Flemington BID hosts another summer of classic cars

From NJ.com:  Flemington BID hosts another summer of classic cars
For over ten years, Flemington has hosted outstanding summer Car Shows on historic Main Street, and last year added the Hunterdon Shopping Center on Intersection of Route 202 and Reaville Ave. location. "This is a great family event that lasts all summer, where folks can see all types of classic cars in a beautiful historic town", said Ron Van Horn, Car Show Chairman. We are excited to team up Fred Bean Toyota-Kia of Flemington fredbeans.com who is this year’s Main Sponsor, and who is bringing some fresh ideas on supporting the event. "We have Kroozin' Productions back with us, who are experts on car shows, and will be assisting us with managing the event," he added. You can expect over 100 specialty, classic, and antique car owners bringing their cars to Flemington to show them off and celebrate Flemington's great place in American history. The Flemington Business Improvement District flemingtonbid.com host the shows, and every night of the car show is a fun event with music, prizes, trophies, kid’s activities, and sidewalk cafes ... and incredible cars.
Main Street in Flemington, one of Hunterdon County's greatest downtowns, gives people of all ages, sizes, and genders, a place to come, be seen, and catch some great classic cars cruising around town. You can catch the car show on Main Street from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.: (Saturdays): June 1, June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, Aug. 10, Aug. 24, & Sept. 7 (registration starts at 5 p.m.). And, at the Hunterdon Shopping Center from 6 - 8 p.m. on: (Thursdays): June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, & Sept. 19 (registration starts 5:30 p.m.).
Flemington is a great experience and a shopping mecca with six distinct shopping areas: Historic Downtown Main Street, Hunterdon Shopping Center, Liberty Village Premium Outlets, Turntable Junction, The Shoppes of Flemington, and the Rt. 31/ Church Street Centers. Located at the key junction with Rt. 31/ 202 and Rt. 12, Flemington is a gateway to Hunterdon and Upper Bucks Counties with its rich sense of Americana, unique turn 19th century Inns, agriculture, picturesque towns and villages, the Delaware River, the Sourland Mountain, and towns that are charming with specialty shops and dining. More and more people are rediscovering the beauty, environment, ease, and charm of the area and cruising into Flemington to see the Car Shows, go shopping, eat a great meal and hang out with friends.
Additional co-sponsors are : Flemington Furs, Van Horn Financial of Flemington, Teaberry’s Tea Room, Printech, Stangl Factory Farmer's Market, Matt's Red Rooster Grill, Lee Roth Law, Village Montessori School, Edward Jones Investments, DJ Wright, Crown Trophy of Flemington, Kries Jeweler, Black Lab Studio, CenturyLink, Cooperative Professional Services, ShopRite of Flemington, SDG Alarmtronics, Saunders Jewelry.
All makes and models are welcome. Car Show Assistance provided by Kroozin Productions kroozinproductions.com and for more information or to Pre-Register contact: Classic Car Show Chairman, Ron Van Horn at Van Horn Financial 908-806-6041 or email vanhornron@gmail.com.

 

Take your blood pressure medication!

Spent most of yesterday in the hospital, where my mother was admitted. Her doctor had changed her blood pressure medication a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't doing the job. Unfortunately her doctor was out of town and a home therapist said we should take her to the Emergency Room.

Bad idea, as far as I'm concerned. Put her back on her old medication which was working, just causing her to cough.

Instead we brought her to the emergency room, and since she's old and deaf, this got her more stressed out and scared than ever, because they were all gathered around her shouting questions and wanting to run tests and I'm sure she thought she was dying or something, which sent her blood pressure even higher.

She spent the night there, and is still in today for more tests, which I don't think she needs but I guess since they've got her in there they want to get their money's worth out of our insurance...  she's in a private room which must be costing a fortune....

The reason for my headline... she was about 40 when she was first diagnosed with high blood pressure...took pills for a couple of days but didn't like how they made her feel....so she stopped taking them and tried to do the "natural remedy" thing.

Result, 20 years later she had congestive heart failure, and now instead of taking 1 pill a day she has to take 4. And has to go into the hospital periodically on occasions like these.

Moral of the story - go get your blood pressure checked, and if you have high blood pressure make sure you take your meds, otherwise believe me you'll wish you had, when it is too late...

Never get involved in a land war in Asia

and never agree to transcribe 20 hours of meetings from an Australian business meeting.

That's what I've been doing for the last 4 days...utter nightmare. Could NOT understand their accents. Making it worse were the bad audio levels and the fact that a lot of the people preesnt insisted on talking over each other from all around the room except in front of the microphone... I will never transcribe ANYTHING every again.

Anyway, so sorry to be MIA from my blogs.

