Mecum Auctions returned to Monterey for a successful second annual auction at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on the Del Monte Golf Course, where the top sale was a rare ex-DeLorenzo 1967 Corvette L88 Roadster – one of only 20 produced and the earliest RPO-ordered L88 known to exist – that sold on the block for $1,250,000. 

With a high-quality inventory of remarkable collector cars, Mecum’s Monterey Auction had total gross sales (excluding buyer’s premium) of $15.4 million.  Combined with post-block sales that continue to occur in The Bid Goes On – Mecum’s program to market vehicles that don’t sell on the auction block – the company estimates final sales for the auction will be close to $20 million.

“While last year’s event was monumental because of our record-breaking $7.25 million sale of the 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe, this year’s event was hugely successful in its own right.  In fact, if you take the Shelby out of the equation, we more than doubled our sales over last year,” said President Dana Mecum.  “As Monterey’s only free, open-to-the-public auction, we have truly carved our own market niche.  With growing brand awareness, Mecum in its sophomore year has established itself as a primary destination on the peninsula and has built a very firm cornerstone upon which to have a long-term event in Monterey.”

As the first auction company to bring live television to the peninsula with its Discovery Communications’ HD Theater show “Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More,” the Monterey Auction drew thousands of enthusiasts eager to watch the film crew in action and to bid on the investment-grade vehicles.  Mecum offered more than 400 collector cars at the two-day auction.

In addition to cars, Mecum entered into the vintage wooden boat arena in 2010, selling five world-class vessels at the Monterey Auction – four of which made it into the top 10 sales. 

Mecum’s Monterey Top 10 Sales (all sales reflect hammer prices) were:

1. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible (Lot S125) at $1,250,000
2. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta (Lot S111.1) at $1,250,000
3. 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder (Lot S122) at $1,050,000
4. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster (Lot S120) at $650,000
5. 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 Convertible (lot S118) at $440,000
6. 1965 Shelby GT350 Drag Unit (Lot S106) at $350,000
7. 1922 Hacker Gentlemans Race Boat (Lot S130) at $320,000
8. 1940 Chris-Craft Racing Runabout (Lot S127) at $291,500
9. 1965 Riva Aquarama (Lot S128) at $290,000
10. 1929 Hacker Craft Deluxe Runabout (Lot S129) at $225,000

Complete Monterey Auction results are available to Mecum InfoNet members, which is free to join at www.Mecum.com.  Mecum InfoNet members can log in to see car-by-car results by visiting the Results Page.  Next up is the Mecum St. Charles Auction, Sept. 16-19, 2010, at Pheasant Run Resort, which feature 1,000 collector cars up for bid.  Tickets are available at the door for $15. 

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 23 years, now offering an industry-leading 5,000 collector cars per year.  Consignment, bidder and event information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.

Festivals of Speed, the premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event production company in Florida, is returning to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes on Sunday, October 10 with The Fifth Annual Festivals of Speed Orlando presented by Fields Motorsports. The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children will once again be the beneficiary. The weekend will feature three days of rare and exotic vehicles, fine foods, top shelf spirits, luxury products and services, fashion shows and more. At the many events, attendees will come face to face with vintage and contemporary exotic cars, motorcycles, boats and aircraft.

The Festivals of Speed Orlando will commence on Friday, October 8^th with a Jetport Reception at the Orlando International Airport.  The event will feature a preview of the some of the most noteworthy vehicles to appear over the weekend as well as a display of aircraft and powerboats. The setting is a lavishly decorated aircraft hangar complete with smooth themed food stations, open bar, smooth jazz, fine art, exclusive watch displays, elegant jewelry, luxury products & services as well as live and silent auctions benefitting the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. This event kicks off Festivals of Speed annually and is an unmatched experience for anyone who has never attended. 

A special addition to this year’s weekend is the Festivals of Speed Golf Classic at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes Golf Club to benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children on Saturday, October 9^th.  The course was designed by two-time British Open Champion Greg Norman, and provides golfers with a challenging test of skill and an experience not typically found in Florida.  Joe Sabatini, Founder and President of The Festivals of Speed stated “We are proud to partner with the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes Golf Club this year for the inaugural Festivals of Speed Golf Classic.  This addition to the weekend will add even more entertainment for our long time collectors and guests and deliver a new demographic of affluent attendees in the loyal golf enthusiast. For our Sponsors, the Festivals of Speed is all about networking, so the addition of a golf tournament is a clear fit.”

