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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
 |  Jul 14, 2:22 PM

Summertime means riding with the top down and firing up the BBQ. But what if you could do both… at the same time? The Carbeque takes two essential summer classics and combines them into one uber-cool backyard fixture.

The Carbeque started out as a 1957 Ford Customline, but it decided to charge career paths and went back to school to become a diner-inspired barbeque. With its black-and-white checkerboard tile configuration, it also features a red and white interior, a C-shaped couch with a table in the middle, an umbrella, and a grille that’s placed where the engine used to be.

We don’t have a price for this hot number, but we’d have no problem putting it in our backyard and inviting the neighbors over to marvel at it. What about you? Do you think it’s too cool or too tacky? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Source: Top Speed]

 |  Jul 04, 8:46 AM

As part of this most recent weekend’s festivities at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the annual Bonhams’ Classic Car Auction generated £7.2 million ($11.6 million) worth of sales, as collectors flocked to the tasty offerings up for grabs.

Star attractions at the Bonham’s event this time out, included a 1967 Lamborghini 400GT (similar to the car above) and originally owned by ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, which went for £122, 500 ($196,00), plus an ultra rare Bertone bodied 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 drophead, which sold for £606,500 ($970,400) – the most of any vehicle during the auction.Said Aston was once owned by racing driver Innes Ireland and is believed to be one of just two such examples ever built.

Another strong seller was a 1925 Bugatti Type 35, which went under the gavel for a respectable £430,500 ($688,800) ; it sold to an over-the-phone buyer.

In total, there were 99 cars that crossed the auction block, with 85 percent of them finding buyers. The 2011 auction was judged an outstanding success, generating more than twice as much money as last year and setting a new record at Goodwood, despite a similar car count (for the record, Bonham’s at Goodwood in 2010 saw 93 cars cross the block and £3.6 million ($5.76 million) generated in sales).

[Source: Bloomberg]

 |  Jun 30, 2:07 PM

This weekend, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Porsche will have on display a range of iconic cars that celebrate the firm’s innovative approach to both performance and motorsport.

The theme of this year’s event which is Racing Revolutions – Quantum leaps that shaped motorsport. Among the cars on display will be the Semper Vivius (always alive) an early gas/electric hybrid that Dr. Ferdinand Porsche built in 1900, plus the 1973 Porsche 917/30 Spyder racer, the company’s first turbocharged car; a 1200 hp Can Am monster that paved the way for the now legendary 930 Turbo.

Other cars being shipped over from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart include the 1960 718 Formula 2 single seater  (which won the F2 constructor’s cup that year) and 1986 all-wheel drive 961 turbo (a derivative of the 959 that competed in the 24 hours of Le Mans that year and finished 7th overall).

Of course modern stuff will also be represented, including the  latest 500 hp 911 GT3 RS and a Turbo S version of the Panamera sedan.

Because this year’s Goodwood Festival also marks 60 years of Porsche in the United Kingdom, there will also be a variety of street versions on display including an early 911 and an example of it’s intended successor, the 928.

Other highlights including a Porsche test track, where folks are invited to take a spin in a Cayenne S, with instructors from the Porsche Experience Centre based at Silverstone, plus the ability to meet various celebrities, such as former factory team drivers, including 1970 Le Mans winner and Porsche test driver Richard Attwood.

This year’s even runs from June 30th to July 3. For more information, click on the link below:

[Source: Porsche Origin]

 |  Jun 23, 1:08 PM

In hot rodding circles, GM Performance Part’s E-ROD, a 1955 Chevrolet powered by modern 6.2-liter LS3 V-8 has been generating a lot of buzz.

Fresh off the Hot Rod Power Tour this year, the car, along with a second E-ROD; a 1955 Chevy pickup, built by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and sporting a 5.3-liter E-ROD motor,will be on display at the GMPP stand as part of Barrett-Jackson’s Orange County collector-car auction this coming weekend.

The purpose of the display is to highlight the benefits of dropping a modern, 50-state certified low emissions V-8 into an older car. California’s ultra stringent emissions laws incorporate strict guidelines when it comes smog requires, even for ‘specially constructed’ vehicles such as modified collector cars or hot rods, which can sometimes make a minefield for hobbyists who want to build and modify their own special interest cars.

