All posts in “Limited Production Car”

10 things you didn´t know about Hispano Suiza

Hispano Suiza Fábrica de Automóvil S.A. is a company that dates back to the ‘old days’ of automotive history, between 1904 and 1946 they not only created a total of 12,000 luxury high-performance cars but also 50,000 aircraft engines in Spain, sadly after 1946 this glorious name became somewhat dormant … until 2000, when the HS21 supercar was shown in Geneva, followed by the K8 in 2001 and the HS21-GTS in 2002 as evolutions of the HS21 version.

The 2001 Hispano Suiza K8

But there is a lot more to know about the history of this glamorous car builder, so take a look at the 10 things you might not know about them is the extract from their latest press release below:

1 – More than 100 years of history
Hispano Suiza was founded on June 14, 1904, by Damián Mateu together with Francisco Seix and Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt, who had worked for two companies that had preceded Hispano Suiza: La Cuadra and J. Castro. Birkigt’s experience in the industry was key in laying the foundations for Hispano Suiza.

In 1905, Hispano Suiza created their first vehicle, the Armored Type Birkigt System, which was equipped with a four-cylinder engine and 20 CV of power, and which reached a top speed of 87 km/h. It was followed, a year later, by what would be the first car with a six-cylinder engine built in Spain, a model delivering 75 HP of power that completed the Perpignan-to-Paris route in 22 hours, a feat which received great media attention at the time.

2 – Hispano Suiza did not just produce cars throughout its history
During World War I, Hispano Suiza went from producing cars to manufacturing aircraft engines. It was a period of great success for the company: they applied their technological know-how in the manufacture and development of automotive engines to a new field, which brought them great benefits.

Georges Guynemer and his fighter plane

Birkigt built an aircraft engine that was based on a racing car engine, following the “direct drive” principle, with a V8 layout and aluminum alloy blocks to reduce weight. Hispano Suiza began to receive numerous orders, so many that they had to sell licenses to other manufacturers in France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Japan and even Russia… In total, more than 50,000 Hispano Suiza engines were built.

Hispano Suiza aviation engines also found their place at sea. The most spectacular engine, a V12 delivering 1,300 HP, was mounted on a series of racing boats, including the so-called Aurora, built in 1935. Birkigt collaborated in the assembly of this boat, which was auctioned a few years ago for a figure close to a million euros.

3 – King Alfonso XIII

King Alfonso XIII played an important role in the early days of Hispano Suiza. The monarch was a car enthusiast, who instantly fell in love with the 20CV Hispano Suiza that he drove in in 1905. So much so that in 1910 he became a shareholder, purchasing 8% of the company shares. King Alfonso XIII also had a car named in his honor, a two-seater sports car, with a 3,619 cc four-cylinder engine, delivering 60 HP, with a top speed of 120 km / h. It was the Hispano-Suiza T45, better known as Hispano Suiza Alfonso XIII.

King Alfonso XIII of Spain with Hispano Suiza

4 – A car for the elite
Thanks to the performance of its vehicles, which combined speed with lightness and amazing driving sensations, thanks to its luxury materials, the handcrafted to the highest quality standards, Hispano Suiza immediately rose to fame.

In addition to King Alfonso XIII, the vehicles of the Spanish brand were chosen by aristocrats, intellectuals, and the most renowned artists in the world, such as Gustavo V of Sweden, Carlos II of Romania, Louis II of Monaco, Pablo Picasso, André Citroën, Coco Chanel, René Lacoste, Paul McCartney or Albert Einstein.

The history of Hispano Suiza cars has always been closely linked to clients with high purchasing power, an exquisite taste for luxury and an incalculable passion for the automotive world. Today, classic Hispano Suiza cars are preserved with great care in museums and private collections around the world.

5 – Hispano Suiza, not just a car but an asset of cultural interest
The Hispano Suiza 30-40 HP was an important model in the history of the brand, developed by Birkigt as a replacement for the 20-30 HP. Of all those produced, there was a very special unit custom-built for the Marquis of Zayas and bodied by Francisco Capella.

This model used noble woods and materials such as ivory and silver. The steering wheel was positioned to the right, as it was customary then, and featured mahogany details, ivory handles, beveled glass, automatic blinds, fine cushioned upholstered seats, a perfume diffuser, vases, and numerous details that underlined the elegance and exclusivity of the car. It was a Hispano Suiza made to measure.

The model, after all cars once belonging to the Marquis of Zayas were auctioned, was acquired by the Spanish Home Office which declared it an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1988, being the first car to achieve this status,  which is normally granted to monuments and works of art. The vehicle was then displayed in the Museum of Automotive History located in Salamanca (Spain).

6 – The stork
Hispano Suiza’s emblem, the stork, is a nod to the company’s heritage as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. The brand decided to feature it in all its models to pay tribute to Georges Guynemer, a French fighter ace, who had a stork painted on the fuselage of its fighter jet during World War I, powered by a Hispano Suiza engine.

In 1919, the silver stork accompanied the new Hispano Suiza H6B in its presentation at the Geneva Motor Show and, since then, it featured in all the brand’s models, accompanied by the flags of Spain and Switzerland. 100 years later, the stork flew again at Carmen’s presentation, once again at the Geneva Motorshow.

7 – Carmen
Carmen is the name that Hispano Suiza has given to the vehicle with which it made its comeback to the world of automotive manufacturing. It is a model that has already made history; the most technologically advanced that has been designed, manufactured, and developed in Spain. The choice of the name is not a mere coincidence: it is a tribute to Mrs. Carmen Mateu, granddaughter of Damián Mateu – founder of the company – and mother of the current president of Hispano Suiza, Miguel Suqué Mateu.

“The name Carmen is a tribute to our mother. When we were debating what to name the new vehicle, we immediately thought of Carmen and the family loved it ”, declared Miguel Suqué Mateu. “She always told me that she wanted to see Hispano Suiza roaring on the streets again, and I am sure that she would be very proud of it. The signature on the back of the vehicle is her original signature.”

The ‘last name’ Boulogne, which is used for the more powerful version of Carmen, is not a coincidence either. It is a tribute to the victories achieved by the Hispano Suiza H6 Coupé in the Georges Boillot Cup, held in the French town of Boulogne-sur-Mer a century ago.

8 – A car made to race
The Hispano Suiza Carmen and Carmen Boulogne have been developed on the racing circuits. For the creation of this very special model, which was presented at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Hispano Suiza had the backing of QEV Technologies, a motorsport company that built the first car that went on to win the drivers’ title in the Formula E championship.

Thus the Hispano Suiza Carmen´s dream performance, typical of a racing car. Its 1,019 CV of power – 1,114 CV in the Boulogne version – and its less than three seconds of acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, make it one of the most powerful and fastest road cars in the world.

9 – Hispano Suiza has a former F1 driver in their team
After completing the design and manufacturing process, Hispano Suiza handed over the steering wheel to a former Formula 1 driver: Luis Pérez-Sala. Pérez-Sala has been in charge of developing the model on the track and on the road since the Hispano Suiza comeback was announced, and has worked to ensure that the select group of owners of the new Hispano Suiza feel like racing drivers.

In addition to Pérez Sala, Pablo Suárez, an experienced rally and rallycross driver with training as a motorsport engineer, also participated in the development process, bearing witness to the creation of an authentic work of art on wheels.

10 – The opportunity to create the car of your dreams
Each Hispano Suiza Carmen is unique. Thanks to the brand’s Unique Tailormade program, customers have access to a wide variety of options to create the model they have dreamed of all their life. There are 1,904 possible combinations, so no two Hispano Suiza are alike.

Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne

Clients can choose between three main configurations that reflect the key values ​​of the brand’s DNA – Elegance, Heritage and Sport – and, based on these, they can choose different colors and materials for the interior and exterior of their car, to add a personal touch to the design and adapt it to their individual tastes. Colors have been chosen and named in a tribute to the history of the brand, and include Peralada Green, Swiss Red, Xenia Gray, Birkigt White, or Begur Blue, among others.

Hispano Suiza is part of the Peralada Group, which represents the pinnacle of luxury in gastronomy and entertainment through its global portfolio of casinos, restaurants, hotels, golf courses, vineyards, music festivals, and marinas.

Low Mileage 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder At Collecting Cars

Collecting Cars recently offered a practically new 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder in their global online auction platform.

The plug-in hybrid hypercar is one of only 918 units built. Under the hood of this gorgeous Porsche hypercar is a 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with an electric motor for each axle. It can produce a total of 887 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque. The engine and rear e-drive motor are matched to a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch paddle shift transmission. The front axle is connected to the front e-motor with an electric clutch coupling, so it makes the hypercar an all-wheel drive.

Marketing materials claim that the 918 Spyder is said to run from 0 to 100 kph – roughly 62 mph – in just 2.6 seconds, and it can go from 0 to 200 kph – roughly 124 mph – in just 7.2 seconds. It has a top speed of only 345 kph or 214 mph. However, independent media tests that was made showed that it was even quicker, where a magazine even claimed that they were able to record the Spyder going from 0 to 60 mph in only 2.2 seconds.

The 918 Spyder has five driving modes including the E-Drive where the car only uses the front and rear electric motors so that it’ll have a ‘zero emission’ driving range of roughly 30 km or 18 miles.

The hypercar was delivered with a Platinum Silver Metallic finish, matched with an Onyx Black leather interior with Acid Green piping. The leather can also be seen on the door cards and steering wheel, and both also have the vibrant contrast color accent. The seat headrests have an Acid Green embroidery, matching with the color of the brake calipers.

As standard, the 918 comes with a two-piece CFRP roadster panel tops, Porsche Communication Management (CRM) with navigation and Bluetooth, and lightweight full LED headlights.

There is no known bodywork damage, nor is there any electrical or mechanical faults. No significant wear was seen on the black leather upholstery although there is some very slight wrinkling on the driver’s seat lower outer bolster. The paintwork is in exquisite condition.

It was during the recall when the example had its most recent documented service which was back in November 2018.

The sale would come with an original battery charger, spare reflectors, and indoor car cover.

The best part of this Spyder is that is has a very low mileage of only 966 miles from new, so the lucky winning bidder will get to drive home a practically new hypercar.

As of writing, the Porsche 918 Spyder has a bid of C$1,000,501 with the auction ending on Thursday, December 23.

MC20 Fuoriserie Edition for David Beckham

Bespoke, personal, one-off, Coachbuild, Ad Personam, sur Mesure … these are all terms used by the more high-end car builders to make one thing clear: when you order one of their automotive masterpieces, you don’t have to be content with the usual options list, no matter how extensive these already are, the likes of Bentley, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Ferrari all have special in-house departments that allow the customer to create a tailor-made car unique to the client, at a price naturally, exclusivity doesn’t come cheap.

And Maserati S.p.A. has just joined the ranks of these tailor-made one-offs with their latest MC20, aptly called the MC20 Fuoriserie Edition for David Beckham: a love letter for the Magic City of Miami. David is the ambassador of Maserati, and with this Fuoriserie Edition, he also became a designer, backed by the professionals at the Maserati Centro Stile to create a customized MC20 that exemplifies the concepts of performance and sportiness.

When you turn to Maserati Fuoriserie as a customer, you are effectively offered a blank canvas from the House of the Trident, which offers a vast array of instruments to get creative with, just about everything is left to the customer in terms of taste and inspiration, giving them the opportunity to set their own trends and express their personality.

For this specific MC20 Fuoriserie Edition for David Beckham inspiration was taken from within the USA, not from Italy, more specifically from Miami, the home of Beckham’s US football club, whose team colors are black and pink, but their uniforms also combine both glossy and matt sections, and this has been taken into the design of this MC20 Fuoriserie Edition.

