10.jpg" width="400" /></center><br /><br />That's right -- the very first Black Gold. This baby is just sitting there on eBay waiting for you to snatch her up. Currently, the first bid is for $35,000 -- reserve hella not met! Now you might be thinking, "being 1 of 3000 is pretty special, but it's not greater-than-$35,000 special." And that's where you're wrong. This Black Gold has but 1,052 miles on it. We get press cars with fifteen times as much mileage. It's a brand new car! As working car journalists, we can't hardly afford the long distance phone call to Georgia to bug the poor seller half to death, let alone go any higher than thirty-five large. Here's hoping you can.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="223" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/bgichibon00.jpg" width="400" /></center><br /><br />Ah, but you were born when Reagan was president, and you don't remember the 80s, let alone Black Gold. We're here to help. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Z, Nissan Datsun released 2,500 Black Gold 280ZXs, along with 500 Black Red cars). While they were little more than trim packages -- special paint, leather seats, lots of decals stating "10th Anniversary," and a couple of numbered plaques -- Black Golds are nonetheless hugely desirable. Especially when those numbered plaques all say "1 of 3000."<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="261" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/bgichibon70.jpg" width="400" /></center><br /><br />Still not getting the whole Black Gold/Datsun/Cocaine trifecta? A bit confused about the awesomeness of T-tops and the double-triple awesomeness of a stainless steel 8-track? Then you must watch the unbelievably amazing commercial that Datsun used to actually air on the TV back in 1980, immediately following "Vote for Reagan" spots. Seriously, you won't believe your eyes after the jump, and here's hoping you don't have to pass any drug tests for the next little while. Talk about a contact high... Thanks to Tyler for the heads-up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><object height="280" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWF-hH1nloo&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWF-hH1nloo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="280" width="400"></object></center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/1980-datsun-280zx-black-gold-1/#20">More Photos</a><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><p>

[Videos] eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Datsun 280ZX Black Gold #1

There's a great Sam Kinison routine that goes something like this: the problem with cocaine is that it ends one of three ways. You die, ...

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Videos: Rolls-Royce Star of India to go on auction for €10,000,000

<center><object height="300" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QYqKHMAm2Tk&hl=en&fs=1&"><br /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><br /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QYqKHMAm2Tk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="300" width="400"></embed></object></center><br />Rabid Rolls-Royce fans will be familiar with the name of Hans-Günther Zach, who runs his own museum dedicated to the famed marque in Mühlheim/Main, Germany. The old boy has now decided to sell off the whole shebang, including the crown jewel of his collection, the famous “Star of India” (above). The Star is a one-off 1934 Phantom II 40/50 HP Continental “All-Weather Convertible” custom made for the Maharaja of Rajkot. That car alone is expected to fetch as much as €10 million; if it does that would make it the most expensive car in the world.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="2_starindrolls" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1154" height="286" src="http://blog.jameslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2_starindrolls.jpg" title="2_starindrolls" width="400" /></center><br />There's no indication if Herr Zach is feeling the pinch of the world wide economic meltdown -- or if he's just moving on to greener pastures -- but his entire collection is up for grabs. While there's no doubt other impressive cars up for sale (like the 1926 "Aluminum Sculpture" Phantom I Open Tourer) the star is without question the Star. Never mind the royal pedigree, how can you get past the aluminum on orange carriage work? <br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="252" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/indiastar20.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />Should it sell for its asking price, the 7.7-liter pushrod straight-six Rolls equipped with two additional headlights to follow the path of the steering (fourteen headlights total), would be the most expensive car in the world. After all, rumors of the Japanese man that reportedly paid $15,000,000 for a Ferrari 250 GTO before Japan's economy imploded in the late 1980s have never been proved. Happy bidding. <br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/rolls-royce-phantom-ii-star-of-india/#4">More Photos </a><br /><br /></span><p>

Videos: Rolls-Royce Star of India to go on auction for €10,000,000

Rabid Rolls-Royce fans will be familiar with the name of Hans-Günther Zach, who runs his own museum dedicated to the famed marque in Mühlhei...

