ADESA's Caruso Reflects on Prized Classic Car, Importance of Web

Follow the link to see the video. From AutoRemarketing: ADESA's Caruso Reflects on Prized Classic Car, Importance of Web While also sharing the story about his reunion with a long-lost classic-car favorite, ADESA president and chief executive officer Tom Caruso offered his take during a recent video interview on how the Web has impacted the auction business.

In the video — which was recently posted to ADESA’s Overdrive blog — Caruso talks with Motor Trend Radio host Alan Taylor about their experiences in the car business and mutual love for classic cars, as well as the changes brought by the Internet.

“It has really taken down the barriers,” Caruso said of the Web. “On our LiveBlock system … we’ll have vehicles from all over the country.”

He added: “It’s not uncommon to have dealers from New York buying vehicles at our sale in Las Vegas … it has been great for us, and it has been great for the industry.

“It’s growing. Each week we see the numbers growing with the Internet presence,” Caruso continued.

The ADESA leader also shed a bit of light on a special 1968 Chrysler 300 that he and his father owned in the early 1980s. Caruso said he eventually sold the car to make a home purchase, but he was able to find and purchase it three years ago. And the three-year restoration of the car is now complete.

Classic car showcase: 1927 LaSalle

From Herald CA: Classic car showcase: 1927 LaSalle
By the mid-1920s automotive engineering was well enough advanced that cars were pretty reliable. Motorists were ready for more comfort, performance and style. Even the conservative Henry Ford recognized rather belatedly that the days of his sturdy but spartan Model T were numbered. He discontinued it in 1927 and began design on its replacement, the more glamorous Model A.

At General Motors its brilliant president, Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., was gradually evolving the idea of the annual model change. Encouraged by time-payment car loans which had arrived in the late teens and were now established, motorists were becoming accustomed to trading in their old cars for new ones. Sloan wanted to hurry the process along by making motorists dissatisfied with their current cars a little sooner.

What better way to entice them to trade up than to offer new styling. It complemented his annual model change perfectly. Even though engineering may be only marginally improved, at least give a fresh new look. This led to the formalization of automobile styling.

While all of this was developing in Sloan's mind, a young man named Harley Earl was out in Hollywood, California, working for local Cadillac distributor Don Lee. Earl had a natural styling touch and Lee had him busily engaged in lengthening, lowering and rounding off the square corners of stock cars on commissions from movie stars and other wealthy buyers wanting something more distinctive than the boxy designs of the day.

On a business trip to the west coast Cadillac general manager Lawrence Fisher discovered Earl's work while visiting Lee’s establishment. Fisher wasn’t very happy with Cadillac’s appearance, which he regarded as dumpy, and was very impressed with Earl's handiwork. Upon his return east, he enthusiastically reported to president Sloan what young Earl was doing out in California.

The timing was propitious because it fitted perfectly with Sloan's annual model change philosophy. He decided to give Earl a try, and in 1926 invited him to Detroit on a contract to help style the new 1927 LaSalle, a new Cadillac "companion car" being developed by Cadillac to offer buyers some Cadillac prestige without the Cadillac price. It would also fill in the price gap between Buick and regular Cadillacs.

The new LaSalle “junior Cadillac” was introduced in March, 1927 and Earl's styling made it an immediate sensation. Using all of his imaginative Hollywood techniques he had created a body with gently rounded curves, deeply drawn fenders and beautifully harmonized colours. It suddenly made other cars look old fashioned.

To give the appearance of speed Earl had lowered the LaSalle’s silhouette, giving it an over-all impression of elegance never before seen in an American car. Earl had been deeply impressed by European cars, and the fact that he had borrowed heavily from the Spanish Hispano-Suiza’s styling was either not noticed, or was simply ignored.

With his work at GM finished Earl returned to California from his contract assignment. But it wasn’t long before Sloan had sold his board of directors on the importance of styling. Earl was invited back to Detroit on a permanent basis to head up a newly created Art and Colour Section of General Motors reporting directly to Sloan. Styling was now no longer a sideline for the engineers, but was recognized as a significant enough element to be a separate activity.

The LaSalle vaulted Earl into prominence, and under his influence automobile styling advanced rapidly. The Art and Colour Section evolved and expanded to become the Styling Department. In 1940 Earl was made a General Motors vice-president, the first stylist to achieve such elevated status in the auto industry.

Harley Earl would set the styling mode for General Motors automobiles, and consequently the whole American industry, for three decades. And although it was the LaSalle that gave him his start, he will be remembered for the wraparound windshield, jet plane inspiration and most of all, the tailfin craze that reached its zenith in the 1950s. They came about because Earl was so captivated by the twin fuselages of the Lockheed P-38 airplane that he tried vestigial fins, little more than raised rear lights, on the 1948 Cadillac. They took off from there and became an American styling icon for a decade.

