Autoblog

Mauro Calo sets world record for longest drift with Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:01:00 EST

Mauro Calo drifting the C63 AMG at Mercedes-Benz World - Click above for high-res image gallery

Who would you think would hold the record for the world's longest drift? Tanner Foust in a Scion? Sam Hubinette in a Dodge? Ken Block in a Subaru or a Ford? Maybe Vaughn Gittin, Jr. in a Mustang? If you guessed the latter, you would be right. Or at least you would have been up until last week.

Over the weekend at Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands in the UK, one Mauro Calo set a new record by drifting a C63 AMG for a continuous 2,308 meters (7,572 feet) - that's nearly a mile and a half of uninterrupted sideways driving, or a solid 394 meters (1,292 ft) longer than the unofficial record Gittin set down in December of 2008 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

What makes the feat - achieved in a showroom-stock production vehicle on dry tarmac - even more impressive is that it was achieved not on a fat band of pavement, but on the narrow strip around M-B World's handling circuit, beating the previous record by more than the length of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in the process. Follow the jump for to watch a video of the feat and the press release, and don't forget to check out the images in our high-resolution gallery.

Continue reading Mauro Calo sets world record for longest drift with Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG [w/video]

Mauro Calo sets world record for longest drift with Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari Daytona of royal, Top Gear provenance up for auction at Brooklands

Noah Joseph — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Ferrari, Celebrities

1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona chassis #16531 - Click above for high-res image gallery

With examples from the 250 series fetching earth-shattering prices, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 "Daytona" is quickly becoming a classic favorite. The wedge-shaped GT from the late 60s and early 70s was a clear separation from the bulbous models that proceeded it, and is today regarded as one of the definitive classic Ferraris of all time. But even among the 1,400+ built, some are more special than others.

For starters, this particular example - which is going up for auction in May under the auspices of Historics at Brooklands - is one of only 158 right-hand-drive models. But chassis #16531 is set apart from the other 157 by its fate once arriving in the UK.

Its first owner was HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, who only drove it for about a week before selling it. A few owners of varied stature owned the car since, until it appeared on the BBC's ever-popular car show Top Gear. You may recall the episode (twelfth in the fifth season) when James May set sail for Saint-Tropez from Portofino in a speedboat, while Richard Hammond took the coastal road in a Daytona? Well this is that very same car.

Resplendent in metallic blue, tan leather interior and Borrani wire wheels, this 365 GTB/4 has only 26,281 miles on the odometer, and was verified on the dyno shortly before the Top Gear filming to have lost none of the 352 horsepower with which it left the factory. It's a beauty. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona - chassis #16531

[Source: Historics at Brooklands]

Continue reading Ferrari Daytona of royal, Top Gear provenance up for auction at Brooklands

Ferrari Daytona of royal, Top Gear provenance up for auction at Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrity Classics up for grabs from Bonhams at Brooklands

Noah Joseph — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Rolls-Royce, UK, Celebrities

Pan's Labyrinth 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III by Inskip - Click above for high-res image gallery

Few auction houses have dealt with as many celebrity automobiles as Bonhams, and the upcoming event at Brooklands is poised to carry on the tradition.

Among the lots up for grabs during the auction at Mercedes-Benz World will be this unique Rolls-Royce Phantom III. The first of 24 Phantom IIIs sold to the United States, this particular 1936 example - a five-seat limousine with custom Inskip coachwork and 7.3-liter V12 - was used in the bizarre fantasy film Pan's Labyrinth in the chase scene against a Bentley.

