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2011 Rolex Monterey Motorsports ReunionThe 2.23 mile Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca road circuit is one of the iconic venues in the United States and in the world. Complete with its famous 'Corkscrew' and six-story drop, this iconic circuit played host to another couple of GT racing icons during its Monterey Motorsports Reunion. On August 19-21 of this year Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca served once again as the backdrop for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Over 550 cars, covering 17 classes would descend through the 'Corkscrew' revitalizing the imagination. Ever since opening in 1957, Laguna Seca has played host to just about every known type of motor racing series. It would even welcome Formula One cars from time to time trying to tame this 'Dry Lake'. It is fitting then that this circuit, with its wide and varied clientele would come to host such historic racing.
Watkins Glen Vintage Grand PrixThe Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix presented by Welliver special guest Bob Sharp is scheduled to make several appearances throughout the September 9-11 weekend. Sharp will participate in autograph sessions and fan forums as Watkins Glen International acknowledges his SCCA career and the celebration of the featured marque he helped make famous – Datsun/Nissan. All four of Sharp's autograph sessions will be held at The Pyramid located in the infield of during the weekend, providing fans with the opportunity to have their racing collectables and merchandise signed by the SCCA legend. He will sign autographs on Saturday, September 10, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and again from 2:40 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday, September 11, from 9:40 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. and again from 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sharp will also make stops at The Crown Royal Club and the north end of the Garage during the weekend. Although access to The Crown Royal Club requires separate admission, the Fan Forums in the Garage are included with admission to the Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix presented by Welliver. Guests joining The Crown Royal Club on Saturday will be treated to a unique Q&A opportunity with Sharp from 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. On Sunday at 11:25 a.m., Sharp will participate in an additional 30-minute session in The Crown Royal Club.
Concorso ItalianoConcorso Italiano is one of the many gems that make the Monterey car week such a fulfilling experience for the automotive enthusiast. The show hosts over 800 vehicles of Italian descent on the vast fairways of the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, just a short distance from the famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca racetrack. One of the features at this year's event was originality and barn-find cars and was sponsored by Fiat North America (who also brought several of their new Cinquecentos). Concorso Italiano also celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Maserati Ghibli, the 40th anniversaries of the DeTomaso Pantera and Maserati Bora. There were more than 20 original and barn-find vehicles including an alloy-bodied Ferrari 275 GTB and a Vignale bodied Fiat 8V. Two examples with special histories included the Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS Zagato that competed in the Mille Miglia and a Ferrari 212/225 that was given to Henry Ford II by Enzo Ferrari.
RM's Hershey, Pennsylvania SaleThe world's oldest running motor car, a historic 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout, entered the history books tonight, selling for an impressive $4.62 million before a packed house at RM Auctions' Hershey, Pennsylvania sale. The impressive sale price more than doubled its original pre-sale estimate and represents a new world record for an early motor car sold at auction. Commissioned by French entrepreneur, Count de Dion and named ‘La Marquise' after his mother, the 127 year old vehicle drew a standing ovation from the audience as it drove onto RM's Hershey auction stage. Attracting a starting bid of $500,000 and immediately jumping to $1,000,000, bidding moved swiftly to applause from the crowd, with the gavel eventually falling at an extraordinary $4,200,000. The final sales price of $4,620,000 includes 10% buyers' premium. 'We were honored to have been entrusted with the sale of this most important motor car from the renowned collection of the late Mr. John O'Quinn. The world's leading automotive collectors recognized the incredibly rare opportunity the sale represented, as was reflected in the spirited bidding and impressive result,' said Rob Myers, Chairman & Founder, RM Auctions following the sale.
