Posts resume Saturday

Taking tomorrow off to do some Labor Day preparation stuff for Monday...

Will get it all done on Friday, and Saturday will get back to posting in this blog.

Hope all my readers have a good Labor Day weekend!

Beeston Hall School classic cars event aids Help for Heroes

From EDP24:  Beeston Hall School classic cars event aids Help for Heroes

“We had a mad panic trying to put them all up again before we opened,” explained north Norfolk district councillor Helen Eales, who organised the event with the help of husband Jeremy, North Norfolk Classic Car club members and a group of friends.
The team was further delayed by an early morning downpour, but by the time the gates opened at midday, the skies were clear.
More than 100 classic cars were on display on the school fields, with other attractions including a demonstration by Broadland Dog Agility Club, music from Trix ‘n’ Stix drumming troupe and a bouncy castle.
Stalls ranged from jewellery and wine, to cakes and crafts, with retired Sheringham policeman and district councillor Dick Shepherd running a “Whisky Galore” raffle, and volunteers manning a refreshment tent and barbecue.

Mr and Mrs Eales, whose son Nik has completed five tours of Afghanistan as an RAF flying officer, first held a garden party in aid of Help for Heroes three years ago.
This turned in to an annual event and, helped by a group of friends, the couple has raised nearly £3,000 for the charity.
“We wanted to go bigger and better this year, but we couldn’t have done it without the tremendous team of people who have supported us,” Mr Eales said.

 

SC: Classic cars to shine at Labor Day fest

From Greenville Online:  Classic cars to shine at Labor Day fest

The red pickup in Alan Groome’s garage reflected the overhead lights as if he had just driven it off the lot, but it has been decades since the antique truck has been in a dealer’s hands.
Groome said he bought the 1941 Ford in rough shape from two cabinetmakers about 12 years ago, then took 10 years to gather parts and another year to restore it. Now he’s ready to show off the truck at a Labor Day weekend festival in Simpsonville.
“They only produced 2,200 of them,” he said. “This is kind of a rare truck.”
The three-quarter-ton Ford is among the vehicles expected to make their way onto Main Street for a car show that has traditionally been one of the headlining events for the Labor Day Family Fun Festival.
The festival’s 38th year will run from Saturday through Monday and has been set up to deliver something for everyone in the family, including carnival rides, a cornhole tournament and a “Toddler Town” with a petting zoo.
“It’s a big tradition in Simpsonville,” said Allison McGarity, development coordinator for the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Admission and parking are free, but some activities have various costs.
More than 20,000 people are expected to attend, according to the chamber, which is organizing the event.
Serge Guillot said the festival makes it one of the busiest weekends of the year for the Ice Cream Station, the shop he owns just a few steps from the railroad tracks and the city’s iconic clock tower.
“It’s great for bringing new people to the Simpsonville area to see what downtown has to offer,” he said.
Activities will be on North and North East Main Street between College and Curtis streets.
The big day for the festival is on Monday, starting with a farmers market from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Antique and Classic Car Cruise-In goes from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and costs viewers $1, with children under 12 admitted free. Car registration is $13.
As many as 150 cars have arrived for past shows, but no one knows how many will be in this year’s show until the day it happens, Groome said. Several trophies will be given to the top cars, including a “people’s choice” prize awarded according to viewers’ votes.

 

UK: Classic car collector Chris Evans drives home from his Radio 2 show in the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car

From Daily Mail:  Classic car collector Chris Evans drives home from his Radio 2 show in the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car

His love of classic cars is well documented, but that didn't stop people gawping at Chris Evans when he drove the original car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang through Central London.
The eccentric presenter had just finished his slot on BBC Radio 2's breakfast show, and opted to drive the unusual vehicle home, today (Thursday).
It's been an expensive project for Chris, who bought the car for a reported £500,000 in January and then had to pay out more to make it road worthy.

Wowsers: Chris Evans whoops with delight as he prepares to drive his eccentric car from the Radio 2 studios

Before it came in to Chris' possession, the car reportedly belonged to a friend of his, who bought it without realising it wouldn't fit in his garage.

The car, which is seventeen feet long, has spent the last thirty years touring the country for charitable causes. 

It first shot to fame in 1968 when it starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang alongside Dick Van Dyke and Benny Hill. 


Chris, who became a dad for the second time in June, has previously visited all the locations used in the classic adventure film.

He has spoken out about his desire to revisit them again in Chitty itself, which is powered by a Ford three-litre V6 engine. 

Many models of Chitty were made for the film, but only one actually worked.

Its distinctive bodywork is crafted from red and white cedar wood, and its fittings taken from Edwardian cars. 

