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Audi will team up with Sauber for an entry in the Formula 1 World Championship in 2026 and beyond, the automaker announced on Wednesday.

Sauber currently competes in F1 as Alfa Romeo, but Alfa Romeo in August announced the arrangement would end after the 2023 season. Alfa Romeo hasn’t said whether it is quitting F1 altogether, though.

Alfa Romeo made the announcement shortly after Audi announced its intention to compete in F1, leaving little doubt as to Audi’s plans.

Audi’s deal with Sauber will be much more substantial than the title sponsorship and technical partnership arrangement of Alfa Romeo. Sauber will become the official Audi factory team, and run a power unit supplied by Audi. Audi will also buy a stake in Sauber.

Adam Baker

The power unit is being developed to meet new sustainability-focused regulations to be introduced in 2026, with the development work taking place at an Audi Sport facility in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. Overseeing the development is Adam Baker, who has served as an FIA safety director in recent years and previously worked with Cosworth when it produced F1 power units, as well as with Sauber when it competed in F1 with BMW in the 2000s.

Sauber will be responsible for the development and production of Audi’s F1 car, at its base in Hinwil, Switzerland. Sauber will also be responsible for planning and executing the race operations. The team has competed in F1 for decades, though it has managed just one win in 462 starts.

Fellow Volkswagen Group brand Porsche is also keen to enter F1 with its own power unit and possibly a factory team. Porsche was in negotiations with Red Bull Racing, though the talks ended in September without a deal being brokered. The FIA last week confirmed that Porsche is still in talks with other F1 teams.

F1’s power units under the new regulations will stick to the current turbo 1.6-liter V-6 hybrid format, though they will have to run on 100% sustainable fuel and feature increased power from the electric side. Audi plans to start to testing its power unit on a racetrack in 2025.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Aerial combat advanced at an astonishing rate during World War I, and though it seems unimaginable today, there were no American-designed aircraft deemed suitable for battle in the skies over Europe. There was a U.S.-designed engine in the fight however: the Liberty V-12 or L-12.

The L-12 engine was America’s greatest technological contribution to the aerial war effort. Its initial assignment was powering the “Liberty Plane”—a version of the British-designed De Haviland/Airco DH-4 bomber produced in the U.S. by Dayton-Wright in Dayton, Ohio; Fisher Body Corporation in Detroit, Michigan; and Standard Aircraft in New Jersey. In addition to powering the DH-4 and a variety of other airplanes, over its long service life the L-12 powered tanks, high-speed watercraft, and land-speed racers.

Liberty V-12 at the National Air and Space Museum
An L-12 at home in the front of De Havilland DH-4 at the National Air and Space Museum. The engine weighed about 844 pounds and produced approximately 400 horsepower at a maximum rpm of about 1,800.Photo courtesy Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

The L-12 came about because Packard’s head of engineering, Jesse G. Vincent, recognized the need for a standardized line of aircraft engines that could be mass produced during wartime. The government assigned Vincent the task of creating this engine and teamed him up with Elbert J. Hall of the Hall-Scott Motor Company. The two met in Washington, D.C., on May 29 and, with the help of volunteer draftsmen, created detailed drawings and a full report by May 31. This original design was a V-8, but in their report Vincent and Hall outlined how the engine could be configured as a four-, six-, eight-, or 12-cylinder engine.

By July 3, a
V-8 prototype assembled by Packard was running, and a V-12 soon followed. Due to its superior horsepower potential, the 1,650-cu.in. V-12 was given the nod for mass production.

Liberty V-12 ID plate
An I.D. tag shows the L-12’s firing order and reveals that this example at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum was built by Lincoln on September 25, 1918.

Not only did the Liberty engine mark a great achievement for American aviation, it was responsible for creating a landmark car company: Lincoln. Henry Leland, who founded Cadillac, and his son Wilfred started Lincoln with a $10 million government contract awarded to build Liberty engines. The Lelands left Cadillac to form Lincoln because General Motors President William C. “Billy” Durant was a pacifist and initially rejected the government’s call for GM to build L-12s. (Durant later recanted and Liberty engines were manufactured by GM.) Production numbers seem to vary for output before and after the war but in total Ford, Lincoln, Packard, Marmon, and Buick produced 20,748 L-12 engines.