2013 Toronto Auto Show: Classic cars, hot rods, and luxury abound

From Wheels.ca: 2013 Toronto Auto Show: Classic cars, hot rods, and luxury abound

Classic cars. Hot rods. Souped-up street racers. Exotic rides of the rich and famous.
When car enthusiasts enter the doors of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the 40th year of the Canadian International AutoShow, the selection of special exhibits will draw them in five different directions.
There’s a lot to see and do in the 600,000 sq. ft. show crammed with over 1,000 cars and hundreds of manufacturers, exhibits and vendors.
More: How to make the most of your visit to the auto show
And this year, said show exhibit sales co-ordinator Jon Rosenthall, they’re taking it up a notch with the first-ever Canadian Hot Rod Builders showcase.
It didn’t start out an exclusively Canadian event, Rosenthall said. During a trip to the United States for a number of hot rod shows, Rosenthall said the light bulb went on.
“We wanted to show the history of hot rods and the talent of builders designing these cars,” Rosenthall said. “We saw the Canadians’ cars and we decided to do that.”
Self-proclaimed car nut and show general manager Tom Tonks said blowing away show attendees is the ultimate goal: Bringing ticket holders something that will really knock their socks off and showcase the complete hot rod package.
“Chrome, paint jobs, fine quality coach work and interiors, all that sort of stuff, that’s a huge wow factor,” Tonks said. “We thought this would be for our clientele. It’s something they wouldn’t normally be exposed to and unique for them to see.”
With 29 customized hot rods on display, Tonks said it’s an opportunity to showcase Canadian talent.
The hot rod showcase will be a good pairing for the tenth installment of the Cruise Nationals. Considered a salute to the weekly or daily cruises that happen in cities and towns across the province and the country, ten cars will face off for the coveted winner-take-all title for the best classic car.
The top 10 vehicles built in 1975 or earlier — two hot rods, two restored vehicles, two muscle cars, two fifties vehicles and two trucks — are chosen from 60 vehicles selected at 10 regional qualifying car shows where attendees cast ballots for the top six cars. The top 10 cars were selected at Autofest Oshawa in this past August.
An online vote on the auto show website started on Dec. 10 where people could cast a virtual ballot for their favourite classic ride. The voting closed at the end of January.
“To augment that, because those are online votes, we have three celeb judges who evaluate each car,” Tonks said of the three judges from the Toronto Star’s Wheels section who will tally scores for each vehicle. “They’ll evaluate each car in their own right and once we get the results from their values we weight them with the online votes and we come to the decision who is the top three winners.”
From customs to classics, the trifecta is completed with a trip to Autoexotica, a showcase of some of the fanciest vehicles on the road today — within the dreams of many, but maybe not price range.
Bentley, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini are on display to showcase the lavish, premiere driving experience the carmakers provide for its upper class clientele.
“It’s a huge draw. Everyone aspires to it,” Tonks said. “Not everyone is in a place to operate in that type of stratospheric territory, but there isn’t a person who isn’t an automotive aficionado who doesn’t want to see and experience these types of cars.”
And what was known in years past as Sports Compact Revolution has evolved. The showcase, which highlighted cars, fitted with after market gear like the rides in the Fast and the Furious movie series, has now become Sports Compact Evolution.
The number of exhibits available indicates a wide-range of opportunities for attendees to soak up the automotive world, said Rosenthall.
“We have to be as diverse as the auto show attendee with what we do,” he said.

Do we love classic cars (and guns) too much?

From Mother Nature Network: Do we love classic cars (and guns) too much? 

Anger over the crushing of a '59 Chevy Bel Air matches the passion over a gun buyback in Tucson (home of the Gabby Giffords shooting). 

The two-tone 1959 Bel Air,with Stovebolt Six and Powerglide, shortly before it met an untimely death in a safety-related crash test. (Photo: IIHS)

Do you pat your car’s fender after putting it away in the garage? Do you give it a name? Do you call it “he” or “she”? If so, you’re not alone — millions of otherwise normal Americans treat their inanimate cars as if they were alive. Why else the outrage when all those EV-1s got crushed in "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

 

I’m not reporting this from some high cliff of superiority — I do it too. When I scrape my car’s paint, it’s as if it is feeling actual physical pain. Why do we do this? Frankly, it’s complicated. The ownership of an automobile (and especially a classic with a long history) is intertwined with all the emotional experiences we’ve had in it, from a first kiss to the drive to the hospital when baby’s due. You can’t just send it to the crusher without a second thought, but you also have to put it in clear perspective — it’s not alive!

 

Understanding the emotional attachment people develop toward firearms is a bit harder for me, but it’s obviously there for millions of Americans.

 

I was reminded of this whole phenomenon this week by two unrelated incidents. In the first, Bob Palma, a columnist for Hemmings Classic Car, is moved to rage by an insurance institute’s crashing of a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air (Stovebolt Six and Powerglide, if you were wondering). Here’s the gory video:  (Viewer discretion is advised.)

 

 

Now, the point here is that cars of that era were not very safe, and that’s underscored by the Bel Air’s total annihilation at the hands of a 2009 Malibu. In real life the impact would have killed the occupants in the old Chevy, cute as it is. The Malibu driver, in an intact passenger cabin, with advanced safety protection, could probably have walked away. The fatality rate in crashes of that era — with no crumple zones, seat belts, breakaway steering columns or airbags — was much higher. That’s why the death toll hasn’t gone up (much) despite a vast increase in vehicle miles traveled. As Consumer Reports pointed out, the crash test “shows just how far passenger protection has come in the last 50 years.” But the columnist (writing in the March 2013 issue, though the Bel Air went to glory in 2009) completely misses the point, instead bemoaning the sad fate of that two-tone classic car.

