Deep-pocketed buyers looking for an extreme track car have a rare chance to snap up a Maserati MC12 Versione Corse.
The MC12 Versione Corse is the track-only version of Maserati’s MC12 supercar from the mid-2000s. It was launched in 2006 and just 12 were built, plus a prototype, and now one of them is listed for sale on duPont Registry.
The car is the third MC12 Versione Corse in the 12-car run, and incredibly it was never taken to the track. Its odometer shows just 129 miles of delivery mileage.
No price is listed, but the MC12 Versione Corse originally sold for about 1.2 million euros (approximately $1.17 million at today’s exchange rates).
2006 Maserati MC12 Versione Corse – Photo credit: duPont Registry
The Versione Corse is actually closer in spec to Maserati’s MC12 GT1 race cars that were quite successful in GT competition. The chassis is based on the one in the Ferrari Enzo, but the engine is the same 6.0-liter V-12 fitted to the Enzo-based FXX track car. It generates 755 hp in a vehicle that weighs just 2,535 lb.
The 0-62 mph run takes about 3.8 seconds and the top speed is in excess of 202 mph. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a heavily revised version of the MC12’s 6-speed automated manual transmission, designed for quicker shifts.
A handful of the MC12 Versione Corses have been modified to make them street-legal. That isn’t the case for this car, but it doesn’t matter as any buyer would probably never want to drive it on a public road, and there’s a good chance it won’t even make it out of a climate-controlled garage. For anyone who would take it on the road, there’s some seriously stiff suspension tuning to deal with as well as a severe lack of outward vision.
Maserati has a new supercar in its lineup in the form of the MC20 and it’s set to spawn a track-only version in the same vein as the MC12 Versione. Maserati has yet to say when the car, code-named the Project24, will be available.
1. Typically, when one buys a vehicle, they bring it home not long after. But when one Swede agreed to buy a 1966 Mini Moke that apparently hadn’t been driven since it was purchased, he also agreed to leave it sit untouched for another 20 years until after the seller died, as Fredrik Nyblad wrote for Klassiker.
What you can see with your eyes is that this is a car that has never been in traffic and has instead been left standing – probably it has almost always been well stored considering the condition. Jonas, who owns Mini Moke today, has some clues about the car’s history, but not all. He got to buy the car after a long friendship with a man who owned it for several decades. The previous owner was an artist who lived in the same suburb in Stockholm as Jonas. “That’s where we met,” says Jonas. “He was going to walk home with a lot of grocery bags so I gave him a ride in my car instead.” Jonas started helping the man with practical things. The artist was sometimes in contact with people who wanted see the Mini Moke, but one of the few who actually got to see it was Jonas.
2. While checking out the description of this 1976 Lohr-Fardier listed for sale on Hemmings.com, we came to learn that it served as a test car for DeLorean’s proposed DMC Model 44, which looked more or less like a kei truck. The DeLorean Museum has more on the DMC44 project.
3. Stellantis this week announced that it will, as many other European carmakers have already done, develop a Classiche program to offer repair and restoration services for classic Alfa Romeos.
The Alfa Romeo Classiche heritage program consists of the Certificate of Origin – which has been offered for Alfa Romeo cars since 2016 – together with the Certificate of Authenticity and the Restoration. The top management of the brand personally chairs and intervenes in the committee that evaluates historic cars and issues the certifications with the support of the Heritage team and experts in Alfa Romeo history.
4. In the mid-Eighties, the British government was talking with both Ford and General Motors about selling off much of what remained of the British car industry: Austin Rover to Ford, and Leyland to GM. Interestingly, as Ian Nicholls at AROnline tells the story, the ramifications of those talks—and of the abrupt end to the talks—may have played into Ford’s decision to approve the Miata for production and certainly opened the door to Ford’s purchase of Jaguar, BMW’s of Mini, and Chinese ownership of MG.
