We’ve all seen the inordinate number of convertibles cruising along America’s highways these days, but how often do you see a fully-restored 1955 Mercury Montclair Convertible out on the streets? Not a lot, right?
Anybody who’s willing to spend for an American classic would be wise to use it on this one and only classic from 1955. Predominantly white with some red trimmings and a soft, black rooftop, the ’55 Montclair’s enduring legacy is a testament to its classy look and superior drivability.
The car retains most of its original stylistics while also adding a few technologically advanced features, infusing the car with a combination of old-school ‘feel’ with new-school technology. This particular Montclair convertible comes with automatic C4 transmission, front sway bars, tilt steering, power windows, CD player.
Moreover, the car has undergone a full off-frame restoration, complete with originally modified front disk brakes, converted to 12 volt, A/C, intake and carburetor. The cars’ frame has also been powder coated, giving it extra protection from unnecessary wear and tear. Likewise, the car’s original nuts and bolts have been upgraded to stainless steel, thereby reducing the amount of rust these parts could accumulate.
While this ’55 Mercury Montclair Convertible has had its fair share of restorations, the enduring image of driving on the roads with this one-of-a-kind vehicle is still something we all secretly dream of doing someday.
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Here’s something that might be worth picking up at an auction – that is if you have at least £5.5 million in your pockets.
This Auto Union D-Type racer is a prized commodity – it’s actually one of the rarest vintage cars in the world - in its own right, but does it justify the £5.5million tag it’s expected to command?
Let’s just say that the previous owner of this car is someone our history books are all familiar with: Adolf Hitler.
As a fanatic of motor racing, the Führer spared no expense in building a team that could dominate all the races it ran back then. The German technological superiority wasn’t any more evident when you look back and see how Mercedes and Auto Union – known as Silver Arrows back then – completely wiped out all other competitors that came their way.
The D-Type racer that will be auctioned off was actually driven by one of Hitler’s BFF’s, Hans Stuck during the 1939 Grand Prix season. What makes this car all the more valuable is due to the unfortunate fate its brethren suffered after the fall of the Third Reich.
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Back in the 70’s when America was in the middle of a love affair with the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro, the other member of the Detroit 3 – Dodge – had to come up with their own muscle car or risk becoming just an afterthought to what has become a ‘vehicular arms race’ between Ford and Chevy.
Dodge did release its own muscle car – the Dodge Challenger – and to this day, it is universally recognized as one of America’s true muscle cars.
The Challenger’s design was done by Carl Cameron, the same man who was responsible for the design of the 1966 Dodge Charger. Although the Challenger took off in the eyes of the public at the start – 76,935 cars were produced for the 1970 model year – the changing times and the waning interest in the pony car segment meant that the Challenger didn’t live a long life and was out of production in 1974. Ironically, as a result of its short shelf-lif,e not a lot of Challenger models lived to see the turn of the millennium – especially the 440 R/T version, which only had 163 models built. As a result, those who did have the specific-modeled car ended up owning a priceless piece of American muscle-car history.
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Built like a bottle rocket, the 1959 Front Engine Sadler Formula Junior Monoposto small frame belies the monstrous speed it houses inside. Built by no less than legendary car savant, Bill Sadler, this car has an unparalleled racing history that dates all the way back to the 60’s.
The ’59 Sadler Formula Junior Monoposto on display is an original and authentic version of the car that Bill Sadler created way back when race cars looked like capsules. This particular car even comes with all the race documents, photos, and logbooks it has accumulated throughout its racing history.
The car has also been restored perfectly without a sign of wear and tear other less fortunate models have become subjected to. This Sadler still comes with the same Sprite 1098 engine with Corrilo rods that it had back in 1959. Built by Prather Racing, the particular engine was built to give the Sadler the legs to take on all other race cars back then. In addition to the engine, the car also still has a 4-speed close ratio Sprite transmission, Venolla pistons, 516 Isky push rods, and camshaft Comptune 253/250. Meanwhile, the car’s sleek and slender body consists of fine grades of both aluminum and fiberglass, making it as light as a feather compared to the other race cars of its generation.
