Autoblog

Monterey 2009: Ferrari TR59 gathering - Pebble Beach's wild stepchildren

Drew Phillips — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari

1959 Ferrari TR59 Gathering at Pebble Beach - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's a special place in our hearts for classic Ferraris, especially red ones with long, swooping fenders. That's why we were so excited to hear that the four remaining 1959 Ferrari TR59s would be all at the Pebble Beach Concours this year.

Lighter and more powerful than the 250TR on which it was based, the TR59 featured coachwork by Pininfarina and Fantuzzi as well as upgraded features like disc brakes and coil valve springs that increased horsepower to 306. Coming off a successful 1958 season including a victory at Le Mans, the TR59 continued the winning tradition with a 1-2 debut finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

While the TR59 model doesn't have the simple elegance as its predecessor, we would still consider it one of the most beautiful Ferrari racing cars of all time. We made sure to be on the 18th fairway at Pebble bright and early to capture the historic gathering, the result of which can be seen in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari TR59 Gathering at Pebble Beach

Monterey 2009: Ferrari TR59 gathering - Pebble Beach's wild stepchildren originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2009: Pebble Beach provides docking for Barchettas

Drew Phillips — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Ferrari

Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchettas - Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the featured groups of cars for Pebble Beach were a number of influential Ferrari models, and perhaps none were more so than the 166 MM Barchetta. Nicknamed the "Little Boat," the 166 MM was one of Enzo's very first race cars, and it put Ferrari on the map both as a race team and as a manufacturer.

The 166 MM featured a 2.00liter V12 underneath its long bonnet that produced 140 horsepower and 117 lb-ft torque. However, at just over 1400 pounds, it was quite formidable on the track. The 166 MM scored historic victories at the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans and at the 1949 Mille Miglia (which gave it its name). Just 25 were produced in the late 1940s, and as only Pebble Beach can do, ten examples were on display on the 18th fairway. Our collection of photos from the historic gathering can be viewed in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchettas at Pebble Beach

Monterey 2009: Pebble Beach provides docking for Barchettas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2009: 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Classics

2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - Click above for high-res image gallery

Since it was first held way back in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance has developed into the world's greatest celebration of classic automobiles. Like they say at the Emmies, it's an honor just to be nominated. That definitely holds true at Pebble as well, as only the most beautiful and rare cars are invited to participate. That's probably why they had competitors coming in from 30 states and 19 different countries, including Hong Kong, Argentina and Australia. Altogether there were about 200 vehicles in 28 classes in this year's field.

While the 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet that won "Best of Show" at the 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance seemed far and away the most beautiful car at the event, that didn't keep us from noticing about 200 other incredible vehicles parked around it on the 18th fairway at Pebble on Sunday.

And Pebble is about way more than just the car show. There are dozens of supporting causes and attractions around the Lodge and Links, with proceeds from the various raffles, auctions, sponsorships and gate receipts generating more than $1 million for charity again this year. One of the most entertaining charity events every year is Jay Leno's stage appearance, where he helps raise money through various live auctions. This year he helped California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sell his signed bomber jacket for a whopping $30,000.

The cars at Pebble are grouped in classes, with several featured marques and themes every year. This year there were special displays honoring Bentley (which also had the biggest representation in the field), Zagato, and the centennials of Bugatti, Audi and Morgan. Motorcycles were also displayed for the first time this year. The class consisted of British bikes built through 1959. Other highlights were a special gathering of Ferrari TR59s and 166 Barchettas, Silver Arrow race cars, Stirling Moss race cars to celebrate that legendary driver's 80th birthday, and even a Porsche class that included a 917 and a 908/03 Spyder owned by comedian Jerry Seinfeld. It was another great year, and we can hardly wait for that third Sunday in August 2010, when Alfa Romeo and Pierce-Arrow will be among the makes honored. Until then, please enjoy our gallery of images from the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Gallery: 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Monterey 2009: 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2009: 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet takes Pebble Beach Best of Show

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:43:00 EST

Filed under: Classics

1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and another trophy for Robert M. Lee of Sparks, Nevada. This year the car he used to pick up the hardware was a stunningly turned out 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet. August Horch had worked with Karl Benz back in the infancy of the automobile before leaving to form his own company, August Horch & Cie in 1899. Ten years later he bolted from his namesake firm to start up Audi. That didn't stop Horch, the company, from continuing to produce incredible motor vehicles.