The E-ROD 6.2L V-8 attempts to take away much of that hassle , thanks to being granted an Executive Order (EO) number (D-126-30) from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This makes the engine legal for installation in pre-OBD II (1996-and-earlier) vehicles in that state. In addition, depending on the driveline and suspension components added, it’s capable of delivering 23 miles per gallon under certain conditions.

Although most hot rods and classics are driven as pleasure vehicles, where gas mileage isn’t generally much of a concern; GM Performance Parts’  product integration manager, Dr. Jamie Meyer, said that, “with fuel prices not showing any signs of retreating, greater fuel economy is definitely a welcome benefit.” He’s got a valid point.

Both the ‘55 Chevy and the truck on display at Barrett-Jackson’s event this weekend, feature 4L65-E automatic transmissions, along with a GMPP Supermatic transmission controller, to enable the trans to work in conjunction with the E-ROD V-8′s engine control system. Combined with complete wiring harnesses available from GMPP, this essentially makes the E-ROD and automatic an essentially plug and play affair, even when installed in an older car.

While the 6.2 E-ROD is already CARB certified, the 5.3 version, featured in the Chevy truck, is still undergoing tests, though GM hopes to have a CARB EO number granted sometime this summer.

In addition, GM Performance Parts is also working with state legislators and CARB to allow the E-ROD engines and related hardware to be installed in newly built specialty vehicles, essentially cars and trucks that use brand new reproduction parts and late model chassis, have new VIN numbers, but maintain the appearance of a classic.

The Lingenfelter pickup is actually an example of this, riding on a late-model Trailblazer SS chassis, while sporting a Dynacorn reproduction 1955 Chevy truck cab and bodywork. For more information on the E-Rod engines and related components, click on the link below:

[Source: GM Performance Parts]

 |  Jun 19, 8:30 AM

Mecum Auctions has announced that it will be offering a very unique Corvette collection for sale during next weekend’s Bloomington Gold event.

The auction, scheduled to take place at the Pheasant Run Resort on East Main Street in St. Charles, IL on June 24-25, will see each car in the collection, which comprises a black Corvette from every year from 1954 to 1969, offered at no reserve.

Among the cars up for grabs are some very desirable models, ranging from early fuel-injected, solid axle machines to a split-window 1963 mid-year Sting Ray and even coupes and convertibles of the same model year, plus a fist full of 1965-69 396/427 big-block cars (including the 1966 Big Tank coupe shown above). Without question, this corral of Corvettes is expected to be the highlight of this year’s auction.

For more information on these and other Corvettes due to go under the gavel at Mecum’s Bloomington Gold auction, click on the link below:

[Source: Mecum Auctions]

 

 |  May 23, 9:15 AM

The 400 GT was once described by Lamborghini chief test driver Valentino Balboni as the best sounding car of all time. Perhaps that’s what made it so attractive to music legend Sir Paul McCartney.

Now McCartney’s 1967 400GT can be yours, because it will be hitting the auction stage at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 1.

Lamborghini only made 247 examples of the 400 GT and this one being a right-hand drive version is rarer still, although that might make the car less appealing to a North American buyer. Projected selling price of this example is in the $162,000 to $194,000 range.

The sale will be handled by Bonham’s Auction House, a company known to attract rich collectors, so it will be interesting to see who buy’s this vehicle and what price it actually fetches!

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

 |  May 17, 3:14 PM

On May 21st, Mecum Auctions will be hosting its Original Spring Classic Auction in Indianapolis and a star attraction will be a Foyt Coyote Ford racer, the car that NASCAR legend Donnie Allison ran at the 58th Indianapolis 500 on Saturday, May 29th 1971.

The car finished the race in sixth place that year, behind Bill Vukovich Jr. Foyt, driving another Coyote finished third, having qualified second behind eventual race winner Al Unser. Finishing second in the race was Peter Revson. This was also the same race where Eldon Palmer, driving the Dodge Challenger Pace Car, crashed at the end of pit row in spectacular fashion (see the video below).

The former Allison Coyote Ford has been completely restored and now Sports Thompson logos and Foyt’s legendary number 14. For more information on this and other cars set to go under the gavel at the Original Spring Classic, click on the link below:

[Source: Mecum Auctions]

 |  May 10, 7:55 PM

It’s a staple of high school English programs and now ‘The Great Gatsby’ is moving to the big screen… again. According to TMZ, filming of a new Gatzby flick is about to begin in Australia, staring none other than Leonardo DiCaprio (who else?).