The L-12 was a liquid-cooled single-overhead-camshaft V-12, rated to make 400-plus horsepower. The deep box-section crankcase was two piece—upper and lower—and cast out of aluminum. The cases were joined by bolts around the case as well as by bolts on each side of the main bearings. The cylinders were individual with welded-on cooling jackets and the cylinders extended down into the crankcase for increased rigidity. The stroke was 7 inches while the bore was 5 inches and aluminum pistons on floating pins helped pump up 5.4:1 compression. The cylinders breathed through 2.5-inch valves (one intake, one exhaust) with exposed rockers and valve springs, while carburetion was handled by a pair of Zenith model US52s.

Liberty V-12 at the National Air and Space Museum
This De Havilland DH-4 at the National Air and Space Museum is a prototype — the first American-built version of the British designed bomber manufactured by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. It was used for testing and never saw combat.Photo courtesy Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

The Liberty is a fascinating engine built with many advanced features. If you’re interested in some in-depth reading, a full report about the L-12 presented in 1919 to the Society of Automotive Engineers by Jesse G. Vincent, is available as a free download at jstor.org.

As Baby Boomers exit the collector car market, and at a time when performance EVs are reshaping the landscape, but 600-plus-horsepower late-model pony cars are still commonplace, will the hottest 1960s and ’70s American muscle cars dip from all-time high values? Or at least level off?

Coming in ninth of the top 10 most expensive cars sold at Mecum’s Monterey sale was this 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda convertible, which fetched $1.1 million (including fees). It managed to edge out a Monterey, California-appropriate 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera RS (one of the 1,308 Touring-spec cars, not a one-of-200 Lightweight)— once owned by the late actor Paul Walker, which sold for $1.072 million.

This would probably come as no surprise to muscle-era Mopar cognoscenti. A ’71 ’Cuda convertible with a 440 Six Pack, like this one, is like the Venus de Milo of B-bodies, second only to a ’71 Hemi ’Cuda convertible. (Speaking of top muscle car prices: One of those Hemi cars crossed the block at Mecum’s Indy sale in 2021 and the seller turned down a high bid of $4.8 million.) Plus, this particular example has a known history in Mopar circles as it was once part of Steven Juliano’s collection. Juliano died in 2018 after battling cancer and left behind an amazing 30-year stash of rare and unusual Mopars, Shelby Cobras, petroliana, and more. His treasure trove was auctioned at Mecum’s Indy sale in 2019 where this same ’Cuda convertible sold for $1.15 million. The car crossed the block again at Kissimmee in 2021 and sold for $962,500—a loss of $187,500. Earlier this year, it crossed the block yet again at Kissimmee where it bid up to $900,000, bringing us to the most recent sale, in Monterey, for $1.1 million. If you’re playing along at home, that’s $137,000 more than when it sold in 2021, but $55,000 less than what this car sold for in 2019.

Color bar graph depicting the value of a 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda from 2006 to 2022.

To your average magazine editor, that kind of money would buy a few cars, a big 4K flat screen to put on the back wall of the garage, a nice stainless kegerator, and who knows what else. But on a percentage basis, those aren’t enormous swings—particularly for people with a lot of disposable income. Prices of everything have gone up sharply post pandemic and collector cars have been no exception. You’d assume, then, that this ’Cuda would’ve bid up even higher in 2022 than the $1.15 million it sold for in 2019. Perhaps it’s reached a plateau? Somehow we doubt it. Price guides show that these cars fell off a cliff after the 2008 financial crisis, but they have rebounded with interest since. (The sale of this car in 2019 contributed to that average.) This could probably be said about values of almost every popular, desirable American muscle car—a scary fall from their prior-to-2008 highs and a sharp rebound less than 10 years later.

This sale was interesting to us because there’s been a lot of talk about interest in 1960s and ’70s muscle cars waning, in light of record high prices paid for trucks and SUVs, Japanese imports, and, of course, Italian and German sports cars, plus all the never-before-seen performance levels of new and late-model vehicles—electric and internal combustion. But this ’Cuda’s two seven-figure sales in a three-year span, while hardly typical because the car is so unusual, shows that muscle cars have legs— especially at the upper reaches of the market, where the most desirable examples live. There might be some ups and downs in the short term, but anyone holding out for the day when big-block 1960s and ’70s icons are affordable, might have a little longer to wait.