The Maserati MC20 gets adorned in a stunning, yet intriguing glossy black paint, but the traditional Trident logos at the front and on the side pillar get an opaque black finish, even the Maserati script on the rear fascia is finished in opaque black, as a contrast to this the MC20 badge on the door gets the pastel pink treatment, which is repeated on the brake calipers.

The same color theme is repeated in the interior, but fortunately, they didn’t go wild with pink on the inside, instead, the combination of leather and Alcantara inside the cockpit is done in all-black, but the pink returns as a detail in the stitching on the seats, which also feature a 3D embroidery in the same pastel pink shade. A final touch is added to the central tunnel with a personalized nameplate, also combining glossy and matt finish that shows the famous Trident with next to it the Maserati Fuoriserie lettering, in pastel pink, while further down we find “For David” in a beautiful aluminum effect.

Klaus Busse, Head of Maserati Design, commented: “As car designers, our mission is to offer a holistic experience. This value guides our Brand’s stylistic research, making each Maserati uniquely recognizable. Our customization program is another example of our brand’s goal to create singular experiences for our customers: Maserati Fuoriserie is a blank canvas, on which Maserati clients can write their own stories and unleash their creativity, making their dreams come true. Designing this special edition MC20 with David, as with all our Fuoriserie projects, is also an ode to the Brand’s past, taking us back to a time when every car was hand-built to the client’s requests, giving life to a one-off, a true fuoriserie.”

David Beckham said: “I have always been a car enthusiast, so to be part of designing and creating my MC20 through the Fuoriserie customisation programme has been an amazing experience. Cars are about individual taste whether it’s the model, color, or small personal details on the inside. It has been incredible to collaborate with the Maserati team and designers to create this one-off car that is inspired by my second home, Miami, and my football club there. It is a joy to be behind the wheel.”

The official press release from Maserati S.p.A. doesn’t mention any pricing on this MC20 Fuoriserie Edition, nor production numbers, but from how I interpreted the information given this will be a one-off, a bespoke build specifically created with, and for David Beckham, I just hope we’ll be seeing him drive this amazing car on the streets of Miami, apart from the pastel pink, which I understand why it’s there, this would be a spec I wouldn’t mind owning either, black always looks good on supercars and hypercars, and if you start to mix glossy and matt black finishes of the same shade … it just gets better and better.

New Morgan Plus 8 GTR Revealed

Morgan Motor Company has just finished manufacturing the first Morgan Plus 8 GTR, the most powerful car in Morgan’s history so far. The first Morgan Plus 8 GTR was completed at the company’s Malvern Link, Worcestershire factory.

The first example was given a Yas Marina Blue finish which evokes the image of the original design sketches that were released when they announced the upcoming model back in February of this year. The sketches were tributes to the Plus 8 race car ‘Big Blue’ which was a truly prominent figure in the nineties.

The Plus 8 GTR project is limited only to nine examples mainly due to the recent availability of Plus 8 rolling chassis.

The other eight cars are all currently in production although it is estimated that several of them will be finishing their build by the end of the year. The remaining examples will be finished by the first quarter of 2022. Customers of all 9 examples closely worked with the design team at Morgan’s to be able to commission their own bespoke example, which is a real testament to the company’s personalization capabilities.

Five of the eight vehicles currently in production will be exported globally, and all nine cars are produced in different configurations like the varied transmission and drive side that were set according to the client’s needs.

Morgan Motor Company Chairman and CEO Steve Morris shared, “We are excited to release the first images of the Plus 8 GTR following the design sketches published earlier this year. The Plus 8 GTR represents an opportunity for Morgan to celebrate the V8 engine once again, something we did not expect to do since finishing the Plus 8 and Aero 8 models in 2018. Striking design, the finest craftsmanship, and an exhilarating sports car to drive, the Plus 8 GTR is the perfect swansong to the Morgan V8. We have been delighted to work alongside customers from around the world during the design and build process, and we look forward to sharing the final examples over the coming months.”

The design of the Plus 8 GTR was truly unconventional as they explored design themes that have not been seen on a traditional Morgan body for decades. It had a five-spoke center-lock wheels that were perfectly framed by the re-sculpted wheel arches. It was a design influenced by the Morgan 1990s Plus 8 race cars.

Other design elements include handcrafted aluminum front wings, revised rear end, and front splitter. The Plus 8 GTR’s racing aesthetic is completed by the hard top with a cockpit vent.

For the interior, it was given new door cards that matches with the high door tops and bespoke GTR dials. Clients also have the option of getting the carbon fiber racing seats and harnesses. Each GTR will be fitted with a plaque that shows its number in the build sequence.

The Morgan Motor Company also took certain design elements from the Plus 8 race car also dubbed as ‘Big Blue’ that competed in the GT series through the late nineties. The car was used as a testbed for Morgan’s first bonded aluminum ‘chassis’.

Like a typical Morgan, all the Plus 8 GTRs were hand crafted using traditional coaching techniques.

The Plus 8 GTR is the company’s second special project of the year after the Plus Four CX-T. Although the Plus Four CX-T is greatly different from the Plus 8 GTR in terms of fashion, they are both great models that shows the flexibility of the Morgan brand especially in terms of design, craft, and driving experience.

Collecting Cars Offers Low-Mileage 2019 McLaren Senna

A few days ago, Collecting Cars listed a low-mileage 2019 McLaren Senna on its global online auction platform.

McLaren built only 500 of these track-focused, road-legal supercars of which the example is one. Powering this gorgeous supercar is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that can produce up to 789 bhp and 590 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shift powers the rear wheels.

With a curb weight of only 2641 pounds, it can go from 0 to 62 mph in only 2.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 211 mph.

2019 McLaren Senna
2019 McLaren Senna
2019 McLaren Senna

This McLaren Senna has been kept fully original and unmodified. It was given a “Vega Blue Elite” finish with all its exterior visible carbon-fiber given a gloss finish., which is a $19,513 option. The example was also given Gorilla Glass upper and lower door panels worth $5,870. The striking exterior of this Senna is highlighted by a glass rear upper bulkhead as well as the “dark stealth” finish of the exhaust heatshield.

Other features of the Senna include 9-spoke wheels in an MSO Bespoke Satin Raw Metal finish, equipped with ceramic discs and red brake calipers.

For the interior, this Senna’s carbon-fiber Touring size seats are covered in “Carbon Black Alcantara” with red contrast MSO Bespoke stitching and contrasting red seatbelts to match. It also has six-point racing harnesses.

2019 McLaren Senna
2019 McLaren Senna
2019 McLaren Senna

Other additional features of the Senna include the MSO-Defined satin carbon-fiber sill panels. It was also given MSO Bespoke options like the engraved throttle pedal reading ‘Know Thyself’, engraved door sill plaques, door struts, and key fob shells.

As for factory equipment, it has front and rear parking sensors, fire extinguisher, a reversing camera, air conditioning, branded floor mats, McLaren Track Telemetry with app and cameras, Carbon Black Alcantara steering wheel, and the Bowers & Wilkins 7-speaker audio system.

This McLaren Senna is car 376 of the 500 units built, and this low-mileage example shows only 934 miles on the odometer. Its most recent service was done on April 2021 executed at McLaren Beverly Hills at 782 miles.

As of writing, this 2019 McLaren Senna has a bid of $200,500 with the auction ending on Friday, December 10.

Why the Gemballa Marsien Is Billed as the Ultimate Adventure Sportscar

Marc Phillip Gemballa, son of the late Uwe Gemballa, has channelled his father’s spirit into a sports car unlike anything else on the road today. He is only 27, but his company, a tuning house called Marc Phillip Gemballa GMBH, has already given us its first creation. It is called the Gemballa Marsien, a performance machine that blends everyday utility and off-road capabilities into one package.

1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar Rally CarVia Carscoops.

The Marsien draws its inspiration from the 1980s Porsche 959 rally monsters, arguably some of the greatest race cars to have ever competed at the famous Paris-Dakar rallies. What Marc has done is to take a 992 Generation Porsche 911 Turbo S and infuse it with serious off-roading DNA, resulting in what might be described as an all-terrain supercar.

Powertrain and Transmission

At the heart of the Gemballa Marsien is the same twin-turbo flax-six that powers the 911 Turbo S. In this case, though, the powerplant has been tuned by German powerhouse RUF to produce 750-hp—about 100-hp more than the 911 Turbo S.

There is a second stage upgrade that further bumps this output to 830 horses with enhanced turbochargers, a revised ECU mapping and transmission setting.​ Akrapovic was contracted to develop a custom-made titanium exhaust system that not only delivers a unique note but also helps boost the engine power output.

Gemballa Marsien kicking up a dust trailVia Marc Philipp Gembala.

This power is fed to all four wheels via an 8-speed PDK transmission. When equipped with road tires, Marc claims his car can sprint to 62 mph (100 kph) in a scant 2.6 seconds and continue on to a 208 mph top speed. In off-road mode, the Gemballa Marsien is restricted to a still-impressive 130 mph maximum speed.

Chassis and Suspension

The Gemballa Marsien sports a bespoke suspension system that was developed in partnership with KW Automotive, a leader in aftermarket suspension system technology. It features significant changes from the stock 911 Turbo S chassis, including a brand new double-wishbone front suspension. The setup also incorporates an intelligent active damper control and adjustable ride height system, perfect for the Marsien’s dual nature.

Gemballa Marsien showing impressive ground clearanceVia Marc Philipp Gembala

At the touch of a button, a hydraulic lift system can raise the Gemballa Marsien from 4.7 inches to 9.8 inches. The increased ground clearance ensures that the off-road supercar can venture off paved surfaces and tackle more challenging surfaces with relative ease.

In addition, the suspension was remapped and now supports Gravel, Mud, Snow and Sand driving modes. The Gemballa Marsien is offered with two sets of specially designed forged aluminum wheels. There is a set shod with Michelin Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires for road use and another with All-Terrain tires for when the Marsien is driven off-road.

Exterior and Interior Design

It might be based on the 911 Turbo S, but the Gemballa Marsien boasts an ultra-modern and timeless design that immediately sets it apart. First, all of the bodywork is made from lightweight F1-grade carbon fibre that can either be painted over or presented in its raw exposed form, depending on the customer’s request.

Apart from the Marsien’s overall beefy profile, other notable elements of the exterior design include massive wheel arches and prominent vents on the hood and along the sides of the car. You also have a huge spoiler and custom tail-lights, which contribute to the Marsien’s unique appearance.

Gemballa Marsien interiorVia Marc Philipp Gembala.

In Gemballa’s own words, the interior design ‘echoes the elegance of the exterior.’ An extensive suite of customization options is available, affording the client the opportunity to create a truly personalized feel for the cabin.

You can opt for a full leather or Alcantara interior, finished with materials of the highest quality. The raised middle console is inspired by the Carrera GT and offers easy access to various infotainment features and other vehicle control functions.

The bucket seats are specially designed with carbon fibre trim to reduce weight without compromising too much in the way of comfort. There are also other notable interior details, like the carbon fibre door sills with bright yellow entry guards and GT-style door lashes.

The Gemballa Marsien Is Only the Beginning

Gembala Marsien kicking up dust in desertVia Marc Philipp Gembala.

The marketing ad campaign shows the Gemballa Marsien strutting its stuff on the endless sand dunes of the Al Faya desert, located just outside Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The location is a sensible choice for the company. It is not out of place to expect that a good chunk of Marc’s clients will come from the oil-rich region—bored billionaires seeking the ultimate thrill in the form of a dune-bashing desert toy just like this one.