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eBay Find of the Day: World's nicest Dodge Rampage?

<center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2_1248189856img41.jpg" /></center><br />Listen, we're not complaining here. Folks who restore old cars are to be applauded. Period. Mostly, the resto subjects are rides with mass appeal -- cars everyone is familiar with. Those are great and all, but the really insane aficionados are the ones who restore things you'd never think of. Seriously, though -- would you restore a 1982 Dodge Rampage? Frankly, we probably wouldn't either<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2_1248189636img05.jpg" /></center><br />But in this case, some Mopar lunatic did. And we want to hug him. We'll go out on a limb here and say that this is probably The Nicest Rampage in America, because on the exceedingly rare occasion when we actually see one out and about, it's usually a tired-looking disaster that's hauling something like 300 pounds of manure and/or a month's worth of recycling.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2_1248189619img02.jpg" /></center><br />This one? Concours condition. It's pretty amazing. Anything that wasn't up to snuff was replaced. You could touch the engine bay and then perform open-heart surgery without scrubbing in -- it's that clean.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/2_1248189646img07.jpg" /></center><br />If a perfect Rampage in Sport Edition duds is the missing link in your personal collection, $12,900 on eBay is all that stands between you and forgotten-car Nirvana. Will people think you're crazy for spending that much on a Rampage? Probably, but screw those haters. They're just jealous.<br /><br /><center><object height="290" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z20nglCZnp4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z20nglCZnp4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="325" width="400"></embed></object></center><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/1982-dodge-rampage/#11">More Photos</a><br /><br /></span><p>

eBay Find of the Day: World's nicest Dodge Rampage?

Listen, we're not complaining here. Folks who restore old cars are to be applauded. Period. Mostly, the resto subjects are rides with ma...

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Auction: Gooding tests the market with Phil Hill's Packard and a prince's Duesenberg

<center><img alt="" height="202" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/01_goodco_pebble_09.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />If you dig classic auctions and can't make it to Pebble, there will be a live webcast on the Gooding site at www.goodingco.com. Yet even though David Gooding said "Today's records become tomorrow's bargains," we don't expect to see any bargains at this year's show.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="" height="201" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/02_goodco_pebble_09.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />Pebble Beach regular Gooding & Company will be bringing three special cars to this year's auction and the vintage rides are said to carry not only the requisite pedigree, but are expected to be barometers of the classic car market at a time when values are, at best, variable.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="200" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/03_goodco_pebble_09.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />Included are a 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan owned and restored by the late, great racer Phil Hill and being auctioned by his estate. It won Best of Pebble in 1977 and has never been auctioned before. Joining it will be a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Roadster (pictured) that was a gift from an heiress to a Georgian nobleman (Soviet Georgia, that is). Finally there's a car we can't help but love: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. We don't care if it has a story or not. We want it. Desperately.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="200" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/04_goodco_pebble_09.jpg" width="400" /></center><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/gooding-and-co-pebble-preview-09/#7">More Photos</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PRESS RELEASE</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">A Triumph in Duesenberg Design:</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">Crowning the cover of Gooding & Company's 2009 Pebble Beach catalogue, the regal 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster with coachwork by Bohman & Schwartz will be an exciting highlight offered at Gooding & Company's Sunday evening auction. One of 36 SJs created in 1935 and later described to be the most successful Bohman & Schwartz design ever created for Duesenberg, Chassis 2596 was originally an extravagant gift passed from Woolworth heiress, Barbara Hutton, to her very close friend Prince Serge M'Divani, of the Soviet Georgian Noble family. The car was later purchased during the 1950s by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club's then President Jerry Gebby of Dayton, Ohio, who took the wheel on its historic drive from Dayton to Tucson in 1960, traveling 129 miles at an average of 103 mph. Collectors and enthusiasts alike may also recognize this car from this year's Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it won First in Class. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"The Champion's Champion" -- Phil Hill's Purple Packard:</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">For the first time ever at auction, this 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan, once owned and personally restored by Racing Legend Phil Hill, is a car to watch at the Gooding & Company Sunday evening auction. The only Murphy-bodied 343 believed to exist, this car left the Detroit plant as a bare chassis in 1927 and landed in the Pasadena workshop of the famed Walter M. Murphy Company, where it was custom fit with luxurious coachwork and later sold in Santa Monica. Purchased by Phil Hill in 1967, the car was later restored to immaculate condition in the original Packard lilac color combination by Phil Hill himself together with renowned partner Ken Vaughn and first employee Bob Mosier. With this car, Phil Hill won his second Best of Show trophy at the 1977 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Summary on Pebble Beach Auction:</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">The Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction is located at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. Preview days will be from Wednesday, August 12 through Sunday, August 16, 2009. The Saturday evening auction will commence at 5:00 PM and the Sunday evening auction will commence at 6:00 PM. Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auction. General admission to the viewing and the auction can be purchased at the tent for $40 per person. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com.</span><br /><br /></span><p>