Chris was equally eye-catching in his colourful get up of argyle socks pulled over his chinos, and a tweed jacket that he matched with a paisley smoking scarf and turquoise shirt, complete with car motif. 

A houndstooth cap and sturdy brown walking boots top and tailed his loud look.
Chitty is one of many vehicles owned by the fanatical redhead, who also has one of the world's finest collections of Ferraris. 

Chrysler group classic cars 18th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise display

From RushLane:  Chrysler group classic cars 18th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise display

Car enthusiasts were in for a treat as Chrysler Group brands will be on display at the Woodward Dream Cruise. The exhibits include interactive as also mobile aspects and enthusiasts can hope to view high performance vehicles at this event. Brands like Chrysler, jeep, Dodge, FIAT, SRT and Mopar as also Ram will be featured at this event.
Highlight of this event is Steve magnante who will be travelling in a 1970 Dodge Polara and interviewing vintage car owners at hangouts in Woodward. Interviews conducted will be streamed live and viewers and view the same at the Dodge brand blog.Head of U.S. Sales and President and CEO-Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, Reid bigland said that this was a good opportunity to connect with customers and enthusiasts while celebrating past heritage and future technology seen in the auto industry.
Some of the models on display include the 2013 Dodge dart rally car, 2013 SRT Viper as also a number of Chrysler's classic vehicle models. The Raminator monster truck as also models from Moapr will also be on display at this event.Interactive exhibits include Chryslers uconnect technology and viewing of performance parts at the mopar image Centre trailer. One can also shop for latest auto merchandise from each of the brands.
News release: Chrysler Group LLC Classic Cars from Yesterday and Today on Display at 18th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise
Largest number of Chrysler Group vehicles ever featured at the Woodward Dream Cruise
Dodge brand live streams interviews with classic Dodge vehicle owners along route beginning August 15
Chrysler Group display includes interactive and mobile exhibits
Merchandise available from all Chrysler Group brands
From high-performance hot rods to cool classic vehicles, the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram, FIAT, SRT and Mopar brands will all be present at the 18th annual Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 18.
New this year, the Dodge brand will bring the annual celebration of classic cars to its fans as Steve Magnante, a SPEED TV and freelance automotive reporter, and brand representatives travel Woodward in a 1970 Dodge Polara interviewing vintage and current Dodge vehicle owners at favorite hangouts along the route. The interviews will be streamed live on the Dodge brand blog, www.redlinedodge.com, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 15.
"The Woodward Dream Cruise is the perfect place to showcase the dynamic vehicles each of our brands has to offer as enthusiasts from all over the country come together to celebrate classic and current car culture," said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales and President and CEO-Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "With some of the most recognized and revered vehicles in the industry, this is a great way to connect with our passionate owners and enthusiasts, celebrating both our heritage and future technology."
Located at the corner of Woodward and 13 mile in Royal Oak, Mich., this year the Chrysler Group will feature more than 75 vehicles on display, including the 2013 Dodge Dart Rally Car with 600 horsepower, 2013 SRT Viper and more than a dozen classic Walter P. Chrysler Museum vehicles, as well as several Moparized cars and trucks. Visitors also can get an up-close look at the Ram brand Raminator Monster Truck.
In addition to vehicle eye-candy, attendees will have access to interactive display and mobile exhibits, allowing them to receive a hands-on demonstration of the Chrysler Group's Uconnect technologies in the Uconnect trailer, view Mopar performance parts at the Mopar Image Center trailer and shop for a variety of merchandise available from each brand. "Imported from Detroit" and "Imported from Gotham City" merchandise is available for purchase in addition to the latest collections from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Trucks, SRT, FIAT and Mopar.

 

Mercedes, Record GT40 Head $220 Million Classic-Car Auction

From SFGate:  Mercedes, Record GT40 Head $220 Million Classic-Car Auction
  Aug. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Wealthy collectors paid record prices for a Ford GT40 and rarities by desirable marques such as Mercedes, Ferrari and Bentley in California’s classic car sales

Gooding & Co., RM Auctions, and Bonhams sales ending last night raised in excess of $220 million, 33 percent higher than the $166.7 million generated in the bellwether West Coast sales last year.

Classic cars, like art and wine, have been attracting increased attention from wealthy individuals looking to diversify their investment portfolios. Existing buyers, aware of the worth of rare autos as a store of value in times of economic weakness, are also looking to improve their collections.

“There was a unique number of important cars,” said Dietrich Hatlapa, founder of the Historic Automobile Group International (HAGI), whose Top 50 benchmark index of exceptional classic cars has gained 8.2 percent in the year through July. “The lineup was impressive, the prices were strong.”