Unsurprisingly, the Gemballa Marsien does not come cheap. Interested clients can expect to part with around $600,000 for the complete build, and that does not include the price of the donor Porsche 911 Turbo S sportscar. It is clearly not for everyone, something Marc knows only too well. The production run is limited to forty units, including ten special launch edition models, and more than half of them have already been sold according to the company.

It took two years of intense research and development to come up with the Gemballa Marsien, and Marc hopes this will mark the start of an epic journey for his young company. To be clear, Marc Gemballa is in no way associated with his late father’s company, Gemballa GmbH, which still exists. He is intent on carving his own path, starting with his vision of what an off-road capable supercar should look like. Marc Phillip Gemballa is confident that there is a market out there for specially designed vehicles like the Marsien, limited series cars with a fresh new design and cutting-edge technology.

These are early days yet, and the jury is still out on whether Marc’s company will stand the test of time. That will partly depend on whether the Gemballa Marsien can deliver on its promise as the ultimate adventure sportscar.

Maybach Announces Limited Edition “Edition 100”

The father and son Wilhelm and Karl Maybach were gifted designers, and they lived their credo of “What is good must also be beautiful.” And it showed as they were pioneers in style and known trailblazers in terms of automotive luxury. Their formula may sound simple, but they created wonders; they were able to bring together perfection and craftsmanship with technical and design innovations. And until today, those values are synonymous to the name Maybach.

The Mercedes-Maybach brand has continued to grow and innovate, creating new models, and soon, they will also offer electric vehicles. Recently, Mercedes-Maybach presented the “Concept EQS” at the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich. It was a slight preview of their first fully electric model series from 2023. The concept will be based on premium-class electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and the modular architecture for luxury.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Mercedes-Maybach presented the “Edition 100” which is a special edition of the current S-Class. The “Edition 100” will be limited to only 100 units worldwide and will be available in the US during the first half of 2022.

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Maybach History

Wilhelm Maybach was born in 1846 and was a close friend of Gottlieb Daimler. He initially worked for Daimler – Motoren – Gesellschaft. He had many innovations and among them is the first Mercedes, and it completely ruled the Nice Race Week in 1901. For this achievement, he was given the nickname “Roi des Constructeurs” which means King of the Constructors. Wilhelm and his son, Karl, wanted to create “the best of the best” so they made sure to merge progress with form.

Wilhelm stated, “I think about it around the clock, a constant impulse: the perfection of the technology.”

In September 1921, in a motor show in Berlin, Maybach Motorenbau GmbH unveiled their first mass-produced car. The W 3 was like a moving work of art. It was the first German production car with epicyclic gear system, four-wheel brakes, and a luxury interior. It excited the audience, and it became an instant legend. “Motor” magazine described them saying, “A new star in the automotive firmament is beginning to shine.”

During the 1920s and 1930s, the Maybach name was the epitome of craftsmanship and technical refinement and embodying character and social position. Maybach meant custom-made luxury. Since then, kings, industrialists, artists, and the like were driven around in regal limousines and majestic Pullman sedans. They were able to travel the world in cabriolets, roadsters, and chic coupes. Each Maybach model was equipped differently. In 1928, there was even an Indian maharajah who had his limousine decorated with rubies and gold.

In 1960, after the death of Karl Maybach, Daimler-Benz entered the picture.

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Daimler-Benz AG and Maybach Motorenbau GmbH

Maybach was revived as an independent brand in 2002. Until the early part of 2013, customers all over the world received their legendary vehicles like the Maybach 57, Maybach 62, and Maybach 62 Landaulet. Still, the driving force of the Maybach engineers and designers was automotive excellence.

In 2014, Mercedes-Maybach became a Mercedes-Benz brand. Alongside the standard Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and GLD models, they will also be launching the S 600 Pullmant. They also had limited-edition special models like the S 650 Cabriolet and the G 650 Landaulet. Their core markets are China, South Korea, Russia, Germany, and the USA.

Each model released embodies being the ‘best of the best’ and they were all made in consultation with customers at the Center of Excellence in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart. The vehicles can also be customized on request to the Mercedes-Maybach MANUFAKTUR program, offering craftsmanship and perfection with every unit.

Head of Top End Vehicle Group Mercedes-Benz AG and CEO Mercedes- AMG GmbH Philipp Schiemer stated, “It’s about the passionate combination of every detail, no matter how small, that makes a luxury car a Maybach – all in combination with state-of-the-art technology from Mercedes-Benz. Every Mercedes- Maybach stands for Sophisticated Luxury in all its facets – for our customers who are looking for something very special.”

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Mercedes-Maybach “Edition 100”

To celebrate its 100-year anniversary, the brand continues its quest to provide maximum individuality, independence, and comfort with a new high-tech model.

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is the perfect luxury sedan equipped with a V12 engine that can produce 621 hp. It has noise-insulated first-class rear compartment with Burmester 4D surround sound system. The seats have heat and massage functions, as well as high-tech infotainment screens. The model has a 7-inch longer wheelbase compared to the long-wheelbase version of the S-Class and for the first time, it is equipped with an all-wheel drive.

There is no better tribute to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class than having a limited run “Edition 100” that is limited to only 100 units worldwide. The S-Class is hand-painted to have a two-tone Cirrus Silver/Nautical Blue finish. For the interior, it was given a special design in MANUFAKTUR Crystal White/Silver Gray Pearl. The impressive radiator grille sports the brand emblem. The C-pillar carries the brand logo as well as the “Edition 100” inscription and it can also be seen in various stowage compartments and illuminated panels in the interior. The hub caps also proudly bear the “Edition 100” emblem, and the wheels are given a new grey finish.

There will also be a car cover that has the iconic double M. Clients will also be given a beautiful handmade case made from soft crystal white or black leather that is made to store keys and papers to further show the exclusivity of the edition. As part of the anniversary edition, Mercedes-Maybach’s partners are also designing and creating limited special series items. One of them is the Maybach icons of Luxury that will be offering a diamond-studded fountain pen from the Maybach the Peak collection.

On the first half of 2022, the “Edition 100” will be available in the US.

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

“Creator Brand” Mercedes-Maybach

Even as early as a hundred years ago, Karl Maybach was already partnering with the best specialist companies to give his customers their wishes and be able to create the bodies in their style. He provided the perfect blend of technical quality with individual design and perfect craftsmanship. Each car was different. The coachbuilders are a perfect match to the chassis and engines partnered with high-quality equipment and handcrafted bodies.

Each vehicle shows the character of each customer. They created elegant and unique pieces that are perfect for connoisseurs and collectors.

The core of Maybach luxury is centered on constant innovation. To provide this, inspiration is needed, and inputs from creative partners like the early coachbuilders were welcome. For Mercedes-Maybach, ultimate luxury is the perfect blend of creativity and harmonious aesthetics between technology and individual experience.

Mercedes-Maybach relies on and respects the expertise of their partners creating a strong partnership between traditional businesses, visionaries, and manufacturers.

Philipp Schiemer added, “We see ourselves as a creator brand. Every vehicle has always been configured and manufactured with veritable artistic ambition. Customers and producers have always been creative together – we want to preserve this spirit and further strengthen it in the future.”

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Exclusive Maybach for other areas of life

For the Maybach anniversary year, silver manufacturer Robbe & Berking will be offering a special series of champagne flutes. It will have the raised Maybach logo on the base, and it will also sport the Maybach “100 Years” logo engraved.

Flensburgers also made matching water or long drink tumblers for connoisseurs and lovers of classics, and they will be available to everyone, not just Mercedes-Maybach owners.

Since 2008, Robbe & Berking Classics has been creating and restoring wood sailing yachts in their own shipyard. The two companies are united in their love for travel and beauty.

Robbe & Berking Silbermanufaktur seit 1874 GmbH & Co KG Managing Director Oliver Berking shared, “The large and small masterpieces of both companies are among the best of their kind in the world. In both manufactories, unique works of timeless elegance are produced from selected materials in a perfection that arouses emotions among collectors and customers all over the world.”

There will also be matching lifestyle accessories like leather goods, exclusive travel bags, clothing, and eyewear. All the items are made in Germany to enrich their client’s lifestyle beyond the car. The collections are developed by licensing partner Maybach Icons of Luxury with the mythical brand emblem. They use sustainable materials like natural horn, titanium, precious woods, cashmere, or leather types that meet the highest environmental standards but doesn’t compromise on quality. The creative understatement of the products shows the fascination of the brand and delivers the desire for personal expression. CEO Jutta Kahlbetzer explains, “We are driven by the goal of making the exclusive Maybach feeling tangible in as many areas of life as possible.”

As part of the 100-year anniversary, the Maybach the Peak collection will be offering a limited-edition fountain pen with an 18-carat gold nib. It will have a serial number in a stylish wooden gift box. The clip of the pen will have 100 diamonds and the client will have the option of either black or white. The cap tip will be made of mother-of-pearl while the body will be lacquered in the same blue metallic shade that will be seen in the “Edition 100” vehicles.

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100

Mercedes-Maybach in the discovery of the best possible future

Even in the fourth generation, Ulrich Schmid-Maybach, the great-grandson of Wilhelm, and the grandson of Karl Maybach, the values of the family business run true; he shows innovation, creativity, enthusiasm, and quality. Schmid-Maybach shared, “There is no greater luxury than knowing you have the best. Maybach’s self-image as the ‘ultimate inventor’ goes back to its own history of origin, and to the quality claim ‘Made in Germany.’ To that origin, to create something out of nothing, to transmit that wisdom to subsequent generations and to foster a culture of creativity and innovation.”

In 2005, Schmid-Maybach started The Maybach Foundation. It is a non-profit organization that pays homage to Wilhelm and Karl Maybach’s life work. They have built the virtual Maybach Museum, and they also foster the next generation of designers and innovators through their mentoring programs.

Gottlieb Daimler sponsored Wilhelm Maybach which is where the idea of the mentoring concept started. It helps the Maybach Foundation to focus on the gifted individuals who has shown talent in a particular field. The Maybach Foundation is active in a lot of different fields like ethics, society, technology, science, sustainability, and art.

Ulrich Schmid-Maybach stated, “Your best possible future helps others find theirs.”

The Maybach Foundation has the support of world-renowned artists like the musician Quincy Jones, writer Paulo Coelho, and painter and director Julian Schnabel as they also aim to bring and share the legacy of the founders into the future.

“For the future, we will deepen the dialogue with outstanding personalities such as artists, architects and companies. Just like them, we will not stop perfecting our products. The brand will reinvent itself once again after 100 years: sustainable, artistic, visionary. With more models – and these will also be electric,” Philipp Schiemer added.

Mercedes-Maybach: upholding traditions, embodying luxury, with visions that push technology and innovations even further.

Radford reveals ultra-exclusive Type 62-2 John Player Special

I might be getting old, but I really love the combination of black and gold on a car, and it will forever remind me of the livery used by the John Player Special formula one car back in the Seventies, the by now legendary black and gold colour scheme was recognisable on the bodywork of the Lotus Type 72D driven by Emerson Fittipaldi, achieving five victories and even the coveted championship victory in the 1972 Formula 1 season.

Lotus would keep using this beautiful black and gold livery on their Formula 1 car right up to the  1986 series, the Lotus 98T driven by legendary Ayrton Senna even boasted this legendary look, the John Player Special livery was the epitome of the most glamourous era of motor racing in the Seventies.

Mark Stubbs comments “The Radford Type 62-2 in John Player Special guise, is a very unique proposition. From a design perspective, the JPS car really stands out as being more extreme than its Classic and Gold Leaf siblings, with larger diffusers, air intakes and wheels. Sporting what is certainly the most iconic racing livery ever to grace a Formula 1 car, gives the car a real presence and sense of occasion. Only 12 of these very special cars will be made, making it a very rare car indeed.”

