CLASSICS TODAY: December 2012

Sunday

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING.....

THE PENSKE RACING MUSEUM

Should you find yourself in Arizona this winter, escaping the snow and cold of the north, The Penske Racing Museum is located in Phoenix. The museum celebrates 40 years of Team Penske, named after Roger Penske, a stalwart owner in Indy car and Nascar racing, with a collection of vintage cars and memorabilia. Open daily and here is the buzz-word....it is 'FREE.'

Located at:

7125 East Chauncey Lane

1-480-538-4444

www.penskeracingmuseum.com

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK

1960 ALFA ROMEO

This 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2dr Sprint Speciale . It is equipped with a Manual transmission. The vehicle is Red with a Gray Leather interior. It is offered As-Is, not covered by a warranty. - 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale Chassis No. 10120.0239 Motor No. AR100526.53562 Body No. 241 *Original (matching #s) 1300cc SS motor included #AR00120.00634 Beautiful example of the sought after Alfa Romeo SS Outstanding Driver or Local Show Candidate Ideal for Tours and Rallies throughout the world! The Sprint Speciale was originally based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Giulietta Sprint Speciale was a more upscale version of the normal Sprint and featured a smooth, 2-door gran turismo body by Bertone. In the efforts to make the SS as light as possible, the wheelbase was made four inches shorter than the Sprints. Since it was intended for competition use, the SS only had room for two people and a limited amount of storage for luggage all attributing to an impressive drag coefficient equal to a modern C6 corvette. Manufactured on the 19th October 1960 and sold new on the October, 28 1960 to Hoffman Motor Car Co., New York, U.S.A., chassis number AR 00239 originally corresponds to an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale USA (101.17). Finished in Ruby Red paintwork, over gray leather upholstery with matching red accents and piping, this particular SS received a complete restoration to near factory aesthetics, while enhancing the power plant for strenuous touring. Post-restoration, the car has received top awards at events such as AutoItalia at Portofino and Greenwich Concours International. Today, the Giulietta presents as an outstanding driver or local show candidate. Typical minor cosmetic blemishes are visible in areas, but overall the car has great appeal. The paint is in beautiful condition and has excellent panel fit throughout and outstanding trim, rubbers, bright work and original glass. Restored wheels are mounted on Michelin X Radials with polished original hubcaps. The cabins upholstery and carpeting is beautiful as is the tight trimmed dash leather, a period radio is fitted. The engine compartment is very nicely detailed and an inspection of the undercarriage reveals that the car is very original with much recent attention-service to the shocks, brakes, and lines. All of the lights, wipers, horn, and interior lights are working properly as they should. Correct body numbers are identifiable on both door jams and above the firewall. The car performs as strong and smooth as the striking cosmetics imply. A tuned 1600cc Giulia Super motor with dual 40DC Webers currently powers the Alfa, while the original (matching #s) 1300cc SS motor accompanies in crate (#AR00120.00634). The transmission is very strong including the synchromesh second gear, which is often a problem in early Alfas. The brakes are responsive as is the suspension and tight steering. All components show very minimal signs of wear, as the car has been continuously maintained and garaged. This car has been owned by great East Coast collectors and is said to be the featured car in the July 1961 Road and Track test drive article. An original issue is included in the sale. Above all, the Giulia SSs appeal lies in its good looks and driving pleasure. It continues to be one of the most recognizable and collectable post-war Alfa Romeos to date. *A ready to use Alfa SS in striking color combination!

Located in Texas........1-261-497-1000

MOTOR ART........CLIVE NORTON

AVAILABLE AT:

www.fineartamerica.com

Friday

FOR THOSE THAT CAN'T WAIT....

Thursday

2012 - TOP AUCTION VEHICLE

1936 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K

I am sure all will agree that at $11,770,000 (including premium) that is some big bucks. Although, not as much as last year's winner at over 16 million dollars. This car was sold at the Gooding & Company auction in California in August. Reportedly it drives like a truck and is in terrible running condition. Hopefully the new owner will it is out for public viewing on occation. Some people hide them and others enjoy them. In following auctions for the last 30 years I have seen cars that have disappeared for 10 - 15 year gaps. Some are probably gone for the rest of my lifetime, depending on the age of the owner. Next month starts the round of auctions for 2013, sure to bring some surprises.

"Givemeahundredthousandheregivemegivemegoinggoinggone"

Sunday

TOO LATE FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT GOOD FOR OFF-SEASON READING AND VIEWING

For Art of the Formula 1 Race Car, master automotive photographer James Mann brings a selection of these spectacular machines into the studio, and through his lens we see not just the engineering brilliance of these cars, but also their inherent beauty: They are works of art, the fascinating results of Formula 1’s mix of competition, creativity, and human ingenuity. With historical and technological profiles by noted F1 journalist Stuart Codling and commentary from championship-winning car designer Gordon Murray, this book is the ultimate homage to the ultimate breed of race car.