The most highly valued lot of the week was a 1936 Mercedes- Benz 540 K Special Roadster offered on the second day of Gooding’s Aug. 17-18 sale at Pebble Beach. One of only 30 built, and featuring the desirable “high-door, long-tail” styling, the car had been tipped by dealers to rival the auction record of $16.4 million set by a Ferrari Testa Rossa at the same venue last year.

Mercedes Record

The Mercedes sold for $11.8 million with fees, underlining the more selective market for high value prewar cars. The price was nonetheless the highest of the week and a record for the marque at auction. A 1935 Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Coupe, formerly owned by the Hollywood star Clark Gable, was estimated at more than $9 million and failed to sell.

Gooding’s 122 cars raised $115 million, a record for a two- day sale at the auction house. Gooding offered a 1960 Ferrari “competition” 250 GT California Spyder formerly owned by the late New England collector Sherman M. Wolf.

One of only nine alloy-bodied long wheelbase versions made, it sold for $11.3 million against a valuation of $7 million to $9 million.

A comparable LWB “competition” California Spyder was sold by Gooding two years ago for $7.3 million.

“The prices of the rarest Ferrari road cars from the 1950s and 1960s have really moved up,” Hatlapa said. “The marque continues to lead the market.”

RM achieved $8.6 million for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder and $8.25 million for a cream-colored 1955 Ferrari 410 S Berlinetta at its Aug. 17-18 sale at Monterey.

American Record

The two-day event raised $96 million with 90 per cent of the 120 offered cars finding buyers, said RM. Twenty cars sold for more than $1 million, the Canadian-based company said.

A 1968 Ford GT40 racer was the star lot at RM, selling on the first day for $11 million -- a record for any American auto at auction.

The Gulf/Mirage, finished in trademark powder blue with a marigold stripe, was estimated to fetch more than $8 million. The car had been raced by Jacky Ickx at Daytona and Le Mans trials in 1968. It was later used as the camera car in Steve McQueen’s 1971 film “Le Mans.”

Earlier on Aug. 17, a restored Ford GT40, formerly owned by the Bolivian tin magnate Jaime Ortiz-Patino, sold for $2.2 million on the second day of a Bonhams auction of classic motorcycles and cars at Quail Lodge, Carmel.

Valued at $2 million to $3 million, the car had been driven by Ortiz-Patino’s godson, Dominique Martin, at Monza and Hockenheim races in 1969 before being damaged by fire.

McLaren Racer

The most highly valued lot at Bonhams was a 1997 GTC Gulf Team Davidoff McLaren F1 GTR racer, again featuring powder blue and marigold livery. Estimated to raise as much as $5 million, it failed to sell in the salesroom and found a buyer shortly afterwards for $3.85 million with fees, Bonhams said.

The London-based auction house raised $10 million from successful bids in its Aug. 16-17 auction. Buyers were found for about 50 per cent of its 97 cars. Elsewhere, Mecum Auctions achieved $5.5 million for a 1972 Porsche L&M 917/10 Spyder raced by Can-Am Champion driver George Follmer at a three-day sale in Monterey on Aug. 16-18.

PA: Classic cars coming to Lebanon

From LD News:  Classic cars coming to Lebanon 

Car buffs will want to make a trip to downtown Lebanon on Sunday to see a display of classic and antique autos at the 15th Annual Historic Lebanon Classic Car Show.


The event is again being organized by the Community of Lebanon Association in partnership with a handful of sponsors. It will take place on Cumberland Street between Fourth and Ninth streets from noon to 5 p.m.
Car owners can pre-register for a cost of $12 through Friday by calling 273-7215. Cars can also register the day of the show beginning at 9 a.m. for a fee of $15.

Cash prizes will be given to the owners of the top cars during a presentation in front of HACC's Lebanon Campus at the end of the event, said CLA President Diana Hartman.

"So far we have 180 cars registered for the show, and we will be giving away about $600 of prize money to winning cars," she said. "Each of our sponsors selects a winning car, as does the mayor."

The show has become increasingly popular among classic-car owners through the years, with some coming from as far away as Philadelphia and Carlisle, Hartman said.

"We used to park the cars down to Sixth Street, but now they reach Fourth," she said. "It is a pretty well-known show among the cruisers."

In honor of their golden 50th anniversary, cars of 1962 will get a spot of honor in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo Bank at Eighth and Cumberland streets, Hartman said.

There will also be plenty of food vendors on hand and musical entertainment provided by DJ Rich.
Helping the CLA run the event once again will be members of the Country Cruisers of Lebanon County, Hartman said. Any proceeds will be used to offset costs for the following year's show.

Other sponsors include Sonrise Tags and Tax, TJ's Body Shop, and Scott's Transmission Center. The rain date is Aug. 26.