Auction: Gooding tests the market with Phil Hill's Packard and a prince's Duesenberg

If you dig classic auctions and can't make it to Pebble, there will be a live webcast on the Gooding site at www.goodingco.com. Yet even...

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Ford Builds AV-X10 'Dearborn Doll' Mustang for EAA Gathering of Eagles

<center><img alt="" height="271" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/dbd1.jpg" width="400" /></center>　<br />Back in January we hinted Ford Motor Company would build another one-of-a-kind aviation themed Ford Mustang for the Experimental Aircraft Association's 'Gathering of Eagles' fundraiser and we have now learned it's dubbed the AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" Ford Mustang. The one-off 2010 AV-X10 Mustang will be auctioned off during the 2009 EAA Air Venture Oshkosh fly-in convention which takes place July 27-August 2.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="" height="267" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/dbd2.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />The AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" Mustang utilizes the 2010 Mustang GT with Glassroof option as the platform base with performance modifications coming from Ford Racing. Under the hood the Mustang is packed with the 10-millionth Romeo Engine Plant 4.6-liter V-8 engine. It also includes a Ford Racing 550 horsepower supercharger kit, FR500S performance exhaust, short throw shifter, Handling Pack featuring dampers, lowering springs and anti-roll bar kit.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="269" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/dbd3.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />You should also know that the AV-X10 is not merely a GT with trick-looking paint. Underhood, the 4.6L V8 has been modified with the Ford Racing Performance Parts 550-horsepower supercharger kit. Enhanced bark comes from an FR500S exhaust, and FRPP's Handling Pack has also been installed to give the AV-X10 extra bite on the tarmac. Inside, the car's got a short-throw shifter, illuminated AV-X10 sill plates, unique aircraft-themed instrumentation, custom bomber-jacket leather, and a special aluminum dash pattern. The power outlet mounted high on the dash has been replaced with an engine start button, too. Want it? Head to Oshkosh, WI next week -- and be sure to bring plenty of money. You'll probably need it.<br /><center><object height="330" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1BlMdkaumrw&hl=en&fs=1&"><br /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><br /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1BlMdkaumrw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="400"></embed></object></center><br />The interior is a custom one-of-a-kind design that includes "worn" bomber jacket style leather for the trim mated with cockpit inspired diamond tucked seat and door inserts in military olive khaki material. The dash utilizes the OEM aluminum look with a little custom flair by way of unique diamond knurled pattern with "Dearborn Doll" script. The instrumentation includes a Pyrometer, boost and fuel pressure gauges with unique "Ground Speed" and "Engine Speed" AV-X10 graphics. In the middle of the center console air vents is a custom "Engine Start" button.<br />Source: <a href="http://www.mustangblog.com/blog/1022193_ford-builds-av-x10-dearborn-doll-mustang-for-eaa-gathering-of-eagles">MustangBlog</a> via <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/19/ford-shows-off-av-x10-dearborn-doll-mustang-built-for-eaa-gath/">autoblog</a><br /><br /></span><p>

Ford Builds AV-X10 'Dearborn Doll' Mustang for EAA Gathering of Eagles

　 Back in January we hinted Ford Motor Company would build another one-of-a-kind aviation themed Ford Mustang for the Experimental Aircraft ...