So while Radford has already limited the production of their Type 62-2 model to 62 units in total, they already announced of those 62 there would be 12 Gold Leaf cars, as presented during Monterey Car Week in August, so only 50 cars remain… and from those another 12 will be even more extreme JPS versions, so only 38 of their Classic version remain.

While the Gold Leaf cars are already very impressive, this new JPS takes the concept even further into the race track segment, being both lighter and faster, with a 600 bhp V6 engine boasting a 3.5-litre displacement and a supercharger, the new John Player Special will be unveiled to the public during the Goodwood Revival in mid-September.

The new John Player Special edition is also the most aggressive looking version of the Type 62-2 Radford is making, the front splitter is more pronounced, providing a race car stance while the side air intakes are larger to cool the more powerful 600 bhp combustion engine, at the rear, the diffuser received a more extreme design compared to the Classic and Gold Leaf cars, extending further out for increased aerodynamic downforce.

And let’s not forget about the bespoke paint on this Radford Type 62-2 JPS, first, they apply a custom gold paint, then they add a total of 10 layers, yes you are reading that correctly, ten layers of Candy Black to get that classic, original JPS color scheme, but in a much more contemporary look, for the show car to be unveiled at Goodwood, Radford even added a hand-painted gold pinstripe before the final clear coat was applied.

No pricing has been published yet, neither any photos on the interior of these Type 62-2 cars while production is scheduled to start within the next few months with the first customer cars ready for delivery in early 2022.

1995 McLaren F1 Sold At Monterey Car Week Joins Elite Top 10

Monterey Car Week is all about celebrating motoring, in whatever form it takes. There was the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for the art that is the automobile. There was the Monterey Motorsports Reunion to see multiple classic race cars attack the track at Laguna Seca.

However, the biggest news of the week comes from the other half of Pebble Beach that was used for Car Week, the auction block. With the owner represented by renowned auction house Gooding & Company, a very rare McLaren F1 crossed the block.

1995 McLaren F1

1995 McLaren F1

The McLaren F1 is what happened when a revolutionary Formula 1 engineer and designer was given an unlimited budget to develop, quite simply, the world’s greatest supercar. Gordon Murray, that engineer, took four years to design, prototype, evolve and finally build the supercar. He set the strictest of power and weight requirements, was not satisfied until every millimeter of every dimension on the car was perfect, and was still not 100% satisfied with the end result.

1995 McLaren F1
1995 McLaren F1 Single block titanium suspension spar, gold foil heat lining, titanium exhaust

The engine bay is lined with gold foil, as it is the world’s best heat reflector. The stabilizer spar across the engine bay is carved from a single block of titanium.

1995 McLaren F1

1995 McLaren F1

The S70/2 V12 engine required the expertise of BMW to make it as light as possible while also being as powerful as possible. The only engine ever since the F1 that required so much careful and technical development is the V10 that sits under the hood of the Lexus LFA.

1995 McLaren F1

1995 McLaren F1

Released in 1992, the McLaren F1 was the first car to ever cost $1 Million USD from the factory. Every part except the lightbulbs in the tail lights was bespoke and built only for the F1. It took the concept of a special edition or limited edition supercar and turned it on its head. Those that had come before, such as the Ferrari F40 and the Porsche 959, were all exceptional cars, but the Mclaren F1 was the one that broke the mold when it came to the absolute definition of a supercar, and it is still the measuring stick to this day.

1995 McLaren F1

1995 McLaren F1

It should be no surprise, then, that chassis number 029, one of only 64 ever built, started bidding already in the millions, and it quickly went up over $10 million.

1995 McLaren F1
1995 McLaren F1 Only 387 original miles… the engine isn’t even broken in!

The reasoning for this is that while it is a later model in the grand scheme of McLaren F1’s, this is perhaps the lowest mileage F1 ever sold. Technically, in 27 years, it has not even finished its engine break-in, as it has just 387 miles on the clock.

1995 McLaren F1

1995 McLaren F1

The original owner also bought the optional Facom Tool Cart that has a full set of wrenches and other tools to maintain a McLaren F1, often used by the McLaren technician that would be flown out to your car to perform services.

1995 McLaren F1
1995 McLaren F1 1995 McLaren F1 Facom optional tool cart specific for the car

The original owner also took the full leather luggage set in tan cowhide and even sprung for the handmade, bespoke to the car TAG Heuer 6000 McLaren F1 watch, which is still working perfectly.

1995 McLaren F1
1995 McLaren F1 1995 McLaren F1 full cowhide leather luggage kit

With such a collection of the options that one could specify for the car, it was no surprise when the bidding hit $15 million USD.

1995 McLaren F1
1995 McLaren F1 1995 McLaren F1 TAG Heuer 6000 McLaren F1 owners edition watch

Eyebrows started to raise, however, when it started to approach $20 million. Only ten cars have ever broken $20 million USD (adjusted to the time of their sale) at auction, and two of those are Ferrari 250 GTOs.

1995 McLaren F1
1995 McLaren F1 Le Mans style pedals for the ultimate supercar

Breaching $20 million would place chassis 029 as the 11th most expensive car ever sold at auction, and that record was reached after much deliberations between three of the remaining bidders.

1995 McLaren F1

1995 McLaren F1

Only two kept bidding, and the final competitive bid was $20,500,000 USD.

1995 McLaren F1

1995 McLaren F1

This number puts this 1995 McLaren F1, chassis #029, built in January of that year, into tenth place on the list of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction, pushing out a 1955 Jaguar D-Type Le Mans race car that sold for $20.3 million USD (adjusted) in 2016 .

It was also the most expensive car sold at Pebble Beach for the entirety of the 2021 Monterey Car Week, and if any car deserves to take that

Ultimae is the final Lamborghini Aventador

Automobili Lamborghini SpA unveiled their latest V12 flagship model, online at this time, but the actual car will make its official public debut at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed, called the Ultimae, this car marks the end of an era, with its full name being the Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae, it will be the final Lamborghini Aventador model, and also the last NA V12 in Lamborghini’s history.

After making V12 powered cars since 1963 with the Lamborghini 350 GT, and a car the automotive world marks as the first supercar in automotive history, the Lamborghini Miura from 1966, the era of the NA V12 engine will end in 2022 when the last of the 600 Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae rolls off the assembly line in Sant’Agata, Bologna. Lamborghini will be making 350 units of the LP780-4 Ultimae Coupe and 250 units of the Ultimae Roadster, for the first time they unveiled both models at the same time, each of these cars will be individually numbered, shown on a plaque stating xxx/350 and xxx/250 respectively.

It seems Lamborghini got inspired by the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package, where you get the brutal power of the GT3 but without the large wings … a kind of ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ look, understated but with extreme power hiding under those inconspicuous looks … and that’s exactly what this new Lamborghini Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae is, take the power from the Aventador SVJ, tune it a little to pump out 10 more hp, but use the Aventador S body without the ALA, Active Lamborghini Aerodynamics, and remove the rear wing.

The Lamborghini Aventador LP780-4Ultimae does come with the side sills and complete rear section of the Aventador SVJ, but the front bumper comes straight from the Aventador S, now with black painted sections and some ‘livery’ in color. And that’s also the case with the engine cover, which is the original unit we’ve seen from the original 2011 Aventador LP700-4, because the Ultimae doesn’t come with any ALA there was no need to have a newly designed front bumper, nor a bespoke engine cover … even the Roadster comes with the regular unit seen on the Aventador LP700-4 Roadster back in 2013.

For the Lamborghini Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae they did change the side sills a little, the intake that’s black on the SVJ version now comes color-coded to the rest of the body, but it does seem you have to go for either a black, a dark grey, or a blue lower section for the front bumper, side sills, and part of the rear diffuser … and the dark Blu Nethuns lower sections appear to be only available if you select the new Blu Tawaret … if you want your Ultimae to be all-out the same color you’ll probably have to convince the Ad Personam studio of your vision … and expect a hefty premium on the final invoice.

Lamborghini calls the rear section of their latest Ultimae a celebration of the SVJ’s track-oriented heritage, and they still call the rear wing part of the ‘active aero system’ as it can be set to three different positions from “closed” to “maximum performance”, and “maximum handling”, and there are even vortex generators created in the front and rear of the chassis’ underside … but it’s nothing like the ALA system found on the SVJ that works with flaps that could even open individually on the left and right of the car to improve handling in high-speed cornering.

“The Aventador LP 780-4 denotes the final, purest, timeless naturally-aspirated production V12 Lamborghini,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President, and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “It delivers the essential twelve-cylinder experience in terms of inimitable design, engineering solutions, and the most emotive driving experience, and is the definitive Aventador concluding an extraordinary era. It is the last of its kind: it delivers the maximum power and conclusive performance expected from Lamborghini’s current V12 engine, combined with our inimitable flagship’s design DNA. The Aventador was destined to become a classic from launch, and the Aventador LP 780-4 is the most beautiful expression of timeless design and technical solutions in a final edition: Ultimae.”

The Lamborghini Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae is the culmination of a continuing development over the last decade, it’s been 10 years since the Aventador LP700-4 took over the reign from the Murciélago, during those 10 years we’ve seen a total of 27 different models emerge from Sant’Agata using the Aventador carbon fiber monocoque chassis, from masterpieces like the Lamborghini Veneno, the Lamborghini Centenario, and finally the Sian, the first Lamborghini with a Supercapacitor to create a hybrid model, and let’s not forget the true one-off models like the 2012 Aventador J, and the two bespoke builds, the SC18 Alston and the SC20 … after more than 10,000 Lamborghini Aventador built over the last decade, the final curtain on this amazing supercar will fall next year.

Rumor has it the successor to the Lamborghini Aventador will be introduced in 2023, and it will be the first real production hybrid model from Sant’Agata, with the Sian being a very limited edition, the newcomer will officially be Lamborghini’s first car with electric power sold to the public, which will also mark the end of the aspirated V12 era for Lamborghini, this Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae will effectively be the ultimate Aventador, the most powerful yet, and also the last one using this kind of V12 engine, and while Stephan Winkelmann did confirm in a recent interview that the successor will still be a V12 engine, it will come with additional electric motors … will it be an evolution of the Aventador engine, or a new, smaller-displacement V12 unit isn’t disclosed yet.

The press release didn’t mention a price for this ultimate Lamborghini Aventador, but with the very limited production numbers, and the importance they are giving this end of an era model, chances are they will charge a premium over the outgoing Aventador SVJ, and make no mistake, this Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae might sell out quicker than you would expect, personally I think this model will be an instant collector’s item, for one because it’s the final Aventador … ever, but also because only 350 Coupe and 250 Roadster will be built.

If you put those numbers against a total of 600 Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce, 500 Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce Roadster, 900 Aventador LP770-4 SVJ, and 800 Aventador LP770-4 SVJ Roadster, this new Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae is a lot rarer, the only Aventador edition that’s even more exclusive are the 100 units each of the Aventador LP720-4 50th Anniversary edition coupe and Roadster, so I think despite the understated looks of this Ultimae, in ten or twenty years, this will be one of the most valuable Aventador ever.

For Sale: 1956 Austin Healey 100M Le Mans – Formerly Owned By Augie Pabst

An Opportunity To Purchase Your Own Piece Of Motorsports History

Introduction

In our line of work here at supercars.net, we have the privilege of interacting with some of the automotive world’s most interesting individuals and groups (and with that, some amazing cars along the way as well). One such person is our good friend Hugh, owner of Old Stone Garage – a licensed independent dealer located in Palm Beach, Florida in the United States. Hugh specializes in sales and acquisitions of classic/collectible automobiles, and has helped clients around the world build some very notable car collections.

