RaceCar

Rare 1957 Maserati Mille Miglia for Sale at $2 Million

One of the most beautiful and valuable 1950s Italian sports car ever, a 1957 Mille Miglia Maserati 200Si with custom coachwork by Carrozzeria Fantuzzi, is being offered for sale by Kidston in Geneva for about $2 million. With classic cars of this caliber fetching record auction prices and future appreciation a given, it represents an alluring investment opportunity.

Tags: 1950s, classic cars, investment cars, Italian cars, Italy, Kidston, masarati+1957, masarati1957, Maserati, maserati+for+sale, maseratiforsale, Mille Miglia, motorsports, racecar, racing, sports car racing, sports cars

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Gets Pulses Racing at Daytona 500

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Gets Pulses Racing at Daytona 500

Our favorite blueblooded British stunner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (above) turned heads and set pulses racing at the Daytona 500 recently where she put in an appearance as a Grand Marshall alongside her Transformers 3 colleagues Josh Duhamel and Michael Bay. The modified NASCAR stock cars of drivers Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. – featured as characters in the film – made their first public appearance at the event as well leading the 43-car field during the pace laps of the kick-off event to the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. In 2009 the movie's director Michael Bay piloted the official pace car at a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to promote the DVD release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and credits his vision to include NASCAR stock cars in the new Transformers film to the experience.

Tags: actress, British supermodels, celebrity, celebrity cars, Daytona 500, directors, Josh Duhamel, lingerie model, Michael Bay, motor racing, movies, NASCAR, race cars, racecar, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, supermodel, Transformers, Victorias Secret

Winning Ferrari F1 Car Listed for Sale at $3 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The amazing 2006 Ferrari 248 F1 racer (above) that was Philip Massa's No. 1 car for the 2006 Grand Prix season has been listed for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $3 million. The car, designed by Rory Byrne and Aldo Costa featuring a 785 hp V8 engine, won seven of the last nine races of the '06 season; overall, the 248 gave Ferrari nine race wins and four pole positions, and second place finishes in both the Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships. It's just one of the rare Ferrari F1 cars listed on the site by the UK's Red Dog; also up for grabs is a 1974 Ferrari 312 B3 F1 car for $2.2 million; a 1984 Ferrari 126 C4 F1 car for $940,000; and a 1994 Ferrari 412 T1 for $810,000, all with various victories under their bonnets. Gentlemen, start your engines.

Tags: F1, Ferrari, Formula 1, Formula One, grand prix, JamesList, motor racing, race car, racecar, racing

Sixty Years of Formula One Racing in Photos

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports, Books

Autocourse: 60 Years of World Championship Grand Prix Motor Racing, new from Motorbooks / Icon Publishing, is a lavishly-illustrated account of the globally successful FIA Formula 1 World Championship from its roots before World War II to the present day. After the war came the glamorous era of the winning Alfa Romeos, followed by stunning victories from Ferrari and Maserati in the 1950s maintaining the Italian tradition before mighty Mercedes captured the crown; along the way technological advances causing several re-inventions. The book follows the action in over 500 images evoking the drivers - the great Michael Schumacher gets his very own chapter – cars, circuits, personalities and issues of each era. The back of the book contains a useful compendium of statistics, champions and more. With more and more countries vying with each other to gain the right to stage a Formula 1 contest, and as the calendar heads towards a twenty-race season, the book also looks forward to the megabucks sport's seventh decade as new teams arrive to take on the established giants.

Tags: Alfa Romeo, books, cars, coffee table books, Ferrari, Formula 1, Formula One, Maserati, Mercedes, Michael Schumacher, motor racing, racecar, racing, sports, World War II

Lotus Offers Limited Edition F1-Style Racers for $1 Million Apiece

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports

Got a need for speed and a million bucks burning a hole in your pocket? Lotus has just the thing: a new limited edition Formula 1-style racecar for motorsports enthusiasts and gentleman racers. Just unveiled at the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion in California, the Lotus Exos Type 125 is a Formula 1-inspired track car pairing F1 design and technology with a 650 hp Cosworth V8 engine. Only 25 examples will be built and sold at $1 million apiece, forming a new race league for owners that will also help Lotus develop a new F1 program. With a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and F1 styling, the car also features carbon ceramic brakes and carbon fiber pushrod suspension. Purchasers will be founding members of the exclusive Exos Club, which includes driver training overseen by a team of Lotus engineers, race drivers, mechanics, physical trainers and even physicians – just like the pros.

