Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Citroën remixes its 90-year history for celebratory commercial]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/video-citroen-remixes-its-90-year-history-for-celebratory-comme/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/video-citroen-remixes-its-90-year-history-for-celebratory-comme/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/video-citroen-remixes-its-90-year-history-for-celebratory-comme/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Citroën celebrates 90 years -- Click above to watch video

Citroën is perhaps the wackiest mass-market auto manufacturer still in business (have you seen the 2CV, C-Cactus, and that dancing robot?), and this year, the company celebrates 90 years of mercantilism.

In celebration of that achievement, they have put together a 90-second video flyover of some of the most memorable - or just plain intriguing - pieces of company lore. From using the Eiffel tower as a billboard for a decade, to de Gaulle, the Pope, the WRC, and the Playstation, there's been a lot of it. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Citroën remixes its 90-year history for celebratory commercial

VIDEO: Citroën remixes its 90-year history for celebratory commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycitroenetceuropefrancevideoTue, 06 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda celebrates 50 years in the U.S. [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/15/honda-celebrates-50-years-in-the-u-s-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/15/honda-celebrates-50-years-in-the-u-s-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/15/honda-celebrates-50-years-in-the-u-s-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to watch video after the jump

It's official: Honda America is 50 years old. The company actually began its golden jubilee celebration earlier this year with a special float in the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena. That was followed by a little ceremony at the company's headquarters in Torrance, California this month - almost a painfully modest way to commemorate going from nothing to market heavyweight in at least five different areas (cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, power equipment, and racing). And all of it was done on the back of a 50 cc step-through motorcycle. Perhaps Honda wants its milestones to sing their own tunes, so you can check them out in the gallery of high-res photos below, or read about them and check out a video that spans the ages after the jump.


Gallery: Honda Celebrates 50 Years in America


[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda celebrates 50 years in the U.S. [w/VIDEO]

Honda celebrates 50 years in the U.S. [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryetchondavideoMon, 15 Jun 2009 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Bugatti to unveil four Veyron Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/report-bugatti-to-unveil-four-veyron-centenaire-specials-at-vil/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/report-bugatti-to-unveil-four-veyron-centenaire-specials-at-vil/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/report-bugatti-to-unveil-four-veyron-centenaire-specials-at-vil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bugatti Veyron Centenaire - Click above for a low-res image gallery

It must be a month with the letter "R" in it, because Bugatti is releasing yet another special edition Veyron. Following up on the one-off Blue Centenaire that was shown in Geneva to celebrate the marque's 100th anniversary, the latest is actually a corral of four special editions, each in a different color and dedicated to the legend of one of the company's pre-WWII racing drivers: Sir Malcolm Campbell, Hermann zu Leiningen, Jean-Pierre Wimille and Achille Varzi.

Each car gets a two-tone exterior treatment in grand Bugatti style: polished aluminum on the front fenders and doors, with the rear section, roof and hood in contrasting colors to match the legendary drivers' classic machines: Italian racing red, French racing blue, British racing green and an off-white to represent Germany, whose historic racing color was silver. So far only these low-res images have surfaced over on Motorpasion, so they will have to hold us over until Bugatti rolls out the quadruplets at the exclusive Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este show, which opens its gates this weekend on the shores of Lake Como.


Gallery: Bugatti Veyron Centenaire previews


[Source: Motorpasion]

Bugatti to unveil four Veyron Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybugattibugatti veyronbugatti veyron centenaireBugattiVeyronBugattiVeyronCentenairecentenairecentennaryconcours deleganceConcoursDelegancespecial editionspecial edition veyronSpecialEditionSpecialEditionVeyronveyronveyron centenaireVeyronCentenairevilla desteVillaDesteThu, 23 Apr 2009 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/mercedes-benz-celebrates-iconic-centennial-with-special-cl550/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/mercedes-benz-celebrates-iconic-centennial-with-special-cl550/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/mercedes-benz-celebrates-iconic-centennial-with-special-cl550/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mercedes-Benz CL550 "100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Edition" - Click above for a high-res image gallery

While so many other automakers have reinvented their logos over the years, Mercedes-Benz has stuck with the same one for 100 years now. One century ago, Daimler-Motoren-Gesselschaft went down to the local patent office and registered the Three-Pointed Star, the logo everyone knows and recognizes today. Just a few weeks later, August Benz & Cie did the same with their logo, the Benz name encircled by a wreath. These two icons later became integrated when the two companies banded together, but to celebrate the anniversary of their registration, Mercedes-Benz has announced a new special edition of one of its most upscale coupes.

