CLASSICS TODAY: March 2012

Saturday

ILLINOIS ON THE 2ND DAY OF APRIL

SULLIVAN SPRING CAR AUCTION

by Sullivan

1066 E. US Highway

Hamilton, Illinois

http://www.sullivanauctioneers.com/

1-217-847-2160

Thursday

ENGLAND ON THE 31ST

1954 RILEY

CLASSIC CAR AUCTION

by Anglia

Cattlemarket, Beveridge Way

King's Lynn, Norfolk

United Kingdom

http://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/

+44 (0) 1553 771881

Around 1958 I started reading Road & Track which was then owned by John Bond and his wife. That magazine got me interested in sports cars and European racing. I couldn't wait for it to come out every month. It was very personable in those days until he sold it to a big-time publisher. Of course, everything I read was long after the fact. No internet or television coverage of almost any race you want to see. Except for the Indy 500. My childhood friend and I went to see John Bond speak one time and were surprised how tense he was...I guess not tense enough to keep his magazine from being friendly. They made millions from that friendly magazine.

There was a young racing driver, Alan Mann whose name popped up once in a while. In the mid-60's he worked out a deal with Ford and managed their racing teams mostly from England. He started his racing career in 1956 before concentrating on management and then setting up his own team, Alan Mann Racing, in 1964.

Alan Mann Racing, based in Byfleet, won numerous major championships including the British Saloon Car Championship, the European Touring Car Challenge and the FIA World GT Championship for Manufacturers, all with a variety of specially prepared Ford cars. Many of the leading race and rally drivers of the time were employed by Alan Mann Racing, including Sir John Whitmore, Jacky Ickx, Bosse Ljungfeldt, Graham Hill, Frank Gardner, Sir Jackie Stewart and Bruce McLaren.

Hard to believe that he left the racing business in 1970. He was considered one of the best managers. In 2004 he burst on the field with another team which he put together with his son. Their red and gold cars are still racing today. I should have known something was up when I started seeing paintings of his cars and some of his old cars showing up at the auctions. There are a lot of guys not much older than me still hanging around the racing scene. It is in their blood.

upper photo credit: British Racing Drivers Club

Wednesday

OHIO ON THE 31ST

1947 CADILLAC

OHIO SPRING CLASSIC

by Classic Motorcar

John S. Knight Center

77 East Mill Street

Akron, Ohio

http://www.classicmotorcarauctions.com/

1-866-653-8900

photo credit: Classic Motorcar Auctions

COLORADO ON THE 31ST

AUTO AUCTION

by Specialty Auto

Adams County Fairgrounds

Brighton, Colorado

http://www.saaasinc.com/

1-800-901-0022

OREGON ON THE 30TH

1974 VW THING

PORTLAND AUCTION

by Silver

Portland Expo Center

Portland, Oregon

http://www.silverauctions.com/

1-509-326-4485

Tuesday

MOTOR ART........ROY BARRETT

ROY BARRETT

contact:

www,art-of-motoring.co.uk

+44 (0) 1935 829512

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK

1936 CHEVY CUSTOM

1936 chevy coupe street rod, real steel body. SBC 350, TH350 trans, mustang 2 front suspension w/ disk brakes, GM 10 bolt rear, VDO gauges, weld billet wheels, new brakes front and rear, new tires, holley carb, lokar throttle cable, door mirrors, fan shroud. Runs and drives great, you can take it anywhere. Have clear title in hand.

Located in New Jersey.......1-732-257-1588

Monday

MISSOURI ON THE 27TH

1962 DODGE TOWNCAR

KANSAS CITY

by Mecum

Kansas City Convention Center - Bartle Hall

301 West 13th Street

Kansas City, Missouri

http://www.mecum.com/

1-262-275-5050

INDYCAR IN FLORIDA

Coming to a race track near you. IndyCar reinvents itself with new cars, new engines, at least 3 former Formula One drivers. Helio Castroneves picks up a win in St. Petersberg, Florida. Scott Dixon claimed second and Ryan Hunter-Reay pulled in third.