The LaSalle would survive through the 1930s as a lower priced companion car to the Cadillac. It had Cadillac quality, and was also powered by a V8 engine except from 1934 to '36 when for cost reasons it received an Oldsmobile straight eight.

By 1940 GM deemed it unnecessary to continue the LaSalle. Buick had moved upscale, and that combined with Cadillac's lower priced models squeezed LaSalle out of the GM family. But although it lasted for only 14 years the LaSalle has secured its place in history as the car that more than any other formalized automotive styling.

New posting schedule

Starting with the week beginning Feb 27, I will be posting in this blog at least twice a week, but sometimes no more than that. However, rest assured that there will be at least 2 posts a week.

"Cruisin' the Coast"

http://www.cruisinthecoast.com/ 16th Annual Cruisin' The Coast will be October 7-14, 2012. Until Cruisin' The Coast 2012 2012 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL AUGUST 15, 2012. From their site: Welcome to America's Largest Block Party. Cruisin' The Coast® began in 1996 as a festival to celebrate antique, classic and hot rod vehicles, nostalgic music and related events. 374 vehicles registered that first year and in 2010 we had 4,854 registered vehicles. Car enthusiasts from over 39 states and Canada drive to the Mississippi Gulf Coast once a year to showcase their rides and to cruise our beautiful 30-mile stretch of beachside highway with designated stops in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, D'Iberville, Gulfport, and Ocean Springs. Each venue is set up as a mini festival with a stage for live bands, reserved parking for registered cruisers, spectator parking, and vendors for food and event merchandise. Our week long event includes cruise-ins, a VA Hospital Cruise, car auction, swap meet, car corral, and a parade. Spectators are welcome and will find that our cruisers love to talk "old cars." Cruisin' The Coast® has 13 Host Car Clubs providing over 700 volunteers who help with registering vehicles, directing cars at the venues, giving directions, and welcoming our guests. These are just the jobs cruisers see. There are hundreds of behind the scenes and pre-event activities that our volunteers help with all year long. When you see someone in a bright yellow staff shirt - that is a fellow car lover who is donating time to make this a fun event for all. If you get a chance you may want to say thank you to a volunteer during your visit. Cruisin' The Coast® has become the biggest special event in the state of Mississippi. As Cruisin' The Coast® has grown, the honors and awards have followed suit. Cruisin' The Coast® received the Governor's Excellence in Tourism Award as Festival/Event of the Year in the State of Mississippi. Cruisin' The Coast® was also named the recipient of the "Shining Example Award" for Best Festival/Event of the year by the Southeast Tourism Society, one of the "100 Events for the Year" for 2001 and in 2011 by the American Bus Association and was also named a Southern Travel Treasure by AAA's magazine, AAA Southern Traveler. In 2007, the Automotive Restoration Market named Cruisin' The Coast the 2007 Restoration Event of the Year. We want to thank all of our volunteers, sponsors, participating vendors, and you, the car enthusiasts, who have made Cruisin' The Coast® the success story it is.

Mardi Gras, Classic Cars and Power Boat Racing: Unexpected Activities in Biloxi, Mississippi

From Peter Greenberg: Mardi Gras, Classic Cars and Power Boat Racing: Unexpected Activities in Biloxi, Mississippi

They may be shouting, ”laissez les bons temps rouler!” in New Orleans, but the party is also underway on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Peter recently sat down with the locals in Biloxi, Mississippi, to learn about the events that define this Gulf Coast city, from Mardi Gras traditions to cruising classic cars to power boat racing.

Peter Greenberg: Tell me what’s different about Mardi Gras here than you’d find in New Orleans?

Woody Bailey: It’s one of the safest Mardi Gras that there is. Mobile and New Orleans have outstanding Mardi Gras and most people think about New Orleans, but Biloxi has a tremendous event. People don’t know much about it and we need to get that word out there.

PG: What makes it different other than that it’s safer?

WB: It’s the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the hospitality. The red carpet is always out here for folks on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and for Mardi Gras it’s not an exception.

PG: Are the floats different here?

WB: Floats are somewhat similar.

PG: And you’ve got the king cake.

WB: Oh, we got the king cakes all over the place.

PG: And what happens when you get the baby?

WB: You’re in charge of getting the next king cake.

PG: That’s the problem. So nobody really wants to get that baby cause now you’re buying.

WB: Right. Well it’s still a little fun to hunt for the baby while you’re sifting through the cake.

PG: The thing about Mardi Gras is you’ve got 23 different parades going on.

WB: Yes, yes we do. There are lots of things going on. People can come here for the weekend and stay from Mardi Gras to Fat Tuesday and just have a great time. It’s easy to get around, the crowds are manageable, the parade comes right by the Beau Rivage—what more could you ask?

PG: Let’s go beyond Mardi Gras for a second because when you wanted to talk classic cars, you’ve got something called Cruisin’ the Coast.

WB: We do. We started that event in 1996. Our Sweet 16 is coming up for us in October.

