SUPERCARS

August 4th, 2009
2009 Meadow Brook Concours
Best of Show: Packard Twelve Dietrich Sport Sedan
The 30-year old Meadow Brook Concours rightfully celebrated American design last weekend. Among the dragsters, swoopy coupes, Packards Twelves and modern supercars were some incredible entrants.The unannounced feature of Meadow Brook could have been Packard. We counted 13 V12 cars and a Dietrich Sport Sedan won the Best of Show. The corresponding European Best of Show went to this Delahaye 165 Cabriolet.If we had to give an award for the top restoration debut it would have to be this Mercury XM-800. As one of the few surviving Ford showcars, it was never finished with a running engine and ran on its own power for the first time this year! Furthermore, Meadow Brook marked the XM-800's restoration debut.All these cars plus more can be found in our feature gallery by Richard Owen and Julien Constans. Included is the RM Auction which sold several of the best American cars and made a splendid addition to the Concours.
July 31st, 2009
Monterey Preview
Works Speed 6 at Brooklands in 1930
Being the most important week on the automotive calendar, Monterey comes with high expectations. Of all the upcoming displays we've heard of, none will top Bentley's. They will launch the Grand Bentley and Pebble Beach will bring together the fabled 'works' Speed 6 cars including Old #1, #2 and #3. These are the factory team cars which won races like Le Mans and the Brookland's Double 12. Furthermore, four classes will be devoted to the marque at Pebble Beach.More than anything, the Monterey Historic Races have impressive American cars and we decided to highlight some of the more unique cars. In the participant list are entrants like Old Yeller II, the Baldwin-Mercury Special, the Townsend Typhoon Mk. 2 and the plastic-bodied AMT Piranha CRV-II. Furthermore, we've assembled an entire group of these American Specials, many of which will be at Laguna Seca this month.... Read More
July 29th, 2009
Ferrari 458
5-Spoke Wheels Look Sharp
Today, Ferrari announced the 458, a logical successor to the F430 that has introduced more stepwise evolution into the mid-engine V8 series. Concurrently, the price of a used 360 Modena or F430 just fell a couple g-notes with the launch of this car.We expected a new direct-injection V8, but not such a dramatic styling update from Pininfarina. They have abandoned the double intake front end in favor of one unified element. Furthermore, the front headlight treatment uses small vents, similar to what we first saw on the TVR Sagaris.... Read More