The CL550 4Matic features a number of special Designo and AMG touches inside (light tan perforated leather with contrasting stitching and grey accents, gilded brass emblems on the center console) and out (special dark gray paint, new aero kit, and five-spoke 20-inch anthracite wheels with silver brake calipers) to differentiate itself from its more common counterparts. The special edition is available on either the rear-drive or all-wheel-drive 4Matic models around the globe, but since Benz made 4Matic standard equipment on the CL550 in the States, we'll only get the grips-at-all-paws variety.

No word on American-market pricing, but the package commands a hefty €17,850 ($23k USD) premium in Europe. Nobody said celebrating came cheap. Details in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: "100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Edition" CL550


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550

Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100th100th anniversary100thAnniversary4maticanniversarybadgebenzcentenarycentennialclcl500cl550cl550 4maticCl5504maticiconlogomercedesmercedes clmercedes cl550mercedes-benzmercedes-benz cl500mercedes-benz cl500 4maticmercedes-benz cl550mercedes-benz cl550 4maticMercedes-benzCl500Mercedes-benzCl5004maticMercedes-benzCl550Mercedes-benzCl5504maticMercedesClMercedesCl550Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[50 Candles and a big fat Czech: Skoda Octavia celebrates the half-century]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/50-candles-and-a-big-fat-czech-skoda-octavia-celebrates-the-hal/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/50-candles-and-a-big-fat-czech-skoda-octavia-celebrates-the-hal/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/50-candles-and-a-big-fat-czech-skoda-octavia-celebrates-the-hal/#comments
Click on the images above to view the old and new Skoda Octavia in high resolution

Skoda's mainstay model has hit the half-century mark, celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year. The original 1959 Skoda Octavia was so named because it was the eighth model produced by the Czech automaker, at the time a state-owned enterprise until the Volkswagen Group came in and acquired the company in 1989. Developing a new Octavia was the first order of business for the German engineers who marched on the Czechoslovakia, which debuted in concept form in 1992 just before the communist state fell. The upheaval would mean the new Octavia wouldn't hit the market until four years later, and Volkswagen has overseen a succession of facelifts and updates since. More details can be found in the press release after the jump, and you can click on the images above to see the original and most recent Octavia in high resolution.

Continue reading 50 Candles and a big fat Czech: Skoda Octavia celebrates the half-century

50 Candles and a big fat Czech: Skoda Octavia celebrates the half-century originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybirthdayskodaskoda octaviaskoda octavia 50th anniversarySkodaOctaviaSkodaOctavia50thAnniversaryThu, 12 Feb 2009 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover celebrates 500,000 sales in U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/27/land-rover-celebrates-500-000-sales-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/27/land-rover-celebrates-500-000-sales-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/27/land-rover-celebrates-500-000-sales-in-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Land Rover first clambered onto our shores in March, 1987. It took almost ten-and-a-half years to sell the first 100,000 vehicles in the U.S., but it took only five more to move the next 150,000. And now with an expanded lineup and the Range Rover still stalking the countryside as the king of the luxury SUV pride, Land Rover North America has taken just two-and-a-half years to sell another 100,000 units. When a Range Rover Sport left the lot in Cerritos, California this month, that totaled 500,000 Land Rovers bought and paid for. And so to you Land Rover, on your 60th birthday, a tip of the hat and half a million kudos. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover celebrates 500,000 sales in U.S.

Land Rover celebrates 500,000 sales in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryetcland roverLandRovermilestonerange roverrange rover sportRangeRoverRangeRoverSportsalessuvTue, 27 Jan 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Subaru releases JDM-only 20th Anniversary Edition Impreza WRX STI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/subaru-releases-jdm-only-20th-anniversary-edition-impreza-wrx-st/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/subaru-releases-jdm-only-20th-anniversary-edition-impreza-wrx-st/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/subaru-releases-jdm-only-20th-anniversary-edition-impreza-wrx-st/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click either image for a high-res gallery of the Impreza WRX STI 20th Ann.

