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Morgan to Debut New 2+2 Concept in August at Pebble Beach

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


Morgan Aero SuperSports – Click above for high-res image gallery

As if we didn't have enough reasons to look forward to the Pebble Beach Concours this August – beautiful weather, beautiful machinery and beautiful scenery, to name but a few – news comes by way of Autocar in the U.K. that Morgan plans to debut a new 2+2 concept at the famed event on the California coast.

Details on the new model are, as you might expect at this early stage in the game, rather hard to come by. Apparently, though, the new car is meant to preview a production model that Morgan hopes to put into production in 2012 or 2013. No word on on the drivetrain, though we'd expect some sort of modern BMW powerplant, but we're told it will slot somewhere below the brand's range-topping Aero.

[Source: Autocar]

The First Bentley Mulsanne Sells at Pebble Beach Auction for Half a Million Dollars

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Charity



How much would you pay for the privilege of owning the very first Bentley Mulsanne to be produced? The all-new flagship from Crewe was unveiled this past weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. And while official pricing has yet to be announced, the Arnage which it replaces lists in the mid-$200k range.

In conjunction with auction house Gooding & Company, Bentley sold Mulsanne #1 to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to Pebble Beach's official charity, the Phil Hill Foundation. Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen and Bentley Heritage Collection chief Richard Charlesworth were on hand to participate from the stage, and prefaced the auction with a presentation of company founder W.O. Bentley's personal vehicle, the 1920's-era 8-liter Bentley. After failing to generate bids at $500,000, bidding on Mulsanne #1 started at $300,000 and climbed back up to the half-million mark, where it sold to an undisclosed bidder.

$8 Million Ferrari 250 TR Crashes in Monterey

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



Last month while reporting for our sister-site Autoblog on the Ferrari Challenge race from the Mont-Tremblant circuit in Quebec, I got the chance to see a pair of multi-million-dollar Ferrari 250 GTOs racing flat-out against each other and a handful of other classic Ferraris, and I couldn't help but think to myself, My goodness, what if one of them crashed? Well that's pretty much exactly what happened during the Monterey Historic race which ran during the Pebble Beach this past weekend at the famous Laguna Seca race track. Only instead of a GTO, it was the even more valuable Testa Rossa.

Laguna Seca is known the world over for its most infamous corner, known as the Corkscrew. The left-hand turn is followed by an immediate near-vertical drop and then by another quick right-hand turn, and has been known to swallow up and spit out drivers who try to take it too fast. That's what happened to the owner of this 1958 Ferrari 250 TR, similar to the one which recently set the all-time auction record at $12.2 Million, only this one is reportedly worth $8 million. And our man Drew Philips at Autoblog was there to catch it all in frame. Follow the link to view the photos, but only if you can stand to witness the carnage.

Photo copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder unveiled at Pebble Beach

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



If you're looking for the ultimate niche exotic, Spyker could be your ticket. The Dutch automaker produces some of the most beautifully detailed machines on the road, and followed up this weekend at Pebble Beach with the convertible version of the new C8 Aileron which it debuted at the Geneva auto salon this past Spring.

Like the Aileron coupe, the convertible offers more room than the short-wheelbase C8 it replaces. And because Spyker had the foresight to engineer the Aileron as a convertible from the start, the aluminum frame retains much of the rigidity of its coupe counterpart. The Aileron Spyder is characterized by an hydraulic retractable soft-top, available in the buyer's choice of 8 different colors along with the various options for the interior and exterior colors, with a machined aluminum luggage rack and pop-up roll bars. Audi provides the power in the form of a 400hp 4.2-liter V8 mated to either an automatic or manual transmission, AP provides the brakes and exclusive electronics studio Kharma provides the entertainment system, making the new Spyker Spyder a very compelling choice for discerning motorists.