Recently, Old Stone Garage was able to add a very special car to its own collection – a 1956 Austin Healey 100M Le Mans – and yes, it’s up for sale! Hugh was so excited about it, that he contacted us to see if we would like to do a feature on this iconic car and share it with our international audience. We love what we do here, and when we’re given the opportunity to tell the story of a Motorsports Hall of Famer’s personal car, we can’t help but be obliged.

The Augie Pabst Story

Motorsports Career

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. Augie Pabst was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame America (MSHFA) in 2011. While Pabst’s racing career didn’t span over as long a period as some of his contemporaries, the impact he left on those involved with the sport was ultimately deserving of this honor.

augie pabst Ho

He first began competing during the mid-1950s ; a period when road racing was at the pinnacle of competitive sports in the United States. Pabst also owned a Triumph dealership at this time, and this is said to be the catalyst for kick-starting his career as a race car driver. He started racing a Triumph TR-3 in 1956, then made the transition to an A.C. Bristol the following season.

Before long, Pabst would be piloting a Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa he purchased for $5,000 using his own money. Powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine specially built by Ferrari for Le Mans racing, Pabst was able to compete successfully against Porsches, Maseratis and other Ferraris at renown tracks such as his home turf at Road America. He would go on to win the 1959 USAC Road Racing Championship while driving the Testa Rossa, as well as a Scarab MK II.

More legendary Ferrari cars would be raced by Pabst throughout his career, where he would drive at the 1960 24H of Le Mans in a V12-powered Ferrari 250 GT SWB and then again in 1963, where he co-drove a Ferrari 250 GTO (with Roger Penske) and achieved a GT-class win at Sebring.

After Racing

After just a 10-year stint in racing, Pabst would call it quits on his illustrious motorsports career. Despite it being a relatively short one, he looks back on it with a real sense of fondness and always remarks about how fortunate he was to be surrounded by the greatest people in the industry.

Pabst was offered a job at the family-owned business, Pabst Breweries – named after his grandfather – where he would work his way up to an executive role before the company was sold. Part of the condition of his employment at Pabst Breweries was that he would have to quit racing for good, and also sell the car dealership he had continued to operate while he competed. As such, there were not even any part-time motorsports opportunities for Pabst, though he did not seem to mind.

After moving into the role of running Pabst Farms for a while, he would officially retire. More recently, Pabst rekindled his involvement with motorsports by serving on the Board of Directors at Road America – Wisconsin’s internationally renown road racing track – where he retains emeritus status.

Other Highlights & Colorful Moments

  • Pabst Blue Ribbon had been around long before Pabst started his racing career, so his association with the business was well known in the industry. However, he would eventually pilot a Scarab race car owned by Harry Heuer. This particular car was sponsored by Meister Brau – a brand under the Peter Hand Brewing group of companies, which by all accounts, was one of Pabst Breweries’ biggest rivals. He would race under the Meister Brau banner for two years, before the controversy proved too much for the partnership to continue.
  • As a successful Ferrari race car driver, Pabst was able to get an audience with Enzo Ferrari in 1964. During their meeting, Mr. Ferrari (through a translator) asked Pabst and co-driver Walt Hansgen if they could win the upcoming Road America 500 using a brand new Ferrari 250 LM. They reckoned this should be very possible, so John Mecom Jr. bought the car for them and had it shipped to Wisconsin. Pabst and Hansgen would go on to win the 1964 Road America 500 in the Ferrari 250 LM.
  • Pabst’s most famous incident away from the race track would occur in 1961, when he drove a Ford Falcon rental car into a hotel swimming pool in Monterey, California as part of a dare with Cunningham team manager Alfred Momo. Witnesses recount the event with some slight variances from person to person, but everyone agreed that Pabst certainly held his end of the bargain and was fully entitled to the wager!

1956 Austin Healey 100

Model Summary

The Austin Healey 100 was an open 2-seater sports car produced in England from 1953 to 1956.  The brainchild of Donald Healey, the 100 was originally produced in-house in a relatively small Warwick factory owned by his company, Healey motorcars. Healey used a variety of low-cost parts and components to build the car, many of which were produced by Austin.

When Healey presented a developmental version of the car (called the Healey Hundred) at the 1952 London Motor Show, the design had impressed Leonard Lord – an Austin Motor Company bigwig – so much that he was convinced that it should become the successor to Austin’s rather underwhelming A90 model.

Thus, a partnership was forged and through it, the creation of the Austin Healey 100. Assembly would be moved to Austin’s much larger factory located in Longbridge, with the body and chassis of the car provided by coachworks company Jensen Motors in West Bromwich.

The 100 was given its name due to the fact that it was able to reach 100 mph. This was before many motor companies – including Austin Healey with successive models – began to commonly derive their model nomenclature using engine displacement instead. Earlier models (1953-1955) are designated as BN1-series cars, while those produced from 1955-1956 (known as BN2) were refreshed with improvements which included a 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Other upgrades available for the BN2 included an ‘M’ kit which improved engine performance. These parts were available as part of the Le Mans package and could be ordered and installed on any Healey 100.

In total, 14,634 Austin Healey 100 examples were produced over its 3-year production run which concluded in July 1956. Of these, 4,604 are BN2-series cars.

100M ‘Le Mans’

Following the release of the competition-spec 100S variant, Austin Healey would produce an upgraded version of their road-going model known as the 100M, with the privateer racer as its target customer. This upgrade package (known as the Le Mans package) mainly consisted of engine modifications which raised power from 90 bhp to 110 bhp, even exceeding the performance of 6-cylinder models the company would go on to produce.

To achieve this modest power increase, a high-lift camshaft was fitted, along with larger carburetors, higher-compression pistons, a free-flow intake manifold, a special distributor and a cold air box. Other upgrades included larger anti-roll bars, while the louvered bonnet was retained by a Le Mans-spec leather strap. Available for the first time was an optional two-tone package which paired White-Black, Reno Red-Black, Healey Blue-White, Black-Reno Red and Florida Green-White.

Only 640 examples of the factory-built 100M were produced and of these, 544 were shipped to the United States. These are distinct from 100 models which had the Le Mans package added to them after-the-fact (usually through the dealer) – such cars do not contribute towards this total.

What a 100M Le Mans Typically Trades For Today

After scouring the online classifieds sections at some of the more renown auction/consignment establishments, values appear to vary quite substantially. Some examples are asking well under US$100,000, while just as many crest over the US$200,000 mark. Both median and mean asking prices appear to be hovering around the mid-high $100k mark.

We’re the first to admit that we’re no experts when it comes to appraising classic cars, so we refer to Hugh of Old Stone Garage for his expertise and insight:

“When looking into values, they appear all over the place. This is because you had dealers in the period install the 100M Le Mans kit (or individual upgrades) on regular 100 models, and these sell for half the price of a real 1 of 640 factory example. They range from $160k-$240k depending on condition.”

Naturally, factory-built 100M examples are considered much more desirable and command at the higher range of prices as outlined above by Hugh. Fully and properly restored factory-built examples like this 1956 Austin Healey 100M ‘Le Mans’ fall within that category.

The lower priced “100M” examples you may come across, are most likely to be (the much less sought after) dealer-installed versions. As mentioned earlier, dealer-installed versions are not part of the count which determined that only 640 units of Le Mans versions were ever built from the factory. Furthermore, those with asking prices at the very bottom of the curve tend to be afflicted by sub-par restoration jobs or are in a generally poor state.

Unique Character of the “Augie Pabst” 100M

Factory-built 100M ‘Le Mans’

As mentioned earlier, the factory-built Austin Healey 100M ‘Le Mans’ models are the most rare of any of the 100 models. The “Augie Pabst” 100M is indeed a factory-built example, being just 1 of 640 ever built (and only 1 of the 544 that made it to US shores). This in itself makes it a very unique automobile, even if you put aside the fact that it was once owned by Pabst himself.

A Real Connection to Augie Pabst

Pabst never raced this 100M (even though it comes with a racing harness), as it served him as his personal car during the time he owned it; unfortunately, there won’t be any photos of him bombing it around Road America! However, there is documentation – which will be provided to the new owner – confirming that he owned this particular example. The car has been serviced throughout its lifetime by Tom Kovacs of Fourintune –  an Austin Healey specialist located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin – who is familiar with the car and confirms that it was serviced at Fourintune a number of times while it was owned by Pabst.

The Restoration Story

This Austin Healey 100M was acquired by its current owner on the Father’s Day weekend of 2016. He happened upon it at a classic car auction which was running concurrently with a vintage Alfa Romeo racing event he was participating in. Remembering the car vividly from his high school days, he was immediately drawn to it and would soon discover that it was owned by Augie Pabst.

The car’s more recent history would reveal that it was owned, at the time, by Robert Pass of Passport Transport, who had successfully completed the inaugural edition of the Colorado Grand in 1989 while driving this 100M (plus the following year’s event as well). The moment arrived for the 100M to go up on the block, and before long, the current owner won the right to purchase the car from Pass.

While the car showed well as-is, he felt that it was overdue for a restoration. So in the fall of 2016, the 100M was sent back to Tom Kovacs and his team at Fourintune to undertake this project. The current owner opted for the car to be presented in a bolder “motorsports” theme, which most notably adds rally lights and the removal of the original chrome front bumper (which also lends itself to the car’s distinctive “stealth” appearance).

On the performance side of things, larger brakes were fitted along with a dual-electric fuel pump system to ensure that the car would be ready for the demands of vintage driving events, and for a general improvement in reliability and safety. All of these changes are 100% reversible back to factory-spec, as was required in order to obtain a FIVA ‘passport’ – which has already been done (more on that later).

When it came time for the paint job, the current owner and Fourintune were initially perplexed on how they should proceed. That’s because the original build sheet for this 100M indicated that the car was “Black with Reno Red trim” from the factory. Kovacs advised that this most likely meant that the original car wore a black exterior over a red interior (including the trunk trim).

What was casting some doubt over this, was the fact that in the condition it was purchased, the car also had the lower flanks painted in red. We reckon that car liveries were often modified during the era to fit in with the popular looks of the time, and that this might’ve been the case with this example.

Mystery Solved

Wanting to stay true to the original state of the car for this aspect of the restoration, the current owner decided to do some digging. Being a friend of the Pabst family was certainly a good head start, so he contacted Augie Pabst III (Pabst’s son) to see if he could provide any insight. Unfortunately, Pabst himself was not able to recall the details personally, so Pabst III tried to find some color photos that could be used as a reference, but to no avail.

The current owner would eventually find his answer after running into his friend, Bill Wuesthoff, who also happens to be Augie’s former racing teammate and close friend. Over casual chit chat, the pair would eventually discuss the current owner’s Austin Healey restoration project. Upon being told that the car once belonged to Pabst, Wuesthoff distinctly remembered this particular 100M and shared his own experience with it; one he retells with a great fondness.

Wuesthoff really wanted to impress his future wife-to-be for what was at the time, their first date. He felt he needed something special – something along the lines of a beautiful sports car – to pull this off with aplomb. So he borrowed Pabst’s Austin Healey 100M; and the rest as they say, is history. To the current owner’s delight, even the finest details of this once-in-a-lifetime event were so vividly recalled by Wuesthoff. “Jet black with a gorgeous red interior” he declared without hesitation. Off to the paint booth it went.

Instant Success

As the photos accurately depict, the car was thus restored in a beautiful black exterior finish with a deep-red leather interior, which really pops. The current owner also decided to paint the wheels gloss black, to further accentuate the car’s stealthy motorsports-derived silhouette. It is quite simply, a stunning work of art. This sentiment is shared with vintage car experts too, having received distinctions beginning at the very first show it attended.