The three former F1 drivers didn't fair so well, all due to some kind of mechanical problems. Rubens Barrichello in 17th, Sebastien Bourdais in 21st and Takuma Sato in 22nd. Fun was had by all and it should be an interesting year.

Sunday

FORMULA ONE IN MALAYSIA

PEREZ -2ND, ALONSO - 1ST, HAMILTON - 3RD

Even with the one hour rain delay this was a good race. Fernando Alonso came in first by the skin of his teeth. Twenty-one year old Sergio Perez from Mexico had been pushing him very hard until he made a little mistake with six laps to go. Hamilton came in third and he mood seemed to be a little better than it was last week. I would liked to have seen Perez win, but it was not to be. Even so, he was the first time a driver from Mexico was on the podium in 41 years. I can picture Formula One fans in Mexico going nuts. If anyone remembers the brother Rodríguez you know what I am talking about.

This was Alonso's 28th Formula One win and he joins a very short list of others that have won that many. I am sure that he is the youngest to hit that 28 mark. Mark Webber came in fourth for the second race in a row. Kimi Räikkönen, who had been out of F1 for about 3 years, has done well on his return. Seventh last week and fifth this week, it won't be long.

Thursday

FLORIDA ON THE 24TH

1937 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW

ANTIQUE CAR AUCTION

by D.E. Foeller

Manatee Convention Center

Palmetto, Florida

http://www.defoellersales.net/

1-239-571-5274

TENNESSEE ON THE 24TH

CORVETTE EXPO

by Corvette Expo

Sevierville Events Center

Sevierville, Tennessee

http://www.corvetteexpo.com/

1-865-687-3976

Tuesday

CANADA ON THE 23RD

1932 FORD ROADSTER

THE RED DEER SPEED SHOW COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION

by The Electric Garage

Westerner Park

Red Deer, Alberta

Canada

http://www.theelectricgarage.com/

1-403-396-0304

ENGLAND ON THE 22ND

1970 MORRIS MINOR VAN

SPRING

by DVCA

The Gartell Light Railway

Common Lane

Yenston, Templecombe, Somerset

United Kingdom

http://www.dvca.co.uk/

+44 (0) 1963 363353

MOTOR ART........KENNETH HOWARD

Kenneth Howard, calling himself 'von Dutch,' was born in 1929. He was an artist to the automobile and the motorcycle crowd. In the early 1950s he started earning money by doing pin striping along with fellow pin striper Dean Jeffries. Von Dutch has been a major influence in the customizing of vehicles from the 1950s to today. Some of his famous works include the flying eyeball and the custom Kenford truck, along with numerous custom motorcycles and many award-winning custom cars. Among many custom car and motorcycle enthusiasts, he is thought of as one of the fathers of Kustom Kulture.

He also fashioned guns and knifes which are in private collections. In 1958, Von Dutch designed and produced the "Mare's Leg", a cut-down Winchester rifle for the television series Wanted: Dead or Alive.

A lonely soul living out a very modest existents in a transit bus behind a shop just outside of Santa Paula where he maintained a car collection.

Von Dutch's lifelong alcoholism led to major medical issues later in life. He died on September 19, 1992 from alcohol related complications, leaving behind his two daughters, Lisa and Lorna. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK

1957 BUICK CABALLERO

1957 Buick Caballero Estate Wagon, Power steering & power brakes. Frame off restoration including body shell media blasted. Frame, fenders & all seats black powder coated, 4 door hardtop (Pillar-less) construction. California Car. All new rubber by Steele Co., Clock, radio and speedometer rebuilt, steering wheel by JB Donaldson, all new glass with #1 light grey tint. Color is a great combination of dover white & rich maroon with matching upholstery and carpets by Stitch Co. This car even comes with original roof rack. All chrome by Brite Metal in Los Angeles, CA. and Artistic Silver Plating in Long Beach, CA. Brakes and brake booster by Friction Materials, new springs & all new white wall radial tires from Lucas Tires in Long Beach, CA. A 364 Cu "V-8 rebuilt engine with only 300 miles. Dynaflow transmission rebuilt, all new premium DUAL exhaust, new electrical and harness by YNZ. Nuts & bolts cadmium plated. Looking for a Mint Condition Rare Car?