PG: I talk about the Barrett Jackson classic car show in Arizona, but this is different.

WB: This is an event where you get to use your car. A lot of people go to a car event and they sit in a field and they auction them off, but here we cruise the coast. We have a 26-mile beach front area that you cruise up and down and you go to certain events. These cars don’t stay on a trailer, they’re out actively running up and down the coast. We had about 5,484 vehicles registered last year and that was almost our record year.

PG: What does it take to register a car? It’s got to be a really cool car to ride in this thing?

WB: Well, we’re 25 years old or older so that’s the only requirement.

PG: So if it’s running it shows up?

WB: That’s correct and running is important like I say cause we have events for you to do. That’s why it’s so unique.

PG: If the only requirement is to be 25 years or older, you’ve got to tell me what’s the ugliest car that showed up at this event last year?

WB: Some unique cars show up. One year we had this old truck —it was an old rust bucket and this guy’s a crab fisherman—and he won the flame-throwing competition. You never know who’s going to show up.

PG: Excuse me, what is the flame-throwing competition?

WB: Who can shoot out the best flames from their exhaust pipes. Some vehicles are equipped with spark plugs that are ignited when the exhaust gas comes out and they shoot out flames.

PG: So the fire department is involved?

WB: The fire department is there. We did it on grass this past year and we did catch some grass on fire a little bit.We had the fire extinguishers there so there was no problem.

PG: If that’s not your speed then you have boat racing.

WB: Exactly. We have Smokin’ the Lake and Smokin’ the Sound power boat races.

PG: No flames coming out of those, I hope.

WB: Uh, sometimes. We’ve got one boat that has a few flames out of his exhaust sometimes, but for the most part we try to keep the flames away from the boats, that don’t work too well. Fire and water don’t mix very well, but Smokin’ the Sound is an offshore power boat race that’s coming up the weekend of April 26-29, and the Smokin’ the Sound Poker Run. Then we have a poker run. Our barrier islands are very dear to my heart and our poker run showcases those islands. The next weekend is Smokin’ the Lake, which is a drag-boat race.

PG: So, basically, if you like flames and speed and old cars that just show up and start belching…

WB: …We got it

Ferrari F620 GT Slips A Trailer Out, BMW Accidentally Confirms M135i, And Don’t Buy Classic Cars

From Jalopnik: Ferrari F620 GT Slips A Trailer Out, BMW Accidentally Confirms M135i, And Don’t Buy Classic Cars This is the Morning Shift, our one-stop daily roundup of all the auto news that's actually important — all in one place at 9:00 AM. Or, you could spend all day waiting for other sites to parcel it out to you one story at a time. Isn't your time more important?

1st Gear: Grab Your Hat, The Ferrari F620 GT Is Coming
We've all just received this "Save the Date" video from the brand all about the prancing stallion. Yes, on February 29th we'll see the unveiling of the most powerful Ferrari... in the world... ever. It's so powerful it'll require their drivers... to wear a Ferrari hat.

2nd Gear: Peter Mullin, Super Classic Car Collector, Warns Against Classic Car Market
Bloomberg has an interview this morning with Peter Mullin (think Mullin Museum), the 71 year old classic car collector who just bought the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic in 2010 for $30 million — making it the most expensive car purchased... in the world... ever. What does he think about the classic car market? Basically, don't put your money in it. "Non-car people shouldn't buy thinking this a good place to park their money," he says. "The odds of choosing the wrong thing or a fake are real high. You should buy a car because you love it. If you've bought something good and they didn't make 30,000 of them, it probably will go up in value. But that's not a good enough reason in itself for the purchase." Word.

3rd Gear: Lamborghini Says Slowing China Economy May Hurt Supercar Demand
But it's not just the collector classic car market that's hurting. Bloomberg reports that Lamborghini, maker of the $387,000 (it'll cost you a cool million bucks in China once you add in import fees, taxes and a lifetime of bribes to Chinese officials) Aventador LP 700-4, has joined Rolls Royce in forecasting that sales of ultra-luxury cars may slow as signs that China's economy is weakening puts off some buyers. "If you look at the economy right now, there may be some uncertainty to make people wait a little," Christian Mastro, Lamborghini's Asia Pacific general manager, said in a phone interview on Feb. 16. "The number of people able to spend this kind of money is limited, it's not unlimited." Dammit! We thought this gravy train of super cars would continue forever! Well, guess the Chinese will have to stop destroying them.

4th Gear: Chrysler Kicks Every Other Car Commercial's Ass In Building Super Bowl Buzz
Chrysler's Super Bowl commercial with Clint Eastwood, titled "It's Halftime in America," received more votes than any other auto ad, but came in second overall in YouTube's Ad Blitz 2012 contest. "'It's Halftime in America' is about a mission, not about a product. It is about the spirit that motivates our embracement of this mission," said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler chairman and CEO. "The 2-minute video portrayed the essence of Chrysler Group's commitment and how we are working toward the future." No it didn't. I listen to partisan gum-flappers and hack wannabe political writers and they told me it totally portrayed the essence of President Obama's reelection campaign. Oh, it didn't?