On 3 February 1986 the Conservative Government of Margaret Thatcher admitted it was in talks about an American takeover of a large chunk of what remained of the British-owned vehicle industry. The talks were described as being at ‘an advanced stage’. General Motors was interested in acquiring the loss-making Leyland Vehicles division. Ford wanted to buy Austin Rover, Britain’s last home-owned volume car manufacturer. Labour Front Bench spokesman John Smith asked: ‘Is there nothing not for sale?’ Workington MP Dale Campbell Savours accused the Government of ‘dropping the Union Jack and raising the Stars and Stripes over British industry once again.’ This was at the time of the Westland crisis when two cabinet ministers resigned and the Government was accused of selling out the national interest to American big business. On 6 February 1986, the Government discontinued the Ford/Austin Rover talks.
This Barracuda two-door fastback is finished in red complemented by white striping down the middle. It features wraparound rear glass, chrome brightwork, and a split-section grille. The listing states that there are two small scuffs and a small dent on the hood.
1965 Plymouth Barracuda
“The all-red interior is fitted with vinyl low-back bucket seats up front and a bench in the rear, matched to the door panels, dash, and carpeting,” the listing states. “The dash is trimmed with bright accents. Equipment includes floor mats and a push-button radio.”
This Mopar rides on factory 13-inch wheels with whitewall tires.
1965 Plymouth Barracuda
Under the hood is a 273ci V8 engine paired with a floor-shifted three-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.
273cid V8
The sale includes a clear Oregon title.
This auction 1965 Plymouth Barracuda’s auction ends on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 12:20 p.m. (PDT)
This past weekend I had the opportunity to judge at the Concours event of the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival. It is always an honor to be asked to judge at these events, and the best part of it was that I had the rare chance to judge in the Muscle Car class. The winner of Best in Class was one of my favorite 1970s cars, a 1973 Ford Mustang.
1971 Ford Mustang
The 1971 to 1973 Mustang was very different than the earlier Mustangs in that it moved more upmarket, being both longer and heavier as a result, and ended up being more of a GT car that a sports or muscle car. Since my favorite cars are GTs, this generation Mustang is the one I find myself most drawn to. It also does not hurt that 007 drives one in “Diamonds are Forever.”
Another reason I like this generation of Mustang is that they tend to be among the most affordable of all the classic Mustangs on the market today.
It is finished in the wonderful combination of Medium Yellow Gold paint with a Medium Ginger vinyl interior, and the seller states that this car was built with the “Hardtop Special Value Package,” which was a spring promotion created to drive sales after a lean winter. In the case of this package, the base coupe received a hood with NASA-style scoops, a Mach 1 grille, color-matched front bumper and sport mirrors, and Boss side stripes. Only around 9,000 coupes were built with this package out of a total of almost 150,000 Mustangs built for 1971.
This vehicle, while receiving a recent repaint in its original color, is extremely stock, something rare for this generation of Mustang. It is powered by a numbers-matching 302 V8 and backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states that it is an all-around good driver with power steering, and power brakes with discs up front. The Mustang has a nice set of modern white-letter tires on Magnum 500 wheels, though the stock hubcaps and trim rings are included with the sale.
302ci V8
Finally, this Mustang comes with plenty of paperwork that includes the original window sticker, warranty cards and owner’s manual.
The Mustang’s original window sticker, warranty card and owner’s manual.
If you are looking for one of the last classic Mustang deals available, you might want to act on this one. I say this because with an asking price of only $24,995 this is a Pick of the Day I would consider buying myself.
Alfa Romeo has an illustrious past dotted with numerous much-loved classics. From the humble Spider, which had a starring role in “The Graduate” and was built from 1966 to 1994, to concours winners like the 8C 2900B of the 1930s and 33 Stradale of the late 1960s, early Alfa Romeos cover a wide spectrum of the classic car world.
To help ensure all of those classics remain on the road, Alfa Romeo has launched an in-house heritage department offering certification services as well as repairs and full restorations.
Called Alfa Romeo Classiche, it is the latest addition to the wider Stellantis Heritage Department, and will be formally launched during the 2022 Auto e Moto d’Epoca classic car meet running in Padua, Italy, from Oct. 20-23.