Located in California........1-818-339-5166

Sunday

FORMULA ONE IN AUSTRALIA

VETTEL-2ND, BUTTON-1ST AND HAMILTON-3RD

Finally, the 4 month drought of Formula One has ended. As so often happens in F1 the person that gets in the lead stays there. Hard to challenge unless he has car trouble and this year's starting race wasn't any different. All the action was behind the leader. That leader, in this case, was Jensen Button with the next four or five drivers being the usual suspects.

Following in second was Sebastian Vettel and for third it was Lewis Hamilton. Lewis was looking mighty unhappy at the post-race celebration. I hope this doesn't mean that he is going to 'whine' the whole season. He should have been happy with third because if the race had been any longer Mark Webber would have taken it away from him.

Only 11 teams this week as HRT didn't make the cut. I think they have money woes and I hope they don't drop out for the season. Formula One is going to try to do 20 races this year. The only questionable one is in the United States in November because the track isn't done yet. They had money problems too.

Kimi Raikkonen is back in the fold. Which made it six former Formula One World Champions on the track at the same time for the first time ever. Driving for Lotus-Renault he ended up in sixth place. Hmmm, could he be a contender? I would think so. I am missing some of last year's drivers and trying to learn the new people. It is a tough business.

Saturday

FRANCE ON THE 18TH

1934 BUICK

AUTOMOBILES DE COLLECTION

by Osenat

5 Rue Royale Fontainebleau

Paris, France

http://www.osenat.com/

+33 (0) 01 64 22 27 62

Friday

2012 ALTALANTA SPORTS TOURER

2012 ALTALANTA

On March 5, 1937, a new automotive marque was born in the form of the Atalanta Sports Tourer. The Atalanta was well received but when Britain went to war just two years later, all production capacity was turned toward the war effort and the marque ceased to be.

Last week, exactly 75 years later, the Atalanta marque was relaunched as a tradtional sportscar built to modern standards with modern electrics, brakes, suspension, chassis and a modern 185 bhp 2.5 liter VVT engine.

In reviving the Atalanta, the company has employed modern technology to enhance performance and safety, but the authentic look and feel of a 1930's English sports car has been retained. All parts used in the construction ....

READ THE REST OF THE STORY: http://tinyurl.com/6m5t4a6

Tuesday

MARYLAND ON THE 17TH

COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION

by Express Auctioneers

Ocean City Convention Center

40th Street and Coastal Highway

Ocean City, Maryland

http://www.occollectorcars.com/

1-443-807-8883

1-410-243-9999

TENNESSEE ON THE 17TH

1951 HUDSON

MUSIC CITY CLASSIC

by George Eber

ADESA Nashville

631 Burnett Road

Old Hickory, Tennessee

http://www.southernclassicauctions.com/

1-615-496-2277

photo credit: High Line Enterprises Inc

ARIZONA ON THE 16TH

1979 MERCEDES 450SL

SCOTTSDALE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC CAR AUCTION

by Scottsdale International Auto Museum

9119 East Indian Bend Road

Scottsdale, Arizona

http://www.grgauction.com/

1-480-302-6460

FLORIDA ON THE 16TH

1959 BERKELEY

COLLECTOR'S CARS OF FORT LAUDERDALE

by Auctions America

Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center

1950 Eisenhower Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

http://www.auctionsamerica.com/

1-260-927-9797

Monday

MOTOR ART........STANLEY ROSE

British-born but domiciled in a 14th century French chateau since 1991, Stanley Rose's large canvases focus on mood, motion and texture rather than fine detail. In many of his works, people are the focal point of his paintings, the car adopting a subsidiary role.