This would be a class-win at the 2018 “Gather on the Green” Concours d’Elegance event, which took place on the back lawn of the Osthoff resort. The trophy was presented by former rally and formula one race car driver, ‘Quick Vic’ Elford. In 2019, the current owner returned to Road America and had the 100M shown at the Vintage Concours d’Elegance taking place at nearby Elkhart Lake. The car would secure another win in its class, and also advanced to the “Peoples Choice and Best in Class” awards the following day where it won Best of Show!

Proliferation of Classic Car Ownership

Why You Should Consider a Classic Car (Like This 1956 Austin Healey 100M) As Your Next Purchase

The typical modern supercar and hypercar owner these days faces a conundrum; driving their 6-figure-valued (sometimes, even 7-figure) cars on the city streets often yields very little enjoyment in relation to what was spent to acquire the car. There’s no doubt that newer automobiles such as these do offer a redeemable level of “bang-for-buck” when it comes to the outstanding performance these advanced machines have on tap, but therein also lies the problem. Collectors are a bit of a different story, but the principle still applies.
It doesn’t take long before some of these owners start wondering why they’ve tied up all those funds to drive a car at 5% of its performance potential, 99% of the time. Cars like this are invariably pigeon-holed by road laws and infrastructure that has remained static for many decades, originally made to cater to the available technology at the time when they were first introduced or built. While limits can be explored on race tracks, most (if not, too many) owners opt not to; or at best, they are content with a few parade laps around a local raceway once every so often. This is usually done with the intention to preserve resale values and minimize additional costs, which nevertheless makes things difficult to justify.
There may be a shift in thinking that is starting to gain momentum, however. It has been noted that a growing demographic of younger car enthusiasts are picking up classic cars to enjoy, drive and exhibit. In the recent past, younger buyers with the means would almost always gloss over opportunities to purchase anything that wasn’t the latest and most flashy Lamborghini or Ferrari. Now, the nuance, appeal, benefits and advantages of classic car ownership are starting to catch the eye of this demographic for the aforementioned reasons – and also because cars like this 1956 Austin Healey 100M exist.

Particularly with the relatively younger crowd – who have had little to no opportunity to enjoy cars of more vintage and simple technologies – this 100M would be a breath of fresh air and in many ways, an entirely new and eye-opening experience. Many classic cars of this ilk can be driven spiritedly and rewardingly, without having to be egregious with public road laws and speed limits. Free of the countless electronic aids needed to tether the typical 600+ hp modern sports car, this 1956 Austin Healey 100M offers one of the most pure driving experiences a car enthusiast could possibly have; dare we say it could be life-changing and forever transform one’s perspective (for the better).

Not a Garage Queen!

What we love about this Healey – aside from its storied history – is that it is ready for a new owner who will have no qualms driving it, as any car is meant to be. With a proven and documented history of being roadworthy, this properly built and cared-for 100M is as “turn-key” as it gets, with many more memorable and exciting miles lying ahead.
It has already obtained a FIVA ‘passport’, which also allows it to participate in the largest and most recognized historic car events around the globe. The sections below provide more detail on the benefits this 100M has as a FIVA-certified vehicle, and the process it had to go through to achieve this status.
This provides plenty of incentive for the new owner to take this 100M on some road trips and truly enjoy the car – as it has been by all of its previous owners, including Augie Pabst. This 100M has already successfully participated in events such as the Colorado Grand charity car tour.

Mille Miglia

As the Austin Healy 100 was raced in the original Mille Miglia endurance series – which took place between 1927 and 1957 in Italy – this 100M is also eligible for the famous 1000 Miglia event. This immersive experience is essentially a re-enactment of that race (known as the Red Arrow), which has been an annual tradition since 1977. It is not a competitive series, but rather a ‘regularity race’ reserved for classic and vintage cars produced no later than 1957. The route for the 1000 Miglia event is similar to that of the original race, which traverses through a variety of beautiful Italian landscapes as part of a round-trip between Brescia and Rome.

“The 2021 competition will follow the tradition of the route, from Brescia to Rome and back, with legs in Viareggio and Bologna, but this edition will introduce an absolute novelty for the re-enactment of the 1000 Miglia: for the first time ever, the competition will take place in the opposite direction of the recent editions, taking up the counter-clockwise direction of many editions of the original speed race. From Brescia, the crews will head towards the Tyrrhenian coast and stop in Viareggio, leaving the next day for Rome. The third leg will start there, go up north and end beyond the Apennines, in Bologna. The fourth and last leg, from Bologna, will take to the traditional arrival in Brescia. A new route will lead the crews to face, for the first time, three mountain passes: Passo della Cisa in the first leg and Passi di Futa e Raticosa in the third day of the race. A new feature that will satisfy many fans of the competition.” –  from 1000 Miglia website

This year’s edition of the 1000 Miglia took place from June 16 to June 19, so you’ve just missed it; that provides plenty of time to plan for next year’s trip, however.

FIVA Card*

The FIVA Identity Card is an international vehicle ‘passport’ issued by the international federation of historic vehicles, FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), that applies to mechanically driven vehicles built at least 30 years ago and are in a historically correct condition.

FIVA’s primary objective is to encourage the safe use of self-propelled, mechanical vehicles, more than thirty years old, on the roads for the benefit of both their owners, dedicated enthusiasts and the general public. To that end FIVA, through its Events’ Commission, has devised its own code for the safe promotion of rallies or mildly competitive events, and in concert with the European Commission, has recently published a Drivers’ Code for more general guidance of historic vehicle users, which can be downloaded from the link below.

Vehicles and issued FIVA-Card data are stored in a unique encrypted and well-protected database. Furthermore, each vehicle is allocated a FIVA Registration Number – FRN, generated from that vehicle’s individual parameters and unique to the vehicle for its lifetime.

Top events for which your vehicle requires a FIVA identity card before it can compete include Concorso d‘Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Mille Miglia and the Peking-to-Paris Motor Challenge.

For a full list of International FIVA-sanctioned events requiring an ID card, click here.

*from FIVA website

Certification Process*

A team of independent specialists, usually Concours judges who possess significant historical and technical skills, will be inspecting, documenting and confirming that the vehicle’s configuration, physical condition, chassis, engine and body serial numbers match the documentation provided. If there are modifications, the scrutineer will typically require proof that they can be easily reversible to original.

If the forms have been completed as required, the process should typically be completed in 30 minutes. The scrutineers will also examine and appreciate any relevant documentation that the vehicle owner has (photocopies are always greatly appreciated). It is an informal and friendly experience, unlike the nerve-wracking experience of Sunday morning on the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach.

The RML Short Wheelbase interior

Remember the RLM SWB, which stands for Short Wheelbase we posted a while ago? Don’t worry, it’s still in the concept stage at this time, but it seems we’ll be seeing the first actual cars being delivered by Q1 2022, and if the renders are anything to go by, this might be a great looking, classic GT inspired by some of the greatest cars of the Fifties and Sixties.

A quick recap: RML Group located in Wellingborough, UK, will be building their “Short Wheelbase” as it is fully called, inspired by the legendary 250GT SWB from 1959, but while on one hand, the RLM SWB looks like a car from the Fifties, on the other hand, she will feature all the 21st-century amenities we’ve come to expect from a modern GT.

The RLM SWB will be using a genuine Ferrari engine, front-mounted, V12 with a displacement of 5474cc and a power output of 478 hp and 568 Nm of torque, all going to the rear wheels only, through a six-speed manual gearbox, the RML Short Wheelbase will not be available with an automatic paddle shifter for this modern-day classic GT, naturally the gearshift lever is mounted in an open-gated grid, just like in the good old days, and today RML finally reveals how the interior for this limited edition SWB will look like.

The body of the RML SWB is made from modern carbon fiber but still looks classic, that same idea has been taken into the interior too, it all looks classic and analog, but make no mistake, this is a very modern cabin that can easily fit drivers up to 6 ft 6 … the roofline for this amazing looking SWB was actually dictated by putting RML’s tallest employee inside the car, with a helmet on, none other than CEO Michael Mallock.

While an adjustable steering column was unheard of back in the Fifties, the RML SWB comes with both reach and rake adjustment of the stylish steering wheel, the seats inside this beautiful modern-day classic can be finished in either smooth leather or gripping Alcantara, but whatever upholstery the client requests, these seats offer so much adjustability just about any driver should be able to sit behind the wheel in the utmost comfort.

Some companies shop around for the more mundane items found inside the cockpit of their low-volume limited-edition car, but RML went the opposite route and spend a small fortune to make sure every little switch, every dial, and every stalk is a bespoke RML item, the stunning dials in front of the driver remind us of an expensive watch, and every surface on the inside of the RML SWB is either made from leather, Alcantara, aluminum, or glass … not a single piece of plastic will be found inside this GT.

The RML SWB really is a modern car with classic looks, and this means a good working airconditioning system will be installed to keep both the driver and passenger cool, no matter what the climate is on the outside, this car even comes with cupholders, electric windows, electric seats, and electrically adjustable mirrors.

But how do you install a decent infotainment system in such a classically inspired car, both for the bodywork and for the interior, clients that are putting down this much money for a car these days expect to get the best of the best, not only in a pure driving experience but also in infotainment … so the RML SWB comes with a ‘hidden’ infotainment screen that only ‘pops up’ from the central console when needed. And it isn’t just a small, limited system either, it incorporates everything a customer expects these days from a high-end modern vehicle: Apple Car Play, Android Auto, and mobile phone connectivity.

The Bugatti La Voiture Noire

There are valuable cars out there, usually, the older, classic masterpieces that tend to be worth millions, for instance, a Ferrari 250 GTO is in the $100,000,000 bracket these days, but there is one illustrious car that is even more valuable … if you could find it that is.

In the 1930s Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean developed and drove one of only four Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic ever built, a 1936 Bugatti Aero Coupe (which was the original name), with chassis 57453 was the fastest car on the road at that time, and Jean called it ‘La Voiture Noire’, being a black car, the name suited the car … sadly this car is now a mystery, we could say an urban legend maybe, but as history tells the story, this rather unique Atlantic went missing just before World War II broke out in 1940, and she hasn’t been seen since … but if this very special Bugatti would ever be found, it would literally be priceless, in 2019 Hemmings estimated the value for this ‘lost’ Bugatti at $114,000,000, today we should add several million on top of that with the current market for supercars.

Fast forward to about 20 years ago today, when Bugatti’s Design Director Achim Anscheidt came up with the idea to create an homage to the illustrious ‘La Voiture Noire’ from the Thirties, to celebrate the fame of the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic but designed for the 21st century, this would have to become a one-off for one very fortunate client, designed on the current flagship model, but clearly showing the influence from Jean Bugatti’s design on the Type 57 SC … this homage would come with massive historical responsibility and respect for Bugatti’s values.

It would take many years before Bugatti was ready to recreate Jean’s La Voiture Noire for the modern world, the original car was a masterpiece, the three remaining ones are still considered some of the best to ever be built in Molsheim in the late Thirties, the flair of original La Voiture Noire had to captured in a brand new, hypercar design … the task for the designers was easy: try to understand how Jean Bugatti designed his La Voiture Noire back in 1935 and translate this into a 21st-century design … easier said than done probably.

The 2021 Bugatti La Voiture Noire had to become a minimalist design, much like the 1935 car was, reduced to the essentials of a hypercar, clean and simple lines, and most importantly … no massive rear wing, and one design element was a requirement right from the start … the dorsal seam down the centerline, that one just had to be present on this homage car no matter what.