Celebration and disappointment -- that's what the Subaru Impreza WRX STI 20th Anniversary edition brings to the party. Celebration because it marks two decades of low-mounted, boxer-powered, all-wheel-drive fun and disappointment because the Takumi concept we saw earlier this month - assumed to be a glimpse of the future Spec-C WRX - was just an early unveiling of this limited edition Impreza.

To make matters worse, the 20th Anniversary WRX doesn't get much in the way of modifications. The only substantive changes to the STI's dynamics come from a new set of coilovers with retuned springs and shocks to offer a more planted ride, along with thicker front and rear anti-roll bars and a set of 18-inch aluminum wheels to compliment the only available hue (white). Body mods are also kept to a minimum, with only a black lip spoiler and rear wing subtly proclaiming the STI's special status.

No special edition would be complete without the prerequisite badging, so in addition to leather Recaros with red stitching and a matching shift knob, a commemorative plaque on the center console and a new set of door sills are the only thing letting people know that the Impreza is one of the 300 limited edition examples. Oh, and there's a special red pouch for the key fob too.

Sales are beginning in Japan as you read this, carrying a price tag of 4,126,500 yen.

Gallery: 20th Anniversary Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Subaru releases JDM-only 20th Anniversary Edition Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2020th anniversary20thAnniversaryanniversaryimprezastisubaruSubaru Impreza WRX STISubaru Impreza WRX STI 20th anniversarySubaruImprezaWrxStiSubaruImprezaWrxSti20thAnniversarywrxThu, 23 Oct 2008 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Williams FW30 breaks through the fog]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/williams-fw30-breaks-through-the-fog/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/williams-fw30-breaks-through-the-fog/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/williams-fw30-breaks-through-the-fog/#commentsFiled under:


click above for more high-res pics of the Williams FW30

Things have gotten a bit foggy over at Williams F1. The once front-running, championship-winning grand prix team has landed on tough times. This year the team opted against holding a glitzy unveiling event like those held recently by Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota and BMW Sauber, and instead focused its energies on developing its new car, the FW30. It seemed like a strange choice for the team that will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and during the season will mark its 500th grand prix and 50,000th racing lap.

But while the team isn't holding an official unveiling, it has whipped up six special paint schemes to celebrate its milestones this year. (We doubt any of them will be as cool as Aston Martin's new-old Gulf livery, but hopefully they'll be better than Honda's tree-hugging paint scheme.) The first time the motorsport press got a glimpse of the new FW30 was yesterday at the Valencia track where the new car was being put through its paces.

Renault was also supposed to take out the R28, the new chariot it has developed for returning former champion Fernando Alonso, but the fog kept them indoors. Honda is scheduled to unveil its new car later this week, as well. Williams, for its part, is hoping the new FW30, powered under contract by Toyota and driven by Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima, will perform and be reliable enough to get it back on the track to its former winning form.

[Source: Autosport, Photo by DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty]

Gallery: Williams FW30


Williams FW30 breaks through the fog originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycelebratecircuitdebutfogfw30jereztrackunveilvalenciawilliamsTue, 22 Jan 2008 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Collector's Collection: Ferrari 60th Anniversary Icons]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/06/collectors-collection-ferrari-60th-anniversary-icons/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/06/collectors-collection-ferrari-60th-anniversary-icons/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/06/collectors-collection-ferrari-60th-anniversary-icons/#commentsFiled under: ,

With the end of the year 2007, so came the end of Ferrari's 60th anniversary celebrations. Although the 60 special-edition 612 Scagliettis made to mark the occasion were nothing compared to the F40 and F50 supercars that were created to celebrate previous anniversaries, for its sixtieth Maranello partied it up in a number of ways, including an around-the-world rally. The relay baton that was passed off through each country on its global adventure was decorated with 60 emblems, each designed for the occasion and depicting an icon from each year of the company's history.

Now those emblems are being offered to customers as a collection, each minted in brass and mounted on a wooden base covered in red silk. Anchoring the display is the same Ferrari badge that goes on the boot lid of every new Ferrari road car. The collection is available for about $2000, but if you think nobody would drop that kind of cash on something like this, there are thousands of Ferrari collectors out there who are used to spending easily a hundred times that on a new car without batting an eye, and 1947 of them will have these hanging in their homes, offices or garage.