Glenmoor Gathering of Significant AutomobilesThe 17th Annual Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles was held in mid-September at the historic Glenmoor Country Club near Canton, Ohio. This year's features included Avant Grade: Early Front-Wheel Drive, Sixteen Cylinder Motorcars and the Automobiles of Darrin, including a group of 1938-42 Packard Darrin automobiles. These three featured groups were joined by several other categories which accounted for over 200 classic automobiles, trucks and motorcycles on the show field. Other weekend activities included a Countryside Tour, automotive seminars, cocktail party and Gala Dinner, cooking demonstrations, a junior Judges' program, and a classic car auction. The Cars of Howard 'Dutch' Darrin This was a stunning and well curated display of Darrin bodied cars which included work by 'Hibbard & Darrin' in the 1920's and 'Fernandez & Darrin' in the 1930's. Coachwork by these two European-based companies was installed on equally legendary automobile chassis such as Hispano-Suiza, Duesenberg, Rolls-Royce and Minerva.
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand PrixThe Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, presented by Shop 'n Save, is quite a unique vintage racing event. It is not only America's largest vintage race, but the only one run on city streets – the way sports car racing began. It is one of Southwestern Pennsylvania's premiere events, one whose mission is to celebrate and honor our founding vintage auto enthusiasts while simultaneously using this venue to benefit charity. Funds raised help provide residential care, treatment and support for autistic and developmentally disabled individuals in the greater Pittsburgh area through the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. The PVGP is synonymous with Schenley Park and 2011 marked the 29th consecutive year racing through the beautiful park setting. Vintage racing at Schenley Park is the culmination of a 10-day Race Week highlighted by Historic Races at BeaveRun, numerous car shows, cruises, a Blacktie Gala, and our Kickoff Road Rallye. The end goal of this event is to raise funds for the charities and to provide quality vintage racing. Because of the generous support and contributions from the sponsors, and the dedication of the volunteers, the PVGP has been able to donate $2.95 million to two deserving charities: the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School.
61st Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceA 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne owned by Peter and Merle Mullin from Los Angeles was named Best of Show at the 61st Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance held Sunday on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Additionally, proceeds from raffles, auctions, sponsorships and ticket sales helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the sixth straight year. Competitors from 30 states, the District of Columbia, 14 countries and the principality of Monaco brought their prized automotive possessions to California's Monterey Peninsula for judging in 29 classes. In the end, the French-made Voisin was judged the best, a particularly gratifying achievement for Peter Mullin, a self-described 'French car guy.' 'Winning with the Voisin is the most special, significant, rewarding thing that's ever happened to me…outside of marrying my wife (and the Voisin's co-owner Merle),' said Mullin, a 69-year-old financial services entrepreneur and philanthropist. 'There's nothing like the Voisin interior. You can't print the fabric in this car; you have to loom it. This interior is going to last a long time.'
GTOs to Test the CorkscrewOne of the feature races, group 6A, of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion showcases the ultra-rare and considered to be the most desired and admired Ferraris of all-time - the Ferrari 250 GTO. The field of GTOs will take the grid in what will assuredly capture the attention of fans as they watch these fabulously sleek, yet muscular, thoroughbreds tame the demanding 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course. Interestingly, immediately after their race, crew teams will get to work on a cosmetic makeover to prepare the cars for the lawns of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for a special class showing. The Ferrari 250 GTO, which are known to fetch between $25 and $30 million each are universally admired. In fact, Enzo Ferrari personally determined who originally was able to even purchase the GTO, thereby automatically creating the legend well before their dominating wins on the race track.