Pierce-Arrow built world-class automobiles from 1901 through 1938 and its name is as revered as Packard, Auburn, or Cadillac. But manufacturing cars of uncompromising quality requires significant capital, something the Buffalo, New York, manufacturer found itself short of in 1928. Having averaged a production of a little more than 5,000 cars the previous few years, Pierce-Arrow remained a known quantity to its well-heeled buyers, but with a factory capable of producing 15,000 automobiles per year, it could not quite break even.

The company was known for its large, powerful T-head six-cylinder engines that were expensive to produce, and by the late 1920s they lacked the cachet of straight-eight and V-8 engines from competitors. By 1928, Pierce-Arrow had a stunning L-head straight-eight in the works, but not enough money to bring it to market.

Enter Studebaker. In a marriage of convenience in the form of a merger that saw the Studebaker Corporation take control of more than 90 percent of Pierce-Arrow shares, Studebaker provided Buffalo’s finest maker of motorcars with some $2 million in much needed cash in 1928.

Color closeup of the engine bay in a 1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133, I-8 engine.

Photo by Terry Shea

For 1929 Pierce-Arrow introduced two new straight-eight-powered model ranges: the 133 and 143, so named for the length in inches of their wheelbases. Under their hoods was the all-new 366-cubic-inch straight-eight engine. Studebaker introduced its own straight-eight just a year before in 1928, with the same 3.5-inch bore, and the Pierce-Arrow engine is often—erroneously so—imagined to be simply a stroked version of that engine. But the Pierce-Arrow’s powerplant employed nine main bearings instead of Studebaker’s five. Studebaker did cast the iron Pierce-Arrow blocks in its Indiana foundry, though it used a higher-quality alloy than what its own blocks were made of. At 125 horsepower, the Pierce-Arrow straight-eight produced as much power as any other car on the market, save Duesenbergs. Although it had just a 5.07:1 compression ratio, the Pierce engine made a healthy 250 pound-feet of torque, giving both model ranges sufficient oomph for high-speed running.

Pierce-Arrow engineers also incorporated other innovations in their new engine, such as fitting a Lanchester vibration damper on the front of the crankshaft; a replaceable oil filter and mechanical fuel pump (in lieu of a vacuum tank), both features among the first in the industry; and a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor fed a split manifold, where one barrel managed the inner four cylinders and the other the outer four. Pierce-Arrows also utilized a hypoid axle for the final drive—the sort of thing that would come to Cadillac many years later. Shatterproof glass was sourced from the Pittsburgh Plate Glass company, another example of Pierce-Arrow engineering being ahead of the curve.

Color closeup of the dash, steering wheel, cluster, shifter and more in a 1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133.

Photo by Terry Shea

The cars were restyled and more modern than previous efforts, yet still in line with the conservative looks Pierce-Arrow customers would have expected. Longer and lower than foregoing Pierce-Arrow offerings, the Model 133 and 143 were both a hit and available in many different configurations including the Sports Touring featured on these pages. With restyled bodies, the all-new engine and the extended reach of the Studebaker sales network, Pierce-Arrow sales achieved an all-time high in 1929, finding nearly 9,000 new customers.

By 1933, however, Studebaker was bankrupt, and Pierce-Arrow was sold to a group of Buffalo businessmen for $1 million, ending the arrangement with South Bend. Pierce-Arrow never fully recovered, ultimately going out of business as a car maker in 1938, but to the very end, the marque never relented on its promise of superior engineering.

Color closeup of the Pierce-Arrow radiator mascot on a 1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133.

Photo by Terry Shea

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 366 cubic inch, L-head straight-eight

Bore x stroke: 3.50 x 4.75 inches

Compression: 5.07:1

Horsepower: 125 at 3,200 rpm

Torque: 250-lb-ft at 1,200 rpm

Transmission: Brown-Lipe three-speed manual

Brakes: Bendix internal four-wheel mechanical drum

Wheelbase: 133 inches

Overall length: 203 inches

Shipping weight: 4,100 pounds

Color image of a 1929 Pierce-Arrow Model 133 parked in a rear 3/4 position.