The resulting design was made from a uniquely finished material, La Voiture Noire is made from carbon fiber naturally, but Bugatti gave this one a ‘Black Carbon Glossy’ clearcoat … the result is nearly no reflections, but it still shows all the beauty of the visible carbon fiber, both front, and rear bumper are perfectly integrated into the body while the windshield is almost a ‘wrap-around’ style as seen on motorcycle helmets.

And the new Bugatti La Voiture Noire comes with some amazing details, like the fact the headlights consist of 25 individually milled lights, the front grille is made from 3D-Printed cells that had to be honed and examined into perfection, the taillight is made from a single-piece surround and no less than six exhaust tips come from the rear diffuser, the body parts might seem to be sealed, but in fact, they are air-permeable … that’s just incredible.

To complement the black carbon fiber exterior, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire comes with a warm Havanna Brown leather interior, inspired by historical Bugatti models, brought into the 21st century by the use of polished and turned aluminum inlays on the center console, the center spine and the doors, a special rosewood switch allows the setting of drive modes … this isn’t a harsh hypercar, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire is a beautiful and fast dream car that’s perfectly suited for long road trips … imagine driving this lady over the German Autobahn where there is no speed limit (for now) and then driving down to Monaco.

It would take Bugatti two years to create the La Voiture Noire from start to finish, every part had to be developed and undergo rigorous testing before they would release it for use on this one-off special, they even extended the wheelbase for this unique model to make sure the balance was just perfect.

“Although the La Voiture Noire is a one-off, we spent two years using a test vehicle to develop and test it in all areas like handling and driving safety so that it can be approved,” says Pierre Rommelfanger, who is the Head of Coachbuilding Projects at Bugatti.

If you like the sound of this La Voiture Noire homage from Bugatti and would be interested in owning this amazing grand tourer handling powerful, fast, and exceptionally comfortable car that has been built to pay respect to a long tradition, to France, and to Jean Bugatti’s creative work … you’re too late, this one-of-a-kind Bugatti La Voiture Noire has already been sold for €11,000,000 before taxes, that is about $13,500,000 at today’s conversion rate … but that’s still about $10,000,000 less than the Rolls Royce Boat Tail … and honestly, I would opt for this Bugatti instead.

Rimac reveals the Nevera

Rimac Automobili, located in Zagreb, Croatia, has finally unveiled their production-ready hypercar that will set the scene for the future, the 1,914hp all-electric concept from 2018 only known as the C_Two up to today has received her name … Nevera, a name inspired by the mighty and unexpected Mediterranean storm that races across the open sea off Croatia according to Rimac Automobili Founder and CEO Mate Rimac.

It took the engineers at Rimac about three years of development to arrive at this stage,  finally, the €2,000,000 limited production Rimac Nevera is ready to be sold, only 150 units will be made in Zagreb, but these will come with four electric motors for a combined power output of 1,914 hp and a massive 2,360 Nm of torque.

This kind of power comes with some amazing performance figures in the Rimac Nevera, a top speed of 412 km/h (258 mph) and an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 1.85 seconds, now that’s not fast, that’s blindingly fast … after only 8.6 seconds you have traveled a quarter-mile in the Nevera, and thanks to the 500 kW battery, the range is an impressive 550 km or 340 miles, and if you run low on battery power, it only takes 19 minutes to go from 0% to 80% charge, do note that these electric cars never really deplete the battery to 0%.

Mate Rimac has been inspired by fellow-Croatian Nikola Tesla when he converted his personal BMW E30 to battery power in 2008, Mate performed this conversion in his own garage, before he founded Rimac Automobili in 2009, by 2020 he was developing a trend-setting electric hypercar with a team of 1,000 employees, things have moved fast for Rimac Automobili, and this new Nevera is possibly even faster, a nice touch is the fact that each of the 150 Rimac Nevera that will be built, will have been tested and signed-off on by Mate Rimac himself.

But this isn’t the only electric car Rimac is making, in fact, Rimac Automobili has been creating electric drivetrains for high-end carmakers like Aston Martin, Porsche, Pininfarina, Hyundai, Kia, Koenigsegg, Renault, and Cupra to name a few, but the Nevera will be the fastest of them all, just like the Mediterranean storm her name was derived from, a storm that’s extremely powerful and charged by lightning, a perfect name for this electric hypercar.

During development since the 2018 concept prototype, Rimac managed to increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the design by 34% by modifying the profile of the bonnet, the pillars, and even the design on the diffuser, the splitters, and the radiators, all effort has been made to create the optimum airflow and downforce for the cooling channels. Rimac developed an innovative active aerodynamics system for the new Nevera, while many cars settle for an adjustable front splitter and rear wing, Rimac also installs flaps on the undertray and adds an adjustable rear diffuser … and all of these aero parts can be altered independently from each other. Switching from ‘high downforce’ to ‘low drag’ mode reduces aerodynamic drag by 17.5 % to create a 0.3 coefficient of drag. Changing back into ‘high downforce’ mode increases downforce by 326 %.

The Nevera monocoque has been developed by the former C_Two Chief Engineer Daniele Giachi, it is made up of a bonded carbon roof with an integrated structural battery pack and rear carbon subframe … this combined is the largest single carbon-fiber piece in the automotive industry. With an overall weight below 200kg, the monocoque is made up of 2200 carbon fiber plys and 222 aluminum inserts, to create an incredibly strong structure with a torsional stiffness of 70.000 Nm/degree, this is the most rigid structure of any car ever made, I do hope they do a convertible version in the future too.

The Rimac Nevera comes with a liquid-cooled, H-shaped 6,960-cell battery with a capacity of 120kWh, being an integral part of the monocoque structure, the battery has an optimum position low in the chassis, and in the center, weight distribution in the Nevera is an impressive 48/52% front to rear for an amazing handling balance.

Everything about the Nevera has been further developed since the C_Two concept, the battery is capable of producing 1.4MW of power, and the four bespoke surface-mounted permanent magnet motors drive are coupled to each wheel individually, they can deliver more power for a longer period of time, combined these enable 1914hp and 2360Nm of torque, the front and rear wheels are each connected to a pair of single-speed gearboxes, you just press the pedal … and go … and keep going, no gear changes.

Nevera’s impressive stopping power comes from 390 mm Brembo CCMR carbon-ceramic brake discs and six-piston calipers called friction brakes by Rimac, but being an all-electric car, the Nevera also has regenerative braking through the electric motors, hence a maximum range-enhancing regenerative braking of 300 kW is provided by these electric motors.

The Nevera also comes with Rimac’s All-Wheel Torque Vectoring 2 (R-AWTV 2) system which completely replaces traditional ESP and Traction Control systems, the Nevera’s R-AWTV 2 system enables infinitely variable dynamic responses to road and track conditions by calibrating the amount of torque supplied to each wheel, this allows the Nevera to be drifted sideways or provide optimum levels of all-wheel-drive grip, traction, and safety … this is a luxury GT car, a sportscar, and a hypercar all in one.

This GT approach is further emphasized by the use of a double-wishbone suspension with electronically controlled dampers together with active ride height adjustment, to offer both a smooth and comfortable ride, but at the same time, amazing body control and ultra-agile handling by the ‘steer-by-wire’ electric power steering system … this Rimac system also helps with the ‘Driver Coach’ mode where the Nevera to demonstrate optimum racing lines and vehicle control to the driver.

The Rimac Nevera comes with seven different driving modes pre-programmed into the system, SPORT, DRIFT, COMFORT, RANGE, TRACK, and two more custom modes for the owner to set their own preferences for various options on the performance characteristics like throttle response, brakes, suspension, steering, and torque split front to rear.

We know not all owners will be F1 pilots, but from 2022 on Rimac has the perfect solution to allow every driver to get the most out of their Nevera, the innovative Driving Coach can access 12 ultrasonic sensors, 13 cameras, 6 radars, and uses the very latest NVIDIA Pegasus operating system, to offer the most immersive experience behind the wheel. The Driving Coach can overlay race circuits in real-time, adds clear and precise audio and visual guidance, so every driver can train to perfect their racing lines, braking and acceleration points, and steering inputs.

The Rimac Nevera only offers room for two occupants, but that’s complete with luggage and race equipment if needed, all the information is shown on three different TFT displays, which can be configured for Race mode or Comfort mode … in Race mode, only a minimum of information is shown so the screens don’t attract unwanted attention, while in Comfort mode they show a lot more information that could be useful during that relaxing drive … in a 2,000 hp hypercar.

Chances of two of the 150 Rimac Nevera looking the same are slim to non-existent as customers will be able to choose from a massive range of bespoke trim and materials, this flagship is available in different editions by the way: GT, Signature, Timeless, and Bespoke … with a €2,000,000 MSRP I wonder how much some of these Nevera will add up to once the client is finished with his, or her options.

Each client is invited by Rimac to visit the HQ in Croatia so their Nevera can be perfectly matched to their demands, the cars are exclusively available through Rimac’s global dealer partners network, taking in 19 sites and many of the world’s major cities across Europe, North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.

I for one can’t wait to see the first Rimac Nevera on the streets being filmed and photographed ‘in the wild’, I think this will be a hypercar that many future cars will be measured against, the Rimac Nevera will most likely become a reference in this domain … if this is what electric cars look like, and how they perform, I think we are good … still nothing beats the raw sound of a V12 naturally aspirated Lamborghini for me, but that’s personal, the automotive world is changing, and we’ll have to change with it I guess.

Radford’s Project 62

Coachbuilding is back, the UK based Radford has a long history of creating bespoke builds for the more wealthy customers in the world, Harold Radford founded the company back in 1948 and it took him a few years to unveil his first creation, a 1951 Bentley Countryman, an estate car like the world hadn’t seen yet, with the best specifications possible at that time.

He went on to create a total of 12 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake versions which are priceless today, Radford was also the creator for the bespoke Ford GT40 prototype fiberglass body, and his customers were among the most famous people in the world, all members of the Beatles owned a Radford Mini, a completely modified version naturally, also owned by Peter Sellers and even Enzo Ferrari … sadly the company went into liquidation in September 1966.

Car designer Mark Stubbs has recently been able to acquire the Radford name, and he’s working with some interesting names in the automotive scene to unveil a new Radford car after 55 years, codename Project 62 for now, the first car will be strictly limited to 62 units, but there are already plans for a second Radford car that should see a few hundred units being manufactured.

At this moment Radford is accepting orders, and deposits, for their first new car, which will be a completely bespoke build for each customer, the Project 62 is a mid-engined, two-seater using Lotus technology to recreate a classic race car for the modern world, styling for this new Radford is inspired by the iconic Lotus 62 project from the late 60s, but in true Radford style, the new Project 62 will be coachbuilt, luxurious, and exclusive.

Ant Anstead, which we know from the Discovery TV show Wheeler Dealers, is involved in the project together with Mark Stubbs and Roger Behle, but also Jenson Button, FIA Formula One World Champion is on board, the buyer of a Radford Project 62 will be invited to a track day where Button will demonstrate the full potential of the new car.

All the details about this exciting new car will be made available later this year, if you would like to register an interest in becoming a customer, you might want to pay the new Radford website a visit.

The Zenvo TSR-S is back

The Zenvo Automotive TSR-S is a hypercar in every sense of the word, being the street-legal version of the TSR race car, the ‘Street’ version comes with a 5.8-liter twin-supercharged flat-plane V8 engine capable of delivering no less than 1,177bhp, add the lightweight carbon fiber body and state-of-the-art aerodynamics, and you end up with an extremely impressive hypercar as if that massive rear wing didn’t impress enough.

And we must discuss that rear wing a little further, it is called an active Centripetal wing … yes, I had to read that twice too, and I also took a look at the documentation on this wing. In fact, it’s simple, this patented rear wing moves … but not as you might expect, on this Zenvo TSR-S this wing moves on two axes, when the driver hits the brakes, this rear wing lifts up into the air and effectively becomes an air-brake, but when cornering at speed the wing tilts to increase downforce on the axle that needs it … and as an added bonus, it looks cool too.