One service offered is a Certificate of Authenticity, where an expert pores over the car, verifying the authenticity of the car and its components. This can either be done in Turin, Italy, or at the owner’s home if requested.
1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Speciale tipo Le Mans race car
A simpler service is the awarding of a Certificate of Origin. Similar to the Porsche Production Specification service announced on Tuesday by Porsche, this service certifies the car’s year of production and original factory specification. It includes details such as model specifications, engine serial number, and original exterior and interior details, all of which will be a boon for anyone looking to restore an Alfa Romeo to original condition.
Beyond this are repair and restoration services. Also handled in Turin, these services can include the repair of an individual part or aesthetic components, or something as complicated as a complete tear-down restoration.
Alfa Romeo will soon add a new section to its official website where owners of classic models will be able to connect with Alfa Romeo Classiche.
Many classic cars have proven to be shrewd investments for their owners, and it’s not surprising many automakers have made efforts to capitalize on the trend by offering certification and restoration programs. In many cases, the right certificate can substantially affect a car’s value.
Jaclyn Sunseri has been running the numbers at Hemmings from her Charlotte, NC base and she lives by one defining mantra: “Stay close to the money and you’ll always succeed.” Another saying at Hemmings is, “You can’t live this life without a good truck.” Sure, that means Hemmings is in good hands, but it also means that her 2021 GMC Yukon is well-taken care of, too.
North Carolina is the jewel of the American Southeast, but Charlotte’s weather can be surprisingly unpredictable: the summer heat comes with that famous southern humidity and the winters can see some infamous northern snow. Jaclyn reminds us, “If you don’t like Charlotte weather, just wait five minutes and it’ll change.” So, to stay cool under pressure, and in any extreme weather, she has to make sure her Yukon never lets her down.
There are SUVs and then there’s the Yukon from GMC. It’s big. It’s powerful. It’s smart. And it’s cool. Especially in Onyx Black – Jaclyn’s favorite color. But, as much as her Yukon takes care of her, it needs some attention paid to its vital fluids. Regular drivetrain fluid changes are necessary, and the thick Southern summer air demands a coolant designed specifically to move nearly three tons of American steel – and Jaclyn’s hectic schedule – with ease and reliability. PEAK’s Original Equipment Technology™ 50/50 Antifreeze + Coolant for North American vehicles is designed expressly for her SUV and everything she demands of it:
• Warranty Coverage: Jaclyn expects her Yukon to last well past the factory warranty and she puts it to the test every day. She only uses PEAK’s Orange Original Equipment Technology™ Antifreeze + Coolant 50/50 Prediluted mix, which matches the vehicle manufacturer’s technology and color requirements while providing guaranteed service life protection of up to 5 years/150,000 miles with a complete flush and fill.
• Color-coded with Inhibitors specifically for Jaclyn’s GMC: Mix water with metal and sooner or later, rust can form. Scale inhibitors make sure that corrosion and flakey, “scale” rust won’t form in all the channels of your radiator as liquid circulates through it. PEAK’s OET Antifreeze + Coolant’s high-quality organic acid corrosion inhibitors are free of borate, nitrite, silicate and amines chemicals, so it meets the performance requirements of ASTM D3306 and D4985 as recommend by General Motors for Jaclyn’s demands on her SUV.
• Specific fit: Jaclyn’s ’21 GMC Yukon is a precision machine designed so that she never has to worry about the engine keeping its temperature regulated. And PEAK has designed its Original Equipment Technology™ Antifreeze + Coolant 50/50 Prediluted mix specifically for any American vehicle requiring ORANGE phosphate-enhanced organic acid technology extended-life coolant. That’s a mouthful, but it means that she can top off her SUV’s cooling system with PEAK’s OET prediluted antifreeze and rest assured that it’s the right liquid for the job.
Another year brings another chance for us classic car enthusiasts to be part of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, which once again brings together an impressive array of classic car and motorcycle clubs. Alongside this, there will be iconic classic and vintage cars and motorbikes for sale, autojumble and stalls and anything classic car related, ensuring it’s an event not to be missed.
