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HOT NEWS FOR THE CAR CROWD

Exclusive Photos of Ferrari’s new “California” model can be seen HERE. Ferrari has established a dedicated web site where details of this model will be unveiled bit by bit until it is officially launched in Paris on October 1st. See what Ferrari is calling their “Virtual voyage of discovery” HERE

Art Astor hosted a wonderful Preview Gala on the night before his three day auction of cars, radios, phones, and memorabilia. Astor Family members bid farewell to the collection while trumpet player and renowned band leader Jack Sheldon played on into the night with his big band. Pictures HERE. Reports from the field say that first day sales met or exceeded auction catalog estimates with most of the chairs filled during the event. Saturday and Sunday’s action with the cars should be exciting, updates to come.

RM proclaims Joe’s Garage Auction a, “Smashing Success” with several cars and motorcycles blowing away their pre-auction estimates. This sets the stage for the Astor Collection auction of cars, radios, microphones, slot machines, automotive signs, gas pumps, etc. this coming weekend. Photos from both events soon. Joe’s Auction results HERE

OCTO Campout at Black Star Canyon (Orange County Transporter Organization/VW Bus) was a blast. These guys know what vintage camping is all about. Just one of the many VW events happening June 7th and 8th in the OC. Pictures HERE

A Celebration of Life for Chuck Daigh was held at his shop in Costa Mesa on Saturday May 31st. A solid representation of Hot Rodders and Chuck’s peers included: brother Harold Daigh, Dan Gurney, Bob Bondurant, Phil Hill, Jerry Grant, Dick Gulstrand, Phil Remington, Bill Krause, Ed Iskinderian, along with Chuck’s flathead powered dry lakes dragster (w/engine turned 90 degrees and chain driven to eliminate any parasitic drive train power loss), the Troutman/Barnes Special, and a couple of T-Birds representative of the Fords Chuck drove on the Beach at Daytona. The family provided a wonderful lunch and several photo albums full of racing pictures. Event Photos HERE

Here’s a classic clip we found. Obviously from a time when Cali was not as litigious an environment as it is currently. Borderline “Jackass” stunts and a Mopar wheelstander to boot (compliments of “Dandy Dick Landy”). HERE

The Newport Harbor Drivers Club has opened it’s doors. Like a yacht club for car enthusiasts, the freshly remodeled facility has reasonable membership fees and has already attracted some of the neighborhoods most passionate enthusiasts. Pictures HERE Drivers Club web site HERE

Ferrari – Leggenda e Passione, the all Ferrari auction held in Maranello saw $45 million worth of cars change hands. Among them a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder that sold for $10.9 million, setting a new world record for the most expensive motor car ever to be sold in auction history. Results and Online catalog HERE Classic footnote: a letter in this weeks edition of AW recounts a short story of a young man remembering the black Ferrari parked, top down and keys in the ignition, at Compton College where the guest speaker was none other then James Coburn.

Bonhams Auction House announces the consignment of Steve McQueens LeMans Porsche . The ex-Solar Productions Steve McQueen/Peter Revson race car is a 1969-70
Porsche 908/2 Pflunder, 3-litre air-cooled flat-8 Spyder in which McQueen and Revson finished second overall in the 1970 Sebring 12-Hours, just behind Mario Andretti.  It was raced later that same year at Le Mans mounted with two cameras to produce footage for McQueen's classic film Le Mans, released in 1971. The car went on to become a five-time competitor in the Le Mans 24-Hour Grand Prix d'Endurance. Pre-Auction estimates say $1.5-$2 million. Wildly conservative in our opinion. Also, 1960 Jaguar “E2A” (
HERE)will be offered with estimates of $7 million + expected. And let’s not forget the ex-Pierre Boncompagni 'Pagnibon, Ecurie Nice 1939 Talbot-Lago. Find the Online catalog HERE

