Latest news with #Motorious
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Historic Ferrari Sale Headlines Broad Arrow's Record-Setting Debut at Villa d'Este
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa shattered records at Broad Arrow Auctions' first European event, selling for €7,543,750 and setting a new high-water mark for the model. The landmark sale headlined Broad Arrow's debut at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, held on the shores of Lake Como in partnership with BMW AG. The auction house, a subsidiary of Hagerty (NYSE: HGTY), reported €31,172,625 in total sales over the May 24–25 weekend, with 78 percent of lots sold. The dual-day auction marked Broad Arrow's inaugural sale on European soil, held in the historic Rotunda at Villa Erba. 'We are thrilled with the success of our first European auction,' said Joe Twyman, Broad Arrow's VP of Sales for EMEA. 'To launch our presence with such a prestigious event and achieve several record-breaking results speaks volumes about our global client base and the quality of vehicles offered.' The Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa, lauded as one of the most original early Ferraris in existence, was a standout. Commissioned in period by one of Enzo Ferrari's earliest customers, the car boasts a significant competition pedigree, including appearances in the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. The auction room fell silent during a tense bidding war, with the final price confirming the car's place in the upper echelon of historic Ferrari values. Other notable sales included a 2003 Honda NSX-R, which set a world auction record at €934,375, and a 1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione, which commanded €2,312,500. A BMW M1 Procar-spec car, sold during a BMW-only auction session, fetched €602,500. With over 8,000 viewers following online, Broad Arrow's first Villa d'Este sale exceeded expectations, showcasing everything from postwar icons to modern collectibles. The auction house will next head to California for its Monterey Jet Center sale this August 13–14.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rare European-American Classics Draw Interest at Lucky Collector Car Auction's Spring Classic
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A curated group of rare and historically significant grand touring cars crossed the auction block at the Lucky Collector Car Auction's Spring Classic 2025, showcasing a unique blend of European design and American muscle. Among the standout offerings was a 1963 Facel Vega Facel II, widely regarded as one of the most refined GTs of the era. With a Chrysler 383ci 'Typhoon' V8 under the hood and elegant red paintwork, this French-built grand tourer once boasted the title of "fastest four-seat coupe in the world." One of just 180 produced, this example featured a new leather interior and faux wood dash, and was presented in excellent condition with only 13,956 miles showing. Another highlight was a 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster, one of only about 160 examples bodied by Italian design house Pinin Farina that year. A product of a rare transatlantic partnership between Nash-Kelvinator and British engineer Donald Healey, the car retains its original engine block and chassis numbers. The convertible, finished in white with a red interior and beige top, reflects an era of hand-built sports cars that predated even the Chevrolet Corvette. Also featured was a 1974 Jensen Interceptor III Convertible, blending British craftsmanship and Italian style with raw American power. Fitted with a Chrysler 440 V8 and TorqueFlite automatic transmission, this Interceptor had been part of a museum collection since 1993. With Recaro seats and updated leather upholstery, the chocolate-toned convertible remains a stylish and rare find among 1970s GTs. Rounding out the group was a 1958 Facel Vega FV3B, one of just 90 built. Although no longer fitted with its original Chrysler Hemi and manual transmission, the car retained its factory-correct grey-over-red color scheme. Now powered by a 340ci V8, it had traveled just six miles over the last 14 years, underscoring its preservation-focused care. Together, these vehicles highlighted the golden age of international collaboration in the automotive world—where American horsepower met European elegance in unforgettable fashion.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Jay Leno Pilots 1913 Mercedes in California, Calls It the World's First Supercar