Some figures perhaps? Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes a mere 2.8 seconds, in 6.8 seconds you’ll reach 200 km/h behind the steering wheel of the Zenvo TSR-S, and to keep you from getting overly confident of your driving capabilities, the top speed has been electronically limited … at 325 km/h, now that’s more than enough to get you into a heap of trouble with the arm of the law on the highway.

The engine, the aerodynamics, and the carbon fiber body are all produced in-house by Zenvo, even the gearbox is from their hand, and it’s not just any gearbox either, the Zenvo TSR-S comes with a hybrid variant of the 7-speed sequential gearbox with helical-cut dog gears, called a ‘Dual Gearbox’, the driver can switch between a rather comfortable gearbox for ‘Road use’, or go for a more intimidating, direct power-shift ‘Race’ setup when the opportunity presents itself, just by using a switch on the steering wheel.

Back in March 2020, Zenvo had an amazing looking white TSR-R ready to be shown to the world at the Geneva Motor Show, sadly the event was canceled, and the car never got its public unveiling, instead, the car was showcased during a private media event at Zenvo’s HQ in Præstø, Denmark. This was the first car ever to come with full fragmented carbon fiber wheels and a bespoke weave design to exposed carbon fiber body sections, fragmented carbon fiber is created by hand-cut and expertly layered fragments of carbon fiber to create a special finish, these wheels weigh about 15 kilograms less than their aluminum counterparts.

If you would like to add a Zenvo TSR-S to your garage, you might be in for a long wait, each of these hypercars made in Denmark will set you back at least €1,450,000 before options, and Zenvo is limiting the production of this street-legal race car to only 5 units per year to maintain exclusivity, Zenvo is working on a worldwide dealer network, in April 2021 the MOHR GROUP in Germany became an official Zenvo dealer, both the TS1 GT and the TSR-S will be shown in their 1,600 m2  space in Motorworld München, interesting is the fact both the TS1 GT and the TSR-S are homologated for Germany and Euro 6 compliant.

And now Zenvo is looking at the UK market, they have shipped the bright blue TSR-S to the UK to showcase their flagship model to both customers and brand followers during the 2021 Summer months, Zenvo hasn’t released a schedule yet as to where the TSR-R will be available for test drives during events and gatherings, but it seems many fans are waiting in line to get behind the wheel of this amazing hypercar, Zenvo is working on a global expansion plan, so it might not be too long before the Zenvo TSR-R crosses the Atlantic and puts down her wheels on US soil.

More photos on the Zenvo TSR-S hypercar:

BRABUS 92R

If you really want to make a statement, this new, limited edition, BRABUS 92R might just be the right car to add to your collection, they claim it is the new Urban Supercar anyway, also known as The electrically powered “pocket rocket!”.

The BRABUS 92R is an exclusive edition of only 50 units of a convertible city sports car, 92 hp and 180 Nm of torque while being fully electric, with a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of up to 125 kilometers (78 miles), depending on the driving style, while an almost silent acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 10.9 seconds in “Sport +” mode, but I guess that will considerably limit the range you’ll be able to reach on a single charge, but that is not what this Urban Supercar is intended for.

There is a “driving fun switch” for the driver to select one of four modes. The production level from the base vehicle, the Smart EQ ForTwo Cabrio is the Basic level 1, when switching to “Eco’ you get more energy recovery when braking, ‘Sport’ is the third mode, with improved accelerator pedal response, and reduced energy recovery rate to the production level, the fourth mode is ‘Sport+”.

We wouldn’t be talking about a real BRABUS if this little 92R didn’t come with bespoke aero parts, like the new front bumper with large air intakes, a red detail is added to the center front, and to the side sills, while an athletic-looking rear diffuser sets the BRABUS 92R apart from the Smart she’s based on, carbon fiber design door mirror covers add the final touch.

Naturally, this BRABUS 92R comes with bespoke Monoblock wheels, in this case, the IX alloys showing eight double spokes mounted in  6Jx16 at the front with size 185/50 R 16, and 7Jx17 rims at the rear with size 205/40 R Yokohama tires, a one-inch lowering suspension is also fitted.

On the inside, the finest red BRABUS leather is used in a stunning ‘Ultimate Ellipse’ design quilted stitching pattern, black topstitching is used while the BRABUS logos in both backrests are an amazing touch,  to complete the custom look of the BRABUS 92R, the convertible’s electric soft-top comes in a similar bright red.

The BRABUS 92R starts at €46,284, being a fully electric vehicle you might want to check your local subsidy plan, usually, you can get part of your investment back from the government when you register an electric car … in a world full of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, and Rolls Royce, this little ‘pocket rocket’ might draw more attention for being so … different.

Shelby Super Snake Speedster

The 2021 Shelby Super Snake comes with 825 hp from the supercharged 5.0-Liter Coyote V8 engine and is listed from $133,785 with a base model from Ford, the Mustang GT with a manual transmission … if you get in touch with the Shelby Sales team you can even buy a $79,995 package to fit on your existing Ford Mustang GT (from the 2018 model on), but for the Shelby 2021 edition of their Super Snake they’ve come up with something new: a limited edition ‘Speedster’ option.

If Carroll Shebly would still be alive today, he would be celebrating his 98th birthday, to celebrate this, there will be only 98 units of the Shelby Super Snake built in the United States, but only 25 Speedster versions will be available, each branded with a unique CSM number, and all of them will be included in the Official Shelby Registry.

Not only will you get a supercharged Ford 5-Liter V8 engine capable of reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, but the modified Shelby suspension and Brembo sourced brakes allow this car to be driven at higher cornering speeds with improved stability, Shelby even offers a caster camber kit to get behind those amazing 20-inch monoblock forged wheels.

The Shelby Super Snake Speedster can be built with either a manual or an automatic gearbox, while a Borla exhaust made to Shelby specifications allows you to listen to the music while driving topless and being seated in some amazingly detailed seats, complete with ‘Super Snake’ embroidery, naturally the interior features the bespoke CMS badge.

While a factory Ford Mustang GT already looks good, after a stint from Shelby she looks amazing, thanks to aluminum front fenders, naturally in a wide-body version, a ram-air hood to keep that supercharged V8 cool, a different front bumper and air intake, new side sills and naturally the rear gets a bigger wing, a new tail panel that proudly shows ‘Shelby’, and an aggressive diffuser to suit the sound from the big-bore exhaust.

“The new Speedster is stunning, from a styling perspective, there is simply nothing like it on the road. With the widebody option, it’s a rare combination of sleek elegance and American muscle machismo. This is the automotive equivalent of a powerful heavyweight boxer fitted into a stylish, fine suit. And with only 98 available in the US, it will be ultra-rare.” Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American

To create the Shelby Super Snake Speedster limited edition you’ll need to start with a Ford Mustang GT Convertible, onto which Shelby fits their custom Speedster Tonneau, she will also come with a striping package unique to the Speedster version, and naturally the obligatory floor mats and door sill plates with the ‘Speedster Edition’ logo.

Falcon F7

I have to admit, I never heard about the Falcon F7 supercar from the USA, so I had to look into this one to get the full picture. It seems Jeff Lemke founded his company, Falcon Motorsports, in Michigan, near Detroit to bring back the supercar to America, the Falcon F7 was unveiled in 2012 and came with a price tag of $250,000.

2014 Falcon F7 – photo courtesy of Cars&Bids

In total only 7 units of the Falcon F7 would be made, one was lost in an accident and the car seen in these photos is production number 3, made in 2014, this specific car was used at the Detroit Auto Show of that year, in March 2015 they used the same car for How it’s Made: Dream Cars season 2 on television … this car is a TV celebrity.

2014 Falcon F7 – photo courtesy of Cars&Bids

By using lightweight materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, and even kevlar, the total weight of the Falcon F7 is around the 2,800 pounds mark, the mid-mounted V8 engine is sourced from the Corvette Z06, after a tune-up of this 7-Liter unit by Lingenfelter, the power output is 620 hp with 585 lb-ft of torque and goes to the rear wheels only via a 6-speed manual gearbox, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is listed at 3.3 seconds.

2014 Falcon F7 – photo courtesy of Cars&Bids

The seller states this car was bought by his father in 2014, brand new, and comes with 20-inch Forgeline wheels, a Penske coilover pushrod suspension system, leather sport seats, climate control, a removable roof panel to turn her into a convertible, and there’s even an iPad mounted on the dashboard.

2014 Falcon F7 – photo courtesy of Cars&Bids

After seven years, this Falcon F7, chassis #FMS08212013F7M003, only shows 3,300 miles on the odometer, comes in a nice, dark red metallic paint over a black and tan interior, the clutch and axle shafts were recently replaced, and the massive engine received a tune from Falcon Motorsport not too long ago either … do note that there are no service records with this car.

2014 Falcon F7 – photo courtesy of Cars&Bids

It seems this 2014 Falcon F7 is probably the rarest car ever to be listed on Cars&Bids … if you’re interested in adding it to your collection, at the time of writing the high bid sits at $81,000 …

2014 Falcon F7 – photo courtesy of Cars&Bids
2014 Falcon F7 – photo courtesy of Cars&Bids

The GTO Engineering Project Moderna

Since revealing the renderings, specification ethos, and registering significant customer interest for its Moderna-codenamed project, GTO Engineering has confirmed a pivotal development stage has been completed for its new car, and confirmed production.

Keeping to the promise that its new car will be a celebration of the best of Sixties motoring with a modern and motorsport-derived engineering twist, the quad-cam V12 engine that will be at the heart of GTO Engineering’s all-new vehicle is getting closer to being finalized and built. Likewise, the outer design modeling is about to commence as the team finalizes the drawings of the body shell, which still maintains a mix of modern and period features as seen in the initial sketches. The engine development and design styling are both centered around GTO Engineering’s commitment to creating a sub-1,000 kg sports car with a manual gearbox and a naturally aspirated engine, devised around a visceral experience in and out of the car.

With a track record of building cars from the ground up, either with restorations or its popular Revival series vehicles, GTO Engineering’s development of the Moderna project is led by Founder Mark Lyon who said, “After the exceptional reception from interested owners and fans who would like to own a car such as ours, we’re now making it happen and publicly documenting the development process. For our team, the engine and the aesthetics are two of the most important parts of any car, especially this one, which is why we were keen to start here.

“The quad-cam V12, with the help of our specialist in-house engine builders, is beginning to be finalized. At the same time, our designers have been working with us on the outer body to finalize the surfaces before transferring them to modeling. To ensure we keep to our goals we’re working around a custom ‘muletto’ chassis, which is situated in the GTO Engineering workshops. It’s a daily reminder of how we need to not only keep the design’s proportions right, as well as weight distribution and ergonomics. People have got a little taller since the Sixties, so we’re looking at the packaging with the design too, ensuring that the driver and passenger have enough room in the cabin and ample luggage space in the car.”

GTO Engineering’s team has chosen to maintain a traditional tubular steel chassis while adding modern, lightweight but high-strength aluminum subframes. Its development chassis, nicknamed ‘muletto’ is the formation of the packaging and design layout for the Moderna-codenamed project. It sits in the firm’s UK HQ and is used as a layout buck to ensure the packaging and size of the new vehicle are optimized for weight distribution as well as driver and passenger ergonomics and storage.

This development update follows the initial renderings and intentions for the new vehicle, which was initially announced in November 2020. Since then, the team continues to grow with in-house and external consultants collaborating together, all working on the same goal to create one of the most exciting enthusiast cars of the decade.