Scottsdale 2012: Meet the new kid on the block, Bonhams

Ok, ok Bonhams auction house isn't exactly "new". They've been at it since 1793, before there were even cars. But, for 2012 they're joining the ranks in Scottsdale, AZ for what will likely become an annual auction. Their catalog is divided into two distinct sections, automobilia and cars. Looking at the cars, they picked a very nice selection for starters. Here's some that stood out to me.

This 1969 Porsche 911S is a real looker with the Martini colors and full race trim. This car is fully set up for vintage SCCA race duties and has a Elverude built 2 liter motor that packs 225 horse power. This is a turn key vintage racer that was built right and ready to go.

I have a special spot reserved in my heart for early E-type Jaguars. This 1962 3.8 litre roadster is a true barn find. It has been in storage sine 1976. While it was redone at some point in the past, including a color change, you really can't fault the car's current condition. It presents itself really well and could make an excellent driver or be restored to it's original color combo.




One of the highlights of the auction is this 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom I transformable convertible sedan. This is one of two built with coachwork by Hibbard & Darrin, and was originally given as a gift by Paramount Studios and director Josef von Sternberg to actress Marlene Dietrich. A long history follows the car and has just received a comprehensive $500,000 restoration. And has not been shown since the restoration was completed.


This 1967 Porsche 906E was driven by Otto Zipper and Scooter Patrick to a 1967 USRRC under 2 litre class win. This car would be a welcome addition to any vintage race or concours and certainly the Porsche Rennsport Reunion. This ex-works car has been fully restored to it's 1967 championship livery.

When you think of the Monte Carlo Rally, your mind conjures up images of Mini Coopers and Audi Quattros. Not a full size Bentley sedan. But compete this 1952 R-type saloon did in the 1953 rally. At the hands of Mike Couper, this Bentley won the Concours de Comfort class.


Source & Photos: Bonhams

Barrett Jackson bringing a host of interesting cars to Scottsdale.

The folks at Barrett Jackson are really stepping up efforts to go back to their roots in a way by auctioning a wide array of classic cars that you typically would not expect to see. I've been browsing the catalog for the 2012 Scottsdale auction and found several unique classics that are set to be auctioned in a little more than a week's time. Here's what's caught my eye.

1948 Tucker Torpedo. What's not to love about the tucker? A truly uniquely styled car and a great story of the American Dream and free enterprise. Preston Tucker is a person I admire greatly, just imagine if things actually did work and the car flourished. This car comes from the famed private collection of Ron Pratte who is a staple at Barrett Jackson auctions.

1939 Buick Roadmaster. This one caught me because of the fact that it's the 1939 Indianapolis 500 pace car. The catalog doesn't say if it's "The" car that paced the race, but it's still really cool to think of a car this big as the pace car.

1957 Desoto Adventurer convertible. There's just something about the overall look of this one. I don't know if it's the wire wheels or the gold and black paint. A lot of folks might go for the Chrysler, Plymouth, or Dodges of this era, but there's something classy about the Desoto. And I think it looks the best out of them all.

1933 Desoto. This one stood out because it's not only a classic, but it was used in a classic film. 1967's Bonnie & Clyde. What's even more outstanding is that the car is essentially how it appeared in the film. Bullet holes and all. And it still presents itself very well. This one will make a collector very happy.

Also from 1933 comes this Pierce Arrow from the Blackhawk collection. I love the styling of this car cause it is radically different from anything else on the road at that time. This car was owned and restored at one time by the late Bill Harrah of the Harrah's Collection. This will be a significant sale at the auction without a doubt.

Also coming from the Blackhawk collection is this 1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing coupe. If there was ever a blue chip collector car, this is it. The dark silver paint just suits the flowing lines of this SL.

This 1947 Bentley may perhaps be one of the most beautiful cars in the world. This example with Coachworks by Franay comes from the Ron Pratte collection and has over 50 awards won for it's beauty. This is a one of a kind classic that will stop them in their tracks at any concours.

Next up is this 1941 Packard 160 limosine with Body by Rollson. This caught me eye because of the unique town car body style and how the passenger compartment was styled with a traditional carriage roof. This car harks back to the era of old money, and you can just imagine the sort of events and parties this car was used for.

Lastly is a car that is no stranger to Barrett Jackson. This 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda convertible was used in the TV show Nash Bridges and was driven by Don Johnson. He liked the car so much, he purchased it when the show went off the air. In 2003 he and Cheech Marin drove the car across the auction block and sold the car, where it returned the following year to move to another collector. You may be saying, wait that's a 71 Cuda. In traditional Hollywood magic, yes the car is a 1970 Cuda that was modified to 1971 standards for the show.