A period movie needs the right props and for this flick filmmakers aren’t sparing any expense, reportedly purchasing two 1929 Duesenbergs and a 1929 Packard from the Volo Auto Museum in Illinois. If you’re not familiar with classic cars from this era, Duesenbergs were the cream of the crop and the prices paid for the vehicles reflect that, with a Volo spokesperson stating the value of each vehicle at somewhere between $800 and $3 million. Yup, each!

In the novel, there’s important symbolism behind the fact that Gatsby drives an ostentatious yellow car, so one has to think one of these pricey autos could get a banana hue. After all, that’s what happened to the 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom used in the 1974 version of the movie.

[Source: TMZ]

 |  May 07, 7:09 AM

A very rare 1965 Ford GT40 prototype is being featured at RM Auctions and is to be sold May 21st. The GT40 is just one of five roadsters that were built.

This particular model, the GT/111, entered into the Targa Florio rally where it had numerous engine problems. Its 4.7-liter V8 was only firing on seven cylinders and it had the misfortune of crashing on its last lap. After its debut, the protoptype was transported back to England where it was stripped down and forgotten. Eventually the car was restored and RM Auctions is expecting to fetch $3.6- $4.3 million at the auction!

 

 |  May 05, 2:24 PM

It’s billed as the world’s largest motor racing festival and the 2011 event, which will take place on 22-24 July was officially announced in style.

At Silverstone, some 800 vintage race cars will take Grand Prix track  as Event Director Nick Wigley announced that the 2011 Classic will be the biggest and best yet.

Just how big exactly? Well around 1000 competitors will be driving those 800 cars and there’ll be a full program of some 22 races that will take place over the course of the weekend. In addition, there will be a special celebrity challenge, with famous personalities racing around the track in identically prepped Morgans, plus a special celebration of the E-Type Jaguar with a planned parade of some 1000 examples to honor the iconic sports car’s 50th anniversary.

Other attractions include live music on Friday and Saturday, with an orchestra on Sunday; air displays, hot air balloons, a fun fair, a shopping village and even lawnmower racing.  And if you’re hungry, Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts will be providing catering services over the course of the weekend.

So, if you happen to find yourself in Central England towards the end of the July and looking for something to do, head on over to the Silverstone Classic:

For more information, including tickets, click on the link:

[Source: Silverstone Classic]

 

 |  Apr 12, 4:50 PM

 

We’ve all heard about those so-called ‘Duesy in a barn,’ stories, but sometimes they actually do happen. Take the case of Bill Fair, a businessman and auctioneer from Lecompton, Kansas.

Fair had been asked by the Texas attorney general’s office to supervise the cleaning out of some storage units; imagine to his surprise when, amid all the junk found in one of them, he came across a 1966 Shelby G.T.350.

“It was just sitting there, in the middle of all the trash,” he said. It turned out that the car had been parked some 26 years ago and was in remarkable condition considering.

Once he notified the attorney’s office, they arranged to have the car shipped to an auction in San Antonio. According to Fair, they’ve already been receiving offers for the car, but still, plan to sell it under the gavel around $200,000.

[Source: MSNBC]

 |  Apr 08, 8:52 AM

At the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California; on Saturday, April 16th, Heritage Auctions, in conjunction with ABC and the Carroll Shelby Children’s foundation, will be auctioning off a 1968 Shelby GT500KR convertible similar to the car pictured above.

The sale is been conducted in conjunction with a new reality TV show pilot, hosted by Extreme Makeover, Home Edition‘s Ty Pennington. As a condition of the sale, part of the proceeds from the winning bid will go to the foundation which Carroll Shelby himself established in 1991 to help support children with life threatening diseases.

“Our team admires Ty Pennington and his approach to helping others,” declared Jenni Shreeves, executive director of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “Not only will the Shelby’s new owner walk away with a legendary muscle car, but they’ll also help sick children receive the care and treatment they deserve.”

The car, restored back in the 1980s, sports Highland Green paint, a black interior, AM/FM radio, original Shelby 10-spoke wheels and of course, being a KR, the 428 cubic inch Super Cobra Jet engine, rated at 335 horsepower. It’s reported to have covered just 31,000 miles since new.

The auction is scheduled to begin at 11 am Pacific Time on the 16th; interested parties can find out more information by clicking on the link below.