 

“That Bel Air was a well-preserved original car,” wrote Palma, who’d actually inspected it in Arizona before it was sold to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for $8,500. “That bat-wing sweetheart had survived five decades, only to suffer five seconds of intentional — not accidental — destruction in a vain, senseless act.” Palma wrote the IIHS a “terse” two-page letter condemning the crash test as “grandstanding” that was “foolish” and “irresponsible.”

 

Readers of a New York Times column on the crash test were similarly incensed. “What a waste of a nice ’59 Chevy Belair!” says one. “What a waste of a sweet Bel Air,” adds another. “Nice whitewalls.” I'm recalling similar grief over the hugely successful Cash for Clunkers program ("they crushed a perfectly good 1964 Le Mans!"). As much as classic car owners (and I'm one) don't want to admit it, their shiny beasts are often big polluters, minus catalytic converters and other emissions equipment.

 

Photo: Steve Rhodes/Flickr

 

At least some of us (not me) are similarly fetishistic about guns. That’s demonstrated clearly in a column written by Steve Kozachik, vice mayor and City Council member in Tucson, Ariz., (scene of the Gabby Giffords shooting). He led a local gun buyback program (turn your weapon in to the police and get a $50 grocery coupon) that met with a furious reaction.

 

“The response made it clear the event I was planning hit a nerve among a group who evidently believe the proper disposal of a firearm is tantamount to the desecration of a holy icon,” said Kozachik, who has recently switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in protest of the party’s position on guns.

 

“Guns are not fetish objects,” Kozachik wrote. But they obviously are for people who hate the idea of perfectly good rifles and pistols going out of circulation. Being killed, as it were.

 

I’m not advocating the crushing of all classic cars or the melting down of every gun. I’m just sayin’. Perhaps we’re getting a bit too emotionally attached to these man-made objects. If it would save one kid’s life, taking some deadly weapons out of circulation isn’t that big a price to pay. If it would stop one horrific fatal crash and teach us more about safety, saying R.I.P. to some antique car survivors is perfectly justified.

OMG!

Never realized I hadn't posted in over 2 weeks!

Sorry, folks

Things have just gotten away from me the last week and a half...posting should be back on schedule starting this weekend.

UK: How to insure a classic car

From The Telegraph:  How to insure a classic car 

For the rebellious among us, the Goodwood Revival, which takes place this year on September 13-15, is a salivating, lusting experience: all those wonderful classic cars making exhaust noises that on new models are thoroughly illegal, pushing out CO2 at non-PC levels, and which have safety systems that at most involve just a brake pedal.

How wonderful, you may think, to kick over all those wretched, nannyish, namby pamby health and safety regulations and just own and drive a car that takes your travel back to basics.

It can be anything from a Ford 8 Model Y (£100 when new) to a Jaguar D-Type but apart from buying the machine and maintaining it, there is another very significant aspect to consider: insurance.

For years I insured my – now elderly - Porsche 911 through a large insurance broking firm. Initially treated as a regular daily driver, it had an unlimited mileage, business use, two named drivers, fully comprehensive cover that cost between £400 and £500 each year over the best part of a decade. But two years ago that soared to more than £750.

There was no written explanation, no apology, not so much as a by-your-leave. Surely some mistake? No. It was due to the increasing number of spurious claims and the escalating cost of repairs, younger drivers, and many other factors. None my direct concern. What about the effect of the Arctic ice cap melting?

Unamused, the broker said that as the car was not used a great deal, around £500 would buy a limited mileage classic car policy. Give it a go? I was busy, and agreed.
At last renewal, though, the figure was back to £700. I had covered about 1,500 miles in the car in the previous 12 months, and to put it mildly, it leads a cossetted life. I tried to explain this to my insurer. But in essence I was talking to a flow-chart and a computer. No understanding, no interest: this is what the computer says – and that's that. Hopeless.
So I decided to call some classic car insurance specialists, which led to a quote almost halved from the original: mileage limited to 3,000 annually (it could be increased if necessary) and business use included. The key to achieving this proved to be the ability to talk to people who knew precisely what my car is (a 3.2 Carrera Sport coupé), and how I would treat it.
Among the specialist companies is broker ClassicLine, which employs only two dozen people but looks after around 25,000 classic cars. Director Darren Coote said that unlike some large brokers and insurance companies that are involved with the mass market, including young drivers, van drivers and those with a poor reputation, ClassicLine's clients own cars that cover low overall mileages, that are cherished, invariably driven with great care, and not parked in dodgy areas. Owners often belong to established marque clubs and most are aged between 35 and 70, says Coote, "So we can offer exclusive schemes that are not available elsewhere. And our rates have risen little over the last few years. For example, 10 years ago a Triumph TR6 would cost from about £85-£90 to insure. Today it's from £100."
Why? "Because a TR6 owner is unlikely to use his car as a daily driver. Statistically it will rarely go out in the wet and it's very much for Sundays and special days only," Coote adds.
It's the same for exotic Ferraris and Lamborghinis, he says. And they are generally cheaper to insure than a 911, as Coote explains: "That is because a 911 is so usable. Even the older ones are practical, reliable, can be - and are - used daily for shopping, commuting and business trips. So, compared with some other exotic models, insurance costs for them can be higher."
ClassicLine also handles current or late model "future classics", such as Mercedes' SL, the Jaguar XK-RS, 911s, or any Ferrari or Maserati. Says Coote: "The proviso is that they are treated by their owners as being something very special, covering less than 6,000 miles a year. We wouldn't be comfortable with 20,000, whatever the car or its age."
Sometimes, regular insurance companies and brokers can be very cautious. The words "Bentley Turbo R" uttered by journalist Simon Harris resulted in a request for £1,000. He had just bought a very smart 1988 Turbo R (price new £110,000) for £10,500: "So I went to a classic car broker who understands cars like mine and why I would own one. Now, my cover is £225 a year for a 3,000 mile limit. But despite its fuel consumption (17-18mpg), I enjoy driving the Bentley so much that I'm likely to exceed that. No problem, I was told, and for an extra 2,000 miles, I expect to pay about £50."
So when it comes to insuring a classic car, it seems that choosing a specialist is the best policy.