Photo by Terry Shea

Hot rodding is as much about reinvention as it is personal expression and craftsmanship, and there’s probably no better example of those tenets than this 1957 Morris Minor listed for sale on Hemmings.com. It’s gone through multiple incarnations before the seller settled on its current form: a van cut down to a roadster built for road racing with a massive win on the back and eye-searing green paint that would put all the Mopar High Impact colors to shame. Once the seller settled on this form, however, it appears he spent plenty of time refining it for the street and for road racing with a custom drivetrain and an extensively modified chassis. There’s no mention of how it does on the track, but it’s already proven itself an attention getter. From the seller’s description:

I’ve owned the car since the early 1980’s when it was built from a GPO Engineering van into the extensively modified open top machine that it is today, via stints as a 70’s street machine, an 80’s roof chopped van to its current guise as a corner burning road racer which first appeared in 1992. It has appeared in a number of magazine features & at numerous shows in the UK & in France.

Whilst it is based on a 1957 Morris Minor Light Commercial Vehicle the only remaining unmodified parts from that are the scuttle & lower bulkhead, the outer door skins & the rear body sides. Everything else has been custom built over the last 40+ years. The original van body was cut down into a pickup with the windscreen surround chopped to give a low but usable screen. Door tops & rear sides of cab have been panelled over to complete the roadster look. The rear has a custom aluminium tailgate with twin fuel fillers & an opening aluminium tonneau cover with a high level Varis carbon wing. Fibreglass Morris Traveller wings cover the 8 x 18 rear wheels. The front end is a one piece fibreglass moulding incorporating a deep front spoiler, custom grille & driving lights & covers the 7 x 17 front wheels. Paint is VW Cliff Green 73 twin pack. There are fully functional carbon ground effects pieces on front & rear of car, a smooth bellypan with rear diffuser & fully ducted cooling & air feed for brakes, carburettors, oil & water cooling.

Inside it are two custom built upholstered aluminium bucket seats, carbon interior panels, a custom centre console with armrest, ancillary gauges & switchgear & a high power sound system. The vehicles is RHD. There’s a removable carbon tonneau cover over the passenger seat & a full fabric tonneau for the cockpit for when it’s parked. There is no roof!

The chassis is a semi spaceframe, based on the original chassis with new front & rear frame rails & an integrated 6 point roll cage which incorporates B/C post & scuttle brace & shear panels on the spaceframe. All is welded to the body, giving a very stiff structure for an open top car. The chassis locates a custom built rear suspension with coilovers, 3 trailing links, & a Panhard rod on a disc brake equipped Ford RS 2000 rear axle & a Lotus / Triumph front suspension with coilovers, Lotus Eclat discs & a custom built adjustable anti roll bar. A custom Ford Escort pedal box is fitted onto the bulkhead with remote adjustable brake bias control & a hydraulic clutch.

The unique powerunit is set back 12 inches from the original mounting position & offset 1 inch towards the passenger side to aid weight balance. It comprises of a 1340cc BMC A series engine mated to a Toyota AE86 T50 5 speed gearbox via a Dellow aluminium bellhousing & driving through a custom propshaft to the live rear axle. The engine is a replica Morris Engines XSP unit as fitted to 1968 Le Mans Sprite with a Works Weslake cross flow 8 port head, billet cam & custom made cast inlet manifold with twin 40 IDF Webers. It delivers 100hp at the rear wheels & enough torque to make the lightweight car very driveable.

This is a super turnkey hot rod that is immediately usable, it starts & runs easily & offers a focussed but fun drive. It has 30 years old paintwork so there are a few small chips & cracks, there is a very small amount of rippling in the flat body sides. There is no rust in the car (there isn’t much steel left in it) & all of the structural welding is in great shape. Full build details come with the car, together with copies of the magazines it has appeared in. It is fully street legal in the UK & has a Historic Vehicle registration document. The vehicle is located in the UK, so any buyer would need to arrange shipping – I can help with this, if required.

See more Morrises for sale on Hemmings.com.

These days, there are many smartphone-based apps that monitor driving behavior. Parents can set up alerts to let them know when a newly-licensed driver exceeds a certain speed, or electronically block vehicle performance above a certain rate. Some insurance companies have even started offering incentives to customers who authorize GPS tracking when it comes to acceleration, aggressive cornering, and braking.

1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88

But Oldsmobile was way ahead of the game in offering visual alerts about speed control, and that innovative technology is showcased in today’s spotlight vehicle.