Leaping Cats at the ReadyFor those who love Jaguars and know their ABCs, this year's Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is promising a thrilling if not profoundly educational experience. Jaguar C-, D- and E Types as well as XK120s were among 550 cars practicing today at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which has Jaguar as its special marque and starts tomorrow with qualifying sessions that will set the grid for weekend racing among 17 groups of historic automobiles. The event, considered an anchor of Classic Car Week currently underway on Monterey Peninsula, also will feature a Jaguar Heritage Display and the up-close and personal encounters with drivers, owners and historians that fans have come to enjoy and respect as they roam freely in the paddock areas to inspect the cars. Variations on the Theme Hailing from Massachusetts will be the restoration and racing team Donovan Motorsports, which has returned to Mazda Laguna Seca for the 15th time with a contingent of nine Jaguars to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the marque. 'There is nothing in the country like the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion; it's a fabulous event,' said team principal Brian Donovan, adding that Bob Hebert (Monterey, Mass.), his son Art Hebert (Larkspur, Calif.) and B. J. Colaric (New York, N.Y.) will race under the Donovan Motorsports team banner in the Jaguar Invitation Class on Saturday. 'We do a lot of racing each year, but this is by far the most sophisticated event we participate in. It should be interesting, because normally we race against the Corvettes, Mustangs and other ground pounders, but this weekend we will be in an all Jaguar E-Type field. I've always been fascinated with the beauty and the design of Jaguars; they have always set the pace with the grace, and it is always a pleasure to see our six cylinder engines go up against the big V8s and give them a run for the money.' Terry Larson (Scottsdale, AZ) has brought his three historically significant Jaguars--a 1954 Jaguar XK120, a C-Type Jaguar and a 1958 Lister Jaguar--to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. 'My Jaguar XK120 is probably the most actively raced XK120 in America,' said Larson. 'It has about 350 races on it and has never been driven on the street.'
Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John'sMore than 10.000 visitors came to see the Concours of America at the new venue at the Inn at St. John's in Plymouth after decades at Meadow Brook Hall. And what a difference it made! The new space allowed for no less than 331 cars to be displayed on the generous field in almost two dozen classes. The well deserved winners of the first of many Concours' of America at St. John's were John D. Groendyke, who won 'Best of Show Domestic' with his fabulous 1933 Duesenberg SJ and well-known collectors Arturo and Deborah Keller with their breathtaking black 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahnkurier, which was awarded the honors of 'Best of Show Foreign'. 1933 Duesenberg SJ Riviera Phaeton by Brunn This majestic Duesenberg SJ Riviera Phaeton, SJ528, is one of only three Riviera Phaetons with coachwork by Brunn and one of only two factory supercharged cars. Originally purchased in June of 1934 by Lt. Col. Jacob Schick of razor fame, it boasts an ingenious roof design that was sleek and elegant compared with many contemporary solutions.
RM Auctions - Concours d'Elegance at St. JohnsA rare 1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan delivered new to famed American entertainer Al Jolson for $6,600, broke the magic million-dollar mark at RM Auctions' St. John's sale in Plymouth, Michigan, selling for $1,100,000 before a packed house. One of just two built and virtually unseen for nearly half a century, the sporting Packard with coachwork by Dietrich spurred a lively bidding war in the room and on the phones to achieve the top-sale of the day. A total of 70 automobiles were presented during the four-hour auction, generating over $7.6 million* in sales with 85% of lots sold. Formerly known as the Meadow Brook auction, RM's Michigan sale adopted a new home this year – the Inn at St. John's in Plymouth – and once again acted as a prelude to the celebrated Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's (July 31).
Walnut Street Invitational Car Show in ShadysideThere were over 125 vehicles in attendance, all by invitation only. This is one of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix's most exclusive events of the ten-day celebration. Space is limited and only those holding an invitation are allowed the prime parking real-estate. It was a very diverse group, with many makes-and-models in attendance, encompassing many years and all types of vehicles. If the cars were unable to hold the visitors attention, the beautiful scenery and shops were a great diversion. Shadyside, PA is located in the heart of Pittsburgh's East End, with the shops and boutiques on Walnut Street and Ellsworth Avenue adding to the allure of the area. The surrounding area is filled with many stately Victorian mansions, well-maintained homes, and carefully restored masterpieces. Since the early 1920s, it has been home to many affluent families and young professionals. The name drew its inspiration from the Pennsylvania Railroad Station that was in the area many years ago when there were there were just woods and farmland. At that time it had many shady lanes, adding to the inspiration for the town name.