 

India: Vintage beauties hog the limelight at Ahmedabad car show

From Daily News & Analyis: Vintage beauties hog the limelight at Ahmedabad car show

The first vintage car show, held on Sunday at a party plot, saw people pouring in throughout the day, making it a big success. Organised by the Gujarat Vintage Classic Car Club, the event had over 50 cars exhibited.
The aim of the show was to spread awareness about maintaining and restoring these heritage cars and bringing those people together who share the passion for these old beauties.
“I am overwhelmed at the response we got. I knew that Amdavadis have passion for cars, but this is more then we expected. We are planning to organise more of such small-level shows and will have the show every year,” said Subodh Nath, president of the car club.
Among the vehicles on display were a 1977 Chevrolet Impala, Ford Lincoln, a 1956 Hindustan-14 and a 1971 Mercedes. It was a mix of classic as well new-age sports cars. The show turned out to be the perfect Sunday outing for Amdavadis. Citizens were curious to learn the name of the car and the era it belonged to.
From children to the elderly, visitors posed around the cars to get their photos clicked. The crowd also enjoyed the live music.
Lalit Bakeri, whose 1963 Chevrolet Impala was on display, was surprised to see the attention drawn by his car. “The response is unbelievable. Even in this heat, the ground is filled with people. I opened the door of the car so that people can get a peek into the interiors. This way such hidden vintage cars will resurface and people will be encouraged to restore their old cars,” he said. The owner of a Mercedes, Hem Vyas, 24, added that he wanted to own more vintage cars, as these got more attention than their modern counterparts.

New posting schedule

Now that I've got this new full-time job, I'll be posting in this blog twice a week - on Monday's and Wednesdays.

So the next post for this blog will be on Monday.

Thanks for your patience.

Posts resume this Wednesday

I'm a freelance writer and I am way behind on a job I have to do, so I won't be posting here until Wednesday..

Thanks for your patience!

Tour company offering classic cars for Route 66 trips

From Route 66 News:  Tour company offering classic cars for Route 66 trips



A new, North Carolina-based tour company is offering a novel way to see Route 66 — by renting a classic car for the 2,400-mile trip.
Blacktop Candy’s is offering an upgraded 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, or 1967 Camaro Super Sport for 18-day tours (both eastbound and westbound) from April through September in 2013. The vehicles come with Garmin navigation devices to guide travelers down the Mother Road.
According to the news release:

With Blacktop Candy’s, gone is the fixed schedule opting instead for flexibility. Travelers drive at their own pace between the nightly stops and see as many or as few attractions as they choose, free to enjoy the perfect journey reliving America’s golden past. A tour adviser and qualified mechanic accompany each tour in a spare vintage auto just in case there are questions or a mechanical issue.
“We’ve restored each vintage car in our fleet to better-than-new condition,” commented CEO and Founder Scott Shinn when asked about the condition of the cars. “I’ve personally driven most of these cars cross-county without an issue. Upgrades like power disc brakes, aluminum radiators, air-conditioning and modern audio with Bluetooth allow our clients to relive the heyday of automobile travel knowing they’re driving a safe, well maintained vehicle.”

The $11,900 fee also includes overnight stays at historic lodging establishments, including the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M.; El Rey Inn in Santa Fe, N.M.; El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, N.M., Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Ariz., Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, Calif., and the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.
The fee may sound steep. However, it’s likely a fair number will jump at the chance of driving the length of Route 66 in a classic American automobile.
According to the company’s website, the idea came during a Route 66 trip itself:

Scott Shinn and his wife Candi longed to trade the stresses of corporate life for a fun and exciting entrepreneurship. During a road trip along Route 66, they thought “Wouldn’t this be fun in a classic car?”
They searched for ways to make the trip in a classic car, but couldn’t find what they were looking for. So, they created the perfect road trip with Blacktop Candy’s — not just for themselves, but for you too!