Tags: California, carbon fiber, Formula 1, Formula One, Lotus, Monterey, motor racing, motorsports, racecar, racing

World's Most Expensive Porsche Sells for $4 Million in Monterey

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A rare 1970s Porsche racecar just fetched $4 million at Bonhams' sale in Monterey, setting a new world record for the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction. The stunning and historic car, the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive team 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder, neé 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe (above), was hammered down after fierce bidding. The car is similar to the famed model driven by Steve McQueen in Le Mans. Many other strong prices were attained for Bonhams' rarest offerings, including a 1930 Mercedes-Benz 7.1 Liter SS Tourer for $2.5 million, and the ex-works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi Nurburgring 1000 kms-leading 1967 Porsche 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe for $800,000. Earlier we reported on the nine Ferraris which each fetched over $1 million at RM Auctions' own Monterey sale.

Tags: Bonhams, California, classic cars, Ferrari, Le Mans, Mercedes-Benz, Monterey, motor racing, motorsports, Porsche, Porsche 917, racecar, RM Auctions, Steve McQueen, world record, worlds most expensive

Rolex Names Le Mans Champ Tom Kristensen New Brand Ambassador

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports

Danish racecar driver Tom Kristensen, winner of Le Mans a record-breaking eight times, has been named as Rolex's newest ambassador following the longstanding practice of the famed Swiss watch brand's association with world-class athletes. Rolex has never before made an official announcement naming an ambassador, but Danish Rolex retailer Klarlund persuaded them to make an exception this time. "Not only are we proud of Tom Kristensen's victories, we are also very proud hosts of such a rare and special occasion," Klarlund managing director Stig Andersen told Worldtempus after presenting the new ambassador with a Rolex Daytona Everose, one of Rolex's gifts to its new sporting face. Kristensen will also receive a Rolex Milgauss outfitted with a green sapphire crystal.

[via LuxuryLaunches]

Tags: Denmark, Le Mans, motor racing, racecar, racecar driver, racing, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, Swiss watch

Porsche Cayman Interseries Kicks off in Georgia [Video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Video

This past weekend, Porsche's newly formed Cayman Interseries staged the second race of the inaugural season at the famous Road Atlanta racetrack n Braselton, Georgia. Established in 2009 by Napleton Porsche of Westmont, Illinois, the Cayman Interseries is North America's only auto racing championship featuring the exclusive use of the 320 hp Porsche Cayman S. Sanctioned by Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), the Cayman Interseries is conducting its first official season in 2010 and will crown a pair of champion drivers in both the sprint and endurance racing formats. Races will be run on legendary circuits such as Daytona, Sebring, Road America, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta and other premier venues. Every competing Porsche Cayman S is exclusively supplied and prepared by Napleton Porsche and each car competes with an assigned and specific heritage livery themed after a famous Porsche racecar from the past, such as Steve McQueen's Le Mans racer. Check out the video for details on the new Cayman spec-series, interviews with the series founders and on-track footage of the heritage livery-themed 2010 Porsche Caymans.

Tags: auto racing, Daytona, Georgia, Porsche, Porsche Cayman, Porsche Cayman S, race, racecar, racing, Steve McQueen

The Classicist: Caracalla Bagaglio Commemorative Motorsport Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style, The Classicist

Caracalla Bagaglio Commemorative Motorsport Collection

Simon Jordan takes his supercars seriously. He is the director of Cortese, an independent Ferrari and Maserati showroom located in Bath, UK on the Priston Mill Estate, where you can pick up an F430, Testarossa or GranSport as well as classic and racing models. It also houses his vast collection of Ferrari and Maserati memorabilia, including a library of books, pictures and models dating back to 1947. For Jordan, thoroughbred automobiles are a way of life. Hence he has also created Caracalla Bagaglio, a line of Italian leather goods designed to complement the world's greatest cars. The line takes its name from the Terme di Caracalla race circuit in Rome, where Ferrari won its first race in 1947, and its main range is the Commemorative Motorsport Collection featuring leather bags and holdalls dedicated to pivotal moments in racing history.