Building on the success of Haynes’s three previous Formula 1 titles in this series, which cover the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, this book takes a nostalgic look at the 1950s. Offering informative text, race statistics and glorious photography, much of it in color, it brings alive the heroic era of Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Alberto Ascari, Froilan Gonzalez, Peter Collins and Mike Hawthorn driving Maseratis, Alfa Romeos, Mercedes, and Ferraris.

The third title in this Formula 1 history series, this incredible book covers in detail the 1960s - what many consider the last golden decade of the sport. Offering the same combination of informative text, race statistics and glorious color photography as the books on the 1970s and 1980s, it brings alive the heroic era of Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Bruce McLaren, Jack Brabham and Jochen Rindt. For many fans, this was the era when Formula 1 was at its peak--thrilling and dangerous, but still a sport.

Paul Parker’s In Camera titles about motor racing have been so acclaimed by pundits and book buyers that he is returning to where he started – Formula 1 in Camera 1970–79 – by compiling ‘Volume 2’, containing a completely fresh selection of 250 images. Meticulously researched, rare color photographs are brought to life through the author’s well-observed and atmospheric commentary to create a visually stunning and highly nostalgic record of the decade.

Few spectator sports generate such excitement as Formula 1. The name refers to the most advanced and competitive of the FIA's racing formulae. It's a raw combination of speed, skill and that certain hint of daring. Journey back in time to the glory years of the 1960s. Marvel at the vintage cars, big-name champions and heart-stopping victories. All the big names are here: Jim Clark, Jacky Ickx, Jack Brabham--just to name a few. With Schlegelmich's compelling photographs, this exceptional volume takes fans so close they can almost smell the burning rubber and hear the engines roar! Rainer W. Schlegelmilch has been a motor sprots photographer since 1962. His expert lens has covered all the great names in racing. His unique style captures the drama of this action-charged sport.

This work offers the memoirs of Grand Prix's on-track doctor, Professor Sid Watkins. If there is a crash, it is Watkins who gets there first. He is closely involved in improving safety at the circuits and in developing rapid response medical rescue.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING.....

If you are traveling in California the next couple of weeks you might like to check this out. The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is opening it's VAULT of cars to the public. In groups of ten and you must be over 12 years old and no photos can be taken. A lot of museums have cars that they can't display all at the same time. This is a chance to see the whole kit and kabootle.

1954 BOSLEY

MACH 5 FROM SPEEDRACER

UNTIL JANUARY 6, 2013:

Petersen Automotive Museum

6060 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, California

1-323-930-2277

2 and 3 photo credit: justacarguy.blogspot.com

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK

1949 FORD 'WOODIE'

1949 Ford Custom "Woodie" Beach Wagon, only 38,977 original miles on the odometer! This car is finished in a very attractive Arabian Green (looks blue) and has a beautiful offsetting tan interior. The seats have aesthetically pleasing seat covers installed but the original upholstery is underneath and in very acceptable condition. In addition, the car has its original wood paneling - both inside and out - that is both beautiful and remarkable. Overall, this car is in excellent conditionl, there are a couple of bumps and dings but nothing of any consequence - breathtaking!

This car is a throwback to the fifties and really belongs in California transporting avid surfers to and from the beach. It has a working heater, a clock that does not work and an AM radio that needs a tube or two; this could be converted to AM/FM if one wanted. There is carpeting installed where originally there were black rubber mats; the car has never had any serious rust and it has always been used as a summer car. It was used during the summer from 1949 to 1958 and still sports a 1958 Massachusetts inspection sticker. It is our understanding that it was then stored in a barn with a wooden floor, where it stayed for 40 years.

Located in Massachusetts........1-978-771-8375

MOTOR ART........CHRIS GILMOUR

Chris Gilmour is an English artist specialising in the creation of life-sized sculptures made of recycled cardboard and glue, using both plain packaging cardboard and recycled packaging material. His works replicate in painstaking detail many objects and machines out of our ordinary lives, ranging from objects from daily life, such as bicycles, motorbikes, cars, cafetieres, chairs, etc. to small models of religious architecture.

Through his career and artistic development, there has been a progression in the choice of objects portrayed by Gilmour, which go from smaller domestic items to objects which are larger and belong to a broader cultural context like the Fiat 500, the Lambretta and the James Bond Aston Martin.