24 Hours of LeMons held at Altamont. For the third year now, this low budget enduro was held, unfortunately a fatality darkened the normally fun loving mood of this event. Our friends at “Motoring J Style” finished third and have posted event details and video. Check it our HERE. RIP Court Summerfield

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE.What started out simply as an April Fools email Joke to trick some friends into driving over to Joe’s Garage for a “free to the public today only tour” of the collection has gone beyond the original scope of this innocent prank. We at www.bench-racing.com would like to formally state that this email was indeed simply an April Fools Joke that had no malicious intent. Please do not call RM Auctions about this email, it is a fake, a spoof, simply an April Fool’s Day Joke. Please see our Feature Article and original news clip below and listing on our event calendar for more event information. As this April Fools Joke has shown us all, passions surrounding the sale of these cars are thick and these will be significant auctions and are not to be missed. www.rmauctions.com

Two large Orange County Car Collections to be auctioned off. RM Auctions has been hired to disperse two legendary OC car collections. Joe MacPherson’s “Joe’s Garage” and part of Art Astor’s huge collection (250 cars) will both go under the gavel in June of this year. For a preview click HERE. See our event calendar for more details.

Local Racing and Builder legend Chuck Daigh passes away. Lifetime Hot Rodder, Racer and builder, Chuck did it all including building and racing a flathead special at El Mirage in his 80’s. Brief history of Chuck Daigh HERE

Riverside International Automotive Museum Opens the doors to a new 20,000 square foot facility. The new museum building has expanded visitors hours and lots of significant memorabilia from Riverside International Speedway. Museum web site HERE

Doheney Wood featured over 140 Woody Wagons and Cars. Event photos HERE

Did you miss the 10th annual NFIBMT? If you did not go click HERE and see what you missed. The orgainzers have officially decided that this will be the last NFIBMT. Will someone step up and replace this spring SoCal tradition?

Steve Fossett’s LSR Land Speed effort continues. Sonic Arrows quest for a new land speed record is still alive! Details and photos from the March test HERE. More details HERE

Disney Gives “CARS” 2 the go ahead. Although we look forward to the premier of “Speed Racer” nothing beats a sequal to the best car movie ever. Cars 2 info HERE

The F1 season heats up. BMW now leads constructors points with a 3/4 finish in Bahrain. Max Mosley formally requested to stay home. Pole Kubica (from Poland) takes the pole, finishes 3rd. Massa needs top step on the podium to look Kubica in the eye. Hamilton slips from the points lead. Did you happen to catch Massa’s facial expression when he took a drink or Champagne (actually nonalcoholic fruit beverage) priceless. How do expect to entice tourists to a country w/o alcohol?

Jerry Seifeld has serious rollover crash. After losing the brakes in his Fiat, Seifeld crashed the car but walked away. Full story HERE

CHP find man’s Porsche, stolen in 1969. California CHP officers went to great lengths to find the owner of this stolen 356 Roadster. Story HERE

Strangely similar story about a Mustang in SoCal HERE

RM Completes their Amelia Island Auction. In conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours, RM Auction House successfully auctioned off 100 cars including the “Edsel Ford Speedster” one of our favorite cars, a bidding war between John O’Quinn and Edsel Ford II finally ceased when the price hit $1.6 million. Two cars sold for more then $2 million and another car broke the $1 million barrier. Complete results HERE. The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance honored racing legend Parnelli Jones HERE

In other auction news, the incredible muscle car parts and cars stash from Wisconsin (original story HERE) is now schedule to be auctioned May 9-10 in Clarksburg, Md.. The contents of all 21 trailers will be sold, no firm details but the auction house web site is HERE and it indicates there will be internet bidding.