[Source: Heritage Auctions]

 |  Apr 05, 2:23 PM

Once raced by John Whitmore and Bob Bondurant in the 1965 Targa Florio; this Linden Green 1965 Ford GT40 roadster, one of just five ever built, was thought to have been lost forever.

In 2006, the car, chassis GT/111 re-surfaced once again and was restored the following year. Since then it has made various appearances at vintage racing events around the world, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Now it’s about to go under the hammer, being auctioned off at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which takes place in Cernobbio, Italy on May 21. How much the car will fetch is anybody’s guess, though interested parties should make sure they have deep pockets – closed GT40s with pedigree regularly sell for more than $1.5 million, so you can bet this one will likely fetch considerably more.

[Source: Autoblog]

 |  Mar 30, 7:24 PM

This year marks the golden anniversary of one of the most iconic cars of all time; the E-Type Jaguar or XK-E. Exactly 50 years ago in March, the original Series 1 car made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show; most men and boys haven’t been the same since.

Now, as part of the car’s birthday celebrations, the Royal Mail service in Britain, is a special sheet of commemorative stamps.

The sheet, which becomes available from March 30 in the UK, incorporates 10 close up pictures of E-Types, along with 10 fittingly British, 1st Class Union Jack Stamps.

 |  Mar 23, 12:48 PM

In classic car circles, especially across the pond, the annual MSA Euroclassic has become known as one of the ‘must-do’ events on the calendar. And the 2011 event, slated to run from 4-11 September, promises to be the most spectacular yet.

In a nutshell, the Euroclassic is an eight-day road trip, which covers some 1480 miles between Troyes, (south east of Paris, France) and Parma (Italy) along some of the most spectacular driving roads in Europe. Along the way, participants stop off at such celebrated towns and cities as St Moritz, in the Swiss Alps, as well as San Marino, Rome, Venice, Verona and Pisa, as well as visiting the Mile Miglia and Ferrari museums.

In addition, drivers are also invited to give their cars a good workout  on the track, thanks to sessions at the Anneau du Rhin, Autodromo d’Franciacorta, Adria, Autodromo Dell’Umbria Magione and Varano circuits.

As its name suggests, the EuroClassic has strict entry criteria, for vehicles 20 years or older, however, for the 2011 event, the organizers will be accepting a very small number of what are deemed  ’contemporary classic’ vehicles, largely due to popular demand.

The price for taking part is £2,250 (approximately $3600 US) per car plus a two-person crew – £2,100 ($3360) if booked before April 28.

However that does include detailed maps of the route, track time, medical and mechanical assistance, lunches and a special Celebration Dinner, plus the chance to embark on a road trip of a lifetime. For more information, click on the link below.

[Source: msaeuroclassic.co.uk]

 |  Mar 17, 3:28 PM

Smart phones are currently all the rage and it seems, the more apps available for them, the better. In fact it seems there’s an app for just about everything today, from locating restaurants to tips on how to cut your toenails (well, you get the picture).

For classic car enthusiasts however, there’s now an app specifically for them. Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market has teamed up with Chubb Group Insurance to launch the Classic Car Guide App.

It provides information from a database of more than 100,000 individual auction entries, along with up-to-date sales information for both American and foreign brand classic and collectible cars. In addition, by referencing a particular car’s VIN number, those looking to buy or sell a classic can determine a fair market value for said vehicle as well as finding out how much it costs to insure.

Other features of the app include photos of particular vehicles and up to 20 years worth of reference material and articles from Sports Car Market on the type of car or truck in question.

According to Jim Fiske, US marketing manager for Chubb Personal Insurance, the Classic Car Guide App is designed to level the playing field and give a wider range of enthusiasts the chance to search for their favorite collector cars, as well as providing them with the ability to make a purchase with their head not their heart, unlike some of the big auctions, where emotions frequently run wild and many end up paying over the odds.

The Classic Car Guide app is available for the iPhone and iPad via the iTunes store and versions for the Blackberry and Android smart phones will become available shortly, along with a desktop version aimed at classic car brokers and dealers.

[Source: Automedia]

 |  Mar 15, 9:52 AM

It’s amazing what some people will pay for vintage Ferraris. Take the case of a 1952 340 Mexico, chassis number 0224 AT. Previously owned by Larry Nicklin, it was a star attraction at the RM Amelia Island Auction on March 12.

Pre-estimates had this car going for between $2,750,000 to $3.500,000, but when the gavel went down for the final time, the price was listed at a staggering $4,290,000!

