bentley

Rare Ferraris, Bentleys, Astons & More at Gooding's Amelia Island Sale

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, The Classicist

Ferraris, Bentleys, Astons and More at Gooding's Amelia Island Sale

Back in December my colleague Noah Joseph previewed some of the notable early consignments at Gooding & Company's Amelia Island sale. Now with the auction date of March 11 looming we have details on starring lots added in the interim. Recent additions to the stunning lineup include an extraordinary "barn find" 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner; a highly-original and unrestored 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV; and a 1962 AC Cobra. They join other incredible offerings including a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Prototype, a 1963 Lotus 23B and a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (above).

"A true connoisseur's car, the Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback has a place in the world's finest collections," says David Gooding, President and founder. "This recently-discovered, two-owner R-Type is the ultimate collector's Bentley for its role in luxury motoring history and sophisticated performance specification." Gooding have not released estimates for the Bentley or Miura, but expect the bidding to be fierce. Meanwhile the Aston Martin's estimate is $425,000 - $475,000; the AC Cobra $450,000 - $550,000; the Lotus $175,000 - $225,000; and the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso $600,000 - $750,000.

Gallery: Gooding & Co. Amelia Island 2011

1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback

Tags: AC Cobra, Amelia Island, Aston Martin, Aston Martin DB4, Bentley, car auction, classic cars, collector cars, Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GT, Gooding Company, Gooding and Co., Gooding and Company, Lamborghini, Lamborghini Miura, Lotus, luxury cars

VW Closing Purchase of Porsche. Still Eyeing Alfa-Romeo

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

German automaker Volkswagen this week is expected to complete its long-planned $4.5 billion acquisition of luxury sports car maker Porsche. When the ink is dry, it will formally add Porsche to a brand stable that includes Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti, as well as mass-market brands Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat.

And VW AG supervisory board chairman, billionaire Ferdinand Piech (grandson of Porsche founder Ferdinand Porsche) isn't through trying to add premium and luxury brands. At the Geneva Motor Show this week Piech reiterated his interest in acquiring Italian brand Alfa Romeo, owned by Fiat, despite public statements by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne that the marque is not for sale.

Tags: alfa romeo, Aventador, bentley, Bugatti, Ferdinand Piech, Fiat, Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini, Porsche, Sergio Marchionne, Volkswagen AG

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EXCLUSIVE: Ralph Lauren to Exhibit Car Collection Classics for the First Time

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, The Classicist, Architecture & Design

Ralph Lauren to Exhibit Car Collection Classics for the First Time

Images exclusive to Luxist, courtesy of Ralph Lauren; click for high-res gallery

Some of the most precious gems in famed fashion designer Ralph Lauren's incredible car collection will be exhibited for the the first time ever in Paris this spring. Lauren's collection, in our opinion the finest one in private hands on the planet, features impeccable examples of the rarest and most valuable vehicles in the world. We can reveal exclusively that four of his exquisite automotive works of art, which have never before been seen in public, will be on view at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris from April 28 – August 28: a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM; a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti; a 1956/1958 Jaguar XKSS; and a 1931 Alfa Romeo Monza 8C 2300.

13 other Lauren cars will also be on display during the exhibit, entitled The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces from the Ralph Lauren Collection, including an amazing 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (above), a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, and a 1938 Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupé. The last two alone are worth about $30 – $40 million each, and are among the world's most expensive cars. The Paris exhibit will focus on European models created between the 1930s and the 1990s, "illustrating the evolution of car design in the 20th Century." They were selected by curator Rodolphe Rapetti and will be arranged by scenographer Jean-Michel Wilmotte, with the "kinetics" and sound of the vehicles conveyed by means of various films and recordings. The museum will also be producing a luxe book to celebrate the occasion.

Gallery: Ralph Lauren's Cars Headed to Paris

Tags: Alfa Romeo, Bentley, billionaire, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Bugatti, car collection, car design, celebrity cars, classic cars, designer, exclusive, exhibit, exhibition, fashion design, fashion designer, Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GTO, ferrari+250+gt, ferrari250gt, France, Jaguar, McLaren, mens style, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, museum, museum show, Paris, Porsche, Ralph Lauren, ralph+lauren+car+collection, ralph+lauren+cars, ralph+laurens+car+collection, ralphlaurencarcollection, ralphlaurencars, ralphlaurenscarcollection, supercars, The Classicist, worlds most expensive, worlds most expensive car, worlds most expensive cars

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Breitling for Bentley Supersport Light Body Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Breitling for Bentley Supersport Light Body Chronograph Watch

A souped up Bentley Continental GTC Supersport car just set a new speed record driving over ice at a speed of about 205 mph. Sponsor Breitling's name was emblazoned across the side of the car, while the driver was wearing a new light weight Breitling for Bentley watch. For a few years now Breitling for Bentley watches represented not sport, but more bling timepieces for the popular Swiss watch brand. Coming up soon is a more sport-themed Breitling for Bentley watch model with the Supersport Light Body Chronograph watch.

