We’re pretty sure by now you know that August Horch was the one responsible for Audi. You didn’t? Well, he is (he was also a former engineer for Karl Benz – the other guy in the Mercedes-Benz - tie-up, but that’s not relevant to the topic at hand). As a matter of fact, if you translate ’Horch’ to Latin, you’d come up with – make a wild guess – Audi.

That being said, you can expect that the man whose name bears the brand would have a car named after him. And the company did just that with the Horch - a car that survived until 1953 when the last one was rolled out of Ingolstadt. In recent years, Audi has been in search to find the last Horch that was created in ’53. So they got Ralph Hornung, their resident vintage car locator, to find the missing car.

It’s a treasure hunt that would make even Indian Jones blush.

After months of searching, Hornung found his unicorn in West Texas. We’ve spoiled enough so we’re just going to let you watch the video to find out how Hornung ended up in the most unlikely of places and, more importantly, how the Horch found itself there in the first place.

Video: Audi's search for the last Horch automobile originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 28 November 2009 15:00 EST.

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In 1953 at the Paris Salon Ferrari unveiled the 375 America. It was a coupe model designed by Pininfarina, featuring a duo tone paint finish, the shape of which was a refinement of that seen on 212 Inter models. The car was exclusive and expensive, with one unit being designed by Pininfarina for King Leopold of Belgium - a two-seater cabriolet.

The 375 America was built on a 2800mm wheelbase chassis - the longest Ferrari used at that time. The majority were fitted with either a Pinin Farina three or five window coupe body. Three examples had a Vignale coupe bodies, whilst there was also a single Vignale cabriolet, and the very last example produced had a very special, and unusual, Pinin Farina coupe body with a wrap around front screen, vertical radiator grille, and buttresses running from the roofline into the tail panel, which was built specially for Gianni Agnelli, the head of Fiat, and displayed at the 1954 Turin Salon.

The 375 America was powered by a 4522cc "long" block V12 engine with a bore and stroke of 84mm x 68mm, fitted with a bank of three twin choke Weber 40 DCZ or DCF carburettors, twin coil and distributor ignition, to produce a claimed 300bhp. Coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox, the engine sprinted the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds, while the top speed went up to 150 mph.

Ferrari 375 America originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 November 2009 12:00 EST.

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Revealed in 1948, the 166 Inter was Ferrari’s first GT car. It was a road version of the the 166 sports racing models like the 166 MM barchettas, and was produced between 1948 and 1950, with 37 units being produced.

They normally had coupe bodywork, although Stabilimenti Farina produced three examples in cabriolet form and Bertone also produced a single cabriolet body for the model. Various coachbuilders’ bodywork was fitted to the series, all with their own interpretation of how they felt a Ferrari should be coutured. Apart from Stabilimenti Farina, Bertone, and Carrozzeria Touring, the latter having bodied the first 166 Sport coupé for the 1948 Turin Salon, there were also examples of coachwork from the design houses of Ghia and Finale.

The 166 Inter was built on a 2420 mm wheelbase tubular steel chassis and was powered by a 2-liter V12 aluminum engine coupled with a 5-speed gearbox driving through a rigid rear axle. The engine delivered 115bhp having been available at 6000rpm when compression was set at 7.5:1. With this amount of power the 166 Inter was able to hit a top speed of 115 mph.

The engines on these models had a twin distributor and coil ignition system, and were fitted with a single twin choke carburettor as standard although a triple twin choke carburettor set-up could be specified as an option to obtain extra performance. These were the only road production Ferrari models of the period available with disc type road wheels, as an alternative to the more popular and sporting wire wheels. In either instance they had Ridge type splined hubs, sometimes under a chrome hub cap on the disc wheels.

Ferrari 166 Inter originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 26 November 2009 12:00 EST.

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If you were a billionaire with too much money to last you a zillion lifetimes, would you spend approximately $6 to 15 million on a car that once belonged to the man responsible for the most destructive war in history?

Apparently for this Russian billionaire, the answer is yes.

The car is a customized blue Grosser Mercedes-Benz 770K, which – as a matter of fact – used to belong to no less than Adolf Hitler. Granted, this man has more money than a number of countries, but we figured that anything is off limits when it comes to Hitler himself.

Then again, we don’t have $15 million and this guy has them in his piggy bank so we really can’t tell him what to do.

Russian billionaire buys Adolf Hitler's customized Mercedes for an approximate $6-15 million originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 26 November 2009 11:00 EST.

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The Ferrari 212 Inter was revealed in 1951 at the Brussels Motor Show as a replacement for the 166 and 195 Inter. The 212 was built between late 1950 and 1953, in Inter and Export model configuration. Ferrari built 82 units of the 212, more than any other Ferrari before. The 212 was offered in three different bode versions: berlinetta, cabriolet and coupe and carried coachwork by Ghia, Ghia Aigle, Pininfarina, Stabilimenti Farina, Touring, Vignale, and even the British firm Abbott.