5th Gear: BMW F20 M135i And xDrive 135i Confirmed By Accessories Catalog BimmerPost / 1
Addicts have the scoop today that those rumors about an M135i version that have been circulating for months are true — and the confirmation comes from BMW's newly-launched F20 accessories price list. They have screenshots that mention the 135i, the 135i xDrive, and the M135i.

6th Gear: Is The Infiniti Emerg-E Concept Derived From Adrian Newey's Red Bull F1 Tech? Infiniti is launching their Emerg-E advanced-tech mid-engine sportscar concept at next month's Geneva Motor Show. Watch as Leo Parente and his Drive channel ShakeDown program present his conspiracy theory that Red Bull F1 and Adrian Newey have got to be connected to Emerg-E. They just have to be — because Leo said so! Also, Infiniti's got a four-door GT-R sitting at Roswell. We just know the truth is out there. Reverse:

Rover P6 classic car review

From the Telegraph: Rover P6 classic car review
n 1963 Charles de Gaulle vetoed Britain's entry to the EEC. It was also the year that Rover launched its all-new saloon, the P6. You can keep your economic community, Monsieur de Gaulle, we have other things to make us proud.

First marketed as the 2000, the 2.0-litre, four-door saloon was relatively compact yet spacious inside. Innovative suspension and clever glass-topped lights – making all four corners of the car visible to the driver in the dark – helped earn it the inaugural European Car of the Year award in 1974. It had decent, if not exciting, performance and in 1966 a twin-carb option was introduced, giving a welcome boost in performance. But the big change came in April 1968, when a US-sourced 3.5-litre V8 was dropped in. The Rover 3500 was, by the standards of the day, a bit of a beast.

At first drive, the gleaming V8 pictured here felt a bit, well, lazy. I wasn't expecting it to feel quick compared to fast modern cars. But it had a claimed 0-60mph time of less than 10 seconds and I was getting left behind by van drivers. Then I realised the problem: the three-speed auto was changing up far too early, at just under 3,000rpm. This isn't The Sweeney, it seemed to be telling me, keep a lid on it son.

Ignoring the old motor's pleas for leniency by changing gear manually, it showed what it could really do. It surprised many younger cars by powering away with a dignified, unhurried roar. The acceleration at motorway speeds is really impressive. If you want it as a high-speed cruiser, however, the optional full-length sunroof is not a wise move. The wind noise starts at about 30mph and by 70mph you can neither talk nor think.

One interesting feature on the car I drove was the spare wheel on top of the boot lid to free up space for luggage. I also think it looks good, although it has a negative impact on rearward visibility. The rear-view mirror is small, and appears to have been designed specifically to show you the spare wheel in its entirety, and nothing more. The wing mirrors are also tiny, and positioned alongside you such that a strange contortion of the head is needed to see anything.

After a triumphant birth, by the 1970s things were not going so well for the P6. Rover had been nationalised under the fantastically ropey British Leyland, and its cars gained a reputation for lack of quality. My dad inherited a 10-year-old 3500 in the early 1980s and the body had rotted so much that it let in more air from the bottom than it did from the open sunroof.

But now everyone seems to have forgotten the bad side. This amazingly well-preserved 1974 example got a great deal of love from its public: one man approached me in a car park and tried to buy it; cabbies drew alongside to give it the thumb of approval; a wino even broke off from his begging to tell me how beautiful it was. This was far more attention than I expected for a car which is handsome but hardly exotic.

Maybe the reaction is partly out of affection for a once-great British marque that was let down by the British, cast aside by the Germans, and then mothballed by the Chinese. Things have moved on since 1963. We are now members of the EEC, or whatever they choose to call it now, but Rover is no more. And for a lot of misty-eyed men of a certain age, some things were better off as they were.

ClassicCars.com Vehicle Selection Surpasses $1 Billion in Value

From MarketWatch: ClassicCars.com Vehicle Selection Surpasses $1 Billion in Value PHOENIX, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- ClassicCars.com, the world's largest online marketplace devoted to classic and collector vehicles, announced that on any given day, its catalog of nearly 30,000 vehicles for sale now exceeds one billion dollars in aggregate value. ClassicCars.com offers a wide variety of vehicles, from "fixer uppers" worth under $5,000 to elite show vehicles commanding well in excess of $1 million.

"Reaching one billion dollars in inventory is a tremendous milestone for us and for our industry," said Roger Falcione, CEO of ClassicCars.com. "Never before have consumers and collectors had so great a selection of vehicles from which to choose. We have a passionate audience of die-hard enthusiasts to thank for that."