This is the renowned and best season finale for any classic car/bike owner, enthusiast, club member, collector, or simply anybody with a passion for classic vehicles!
But there’s a lot more than just the classics that will be on display. After you’ve admired these amazing vehicles, you can source parts and tools for your maintenance and restoration needs from the many specialist traders, or shop for those elusive pieces in the autojumble. If you’re looking for something to fill that classic-shaped hole in your life then you’re sure to find an outstanding range on offer from the Car Dealers and at Silverstone Auctions.
There are also many activities that you can enjoy, including presentations from motoring celebrities and experts, and hearing from specialists throughout the halls. You’ll be able to drive out in a unique classics with HERO-ERA or Sporting Bears, helping them raise money for some wonderful children’s charities.
Read on to find out what the show will include and how you can enter our competition to win show tickets.
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Highlights to Wet Your Appetite
Whether you want to roam the halls and relish in rare vehicle discoveries, you are looking for information on a particular marque, want to meet celebrities, fancy a driving experience, or learn practical skills, the show has something on offer for all classic car and bike lovers.
New for 2022
As well as the usual show favourites, there will be plenty of exciting new features at this year’s show, from live music performances to historic racing bikes.
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Alternative Fuels
The future of motoring seems to be steering us to all-electric, leading many classic car owners to seek out available alternatives. This year’s event will showcase how some classics are making the change and staying on the road.
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Restomods
This growing trend fits classic/retro vehicles with modern features, where old meets new and classic meets modern, giving you the best of both worlds.
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Wings Tour Bus
Paul McCartney’s 1972 Wings Over Europe Tour bus restoration is nearing completion and will be on display, featuring live music performances throughout the weekend.
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Motul Historic Racing Bike Feature
Suzuki racing motorbikes will be presented in a stunning display, with Motul showcasing the past fifty years of top flight two-wheeled motorsport.
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Meguiar’s Detailing Bay
Meguiar’s will be bringing their detailing bay to the show, alongside their much-loved Club Showcase. Presenting car’s under the light, the team will get to work on the chosen cars and leave them sparkling.
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Classic Car Displays
Spanning over 120 years, from vintage motors to traditional British classics, historic motorsport to American muscle cars and retro hot hatches, this year the show will explore more stunning collections of vehicles that are brought together for the classic car community’s season finale at Birmingham’s NEC.
Whether you’re interested in what’s going on under the bonnet or prefer to gawp at these amazing vehicles and imagine hitting the open road, one thing’s for sure – the Classic Motor Show is the best motoring day out for car fans from any decade.
No matter what aspect of the motoring work interests you, be it classic cars, bikes, buses or vans, you will find something to astound you amongst the 3000+ vehicles on display.
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Classic Car and Bike Clubs
Every year the show welcomes hundreds of classic clubs to fill halls with their unique cars, vans and motorbikes. Each and every club and members of it, bring so much knowledge and joy along with their gorgeous vehicles. A broad range of marques and models will be represented, guaranteeing visitors will find their favourites.
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Traders, Dealers & Autojumble
Find everything you need as a car lover. Explore more than 600 exhibitor stands offering all the products and services you could need. Dive into the plethora of goodies that the Autojumble has to offer, talk wheels with specialist exhibitors, and source your first or next classic car with the dealers or at auction with an excellent range of cars for sale.
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Silverstone Auctions
Silverstone Auctions holds with one of their most high profile classic car auctions in the UK, featuring 100+ classic cars and motorcycles at the show, plus a great range of automobilia.
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Looking to buy?
Whether you’re a fan of Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, or Triumph, you can find something to aspire to on the auction block or from the car dealers selling their cars at the show.
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Looking to sell?
If you want to get the best price for your classic beauty, Silverstone Auctions offer a superb opportunity to get your car or motorcycle in front of a highly receptive audience. You can speak to them or other dealers at the show.
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Classic Motorbike Showcase
The Classic Motorbike Showcase welcomes classic bike enthusiasts from all over the UK and beyond to share their passion for remarkable two-wheeled classics. Come and admire motorbikes from an array of marques.