1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88

The Pick of the Day is a 1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Salem, Massachusetts. (Click the link to view the listing)

1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88

Included in this Olds is a trademark “Safety-Spectrum Speedometer.” The ribbon-style bar that moves along the 120-mph speedometer increments is engineered to modify color according to speed: it is green from 0 to 35 mph, orange from 35-65 mph, and red at speeds above 65 mph.

The listing reads, “This ’59 Oldsmobile Scenic coupe spent the first 60 years of its life all with one family in Thompson, North Dakota. The frame and body are rust-free. I purchased the vehicle about a year ago and have invested more than $4,000 into it.”

This car comes from the fourth-generation of the 88 model which shared General Motors’ B-body platform with cars including the Buick LeSabre and the Pontiac Catalina. Oldsmobile called the design language “linear look.”  The seller states, “The special features of this vehicle are the full amazing bubble-top glass which allows for maximum scenic viewing while you are cruising the countryside.”

371cid Rocket V8

Power comes from a 371cid Rocket V8 mated to a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Recent mechanical work included replacement of the exhaust manifolds, muffler, power steering hose, air conditioning, dash lights, and heater core. The seller believes that the motor received a comprehensive overhaul sometime in the 1990s under prior ownership.

As for that special speedometer, it was more a novelty than anything else, but it’s interesting how even 63 years later, auto manufacturers continue using visual cues to convey speed-based feedback. A segment from Jay Leno’s Garage in 2013 illustrated the speedometer in action at 13 minutes in here.

“Must have a good size garage,” the listing concludes. “It’s a full-size vehicle. This is a special classic which gets plenty of thumbs up!”

The seller is asking $35,000 or best offer for this well-kept Olds, which looks like it would easily make a capable cruiser in the red speedometer zone.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Customized modern meets classic muscle in this 1966 Ford Mustang convertible built as a show car!

GAA Classic Cars Auction is proud to offer this Pro Tour Ford Mustang convertible that received a professional ground-up restoration documented with build receipts and photos. The spectacular build quality of this Pony Car led to its selection in Builder’s Showcase under Elite Builders at the 22nd annual Street Rod Nationals in 2021.

Image courtesy of GAA Classic Cars Auction

The House of Kolor Shimrin Kandy Root Beer exterior features a custom 4-inch widebody rear, an aftermarket hood scoop done in period-correct style, and a Haartz power cloth top complements the sleek profile. This custom Mustang has turn signals built into the door mirrors and a backup camera provides a greater perspective when reversing.

Image courtesy of GAA Classic Cars Auction

A custom tan leather interior by Catoe features low-back bucket seats up front and the rear seats are split by the full-length console. The matching tan full-length center console is complemented by wood and metal trim, and features built-in air conditioning controls, a touch-screen entertainment and navigation system, and four cup holders. Amenities for the driver and passengers include a Modern Audio stereo system, power windows and power door locks.

Image courtesy of GAA Classic Cars Auction

Under the hood is a factory-rated 460 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 Coyote engine with electronic fuel injection. The engine is paired with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission with a Science Friction Street Slayer clutch that sends power to the rear wheels through a Strange 9″ rear axle. A Dynomax exhaust with electronic cutouts gives this Pony Car a low rumble.

Image courtesy of GAA Classic Cars Auction

It rides on an Art Morrison chassis adjustable QA-1 coilovers. Power rack & pinion steering and Baer four-wheel disc brakes provide safety and control for the driver. This Mustang rides on staggered Scott Venom wheels, 18×7″ front and 20×12″ back, wrapped in low-profile tires.

This Pro Tour 1966 Ford Mustang convertible will cross the auction block on Saturday, November 5, 2022.

Ringbrothers will have an unprecedented unveiling of four separate custom builds at the 2022 SEMA show on November 1st.

SPRING GREEN, Wis. – Ringbrothers, the world-renowned custom car builder and parts manufacturer, is set to unveil four custom builds for the first time ever at the 2022 SEMA Show.

Representing nearly 35,000 combined build hours, each vehicle has been extensively modified to showcase the full breadth of automotive design, production and craftsmanship Ringbrothers is known for. The highlight of the show is expected to be the 1948 Chevy pickup. Codenamed “Super Truck,” the ’48 represents more than 10,000 build hours and promises to be like nothing else on the road.