Skilled artisans hand make each bag in Tuscany from the finest leather in a process of craftsmanship passed down over generations. Each piece relates to the history of famous race car marques, drivers and racing numbers, and are endorsed by racing legends such as Sir Stirling Moss, Niki Lauda and Emerson Fittipaldi. Each piece closely matches the color (interior or exterior) and racing livery of the car it's designed to celebrate. The Moss No. 7 bag (priced at £295) for example, commemorates Sir Stirling Moss's victory at Goodwood in 1961 driving the legendary Ferrari 250 SWB bearing the number 7, Moss' favorite. Finished in dark blue leather to match the original paintwork it features Moss' official signature embossed into the white center panel, and Moss himself owns one of the bags.

Gallery: Caracalla Bagaglio Motorsport Collection

JPS Fittipaldi No. 6 (1972 'Type 72' Lotus F1)

Cortese 56 (1947-2007 Ferrari 60th Anniversary)

Tags: bags, Caracalla Bagaglio, Ferrari, Italy, Jaguar, Le Mans, leather, leather goods, leathergoods, Lotus, Maserati, motor racing, motorsports, Porsche, racecar, racing, Simon Jordan, Sir Stirling Moss, Stirling Moss, supercar, Tuscany, UK

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One-Off 1937 BMW Mille Miglia at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

In yet another stunning addition to its Sporting Classics of Monaco sale on May 1st, RM Auctions will offer one of the world's most significant pre-war sports racing cars, a one-of-a-kind 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia 'Büegelfalte'. Expected to fetch several million dollars, the car participated in the 1937 Le Mans race as well as the 1938 Mille Miglia among many others. The beautiful and entirely unique bodywork was designed by BMW's Wilhelm Kaiser; its nickname is derived from the creases on the top of the fenders, referred to as 'Büegelfalte' meaning 'trouser crease', and the iconic bodywork influenced many later designs including the famed Jaguar XK120 Roadster. Of significance to BMW historians, the 'Buegelfalte' is the only special roadster ever built at the BMW factory in Munich. As it's a one-off even BMW's own museum only has a copy of this amazing vehicle.

Tags: BMW, Mille Miglia, MilleMiglia, Monaco, racecar, RM Auctions, RmAuctions

Rare 1953 Maserati Racecar for Sale at $1.95 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

An ultra-rare 1953 Maserati A6 GCS Spyder racecar by Fantuzzi, one of only 52 made, is being offered for sale by California's Fantasy Junction for $1.95 million. Maserati won numerous races with the A6GCS, including the 1953 Mille Miglia (1st and 2nd in class, 3rd Overall), against brutal competition from the Ferrari and Mercedes factory teams. Additionally, the A6GCS had success at the Targa Florio and Pescara, as well as elsewhere in Italy, South America, and in the UK, in addition to several wins in the US. Restored to impeccable mechanical and cosmetic condition, the stunning vehicle recently captured the "Best in Class" and "Most Desirable" awards at the New Hampshire International Speedway Concours D'Elegance.

Tags: cars for sale, CarsForSale, exotic car, ExoticCar, fantasy junction, FantasyJunction, fantuzzi, Maserati, racecar

NASCAR Goes Glam Courtesy of CAVI

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Sports, Men's Style

NASCAR is getting an injection of style this season courtesy of luxury menswear line CAVI. The brand, known for its distinctive designs as worn by the likes of Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and 50 Cent, has partnered with up-and-coming NASCAR star Chase Austin, outfitting Austin and his pit crew with stylish custom uniforms and adorning his Xxxtreme Motorsport No. 7 racecar with the fashion line's logo (above). Austin and the car debuted the new look the other day at Macy's in Indianapolis. From its signature crest to bold colors and prints, tailored fit and innovative design, CAVI has "re-conceptualized the standard for contemporary sportswear, developing a lifestyle fashion brand that embraces both luxury lifestyle and reflects class."