Also crossing the auction block at the event on December 6th will be a 1934 Lagonda M45 Tourer once owned by Nick Mason (of Pink Floyd fame) and a Mercedes-Benz 600 formerly owned by Elvis Presley. Other highlights include a '64 Maserati, a '55 Mercedes Gullwing, a 2000 Ferrari 550 GTZ and a '64 AC Cobra. Follow the jump for the full press release and check out the trio of Rolls-Royce photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Pan's Labrynth 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III by Inskip

[Source: Bonhams]

Continue reading Celebrity Classics up for grabs from Bonhams at Brooklands

Celebrity Classics up for grabs from Bonhams at Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say It Ain't So: Bentley issues recall over retractable hood ornament rust

Zach Bowman — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Bentley, Luxury

Bentley Flying B - Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the brutal truths of the mechanical world is that rust fears no machine. Even the priciest of metal is susceptible to the ill effects of iron-oxide, and it looks like Bentley has found that out firsthand. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has just issued a recall for Arnage, Azure and Brooklands models manufactured between 2007 and 2009. The problem? The retractable 'Flying B' on the hood may corrode to the point that it doesn't retract in the event of a crash. NHTSA says that this could be dangerous for pedestrians for obvious reasons.

Still, if you have to go, it could be worse than getting kabobbed on a Bentley, right?

A total of 596 units are affected by the recall (the retractable Flying B is an optional accessory) and Bentley says that it will replace the faulty mechanism free of charge. The work is set to commence on or around September 27, and owners can call Bentley directly for more information. Hit the jump for a look at the press release.

Gallery: Bentley Arnage Final Series

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Say It Ain't So: Bentley issues recall over retractable hood ornament rust originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Next Best Thing: 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione up for auction at Brooklands

Noah Joseph — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Auctions, Ferrari, UK

1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione - Click above for high-res images

Practical considerations aside, cost no object, if you could have any car ever made, what would it be? We'd bet that a large proportion of you would be thinking of the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO. Unfortunately, cost is an object for the vast majority of us. And considering how the iconic GTO is one of the most valuable, most sought-after classic sportscars ever made, the overwhelming likelihood is that most of us - make that practically all of us - could never stand a chance of owning one.

It's only natural, then, that there should be replicas made. Scratch that - "tributes." But if you're going to replicate a GTO, you're not going to start with an old Firebird as your underpinnings. You're going to start with another classic Ferrari. Just one not quite as valuable.

That's what the owner in that other video did. And that's what you're looking at here. This 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO "Evocazione" started its life as a Ferrari 330 GT, and in 1993 was sent to Italy to have its chassis modified before being fitted with painstakingly handmade aluminum bodywork in the UK. Attention was paid to every detail, down to the gauges and Borrani wire wheels. And now it's up for grabs, courtesy of newly inaugurated auction house Historics at Brooklands. Once it crosses the block there on September 25, it's expected to fetch around £240,000 ($377k) - which may seem like a fair chunk of change, but it's a far cry from the $18 million reportedly last fetched by the original.

Gallery: 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione

[Source: Historics at Brooklands]

Continue reading The Next Best Thing: 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione up for auction at Brooklands

The Next Best Thing: 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione up for auction at Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class makes live debut in England

Drew Phillips — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz released the initial photos and information on the 2011 CL-Class earlier today, showing off its updated luxury coupe. We were at the unveiling at the Mercedes-Benz World across from the historic Brooklands racetrack, and now have some live photos to bring you.

The big news for the 2011 CL is the updated engine offerings, which include the new twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 producing 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet torque in the CL550 model that also offers improved fuel efficiency. The 0-60 mph time has also been cut by half a second. The CL600 (pictured) is also still available, powered by a 510 horsepower, 612 lb-ft torque twin-turbo V12.

Additional upgrades to the CL include new safety technologies including Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Adaptive High Beam Assist, Night View Assist and more. The Mercedes-Benz COMAND system comes standard, featuring USB and SD card interfaces mated to a 7.2 GB hard drive.

You can view the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class in detail, both inside and out, in the high-res gallery below, or follow the jump to read all of the details in the official press release.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Debut

Continue reading 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class makes live debut in England

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class makes live debut in England originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG goes to the matte with DR 520 special from Brooklands

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, UK, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG DR 520 - Click above for high-res image gallery

With 460 horsepower on tap, nobody was accusing the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG of being a slouch. But when you're winning the horsepower wars, do you lay down your arms? Of course not. That's why Mercedes' Specialist Products Division, headquartered at the legendary Brooklands race track in England, has released the new limited-production DR 520.