Other top sellers at the Auction included a 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 ($990,000); a 1933 Dusenberg Model J Torpedo Victoria ($979,000); a 1930 Dusenberg Model J convertible coupe ($962,500); a 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta ($935,000) a rough looking 1953 Ferrari 212 Inter ($660,000) and a pair of Mercedes SLs; a 1961 roadster and a 1955 gullwing coupe, both of which went for $627,000.

RM says this year’s Amelia Island event delivered record sales – some $24.3 million and looking at the vehicles mentioned above it isn’t easy to see why. It’s sometimes fascinating to see what lengths some people will go to when looking to buy a particular classic car.

 |  Mar 14, 10:43 AM

When you think of classic Chevy Camaro Pace Cars, the 1969 Z11 Indy Replica is probably the example that most often comes to mind. It’s a striking piece, finished in white with contrasting Hugger Orange stripes but perhaps the car pictured above is more interesting.

For starters, it’s an actual Pace Car from a race in 1969; secondly, that race happens to be the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, New York, as in the Formula One event, won that year by Austrian driver Jochen Rindt. This particular car is finished, like the Indy Pacers in Dover White, but looks a bit more subdued thanks to the black interior, subtle hockey-stick side stripes, door decals and tail panel.

It’s also equipped with some desirable options, namely an L78 396 cubic inch big-block V-8 with solid lifter rectangular port heads, TH400 three-speed automatic transmission, 12-bolt rear end with 3.55 gears and Positraction limited slip differential, power brakes, auxiliary gauges and a Rosewood steering wheel.

Currently being offered for sale through RK Motors of Charlotte, North Carolina (some of whose stock we’ve covered before), this Camaro has been fully restored and claimed to be in better than new condition, both outside and in. It also comes, perhaps not surprisingly with a wad of documentation.

For more info on this rare and unusual Camaro, click on the link below.

[Source: RK Motors]

 |  Mar 11, 4:29 PM

Paul Denhert’s car collection maybe relatively small (16 cars and 14 motorcycles), but it is certainly varied. Dehnert collected everything from Corvettes, to Ferraris, Pontiacs, Harley Davidson and Triumph motorcycles.

Now, lucky bidders will have a chance to acquire vehicles from the collection, as Mecum Auctions will be putting the lot up for sale at their 24th Annual Original Spring Classic Auction on May 17-22, to be held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Among the machines likely to attract the most attention are a pair of Corvettes, a pristine, restored 1969 Stingray coupe powered by the infamous L88 427 engine (shown above), plus a 1993 Lingenfelter twin-turbo ZR1, plus an original 289 Shelby Cobra (the 1963 company demonstrator no less) and a 1957 Phase I Ford Thunderbird. Bike fans will no doubt salivate over a 1973 Triumph X-75 750 cc Triple Hurricane and a Mike Hailwood inspired Ducati MH900.

Like other Mecum auctions, the Spring Classic will be broadcast live on national television and as we posted this blog, consignments were still being taken. For more information, click on the link below.

[Source: Mecum Auctions]

 |  Mar 09, 11:26 AM

1972_Skyline_H_T_2000GT_R.jpg

If you think an S13 Silvia is a classic Nissan, then here’s a history lesson for you. The Japanese automaker has just released a huge selection of ‘heritage’ models, which we’ve compiled, dating all the way back to the 1933 Datsun 12 Phaeton.

Other incredible machines include an original 1957 Skyline Deluxe, powered by a 60-hp 1.5-liter 4-cylinder; the Italian-designed ’62 Skyline Sports; ’62 Fairlady 1500 and even the ’72 Skyline H/T 2000 GT-R (above) with some very American muscle-car flare about it.

Historic race cars are also included, from the1966 Prince R380-I, winner of the 3rd Japan Grand Prix; to the 1972 Fairlady 240Z that ran in the 41st Monte-Caro Rally.

There’s even a selection of trucks from the 1962 Datsun Patrol all the way back to the gasoline and even electric versions of the 1947 Tama Truck.

Browse the gallery of 65 cars below. Side effects may include severe nostalgia.

GALLERY: Nissan Historical Collection

1960_Skyway.jpg1969_Nissan_R382.jpg1933_datsun_12_phaeton.jpg1972_Sunny_1200_Coupe_GX_5.jpg1976_Cherry_FII_Coupe.jpg1973_Fairlady_240Z.jpg

 |  Mar 08, 1:24 PM

At its museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the Antique Auto Club of America has opened up a special exhibition, dedicated to that legend of American performance fokelore, Carroll Shelby.