Blacktop Candy’s website also indicates it is considering other tours, including U.S. 1, Pacific Coast Highway, Great River Road, a national parks excursion, and Washington, D.C., to New Orleans.

 

Classic Car Rescue

This is a website from Haggerty Insurance, who want to help people who's collector cars were damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

  http://www.hagerty.com/Collector-car-insurance/Classic-Car-Recovery-Center/Overview

Super Storm Sandy was unprecedented for the collector vehicle world, and thousands of collectible cars and other vehicles have been damaged or destroyed. We want to help. We've created this website as a resource for those of you impacted by the storm. Whether you need tips on what to do with your salvaged vehicle, contact information for local restoration shops and transport companies, or assistance tracking down parts to bring your classic back to its former glory, you'll find useful information here. For personalized attention, please call our hotline at 877-922-9697 where our experts are standing by to answer questions and help direct you to storage facilities, restoration shops, parts — even leads on a replacement classic.To find a list of resources in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy click here.
 

What Old Cars of World Leaders Go For on the Auction Block

From the Epoch Times:  What Old Cars of World Leaders Go For on the Auction Block 

Before becoming heads of state, most prime minsters, presidents, or chancellors drove cars that were surprisingly ordinary.
But just the mere fact that these cars once belonged to them has made their value sky-rocket … or at least in some cases.

David Cameron — 1971 Fiat 500 L

David Cameron and his wife Samantha and their former car, a 1971 Fiat 500 L. (Paul Ellis/AFP/GettyImages and Courtesy of Silverstone Auctions)

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British Prime Minster David Cameron bought the 1971 Fiat in 1998 as a surprise birthday present for his wife, Samantha. They owned the small car for 10 years, driving it for only around 1,000 miles, according to Silverstone Auctions.
At that time, Cameron was 32 years old and worked for the media company Carlton Communications as director of corporate affairs.
On Nov. 17 at the Footman James Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, the white Fiat sold for £18,480 ($29,284), after being estimated at £12,000 by the auction house.
The Fiat 500 L was a popular car in Europe in the ’70s and is considered one of the first city cars.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — 1977 Peugeot 504

Mohammad Isari, the lawyer of an anonymous Iranian company that bought President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 1977 Peugeot 504 for $2.5 million poses by the car in the southwestern city of Abadan, Iran, on March 1, 2011. (Hadi Abyar/AFP/Getty Images)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad put his 1977 Peugeot 504 up for sale in Nov. 2010, likely intended as a publicity stunt.
At an Iranian exhibition of classic cars in March 2003, the Peugeot was sold for $2.5 million, more than 1,000 times its estimated value. More than half a million bidders had registered online for the auction of the 35-year-old car.
Ahmadinejad used the car while Mayor of Tehran from 2003 to 2005.

Pope Benedict XVI — 1999 Golf IV

Benjamin Halbe (L), previous owner of Pope Benedict XVI's Volkswagen Golf, Richard Rowe (R), CEO of online casino Golden Palace, pose in Cologne, Germany, on May 19, 2005. (Ralph Orlowski/Getty Images)

In January 2005, Benjamin Halbe bought a 1999 Volkswagen Golf from a car dealer in Siegen, Germany. To his surprise, records documented the former owner as Joseph Alois Ratzinger, a famous German cardinal at that time.
Four month later, Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI. That’s when Halbe decided to offer the car on eBay.
He advertised the metallic-gray car as a Papamobil (Italian for Pope’s car) which “drives heavenly.”
The bid became one the highest attended auctions on eBay with 8.5 million clicks. It did not need seem to matter to the bidders that Ratzinger does not have a driver’s license.
Eventually, with the final bid for 188,938.88 euro (about $241,000) the owner of a Canadian online casino, Richard Rowe, known for bizarre publicity stunts, bought the car.
While Rowe tried to the resell the pope Golf two years later, Halbe started a foundation with the money.

Angela Merkel — Volkswagen Golf II

German Chancellor Angela Merkel tries out an electric Volkswagen Golf convertible in Wolfsburg, Germany, on April 23, 2012. (Odd Andersen /AFP/Getty Images)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in East Germany, bought her first West German car in September 1990, a Volkswagen Golf II. At that time, she served as a spokesperson for the short-lived last East German government.
A first attempt in April 2012 to auction the 22-year-old car on eBay saw bids going up to almost 130,000 euro (about $166,000). The auction however was called off by eBay due to so-called “fun-bidding.” according to the newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt.
Eventually, a week later the car was bought by an entrepreneur from Southwest Germany for only 10,165.02 euro (approximately $13,000).
“Such a car shall not go under,” said Dirk Fricke, who bought it to advertise his company, according to Der Spiegel.
The Golf is the most successful Volkswagen car ever, having sold more than 25 million units in Germany.