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Phil Hill's race-winning Jaguar C-Type on the block at Pebble Beach

<center><img alt="" height="265" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mo09_r275_01.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />The upcoming auctions at Pebble Beach are shaping up to be the stuff of legends. Which should come as no big surprise as legends are exactly what will be up for grabs. In addition to the highly anticipated launch of the new "Grand Bentley" amidst the field of lust-worthy machinery on display, auctioneers will be putting such notable classics on the block as Ettore Buggati's own Type 57C, the one-of-a-kind Miller V16 racing car, and this historic 1952 Jaguar C-Type.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="" height="265" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mo09_r275_02.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />The first C-Type Jaguar to be imported into the United States, model XKC-007 was sent straight to the race track where it was driven by no less a talent than the legendary Phil Hill. The World-Champion-to-be took this particular C-Type to three victories at Elkhart Lake, Torrey Pines and Watkins Glen, the former scoring as the first victory for the iconic C-Type in its storied history.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="267" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mo09_r275_05.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />After being retired from active duty, XKC-007 passed through several collections before undergoing a full restoration in 1986, after which it won numerous awards on the vintage concours circuit – including a reunion date with Phil Hill to commemorate Jaguar's 50th anniversary in 2002. XKC-007 will be up for auction at RM's three-day Sports & Classics of Monterey event from August 13-15. Details in the press release after the jump and images in the gallery below.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mo09_r275_03.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 265px;" title="" /></center><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/mo09_r275_04.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 280px;" /></center><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/1952-jaguar-c-type-xkc-007-ex-phil-hill/">More Photos</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PRESS RELEASE</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">HISTORIC 1952 JAGUAR C-TYPE SPORTS RACER, DRIVEN TO VICTORY BY PHIL HILL, JOINS STARTING LINE-UP FOR RM'S MONTEREY SALE</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sports & Classics of Monterey</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">BLENHEIM, Ontario (June 10, 2009) – A historic 1952 Jaguar C-Type Sports Racing Car that was driven to victory in 1952 by the legendary Phil Hill to claim the Jaguar C-Type's first North American racing victory has joined the starting line-up for RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey event, to be held August 13th – 15th in Monterey, California.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The rare C-Type, designated XKC-007, was one of just 53 examples built and one of the first Jaguar C-Types delivered to the United States. Shipped to New York in 1952, this example was immediately driven to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where it, along with XKC-009, made their competitive racing debuts as part of the company's North American sales pitch for the model. It was at this meet that XKC-007 made Jaguar history when the eventual World Champion driver, Phil Hill – then just 25 – drove it to victory in The Sheldon Cup. Under the sponsorship of Charles Hornburg, the Western United States Jaguar distributor, and with Phil Hill back behind the wheel, XKC-007 went on to achieve further success at Torrey Pines that same year.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">XKC-007 passed through the hands of numerous owners over the following years and was fully restored by noted Jaguar expert Terry Larson before making its way into the distinguished, private collection of Jerry and Kathy Nell in 1993 where it has remained ever since. Presented in period correct condition, it notably displays the signature of the great Phil Hill and retains its original, numbers matching engine.Throughout its racing career, XKC-007 was never crashed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"RM Auctions is truly honored to represent this outstanding C-Type on behalf of its long term owner. XKC-007 is certainly the most historically significant Jaguar C-Types to ever come to auction during Monterey's famed classic car week and its well-known provenance, coupled with its historically significant racing history and victories, is set to attract the interest of discerning collectors around the world," said Ian Kelleher, President and Chief Operating Officer of RM Auctions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"It is without question an amazing opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to have the chance of successfully bidding on and owning the best of the very best," he added.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In addition to its rich race history, XKC-007 has enjoyed success on the show field, awarded a national championship in 1994 by the Jaguar Club of North America. In 2002 it was reunited with Phil Hill at Pebble Beach to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the C-Type, as well as at another commemorative event in 2006 in Elkhart Lake when the famed Wisconsin road track was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The rare 1952 Jaguar C-Type Sports Racing Car, chassis number XKC-007, will lead a magnificent line-up of investment-quality collector cars when RM Auctions highly anticipated Sports & Classics of Monterey auction event returns to the Portola Hotel and Spa, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, California, August 13th to 15th. The auction preview will commence August 12th from 12noon – 6:00pm, followed by full-day previews on August 13th through 15th with auction action each evening. Admission to the three-day event is $40.00 USD per person. An official auction catalog is available for an additional $100 USD.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For further information and full event details, please visit www.rmauctions.com or call 800-211-4371 (within North America) or +1 519 352 4575.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">About RM Auctions</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Celebrating 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions and its associated companies are responsible for acquisitions, restorations and sales of the world's rarest and most valuable vintage automobiles, including record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. RM's restoration division achieved unprecedented accolades in 2006, when the Company earned "Best of Show" honors at the world's top three collector car events in a single year. www.rmauctions.com</span><br /><br /></span><p>