With clubs representing BSA Bantam, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, and more there is something to suit every interest. You’ll have the chance to spend time talking with the clubs representing your favourite!
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Pride of Ownership
Celebrating classic cars and fantastic motorcycles, this glorious display gathers together owners and enthusiasts to vote for your favourite of these cherished vehicles.
Past displays have shown cars found as a wreck and restored to their former glory. Others that have been owned over decades from brand new by the same owner, as well as some extremely rare examples. Prepare for many wonderful stories of how these vehicles hold significant sentimental value to loved ones.
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Classic American Car of the Year
Throughout the year, Classic American’s editor, Ben, searches the country for the best in show cars. He’s whittled it down to 6 spectacular motors that will be in the running to become the Classic American Car of the Year.
Finalists include a 1958 cream Cadillac, a 1972 burnished bronze Buick Riviera, and a 1936 yellow Cord Westchester Saloon.
Come and admire all of the cars at the show and see who is crowned the winner!
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Meguiar’s Club Showcase
This fabulous feature showcases ‘the best of the best’ from the UK classic car club scene from the last year. The celebration brings together an astonishing line up of award-winning cars from club-organised events throughout the course of the year. These cars undergo intense scrutiny at the Classic Motor Show before the ultimate ‘best in show’ is revealed at the prize giving on Sunday afternoon.
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Restoration Theatre
Ever wanted to find out about classic vehicle restoration? Well now you can from the expert mechanics and renovators at the Restoration Theatre. Whether you’re interested in working on your own project, or looking for a career change, you can learn some great skills here!
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HERO-ERA Arrive & Drive
Get behind the wheel of a stunning classic motor courtesy of HERO’s Arrive & Drive fleet and take a 4-mile spin around the NEC.
Have you ever dreamed about getting behind the wheel of a stunning classic motor? Now you have the chance! HERO- ERA’s Arrive & Drive fleet are available for you to make this dream a reality. You’ll have the chance to take a classic car of your choice for a 4-mile spin around the NEC throughout the show.
Even if you don’t feel confident about driving one of these iconic cars yourself, or you don’t have a licence, no need to stress, one of their dedicated team will be delighted to take you for a passenger ride!
If that hasn’t wetted your appetite then nothing will!
Phoenix Raceway supported the LGBTQ+ community at the recent 2022 Phoenix Pride with its wrapped 2022 Toyota Camry TRD pace car driven during the parade. This is the first time Phoenix Raceway has participated in Phoenix Pride.
“It was an honor for Phoenix Raceway to participate in Phoenix Pride this year,” said Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese. “We support its mission to promote unity, visibility, and self-esteem within the LGBTQ+ community. It aligns with our vision for a more inclusive and equitable world for all of our race fans.”
(Image courtesy of Phoenix Raceway)
Phoenix Pride, founded in 1981, was established primarily for charitable, educational and social purposes. The main purpose of Phoenix Pride is to promote unity, visibility, and self-esteem among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer persons; and to promote a positive image in the Valley of the Sun and throughout Arizona through community activities and services. – Phoenix Pride
Love wins ?
This weekend we joined our friends in celebrating pride and took our pace car out for a spin during the Phoenix Pride Parade! pic.twitter.com/zqyEy73FuG
The Phoenix Pride Parade brings the diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities together for a weekend of camaraderie and celebration of the past, present, and future. The Parade brings over 2,000 individual participants with decorated vehicles, colorful floats and thousands of walkers. With over 15,000 spectators, the Parade featured local luminaries, music, and a greater sense of community.
Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese (Image courtesy of Phoenix Raceway)
The Phoenix Pride Parade raises funds for Phoenix Pride and the Pride Community Grants and Scholarships programs.
Jeff Sutton and LegacyEV’s Maverick Knoles walk through several classic car EV conversions at its headquarters in Phoenix. Although LegacyEV does not directly perform the conversions, it offers distribution, EV conversion kits and training for those interested in converting one’s classic vehicle to an electric vehicle.
