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The Classicist: Bugatti's Bugatti & More on Offer at Pebble Beach

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

Photos by Pawel Litwinski © 2009 Courtesy of Gooding & Company

On August 15 – 16 Gooding & Company is holding its annual auto auction during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The centerpiece of the sale is an incomparable piece of Bugatti history: marque founder Ettore Bugatti's personal 1938 Type 57C Coupe (above), which is expected to fetch several million dollars. Bugatti factory employees originally assembled the car as a birthday present for Mr. Bugatti, and the car's one-off coachwork is believed to be one of the last designs penned by his son, Jean Bugatti, before his death. It's a truly unique piece of automotive history.

Deemed one of its most cherished automobiles, the Bugatti factory went to great lengths to protect the precious vehicle during World War II when its premises were in danger. After Ettore Bugatti's death in 1947, the car continued to be maintained and stored at the Bugatti workshop in Molsheim, France, where it received upgrades as over the years. These included tailored interior accessories, a unique engine and transmission combination and other subtle technical improvements that distinguished it from any other Type 57.

Since leaving the Bugatti factory in the late 1950s, the precious vehicle has had only a few protective caretakers and remains one of the most correct and original Bugattis in existence, untainted by later restoration. The car is being sold without reserve, no doubt to encourage bidding. Last year at Gooding's Pebble Beach sale a rare 1937 Type 57SC Atalante Coupe sold for $7.92 million, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for an automobile at auction in the U.S.A. It remains to be seen what effect the recession may have on the chances of this sale topping that feat.

Gallery: Pebble Beach 2009

Tags: Bugatti, Gooding Company, GoodingCompany, Pebble Beach, PebbleBeach, racing

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New Bentley Arnage Expected at Pebble Beach in August

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Bentley is surely growing tired of watching its top clientele crossing the road to Rolls-Royce and Maybach dealerships – not too tired, mind you, with the success of the Continental range – but it's not about to rush into things. According to the latest reports, the replacement for the aging top-of-the-line Arnage won't begin production until a year after they're done with the current model, now in its final edition and pictured above. That won't stop the exclusive British automaker from showcasing the new flagship limousine at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August, however, as reports indicate that Bentley will debut the new saloon there. And when it does, we're expecting something bigger, faster and even more luxurious than the model it replaces.

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Tags: arnage, bentley, bentley arnage, BentleyArnage, monterey, pebble beach, pebble beach concours delegance, PebbleBeach, PebbleBeachConcoursDelegance

Vintage Motorcycles to be Showcased at Pebble Beach for the First Time

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

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

The annual Legend of the Motorcycle concours may have been canceled for 2009, but classic two-wheel motor aficionados have good cause to take heart as the organizers of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance have announced that, for the first time in the event's history – now spanning nearly six decades – classic motorbikes will be included.

Citing an increased enthusiasm for vintage motorcycles and the important role they played in the development of the automobile, organizers of the annual event, considered one of the most prestigious in America, have opened this summer's event for British motorbikes produced before 1959. Show-goers can expect to see a wide array of Triumphs, Nortons, Vincents and more, including the example pictured above on which legendary rider Rollie Free set the land speed record at the Bonneville salt flats in 1948, clocking in at 150 mph wearing nothing more than a bathing suit, swim cap and sneakers.

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Tags: ariel, bathing suit bike, BathingSuitBike, brough superior, BroughSuperior, bsa, classic motorbikes, classic motorcycles, ClassicMotorbikes, ClassicMotorcycles, gunga din, GungaDin, monterey, motorbikes, motorbikes monterey, motorbikes pebble beach, MotorbikesMonterey, MotorbikesPebbleBeach, motorcycles, motorcycles monterey, motorcycles pebble beach, MotorcyclesMonterey, MotorcyclesPebbleBeach, norton, pebble beach, PebbleBeach, triumph, velocette, vincent, vintage motorbikes, vintage motorcycles, VintageMotorbikes, VintageMotorcycles

Pebble Beach Food & Wine Experience

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

When it comes to premier tasting events typically Aspen's Food & Wine Classic sits atop the list but another, young event is creeping up in status, easily challenging Aspen's offerings. The picturesque Del Monte Forest, also known as Pebble Beach, hosts the 2nd Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Experience from April 16-19 offering exclusive dining, tasting and educational opportunities. Learn and savor culinary excellence from world-renowned chefs, taste some of the most sought-after wines across the globe, and make your own schedule with a la carte choices or package deals. The culmination of 250 legendary wineries and 60 celebrity chefs is too good to miss. Prices start at just $100 for wine tastings and reach $4,750 for four days of VIP access to any of the weekend's festivities.

[via Vinography]

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Tags: carmel california, CarmelCalifornia, pebble beach, pebble beach food and wine, PebbleBeach, PebbleBeachFoodAndWine, wine tasting, WineTasting

Rare '37 Bugatti Sells for Record-Breaking $7.9 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe sold for $7.92 million at Gooding & Co.'s auto auction (that we recently reported on) during the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California over the weekend - the highest price ever paid for an automobile at auction in the U.S.A. The car was part of the Dr. Peter and Susan Williamson Collection, billed as the world's finest assemblage of Bugattis, several of which fetched high prices at the sale. The next highest price at the Gooding & Co. event was a 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Le Mans, which fetched $2.2 million. Meanwhile, at RM Auctions' similar sale during the classic car event, which we told you about earlier this month, a 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB Berlinetta brought in an impressive $4.5 million.

Tags: Bugatti, California, Ferrari, Gooding Company, GoodingCompany, Pebble Beach, PebbleBeach, RM Auctions, RmAuctions