Since its inception, ClassicCars.com has seen consistent year-over-year growth in both the number and aggregate value of vehicles offered through its services. The company offers vehicles for sale by a worldwide network of more than 250 specialty dealerships, several major auction houses, and private sellers. ClassicCars.com's Road-Ready Certified(TM) program, an innovative program attesting to the roadworthiness of classic and collector vehicles and backing every certified vehicle with a warranty and roadside assistance was launched in 2011 to bring transparency and peace of mind to the buying process.

ClassicCars.com offers sellers a comprehensive listing package consisting of up to 100 photos, a video clip, virtually unlimited-length descriptions, and several upgrade options for greater visibility, including Road-Ready Certified status for vehicles that pass a 50-point inspection and road test administered by an independent ASE-certified mechanic.

About ClassicCars.comHeadquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, ClassicCars.com is devoted to helping automotive enthusiasts as they purchase, sell, restore, and maintain their most prized possessions. With nearly 30,000 vehicles for sale, ClassicCars.com is home to the world's largest online selection of classic and collector vehicles for sale. ClassicCars.com's exclusive Road-Ready Certified(TM) program brings confidence and transparency to the classic vehicle buying process. The site receives over 600,000 visits each month. ClassicCars.com maintains industry partnerships with Hemmings Motor News, Cars.com, TraderOnline, the National Street Rod Association, and JamesList.

180 LOTS CONFIRMED FOR RACE RETRO AND CLASSIC CAR SALE

From 3-D Car Shhows: 180 LOTS CONFIRMED FOR RACE RETRO AND CLASSIC CAR SALE
The catalogue has now closed for the Race Retro and Classic Car Sale hosted by Silverstone Auctions, with some 72 cars spanning more than a century in age confirmed to go under the hammer.

In addition to this there are 100 automobilia items including a genuine race helmet and race suit used by arguably the world’s best ever F1 driver, the late Ayrton Senna. Reflecting the rarity of these two lots, they are estimated at between £40,000 – £50,000 and £20,000 – £30,000 respectively. With something for everyone, other items include signed posters, photographs, paintings and a selection of cherished number plates.

For fans of two wheels rather than four, there are eight motorcycles up for sale.

The auction is one of the highlights at this year’s Race Retro International Historic Motorsport Show which is held from the 24th to 26th February at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.

Viewing of the lots is all day on the Friday (24th) and until lunchtime on the Saturday (25th), when bidding commences.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “Motorsport and classic car fans are in for a real treat as included in the main sale are many championship-winning competition cars from both the race track and rally stages. The collection also includes many classic road cars as well as some future modern classics.”

Notable highlights of the sale catalogue include a beautiful 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar, widely regarded as the best one ever built, a stunning 1976 Porsche 934 ‘Jagermeister’ race car, a rare 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Saloon estimated between £165,000 – £185,000, and a 1933 Talbot 110 Alpine Replica estimated between £130,000 – £160,000.

Indeed, 15 cars will be sold either without reserve or with an estimate under £10,000 including models from BMW, Porsche, Mini and Mercedes-Benz.

Nick added: “The Race Retro International Historic Motorsport Show is Europe’s premier historic racing event so it is only fitting that Silverstone Auctions is playing an integral part. With such an exquisite collection and the renewed interest in classic cars as an investment option, we are looking forward to some competitive bidding.”

Visitors wishing to attend the auction or view the lots are required to buy an auction catalogue priced at £15 each which are available from www.silverstoneauctions.com or on the door. Those interested in bidding must register before the auction commences.

Those interested in submitting an entry into Silverstone Auctions next event, The Spring Sale on 16th May, can email enquiries@silverstoneauctions.com or call 01926 691 141.

Australia: The Great Gatsby Movie Set: Classic Cars Gallore Alas No Leonardo DiCaprio

From Street Corner: The Great Gatsby Movie Set: Classic Cars Gallore Alas No Leonardo DiCaprio Today it was almost all hands on deck at the old site of the White Bay Power Station in Sydney's Rozelle, as about half a dozen classic cars rolled up and down The Great Gatsy set. Producer / director Baz Luhrmann (fully recovered from his hitting his head on the boom just before Christmas) was spotted, as was plenty of security officers, a few technical folks, a bus boy, a "dogs body" and a few good looking honey wagons. The only apparent news media anywhere within a stones throw was us. It was great to see Gatsy back in our own backyard, last month doing shooting at Manly - the northern beaches region of Sydney, with the odd scene also being completed at Fox Studios, Moore Park. We should also mention that we're not convinced that the Blue Mountains location shoot ever happened, as it was a rumour that started on the Sydney sets, but make your own minds up when you watch the movie - due to hit the big screen in Australia this coming December.

We must say that the reconstructed upper class gardens, manicured lawns, complete with water fountain, that the Gatsy hands on crew put together look just fabulous. Water sprinklers were going at full blast on the lawn set to ensure the grass maintained its lushness - reserved for fine folks like the Gatsby's.

Dozens of shots of classic cars and bikes featured in the flick were secured today.