Source & Photos: Barrett Jackson

5 Things Your Car Should Say About You

A car speaks volumes about its owner.

A top Mercedes talks of a high powered and driven individual. A boy racer cover in stickers suggests learning difficulties.

You don’t have to own the most expensive car on the road, but here are five qualities your ride should say about you.

Style

A great looking car is like a beautiful woman. They turn heads and make every guy in the room (or in this case on the road) jealous with envy.

But it all comes to nothing if the man behind the wheel is unshaven and doesn’t use an iron, let alone own one.

Looking after your appearances doesn’t take much effort and the results are huge. Not only do you feel more confident as a person, everyone around you will respect you for it.

Power

A powerful car is going places, and so is the owner.

There is something incredibly exciting about powerful cars. Maybe it’s the roar of the engine, or the knowledge that putting your foot down will leave those around you in the dust.

Being powerful, and being around powerful people, is a thrilling experience. Powerful people are normally confident risk takers and prove to be very interesting company.

Fill your life with proactive people who are constantly empowering themselves and you’ll find that, as a person, you will grow considerably. They will challenge and test you, and you’ll be all the better for it.

Integrity

The most important quality of any car is the knowledge that every time you turn the key, the engine will start.

There is nothing more stressful or irritating then an unreliable car, the same goes for people.

If people know you will deliver on your promises time and time again they will love you for it.

Having integrity is important in all walks of life, from your career to your relationships and down to the knowledge that at the end of the day you can rely on yourself.

Confidence

Some cars just ooze confidence.

They’re powerful, stylish, over deliver every time and they dam well know it.

Being confident is such an admired trait, because it is so rare. Confident people are 1 in a 100 and they often provoke jealosy and admiration because they have something that everyone wants, yet is in such short supply.

No matter your job or income, if you know that you’re a good a person who tries to better themselves on a regular basis, you have every right to be confident.

Ambition

The mark of every great car, and person, is ambition.

Both are willing to take risks, try something new and push themselves to the limit.

They are often goal orientated, driven and know what they want from life.

This doesn’t necessarily mean being the fastest car on the road or climbing the corporate ladder. It means you are willing to push yourself, be constantly learning and stick to your beliefs.

In many ways without ambition, all of the other qualities listed here, will suffer.

New Bentley Mulsanne makes world debut at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Bentley Motors unveiled the Mulsanne, the company’s all-new flagship grand tourer, at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance in Monterey, California. The Mulsanne is inspired by the company founder W.O. Bentley’s crowning achievement in 1930, the 8-litre. And it was W.O.’s own sensitively conserved company car hat shared the podium with the new Mulsanne in Pebble Beach. This early motoring masterpiece represented the last big Bentley that was designed, engineered and built from the ground up by Bentley engineers - until now.

1954 Bentley R-Type on eBay Motors - Find of the Day

Have you got two-hundred grand to drop on a Bentley Continental? Well, then you're more fortunate than most of us, but before you head down to the local luxury dealership and place your order for the same car that everyone else in your tony gated community already owns, why not consider something with a little more character? May we suggest this 1954 Bentley R-Type fastback racer.

Crafted on special order in the post-war period, this Chassis #B77ZX has earned a bit of a following from its appearances in concours events, participation in historic races and inclusion in books on Bentley history. Different from the other 2,300+ R-types built, this example features a louvered hood, custom competition wheels, rally lamps and a set of white racing stripes leading over the British Racing Green bodywork from the color-keyed grille surround all the way to the elegantly sloping fastback tail. It's being offered for sale by The San Diego Collection with a buy-it-now price of $195,000, but reasonable offers and trades are also being considered. Check out the images in the gallery below for a closer look.

More Pics --> Auto Blog

Bentley Continental GT Sports Line Black Bison by Wald

Bentley owners usually sit on two very opposite sides of the rich people spectrum. They are conservative people who want to keep a low profile but still ride in luxury, or recording artists (or wannabes) who are out to show the whole world how wealthy they can appear. This kit is for the latter.

The Black Bisson Edition of the Continental GT by Wald takes the graceful lines of the Bentley and bolts on some attention. The edges of the body kit are rounded off with louvered styling elements. There is also a front bumper spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper spoiler, trunk spoiler and roof spoiler. Other parts offered are a suspension height reduction kit and D.T.M sports muffler exhaust system. Price tag for the body kit alone is 1,522,500 Yen (about $16,000).