Phil Hill's race-winning Jaguar C-Type on the block at Pebble Beach

The upcoming auctions at Pebble Beach are shaping up to be the stuff of legends. Which should come as no big surprise as legends are exactly...

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Video: Optimus Prime hiding in plain sight

<center><img alt="" height="226" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/01_optimus_prime_peterbuilt.jpg" width="400"></center><br /><br />With Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen holding the number box office spot for two weeks, there couldn't be a better time for this ardent Autobot fan to be flogging his truck on eBay. Done up thoroughly enough to qualify as an Optimus Prime replica, this 1997 Peterbilt 379 wears custom PPG paint and clearcoat, along with hand-applied pinstripes.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="223" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/16_optimus_prime_peterbuilt.jpg" width="400"></center><br /><br />If you do actually want to haul things, under that extended hood – just like Prime has – there's a 475 horsepower Caterpillar running through a ten-speed Eaton Fuller transmission. Bidding is up to $20,300 at time of writing, but you've got nine days left to get your bid in and make room in your back yard... and then you can retrieve the Allspark.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="225" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/06_optimus_prime_peterbuilt.jpg" width="400"></center><br /><br />Perhaps unsurprisingly, Optimus has been showing up all sorts of odd places lately, including a guest appearance on The Light Show With David Letterman last night. The booming Autobot leader led his vocal talents to the program's trademark Top 10 list, and you can check out how he did by watching the video after the jump. Hat tip to 94 Taurus owner!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><object height="234" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wdNv1Fo6skw&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wdNv1Fo6skw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="234" width="400"></object></center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/optimus-prime-peterbilt-379/">More Photos</a><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><p>

Video: Optimus Prime hiding in plain sight

With Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen holding the number box office spot for two weeks, there couldn't be a better time for this ar...

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1997 McLaren F1 GTR race car for sale in Japan

<center><img alt="" height="266" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/mclaren-f1-gtr-long-tail-1.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />For those whose cash reserves have not been completely depleted by the current global recession, a very special car is currently up for sale in Japan via Wintel. This racer is one of ten long-tail McLaren F1 GTRs built especially for the 1997 FIA GT season.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="" height="267" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/mclaren-f1-gtr-long-tail-7.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />The F1 GTR first hit the track in 1995 when a model barely removed from the roadgoing version raced to victory at Le Mans. By 1997, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche had seen the writing on the wall, and combined with the series' updated rules, had created their own competitors, including the CLK-GTR and the 911 GT1.<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="266" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/mclaren-f1-gtr-long-tail-6.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />McLaren's 97 F1 GTR had all-new bodywork with a longer nose and tail that reduced drag and dramatically increased downforce. By this time, the new purpose-built Mercedes and Porsche cars were regularly outrunning the McLaren, although the latter did manage 197 mph on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans. There is no indication of a price tag, although if you have to ask...<br /><br /><center><img alt="" height="267" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/mclaren-f1-gtr-long-tail-5.jpg" width="400" /></center><center><img alt="" height="263" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/mclaren-f1-gtr-long-tail-4.jpg" width="400" /></center><center><img alt="" height="268" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/mclaren-f1-gtr-long-tail-3.jpg" width="400" /></center><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/mclaren-f1-gtr-gulf-davidoff/">More Photos</a><br /><br /></span><p>

1997 McLaren F1 GTR race car for sale in Japan

For those whose cash reserves have not been completely depleted by the current global recession, a very special car is currently up for sale...

