CLASSICS TODAY

Tuesday

THE NEW AUDI FOR LE MANS......SEE YOU IN FRANCE

Since its first attempt in 1999, Audi has won the Le Mans 24 hour race nine times with the R8, R10 TDI and R15 TDI, equaling Ferrari’s all-time win record. Last Friday it unveiled the new R18, a closed carbon fiber monocoque coupe specifically developed for Le Mans with a 3.7-liter V6 TDI engine and another first for endurance racing – all-LED headlights.

Recognizing that aerodynamic efficiency will be even more important at Le Mans than it was in the past, the new R18 marks the first time since 1999 that Audi will contest the world’s oldest endurance race with a closed coupe. Unlike that of the closed Le Mans prototypes, which consisted of two halves, the carbon fiber monocoque chassis of the R18 features a single-component design that reduces weight and increases stiffness.

The chassis and aerodynamics of the R18 take much of their inspiration from the R8, the R10 TDI and R15 TDI, however the fitting of identically sized front and rear wheels, which allows for a more balanced weight distribution, is a first for an Audi Le Mans sports car.

Development of the new R18 started in mid 2009 and the V6 TDI engine has been running on the dynometers since the summer of 2010. The car itself completed its first test on a racetrack at the end of November with its racing debut planned for the Spa-Francorchamps 6 Hours in Belgium on May 8, 2011.

Prior to that, the new R18 prototype will do its first laps on the Le Mans track during the official test day on April 24, 2011, to gather data ahead of the race on June 11 and 12, where Audi is planning to field test three R18 cars, which will be entered by Audi Sport Team Joest.

Monday

ILLINOIS ON THE 18TH

1954 JOHN DEERE 70

CLASSIC CARS AND TRACTORS

by Munda Auctions

6231 Baileyville Road

Baileyville, Illinois

http://www.proxybid.com/

1-815-232-8813

1951 FARMALL M

Saturday

JACQUES SWATERS........1926 -2010

Jacques Swaters

Jacques Swaters, a famous race car driver and team owner, has died.

He was 84.

Swaters was born in Belgium, and won fame in the early 1950s as a race car driver. Swaters won the 1953 Grand Prix de Berlin. In 1957 Swaters retired from racing and focused on a long career as a race team owner. He was owner of Ecurie Francorchamps and Ecurie Nationale Belge. Swaters also was a Ferrari importer and collector for many years.

Swaters was a close friend of Enzo Ferrari.

Swaters created the Ferrari Francorchamps Galleria, and he had one of the world's largest collections of Ferrari drawings, documents and memorabilia.

upper photo and text credit: sportscarmarket.com

lower photo credit: v12gt.com

Tuesday

TUESDAY'S SPECIAL

1950 NASH AIRFLYTE STATESMAN

When American automobile production resumed following World War II, some American manufacturers took a very futuristic view of the coming decade of the ‘50’s. The design, by renowned automotive engineer Nils E. Wahlberg, of this very aerodynamic Nash reflected that view, was wind tunnel-tested and shown to have a very low coefficient of air drag--enhanced by the covered front wheels--and was found to create a car with a minimum of wind noise on the road. The optional “Sky Lounge” interior was also a real novelty of its time, converting to a double-bed cabin with a clever design of reclining seats, as was the curved one-piece windshield. All gauges were housed in another item of the future, the “Uniscope”--a pod sitting on top of the steering column. The radio (with original optional front and rear speakers) and all controls were housed behind a sliding aluminum cover in the center of the dashboard. Below this hidden control panel is a locking pull-out drawer providing more space than a conventional glove compartment. Nash even had a “Weather Eye Conditioned Air System” (not to be confused with later air conditioning systems) to facilitate ventilation and heating. Our car is in beautiful and correct condition and, with its 6-cylinder engine and three-speed-with-overdrive transmission, is comfortable cruising at modern highway speeds. It would be a difficult task to duplicate this “car of the future,” a true piece of post-war modernistic automotive art. Original tools, owner’s manual, shop manuals and even a Nash fender cover and car cover are present.

1-908-234-2055

Car is in New Jersey

photo and text credit: The Stable