A sneak peak at the chassis of “Bully”

Ringbrothers

“BULLY” 1972 K5 Blazer: The 1,200-horsepower, big-tired and purpose-built Blazer is meant to dominate on or off the road. BULLY is equipped with a supercharged Wegner Motorsports-built LS3, a triangulated four-link suspension with off-road racing coilovers and a fully custom bespoke interior.

BULLY will be unveiled on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. at the HRIA booth #23295

A glimpse of “Strode”

Ringbrothers

“STRODE” 1969 Chevy Camaro: With a widened, fully carbon-clad body and extended wheelbase, the Camaro exemplifies stance and the remarkable work of digital design. Under the hood is a Wegner Motorsports-built LS3 topped with a 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger producing 1,000 horsepower, while the Ghost White paint pays homage to STRODE’s origins.

STRODE will be unveiled on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Keystone booth #21249

A snippet of “Patriarc”

Ringbrothers

“PATRIARC” 1969 Ford Mustang: The high-revving Mustang is built to play in the wind, minimizing rear-end drag with groundbreaking aerodynamic innovation. Power from a Ford Performance Aluminator 5.2 XS engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a fully bespoke interior makes this one unique Pony.
PATRIARC will be unveiled on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the Centerforce booth #23813

“Enyo”

Ringbrothers

“ENYO” 1948 Chevrolet Pickup: With the original steel cab narrowed, lengthened, chopped and wedge cut, ENYO’s body was crafted with extensive use of carbon-fiber components, including a single-piece carbon-fiber belly pan. The design incorporates cantilevered independent suspension at all four corners and is powered by a 1,000-horsepower big-block marine racing engine. It’s a ’40s work truck meets Formula 1 racer for Ringbrothers’ most extreme build yet.
ENYO will be unveiled on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Mothers booth #22357

Ringbrothers LLC – (www.ringbrothers.com) – Based in Spring Green, Wisconsin, Ringbrothers has established itself in the automotive aftermarket as a premium parts builder and world-class car designer. Among its many accolades are several Chevrolet Best in Show awards, Goodguys Street Machine of the Year awards, Mothers’ Shine awards and a SEMA Battle of the Builders win in 2019. Ringbrothers has also been featured in some of the world’s largest automotive and mainstream news outlets. Ringbrothers proudly designs, fabricates, packages and ships its products from its headquarters in the United States, focusing on quality materials, craftsmanship and customer service. Revolutionizing the way resto-mods are done, Ringbrothers continues to innovate its products and builds every year with the goal of unveiling at least one new car at each SEMA Show. Learn more about Ringbrothers products and builds at Ringbrothers.com.

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Fourteen prized vehicles from the John White/Ramshead Collection will go under the hammer at Bonhams’ January 26th Scottsdale auction.

Rear L-R 1962 Chrysler Ghia L6.4; 1957 Chrysler Ghia Super Dart 400; Front: 1954 Chrysler Ghia GS-1 Coupé

Bonhams

Bonhams – A trans-Atlantic trio of rare mid-century Chrysler Ghia show cars, offered from the prestigious Ramshead Collection, will bring a touch of La Dolce Vita to Bonhams in the New Year as highlights of the Scottsdale Auction on January 26, 2023.

Leading the glamorous group is the unique 1957 Chrysler Ghia Super Dart 400 concept car which was displayed at that year’s Torino and New York Motor Shows and most recently won a class award at the esteemed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This striking, futuristic one-off showcased what was to come in automotive design and was equipped with Chrysler’s powerful 400hp Hemi V8 powerplant.

1957 Chrysler Ghia Super Dart 400

Bonhams

This highly original and preserved example has covered just 49,000 miles with three owners from new.

Also displayed at the New York Auto Show was the 1962 Chrysler Ghia L6.4, which in later life was a Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance entrant. Largely hand built in Italy at Ghia’s Carrozeria, the L6.4 had a limited production run of just 26, with owners including Frank Sinatra. Stunningly preserved, this treasured collector car – one of just 17 surviving – is another low mileage example with just 33,000 miles recorded.

1962 Chrysler Ghia L6.4

Bonhams

Completing the automotive triptych is the 1954 Chrysler Ghia GS-1 Coupé, its striking turquoise over tan livery complementing its lines, inspired by Virgil Exner, the Chrysler designer known for creating the marque’s ‘Forward Look’. The elegant show car was one of nine examples produced, of which only five remain. The subject of an exceptional restoration, the GS-1 is a three-times class winner at Pebble Beach.