ASI TETSU GTR: Bentley Continental GT

ASI's automotive masterpiece, the TETSU GTR, is a full custom complete car program for the Bentley Continental GT. Utilizing a super-efficient exhaust system, intensive ECU tuning, enlarged turbocharger turbines, and an improved engine coolant system, the TETSU GTR achieves a breathtaking and unprecedented 800 horsepower.

The Bentley Continental's stately appearance has also been reimagined from the ground up in order to better showcase ASI's spectacular power boost. The 2070mm wide body, long-grill exterior features LED day lights, carbon fiber lip elements and a plethora of dry carbon components (hood, roof cover, trunk lid, rear wing, rear diffuser).

ASI's prestige styling package showcases some of Japan's most traditional and sophisticated artistic traditions; the hood and interior have become a canvas for the skillful hand of Tetsuei Nakamura, who has been comissioned for countless projects by luxury hotels and illustrious locations around Japan, including Enryaku-ji (Mt. Hiei) . The seats and floor mats have been fashioned in the Nishijin weaving legacy, further imbuing each TETSU GTR with the spirit of Japan's cultural capital, Kyoto.

ASI's flflagship TETSU GTR, appearing at the 2008 SEMA Show, boasts a two-tone carbon fifiber, Fujiyama matte white color scheme, ASI's 22-inch forged wheels in a special midnight black style, blacked out headlights, a gold dry carbon engine cover, a carbon fiber sports steering wheel, and ASI's original 12-piston braking system. But as a full custom work, each of the 29 TETSU GTRs to be produced can be entirely customized to the owners' requests, down to the most minute detail.

2009 Bentley Continental by ASI

While most vehicles leaving the Crewe factory in England are bound to spend their whole life without any sort of customizations, there are some owners who wouldn’t mind jazzing up their Bentley. One of the few tuners that specialize purely on Bentley cars is a Japanese firm called ASI which stands for “Accuracy Spirit Imagination”. ASI’s latest proposition concerns a full bodykit for the drop top Continental GTC.

The package is made up of a front bumper spoiler with a carbon fiber lip and LED daytime lights, side skirts, a rear bumper with a carbon fiber lip and exhaust cutter and finally a discreet boot spoiler made out of carbon fiber. The aero kit is complemented by a set of 22-inch alloy rims wrapped in 265/30 tires up front and 295/25 at the rear.
Source and more pictures ---> Carscoop

ASI's 800hp Tetsu GTR Bentley Continental GT

What does SEMA mean to you? For most of us, it's a place for the country's top tuners to show their wares to a power-hungry public. But the dark side of SEMA never ceases to rear its ugly head, and further proof will be available at the Toyo booth where the Tetsu GTR Bentley Continental GT will be displayed.

The unholy brainchild of Japanese tuner ASI features a custom carbon fiber wide-body kit that makes ASMA's unfortunate creations look demure in comparison. The two-tone paint scheme... uhhh... compliments the massive haunches, deep side skirts and GT-style wing, while 22-inch blingalicious rollers prove that chrome is still in high demand... unfortunately.

According to Modified Luxury and Exotics, only 29 Tetsu GTRs will be produced, each putting out over 800 hp. We'll be on hand to provide live shots of the other five vehicles featured at the Toyo stand, assuming our camera lens doesn't crack when we zoom in on the GTR's gaudy fascia.

Source: Luxury Exotics

British Luxury: The Bentley Azure

The Azure name is most notable for being convertible versions of already present Bentley sedans. Chopping the top, changing the visual look and making the sedan into a two door coupe are what the changes basically represent. From 1995 to 2003, the Bentley Azure was a convertible version of the Continental sedan. In 2006, the name was resurrected for a convertible version of the Arnage sedan. Both cars had 6.7L V-8 engines but with different outputs. The Old Azure made 400 horsepower except the T edition which made 420; the Azure that it currently being produced makes 450 horsepower.

Project Kahn Bentley Continental GTS ‘Black Edition’

Project Kahn is proud to announce the launch of the new Bentley Continental GTS ‘Black Edition’.

The ‘Black Edition’ has an eight-piece body consisting of a three piece rear valance, two side skirts, a two piece front valance and a rear boot spoiler. This kit has been developed by our Project Kahn design team and has undergone many hours of testing not only to ensure safety but also to ensure that a perfect fit is achieved for each car.