contact: http://www.stanley-rose.com/

photo credit: newmastergallery.com

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK

1952 ASTON MARTIN

Color: Carnation Red

Trim: Black

Carpets: Black

Chassis: LML/50/110

Engine: VB6B/50/555

Trans: Manual

Right Hand Drive

Mileage: 38000

Owners: 5

Date Reg: 1952

Built in 1952 this DB2 made its debut as the Aston Martin show car at the Earl's Court motor show. The history records show the car was restored by a well known Aston Martin specialist which included an engine rebuild with the cylinder head being replaced.

The previous owner purchased the car in 2001 at the Newport Pagnell car auction. Approximately three years ago the leather interior was replaced.

Since restoration this car has covered some 10,000 miles and is a superb example of the 1950's Aston Martin sports saloon.

Located in England........+44 (0) 1234 240 636

photo and text credit: Desmond Smail

Friday

ENGLAND ON THE 12TH

1973 MGB

CLASSIC AUCTION

by Simon Charles

The Auction Centre, Nile Street

Guide Bridge, Ashton-Under-Lyne

Lancashire

United Kingdom

http://www.simoncharles-auctioneers.co.uk/

+44 (0) 161 339 9449

Thursday

ENGLAND ON THE 10TH

1951 NASH STATESMAN

VINTAGE & CLASSIC CARS

by Richard Edmonds

Unit H, The Old Laundry

Ivy Road

Chippenham, Wiltshire

United Kingdom

http://www.richardedmondsauctions.com/

+44 (0) 124 944 4544

photo credit: Richard Edmonds Auctions

Wednesday

IS THIS THE END? NO DOUBT!

Having grown up in Detroit, I remember the Packard plant very well. I remember it at the time it was getting ready to close. Detroit might as well have closed then too...nothing left of either one. Every year there is less of both left.

1956

Packard’s Detroit factory, which once produced some of America’s finest automobiles and today stands in ruin and decay, may finally be entering its last days. News outlets have reported that the property’s owner is preparing to tear down the 3.5-million-square-foot complex on East Grand Boulevard.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the owner, Dominic Cistini, has hired Antonio Carlomusto, owner of AVC Services, to oversee the demolition work. Carlomusto has told the Free Press that a perimeter fence will soon be put up, with demolition to begin in 90 days or so. There are apparently questions about how the work, estimated by the city of Detroit at $20 million, will be paid for. Cistini, whose own estimate is just $3 million, has said he expects the sale of steel from the plant will balance out the cost, although skeptics have pointed out that much of the complex’s steel has already been taken away by scrappers. The bulk of the existing structure is of reinforced concrete.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY: http://tinyurl.com/82cvbwz

FLORIDA ON THE 10TH

1930 BUGATTI TYPE 46

AMELIA ISLAND

by RM

The Ritz-Carlton

4750 Amelia Island Parkway

Amelia Island, Florida

http://www.rmauctions.com/

1-519-352-4575

FLORIDA ON THE 9TH

1967 PORSCHE 906 E 01

THE AMELIA ISLAND AUCTION

by Gooding & Company

The Amelia Island Plantation

Amelia Island, Florida

http://www.goodingco.com/

1-310-899-1960

MOTOR ART.........HENDRIK MULLER

BENTLEY

ATLANTIC

contact:

http://www.muellerhendrik.com/

atelier@muellerhendrik.de

+49 (0) 80 55 18 78 98 0

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK

1980 MASERATI MERAK SS

Gold with tan interior, very presentable weekend driver, same owner for many years, older paint but very presentable with some minor checking, mechanically sound.

Located in California.......1-310-975-0272