CONTACT:

Website: www.chrisgilmour.com

e-mail: chris.gilmour@iol.it

Friday

ENGLAND ON THE 17TH

1967 RAM COBRA

YULETIDE CLASSIC

by Barons

Sandown Park Exibition Complex - Surrey Hall

Surrey

United Kingdom

www.barons-auctions.com

+44 (0) 8454 30 60 60

PENNSYLVANIA ON THE 14TH

1206 INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER

AUCTION

by J. Edward Leaman

99 Church Street

Refton, Pennsylvania

www.leamanauctions.com

www.auctionzip.com

1-717-464-1128

photo credit: 2012 Leaman Auction and 2012 auctionzip.com

Tuesday

A FORD FOR FORD

1903 FORD AND BILL FORD JR.

One of the oldest surviving cars sold by Ford Motor Co. is back in the hands of the Ford family.

Bill Ford Jr., executive chairman of the Dearborn automaker, was the winning bidder — spending $264,000 — in an auction earlier this fall for an original 1903 Ford Model A Rear Entry Tonneau.

"The timing was perfect to bring this key part of Ford heritage back to the family as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of my great-grandfather's birth and his vision to improve people's lives by making cars affordable for the average family," Bill Ford said in a statement Tuesday.

"His vision to build cars that are reasonably priced, reliable and efficient still resonates and defines our vision today as well."

Previously, the winning bidder of the October auction in Hershey, Pa., had not been revealed by RM Auctions, an automobile auction house.

The car is now in Dearborn, where it will help kick off a yearlong celebration of the 150th anniversary of Henry Ford's birth. Henry Ford was founder of Ford Motor Co.

A series of events will take place next year as part of the commemoration. Ford has started a website — www.henryford150.com — as part of the celebration.

The Model A Rear Entry Tonneau sold for less than half of its 2007 closing bid of $630,000, according to RM Auctions. It had last gone to auction in 2010, receiving a high bid of $325,000, but that amount did not meet the auction reserve.

The eight-horsepower cars, sold by Ford from July 1903 to March 1904, originally retailed for $850, according to an archived ad on the website EarlyFordRegistry.com.

"With its provenance, and it's an early one, it's a great little car," Carlton Pate III, a collector of antique cars and author of "Pate's Early Ford Automobile Encyclopedia," said after the auction. "It's also got a little history behind it."

Pate said Ford records show this Model A is not the oldest car Ford sold, because there was at least one other car shipped the same day. He said automobiles at the time were stamped with as many as four separate serial numbers in different places, which makes it difficult to determine exactly which surviving car is the oldest.

The Model A has had five owners during its 11-decade lifespan, the most recent being John O'Quinn, a Houston trial lawyer who died in a 2009 auto accident. The Model A was one of about 1,200 automobiles in O'Quinn's vintage collection.

The car comes with extensive documentation which details its history and condition. RM said the car has performed "flawlessly," including during the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in 2003, the same year the car turned 100 years old.

The engine underwent a complete and professional rebuild prior to O'Quinn's acquisition in 2007.

RM has said the car retains all of its original early features, including the rare Kingston carburetor and the original coil box stamped No. 30.

An RM vehicle description said Henry Ford and an associate originally placed part orders for the 1903 Model A which included car bodies with C.R. Wilson Carriage Co. at a cost of $68 each; wheels from W.K. Pruden Wheel Co. at $26 per set; and tires from Hartford Rubber Co. at $40 per set.

The Dodge Brothers supplied Ford's chassis and running gear at $250 each.

EarlyFordRegistry.com said 677 of the original closed-rear Model A cars were produced; an additional 1,131 updated open-rear Model A with a 10-horsepower engine and improved cooling were also produced.

photo credit: 2012 The Detroit News

text credit: Karl Henke via 2012 detnews.com

Monday

UNDER WATER: HOW BAD CAN IT BE?

As reports continue to trickle in about the incredible number cars lost to Sandy (I spoke to a Geico specialist a couple of days ago who said they have 40,000 claims in the Northeast*), we’re also hearing about more and more collector cars with some degree of damage.

So let’s start with the image above. The car’s been washed off, it looks fine! Are you sure it was in storm surge up to the windshield?

Engine bay doesn’t look bad

Interior seems to have survived

Rear passenger compartment doesn’t seem too bad

But that’s not a good sign. The longer you look, the more unfortunate little things you see

Like all the little rust spots in the chrome

Silt in the trunk

This is where it started to get really scary for me. Sure, painted surfaces are holding up, but that rust isn’t just at the edges of the holes – it’s extending out from between the two pieces of metal, where there are two unpainted surfaces.

I hate this photo. It’s like an MRI of a cancer patient. This is just the glove box – think of what’s going inside the sills and door pillars, which filled up with salt water and are probably still wet. You can see how that happened inside the glove box door, and that bottom corner is already almost gone. This is just one of thousands of cars slowly dying from the inside out.