Barack Obama — 2005 Chrysler 300C

An screenshot, taken on Dec. 3, 2012, for the passed eBay auction of Barack Obama's former car. (Screenshot/eBay)

Less lucky was the new owner of President Barack Obama’s former 2005 Chrysler 300C.
As Illinois state senator and later federal senator, Obama drove the gray car from 2004 till 2007, for 19,000 miles, according to documents posted to eBay by the seller.
During the his first presidential bid, he changed to a more environmental friendly Ford Escape Hybrid.
When Lisa Czibor from Chicago attempted to sell Obama’s Chrysler last January on eBay for $1 million, it did not attract a single bidder.
According to autoguide.com, the value of similar Crysler cars is less than $15,000.

1931 'Birkin' Bentley wins Car of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards

From NY Daily News:  1931 'Birkin' Bentley wins Car of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards

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International Historic Motoring Awards

The 1931 4.5-Litre Supercharged ‘Birkin’ Bentley recently became the most expensive UK car ever sold at auction, selling this year for £5 million ($8.05 million).

Bentley's single-seater sportscar that has set records on the track and at the auction house has been named the star at an annual international classic car ceremony.
December traditionally heralds the start of the motoring awards season, where the world's newest vehicles stand side by side to be declared best car in their class, price range or geographic region. But it is also the time of year when classic cars and those who own and care for them are celebrated and rewarded.
Presented by five-time Le Mans winner and double World Sports Car Champion Derek Bell and hosted at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, the International Historic Motoring Awards are decided by an international panel of expert judges including US chat show host and avid classic car collector Jay Leno, car designers Ian Callum and Peter Stevens and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Chief Judge Ed Gilbertson.

International Historic Motoring Awards

A 1938 Bentley ‘Embiricos’ Special, 1963 Aston Martin DB5, a mid 1960s Ford GT 40, and the 1964 Lindner Nöcker lightweight E-type Jaguar all await guests at the 2012 International Historic Motoring Awards.

The Car of the Year award went to the 1931 4.5-Litre Supercharged ‘Birkin' Bentley that set the Outer Circuit record of 137.96 mph at Brooklands in 1932, in the hands of Sir Henry ‘Tim' Birkin, before going on to become the most expensive UK car ever sold at auction, when it went under the hammer for £5 million ($8.04 million) at Bonhams this summer.
However, it was not the only classic supercar on display as guests at the event were greeted by four of the most rare and desirable British-built or developed classic vehicles currently available: a 1963 Aston Martin DB5; a 1938 Bentley ‘Embiricos' Special; a mid-1960s Ford GT 40; and the famous 1964 Lindner Nöcker lightweight E-type Jaguar.
The awards, now in their second year, also celebrate personal and institutional achievement with the UK's National Motor Museum named Museum or Collection of the year and Restoration of the Year going to Paul Russell & Co. for its work on a 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S.

Hooked on Classics

From Wall Street Journal:  Hooked on Classics

'Despite the advantages of modern motoring, with its air-conditioned, computer-controlled reliability, who wouldn't want to return to those fast-paced times when automotive design was in its prime?" writes Chris Haddon in his book "My Cool Classic Car" (Pavilion, $24.95). Mr. Haddon—a British designer whose own automotive affair dates back to when his father converted a 1960s Rover P5 steering wheel and instrument panel into a sophisticated toy—profiles 40 classic cars, including stories from their owners and notes on each model's history. (Many are European.) Yes, repairs are often expensive, and the cars can require a dose of patience. The owner of a Citroën 1975 DS Pallas notes that a ride in his car "could leave some feeling a bit seasick." Hassles abound, to be sure, but these are tales of love.

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Goggomobil TS300 Coupe

Goggomobil TS300 Coupe

'When the 300cc, two-cylinder…engine starts up with full choke, it smokes like a barbecue. When a hill is unavoidable, the 15hp engine makes a noise like 50,000 angry wasps,' says owner Dirk Wurm of his quirky 1967 microcar. Still, 'it's easy to love.

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Lyndon McNeil

Austin 7 Chummy

Austin 7 Chummy

Don't try this today: In the 1940s, this 1925 British car spent several days in a pond. Back on land, it quickly recovered—no complicated electronics to dry out.

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Lyndon McNeil

AMC Pacer

AMC Pacer

In the '70s, AMC advertised the Pacer as 'the first wide small car.' 'It certainly attracts attention wherever we go!' says owner Becky

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Lyndon McNeil

Citroën 2CV

Citroën 2CV

First produced in 1948, the Citroën 2CV aimed to entice French drivers away from the horse-and-cart. When owner Chris bought this 1978 model, 'it was a very sorry-looking rusty car…neither drivable nor towable.

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Lyndon McNeil

Morris 1800

Morris 1800

Owner Ian rescued this car— which finished 18th in the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally—after watching it deteriorate in someone's driveway for 20 years.

FL: 100 classic cars, including Batmobile replica, up for auction

From Newschannel 5:  100 classic cars, including Batmobile replica, up for auction

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. - The sale of the century is happening Saturday, as more than one hundred classic cars go up for auction in North Palm Beach.
John Staluppi's "Cars of Dreams" auction includes a replica of the famous Batman "Batmobile" and cars from all decades.
For years, the cars have been on display in a warehouse for charity events.  Everything in the large facility, which is decorated like a small town, will be on the auction block.
Staluppi says he's ready to sell the cars and move on to another adventure.
"The next museum we do is going to be twice as big, twice as nice and it will be just as beautiful," he said.
Staluppi does not plan to auction off his favorite car, a 1962 Corvette he owned as a teenager.