THE BIGGEST NEWS OF THE YEAR! Indy Car and Champ Car have finally done the deal and unified. For hard core open wheel fans like us at Bench-Racing, this means we may finally get back to the days when open wheel racing on Sundays was our second religion. See details and pictures HERE

HOT RODDER CODDINGTON AND SPORTS CAR LEGEND FRERE DIE. In obviously unrelated news, the car community lost Hot Rod innovator and builder Boyd Coddington age 63 and Sports Car Driver and Writer Paul Ferre age 91. More Coddington news HERE and HERE. Coddington one time employee and Hot Rod craftsman in his own right, Lil’ John Buttera also passed away on March 2nd HERE

www.CarJunkieTV.com will officially debut it’s web site in March. Ex-Hot Rod Magazine Editor and friend David Freiburger hosted a Car Junkie TV open house on Saturday with about 200 fellow “car junkies”. Attendees were treated to a gathering of 60 cars, all sorts, free beer and burgers, mini bike demo, project car display, and clips from upcoming Car Junkie TV webisodes (not to mention some impressive burn outs on Cedar St.). Some posted pictures HERE

UAE License plate with the #1 on it recently was sold at auction for $14 million. Makes $1 million muscle cars look like a steal. See full story HERE

2008 Grand National Roadster Show results are in! AMBR Trophy goes to Robbie Azevedo and his 1929 Ford Roadster. Picture HERE. Hate to say if this picture is correct, we do not agree with this selection. 34 page PDF file of all the winners HERE

The 2008 Grand National Roadster Show opens to the public tomorrow but we will be previewing the show TONIGHT! AMBR contestants and Hot Rods. Pictures HERE.

Bench-Racing is in Arizona for all of the Auction Action including Barrett-Jackson, RM, Russo Steele, and Gooding & Co.. Check in as we download photos HERE. Event coverage to follow.

NEW YEARS DAY 2008 TOUR D’ORANGE. This 5th annual New Year’s Day tradition continues. Over 200 cars participated this year. Lotus Club, Cobra Club, Viper Club, Mini Club, Current Gen Mustang group, BMW Club, Porsche Club, and 356 Club were just some of the participants. Photos HERE and HERE Email us your photo link and we will post it here.Happy New Year, same thing January 1st 2009.

Pictures from TRE’s New Years Day LA Area fun run HERE

Bench-Racing has selected their “Worst Car of the Year”. View this four wheeled atrocity HERE

2007 LA Auto Show is on! Photos of the new Lambo, Maserati, Mini Clubman, Jag XF, Porsche GT2 and Cayenne Hybrid, Smart ForTwo, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and the really cool VW Space UP. Photos HERE

Carrera California III was way too much fun! Almost 400 miles of great two lane roads and a special trip across Camp Pendleton. I don’t remember seeing one cop the whole trip. Trip details and photos HERE

Rennsport III. Bench-Racing writer and photographer Rex McAfee attended this unequaled PORSCHE event held at Daytona International Speedway. Rex’s Photos HERE. Over 3800 event photos HERE. That’s right, over 3800!

SEMA Show 2007 is next on our calendar. Pictures HERE. Show cars and prototypes, diamond encrusted Mercedes SL, Scion with arcade game built in, holographic window treatments and illuminating graphics.

Petersen Museum opens their new Lowrider Exhibit. Opening night photos HERE. Details on the exhibit, “La Vida Lowrider”, times, and information HERE. Purchase your NOS collectors copy of the 2000 Petersen Museum lowrider exhibit HERE

For those of you who haven't been informed or seen the breaking news on NHRA.com, I'm sorry to report that Wally Parks has passed away. Wally had been struggling with a cracked hip bone and during hospitalization developed heart problems and came down with pneumonia. He passed peacefully shortly past 7 p.m. this evening. No plans have as yet been announced for a memorial service, but information will likely be carried on NHRA.com and in National Dragster.
--Dick Wells

The 2007 Volkswagen Treffen at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim, CA was a treat for aficionados of VW heritage. See Rex’s Photos HERE.  Amazing coach built and original Volkswagens, some which you may have never seen before.

Here’s a FREEBIE for you racer and wanna be racer types. A free downloadable copy of “The Physics of Racing”. Click HERE. 60+ pages of info.