[Source: FerrariStore.com via Luxurylaunches.com]

Collector's Collection: Ferrari 60th Anniversary Icons originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6060thanniversarybatonferrariiconsrallyrelaysixtystoreyearSun, 06 Jan 2008 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy 30th, 7-Series!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/happy-30th-7-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/happy-30th-7-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/29/happy-30th-7-series/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's been thirty years since BMW introduced the first incarnation of its flagship luxury sedan. The original 7-Series (codenamed E23) made its market debut in 1977 to replace the four-door version of the smaller 6-Series and to compete with offerings from competitors, chief among them Mercedes-Benz.

Since then, the 7-Series has become a staple of the high-end luxury car market, doing battle with such models as the Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and Lexus LS. It is now in its fourth incarnation (not counting facelifts and cosmetic tweaks along the way), and has come a long way in the past 30 years. With the "controversial" styling, insanely complex iDrive system and worldwide portfolio of a dozen different variants, it's doubtful a buyer of the original 7 would even recognize its successor today.

From all of us at Autoblog, we wish the ultimate Ultimate Driving Machine a happy birthday. We look forward to a return to the simpler luxury sports sedan that we'd come to know.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Happy 30th, 7-Series! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>307anniversarybirthdaybmwseriesyearsSun, 29 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gunning for Guinness: Ferrari eyes record with parade at Silverstone]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/gunning-for-guinness-ferrari-eyes-record-with-parade-at-silvers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/gunning-for-guinness-ferrari-eyes-record-with-parade-at-silvers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/gunning-for-guinness-ferrari-eyes-record-with-parade-at-silvers/#comments

This year is Ferrari's 60th anniversary, and Ferrari is doing Rossa-themed things all over the world to celebrate. In Britain, the Silverstone race track will play host to Ferrari Racing Days the weekend of June 8-10. Among the range of festivities will be Ferrari Great Britain's attempt to break the world record for the "Largest Parade of Ferraris." The current record is 128, and based on what they have planned, updating the Guinness entry sounds perfectly doable. In addition to a round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli for F430 Challenge cars, the FXX will be appearing in the UK for the one and only (official) time, there will be races for historic road and race cars, a demonstration of F1 cars, and on display will be at least forty Ferrari F40's. The weekend will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the UK Ferrari Owners Club. If that doesn't attract every Ferrari from Land's End to John O' Groats, we don't know what will.

[Source: Ferrari]

Gunning for Guinness: Ferrari eyes record with parade at Silverstone originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2007 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60anniversarybritaindaysferrarigreatracingsilverstoneMon, 14 May 2007 08:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Caterham celebrates 50 years with Anniversary Pack for the Seven]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/28/caterham-celebrates-50-years-with-anniversary-pack-for-the-seven/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/28/caterham-celebrates-50-years-with-anniversary-pack-for-the-seven/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/28/caterham-celebrates-50-years-with-anniversary-pack-for-the-seven/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above image for addition high-res shots of the Caterham Seven anniversary package

Caterham's letting buyers in on a bit of the fun (as if buying, driving and owning a Seven isn't fun enough) for its Golden Jubilee celebration. An anniversary appearance package will be available for any 2007-model Seven. Once 50 packages are ordered (one for each year, get it?), it's history. Buyers can select either silver paint with black and gold accents or a black finish with silver and gold accents. Each car receives a signed, numbered plaque, Union Jack badges, 50th Anniversary decals, gold-trimmed leather seats (if ordered) and anniversary wheel centers to boot. All 2007 Caterham Sevens get the 50th anniversary badge shown at right. The cost is £1,957, honoring the year Colin Chapman gave us the original 7. Nice to see that after fifty years, good things never get old. In the case of the Caterham Seven, it just seems to get better.

[Source: Caterham Cars]

Gallery: Caterham Seven Golden Jubilee Anniversary Package

Caterham celebrates 50 years with Anniversary Pack for the Seven originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycaterhamcaterham 7caterham sevenCaterham7CaterhamSevengolden jubileeGoldenJubileeWed, 28 Feb 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Write-Hand Drive: Bentley diamond jubilee pens by Tibaldi]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/write-hand-drive-bentley-diamond-jubilee-pens-by-tibaldi/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/write-hand-drive-bentley-diamond-jubilee-pens-by-tibaldi/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/write-hand-drive-bentley-diamond-jubilee-pens-by-tibaldi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of its legendary Crewe factory, Bentley unveiled the Diamond Series special editions of the Continental GT coupe and Arnage R sedan, of which only 60 and 400 examples were made available, respectively. (As if an "ordinary" Bentley weren't exclusive enough.) Clearly purchasing one of these choice motors would be an event unto itself, so you wouldn't go ascribing your name to the paperwork with just any old Bic pen, now would you?