There aren't many Breitling watches done in titanium. The only one I can think of off the top of my mind is the famous Aerospace models. This new titanium model is likely to be about 45mm wide with an automatic COSC Chronometer certified chronograph movement inside. The red and black motif of the dial is sporty, and becoming of the design. To keep things light, the watch will come on a black rubber strap. It looks as thought Breitling may have used titanium hour markers on the dial - though they might be steel that has been color matched to the titanium of the case. Like many Breitling watches, this one has a rotating slide rule bezel - a function you'll never use if driving fast. Look for this cool looking Breitling for Bentley Supersport Light Body Chronograph watch out soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: bentley, breitling, light body, supersport, titanium, watch

The Classicist: Is the Royal Warrant Losing Its Lustre?

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Classicist, Wealth

A recent decision by two venerable British brands to drop the Royal Warrants from their packaging has occasioned some hand-wringing in the UK over whether the much-coveted distinction has lost its lustre. The Classicist calls it a tempest in a Royal Doulton teacup; read on to find out why. Only three royals are entitled to grant warrants – the Queen of England, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales – to firms who supply their royal requisites for at least five years, though most warrant holders have ties to Britain's royal family dating back several decades or more. Of course, Prince William will one day be granting his own.

Holders of the Royal Warrant include many of our favorite luxury brands – Asprey, Aston Martin, Bentley, Barbour, Burberry, Fortnum & Mason, Gieves & Hawkes, Holland & Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, Laphroaig, Lock & Co., Swaine Adeney Brigg, Smythson, Tanqueray and Turnbull & Asser – along with a host of lesser names, such as After Eight mints and Jacob's Cream Crackers. It is the latter two that have now decided to do without their warrants – though no insult is intended to the royal family, as it was when former Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed burned his last year. That coupled with the results of a new survey showing that only 13% of respondents thought that warrants make any difference have called their usefulness into question, the London Guardian reports.

However, "It's hard to say that interest in royal warrants is conclusively on the wane," Vicky Bullen, chief executive of Coley Porter Bell, tells the paper, "because there is no existing data with which to make a comparison. However, consumers' apparent indifference to the royal warrants has surprised us. We can only surmise there could be a number of factors at play." Said factors, Bullen says, include "that we live in a less deferential society in which the royal family enjoys less prestige and political support." That of course is not exactly new, though the upcoming Royal Wedding may give them a boost. [cont'd]

Gallery: Holders of the Royal Warrant

Tags: Asprey, Aston Martin, Barbour, Bentley, British royalty, Burberry, Fortnum and Mason, Harrods, Holland Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, luxury brands, Mohamed al Fayed, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Queen of England, royal family, Royal Warrant, Royal Wedding, royalty, Smythson, Swaine Adeney Brigg, Tanqueray, UK

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The Classicist: London's Luxe Salon Prive Comes to 'Gosford Park'

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Events, The Classicist

The Salon Privé, Europe's finest and largest dedicated display of supercars, exotics, classics and luxury goods in an English garden party setting, is moving to an amazing new venue this summer to house the largest exhibition to date and an incredible auction alongside. Syon Park (above), the sprawling London estate of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family have lived there for over 400 years, is best known as the mansion used in the movie Gosford Park and is the last surviving ducal residence retaining its country estate in Greater London, making a fitting new setting for the five-star event slated for June 22nd – 24th.

To mark the occasion, RM Auctions, the world's largest collector car auction house, has selected Salon Privé as the venue for its third annual European sale. Themed 'Quintessentially English' and scheduled for June 23, the new RM sale is set to become a regular fixture on the company's global events calendar, catering specifically for collectors with an affinity for British marques. Also joining the luxe event, now in its sixth season, for the first time is Land Rover who have confirmed that they will show the new Range Rover Evoque models which guests will be able to test drive.