MORMON METEOR WINS BEST OF SHOW AT 2007 PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE. The winning car, also known as “The Mormon Meteor,” is a supercharged speedster that was raced by Utah’s Ab Jenkins (the former mayor of Salt Lake City) and then driven on the city streets. The car, which set a 24-hour speed record (135.58 miles per hour) in 1935, sold for a record $4.45 million at the 2004 Pebble Beach Auction conducted by Gooding & Company. Pictures HERE and HERE

Auction Results: RM Sells $47 Million selling 178 of 192 cars. High sale was the ex-Bob Grossman 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Competizione at $4,950,000, while the ex-Mae West 1935 Duesenberg SJ Town Cabriolet with Bohman & Schwartz Coachwork sold for $4,400,000. Results HERE, Christies Sells Steve McQueen’s Ferrari Lusso for $2.1 (pre-auction estimate of $800-$900) Results HERE, Gooding & Co sold 122 of 134 cars for a $61,350,250 total. High sale was a 1931 Bentley 4 1/2-Liter Roadster at $4,510,000, while a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder sold at $4,400,000 Results HERE , Russo & Steele managed to get over $700,000 for a steel bodied 300SL Gullwing and over $900,000 for a Lamborgini Miura, you must register to see results HERE and “Final Bid” is given, no indication of actual sale.

PHOTO LINKS: Airport Party, The Pebble Beach Concours Tour, & Laguna Seca HERE Historic Racing and Monterey Auctions HERE l Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance HERE, Toyota Legends Race and Revolution to Evolution Panel Discussion Pictures HERE

We are off to Monterey. Our schedule is very full so look forward to lots of photos and details from Auctions, Vintage Racing, The Wednesday Airport Party, The Quail, and of course the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Daily Photo Updates HERE

Bonneville Speed Week is underway! The standing water is evaporating fast and two new courses have been dragged. See daily updates and photos HERE

Hot Air Ballon record holder, Le Mans class winner, and aviation record holder Steve Fossett has purchased the Craig Breedlove’s “Sprit of America” land speed record vehicle and has signed land speed legend Craig Breedlove on as a consultant. Fossett is preparing an assalt on the ultimate land speed record held by Thrust SSC. Team McCall was set to join Fossett and his team for some testing at the end of July but the Bonneville Salt Flats were covered with 12 inches of water from a series of rain storms. Fossett’s record attempts are being set for September and October at Bonneville. Visits Fossett’s web site HERE. Check out the pictures of the Spirit of America with it’s new paint scheme.

Monterey Update: “Evolution to Revolution” a special panel discussion sponsored by Toyota. Thursday August 16th 3-5PM at the Laguna Seca Media Center. All are welcome. Parking in lot #8. See Event Calendar for more info.

Big News from Monterey: Noted Muscle Car collector Reggie Jackson (Mr. October), has consigned his collection to the Muscle Car Specialist Russo & Steele. Russo & Steele have held an all Muscle Car auction in Monterey for the last couple of years and this venue is close to Jackson’s Bay Area collection. The surprise is that Barrett Jackson was passed up and the nod given to Russo & Steele. The other development is that these are some very significant cars (1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Convertible, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, a 1962 Pontiac GTO, and a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28) yet this announcement has been made less then a month from the auction date. Details HERE

The First “Porsche Date Night” at Enderle Center in Tustin was a success, maybe 100+ cars showed up. Photos HERE. Sorry, only 356, 912, and 911 to ‘73 photos but that’s just what we’re all about. Steve Schmidt’s 356 “GT” rightfully took the 356 catagory and Paul Kramers’ 911 “Mad Cow” won Special Interest catagory.

Pasadena Art Center’s Annual Car Show again did not disappoint. Photos HERE

Congratulations to Iron Bottom and Carrera California participants Tina and Chuck. They are the new owners of Burbank’s famous Autobooks-Aerobooks and we wish them continues success. Look for the new owners to continue the tradition and special events that this bookstore is noted for as you won’t find two more passionate motoring individuals.

