Category Archives: News

Steve McQueen’s Porsche – $1.95m!

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We reported a few weeks ago that Steve McQueen’s amazing 930-series Porsche 911 Turbo was up for auction.  Well it has sold at the Pebble Beach Auction for 10 times the value it would have achieved if the great man had not owned it.  $1.95m!!!

The car has great provenance, possibly the best imaginable.  It was specifically modified by Mr McQueen to enable him to give law enforcement a run for their money in the dark.

Other notable sales at the auction included:

  • 2015 McLaren P1
  • 1982 Porsche 956
  • 1959 Ferrari 250GT Competizione
  • 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
  • 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica
  • 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C
  • 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S
  • 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France by Scaglietti
  • 1960 Porsche RS60

What a great sale.

New: Lotus 3-Eleven – Fastest Lotus EVER!!!

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Lotus 3-Eleven

Lotus 3-Eleven

At last the rumours have been confirmed.  The Lotus 3-Eleven is going to be built – and it is going to be the fastest production Lotus ever!!!

It’s being revealed today in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, 26th June 2015.

The new Lotus 3-Eleven will enter production in February 2016 and deliveries will commence in April 2016. Production will be limited to just 311 vehicles in total.

Prices start at £82,000 ($130,000) for the Road version and £115,000 ($180,000) for the Race version.  That puts it in to a price competition with the likes of the Porsche 911 but it is really aimed at a totally different market.

The Lotus philosophy is to make a car faster by making it lighter.  If you have ever driven both an Elise and 911 round a race track you will understand the difference in the philosophies of the two manufacturers.

To quote: “With a dry weight of below 900 kg (Race version), the 3-Eleven offers an enviable power to weight ratio, in excess of 500 hp per tonne, and is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds before reaching a maximum speed of 174 mph (280 km/h) for the Race version and 180 mph (290 km/h) for the Road version”.

That is as fast as a 911 Turbo and nearly as fast as a 911 Turbo S.

No information currently on availability in the US.  However if you are in the market for a very fast track car with exclusivity to die for we would suggest you consider importing one yourself now…

For Sale: Steve McQueen’s old Porsche Turbo

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Is this possibly the coolest car in the world?  Steve McQueen’s 1976 Porsche 930 Turbo Cerrera in Slate Grey and Black livery.  Its up for auction in August…

1976 PORSCHE 930 TURBO CARRERA

1976 PORSCHE 930 TURBO CARRERA

The color chosen so not to attract the attention of California Highway Cops when driving fast.  Originally purchased for $17,000.  The value now?  Lots.  His old sunglasses were sold for $70,000!!!

There is a video describing the history of the car here.

 

Wheeler Dealers – The US Car Episodes

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In the UK there is a great TV show made by The Discovery Cannel called Wheeler Dealers. There are two presenters, Mike Brewer and Ed China, and the premise of the program is very simple but effective. Each episode Mike buys a second hand motor on a budget, Ed works on its bodywork and mechanicals to bring it up to scratch, then Mike sells it on, hopefully for a profit.

The thing that sets this program apart is that it doesn’t shy away from the details. Mike gives lots of great tips on how to locate, test drive and bargain for the car. Ed then goes through all the details of the work required to fix the car. And finally Mike goes through the details of how to secure a sale.

Highlights of the program to date have included:

  • a Lamborghini Urraco purchased in Poland
  • a Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
  • Lancia Delta HF Integrale 8v
  • DeLorean DMC-12

Series 1 was first aired in 2003, and to date 11 series have been aired (up to March 2014). However we are about to be treated to a new series, series 12, starting in March 2015 in which Ed and Mike set up a temporary workshop in Huntington Beach, CA.

To celebrate the start of the new series we wanted to give you a run down of the US cars they have tackles to day (series 1 to 11):

Series Vehicle Budget Purchase Price Repair Costs Selling Price Profit/Loss
1 1967 Chevrolet El Camino $9,600 $9,600 $808 $9,900 -$508
1 1967 Chevrolet Camaro $17,201 $15,000 $100 $27,142 $9,292
2 Willys Jeep $19,950 $10,000 $48 $10,435 $387
3 Chevrolet Opala $20,337 $5,217 $6 $6,522 $1,319
3 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray $21,655 $17,000 $440 $22,500 $5,060
3 Chevrolet Apache $26,715 $11,000 $940 $14,500 $2,560

Don’t miss series 12…

2015 Formula 1 Season Starts This Week

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A sport that has been growing in popularity in North America is Formula 1.  And for good reason.  The years proceeding the 2014 championship were dominated by the Red Bull Racing Team and their driver Sebastian Vettel.  Whilst the visceral wail of the V8 engines was intoxicating, the drivers and constructors championships were becoming predictable.

However that all changed for the 2014 session, in which the FIA took the brave decision to radically change the series.  By removing the V8s and swapping for 6 cylinder plus electrical hybrid systems and introducing stringent fuel efficiency rules the FIA made F1 relevant to the challenges facing today’s motor industry.

But what would the racing be like…?

Well 2014 proved to be one the most exciting years for F1 ever.  The once dominant force of Red Bull was over shadowed by Mercedes.  And the once dominant driving skills of Sebastian Vettel were overshadowed by the Australian Daniel Ricciardo (possibly spurred on by the thought of .

And to crown it we had one of the most exciting season-long team-mate driver battles ever in the history of F1.  The rivalry between Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg was up there with the likes of Alain Prost vs. Nigel Mansell, and James Hunt vs Niki Lauda.

The head to head battle was full of acrimony, crashes, and season long jostling for position.  In the end it was Hamilton who was victorious as he managed to secure his 2nd world championship in the final race of the season.

So tune in for the start of 2015 in Australia:

  • Practice Friday 13th March
  • Qualifying Saturday 14th March
  • Racing Sunday 15th March

If you don’t want to miss any races you can view the full calendar here.

Geneva Motor Show 2015

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The 85th International Motor Show opened this week.  Running from 5th to 15th March 2015, it provides the world premiere for some of the best launches from the car industry this year.

Highlights include:

For those of us not lucky enough to be able to attend, we can see the cars at the official website.

Or watch a great walk-through of the show by Chris Harris here.