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A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa recently became the most expensive vehicle in the world when it crossed the auction block with a final bid of around $12 Million at Ferrari’s Legends and Passions event in Maranello last month. However all that could change between August 15th and 16th at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
That is because the auction house Gooding & Company will be bringing a very special vehicle to the world’s greatest car show. Ettore Bugatti’s personal 1936 Type 57C Coupe. Originally assembled as a birthday present for Le Patron, founder of the ultra exotic car company, this particular Type 57C has been deemed as one of the automaker’s most cherished creations. The factory’s workers even went to great lengths to protect the Bugatti during World War II, the fighting between that Allied Forces and the Axis Powers ended up destroying the factory in Molsheim, France.
Even after Ettore’s death in 1947, the 57C was meticulously maintained and continued to receive updates as they were developed. The car is said to be extremely unique, with a distinct engine and transmission package, upgrades to the interior and one-off coachwork that is believed to be based on the last design ever created by Ettore’s son, Jean Bugatti who died at the age of 30 in an unfortunate incident, test driving a Le Mans winning Type 57 tank-bodied race car. However; this 1936 Type 57C, with its rich history, and one of kind exclusivity should have no problem shattering the record set by Phil Hill’s old Ferrari.
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A few weeks ago, we showed you a golden Ferrari, that particular gold plated example was created by the aftermarket tuning company Hamann. Well, this time may we present to you Pininfarina’s take on the gold colored prancing horse.
It is not very often that Ferrari’s can be referred to as project cars. The guys from Autoblog.nl have spotted the very unique project in Monaco. The vehicle wears a “Golden Ferrari" license plate, complete with the design house’s signature at the bottom.
Apparently The Golden Ferrari is an homage to the Ferrari 330LMB used in the short movie Spirits of the Dead. This project will be as unique an undertaking as the Ferrari P4/5, based on a 599 GTB Fiorano, the modern Italian super car’s body has been reworked to mimic the classic Ferrari.
How much does it cost to do something like this? A lot.
The FIAT Torpedo is a car that made history in 1939. Throughout World War II, the Torpedo chauffeured some of the worst guys to ever come out of Western Europe. Guys like Germany’s Adolph Hitler, Italy’s Benito Mussolini and Spain’s General Franco. After the war, the open air four door FIAT was used by the first prime ministers of Italy, Einaudi and De Nicola and remained in the garage at the Quirinale palace until 1963. The Torpedo is going to the highest bidder at the International Auction House, COYS in Monaco. This 1960’s limousine would be the perfect addition to any WWII nut’s collection, starting bid: $377,000.
This 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa became the most expensive car ever sold at auction this past weekend, fetching even more than the record setting 1961 California Spyder that sold at Ferrari’s Legenda E Passione for almost $11 Million about this time last year. The 250 “red head” was produced from 1957 to 1958 and the Italian automaker produced the vehicle in limited numbers, 22 to be exact. When this black and red Ferrari crossed the R&M auction block wearing the numbers 124, the final bid stood at 9,020,000 Euro (about $12 Million).
According to the Managing Director of R&M Auctions Europe, Max Girardo, “the legendary 250 Testa Rossa was one of the most exciting motor cars ever to be presented in auction history." This particular prancing horse has the longest documented racing history of any Italian stallion and was driven by classic racing drivers like the American Formula One Champion Phil Hill, Englishman Peter Collins and even the 1961 German Sportsman of the Year, Wolfgang von Trips.
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With all the buzz about the new Scirocco from Volkswagen, it is Top Speed’s duty to remind automotive enthusiasts everywhere about where that car came from. Just look at this beautiful 1st generation Sky Rocket. The tuner has tastefully created a clean, slammed VW. Despite the cars reserved appearance, the choice of wild orange paint, wide stance and severely stretched tires this Scirocco can’t help but be loud.
Thanks to Speedhunters for finding this photo.
Back in 1954 Mercedes unveiled the 300SL, a model that would become an icon for the brand, and even today over 50 years later AMG is bringing back a modern day interpretation with the SLS AMG. The original SL was a tube frame, two-seat sports car with distinctive gull-wing doors. Under the hood was a slanted 3.0 Liter straight 6 that made an astonishing 212 HP, making it the fastest production car of the day.
For those of us who weren’t around half a century ago to enjoy this Mercedes-Benz masterpiece, Gullwing GmbH has prepared a replica of the 300 SL. However the modern day version is powered by a 5.5 Liter V8 engine making 405 HP mated to a 7 speed automatic gearbox. The chassis, suspension and brakes have all been redesigned, while the interior receives the latest amenities, everything from ABS to air-conditioning.
So, if you have an extra $220,000 lying around, and 10 to 18 months to wait for delivery, you too can enjoy this classic beautiful Benz.
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