2011 marks a return to the event for Porsche alongside such brands as Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Morgan and Rolls-Royce. In addition to the stunning display of modern super and luxury cars, the event's internationally renowned Concours d'Elégance returns with seven new categories and a display of some of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world. Examples of this year's categories include Ferrari 250 Competizione, Historic Grand Prix Single Seaters, Grand Routier, Oddballs, Motorcycles from the Steve McQueen era and a collection of stunning Rolls-Royce models to celebrate the 100 year centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy. [cont'd]

Gallery: Salon Prive & Syon Park

Tags: Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, classic cars, Concours dElégance, concours delegance, English country house, events, Ferrari, Gosford Park, Land Rover, London, luxury goods, Maserati, Porsche, Range Rover Evoque, RM Auctions, Rolls-Royce, Salon Privé, Salon Prive, Steve McQueen, supercar, the+classicist, theclassicist

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First Bentley Flying Star by Carrozzeria Touring for Sale at $1 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Last March we first wrote about the stunning two-door station wagon or "shooting brake" model dubbed the Continental Flying Star built by Italian coachwork firm Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, unveiled by Bentley at the At the Geneva Motor Show. Based on either the Bentley Continental GTC with a 560 hp twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 engine, or the GTC Speed with a 610 hp engine, only 20 examples will be built at a base price of about $800,000 apiece. Now the very first demo model that was shown in Geneva has been listed for sale in Belgium via global online luxury marketplace JamesList – but bagging the original comes at a premium: it's priced at about $1 million. The car's completely new rear compartment features two foldable rear seats and a variable loading space. The term "shooting brake" does not refer to the braking system but originated with custom built two-door luxury estate cars altered for use by hunters and other sportsmen such as golfers, equestrians, and polo players requiring easy access to larger storage areas than offered by the typical automobile trunk.

Gallery: Bentley Flying Star by Carrozzeria Touring

Tags: Bentley, Bentley Continental, Continental Flying Star, Geneva Motor Show, JamesList, shooting brake, station wagon

James Bond's New Bentley

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Books

It may be a while before everyone's favorite spy is back on the silver screen, but fortunately for Bond fans, there's a new series of books to keep our interests piqued. But while 007 drives an Aston Martin in the latest movies, in the books (old and new) Bentley is his ride of choice.

The latest book Carte Blanche is set to launch in the UK on May 26, but its author Jeffery Deaver recently stopped by its setting in Dubai to check out the new Bentley Continental GT in white over red which Bond drives in the book. Not a subtle choice, to be sure, but neither is Dubai. See for yourself in the image gallery below.

Gallery: Jeffrery Deaver & the Bentley Continental GT

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Tags: 007, bentley, bentley continental gt, bond, carte blanche, dubai, emirates, james bond, jeffery deaver, uae

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Taking Orders for Bentley Flying Spur

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Taking Orders for Bentley Flying Spur

At last year's Geneva Motor Show, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera unveiled a dramatic vision for a shooting brake based on the Bentley Continental. For those unfamiliar, a shooting brake is a retro automotive body-style that is essentially a wagon sans two doors, and was a favorite of independent coachbuilders like Touring. The car stole the show, and now the Milanese coachbuilder is taking orders.

The process of transforming a Continental GTC into the Flying Star takes some 4,000 hours of work, and to that end, Touring has hired more staff and invested in new equipment so it can be working on as many as five at a time. It will still take six months from order to delivery, and with production capped at 19 examples, each sells for about $800,000.

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Tags: bentley, bentley continental, bentley continental flying star, carrozzeria touring superleggera, carrozzeria touring superleggera flying star, touring, touring flying star, touring superleggera, touring superleggera flying star

Bentley and Bugatti get a new Chairman & CEO

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The keys to one of the most coveted positions in the luxury and automotive industries have been handed over on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show. The exchange took place between Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, outgoing chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors as well as Bugatti, and his successor Wolfgang Dürheimer.

Paefgen steps down from the position after eight years at the helm of Bentley and nearly four at Bugatti. He'll continue in an advisory capacity to both, as well as to the parent company Volkswagen. His successor Wolfgang Dürheimer comes from sister company Porsche, where he served as a vice-president for several years.

The ceremonial changing of the guard took the form of the keys to company founder W.O. Bentley's 1930 8-Litre saloon, the pride of Bentley's historical collection.

Tags: bentley, bugatti, dürheimer, dr. franz-josef paefgen, durheimer, franz-josef paefgen, paefgen, wolfgang dürheimer

Chrome Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Spirits, Luxury Cars & Autos

Chrome Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

There's one in every family: someone who loves cars and alcohol...often in equal measure. And while we wouldn't condone driving under the influence, we do have what could very well be the ultimate gift for that special someone.

This set of chrome and glass decanters are crafted in England by Nicholas Brawer. Each of the five replicates the radiator grille from a classic Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz or Jaguar motor car. Price is available from the retailer upon request.