The ‘Black Edition’ package contains a full interior styling program which includes a bespoke Project Kahn Luxury Leather upgrade and high gloss piano black interior fascia panels with the optional extras of either a high gloss piano black steering or a carbon fibre finish steering wheel. Each car comes with privacy tinted glass perfectly matched to compliment the cars exterior. To complete the ‘low to the road’ aggressive stance the ‘black edition’ is fitted with a Project Kahn electronic lowering module. As standard the suspension is lowered by 20mm but this can be adjusted according to the customers’ requirements.
Each ‘Black Edition’ is fitted with the Project Kahn GTS sports exhaust system which provides a slight increase in performance whilst accelerating but more importantly emits a unique sound emanating from the car as a deep rumble.

However the most unique feature of the ‘Black Edition’ is the addition of the new ‘Silver Mist’ alloy wheel.

Source: Tuning News

2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed

The new Bentley Continental Flying Spur is more comfortable, more refined, and more opportunities for customer personalization. It is the most powerful four door saloon in the world with a V12 twin turbo engine. Which produces 600 hp and 553 lb-ft torque. It goes from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and has top speed of 195 mph. Which is really not the purpose of this car. The purpose of the car is to ride in style and let everyone know you have money to buy something like. Instead of buying a Ferrari you buy this because you have kids and a wife, meaning you need a car that has more than 2 seats. This car is more than expected when you find out what kind of features the British manufacturer Bentley offers you. Park distance control system with new graphics on infotainment screen, new, follow-to-stop precision radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control with five time-gap settings, new optional full width rear seat with electrically adjustable outboard positions and fixed central seat, and there is just too much to list.

Engine
Power bhp: 600
Torque lb-ft: 553
Type: V12 Twin-Turbo 6.0L

Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 4.9 Seconds
Top Speed: 195

Base Price For Bentley Continental Flying Spur: $176,285

ASI Tetsu GTR: Flower Power

The Bentley ASI Tetsu GTR, is a Japanese-modified Bentley Continental GT, that proves it's not only the Europeans who have bad taste in accesorizing their cars.

I'm not sure what offends me the most about the Tetsu. Is it the awful R8-mimicking rear end with DTM-spec rear wing? Maybe it's the jarring juxt aposition of the carbon-fibre bonnet with flower decals, which is apparently the work of renowned Japanese artist Nakamura Tetsui.

Which doesn't make it any more acceptable.

ASI has fettled an extra 250bhp from the Conti's six-litre W12 engine - bringing overall power to a nice round 800bhp - but doesn't specify how. Alchemy and witchcraft, perhaps. Over all the Tetsu is just one ugly car, that looks like it was designed by a crack head on lsd.

2008 Bentley Continental GT

A coupe worthy of the GT name. Inspired by the grace and power of Bentley’s thoroughbred bloodline, the Continental GT and new Continental GT Speed combines phenomenal power, class-leading performance and contemporary design with hand craftsmanship in true tradition.

The Continental GT Speed is the most powerful production Bentley ever and the first to top 200mph (322km/h). A potent addition to the Continental Series, the GT Speed extends the appeal of the Continental GT coupe to driving enthusiasts who place a high value on outright performance and agile handling. Even more breathtaking. In even less time.
Engine
Power bhp: 552
Torque lb-ft: 479
Type: W12 Twin-Turbo

Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
Top Speed: 200 mph

My Rating: ****/*****

Base Price: 2008 Bentley Continental GT - $175,990

Volkswagen of America changes name

In order to go with their new appearance and surroundings. Volkswagen of America has announced that they have changed their name to Volkswagen Group of America.

Executives feel that this name better suits the fact that there are five automotive brands under the umbrella of Volkswagen in the United States.

Seems to be more fitting. It's just going to take some time to get used to VGoA from now on. And historically speaking, VWoA will continue to exist.

Press Release:
AUBURN HILLS, MICH. (Dec. 12, 2007) — Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it has changed its name to Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. The change will be fully effective January 1.

The new name better reflects the fact that the Volkswagen Group of America includes five distinct brands: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Volkswagen, as well as the related financial services functions of Audi Financial Services, Bentley Financial Services and Volkswagen Credit.

“Our company, like the entire Volkswagen Group, has grown dramatically since our formation in the United States in 1955. Our new corporate name allows our individual brands to flourish, while recognizing that we have a common support structure that gives us great strength as we face our competitors,” said Stefan Jacoby, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The new name Volkswagen Group of America reflects the much wider array of goods and services we now offer, and prepares us for even more activities in the future.”

Operating under the umbrella of Volkswagen Group of America, the Volkswagen and Audi brands will continue to provide sales and service under their names, Volkswagen of America and Audi of America.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, which together with its subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide is now the fourth largest automobile company in the world.