1954 Chrysler Ghia GS-1 Coupé

Bonhams

The three showstoppers are the headliners of the Ramshead Collection of 14 cars, curated by the late John White of California, a renowned and respected collector and frequent exhibitor at Pebble Beach and other prominent events.

CARS OF THE JOHN WHITE/RAMSHEAD COLLECTION

  • 1957 Chrysler Ghia Super Dart 400
  • 1954 Chrysler Ghia GS-1 Coupé
  • 1962 Chrysler Ghia L6.4
  • 1961 Chrysler 300-G Convertible
  • 1948 Dodge D24 Custom Coupé
  • 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible
  • 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
  • 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
  • 1992 Wayne Davis Custom Trailer
  • 1962 Lincoln Continental Sedan
  • 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix Convertible
  • 1955 Chrysler Imperial Newport Hard Top
  • 1953 Ford Mainline Ranch Wagon
  • 1949 Dodge Wayfarer Two-Door Roadster

The son of a Dodge automobile dealer, Mr. White was a ‘petrolhead’ from an early age. His childhood collection of model cars developed into the curated Ramshead collection of mid-century Americana which was kept in a private museum that resembled a showroom of the era.

The impressive collection offers 13 collector cars, representing the great names of the American automobile industry, from Buick and Cadillac to Lincoln and Ford, mostly offered at No Reserve.

The 2023 Bonhams Scottsdale Auction will be the eleventh sale hosted at the prestigious Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Arizona. Further important collector cars are being invited through December 1. Contact motors.us@bonhams.com for more details.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, motor cars and a luxury division, including jewelry, watches, wine and whisky. The main salesrooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

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An in-depth look of what’s to come at the October 28-30 Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance to be held at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Car Enthusiast Jay Leno Will Serve as Grand Marshal and Appear at the Event Hosted at the Only Resort Golf Course on the Las Vegas Strip.

Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance

LAS VEGAS – The third annual Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance™, one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events, debuts at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Oct. 30. The luxury automotive experience pays homage to remarkable cars of the past, present and future at Wynn Golf Club, the 129-acre championship golf course at Wynn Las Vegas.

“The Concours d’Elegance and its legendary display of design, craftmanship and grandeur is precisely the type of elevated experience that our guests will thoroughly enjoy for years to come,” said Brian Gullbrants, President of Wynn Las Vegas. “Rare and priceless automobiles displayed upon the fairways of our Wynn Golf Club is a perfect match for this annual Wynn Las Vegas event.”

Hypercars add to the excitement in 2022

A Superior Set of Supercars Join the Event’s Lineup, Some Debuting at the Resort Prior to October 28. photo – Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance

More than 60 ultra-elite hypercars join the previously-announced 2022 Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance™ lineup at Wynn Las Vegas. Wynn Las Vegas will display a small selection of the 200 antique and contemporary vehicles being showcased during Concours weekend leading up to the event.

Many of the appearing hypercars are limited-edition, showcasing sleek and seductive design from the world’s most sought-after manufacturers – such as McLaren’s open-rooftop Elva, the Bugatti Chiron Pur R6.002, the Bugatti Divo, and the four-seater Koenigsegg Gemera, among others. Some of the featured vehicles are also traveling to Las Vegas from prestigious museum collections, including The Nethercutt Collection, Petersen Automotive Museum, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, Mullin Museum, and the National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection). In addition, the event will feature four McLaren Speedtails, a must-see for any automotive enthusiast.

Now through Oct. 28, a variety of vehicles – some modern hypercars and other vintage classics – will be on display at the resort, including:

  • 2020 McLaren Elva, named after the lightweight open-top race cars developed by Bruce McLaren. The 2020 model celebrates vintage speedsters, features an open-cockpit design and can go from 0-62 mph in under three seconds. The McLaren Elva is currently on display at Wynn’s main entrance.
  • 2018 Bugatti Chiron, the fastest, most powerful, and exclusive production super sports car in Bugatti’s history. Each produced is one-of-a-kind. The Bugatti Chiron is currently on display outside of Jardin, in the Encore Esplanade.
  • 1960 Maserati Tipo 61, commonly referred to as the “Birdcage” because of its then-unique light spaceframe construction when it premiered in 1959. This model is one of the most original Birdcages in existence. It will be on display in front of Terrace Pointe Café, near Wynn Golf Club, starting Oct. 19.

The Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance will also pay homage to remarkable cars of the past, present and future at Wynn Golf Club, with hypercars joining the previously-announced classes of Sports Racing, Race Cars, and more. The 2022 event kicks off on Friday, Oct. 28 with its annual gala at XS, followed by the weekend’s centerpiece exhibition on Saturday, Oct. 29. Renowned car enthusiast Jay Leno will serve as the grand marshal of the Tour d’Elegance, the grand parade of automobiles on the Las Vegas Strip that closes out the weekend on Sunday, Oct. 30.

As part of the Concours weekend experience, guests may choose from a variety of food-and-beverage experiences such as the Chairman’s VIP Tasting at the Grand Rotunda to the lively Concours Cookout. Room packages that showcase the resort’s newly re-designed accommodations are also available. For additional event information, please visit www.lasvegasconcours.com.

The lineup of weekend events will include:

  • The Gala Concours Dinner, kicks off festivities on Friday evening and offers live entertainment, tasting stations and curated cocktails at Wynn Las Vegas’ premier nightclub, XS. The exclusive evening will showcase the Helene Awards™, a ceremony signature to the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance that honors visionaries in the automotive industry.
  • The centerpiece of the weekend, the Concours d’Elegance exhibition on Saturday, Oct. 29 will display a collection of rare and unique automobiles from around the world. The event is expected to showcase more than 100 exceptional collector cars from both pre- and post-war periods. Each year, Concours d’Elegance highlights a different Marque, which is a distinctive automobile model or brand. The 2022 Marque is the Ferrari F40. The event also consists of nearly 20 judged, non-judged and contemporary classes, such as British Post-War Sports and Sports Racing, American Luxury (1925-1942), European Luxury (1925-1942), Antiques (pre-1924), Race Cars, and more. Starting at 2 p.m., an esteemed panel of judges will present Best of Show winners and standouts with the coveted Helene Award statuette.
  • The Chairman’s VIP Tasting on Oct. 29 is a premium lunchtime tasting experience underneath the grand rotunda on Wynn’s event lawn, and features select hosted bars alongside a range of tasting stations designed by executive chef Kelly Bianchi. Assorted tasting stations include: a sushi station with sashimi and assorted rolls; a beef tenderloin carving station; a slider station featuring Maine lobster and surf and turf, among others; a made-to-order pizza and pasta station; and a whimsical donut station.
  • The Concours Cookout will feature a variety of grab-and-go options and select hosted bars amid the beautiful greenery of Wynn’s event lawn, also on Oct. 29. Grab-and-go offerings include a salad and sandwich station, a kebab station, a taco bar, backyard-inspired barbecue such as wagyu beef hotdogs and a spicy fried chicken sandwich, as well as desserts like custom ice cream sandwiches and caramel corn.
  • Guests may also purchase a VIP experience that combines Concours d’Elegance exhibition viewing with entry to the fairway tasting tents. The Concours d’Elegance + Hosted Bar includes a selection of the fine- and casual-dining options Wynn Las Vegas is known for, as well as select beverages.
  • The weekend of festivities conclude on Sunday, Oct. 30 with the Tour d’Elegance, a motorcade down the famous Las Vegas Strip where Jay Leno will serve as grand marshal.

For additional event information, to buy tickets, or to apply for entry, please visit www.lasvegasconcours.com.

About Wynn Las Vegas

Wynn Resorts is the recipient of more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world and in 2022 was once again honored on FORTUNE Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies list. Wynn and Encore Las Vegas consist of two luxury hotel towers with a total of 4,748 spacious hotel rooms, suites and villas. The resort features approximately 194,000 square feet of casino space, 21 signature dining experiences, 11 bars, two award-winning spas, approximately 513,000 rentable square feet of meeting and convention space, approximately 155,000 square feet of retail space as well as two showrooms, two nightclubs, a beach club, and recreation and leisure facilities, including Wynn Golf Club, an 18-hole, 129-acre championship golf course. For more information on Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, visit press.wynnlasvegas.com

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