Why the name? Because it's dyno-rated at 520 horsepower, meaning that the Benz studio has given it a 60-horse boost over stock. The result is a 0-60 sprint in 4.1 seconds for the sedan, or one tick more for the wagon, with the special edition available in either body style. The AMG Performance Pack Plus - complete with upgraded brakes and engine internals - is also fitted as standard. Buyers can choose between white or black matte-finish vinyl wraps, offset by titanium-finish brightwork and the requisite special badges.

Additional upgrades have been carried out on the interior, but unfortunately only 20 examples of this bahn-stormer will be made available exclusively in the UK. Full details and pricing in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG DR 520

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG goes to the matte with DR 520 special from Brooklands

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG goes to the matte with DR 520 special from Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley 4½ Litre Vanden Plas fetches $1 Million at inaugural Historics at Brooklands auction

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Bentley, UK

1931 Bentley 4½ Litre Vanden Plas Open Tourer by Harrisons - Click above for image gallery

You go ahead, try and find a car engine in production with a displacement larger than its cylinder count. It won't take much to realize that means that each cylinder would have to displace over a liter. Only a few of the most monstrous of Detroit steel - Chevrolet's venerable 8.1-liter big block, for one - even come close. But this does: the Bentley 4½ Litre.

Sure, 4.5 liters may not sound like all that much, but when you consider that it's a straight-four everything comes into perspective. Top that off with a supercharger and you're talking some serious muscle. Well, 110-130 horsepower (depending on tuning), but that was a lot back in 1931. It was also enough to take this particular model - chassis #FS3621 - from London to Kenya, through Pennsylvania and New York, back to England a few times, to South Africa and Japan in the decades since its construction. Along the way it'd been put to all sorts of uses, from patrolling African game reserves to delivering war-relief supplies, and rebodied a couple of times as well by such coachbuilders as Harrison and Vanden Plas.

The most recent chapter was written just a few days ago when this particular example sold for a princely £670,500 - that's just shy of a million in American greenbacks, and not bad for the first auction held by rookie auction house Historics at Brooklands. Have a closer look in the image gallery below.

Gallery: 1931 Bentley 4½ Litre Vanden Plas Open Tourer by Harrisons

[Source: Historics at Brooklands]

Bentley 4½ Litre Vanden Plas fetches $1 Million at inaugural Historics at Brooklands auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Historics auction house sets up shop at Brooklands

Noah Joseph — Sun, 16 May 2010 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, UK

Historics auction at Brooklands - Click above for high-res image gallery

Between the likes of RM, Barrett-Jackson and Bonhams, there's no shortage of auction houses for owners and buyers of classic cars to turn to for their next sale or purchase. Now we can count another among them.

Historics is a new British auction house dealing strictly with, you guessed it, classic cars, securing the exclusive rights to run its operation and events at Brooklands, the historic home of British motor racing. The upstart's first auction is set to take place on June 2 at the Brooklands Museum, featuring some £2.5 million ($3.7m) in consignments.

Among the classics crossing the block at the upcoming event will be a million-dollar 1930 Bentley 4.5-liter Vanden Plas Tourer, a rare Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe and a flawless '68 Mini Cooper S. 65 vehicles in all - from Camaros to Rolls-Royces - will be part of the docket early next month, but in the meantime you can check out the images in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Historics auction at Brooklands - June 2, 2010

[Source: Historics]

Continue reading Historics auction house sets up shop at Brooklands

Historics auction house sets up shop at Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 May 2010 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rare Mercedes-Benz C111 prototype reportedly damaged in highway robbery attempt

Noah Joseph — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Government/Legal, Mercedes-Benz, UK

1977 Mercedes-Benz C111-III - Click above for high-res image gallery

A rare 1970s-era Mercedes-Benz C111 show car has gone on display at the company's museum at Brooklands, but it almost didn't make it.