We were glad to hear that some of the movie cast and crew took time out to frequent a couple of local cafes in the area, with crew today ducking into Balamin's Cafe 2041, and last week even Leo and friends popped into a cafe at Lilyfield. Great to see Gatsby sharing the wealth with local business enterprise

Other Leo News...

Leo DiCaprio with Australia's Next Top Models At Sydney's Beach Haus...

If you blinked and missed it, we can report that Leo and a number of ANTMs were spotted at the exclusive Beach Haus nightclub at Kings Cross last Friday night.

Our spies think that Leo may have already moved forward from his Victoria's Secret model girlfriend Erin Heatherton. There was no sign of the said model. She's the lass who made a public appearance with DiCaprio last December last year at a UFC event at Luna Park

Australia's Next Top Model third-placed Simone Holtznagel was there, along with Montana Cox, Holtznagel was seen chatting to DiCaprio throughout the night.

Leo wore his baseball cap backwards, as per usual, and instead of hiding in the corner all night as hi often does, this time he hopped up on the couch for a brisk dance.

"He seemed pretty chilled. He was mostly texting on his Blackberry but Holtznagel was definitely the standout of all the girls trying to get his attention," advised a leak. "And she was one of the few girls he really spoke to."

Leo also spent some catch up time with good mate Lukas Haas, owner of the popular night haunt.

With girls gave plenty of attention to not only DiCaprio, but also Haas.

It's been said "Lukas and Montana left together. Leo was a little more discreet. He left unaccompanied just after 3am and a few minutes later Simone left too."

Websites

Bazmark www.bazmark.com

Leonardo DiCaprio official website www.leonardodicaprio.com

Warner Bros. www.warnerbros.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia www.musicnewsaustralia.com

New Vintage Series Supercar Wheels from HRE

From Automotive Discovery: New Vintage Series Supercar Wheels from HRE Classic car lovers are jumping for joy to see the gorgeous new models HRE has proudly introduced. This new Vintage Series from HRE Performance Wheels have all the modern updates any car lover expects, with all the coolness that only the true classics possess. HRE rolled out three versions to offer in their Vintage Series line. The 501 “Mesh Lace” version is inspired by the original Porsches released decades ago. The 505, billed as “Thick five spoke” is inspired directly from the Ferrari 288 GTO and F40, and the 454 “Five Window” hosts Lamborghini Countach posters.

Alan Peltier, HRE Performance Wheels President said, “The process of recreating vintage designs that captured the style and essence of the originals was very exciting and challenging for all of us at HRE. These designs take us all back to the ’70′s and ’80′s when we were kids falling in love with exotics for the first time and truly becoming car lovers. Capturing all the character and magic of these designs, while ensuring they fit modern super cars and met our current engineering standards, made the project tougher than simply creating replicas of the original cast wheels. We found inspiration in those original designs but created wheels that reflect the HRE of today; wheels that are truly inspired.”

HRE Performance Wheels reengineered all three models using FEA analysis, aerospace-grade forged alloy, for maximum strength. These classic cars are being hand finished to each customer’s precise specifications. There is a wide range of options available including hand brushing custom tinted colors, and classic bronze, gold and polished centers and rims. The 505 Thick Five Spoke is available in 18 to 20 inch diameters and 7 to 14 inches in width. All models receive HRE Performance Wheels that are specifically engineered to minimize rotational inertia and un-sprung mass to offer optima performance.

ILLINOIS: Classic car showroom coming to Plainfield

From The Herald News: Classic car showroom coming to Plainfield PLAINFIELD — If you’re in the market for classic cars, you won’t have to go far for it.

The Plainfield Village Board on Monday approved a special-use ordinance for a planned development to allow for the sale of classic cars at the Rod Baker showroom on Joliet Road and Dillman Street. Besides the potential sale of classic cars, Rod Baker will offer minor repair and restoration work out of the facility.

Village planner Michael Garrigan said the location on 15303 S. Joliet Road housed the Rod Baker Ford dealership before the business relocated to its current site at 16101 S. Route 30.

“The current space is configured for a dealership and the applicant is currently storing classic vehicles in the proposed space,” said Garrigan.

He noted that Rod Baker will only use the space at 15303 S. Joliet Road for a showroom and will not actually be engaging in sales. All sales transactions will continue to be handled at the existing Rod Baker on Route 30.

He adds that the showroom will display around six to eight classic cars. Per the agreement, storage or sale of new and non-classic cars will not be permitted on premises.