Collector-car insurance agencies are saying that about 10,000 “special” cars were damaged, which includes collector cars; and high-end late model cars.

photo credit: Phil Parisi via Bob Sekelsky

edited text credit: David Adolphus via 2012 hemmings.com

A SAD STORY THAT WILL BE REPEATED HUNDREDS OF TIMES

I was down at auto shop recently, and spotted a couple of cars out back. It turns out they were Hurricane Sandy victims, an Aston Martin Lagonda and Vanquish, both of which were fully submerged. Of course, until insurance settles up, they’re not going to do anything with them, just two of what must be hundreds of collector cars damaged in October. Autosport’s Tom Papadopoulos told me the Lagonda was one of the best in the country before the superstorm. If high water ever threatens your car, get it to the third story of a parking garage if you can. In the worst areas, the second story wasn’t high enough. Of course, there are parts of the coast where no structure would have helped.

The Lagonda will be restored. No word on the Vanquish, but as many have pointed out, the need to replace every single piece of electronics may result in a write-off. It was very last Lagonda imported into the US, and the last LHD Lagonda produced. It was one of the best in the world.

photo credit: David Adolphus

edited text credit: David Adolphus via 2012 hemmings.com

Sunday

SPOTTING A FLOODED CAR

With Hurricane Sandy being cleaned up, thousands of cars – including collector cars such as the Aston Martins I recently spotted – will soon start to move through the salvage system. Few will be crushed – most will either be repaired; or written off. After that, they end up being rebuilt and sold with a salvage or rebuilt title.

Except, sometimes that somehow either doesn’t happen; or it gets whitewashed though a series of shady transactions. If your VIN check doesn’t turn anything up but you’re still suspicious, trust your instincts and start digging in. I’ve put together some bullet points to check, including suggestions from NADA and National Consumers League. What other tips – or horror stories – do you have?

Title and VIN

Enter the VIN at the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) at VehicleHistory.gov. All insurers, salvage pools, junkyards, recyclers and self-insured entities such as rental car companies in all 50 states are required by law to report total loss vehicles to NMVTIS within 30 days. Many are reporting daily. Vehicle histories can be obtained for between $3 and $13.

It’s up to you if you buy a Flood, Junk, Salvage, Rebuilt or Reconstructed title – I’ve warned you, you know what you’re getting into. But again, titlewashing across state lines happens. Watch out for physical alteration of the actual title, too – you know, cutting and pasting, white-out, whatever. You need to hold that piece of paper in your hand.

Be wary of buying a car sight unseen. It’s laughably easy to alter a digital image of a title or VIN. You or someone you trust needs to see the car, its VIN and documentation in person before you commit one cent.

Even if there are no other red flags, a Carfax can also tell you that a car was registered in Staten Island or Atlantic City in October 2012. By itself that might not mean anything, but if you’re building a case it’s a nice piece of evidence. Reporting for these is far from perfect, but it helps.

If you’re buying from a dealer with any kind of warranty, get it in writing. This applies to new cars, as well.

Just Google the VIN. You’d be surprised how often you can find old dealer auctions. Learn to use Google’s cache to find old records that the auction company itself has deleted.

Physical inspection.

Salt water is vastly worse than fresh.

Any funny smell, whether mold or mildew; or from the inch-thick stack of Little Trees hanging from the mirror to mask it.

Mold or mildew itself.

Discolored, bleeding or redyed upholstery.

Condensation in the gauges, radio or exterior lamps.

Inoperable speakers, or fresh sealant around the door panels.

Burned-out bulbs in the interior or trunk.

Silt or residue in the interior under carpeting, under the dash, in the steering column, rear seats, spare-tire well, gauges or door pockets.

Water marks, rust or evaporation residue (i.e., salt) in the same places. Just reach up under the bottom of the plastic dash cover and run your finger in there.

Gritty or erratic power-window or seat operation.

Hard starting, rough running or hesitation.

Thin clearcoat or chrome from overpolishing; scratches and touchups from grit.

Bulging dash and door panels.

Rust on screws in the console or other areas where the water would normally not reach unless submerged.

Seat tracks can hold many clues, whether they’re rusting, or have sand in them.

Mud or grit in alternator crevices, behind wiring harnesses and around the small recesses of starter motors, power steering pumps and relays.

Any damage to wiring connections, fuses and blocks, including rust, water residue or suspicious corrosion.

Undercarriage rust and flaking metal that would not normally be associated with late model vehicles.
Freshly replaced exhaust in a late-model vehicle; or corroded exhaust. Exhaust is another good place to hunt for silt.

If you don’t feel confident doing your own inspection, you probably aren’t reading this blog…but any good local shop will do it.

photo credit: Mike Baird via 2012 hemmings.com

edited text credit: David Adolphus via 2012 hemmings.com