What Happens When You Pair Classic Cars With Their Namesakes?

See the link here for more photos.

From Japonik: What Happens When You Pair Classic Cars With Their Namesakes?

 Ever wondered what it would look like if Abe Lincoln stood by a Lincoln, or if Queen Victoria ever met a Ford Crown Vic? Two guys decided to find out. This is Namesake Motors, a series of photographs from Jim Lasser and his friend Ray Gordon in costume. Their pictures are fantastic. Finally, classic cars are paired with the people they're named after.
On the website you can see Homer with his Odyssey, Chief Pontiac with his Pontiac, Queen Victoria with her Crown Victoria, Abe Lincoln with his Lincoln Continental, the Lone Ranger with his Ford Ranger, Alice Cooper with his Mini Cooper, and Adam Carolla with his Toyota Carolla. Okay, those last few just share names with each other, but we're not faulting anyone for it.
Lasser explained to us how the shoot came to be.

I work in advertising, and I worked for the last four years on the creative side of Dodge and Chrysler accounts. I did the Dodge Charger and Challenger campaigns; the Chrysler Eminem and Clint Eastwood campaigns. During that time, as you might imagine, I got interested into cars. I have always been interested in history, and began to wonder about the origins of some of the names of the cars. It raised a lot of questions for me: who was Chief Pontiac? Would Lincoln drive a Lincoln? What would Queen Victoria think of all these cops driving a car named for her?
I had the idea of staging these characters in classic (or un-classic) cars of their names. A photographer friend of mine in Portland, Ray Gordon, was someone I immediately thought of to capture this kind of thing. He loves cars and loves weirdo ideas like this. When I pitched him on it he loved it, but told me he didn't want to just "talk about it", he wanted to do it...so we did.
He had a few contacts through being a photographer in Portland for people to help with creating the characters. Katherine Ross had been doing hair and makeup for years in Portland, and Kristin Lane was really scrappy at putting together great costumes. I ended up being the talent for each of the shoots, which was an experience in itself. I shaved myself bare to become Chief Pontiac (I haven't had no hair on my chest since I was 17), and stood in public for an hour dressed like the Queen with makeup on (not my happiest moment). As for the cars, I would ask friends, look on craigslist, or Ray would have some contacts through his network of friends. We staged them all around the Portland, Oregon area. Fitting all of this into these four people's busy lives was a feat onto itself. I am still amazed they all put so much time and dedication into my crazy idea. And they all want to do more! So we are planning to do another round of these next spring.

 

Paris mayor proposes ban on old cars

From MSN.com:  Paris mayor proposes ban on old cars

Parisians are bracing for a new law that would require them to retire their classic cars, beaters and all vehicles made before 1997. Mayor Bertrand Delanoë has proposed the legislation in an effort to comply with European emissions regulations by 2014.

Classic-car enthusiasts are distressed at the thought of their Peugeots, Citroëns and Renaults being garaged. “For me, the [Citroën] 2CV is part of French heritage, of Parisian heritage,” Xavier Audran, owner of multiple Citroëns, told The New York Times. “I wouldn’t be able to leave my home with my vehicles.”

Others are concerned about the cost of upgrading, and they say less affluent suburbanites would be hit hardest by the ban, which would affect 367,000 vehicles.

The mayor's proposal, which would require approval by the French government and the Parisian police department next year, does address the cost factor. Subsidies to help car owners get rid of old cars would come in the form of free subscriptions to the city's electric-car rental system or rebates for those trading in old vehicles for newer, more fuel-efficient ones.

Paris wouldn't be the first to enact such a ban. Calcutta, India, outlawed older vehicles in 2008, and since 1990, drivers in Singapore have been required by law to scrap or export their cars after 10 years of ownership. Two years ago, Berlin began prohibiting diesel vehicles that don't meet the standards passed in 2005.

But other cities have taken different approaches to the problem of emissions-related pollution. In 2003, London began charging drivers who failed to comply with emissions standards a daily fee, and it upped the ante in 2008 by instituting a so-called low-emission zone for heavy diesel vehicles. A 2012 study by researchers at the University of Sydney showed the system to be effective in curtailing car emissions, but still not necessarily a success with commercial vehicles.

Several Latin American cities, including Mexico City; Bogota, Colombia; and São Paolo, Brazil, have attempted to cut emissions by restricting drivers from using their cars one workday each week. But Parisians won't want to emulate that tactic, according to researchers who conducted a study at the University of Michigan. "There is no evidence of an absolute improvement in air quality during any period of the week for any pollutant," they concluded.

 

If only my great-grandfather could see his classic car now

From This is Somerset (UK):  If only my great-grandfather could see his classic car now

When Alan Bartlett inherited his great-grandfather's car he vowed to restore it and keep it roadworthy – and now it has driven off with a top award.