UK railways judged worst for fares and efficiency

Whoops - sorry - I have a Train blog too and that is where this post was supposed to be!!! From the Guardian: UK railways judged worst for fares and efficiency Britain's railways have been judged worst for fares, efficiency and comfort in a study of rail services in Europe. The report by the thinktank Just Economics said UK rail services were less affordable, less comfortable, slower, more inefficient and more expensive than those in France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Frequency of trains was the only area in which the UK performed better. "In terms of bang for buck, not only does the UK come bottom of the index of outcomes but it also spends a relatively large amount of money to achieve this woeful result. This means that it also comes bottom of the value for money league," said the report. "Our under-performing railways carry a considerable cost both for passengers and for the public purse. Our calculations show that a more affordable, more comfortable and faster railway would generate a staggering £324bn in social value (£9.2bn a year) between now and 2050. This is the equivalent of £7 of value per average journey in that period. "We also estimate that the social, economic and environmental benefits of achieving a modal shift from road to rail – in terms of reduced congestion, accidents and emissions – could potentially reach £154.8bn by 2050. "When we combine this estimate with our previous figures showing improved outcomes for passengers, we calculate that the total social value of the strategic shift that we propose in this report is in the region of £479bn." The report was released ahead of the government's response to the McNulty review on the future of the railways, which is expected to be published shortly. Bob Crow, leader of the Rail Maritime and Transport union, which commissioned the study, said: "This latest research shows that the failures of privatisation are costing the UK hundreds of billions of pounds in social value. "Instead of addressing that issue and looking at the cheaper and socially beneficial alternative of a publicly owned railway, McNulty proposes more cuts and even longer gold-plated franchises for the private train operators. "Now McNulty and the train operators want to roll that model out across Europe, smashing up rail services from the North Sea to the Mediterranean." The report's author Eilis Lawlor added: "Our research puts figures on what anyone who has been to France or Spain already knows – the UK's railways are poor value for money. "Instead of profitability being the primary measure of success, the wider benefits of the railway need greater consideration. "The government should act decisively and make an objective and transparent assessment of the best way to organise Britain's railways so as to maximise social, environmental and economic value."

Model train showcase to launch next weekend

So sorry - wrong blog! But since it's already posted! From Hernando Today: Model train showcase to launch next weekend TRINITY -- For the first time in about half a century, trains will come chugging down the iron rails in West Pasco. These trains, however, will clickety-clack down the tracks of elaborate model railroad displays the Sundance Central group has created at the new Suncoast Center for Fine Scale Modeling. Details are so lifelike some visitors might be ready to buy a ticket to ride. The public is invited to the opening weekend Feb. 10, 11 and 12 at the center, 2645 Success Drive, Odessa, north of S.R. 54. The indoor displays are free, although donations are welcome, according to Frank Palmer, president of Sundance Central. Alongside the operating model railroad layouts, the center will feature other, meticulously crafted figurines, action figures, dioramas, dollhouse miniatures and military models. "This has been years in the making and we are excited to share it with other modelers and the public," Dave Revelia commented in a promotional brochure. He owns the 7,800-square-foot building that houses the Suncoast Center. Revelia envisions the center as a showcase for the art of fine scale modeling by builders and artisans from around the world. Enthusiasts can share ideas and techniques to help advance the hobby as well. "It's by all means not finished," Palmer said about the displays during a Friday phone interview. The group will rotate model railroad layouts and miniature scenes so visitors always see something different, he explained. Regular exhibits for the public are planned, probably on a monthly basis. Sundance Central formed in June 2004. The group, now eight members strong, found a home when the Suncoast Center formed last year. The group concentrates on larger scale model railroads, much bigger than the O-scale Lionel models or S-scale American Flyer models many children found under Christmas trees in past decades. The F scale favored by Sundance Central measures about 1/20th the size of real trains. For comparison, Lionel's O scale models are about 1/48th the size of trains. The tiniest, Z-scale, shrinks model railroads to about 1/220th the size of the real thing. F scale is even slightly larger than the G scale typical of many outdoor, garden model railroad displays. Besides the Sundance Central layout, the center also will feature the Muskrat Ramble, Dolly Varden and the Silverton Central miniature railroads. Hours for the opening weekend show will be: from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Friday; from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information, go online to www.sundancecentral.org or www.finescalemodeling.org. Or send an email to SundanceTeam@SundanceCentral.org.

Paris has classic car lovers in a spin

From Sydney Morning Herald: Paris has classic car lovers in a spin Car dealers in Paris for sales of Porsche and Aston Martin classics revealed a Ferrari was bought this year for about $US32 million. The GTO - one of 36 produced by the Italian company in 1962 to 1963 - was sold privately in Britain within the last two weeks to an unidentified buyer, said four dealers at Retromobile, France's biggest commercial show for classic cars. Investors are looking to rare cars as an alternative to volatile financial markets. The show is luring collectors with an exhibition that includes a Bugatti, said to be the world's most expensive car and bought for as much as $US40 million. Advertisement: Story continues below ''Retromobile is the most important event of its type in the world,'' the German-based dealer Jan Luhn said. ''The top things are selling for really good money at the moment. Cars that have issues don't sell. It shows that buyers are increasingly investment-minded.'' The Ferrari racer was an early example, had a competition history and was in well-preserved condition with original paint, said dealers who asked not to be named. Cars often fetch higher prices through discreet transactions than they do at auction. Dealers will be trying to sell about 200 classic cars at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in south-western Paris. The most expensive Bugatti, a futuristic 1936 Type 57SC Atlantic, bought by the California-based collector Peter Mullin in a private sale in 2010, is the star attraction in the non-selling section. The Atlantic was designed by Ettore Bugatti's son, Jean, and debuted at the 1935 Paris Motor Show. Made out of welded aluminium with a distinctive central seam, it won three orders. Mullin's example, made for the banker Victor Rothschild, is one of only two in original condition. The other is owned by fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