The Dana Point Porsche Concours featured over 150 Porsche 356 cars along with 911, 912, and competition cars (at least 5 four cam 356’s). See over 300 pictures from this event HERE

Let me introduce you to a free online magazine called “Winding Road”. Friend and longtime automotive journalist Leo Levine (Road & Track, Ford: The dust and the glory parts I and II, Mercedes Benz chief of PR, etc.) is now a contributing writer at Winding Road. They are offering FREE 36 month subscriptions just for submitting your email. There is an awesome “Olive Active Magazine” software that works sort of like Adobe Acrobat (just faster) and allows you to virtually page through the entire current or back editions of the magazine. Worst case, you have something to read when stuck someplace with your laptop and a few spare minutes to kill. A four out of five steering wheel rating by Bench-Racing.

If you missed REV-IT-UP last year (or the year before) sign up now. It is coming to OC July 13 & 14th. Information HERE

The Truths and Myths of improved FUEL ECONOMY. HERE And some smart tips for More Miles for your Money HERE

Seems like last weekend at our local Cars and Coffee, someone did not heed the request for no burnouts as you leave the venue. Well you can watch as the “the Cobra bites back”. Video link HERE. CLASSIC a five steering wheel rating by us at Bench-Racing.

Daily Photos From the No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour HERE

Although we have lost a SoCal sports car legend Jack McAfee, we have gained a great tribute web site established by his son and Bench-Racing contributing writer Rex McAfee. Jack was and still is the youngest owner of a Porsche Dealership and he was a large presence in the racing scene all his life. Pomona, Santa Barbera, Torrey Pines, Brynfan Tyddyn, Sebring, etc.. See the new web site HERE

The long awaited Return of Michael Schumacher. Well known Ferrari PR boss, Aprile Pazzo*, has announced that 7 time F1 champion Michael Schumacher is purchasing the entire assests of the Ferrari F1 Team and will take over development and direction of the Ferrari F1 Team starting with the 2008 racing season. Ferrari, owned by Fiat, will concentrate on it’s exotic car production. (*Aprile Pazzo is Italian for April Fool).

March 23, 2007

Robert E. Petersen, Founder of Hot Rod, Motor Trend Magazines and Benefactor of the Petersen Automotive Museum Passes On at 80

Robert E. Petersen, an entrepreneur who single-handedly created the largest special-interest publishing company in America, was instrumental in the evolution of the hot-rodding culture, and who, with his wife Margie, realized his dream of establishing an educational museum to pay tribute to the automobile, died on Friday, March 23, at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. after a short but valiant battle with neuroendocrine cancer. He was 80. For the complete obituary click
HERE. Bob Petersen certainly secured his presence in the car world by helping to establish arguably the best public car museum in the United States. I am sure we have all gathered there at one time or another for some special event and we can look forward to those occasions into the future. Mostly due to his and Margie Petersen’s generosity. He influence and vision will be missed by the car guys fraternity.

Comic/Actor Eddie “Barney” Griffin Crashes Enzo At a trackside event to kickoff the new street racing movie “Redline” Actor Eddie Griffin drove a Ferrari Enzo straight into a concrete barrier severely damaging the car. Media claims the car was totaled but also quoted the value of the car at $1.5 million. See the clip HERE and the actors post crash interview HERE. Now let’s read between the lines, the Enzo belongs to the movie’s producer, the movie sucks, is wrecking an Enzo at a media event such a large price to pay for all the publicity it has now generated?

The Petersen’s Checkered Flag 200 visited a race car collection in Corona. Heavy on vintage Sprinters and Indy 500 competitors. Photos HERE. Quote of the day by the owner of the collection, a successful businessman and skilled vintage racer with an encyclopedic knowledge of his cars, “Sometimes when I am in here alone, after everyone has gone home, I still expect someone to yell at me HEY KID, GET OUTTA HERE, WE’RE CLOSED”.