Championship-Winning 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe Sells for a Record $7.25 Million

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions



A new record was set this year at Pebble Beach where Mecum Auctions successfully auctioned off the famous Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, chassis number CSX2601 in which iconic racing driver Bob Bondurant clinched the world championship in 1965. The car initially crossed the auction block at Indianapolis back in May, but failed to meet its reserve price, with estimates initially placing its value in excess of $10 million. The historic racing car came back for another attempt, and sold in Monterey for $7.25 million, setting a record in the process for the highest price paid for an American car at auction.

Forty-for years after claiming the World Manufacturers Championship in this very car for Shelby American out from under Ferrari's nose, Bondurant was reunited with the car and drove it onto the stage where the Shelby Daytona made history once again.

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

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

auto union type d

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.

All-New 2011 Infinti M Sedan Unveiled for Pebble Beach

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



Luxury automaker Infiniti used the occasion of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance to debut its new flagship M sedan. The vehicle is scheduled to be unveiled in a new high-tech virtual model presentation, but while the press and public in Monterey wait for Nissan's premium division to give them a sneak preview, the company has released the first images of the new-for-2011 M sedan range.

While the original M series was decidedly boxy and angular and the current second-generation model is rather dull, the upcoming new model takes on some of the curvaceous lines that were so well received on the Essence concept from the Geneva salon . Infiniti is also offering the new M with either V6 or V8 engine options, in M37 and M56 guises, while offering a bigger shape than the likes of the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series against which the new Infiniti will be facing off in the marketplace.

Bugatti presents Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu at Pebble Beach

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



Bugatti never seems to tire of churning out special editions of its already special Veyron supercar. But last year at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the most exclusive of automakers premiered the Veyron Grand Sport, a highly-anticipated open-top version of the million-euro exotic. And this year Bugatti returned to Monterey with the Sang Bleu, the first special edition of the Grand Sport, as the latest in a long string of celebrations for the Alsatian marque's centenary.

Like the Pur Sang and Sang Noir editions of the fixed-roof Veyron that came before, the Sang Bleu is all about showcasing the car's bare materials. The exterior of the car is finished in polished aluminum, but the contrasting dark blue panels, rather than being painted blue, have actually had their bare carbon fiber tinted to achieve the desired effect, with special wheels painted to match. Like the quartet of individual Centenaire editions and the one-of-a-kind Bleu Centenaire that came before, the Grand Sport Sang Bleu is the only one of its kind. And while it may not be the all-new Bordeaux model we originally anticipated, for its 100th anniversary Bugatti deserves all the celebrations it wants.

Bentley Introduces the all-new 2011 Mulsanne

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


2011 Bentley Mulsanne -- Click above for a high-res image gallery

It's not often that Bentley introduces an all-new model, especially for its flagship line. Today the Pebble Beach Concours de'Elegance, CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen unveiled the all-new Mulsanne. Named for the legendary straightaway at Le Mans, It's a fitting appellation for the top of the line Bentley. Bentleys won the 24 hour endurance classic four times in a row between 1927 and 1930 ensuring Bentley's reputation for high speed touring for the remainder of century into this century.

The Mulsanne is 11 inches longer than the Flying Spur sedan and gets an all new platform. So far Bentley is only saying that the Mulsanne will use a V8 engine, the same configuration as the outgoing Arnage. Aside from that other details will have to wait until the car is shown again next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Mulsanne goes on sale about a year from now at a price yet to be revealed, although if you have to ask...


[Source: Bentley]

Devon GTX: New American Supercar Debuts at Pebble Beach

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



Exclusive supercars have typically been the realm of European automakers, but Devon hopes to change all that with the GTX. Rumors and speculation have been circulating for months about the all-American exotic, but the start-up automaker chose the exclusive Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as the venue to unveil their first creation.

The Devon GTX packs the 8.4-liter V10 engine sourced from the Dodge Viper, tuned to 650 horsepower and mated to a six-speed manual transmission, into a steel frame with carbon fiber body panels. 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels are sheathed in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Z-rated tires, with a 19 and 20-inch set-up also available, housing six-piston and four-piston break calipers front and rear, for superior stopping abilities to match the engine's monstrous power capacity. Only 36 examples will be produced per year at a price of $500,000, and a racing package is available for another $25k.