Of course not. That's why Bentley has teamed up with Tibaldi, purveyors of bespoke Italian writing instruments, to offer a special series of pens to commemorate Crewe's diamond jubilee. The design emulates the unique styling cues of the Diamond Edition Bentley motors, with a machine-turned metal finish and knurled rings for secure grip. The nibs are crafted from solid 18-carat yellow gold, plated in rhodium and ruthenium. Each pen comes in a suitably unique box of diamond-quartered English oak, as applied to the interior trim of the Arnage Diamond Series, judiciously lacquered and inlaid with the Bentley logo.

To match the exclusivity of their corresponding automobiles, these choice writing instruments are only offered in limited quantities: 400 silver fountain pens, 200 silver roller-ball pens, 40 solid white gold fountain pens and 20 solid white gold roller-ball pens. If you've gotten this far, you're probably shaking at the prospect of the suggested retail price. (As for us, we don't know, and we're not asking.)

[Source: Tibaldi via Luxist]

Write-Hand Drive: Bentley diamond jubilee pens by Tibaldi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60anniversarybentleydiamondeditioninstrumentjubileepensixtytibaldiwritingMon, 26 Feb 2007 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Bertone's 95th anniversary roadster concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/bertones-95th-anniversary-roadster-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/bertones-95th-anniversary-roadster-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/15/bertones-95th-anniversary-roadster-concept/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bertone is cooking up something special for the Geneva show next month and has graced us with this photo of what's in store. This sharp-looking little roadster is based on the Fiat Panda 100HP -- that pumped-up little city car that's been lauded as more fun than a barrel of monkeys. In fact, the only thing not to like about the Panda 100HP is the styling, an issue Bertone seems to have resolved nicely with this concept car.

The show car was created to celebrate the Italian design house's 95th anniversary, an incredibly long lifespan that has been marked by a long-standing relationship with Fiat. As we reported previously, Bertone's been having some trouble and Fiat may be coming to the rescue. Industry analysts (read: some of us over here at Autoblog) anticipate that Fiat could end up buying out Bertone, and like they turned Abarth into their in-house tuning department (soon to be revived), Bertone could become a unique sub-brand within Fiat, tweaking the Fiat line-up with designer bits.

This concept car, meanwhile, is reportedly designed to recall the custom re-bodied 1947 Fiat 500 which Nuccio Bertone enjoyed driving on weekends. If this is what they've put together for their 95th birthday, we can't wait for their centenary.

(Thanks for the tip, Faustino!)

[Source: Quattroroute.it]

Bertone's 95th anniversary roadster concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50095anniversarybarchettabertonecarconceptfiatgenevaroadstershowThu, 15 Feb 2007 08:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford bites MINI's flavour with UK "chequered flag" model]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/ford-bites-minis-flavour-with-uk-chequered-flag-model/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/ford-bites-minis-flavour-with-uk-chequered-flag-model/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/ford-bites-minis-flavour-with-uk-chequered-flag-model/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click to see one more photo

So, the Brits have made the Ford Fiesta a force on the sales charts for 30 years, and to celebrate, Ford's cooked up a loaded Zetec S "Anniversary" edition. The limited run of 400 cars is equipped with a 100-horsepower 1.6L Zetec, radian yellow paint, black mirrors, and some creature comforts like leather, A/C, and an MP3-ready auxiliary input jack. The icing on the cake, however, is the rooftop checkered chequered flag decal. Seriously.

Ford, MINI would like to have a word with you...