Bossa Nova Roars - PVGPThe final automotive event to preclude the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix weekend is held at Bossa Nova in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural district. In comparison to the other events that transpire during the ten-day celebration, this could be considered the least focused on the cars, and more on the conversation, relaxation, and enjoyment of friends, history of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, and the fine drinks of Bossa Nova. An exclusive group of mostly racing cars is invited to park in the parking spots located in front of Bossa Nova with most of the activity taking place within the bar. Located on 7th street in downtown Pittsburgh is a trendy and hip bar/restaurant named Bossa Nova that is renowned for its tapas, exotic cocktails, and martinis. It features a unique space with a cozy lounge, dramatic bar, and an eclectic blend of music, art and sculpture. It is located on the edge of the Cultural District and tends to attract young, up-and-coming professionals. Bordered by the Roberto Clemente bridge with views of PNC Park, this location and atmosphere was perfect to entice the potential next-generation of high-end exotic vehicle owners and to stir enthusiasm for the weekend's Vintage Grand Prix. It is not often an entire street gets closed down to regular-traffic parking and reserved for only racing cars and those associated with the Pittsburgh Grand Prix celebration. A few cars that had circled the BeaverRun Motorsports raceway a few days prior showed up to this year's Bossa Nova event.
PVGP BeaveRun Historic RacesThe Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is a multi-weekend event that has been in operation for over two-and-a-half decades. It is a ten day celebration packed with car shows, dinners, parades, races, and numerous other activities. It is the largest volunteer-based event in vintage racing and the longest running vintage race event in the nation, now celebrating its 27th consecutive year. The first event was a kick-off Rallye which had car enthusiasts match their driving skills against a 'mystery course' through the streets of Pittsburgh, PA. It was an activity that tested both driving and navigational skills. The next event in the 10-day celebration was the 7th Annual PVGP Historic Race at the BeaveRun MotorSports Complex track. The BeaveRun Historics is a welcomed compliment to the PVGP, as it provides a second racing venue which attracts an even wider audience of drivers and vehicles. Unlike the PVGP course, the BeaveRun circuit is very forgiving with sand traps and plenty of run-off areas. The PVGP is run through Schenley Park - and although every precaution has been taken to make the course as safe for drivers, spectators, and the cars - it is a public park and there are trees, barriers, and obstacles which could potentially do harm. With the BeaveRun circuit, risks are lower which occasionally fosters greater speeds and another variety of vehicles.
Portland Art MuseumThe Allure of the Automobile is the first exhibition to consider the stylistic development of cars in the context of prominent design movements such as Art Moderne and Postwar Modernity. Visitors will learn about the contrasts between European and American design, the influence of decorative arts, and the significant changes in automotive styling and engineering before and after World War II. The exhibition will be accompanied by an array of programs and opportunities to learn more about these remarkable automobiles, the technology behind them, and their historical and cultural context. Organized by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the exhibition will be guest curated by Ken Gross, the former director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prixby Angelo Lisuzzo * SVRA Photojournalist and Writer Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Ohio - The SVRA Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio event was held on this technically challenging 2.4-mile, 14-turn, narrow ribbon of asphalt that follows the naturally rolling terrain of the countryside. It is a must visit for any race fan who have never been here to witness the cars negotiate the variety of high speed and tight turns. Drivers have to deal with the major elevation changes not only on the straight sections, like Thunder Valley, but in the middle of corners such as the one referred to as 'Madness.' With a park-like setting, spectators can view many corners of the track from the amphitheater-like grassy viewing mounds or grandstands around the circuit and from spectator fencing up close to the action. It is easy access to the spectator areas to watch these beautifully restored historic machines negotiate the same corners, like 'The Carousel' or Keyhole', as they may have in their own heydays. Speaking of which, over 220 cars were here to do battle among 12 group, enduro and feature races. Friday started cool and wet. Weather suitable for rain tires lasted all day with the occasional let up giving hope of a drying track to the competitors only to rain again just as the a dry line formed on the. Practice saw a few brave souls venture out onto the slippery track made worse after a car dumped oil. Not many participated in qualifying because of the second session scheduled for Saturday was suppose to warm and dry, predicated by the weatherman. With a few off course excursions and spins they all survived the day in hopes of better conditions tomorrow and that should bring the viewing crowd count higher.