Gallery: Devon GTX

Video: Porsche Debuts the Panamera in Monterey

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events


Porsche just debuted the Panamera Gran Turismo to the North American public for the first time as part of Monterey Peninsula's Classic Car Week running through Sunday that includes the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, the Monterey Historics and the famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The Panamera celebration also involves the 36th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races where Porsche is the featured marque this year. This has special meaning to all those race drivers, teams, and fans of Porsche as one of the most famous vintage racing events in the world honors the most successful racing brand of all time. Porsche is also bringing to the event a number of significant and rare historic race cars, the Formula One and Two cars among them. On Wednesday a fleet of Panameras made its way into the Monterey peninsula and were prepped until sunrise. This video showcases the fleet being delivered and is followed by a first drive of the Panamera 4S on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Hyundai Pulls Out the Big Guns by Bringing Flagship Equus to America

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


Hyundai may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of luxury sedans. In fact, it was once a bit of a punch line. But no more. After the debut of the Genesis sedan and coupe, the Korean automaker has established itself as a serious player in the luxury segment, and has got Japan's top premium marques paying attention. Now Hyundai is preparing to step it up a notch by bringing its top-of-the-line Equus luxury sedan to the North American market. After an initial showing at the New York Auto Show in April, the Hyundai Equus is set to make its official Stateside debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this weekend. Lexus, Acura and Infiniti had better take notice, as should anyone in the market for a luxury sedan who's eager to get a good value and willing to forgo the traditional nameplates.

New Infiniti M Luxury Sedan to get Virtual Preview at Pebble Beach

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



Infiniti, it has emerged, is getting ready to unveil the replacement for its flagship M series sedan (current version pictured above) at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. But though the Monterey venue has become a popular alternative venue to debut new luxury cars – case in point Infiniti's choice to unveil the new G37 coupe there last year – the new M's will be anything but business as usual. Projecting a rendered image of the car onto a static clay model, Nissan's luxury division will be using "virtual video mapping", giving the company a chance to showcase its technological abilities as well as the design of its new top-of-the-line luxury sedan before the final car is even ready. As an added bonus, Infiniti will reportedly broadcast the "debut" on its website, giving those of us stuck at home away from the glitz and glamor of Pebble Beach a chance to get in on the action.

One-of-a-Kind Miller V16 Racing Car for Auction at RM Monterey

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


Some legends come, and some legends go. Bugatti is a name you'll recognize because the famous automaker of yore was reborn in splendid fashion under the Volkswagen umbrella. But for every revived automaker of yesteryear, there are dozens more that will likely never see the light of day, save for vintage car events and headline auctions. Like Miller, for example. Just like Bugatti dominated grand prix racing in Europe, Miller dominated Indy racing in America in the 1920's. In fact Harry Miller's engine designs remained in use through the 1980s, by which time they had racked up innumerable victories and earned their place in history. And this is perhaps the most prominent of them all: the one-of-a-kind 1931 Miller V16 racing car. After competing in the Indianapolis 500 several times in its heyday, the Miller V16 engine was separated from its chassis only to be reunited decades later by collector Chuck Davis, who restored it to its former glory and took it on tour around the world, visiting the most prestigious vintage car concours and club events. Now, for the first time in decades, the only V16-engined car ever made by Miller will be offered at RM Auctions' event in Monterey, California, where it is projected to sell for as much as $1 million.

Pair of Ford GTs up for Auction for Juvenile Diabetes

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Charity



Getting our hands on the out-of-production Ford GT is cause enough. We wouldn't need any more justification. We'd need the cash, but not the justification. But just in case, the Ford Motor Company and RM Auctions are offering up a pair of early production Ford GTs to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The pair – including the sixth example produced, in red with white stripes, and the seventh, in white with blue – will be offered at the Meadow Brook and Monterey auctions respectively, which are both coming up in August. Each example is expected to fetch somewhere in the $150,000-$200,000 range, so if you've got the cash on hand and were looking for another excuse, here it is.

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