According to reports from across The Pond, the truck transporting the vintage concept car from Germany to the UK was hijacked by criminals looking to make off with the C111. The attempt was thwarted, but though now repaired, significant damage was reportedly incurred to one of the showcar's gullwing doors and to the front fender.

The C111 served as a rolling test bed for Mercedes during the 1960s and 70s, various versions having been outfitted with different engines - including turbos, diesels and even Wankels - securing a number of land speed records along the way. The example transported to Brooklands, however, is but an empty shell with no engine, leaving observers to wonder just where the seemingly none-too-bright thieves thought they were going with the car.

Gallery: 1977 Mercedes-Benz C111-III

[Source: PistonHeads]

Rare Mercedes-Benz C111 prototype reportedly damaged in highway robbery attempt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mercedes-Benz releases official hoonage footage of E63 AMG

Zach Bowman — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG - Click above to watch video after the jump

One does not buy the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG to drive to and from the country club. Nor do they lay down the $85,750 it takes to call the ballistic sedan their very own so that they can make the morning commute in style and sophistication. They pick up the tweaked four door because they know that with years of training and a little luck, they too can hoon the tires off of the car just like in the video after the jump.

Mercedes-Benz has gone ahead and beat every auto journo on the planet to the punch by releasing a video of the 6.3-liter V8 doing what it does best. Some lucky driver was turned loose on a wet Brooklands track to kick the tail around in beautiful fashion, and there's plenty of fancy camera work to help keep our jaws permanently glued to the floor. Throw in the rumble of the sedan's beating heart, and you've got the perfect answer to the mid-week doldrums. Lewis Hamilton would approve of the world-class hoonage, and so do we - so check out the action after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Mercedes-Benz releases official hoonage footage of E63 AMG

Video: Mercedes-Benz releases official hoonage footage of E63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Be like James May and save the UK's fabled Brooklands circuit

Zach Bowman — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 10:51:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Earnings/Financials, UK, Racing

2008 Bentley Brooklands and Old Number Two at Brooklands Race Circuit

Chances are, even if you don't have the history of the Brooklands race circuit stenciled on the back of your eyelids, you know the name. The track was built in 1907 as the world's very first purpose-built race venue, and as a result, history's first record-setters migrated to Surrey, England to test their mettle and their machines against the track's high-banks. Now, the Brooklands Museum seeks to keep the circuit alive, and has established a system to let donors "purchase" virtual squares of the banked sections.

That's where Captain Slow comes in. James May was the first monetary contributor to the effort. As you might recall, May recently set a new world record by building the world's largest slot car track on the grounds - recreating the full length of Brooklands in the process. He was the first person to "race" there in over 70 years.

A total of 1,980 square-yard sections are up for adoption, with prices ranging from $145 to $230 at current exchange rates, depending on exactly how high up on the bank your section resides. Sadly enough, they won't be stenciling your name on the concrete. Instead, everyone who donates will be immortalized on the track's new website. Hey, beats naming a star.

[Source: Banking on Brooklands]

Continue reading Be like James May and save the UK's fabled Brooklands circuit

Be like James May and save the UK's fabled Brooklands circuit originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Apr 2010 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates

Chris Shunk — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, UK, Celebrities

Click above to watch the video after the jump

When Great Britain's Brooklands motor racing circuit opened in 1907, it was the first purpose-built motorsport venue in the world. At 2.75 miles, the course is an oldie but a goodie, and the perfect place to make automotive history. To that end, on August 16, legendary slot racing brand Scalextric, along with hoards of volunteers, built the world's largest slot car track around the Brooklands circuit in Surrey. The track was built using 20,000 sections, built over roads, water, wilderness and just about any other condition one could imagine. That's an impressive feat that is more remarkable when considering that power and remote control had to be built into the Guinness record braking track.