In 1935 they introduced the 850, which featured a 5-liter straight-eight engine. The short wheelbase version was dubbed the 853 and it was a very popular car in its day because of its luxury appointments and competitive pricing. The winning 853 has coachwork by the Berlin coachbuilder, Voll & Ruhrbeck.

Lee's Horch just completed a rumored five year restoration and it shows in every nut and bolt. Finished in a glorious silver with acres and acres of chrome, a double continental kit and long sweeping fenders and running boards, it simply had to be the Best of Show. We knew this car was special when we first spotted it Thursday during the Tour d'Elegance, so we have plenty of pics of it to share with all of you. Hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

UPDATE: Press release added after the jump.

Gallery: 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet

Continue reading Monterey 2009: 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet takes Pebble Beach Best of Show

Monterey 2009: 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet takes Pebble Beach Best of Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Event Alert: August Calendar of Automotive Events

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:37:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Auctions, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, Event Alert

Monterey, Meadow Brook, and Michael, oh my! This August offers plenty of action for all types of car lovers. The Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance launches the month in style, along with the SEMA Show 'n Shine half a continent away in Pasadena. For folks who are going to be near Reno, the annual Hot August Nights show hits the biggest little city in the world this month as well. The biggest events for the Autoblog crew (as well as thousands of others) will be the Woodward Dream Cruise and the week-long classic car fest in Monterey, California, capped off by the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

There's lots of racing action, too, most notably the return of seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher to the cockpit for Ferrari in Spain. The world's premier racing series also visits Spa at the end of the month. Meanwhile, ALMS makes stops at Mid-Ohio, Road America and Mosport; IndyCar hits Kentucky, Mid-Ohio, Infineon Raceway and Chicago; and NASCAR fans can look forward to races at Pocono, Watkins Glen, MIS and Bristol.

If none of those events appeal to you, check the Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. Please use the comments section to add or modify listings.

Continue reading Event Alert: August Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: August Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Influential Ferraris to be featured on Pebble Peach lawn

Drew Phillips — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari

1959 Ferrari TR 59 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's just about that time of the year when we start gearing up for Monterey car week, and the various events have started to announce what exactly we can look forward to at all the shows, races, and auctions. The Pebble Beach Concours, the pinnacle of the week, has already pronounced Bentley and Bugatti as the featured marques for 2009, and it looks like quite a few historic Ferrari motorcars will be joining them on the 18th fairway.

The world's most prestigious car show will bring together some of the most influential Ferraris of all time including 10 of the 25 1949 166 MM Touring Barchettas and all four of the remaining Ferrari TR 59s. The 166 MM is perhaps the cornerstone of Ferrari's road racing heritage, winning the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1949. The 59 TR, an evolution of the legendary 250 TR, was also successful on track, capturing victory at its debut at Sebring in 1959 and at Le Mans a year later. Both cars have also inspired designs from Ferrari and other companies for the last several decades. You can learn more about both cars in the press release after the jump, and be sure to browse through our high-res gallery of the 59 TR below.

Gallery: 1959 Ferrari TR 59

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Pebble Beach Concours via 0-60]

Continue reading Influential Ferraris to be featured on Pebble Peach lawn

Influential Ferraris to be featured on Pebble Peach lawn originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: First-ever in-the-fiber shots of Devon GTX supercar emerge

Chris Paukert — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Videos, Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows

Brenda Priddy's long-lens outfit has captured the first shots off the Devon Motor Works GTX supercar during aerodynamics testing.

The butterfly-doored coupe looks very promising in bare carbon fiber, as is word that the prototype was spotted at Willow Springs raceway with British Le Mans champion Justin Bell behind the wheel for testing duties.

This GTX mule certainly has some interesting details to it, including the aforementioned up-and-forward doors, as well as a U-shaped vented hood, center-exit exhaust, a big (and likely temporary) adjustable wing, and funky contrasting fender treatments which may or may not see production.