Saturday evening, the festivities continue on to Primo at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton for the annual Wine Connoisseur’s Dinner. Primo is led by James Beard Foundation award winning Chef Melissa Kelly. The Wine Connoisseur’s Dinner Saturday has become an immensely popular and highly anticipated staple to the Orlando Festivals of Speed weekend.  Primo will be closed to all but guests of the Festivals of Speed who will experience a four course plated meal of the organic contemporary Italian cuisine that Primo is known for. Each plate will be paired with a fine wine by sommeliers from top vineyards and wineries.  After dinner, guests will enjoy complementary cigars and fine cognac on the terrace that overlooks the unique and plush foliage of the beautiful Grande Lakes property. To further enhance the evening, guests will be able to see an exclusive preview of the exotic vehicles as they enter the lawns of the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott in anticipation of the main event on Sunday. 

 The weekend concludes on Sunday October 10th, with the Motorsports Collection Display of over 250 cars, motorcycles and watercraft. Guests can enjoy The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes property’s splendor and amenities, while eyeing some of the rarest vintage and contemporary vehicle designs. In addition to the world class vehicles on display which will include Bugatti, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes, and more, attendees will encounter fine wines, exciting culinary offerings, robust cigars and smooth jazz in the beautiful landscape, as well as luxury lifestyle displays featuring fine jewelry and timepieces. At the end of the day, the event will conclude with an exciting awards ceremony presenting premier car collectors with coveted trophies designed and produced by Tiffany & Co.  To make the return of this world class weekend even more inviting, Sabatini has announced that the automotive collection he is putting together for the Fifth Annual Festivals of Speed Orlando is going to be the most significant display in Festivals of Speed history. Just one of the notable vehicles he has confirmed is the rare Bugatti Sang Bleu. Bugatti unveiled the Sang Bleu, an exclusive one-off Grand Sport, honoring the marques precious heritage at the Pebble Beach Concours d’elegance last August. To top off all of the anticipation, famed Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni will be in attendance all throughout the weekend. This event gets larger and more exciting every year, and promises to be a weekend that the automotive and luxury enthusiast will not soon forget.

 About Festivals of Speed

Headquartered in Eustis, Florida, Festivals of Speed was founded as the ultimate luxury showcase for discerning enthusiasts with a passion for all forms of transportation. With a series of extremely special events scheduled throughout the year, Festivals of Speed joins the very best in automotive, aircraft, marine and motorcycle transportation with the finest culinary, wine, spirits, and fashion for the ultimate luxury experience. For more information, please visit www.festivalsofspeed.com. 352-385-9450.

MECUM TO OFFER 1959 FERRARI 250 GT AT MONTEREY AUCTION

Star Vehicle Took 1st Place in its Class at Le Mans in ‘59

 A Le Mans-winning 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB TdF will headline the second annual Mecum Monterey Auction, August 13-14, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa. 

Driven by Jean Blaton and Leon Dernier, the Ferrari 250 GT – serial number 1321 – won 1^st place in its GT class and 3^rd overall at Le Mans in ’59 as the No. 11 car.  Earlier that same year, it took 1^st place at the 1000 km Nürburgring endurance race.  After its race career, the Ferrari was privately owned by only a few collectors – the most recent owning the car since the 1970s – and this 250 GT was last seen in public in the early 1990s at Road America. 

“We are excited to offer collectors a chance to bid on this world class Tour de France 1959 Ferrari, the type of car that offers quality, provenance and is fresh to market,” said President Dana Mecum.  “The list of amazing vehicles continues to grow for our upcoming Monterey Auction.  We have expanded it to two full days as more than 400 investment-grade collector cars, exotic vehicles and ultra rare boats are scheduled to cross the block.”  

Mecum’s Monterey Auction takes place at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa.  Cars will be displayed on the beautiful Del Monte Golf Course.  The auction is open to the general public.  For a complete list of vehicles, visit http://www.mecum.com/. 

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 23 years, now offering more than 5,000 collector cars per year.  Consignment, bidder and event information is available online at http://www.mecum.com/

(Source: Mecum Press Release)

The 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC was sold on Wednesday by Gooding & Company Auction House. Although they did not disclose the selling price, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the selling price was between $30-$40 million dollars, WOW! Below is the press release from Gooding & Company.

Gooding & Company, The internationally celebrated auction house that offers a wide range of services, including private and estate sales, is proud to announce that it has sold the unparalleled 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic To an undisclosed buyer. As the official broker for the Trust That formerly owned the Atlantic, Gooding & Company found a devoted connoisseur who will become the guardian of this treasured piece of automotive history. “I Am extremely pleased to have found the new buyer for the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, One of the world’s most significant and valuable automobiles that has been in a private collection and rarely seen during the past four decades,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. “It has been a great pleasure to work with the Williamson Family and Trust In this important endeavor.” Formerly The coveted pillar of the world renowned Williamson Bugatti Collection, the Atlantic was the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance best in Show car. The Atlantic Was an automobile derived from Bugatti’s Prototype Aerolithe Electron Coupé That caused a sensation when it was unveiled at the 1935 Paris Auto Salon. Bugatti Later built just three Atlantics, Each one different from the next, but this 1936 Car (chassis #57374) Is the first in the series and its historical significance, originality and restoration has been revered by enthusiasts throughout the world.