The recordbreaking slot track race will be featured by Top Gear host James May in his new BBC2 series James May's Toy Stories. May even raised the checkered flag at the conclusion of the world's longest slot car race. Hit the jump to watch the building and racing of this amazing slot track, as well as a second video that features May waving the checkered flag at the conclusion of the race.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates

VIDEO: World's longest Scalectric track assembled at Brooklands, James May officiates originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Very First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands

John Neff — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Bentley, First Drives

2009 Bentley Brooklands - Click above for high-res image gallery

As the youngest of three brothers, I'm used to hand-me-downs. Hand-me down toys, hand-me-down clothes, and yes, even hand-me-down cars. Perhaps this explains when a vehicle arrives in the Autoblog Garage with over 8,000 journalist-driven miles on its odometer (as most do), I don't mind. Though the scars of past judgments are often plain to see, we're happy enough to be reviewing these vehicles at all.

Last Wednesday I stepped off a plane at Newark Liberty International Airport and into a 2009 Bentley Brooklands. My mission was to drive it some 550 miles to Cleveland, OH where it would be picked up and driven back to Bentley's North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI. When I got in, the odometer read 285 miles... total. I realized then that this was no hand-me-down review vehicle. Having been parked in Bentley's display at the 2008 New York Auto Show for the past three weeks, this Brooklands was taking its maiden voyage on U.S. soil with me at the helm.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands

Continue reading Very First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands

Very First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley sells 10,014 cars during record 2007

Alex Nunez — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Bentley

Click image for a hi-res gallery of our Autoblog Garage Continental GTC

2007 was good to the folks in Crewe, as Bentley Motors had its best year ever. (What, no VH1 special?) For the first time, the automaker surpassed the 10,000 mark in terms of vehicles sold -- a tenfold increase over where it stood just five years ago. Both Arnage and Continental family sales were up -- 45-percent for the former, thanks to the arrival of the new Azure, and 5-percent for the latter with the GTC leading the way. The record-high sales led to new high points for both net revenue (€1.37 billion) and operating profit (€155 million). This level of volume is pretty much where the automaker would like to settle going forward, as it lets Bentley stay exclusive while still returning a profit. Us? We're just trying to figure out a way to tap into the joys of ownership ourselves. Follow the jump for Bentley's full press release and some assorted eye candy.

[Source: Bentley Motors]

Continue reading Bentley sells 10,014 cars during record 2007

Bentley sells 10,014 cars during record 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows

Exactly five score years ago, 200,000 tons of gravel and cement were arranged in a 2.75 mile, high-banked, egg-shaped loop in the English countryside. The land was was called Brooklands, and the track laid on it -- the first purpose-built race track in the world -- would share the same name. The speed limit throughout the land at the time was 20 mph, and racing on public roads outside of things like hillclimbs was forbidden. When Brooklands was completed, in June of 1907, there was a place where drivers could -- and did -- go faster than 100 mph.

At Pebble Beach this year, there were some of the greatest racers that Brooklands has ever known, from the world record holding Napier-Railton pictured above to the world record holding Blitzen Benz. It was a fantastic display of ancient motoring monsters, some having airplane engines and capacities measured by dozens of liters. Click Read to get the full story.

Click the gallery to see hi-res images of the Brooklands Centenary race cars at Pebble Beach .

Continue reading Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble

Pebble Beach Week 2007: The beasts of Brooklands shake up Pebble originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: The Bentley's just so crazy about that jazz

Noah Joseph — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Bentley

Somebody buying a Bentley Brooklands isn't so concerned with how it performs, how it stacks up to the competition or how much it costs. They're far more taken by the Bentley-ness of the whole thing, that je ne sais quoi, a certain indescribable quality that you just can't put your finger on, lest the car's owner release the hounds...so you'd better get your own.

Put yourself in that mindset before you watch the following video. Imagine you've got all the money and taste in the world and ignore the notion that the Continental GT is the better performer, because the "baby Bentley" is just so nouveau riche. Now pour yourself a brandy, light up a cigar and enjoy what amounts to little more than some black and white footage of a land yacht accompanied by some acid jazz...jaaaazzzz!

