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Audi First Automaker to Display at International Toy Fair

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Children

Audi at the International Toy Fair – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi will show off its exclusive series of model cars and automotive toys at the 61st International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. Perhaps the most desirable showpiece of Audi's display is the classic Auto Union Silver Arrow Type C race car, which is exactly one half the size of the original racer. Perfect for budding racers, the silver bullet-shaped machine appears very nicely finished and uses a chain drive to send the pedal power back to the rear wheels.

Audi is the first automaker to feature its wares at the show. "It's an exciting project," said Caroline Gerberding, who is responsible for exhibitions and events at quattro GmbH. "For the first time, the main focus of an exhibit is not to present our cars, but instead is aimed at showing off our "little" Audi world."

Gallery: Audi at the 61st International Toy Fair

[Source: Audi]

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1938 Auto Union Type D and Others Fail to Sell at Bonhams

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Talk about a troubled history. The Auto Union Type D racer from 1938 remains one of the most controversial cars in automotive history. Adolf Hitler sponsored its development as a rolling example of Germany's superiority, but after the war the few examples made largely disappeared. Two years ago, one such example resurfaced and was expected to set records at auction, but was pulled from the roster at the last minute due to lingering questions over its pedigree. Those doubts were recently put to rest and the famous Silver Arrow was put back on the docket, this time at the Bonhams Auction at the Quail Lodge this weekend in Monterey, California. Bonhams listed the car's value at $8 million, with some estimated its worth closer to $12 million, but when the hammer came down, the legendary race car failed to reach its reserve price, with bids stagnating at $6 million. And so the story continues.

Unfortunately for Bonhams, the Auto Union wasn't the only big-ticket item that failed to sell. Evel Knievel's Ferrari Daytona Spyder and a rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S didn't reach their reserve prices, either. Among those that did sell, however, were a rare 1933 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Convertible Victoria ($1.4M) along with a 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupe, a 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster and a 1931 Bentley Birkin-Style Tourer, each of which sold for over $800k. But we suspect this isn't the last we've heard of the infamous Auto Union Type D.

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Rare 1938 Auto Union D-Type Could Break Records at Bonhams

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Recession? What recession? You wouldn't know a thing about it if you spent all your time at collector car auctions. Last year a rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe set a new record at $7.9 million, which was subsequently trumped by a $10.9m 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. Last month that unbelievable record was shattered at the same event, where a rare 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa sold for over $12 million. You'd be forgiven for thinking that stratospheric record would stay in place at least until the economy recovered. And it very well might. But if any car stands a chance at breaking the record yet again, this is it: a rare 1938 Auto Union D-Type racer, one of the famous Silver Arrows that dominated motor racing in the years leading up to WWII.

This rare specimen of automotive history was supposed to hit the auction block two years ago, but was withdrawn at the last moment due to questions over its pedigree vis-a-vis its sister cars, most of which were brutally destroyed in the Soviet Union after they were seized by Communist troops liberating East Germany. With suspicions laid to rest and its history verified, Chassis 19 is set to return to the auction block at Bonhams' upcoming Quail Lodge event in August. Although Bonhams lists the car's value at around $8 million, previous estimates placed it closer to $12m, a position from which it stands to make automotive history yet again.

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