The difference between the Inter and the Export version was made by the wheelbase: the Export version were built on a 2250 mm wheelbase chassis and they were normally carrying an E or ED suffix to the number, whilst the Inter road models were constructed on a 2600 mm wheelbase chassis in the odd number road car sequence, initially with an EL suffix, and then with an EU suffix.

The 212 Inter were the first models equipped with left-hand drive as standard, as until then the standard steering layout had been right-hand drive, in the racing tradition.

Ferrari 212 Inter originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 12:00 EST.

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Ferrari unveiled the 195 Inter in 1950 at the Paris motor Show. It was in fact a 166 Inter with a slightly longer wheelbase and a modified engine. Ferrari built only 24 units of the 195 Inter, as in 1951 it has been replaced by the 212 Inter.

For the 195 Inter the wheelbase has been enlarged from 2420 mm to 2500 mm, to increase cabin space. Like in the 166 Inter, the chassis frame was of the same basic tubular steel construction as that of the earlier model and featured independent front suspension via a transverse leaf spring, with a rigid axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, and Houdaille lever shock absorbers all round.

There was a concurrent 195 Sport model, which was built in the even chassis number competition car range. An example of the 195 Sport in berlinetta form, driven by Marzotto/Crosara won the 1950 Mille Miglia, ahead of the 195 engine Touring barchetta of Serafini/Salani. The range of body design houses altered to include Motto and the Swiss Ghia Aigle concerns; each produced a single example of their craft on a 195 chassis, whilst Stabilimenti Farina dropped off the list. With this model, the Ghia and Vignale body styles seemed to find greatest favor with clients, considerably outnumbering the other contenders.

Ferrari 195 Inter originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 23 November 2009 11:41 EST.

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In 1948 at the Turin Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled the evolution of the 125 S sports race car. Designed by Carrozzeria Allemano, The 166S was produced in only 3 units, all built on the same 2620mm wheelbase chassis, but featuring different design.

The 166 S was powered by a two-litre version of Colombo’s 60° V12 engine that delivered 150bhp at 7000rpm and had a compression ratio of 10.1:1.

The first two models, 001 S and 003 S were designed by Allemano and featured prominent nose grille and headlights. The first one was the winner at the 1948 Targa Florio, and the second one at the 1948 Mille Miglia. Unfortunately both models were destroyed.

Ferrari 166 S originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 20 November 2009 12:00 EST.

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Further development of the 125 S began in the year of its debut, 1947. Its displacement was first upped from 1,500 cc to 1,900 cc, and the resulting model was christened the 159 as the cars took their names from their engine’s single cylinder displacement.

As with the 125 S, the first version of the car was known as the 159 S and it made its debut at Pescara in the hands of Franco Cortese who finished second overall. The later 159 C version competed in the last race of the season in Modena but Cortese once again had to retire.

The cars’ technical characteristics remained mostly unchanged with the exception of the overall displacement and, of course, engine power.

Continued after the jump.

Ferrari 159 S originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 19 November 2009 12:00 EST.

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The first Ferrari, the 125 S (known as the 125 or 125 Sports), had a short but intense life. In fact, the model was only used in Ferrari’s first year in business, 1947. Just three were built and they took part in 12 races (total 14 starts), clocking up six wins, two seconds and one fifth position.

The 125 began life as a two-seater sports car but there were two types of bodywork: one with covered wheels and the second with open wheels and individual mudguards. The former version was known as the 125 C and could race in single-seater races as the mudguards and headlights could be removed and a panel to cover the second seat could be added (if required).

The C in question stood for “corsa” (racing) or “competizione” (competition) and also involved some tweaking of the initial 125 S’s engine and the gearbox. This version made its debut at the Terme di Caracalla circuit in Rome where driver Franco Cortese was unfortunately forced to retire before the end of the race.

Ferrari 125 S originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 18 November 2009 12:00 EST.

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Back in 1930 the French automaker Gabriel Voisin unveiled the Voisin C20, however despite the vehicle’s extravagant two door cabriolet couch built body, it never made it past the working prototype stage. This is indeed a shame because the C20 is hailed as being one of the most sensational classics from the era, so the fact that it never made it into production is quite a shame. Luckily there is one example that has stood the test of time, code named Mylord it is believed to be the only C20 in existence. The elaborate grand tourer is powered by one of only five extraordinarily intricate Voisin 12 cylinder engines that are known to have been built, meanwhile Mylord’s interior draws heavily from its creator’s background in aviation with an array of dials and switches that are exposed for the driver to see. The auction house Gooding & Company have been fortunate enough to get their hands on this rare piece of automobilia and on March 12, 2010 at 4 PM at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance here in Florida, one lucky bidder will take home a true automotive icon.