(Source: Gooding & Company)

Scheduled to debut at RETRO AUTO in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Aug. 13-15 in Monterey, CA, DELAHAYE USA’s new carbon fiber bodied “BELLA FIGURA” BUGNOTTI was inspired by the classic Type 57S. This is not a real Bugatti, but our tribute to Ettore’s son Jean. In development for more than a year using digital technology from REVOLUTION DESIGN STUDIOS combined with the latest state of the art vacuum infusion process from carbon fiber specialists 3 G SERVICES INC., we will offer a “carbon fiber finish” where you can see the weave of the cloth through a clear coat. Or you can have your choice of a painted body of carbon fiber and composite, or all composite. Available as “turnkeys” or the bare body and rolling frame for the build-it-yourself enthusiast, you can order a coupe, a drophead coupe with folding convertible top mechanism or a targa-top version.

(Source: Delahaye USA Press Release)

The Street Dreams Car Show Tour presented by Hi-Line Motoring had all the makings of a great car show. Unfortunatley someone forgot to tell mother nature. We got these great pictures before the skies opened up and the rain began.

Displaying sponsors included Spyker of Tampa Bay and Braman Miami. The Bugatti Veyron was center stage but the Spyker C8 Aileron is a show stopper to say the least. Other exotics on display included Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Mercedes, Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar and the Audi R8.

Check out the photo gallery below and we will keep you posted on the Tours’ next stop.

LAMPO2 is an even more energy efficient successor to the LAMPO demonstration vehicle presented in 2009. Weight, aerodynamics and the efficiency of individual components of the BRUSA drive train have been further optimized in order to reach a world-class energy consumption of less than 100Wh/km-ton under real conditions.

More than enough energy for driving the LAMPO2 is produced by a remote solar plant which is installed on the roof of a farm in Tuscany, allowing a real zero-emission drive on a “Well-to-Wheel” basis. (Visualize the statistical production data of the photovoltaic plant).

LAMPO2 is equipped with 4 different charging modes: a standard single-phase with an on board charger for typical overnight home-charge, a “control-pilot” equipped single-phase on board charger typical for public charging, a standard three-phase on board charger typical for charging at industrial plugs (fleet-owners) and an interface for DC fast charging, where up to 100 km of additional range can be charged within just 10 minutes, by an off-board system. Protoscar will compare these different systems in terms of usability and efficiency by demonstrations in real conditions.

LAMPO2 has two electric motors (allowing it to operate as a four-wheel drive with variable torque between front and rear axle for optimal handling, safety and efficiency) with a total output of 300 kW (equivalent to 408 HP), 640 Nm (50% more than its predecessor!) and over 30 kWh of Lithium-Ion battery capacity. LAMPO2 features real sports-car performances: 5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, 200 km/h of max. speed and a range over 200 km.

(Source: Protoscar Press Release)

The Amelia Island Concours is one of the nation’s most prestigous vintage auto events featuring concepts, exotics, rare classics and seldom-seen private collections. This years event did not disappoint.

The 15th Annual Concours paid special tribute to the “King of Nascar” Richard Petty and featured a number of his signature cars. Richard Petty himself was in attendance signing autographs and shaking hands with hundreds of his loyal fans.

Enjoy the complete 2010 photo gallery below

Pioneering luxury Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and electric carmaker Tesla Motors have teamed up in a worldwide partnership as the iconic Swiss brand celebrates its 150th anniversary.

On display at the Geneva Motor Show is the 2010 TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster. This one-of-a-kind collector’s car includes a unique interior by Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen, incorporating TAG Heuer avant-garde design elements and a specially designed center console due to host TAG Heuer’s cutting edge concept watch, to be revealed in Basel on March 18.

This car also features a TAG Heuer Meridiist mobile phone as well as a one-fifth second Heuer Limited Edition Stopwatch. This Swiss-made timepiece with mechanical movement pays tribute to the 1860 founding of the company and evoques the mythic revival of the brand’s vintage stopwatches.

The car’s exterior color scheme is Foucault Field Gray, embodying the innovative spirit of both companies. The design was inspired by the new TAG Heuer concept watch, a technical milestone in mechanical movements, which brings technologically advanced art to life through motion.

The 2010 TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster will remain at the Tesla booth during the public show days, March 4-14 at the Palexpo-Geneva conference center. The car will then be driven to Baselworld, the world’s largest watch exhibition, for a special event March 18.