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Ferrari 250 Testarossa sets new world record for a car sold at auction

<center><a><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="172" src="http://i43.tinypic.com/4uz7t1.jpg" width="400" /></a></center><br />Ferrari has set a new world record for a car sold at auction with a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa fetching €9 million at the weekend (17 May 2009) in an auction of Italian supercars organized by RM Auctions at Ferrari’s Maranello home in Italy.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><center><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="266" src="http://i40.tinypic.com/2032ok.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />The previous world record for a car sold at auction was just last year and was<br />also set by a Ferrari, when UK radio host Chris Evans paid €7 million for a<br />black 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California previously owned by James Coburn. Both<br />cars were sold at the “Ferrari Leggenda e Passione”, an annual auction of the<br />finest Ferrari and Maserati supercars organized by RM Auctions and held at<br />Ferrari’s test track, Fiorano, in Maranello.<br /><br /><center><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="266" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/1zf353d.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />The 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa, one of just 22 similar models built at<br />Maranello, boasts an important race history in North and South America. It<br />debuted in the Buenos Aires 1,000km in 1958 and came 4th overall before being<br />sold to a U.S. client who raced it extensively in the SCCA championship.<br /><center><a href="http://tinypic.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="266" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/2pqlzqa.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />"It's rare to see one offered for sale, and it is a guarantee that a massive sum<br />of money will exchange hands when one comes on the market. Those high-end car<br />collectors who remain unaffected by economic woes will have the chance to part<br />with such funds this coming May when a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR, chassis #0714TR,<br />crosses the block at RM Auctions' Ferrari Leggenda E Passione sale in Maranello.<br /><br /><center><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="266" src="http://i40.tinypic.com/33aebmx.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />This particular example was campaigned extensively from 1958 to 1963 and is<br />painted in its period-correct black paint with a red nose. RM expects the 250 TR<br />to set a new world record for a car sold at auction, potentially exceeding the<br />$10.89 million dollar sale of a 1961 Ferrari California Spyder last year."<br /><center><a href="http://tinypic.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="266" src="http://i44.tinypic.com/34j7pz4.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />Considered one of the most alluring, competitive and iconic of all Ferrari<br />racing cars, the beautiful and immediately recognizable Scaglietti-designed,<br />'pontoon-fender' 250 TR was produced from 1957 to 1958 during which only 22 were<br />constructed. The Ferrari 250 TRs entered 19 international championship races<br />from 1958 through 1961 emerging with 10 victories and earning them legendary<br />status among discerning collectors, as well as the honor of being one of the<br />most desirable and competitive racing Ferraris ever built.<br /><center><a href="http://tinypic.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="270" src="http://i43.tinypic.com/2570nlc.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />Unlike last year, this year’s top bidder was not at the auction, remaining<br />anonymous and bidding over the telephone while competing against three other<br />bidders.<br /><br /><center><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="265" src="http://i40.tinypic.com/s3k9k9.jpg" width="400" /></center><br />Although its bids reached a level higher than last year’s record setter at<br />€7.25 million, a rare Ferrari 330 P4 was passed in at the event.<br /><p>via:<a href="http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/rare-ferrari-250-tr-expected">mymodernmet</a><a href="http://www.motorauthority.com/ferrari-pontoon-fender-testarossa-could-set-new-world-auction-record.html">motorauthority</a></p><br /></span>

Ferrari 250 Testarossa sets new world record for a car sold at auction

Ferrari has set a new world record for a car sold at auction with a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa fetching €9 million at the weekend (17 May 2...

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