Bench-Racing Editor Charles Rollins named to Team McCall. Slated for an October 2007 assault, Team McCall will head to the Bonneville Salt Flats to set an ultimate land speed record on a bicycle. Target set at 180 MPH. Details HERE

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. MARCH 16, 2007 - Late yesterday Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. LLC filed suit in U.S. District Court in relation to a situation that occurred at the company's January 2007 Scottsdale event.

A consignor, apparently unhappy with the $300,000 sale price of his vehicle, placed chains and locks on the vehicle after it crossed the auction block and was sold, while it sat in the area where featured auction cars were displayed. He posted multiple notices on the vehicle claiming that the sale was void due to claimed "auction irregularities," and published other false and defamatory statements about Barrett-Jackson in view of the company's customers and the thousands of patrons attending the event. Barrett-Jackson's internal legal and security teams, and the Scottsdale Police Department, responded to the incident and documented the damage. Apparently, the seller thought his “Hemi Cuda” should fetch $700K-$1 Million and that the car was “quick hammered” and he did not get his three minutes of auction block time.

An ongoing internet smear campaign has stemmed from this seller dispute, with numerous defamatory rumors and untrue statements being published to web sites and online chat rooms viewed by the company's core customer base. In particular, an untrue, derogatory and defamatory "article" referring to the above incident has made its way onto more than 20 automotive-related online "blogs" and discussion boards frequented by thousands of classic car enthusiasts around the world.

Racing Season Returns! F1 reshuffle proves driver’s still matter. Kimi returns Ferrari to the top of the podium and Alonso brings Mercedes Mclaren back to the podium. Renault suffers. Even though Audi continues to dominate P1, the last lap battle in GT2 between Porsche and Ferrari was epic.

Deuce Week at the Petersen Automotive Museum was an orgy of ‘32 Fords. We attended the Legends Dinner and the huge Saturday ‘32 display. Photos HERE

Crevier Classic Car Company opens it’s doors! Check out this upscale vehicle storage facility located near the OC Airport (SNA/John Wayne). Grand opening photos HERE

Ferrari/Maserati of Orange County displayed classic Maserati’s in their showroom. A wonderful retrospective of the Marque. Photos HERE

Photos from the Grand National Roadster Show HERE

January 1st 2007. The fourth annual “Tour d’Orange”. The first automotive event of the new year featured some of the best two lane roads in Orange County and was attended by more then 250 cars. Thanks to our hosts, Auto Kennel and Newport Shelby Cobra and thanks to our sponsors CTEK Battery Chargers and TomTom Portable Navigation. Maps were handed out at 9 AM and the group departed promptly at 9:15 AM. The event terminated at IN-N-OUT Burger in Anaheim Hills. Pictures HERE, HERE, and HERE. We very much appreciate the excellent attitudes and good driving manners of those that went on the tour. Please E-mail us links to your posted pictures so we can share them eventinfo@bench-racing.com

NBC and General Motors has put together a special web site exclusively about Jay Leno’s car collection with a visit to his garage. He is a true ambassador for the collector car hobby. Pictures and video HERE

Looks like the last car event of 2006 was perhaps the most fun. A German themed car show and Toys for Tots drive was held at a private collection in Huntington Beach. Over 500 toys were donated. Rides were offered in vintage cars and motorcycles including a Kubelwagen, Schwimwagen, Benz Patent Wagon, etc. Pictures HERE

2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show: The Chairman of General Motors is surprised on stage at the conclusion of his keynote address. Tree huggers invite him to sign a pledge to increase the average MPG of GM’s fleet. He declines their offer and gives a good straight arm to the uninvited guests. Well done! Pictures from the auto show HERE

The Petersen Tribute to Parnelli Jones was another huge night of racing legends. Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Joe Leonard, Carroll Shelby, George Follmer, Al Unser Sr., George Bignotti, James Garner, Ivan Stewart, and on and on. Event photos HERE

If you are a Steve McQueen Fan, you shouldn’t miss the Bonhams Auction on Saturday November 11th at the Petersen Automotive Museum. This is the last large collection to be offered with a direct connection to Steve McQueen. Plenty of goodies from his last wife Barbera McQueen. See media day pics HERE Auction results are just in. View results HERE

The Carrera California II. A driving tour “From the ocean to the desert and back” has been completed. Pictures from the trip are available HERE.