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The little Jowett Long Saloon, dating from 1934, was one of five finalists for the title of Classic Car of the Year 2012, at the Classic Motor Show at Birmingham's NEC this weekend, and yesterday it was announced as the winner.
Mr Bartlett, 23, of Chard, South Somerset, is thrilled to think the car his great-grandfather bought when it was just a year old has survived to win the votes of classic vehicle enthusiasts nationwide.
Surprisingly he had no idea of its background when he inherited it from his father. Nor did he have the skills which have since won him a job with Wheelpower, MG specialists over the Dorset border at Mosterton.
As he put the car through its paces this week he explained: "I always knew my father had an old car in the garage but I didn't know how much connection with the family there was until my dad died six years ago and I inherited it.
"I had the choice to keep it or sell it and I decided to restore it, learning as I went, and as I researched it I realised our connection with it.
"It had been off the road for eight years. I was a media student, but working on the car has made me change direction and now I work in vehicle restoration."
Mr Bartlett started a blog detailing the restoration, and it won fans as far as Australia. A typical blog, from last August read: "I've had the body off, repainted the chassis, powdercoated the wheels, and embarked on a full repaint via brush.
"I've also finally got the engine up and running after its long-awaited rebore."
For a time Mr Bartlett was using the car regularly, but now he says he uses it just for shows. It has 400,000 miles on the clock, probably far more than the Jowett factory ever imagined.
The Jowett was up against two more 1930s cars, a Morris and an Austin, as well as a 1960s Aston Martin DB5 and a rare 1970s Bristol. As the winner of the contest, organised by Classic Car Weekly, Classic Cars and Practical Classics magazines in association with Lancaster Insurance, Mr Bartlett received a prize worth more than £3,500.
He said: "My great-grandfather and my dad would be proud."

 

How Dare They? On Banning Old Cars in Towns

From AutoRevolution:  How Dare They? On Banning Old Cars in Towns

Once, people used to be proud to have stylish automobiles gracing the streets of their towns, yet in recent years, with the push towards a ‘greener’ future, car culture has begun to meld with eco awareness, and this will make cars lose the acceptance they have acquired over their history, and we will be back in the 19th century, riding bicycles and walking.

Of course we want cars which don`t emit noxious gases, yet this does not have to change our lifestyle that much to do so. This brings us neatly to the problem of old cars in towns, what they represent and what I say should be done about them, in order for us not to lose a very important part of what makes the world’s great cities great.

I`m talking about the old bangers you see parked up on sidewalks across Europe’s major cities, all of which have become really posh in the last two decades, even cities in poorer countries now have a ‘certain air’ about them. Recently we posted an article about the idea thought up by the Mayor of Paris to ban all cars which are more than 17 years-old to enter the city.

Can you picture that? Paris with no rusting Citroen 2CV parked on the sidewalk, no spotless Renault 12 Gordini sitting outside an expensive hotel, making bystanders ignore the Ferraris and Lamborghinis parked alongside? This idea is truly outrageous, and it would do a lot more damage to Paris, and other cities which may be planning on introducing similar measures.

I shall elaborate on that. People from all across the world come to Paris to ‘see the sights’ and prove to themselves that the myth about French people not shaving their armpits is just that – a myth. However, while most of them may not realize, a lot of what makes the French capital great has to do with the multitude of diverse old cars which power down its main aventues.

They set the stage for one of the most interesting sights in the automotive world. Let’s say, hypothetically, that you have a lawn chair at your disposal and you are in Paris. If you were to place the lawn chair in a position of maximum visibility, near an intersection, and sit on it, you would discover after a very short time that despite the year being 2012, Paris has a lot of classic cars being used as daily drivers.
The people who drive them are heroes, who want to preserve the history of Paris, and while their cars may pollute more than other cars on the road, there are simply not enough old cars per city to really make a difference. Not even Paris has enough old cars to make banning them worthwile, let alone other cities where there are not as many of them.

Now, while this may not be something which we would want, there is a possibility that it will happen, as some smaller European cities have already adopted the measure. So, I must refer to an older editorial, which covers the idea of converting an old classic to run on electricity, thus keeping everybody happy. The engines of these old cars are really not up to modern standards, anyway, and most would truly be better off without them – complete originality may go, but at least we will still get to drive our classics to the pub, or the supermarket.

In the future, we run the risk of becoming shunned, those of us of a petrol-powered inclination, and some boundaries need to be set, in order not to let ‘eco activists’ dictate what we have to do. People are still free to do what they want (sort of) and this should also reflect in the choice of cars they have, as nowadays people are being brainwashed by ad campaigns which are just a little bit smarter than they are, and they buy cars they don`t want or need, yet they must have them because the girl in the commercial had a presentable clevage.

Cars are a part of our history, and they are part of the era when man made more technological advances in two centuries than in the rest of our known history, and we have learnt to live with them, we have adapted our life styles, our cities, our houses, our fast food restaurants, and even our cinemas to accommodate them, and classic cars are our link to the past, and they must never be taken off the road. It would be akin to some large corporation decidin that Westminster Abbey, or Notre Dame are too old and out of place and need to be torn down to be replaced by a gleaming glass and metal office building.