Gallery: Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

[Source: Nicholas Brawer via Luxury Launches]

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Tags: bentley, bugatti, decanter, flask, jaguar, mercedes, mercedes-benz, nicholas brawer, rolls-royce

The $1.5 Million Macallan Ultimate Single Malt Experience

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

If you missed out on the world's most expensive bottle of whisky – the 64-year-old Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue which was just auctioned off at Sotheby's for a record breaking $460,000 – not to worry: for $1.5 million you can make that look like a mere bagatelle. Glossy chronicle of the filthy rich Robb Report is offering the ultimate single malt experience in conjunction with The Macallan as part of this year's Ultimate Gifts offerings, featuring a journey to the the Macallan estate in Scotland to select eight extremely rare single malt Macallan whiskies barreled during each of the last eight decades for your personal collection. The experience begins with a first-class flight to Paris and a two-night stay in the Presidential Suite at the ultra-luxe Four Seasons George V, during which you'll take a chauffeured Bentley to meet with the crystal artisans at Lalique to create the custom decanters that will house the whiskies.

A private jet and helicopter will then take you to the Macallan estate for a two-day consultation to select the whiskies from barrels dating back to the 1930s. Once the decanters are completed they'll be filled with the precious elixir and delivered in a bespoke cabinet from royal furniture maker Viscount David Linley. David Cox, Macallan's director of fine and rare whiskies, calls it nothing short of "a liquid history of Macallan," noting, "You'll be drinking whiskies distilled by The Macallan before the Second World War, each with quite a distinctive style."

Tags: Bentley, David Linley, Four Seasons George V, gifts, Holiday 2010, Lalique, Macallan, Paris, private jet, Robb Report, Scotland, single malt, The Macallan, whisky

Bentley Continental Flying Spur Series 51

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It doesn't gets much more upscale than the Bentley Continental, and now they've announced the even more choice Flying Spur Series 51.

Already available on the Continental GT coupe and Continental GTC convertible, the Series 51 edition can now be ordered as well on the Continental Flying Spur sedan. The special trim level encompasses optional two-tone exterior paint, three-tone interiors, special veneer choices, and new nine-spoke, graphite-finish 19-inch alloys unique to the Series 51. 14 hand-selected color combinations are available, but buyers can also specify any combo of their choosing.

Along with the Series 51, Bentley has announced available blue brake calipers and new front-fender air vents for any Flying Spur, as well as a new touchscreen infotainment system on the Spur or the Supersports coupe and convertible. Just in case you were waiting for another reason to sign on the dotted line.

Gallery: Bentley Continental Flying Spur Series 51

Tags: Bentley, Bentley Continental, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Bentley Continental Flying Spur Series 51, Continental, Continental Flying Spur, Flying Spur, Series 51

Bentley's 2011 Continental GT Says Hello from Oman

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

The 2011 Bentley Continental GT is being launched in Oman right now, and Bentley has gathered a gaggle of shots of its latest super coupe tanning in the Middle Eastern sun. The second generation of the monstrously powerful and just-as-luxurious two-door will have the familiar 6.0-liter, twin-turbo W12 engine up front, but from next year it will putting out 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. You can probably expect the bottom line number on the order form to be increased as well.

Still, for those in search of a frugal-er conveyance that still retains Caesar's comforts, a V8 Continental will come on line next year and it's rumored to produce somewhere around 550 horses from its twin-turbo Audi motor. Or hey, there's no reason you can't get the V12 for yourself and the V8 for your assistant, right?

Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental GT Launch

Tags: 2011 continental gt, 20111 bentley continental gt, bentley, bentley continental, Bentley Continental GT, continental gt

Astor & Black Provides a Custom Suit with every new Bentley

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

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

With their immaculate attention to detail, unsurpassed presence and monstrously powerful engines, a fair few of us here at Luxist would need little excuse to sign on the dotted line for a new Bentley if given the opportunity. And by opportunity, of course, we mean the financial wherewithal that doesn't typically come with a career as a freelance writer. But for those who have the means, Bentley USA has teamed up with custom clothiers Astor & Black to sweeten the deal.

The fashionably informed may recognize the name Astor & Black for outfitting Esquire's "best dressed real man" Angel Ramos. The company provides bespoke suits starting at accessible prices but reaching prominently up-market with higher-end fabrics and options. It's from that range that Astor is providing every buyer of any new Bentley in the United States or Canada with a custom suit, shirt and handmade tie...each item made to measure according to the customer's specifications, not unlike the luxury automobiles they'll accompany.

Did we need another reason to want a Bentley, or another way to express our style when pulling up the driveway in one? No, but it certainly couldn't hurt.

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Tags: astor and black, astor black, bentley, bespoke suit, custom suit, suit, tailored suit