Relentless focus on technological innovation

Since its founding in an artisan’s workshop in the Swiss Jura, TAG Heuer has become one of the world’s best-known luxury brands — maker of avant-garde watches, eyewear and premium mobile phones for refined consumers around the globe.

TAG Heuer, a star brand from the luxury group and worldwide leader Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), also has deep roots in the automotive sector. Company founder Edouard Heuer received in 1911 the patent for The Time of Trip, the first car dashboard chronograph, followed in 1933 by the Autavia — the first dashboard timekeeper for both automobiles and aviation. The benchmark in cutting-edge chronographs and timekeeping technology since 1860, TAG Heuer is the watch brand that can claim the longest and strongest association with motor sports and dream cars. Both watches and chronographs are inspired and driven by motor sports, from Formula One to GT cars.

“TAG Heuer has a rich history and expertise with the world’s most prestigious racing teams — but this is the first ever partnership we’ve forged with an electric sports car company,” said Jean-Christophe Babin, President and CEO of TAG Heuer. “We believe that high-performance drivers are increasingly searching for products that are efficient, socially responsible and stylish. TAG Heuer and Tesla are two of the few companies arleady achieving these ideals today.”

Tesla Motors began developing an electric sports car in 2004 and remains the only automaker selling highway-capable electric cars. The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than nearly any other supercar yet is twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius — the only car that delivers supercar performance guilt-free, with zero tailpipe emissions and a carbon footprint dramatically lower than any comparable sports car.

Based in California’s Silicon Valley, Tesla has delivered more than 1,000 cars to consumers in 21 countries. Advertising Age magazine recently named Tesla one of America’s “hottest brands.” The Tesla Roadster is quickly becoming the must-have car among Hollywood celebrities, European royalty and socially responsible trendsetters worldwide.

“Engineers at both TAG Heuer and Tesla understand intuitively that technology — whether worn on your wrist or driven on the road — can help us live better while we tread more lightly on this planet,” said Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

The CEOs of TAG Heuer and Tesla, along with celebrity customers of both companies, will launch their next collaboration in style on March 18 at a party during Baselworld 2010. This nine-month project, commemorating TAG Heuer’s 150th anniversary, will have worldwide reach and will raise awareness of technological innovation to consumers on three continents.

About TAG Heuer

TAG Heuer, which is proudly celebrating 150 years of Swiss watchmaking, has pioneered any major milestones in high-end watchmaking, particularly in the field of chronographs and ultimate precision. TAG Heuer is the first watchmaker to master luxury chronographs with an unsurpassed precision of 1/10th, 1/100th and 1/1,000th of a second. From the Olympic Games in the 1920s to its role as official timekeeper for the legendary Indy 500 race, with accuracy at 1/10,000th of a second, TAG Heuer, in a constant quest for innovation, excellence, performance and prestige, continues to aim ever higher. This is reflected in its quarter-century partnership with F1 team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, its 7-year partnership with 2008 Formula 1 World Champion, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, and his new teammate, 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button.

The newest addition to the TAG Heuer legacy is the Calibre 1887, an in-house, Swiss manufactured, integrated column-wheel chronograph movement that pays tribute to the original Heuer oscillating pinion of 1887, one of the brand’s first patents and a major benchmark in modern watchmaking.

About Tesla Motors

Tesla is the world’s only automaker selling highway-capable electric vehicles. Tesla sells cars online and operates showrooms and galleries in London, Munich, Monaco, California’s Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, Colorado, New York, Seattle, Chicago and South Florida. Tesla has delivered more than 1,000 cars to customers in at least 21 countries worldwide.

The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than nearly any car in its price class and is twice as energy efficient as leading hybrids. It is the only highway-capable electric vehicle for sale in Europe or North America. The Roadster does not need regular oil changes or exhaust system work. Roadsters have no spark plugs, pistons, hoses, belts or clutches to replace. Tesla recommends a standard service and diagnostic inspection once a year – and Tesla can perform this service at customers’ homes or offices.

(Source: Tesla Motors Press Release)

Lot 118 1959 Austin Healey                                     $71,925

For the first time in many years conducting collector car auctions in sunny Palm Springs, California the McCormick family experienced a rainy, stormy Saturday from 6am throughout the evening. The gloomy skies did not dampen the sales or restrict the large crowd on hand.

Total Cars Across The Block                494

 Total Cars Sold                                     279

 Total Receipts                                       $4,817,295

 Some notable sales include:

Lot 127 1970 Plymouth Cuda 440                         $60,375

Lot 161 1968 Shelby GT500kr                                 $94,500

Lot 172 1976 Batmobile                                           $82,950

Lot 264 1971 Mercedes 3.5 Cab                               $105,000

Lot 406 1970 Boss 302 Mustang                            $73,500

Click Here for Complete Auction Results

(Source: McCormick Auction Press Release)