The Fabulous Fifties Fall Fiesta. Much better then the name. Pictures HERE

SEMA Show 2006 Pictures HERE, HERE, and HERE

Cars and Coffee-An option for ex-Crystal Cove attendees. Saturday 7AM-9AM Ford Premier Automotive Group and Mazda Campus. 7905 Gateway Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618. Barranca Parkway and Alton Parkway in the Irvine Spectrum. As you face the building, display parking is to the left visitor parking is in the structure to the right. Please see other CC updates below. Flyer and pictures from the inaugural Saturday HERE Over 400 cars on the first weekend. Way more diverse then Crystal Cove ever was. A five steering wheel rated event. Event Podcast HERE

Crystal Cove Updates: A new web site proposes an alternative, visit ROGUE. The City of Newport Beach has offered the Balboa Pier parking lot without charge Saturday mornings until 9AM. The Ford PAG building in Irvine works well (see above). Another proposed Saturday Car Show is at “Ten Restaurant group” in Newport Beach, located at 4647 MacArthur Boulevard. Call Ten Restaurant Group at 949-660-1010 for info. More details as they come in!

The Fabulous Fifties hosted their Fall Fiesta at Carroll Shelby’s facility near the Goodyear Blimp in Carson. Besides legendary Sports Car drivers, including Ol’ Shel himself, there was a great little car show. Event pictures HERE

Bench-Racing attended the now historic auction of the Otis Chandler Collection in Oxnard. All cars were offered and sold at no reserve. Expected auction totals of $20-$27 million dollars were exceeded with the hammer price of +$32 million before buyer premium. Check out the posted online auction catalog HERE Pictures HERE Our feature article is posted HERE along with post auction updates,insights, and comprehensive results.

The Mercedes Classic Center hosted a Grand Opening Party. Enthusiastic members of the loca Mercedes communittee were invited to check out the new parts and restoration facility. Custom lighting transformed the showroom and workshop into what resembled an art gallery with the fine art being Mercedes-Benz cars. The display cases were full of tempting model cars and other MBZ trinkets. Pictures HERE MBZ Classic Center USA HERE

The First “24 Hours du Lemons” was a success, details HERE

Racer Rex (pronounced wrecks) returns from the SoCal TT with pictures HERE

OC Auto Show Opens! New Lambo debut. Pictures HERE

2006 Newport Concours d’Elegance was awesome, again! 200 well selected cars, two P51 Mustangs and a Bearcat flyover. Two Best of Shows, one pre-war a Delahaye and one post-war, my pal Weston Hook from La Jolla and his Strawberry Gullwing Mercedes-Benz. Photos HERE Wrap up to follow shortly.

Jim Hall Kart School Photos HERE. Everyone should find time to try this school. It’s nearby and very reasonably priced. www.jimhallkartracing.com Half-day, Full-day, Multi-day, Corporate event, etc. Run by Karting Champ Jim Hall himself, a very well run school with a great track an superior equipment.

2006 Cruisin’ For A Cure Photos HERE

The 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show is the Daimler Double Six 50 Corsica Drophead Coupe owned by Robert M. Lee, Reno, Nevada! Photos of this car HEREand HERE

We are back from Monterey. Vintage Races, Auctions, Parties, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, etc. Monterey Wednesday night McCalls Motorsports Revival AKA The Hanger Party HERE and HERE. “The Tour” HERE. The Monterey Historics HERE & HERE. The Pebble Beach Concours HERE. RM Auctions has results posted HERE. Just click on the result you are interested in and it automatically links you to the cars description.

 

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