Greenwich Concours - European CarsListed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Greenwich is unique, in that it is actually two concours, back-to-back. Saturday's Concours Americana is exclusively for American makes, while Sunday's Concours International is exclusively for imported marques. The theme of the show is 'Mid-Century Hybrids', which was a special two-day display. Unlike the hybrids of today, these classics were called hybrids because they combined American running gear and V-8 engines with hand-crafted bodies by Italian, French, and British coach makers. We have an amazing assemblage of hybrids including a Facel Vega, Cunningham, Dual Ghia, Iso Grifo, Cobra, Hudson Italia, Fitch Phoenix, and Pantera. This year featured a three-day regatta of classic former America's Cup 12-Meter yachts. Held in association with the 12-M Yacht Development Foundation, these magnificent craft competed for the Greenwich Concours Cup. Best of Show This years Best of Show honors went to the most deserving vehicle on the field, a Delage D8-120 with coachwork by Letourner et Marchand. In the late 1930s Letourneur et Marchard of Paris built a series of aerodynamic 'coaches profiles' that pushed the typically French pillarless style to its aesthetic limits. The Delage Company was unable to weather the economic storm of the early 1930s, and its demise in 1935 led to the amalgamation of Delahaye and Delage in 1936. The new company brought out the first D8-120 wîth two cylinders added to the Delahaye 135MS straight-6 engine, bringing the capacity to 4.3-liters. Most of the D8-120s were built on a longer chassis and were very stylish for the period and were owned by the rich and glamorous.
Greenwich Concours - American CarsListed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Greenwich is unique, in that it is actually two concours, back-to-back. Saturday's Concours Americana is exclusively for American makes, while Sunday's Concours International is exclusively for imported marques. The theme of the show is 'Mid-Century Hybrids', which was a special two-day display. Unlike the hybrids of today, these classics were called hybrids because they combined American running gear and V-8 engines with hand-crafted bodies by Italian, French, and British coach makers. We have an amazing assemblage of hybrids including a Facel Vega, Cunningham, Dual Ghia, Iso Grifo, Cobra, Hudson Italia, Fitch Phoenix, and Pantera. This year featured a three-day regatta of classic former America's Cup 12-Meter yachts. Held in association with the 12-M Yacht Development Foundation, these magnificent craft competed for the Greenwich Concours Cup. Best of Show This years Best of Show honors went to the most deserving vehicle on the field, a 1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Beverly Sedan with coachwork by Murphy. Seen by many as the most beautiful closed Duesenberg design, the Beverly sedan by the Walter M. Murphy Co. of Pasadena is truly an elegant blend of closed coachwork with the massive Duesenberg chassis Armchair seating, rear seat instrumentation, and unique art deco window designs are just a few of the features that grace this car. Just over 400 Duesenberg Model Js and SJs were built between 1928 and 1937.
RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia IslandRM Auctions, the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, continued its record-breaking sales run in Northeast Florida over the weekend, posting a remarkable $24.3 million* in total sales with a strong 96% of all lots sold at its 13th annual Amelia Island sale to claim the top sales results of the weekend. Building on the company's strong track record in Florida, the impressive sales total represents the highest tally achieved in the event's 13 year history, with over a 25 percent increase on the company's 2010 sale figures. As many as 27 lots exceeded pre-sale estimates. In total, the single-day sale presented 103 lots, including a selection of vintage motorcycles, before a packed house, with bidders in the room joined by those on the phone and over the Internet. Illustrating RM's global clientele, bidders hailed from over 24 countries around the world, including as far away as India, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates.
Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island AuctionGooding & Company, the world's leading auction house for collectors of rare and exceptional cars, achieved more than $17.8 Million in sales at its second-annual Amelia Island Auction on Friday, March 11, an 11% increase since last year in its new Southern Atlantic auction market. Among the 85 top-quality and rare automotive and motorcycle consignments presented (two lots were withdrawn prior to auction), 70 lots sold to a domestic and international clientele of discerning collectors, resulting in a strong auction sales rate of 82%. Brimming with guests both seated and standing, Gooding & Company's auction room energy was palpable, especially with several thrilling moments driven by David Gooding and Charlie Ross. Bidding escalated between those in the room and callers on the phone, resulting in the exceptional sales of the $1.87 Million 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Cabriolet and $1.705 Million 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Prototype. Remarking on collector trends, Gooding & Company specialists noted how well the post-war European sports cars performed in yesterday's auction. World records in seven different European categories, including unrestored, preservation-quality cars, demonstrate the influence of best examples within this sector of the collector car market.
Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceThe 16th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance proved once again to be one of the top collector car events in the world, drawing nearly 20,000 enthusiasts to view a spectacular collection of nearly 300 rare automobiles and motorcycles. The event was held at the 5-Star Ritz-Carlton Resort on the 10th and 18th fairways of the golf course. This year's featured marques were the legendary Duesenbergs and the cars of Frank Kurtis and Sydney Allard. Hot rods that graced Hot Rod magazine's cover were on display, as were the great cars of the Indy 500 in honor of its centennial. The show honored Bobby Rahal, winner of the 1986 Indy 500, 1981 24 Hours of Daytona, 1987 12 Hours of Sebring and three CART championships. Duesenbergs There have been several other Duesenberg gatherings at other events in recent years, but the quality and quantity at Amelia Island was arguably the best. Not surprisingly, two Duesenbergs were named Best in Show, with the 1933 SJN Arlington Torpedo Sedan from the Nethercutt Collection earning the 'Concours d'Elegance' award. The 'Mormon Meteor' owned by Harry Yeaggy won the 'Concours de Sport.' This was the Meteor's third appearance at Amelia in 15 years and its first showing since a major restoration. It was once dubbed the 'fastest, most powerful car in the world.' Many consider it the ultimate Duesenberg, and its accomplishments and major awards have reinforced this belief. The 'Concours d'Elegance' winning car is widely known as 'Twenty Grand', reflecting its 1932 selling price. This supercharged Duesenberg was designed by Gordon Buehrig as a show car for the Chicago Century of Progress Exposition of 1933-1934. This graceful one-off closed-coupled design is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful Duesenbergs built, and apparently the Amelia Island Concours' judges agree.
The Scottsdale Auction - Gooding & CompanyRenowned for selling the most valuable car of Scottsdale Auction Week for the last four years, Gooding & Company continues to lead the high-end collector car market with $34.98 Million in total sales by presenting the best examples to its international audience of collectors and enthusiasts and achieving top sales across all categories of marques and models. Of the 129 lots presented over both Friday and Saturday's auctions, 121 lots sold resulting in a strong 94% sales rate and an average price paid per lot of $289,000. An extraordinary feat when presenting both Reserve and No Reserve consignments, Gooding & Company sold 100% of its 72 lots at its Saturday auction - a first for the auction house. Charged with electricity and optimism, Gooding & Company's glamorous tents were lively throughout the week and yet the culminating moment arrived when thousands of enthusiastic guests rose out of their seats to applaud the talented and comedic Auctioneer Charlie Ross in a standing ovation for his incredible performance and auction narration. What has become one of the most highly anticipated events of Scottsdale Auction Week, Gooding & Company's annual Friday and Saturday auctions reached new heights this year, not only because its total sales outperformed all previous years in its Arizona history, but also because many of the lots trumped all category comparisons, setting new market precedents.
Philadelphia International Auto ShowThe Philadelphia International Auto Show isn't exactly the glitziest gig in the car show circuit. With cars supplied primarily by a group of local dealerships (the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia), there aren't many dazzling concepts or exciting pre-production models. There are no quick-wristed executives to giddily flick sheets off of their company's latest debutants. There are no famous guest speakers, no Sergio Marchionne, no Alan Mulally. But what is at Philly is an air of plain, hard truth. The bigger events can dazzle with their show cars, but many of those concepts and one-offs are just as improbable as they are attractive. Philadelphia doesn't say much about the direction of the distant future. It doesn't say much about what's on the drawing board. But the Philly show celebrates the cars that are already here. No delusions, no false promises. Heading to the bigger car shows can be like listening to political speeches before a candidate is elected: you can hear the great ideas, you can feel the raw excitement—but you can never know for sure just where you'll end up at the end of Mr. Politician's term. Philadelphia skips the fuss. It's the moment of final truth at the end of the political term. This is what's here. This is now.
Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile MuseumWAAAM has one of the largest collections of still-flying antique aeroplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country. Aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, tractors, military jeeps and engines all get their day in the sun again at WAAAM. WAAAM, the antique airplane and automobile museum, is situated on a 40 acre parcel of land, in beautiful Hood River, Oregon. Hood River is located in the eastern part of the world-renowned Columbia River Gorge, just 60 miles east of Portland. Address/Phone: 1600 Air Museum Road
Automobiles of Arizona by RM AuctionsRM Auctions, the world's largest collector car auction house, enjoyed a strong start to its 2011 auction season this week, posting a record $30.8 million in sales at its annual Arizona event, with an impressive 96% of lots sold and four automobiles exceeding the magic million dollar mark. Held at the prestigious Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, the two-day sale presented 180 quality automobiles, spanning a diverse range of blue-chip automotive marques. Top honors went to a coveted 1949 Ferrari 166MM Barchetta (pictured left), a matching-numbers Mille Miglia veteran and the 10th of just 25 examples built, which attracted strong interest, achieving $1,870,000. A stunning, superbly-restored 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe (pictured right) also garnered significant attention, spurring a lively bidding war between Europe versus the Middle-East to well-exceed its presale estimate at $1,375,000 – a new auction record for a steel-bodied 300SL Gullwing.
Gilmore Car MuseumThe Gilmore Car Museum began in 1963 as the hobby of Donald S. Gilmore when his wife, Genevieve, gave him an antique car for his birthday —a 1920 Pierce-Arrow 'project car.' With the help of some friends, the auto was placed under a tent and a full restoration followed. The hobby soon grew into a collection of over 30 automobiles. Mr. Gilmore purchased 90 acres of farm property and had several historic barns dismantled piece by piece and moved to the site. It was Mr. Gilmore's wife who suggested the idea of turning the collection into a museum where future generations could enjoy the restored cars for years to come. The Gilmores established a non-profit foundation, and opened the museum to the public for the first time on Sunday, July 31, 1966. Donald Gilmore passed away in 1979, and Mrs. Gilmore in 1990, but the legacy they began continues to grow. Today, the site includes eight historic barns, a re-created 1930s service station, a small town train station, and nearly three miles of paved roads. It isn't uncommon for guest to catch a glimpse of one of the vintage cars or the authentic London double-decker bus in motion. And if you visit on a weekend or special show, don't be surprised if the driver asks you to hop in for a nostalgic road trip! Besides experiencing the wonderful collection of automobiles, you might find yourself reliving (or even making a few) childhood memories viewing the nearly 75 vintage pedal cars on exhibit. One of North America's largest displays of automotive hood ornaments and name badges can also be found in the combined collections of The Gilmore and CCCA museums. The Museum is a founding member of the National Association of Automobile Museums, a member of the World Forum of Motor Museums, the Michigan Association of Museums, and the American Association of Museums.
The Henry FordThe Henry Ford Museum is a National Historic Landmark located in the Metro Detroit suburb of Detroit, Michigan. It is the nation's 'largest indoor history museum' complex. It was built in 1929, named after the noted automobile industrialist Henry Ford, and designed by Robert O. Derrick. The original purpose of the museum was to preserve items of historical significance and portray the Industrial revolution. Along with automobiles, the collection includes a vast array of famous homes, machinery, exhibits and Americana. Exhibits include John F. Kennedy's presidential limousine, Abraham Lincoln's chair from Ford's theatre, Thomas Edison's laboratory, the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop, and the Rosa Parks bus. Vehicles in the collection include automobiles from many marques, including Packard, Duryea, Locomobile, Thomas, Bugatti, Overland, and more. Perhaps the most impressive vehicle is the Bugatti Royale Type 41. That vehicle is considered the ultimate status symbol and is one of the biggest, rarest, and most desirable cars in the world.