It isn't altogether clear what engine will be powering this beastie, but Priddy's people reportedly overheard the engineers talking of extracting 650 horsepower out of the drivetrain. California-based Devon, you may recall, was the sole bidder Chrysler reported for its Viper franchise, and it's certainly conceivable that despite the failed bid attempt, the car seen here would still feature a certain 8.4-liter V10 underhood. Indeed, given that Devon continues to tout its creation as "America's next great supercar," that scenario seems rather likely.

The GTX is slated to make its first appearance at next month's Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance (we'll be sure to grab some live photos), and the coupe is tipped to go on sale in the U.S. first in 2010, with other markets to follow. Check out the gallery of renderings below as well as a video of the teasers after the jump.

Gallery: Devon Motor Works GTX renderings

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Continue reading Spy Shots: First-ever in-the-fiber shots of Devon GTX supercar emerge

Spy Shots: First-ever in-the-fiber shots of Devon GTX supercar emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach concept car lawn

Drew Phillips — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

Click image above for a high-res gallery of concepts from Pebble Beach

The Pebble Beach Concours has something for every car enthusiast, even if classic cars aren't your thing. Every year we take the time to tear ourselves away from the fairway and head up to the front of the lodge where the concept car lawn showcases some of the latest show cars. Many of the cars made their debut at the Detroit Auto Show this year including Chrysler's green concepts, the Jeep Renegade, Dodge ZEO, and Chrysler ecoVoyager. GM brought out the Cadillac CTS Coupe and the Buick Invicta, Lexus showed off the LF-A Roadster, and Mercedes-Benz displayed the F700 that debuted in Frankfurt. Other featured cars included the Pininfarina Hyperion, Lamborghini Reventon and Gallardo LP560-4, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport and Spyker C8 Aileron. Enjoy the high resolution gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn

Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach concept car lawn originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2008: Lamborghini featured at Pebble Beach

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Performance, Supercars, Lamborghini, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the featured Lamborghinis at Pebble

While Pebble Beach is perhaps best known as a place to honor classic American and European cars, sports cars have always held a special place in the hearts of the Concours committee and judges. With 45 years under its belt, Lamborghini is certainly deserving of a special place on both counts. As a featured marque here at Pebble, Lamborghini was extremely well represented with a selection of exquisite rare examples. Nine vehicles were on display being judged by 40-year test pilot Valentino Balboni among others.

The lineup of seldom-seen Lambos included the earliest known Lamborghini 350GT, the earliest known Miura, the earliest Miura SV, the Miura Roadster fresh from a yearlong restoration that swapped its army green paint for the correct blue metalflake, a 350GTS, 350GTZ by Zagato, an early LP400 Countach, and three one-off concepts - the 1990 P140, 1996 Raptor, and the Gallardo Concept S. A truly spectacular selection of models representing the fabled Italian marque. Check out the gallery below and follow the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Lamborghini at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours

Continue reading Monterey 2008: Lamborghini featured at Pebble Beach

Monterey 2008: Lamborghini featured at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach Best of Show goes to the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:19:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of this year's Pebble Beach Best of Show

The confetti has fallen, the champagne corks have flown, and the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show award has gone to the gorgeous 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta owned by John and Mary Shirley of Medina Washington. While every car here is truly extraordinary, the Best of Show car is always a stunner. This year was no exception. One of possibly five 8C 2900s bodied by Touring, this 8C has the supercharged straight 8 that was good for an amazing 180 hp. Some 30 8Cs were produced by Farina and Touring from 1937-1939, and few are the same or as nice as this particular example. Besides the trinkets and trophy, the Best of Show car also gets a boost in MSRP typically, being able to justifiably call itself the best collector car around. While we might fill in a few more galleries and posts to round out our coverage of Monterey 2008, we wanted to get this news to you asap. So click on the pics and enjoy.