The exhibit is the end result of a local Shelby club meeting last fall, where club member and racer Dan Reiter teamed up with the museum’s curator Jeff Bliemeister and local collector Earl Mowrey to put together a collection celebrating the legendary Texan’s achievements in the automotive world.

And it’s an impressive ensemble. Mowrey and a group of his friends designed the exhibit and what makes this one stand out is the fact that it covers each era and facet of Shelby’s auto career, right from the early days in racing, represented by a AC Bristol, through the Cobras and Mustangs he’s most famous for, his success in SCCA and at LeMans with the GT40 (shown above), to the Shelby Dodge vehicles of the 1980s and even the Olds Aurora powered Shelby Series 1.

However, like most good things in life, the exhibit won’t last, so if you’re interested in visiting, make sure you get yourself to the AACA museum before April 24. Click on the link below for more details.

Source: AACA Museum]

 |  Mar 07, 8:01 PM

Iranian dictator Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sold his 1977 Peugeot 504 at a chairty auction for $2.5 million, according to MSNBC. Ahamdinejad will use the proceeds to fund a low-income housing project meant for families.

“President Ahmadinejad’s Peugeot 504 was sold for 2.5 billion tomans ($2.5 million) to an Iranian who took part in the auction,” ISNA news agency said. According to local media, many of the bids came from America, but the winning bidder, an Iranian, will reportedly house the car in a specially built museum.

Ahmadinejad has rarely used to car since becoming leader of Iran in 2005. The Peugeot 504 would normally sell for about $2,000 on the open market in Iran.

[Source: MSNBC]

 |  Mar 06, 6:23 PM

When most people think of Volvo, they think of boxy designs, however, that has not always been the case, and current Volvo’s are as sleek and curvy as cars get.

While Volvo has produced some attractive cars in its lifetime, perhaps the most loved and admired is the P1800. While first prototypes of this car hit the roads in 1960, eager buyers had to wait another year to get their hands on this beautiful 2+2 coupe. Interesting point to note, while the prototypes were built by the Italian coachbuilder Frua, initial production vehicles were built by Jensen Motors in U.K.

While officially Volvo offered two body styles, the original coupe followed by an estate version in 1971, a US-built convertible model was also briefly teased in 1966.

Perhaps the two most famous P1800′s belonged to Simon Templar (played by Roger Moore) from the TV-series  “The Saint” and Irv Gordon, a teacher who has covered 2.8-million miles in 45-years of ownership.

Even after 50-years, the design looks well proportioned and beautiful, and it will be celebrated at the TecnoClassica show in Essen, Germany at the end of March.

Volvo is under Chinese ownership at the moment, so let’s hope they will consider doing a new sports coupe that will also stand the test of time like the P1800 has.

[Source: Carscoop]

 |  Feb 02, 3:35 PM

According to Shelby American, the 50th anniversary Shelby Cobra, which made its debut at the recent Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona has sold out,  just 48 hours after going on sale.

The entire allocation of 50 cars was snapped up by private customers and Shelby dealers, but given the legendary status of the Cobra, it probably wasn’t surprising.

It may be hard to imagine for some, but it’s been almost 50 years since the first of the original Anglo-American Cobras rolled off the transporter at Shelby’s workshops in Venice, California. From that moment on, this crude, humble sports car became a giant killer; blazing into the history books and becoming one of the most imitated cars on the road.

Because of the popularity of replicas, Carroll Shelby eventually decided to get in on the action and build continuation real Cobras, cars that embodied much of the tradition of the ‘60s originals, while offering improvements in safety and driveability.

Now, that’s culminated in the 50th anniversary small-block powered Cobra. All of the special edition cars feature a stronger frame, leaf sprung suspension (only fitted to the original small block cars) standard disc brakes, wire wheels and Wilton Carpeting. All will be painted Shelby black and will feature wine leather interiors.

Bodies on the anniversary cars (like all continuation Cobras) are available in either fiberglass or aluminum; the former car priced at $69,995, the latter at $134,995, though that doesn’t included the driveline.

It will be interesting to see how many of these cars will come up for sale via dealers or re-sellers and how much some of them will go for. To those who haven’t already got their orders in, we say good luck!

[Source: Shelby American]