Classic Cars of Sarasota, Florida, Opens with a "Vroom": Dealer caters to International Car Collectors

From : Classic Cars of Sarasota, Florida, Opens with a "Vroom": Dealer caters to International Car Collectors openPR) - Where does an Arab sheik go to buy a collectible American car? Sarasota, Florida, via the internet. Classic Cars of Sarasota recently sold a 2008 Dodge Viper to a member of the Qatar royal family for $102,000, and shipped it overnight for another $15,500. “Ninety percent of our sales are over the internet, and 67 percent of our business comes from overseas,” said Doug Page, a partner with Chris Zlamal. “Europeans especially are investing in cars because their currency is inflating, and these cars hold their value,” Page explains. A subsidiary of the 22-year-old Specialty Cars on South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Classic Cars opened in November 2011 as a second location focusing on collectible cars. It is located at 6235 McIntosh Road in Sarasota, Florida, on a 2.9-acre property which once housed a postal distribution center. The new operation has enjoyed a brisk business, selling to wealthy car enthusiasts in Australia, Canada, the Middle East and all over Europe. In addition to Vipers, Classic Cars also sells Corvettes, Camaros, Road Runners, Mustangs, Thunderbirds and other American classics, as well as British cars such as Bentleys and TR6s, and it even has a DeLorean for sale. “The highest demand is for sixties and seventies muscle cars,” Page said. The business basically consists of two parts, a car lot offering sales and consignments, and a 15,000-square-foot mechanic shop where the cars are repaired, cleaned and detailed. Partner Zlamal owns and manages the repair and detailing operation, under the name of Florida Pony Cars. Page owns the dealership, along with Larry and Marcy Gilliland, who are also partners of Specialty Cars at 7150 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. The classic cars come in several stages of condition, from museum pieces and super clean cars, to cars that some need work. “Some people want to restore it themselves,” Page explains. One car, a 1957 Chevy that had been stored for two decades in an Ocala, Florida, chicken coop, was bought “as is” by a German car enthusiast even though it did not drive and was in very poor condition. The “bargain” price for this long neglected car was $35,000. In addition to these so-called “barn finds,” Classic Cars buys cars from locals, auctions, and various auto and general internet websites. A life-long classic car enthusiast, Page has a number of personal sources, as well. Once the new arrivals are cleaned and ready for sale, Zlamal photographs them and uploads them to the company’s flashy website, cleanclassiccars.com. Currently there are between 40 and 50 cars available for viewing on the website at any given time. If you want to learn more about any specific car, you can click on a You Tube link and see a video of Zlamal showing the car inside and out. Page is a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who studied Automotive Engineering at Western Michigan University. Zlamal, a native of Akron, Ohio, studied Mechanical Engineering and worked as a tire engineer for Goodyear Racing. Both men say they are happy to be doing what they love. As Page puts it, “If your job is your hobby, you never have to work a day in your life.” Classic Cars of Sarasota, Florida, offers collectible cars to an international clientele, including Corvettes, Camaros, Road Runners, Mustangs, Thunderbirds, Bentleys, TR6s and Vipers, to name but a few. Classic Cars of Sarasota 6235 McIntosh Road Sarasota, Florida 34238 www.cleanclassiccars.com

Classic cars deliver impressive ROI

Sell Car.uk: Classic cars deliver impressive ROI Classic cars are one of the best investments that can be made in the current economic climate, according to the Historic Automobile Group International (HAGI). The latest installment of the HAGI Top Index, which measures the performance of 50 key collectible classic cars, suggests that their average value advanced by an impressive 13.89 per cent last year. According to Marketwatch.com, this figure grows to an extortionate 21.65 per cent increase in value when excluding Ferrari and Porsche from the list. The figures could make make exciting reading for used car buyers who have invested in a rare or classic vehicle, as they could make a handsome profit when it comes time to sell it on. HAGI founder and life-long motoring enthusiast Dietrich Hatlapa agreed that the classic car sector "has many attractions in this day and age." However, in an interview with Fresh Business Thinking, he was keen to point out that it takes a lot of skill to spot a vehicle worth investing in. He said: "The figures demonstrate very clearly that this is not a uniform market. Performance varies from marque to marque and from model to model. Choice and timing are key and that's what makes it so fascinating."