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]

Continue reading VIDEO: The Bentley's just so crazy about that jazz

VIDEO: The Bentley's just so crazy about that jazz originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley Brooklands: Year 1 allotment sold out (officially)

Alex Nunez — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Bentley

Click image for high-res photo gallery

This may be the least-surprising item in today's news. It was reported before, but now we have it from the horse's mouth: first-year production of Bentley's limited-run Brooklands mega-coupé is officially sold out. The car is totally handcrafted, and its long, chop-top-looking profile actually begins its life as the body of an Azure convertible, to which the Brooklands' steel roof is hand-welded. That's just one part of the very labor-intensive process behind the car's creation, which is why it's being limited to just 550 units overall.

Its 6.75L V8 makes 530 horsepower and a ridiculous 774 lb-ft of torque, which conspire to give the Brooklands a 0-60 time of 5 seconds flat and a top speed of 184. Not too shabby for a car whose curb weight is within throwing distance of 3 tons. It also boasts the most spacious rear passenger compartment of any coupe, and as is the case with any Bentley, the options surrounding colors, materials and trim are virtually limitless. As for the remaining cars in the 550-vehicle total run, it's not a matter of if they'll go, but when. This is opulence in its most meticulously-detailed form. We love it.

Bentley's new press release on the car, which goes into great detail, including full tech specs, is pasted after the jump. The Flying B people released 28 new photos, too, and they've been added to the gallery below.

[Source: Bentley Motors]

Gallery: Bentley Brooklands

Continue reading Bentley Brooklands: Year 1 allotment sold out (officially)

Bentley Brooklands: Year 1 allotment sold out (officially) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley Brooklands sells out

Chris Shunk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:08:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Bentley

Click the image above to view our 47-image Brooklands gallery

If you have at least $330,000 to spend on your next new car, and you've got an eye on the new Bentley Brooklands, you'd better get your order in before they're all gone. The first 140 are already spoken for, which equates to the first year of production. Any new orders will have to wait two years before the order is filled.

Production of the 530hp ultraluxury vehicle will only hit 550 units during its three-year run, and the Brooklands will most certainly meet that quota. Bentley marketing director Stuart McCullough told BusinessWeek that the incredibly low production volume of the Brooklands is due in part to the hundreds of different options available for the mega-coupe. It should also be noted that the painstaking task of creating the car itself is time-consuming, yet another reason the overall production run will be a low number. Remember that each Brooklands begins life as one of Bentley's Azure convertibles, to which the hard roof is then hand-welded. In any case, the amazing degree to which the cars can be personalized (most Bentleys roll out of the factory with around $30,000 - $50,000 of customization...some with much, much more) will likely ensure that no two Brooklands will ever be alike. We're not experts, but we get the feeling these 550 Bentleys will probably never depreciate much, unless, of course, Eddie Griffin takes the wheel...

[Source: BusinessWeek via coolbrit.net]

Bentley Brooklands sells out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Motor Show: Bentley Brooklands bows

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 23:05:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Bentley

Click on the image above to view our 47-image high-resolution gallery

It's been several years since the boys at Bentley had a full-size - and we mean full-size - luxury coupe to top off its range of traditional offerings to the well-heeled, and with the official unveiling of the new Bentley Brooklands they've done it in grand style. Superseding the Continental line of coupe, cabrio and sedan, the Brooklands joins the Arnage and Azure to round out Bentley's most exclusive product range.

We were the first to bring you a gallery of images as they hit the net, but it's hard to get your head around just how big this behemoth really is without witnessing the hand-crafted two-door limousine in person. Suffice it to say that it's fitting they named the Brooklands after a tract of land: it's large enough to be classified as a territory unto itself, and with 775 lb-ft of torque it's got enough grunt to uproot anything on it.

You'll find the press release after the jump, and our updated high-resolution image gallery below, complete with live shots from Geneva.

Gallery: Bentley Brooklands

Continue reading Geneva Motor Show: Bentley Brooklands bows

Geneva Motor Show: Bentley Brooklands bows originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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