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious Jay Leno, longtime car enthusiast and host of Jay Leno's Garage, recently got behind the wheel of a remarkable piece of automotive history: a 1913 Mercedes 3795 Double Phaeton Torpedo. Equipped with a massive 9.6-liter engine and chain drive, Leno believes the vehicle may qualify as the world's first supercar. The drive took place on public roads in Southern California, where Leno showcased the engineering marvel on video for his YouTube channel. 'This is automotive royalty,' Leno said while navigating the coach-built antique through traffic. 'It's unlike anything you'll find today, yet it still feels at home on the road.' The car, built more than a century ago, is powered by a 580-cubic inch (9.6-liter) four-cylinder engine producing approximately 95 horsepower—an extraordinary figure for its era. Capable of reaching speeds near 100 miles per hour, the Mercedes shattered performance expectations at a time when most cars barely exceeded 30 mph. What makes the car particularly special is its exquisite coachwork by renowned French designer Henri Labourdette, known for crafting bespoke bodies for elite automobiles. The Double Phaeton's sweeping lines and torpedo-shaped tail reflect the opulence and ambition of pre-World War I motoring. Despite its immense size, Leno described the drive as smooth, noting the car's ability to keep pace with modern traffic. 'The steering is heavy, but it tracks straight and the ride is surprisingly comfortable,' he said. The Mercedes 3795 is one of the rarest surviving examples of early high-performance motoring—a time when supercars were born not in labs, but in the minds of ambitious engineers and master craftsmen. Leno's experience serves as a powerful reminder of how far automotive innovation has come—and where it all began.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rare 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler Rescued After 40 Years in Basement
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A rare 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler, forgotten in a basement for over 40 years, has been fully restored to its original condition after being rescued in 2021. The highly collectible Dan Gurney Special edition is now turning heads once again thanks to a meticulous rotisserie restoration. Originally purchased new in 1969, the car was driven sparingly before being parked in 1980 and subsequently forgotten. Its remarkable story came to light in a recent episode on Lou Costabile's YouTube channel, where car restorer Everett Rutledge and current owner Steve Breedlove detailed the car's decades-long disappearance and stunning revival. Breedlove acquired the vehicle after locating it in the basement of a private residence, where it had remained undisturbed since the Carter administration. The Cyclone's confinement may have preserved its integrity: the car was discovered in extremely low-mileage condition, retaining its original 5.8-liter (351 cubic-inch) Windsor V8 engine. Only 1,025 Cyclone Spoilers were produced in 1969, and just 131 of them were Dan Gurney Special editions, named for the American racing legend. Even fewer—only 114—came equipped with the same interior/exterior color combination and factory AM radio, making this example one of the rarest surviving Cyclone Spoilers. Following a comprehensive frame-off restoration, the Mercury was returned to its original showroom appearance, complete with factory-correct details and paintwork. From its signature red-white-blue livery to its preserved drivetrain, the Cyclone now stands as a rolling tribute to late-1960s NASCAR-inspired muscle. 'It's an incredible piece of Ford performance history,' said Rutledge, who helped oversee the restoration. 'To find one this original and this rare—especially with such low mileage—is almost unheard of.' The story of this Cyclone's resurrection is not just about preserving a rare car, but about honoring the legacy of American muscle and the enthusiasts who bring it back to life.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rare XA GT Falcon Rescued After 30 Years in Storage Using 30-Foot Crane Lift
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious A long-dormant piece of Australian muscle car history took flight—literally—when a rare Ford XA GT Falcon sedan was hoisted 30 feet into the air by crane after spending more than three decades sealed away in a backyard shed. The bold Red Pepper Falcon, nicknamed 'Mothball,' had been tucked away by its owner since 1987, after purchasing it for just $5,000 AUD. The car sat virtually untouched for 30 years, hidden behind fences, vegetation, and a backyard pool, making traditional removal impossible. YouTuber Glenn Everitt, host of Man and Machine, captured the rescue operation in a recent episode. With the vehicle now destined for public display, Everitt and his team arranged for a crane to carefully extract the classic muscle car from its overgrown tomb. To begin the delicate process, a section of the shed wall was removed. A platform was then lowered into the backyard via crane, and the long-stored GT Falcon was gently rolled onto it before being lifted high above the treetops to safety. The XA GT Falcon is a revered symbol of Australian muscle car culture. Produced in the early 1970s, the GT variant featured performance-tuned engines, upgraded suspension, and sporty styling. Once retrieved, the Falcon emerged covered in dust and grime, its red paint dulled by decades of hibernation—but its bones appeared remarkably intact. 'I never expected to see it out in the daylight again,' said Pat, the car's longtime owner. Now headed for a full clean-up and eventual display, the Falcon's story is a testament to both the enduring appeal of classic muscle and the lengths enthusiasts will go to preserve automotive heritage—sometimes requiring a little heavy lifting.