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: Ford Fiesta Zetec S Anniversary edition

Continue reading Ford bites MINI's flavour with UK "chequered flag" model

Ford bites MINI's flavour with UK "chequered flag" model originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycheckered flagCheckeredFlagchequered flagChequeredFlagfiestazetec sZetecSFri, 09 Feb 2007 15:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy 60th: Ferrari building 60 individually unique 612 Scagliettis]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/29/happy-60th-ferrari-building-60-individually-unique-612-scagliet/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/29/happy-60th-ferrari-building-60-individually-unique-612-scagliet/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/29/happy-60th-ferrari-building-60-individually-unique-612-scagliet/#commentsFiled under: ,


click above image for larger photos of the 60th Anniversary Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Ferrari is a truly amazing car company. With an illustrious history that spans the last 60 years and then some, the company currently sits at or near the top of both motorsports and the commerical arena in which it sells its Italian exotics. This year is Ferrari's 60th anniversary, and it's celebrating the milestone in a very Ferrari way, which is to say unlike anyone else. The festivities begain at the Italian embassy in Abu Dhabi today where Ferrari owners set out on a relay that will ultimately involve over 10,000 cars on a trip across China, Japan, Australia, South Africa, American and all of Europe. The trip is actually a relay, in which a special baton will be carried that bears 60 enamel symbols representing the 60 most important events in Ferrari's history. It's topped by a platinum and diamond prancing horse - very fitting.

At the start of the relay this morning, Piero Ferrari, son of company founder Enzo, gave a speech in which he also announced that the company will build and sell 60 very unique 612 Scagliettis. The cars will be offered in a two-tone livery with available colors that have graced the marque's most memorable models from year's past. Each will have a trick electrochromic glass roof, of which the degree of opacity can be infinitely adjusted by the driver. What will make each 612 the rarest of collectibles, however, is a small enameled symbol, presumably matching one of the the ones on the relay baton, set in the center tunnel of each car. We're guessing you won't be able to arrive at your Ferrari dealer and plunk down a deposit for one of these. Chances are you'll be invited by the company itself to purchaes one. I wouldn't hold your breath for the opportunity, however.

Check out Ferrari's full press release after the jump.

[Source: Ferrari]

Gallery: 60th Anniversary Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Continue reading Happy 60th: Ferrari building 60 individually unique 612 Scagliettis

Happy 60th: Ferrari building 60 individually unique 612 Scagliettis originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60th anniversary60thAnniversary612 scaglietti612ScagliettianniversaryferrariscagliettiMon, 29 Jan 2007 19:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford sends not-so-funny joke to fired worker]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/ford-plays-not-funny-joke-on-fired-worker/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/ford-plays-not-funny-joke-on-fired-worker/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/ford-plays-not-funny-joke-on-fired-worker/#commentsFiled under: ,



Michael Stawasz was one of 4,000 salaried workers at Ford who lost his job last January when the company launched its Way Forward restructuring plan. Stawasz was nine months short of his 30th anniversary with Ford, which meant he narrowly missed being able to retire with full benefits. About two dozen other ex-Ford employees are suing the company to get the benefits they feel they've earned, so imagine Stawasz's surprise when he received the above certificate in the mail along with a letter from Bill Ford Jr. congratulating him on 30 years of service.

Does Bill's well wishes mean Stawasz and his colleagues will be getting their full retirement benefits? Not according to Ford, which says it didn't mean to insult but rather wanted to honor the defendants. Also included in the package from Ford were plastic rings to determine the right size for a celebratory ring and a catalogue from which to pick a gift. Full retirement benefits were not to be found in the catalogue among the gifts for which Stawasz was eligible.

[Source: Detroit News]

Ford sends not-so-funny joke to fired worker originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jun 2006 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryfiredjob cutsJobCutsMon, 12 Jun 2006 15:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy 50th 300SL]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/happy-50th-300sl/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/happy-50th-300sl/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/happy-50th-300sl/#commentsFiled under: ,



Mercedes-Benz has chosen to honor the 50th anniversary of its iconic 300SL Roadster with a 50th Anniversary Edition SL550. eMercedesBenz caught the news on MB's U.S. website, which lists the collector's car with a Pewter metallic paint job, cognac brown leather interior with Black Ash wood trim, custom 18-inch aluminum twin-spoke wheels and a rear shelf bag replete with an Anniversary Edition tag. Everything else looks stock SL550, which is to say it's pretty sweet. Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect it to be similarly spectacular.

Check out the listing on MB's website here or follow the jump for official pics of that delicious cognac interior.

[Source: eMercedesBenz]

Continue reading Happy 50th 300SL

Happy 50th 300SL originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 May 2006 06:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>300SL Roadster300slRoadster500SLanniversaryMercedesMon, 08 May 2006 06:56:00 EST