Tags: 50 Cent, 50Cent, Cavi, Chase Austin, ChaseAustin, Jay-Z, Nascar, racecar, racing, uniforms

$10,000 Ferrari F1 Gearbox Table

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports

For $10,000 you can get a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture crafted from the gearbox of Ferrari's F2000 Formula 1 racecar. At the end of the 2000 racing season, the complete 7-speed gearbox was signed by Ferrari's championship-winning driver Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari Executive Director Jean Todt and Ferrari CEO Luca Cordero Di Montezemolo. It was mounted to a 18"x18" carbon wall plaque with an authentic Ferrari fender shield mounted in the middle. Performance furniture firm RaceChairs is now offering it for $10,000 with the option of having a custom lamp or table (above) completed showcasing the gearbox. RaceChairs notes that due to the espionage problems with rival teams, Scuderia Ferrari is no longer releasing these kinds of pieces to private collectors, so this is your last chance.

[RaceChairs via BornRich]

Tags: Ferrari, Formula 1, Formula1, Luca Cordero Di Montezemolo, LucaCorderoDiMontezemolo, Michael Schumacher, MichaelSchumacher, racecar, racing, table

The Classicist: Hackett & Aston Martin Race to Le Mans

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

This is a big year for both famed British auto marque Aston Martin and one of our favorite brands, classic London-based men's clothing company Hackett, official partner of the GT1 works Aston Martin Racing team. In June Aston Martin aims to win this year's Le Mans race outright, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of racing legend Carroll Shelby's stunning overall victory at Le Mans in an Aston Martin DBR1, with its incredible new LMP1 racecars. Hackett provides official Aston Martin Racing Team clothing and sells a range of licensed apparel and accessories, including the super-stylish Hackett Aston Martin Racing Moto Plan biker style jacket (above) for £300.00, bearing the number 59 for Shelby's 1959 victory.

Hackett, founded in 1979, is a classic British clothing and accessories brand which "caters for the head to toe needs of men of all ages who wish to dress stylishly and to whom quality is more important than the vagaries of fashion." The brand takes its inspiration from the traditions of British dress without being old fashioned and as such its products are "evolutionary rather than revolutionary." As founder Jeremy Hackett says, "our clothes wear in not out". In addition to a total of 29 shops across the UK, Spain and France, Hackett is now represented in 15 European countries, Hong Kong and Dubai.

The Le Mans race "epitomizes the true values of racing; endurance mixed with the thrill of speed and a certain savoir faire," Hackett notes. The two Aston Martin Racing LMP1 cars vying for victory this year will sport the iconic Gulf colors of light blue and orange, colors with a fine tradition at Le Mans as well as being immortalized by Steve McQueen in the famous film Le Mans. In addition to Aston Martin, Hackett also sponsors the London Rowing Club and the British Army Polo Team.

Gallery: Hackett & Aston Martin Style

Jeremy Hackett is also known as "Mr. Classic," the title of his regular column for the London Independent on Sunday, which airs his witty, incisive views and observations on fashion and style. In 2007 he published a compilation of his columns accompanied by lavishly photographed style tableaux. Mr. Classic the book is a must-have for any man who takes sartorial matters seriously. As the publishers describe it, Hackett "takes us on a Grand Tour of an appealing world of Bentleys and polo, bicycles and picnics, bow ties and Sussex Spaniels, top hats and bespoke luggage." That's the world The Classicist wants to get lost in, no doubt.

Tags: Aston Martin, AstonMartin, British style, BritishStyle, Carroll Shelby, CarrollShelby, Hackett, Jeremy Hackett, JeremyHackett, Le Mans, LeMans, London, racecar, racing, Steve McQueen, SteveMcqueen, UK

Performance Race Chairs for Your Office

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos

I'm not sure where the partnership of high-end vehicles met office furniture but these luxury desk chairs put you in the driver's seat of some pretty fine autos. From Ferrari to Pininfarina, Maserati to Lamborghini and even Porsche, whatever prime car brand you admire you can sit your rear on its premium leather and speed-seeking construction everyday. If you think the list below is tempting wait till you see the gallery.