Gallery: 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show

Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach Best of Show goes to the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac Provoq concept evolves into 2010 SRX

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Cadillac

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Cadillac SRX

If the vehicle pictured above looks vaguely familiar, it should. We basically saw it last January at CES and the Detroit Auto Show as the Cadillac Provoq concept. Replace the slatted grille with a standard Cadillac unit and the E-Flex fuel cell drivetrain with a conventional gas V6 and you have the new 2010 Cadillac SRX. The new SRX should be on the streets by this time next year replacing the current tall wagon that has only been marginally successful. Going forward, Cadillac has basically taking the first-gen SRX and split it into two vehicles, each of which is more focused on a particular segment. This vehicle that continues to wear the SRX badge will be a chunkier, more SUV-like vehicle, while those looking for a more car-like ride can go for the new CTS Sport Wagon. Cadillac isn't give out a lot of details about its new CUV yet, but that rarely stops us from some speculation. While the current SRX is based on the same Sigma platform used by the CTS and STS, the new one has a different architecture. It is also believed to have a transverse-mounted drive train with the possibility of front or all-wheel-drive. Based on its size, it is thought to be an improved, next generation version of the Theta mid-size CUV platform currently used by the Saturn Vue. The SRX, which has previously been referred to as the BRX, will share this new platform with the upcoming Saab 9-4X CUV. For now GM is only releasing these three images, but the vehicle itself will probably debut early in 2009, perhaps at the Detroit Auto Show.

Gallery: 2010 Cadillac SRX

Gallery: Cadillac Provoq Fuel Cell Concept

[Source: Cadillac]

Continue reading Cadillac Provoq concept evolves into 2010 SRX

Cadillac Provoq concept evolves into 2010 SRX originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pebble Beach '08 Preview: Rolls-Royce Hyperion by Pininfarina

Noah Joseph — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Rolls-Royce, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

Click to view more of the Pininfarina Hyperion

As we count down to this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, one of the most highly anticipated concept cars scheduled to make its debut there has popped up a bit early. Based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, the Pininfarina Hyperion has been commissioned by one lucky and presumably very wealthy customer. The unique creation does away with the rear seats and moves the front ones, along with the swept windscreen, back by 400 mm. If you can believe it, a gun rack has been fitted in front of the cabin (yeah, we're serious), while famed watchmaker Girard Perregaux has crafted a special tourbillon timepiece for the Hyperion that can be removed from its wrist-strap and mounted in the dashboard. Meanwhile, word has it that Rolls-Royce could be collaborating with Zagato or Bertone on another special model as well.

This, of course, is the first new vehicle from the Italian design firm to be unveiled since the untimely death of Andrea Pininfarina. Stay tuned for live shots of the Hyperion after its unveiling in five days. In the meantime, click on the thumbnails below to view new images of the concept, along with the original teaser sketch.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion

[Source: Pebble Beach via Virtual Car]

Pebble Beach '08 Preview: Rolls-Royce Hyperion by Pininfarina originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pinanfarina Hyperion to be unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Rolls-Royce, Misc. Auto Shows

Pininfarina announced yesterday that the legendary Italian design house has been commissioned to create a one-off version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe for an unnamed client. Said client apparently wants to make a big splash with his (or her) bespoke coupe, so they've given Pininfarina the go-ahead to debut the Hyperion at the Pebble Beach Concours in August.

The press release (posted below the fold) doesn't reveal any more details about the swoopy Roller, aside from saying that it is "firmly rooted in the history and heritage of the two Brands" and that the Hyperion is an homage to the pre-war cars of yore. We'll be on hand to see the unveiling of the Hyperion when it makes its debut in less than two months.

[Source: Pininfarina]

Continue reading Pinanfarina Hyperion to be unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours

Pinanfarina Hyperion to be unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter the rumormill: $1.5 million limited-edition Lambo coming

John Neff — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Supercars, Lamborghini, Misc. Auto Shows

This is by no means substantiated in any way other than a forum post, but a member of the FerrariChat forum is reporting that Lamborghini will privately unveil a new supercar based on the LP640 Murcielago (shown) and costing $1.5 million to a select group at the Pebble Beach Concours this week. The rumor goes that 20 will be made, with 15 earmarked for the U.S., and that the new supercar's official unveiling will occur at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. We have people on the ground at the Pebble Beach Concours this week with cameras ready in case a tent flap gets blown up by the wind, and we'll of course be in Frankfurt next month, as well. Just how powerful and fast this new Lambo will be, and whether the rumor is even true, is still unknown.

Thanks for the tip, Fred!

[Source: FerrariChat]

Enter the rumormill: $1.5 million limited-edition Lambo coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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