Press release after the jump.

1931 Voisin C20 "Mylord" Demi-Berline on auction at Amelia Island originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 17 November 2009 13:00 EST.

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When Alfa Romeo was confiscated by the Fascist government of Benito Mussolini in 1939, Enzo Ferrari moved to Modena where he founded Auto Avio Costruzioni. he was prohibited by contract from racing for four years, so his factory was producing machine tools and aircraft accessories.

In its non-competition period Ferrari produced only one model: the Ferrari Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 (or Tipo 815). The car debuted in 1940 at the "Gran Premio Brescia della Mille Miglia".

The two units built by Ferrari were driven by Alberto Ascari and Lotario Rangoni di Machiavelli, but both of them failed to finish the race. After the first lap the two cars are the twelfth and thirteenth, but first in the 1500cc class. However the first one retired after the second lap and the second one after the seventh lap, both of them due to mechanical failures.

Ferrari Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 17 November 2009 12:00 EST.

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April 17, 1964. This is the date when the first generation Ford Mustang was launched at the New York World’s Fair. It was a car that, according to Project Design Chief Joe Oros, had to appeal to women, but in the same time to be desired by the men too. The first prototypes were built as two-seats model, but after realizing the true success depended on volume sales they switched to a four-seat design. And this is exactly that they put into production in 1964. And the first production version is now on sale on eBay. But while in 1964 the Mustang had a suggested retail price of US$ 2,368, today the first one is rated at $5,5 million.

if you have that kind of money you will also receive the full documentation to proove you will buy a piece of history.

For those who want to bid, good luck!

First production version Ford Mustang on sale on eBay originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 13 November 2009 18:00 EST.

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As classic an automobile that the Jaguar E Type was in the 1960s and 70s, it never could have come about without the factory built D Type race cars of the 1950s. If you missed out on the opportunity to own and experience this classic vertical finned racer with its pronounced round fenders well this might just be what you have been waiting for. That is because the auction house Gooding & Company is putting a classic 1956 Jaguar D Type up for auction on January 23rd, 2010. Besides the English automotive icon, Gooding will also auction off a rare Pininfarina 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, a beautifully appointed 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta, Hollywood’s 1934 Hispano-Suiza J-12 T68 Cabriolet as well as a top performing 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750.

The 1956 Jaguar D Type is powered by a 3.8 Liter straight six cylinder power plant that is capable of producing an estimated 300 HP, quite a feat for the 1950s. The quite large inline engine is mated to a four speed manual transmission because that is what they had back then. The car begun its racing career in 1956 competing in California and enjoyed continued success at tracks such as Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Palm Springs, Riverside, Paramount Ranch and Pomona. Making the D Type even more of a collector’s item is that over the car’s entire production run, only 87 units were ever made, and after a bit of wheel banging action there are most certainly less than that left in the world.

Press release after the jump.

Gooding & Company puts a Jaguar D Type race car up for auction originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 13 November 2009 13:00 EST.

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The 1967-68 Shelby GT500 Mustang is for sure a legendary car that needs no presentation. And like every legend there are lots of people out there who will do anything to get it back. So did Carroll Shelby, no surprise here no? He gave Classic Recreations the license to recreate the car.

"I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to work with a legend like Carroll Shelby," said Classic Recreations owner Jason Engel. "We pride ourselves on building the finest coachbuilt muscle cars in the world, and I’m thrilled that this new opportunity will allow us to build some of the fastest and coolest supercars on the road today. Other shops build cars. We sit down with a client, listen to their fantasies, and then turn those into reality."

Each of the Shelby GT500CR will "leave the shop with an official Shelby serial number, badges and will be included in the official Shelby Worldwide Registry."

And how the classic car delivers between 535 and 770 hp, the GT500CR will have for sure the same horse power and performance level.

Shelby GT500CR by Classic Recreations originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 6 November 2009 13:00 EST.

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Chevrolet revealed at the SEMA Show the E-ROD concept vehicle. It is a fully restored 1955 Chevy powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 E-Rod engine that delivers 430 hp and 424 lb.-ft. of torque. List price for the LS3 E-ROD package is $9,375.

The exterior wears factory-style chrome Bel Air trim, which accents the custom PPG colors applied by GM. On the inside, the E-ROD ’55 has an original-style appearance, with upholstery and other restoration items supplied by CARS Inc. The only noticeable variances include an IDIDIT adjustable steering column and Grand steering wheel.

Press release after the jump.

1955 Chevrolet E-ROD originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 4 November 2009 10:00 EST.

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