Autoblog

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction

Noah Joseph — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Auctions, Rolls-Royce

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Times change and so do trends. These days, everyone's clamoring for more environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient cars that even Rolls-Royce is tinkering with electric propulsion. The program is being carried out on the 102EX electric Phantom prototype. But go back nearly a century and speed was the cause célèbre du jour. And then just as now, Rolls-Royce was keen to prove its mettle. This was the car with which it did so.

As Rolls-Royce presented the first-generation Phantom to the world, it was eager to show what it could do, so the company's managing director Claude Johnson had the crew at Crewe put this prototype together. Named in his honor, the "CJ Sports Car" featured a more aerodynamic "torpedo" coachwork by Barker. Although many experimental Phantoms followed (straight through to the aforementioned 102EX), this was the only one that the company held on to after it was done testing, and was even rumored to have been loaned out to Laurence of Arabia at one time.

10EX is expected to fetch around £400,000-£800,000 ($650k-$1.3m) when it goes up for auction on June 23 at RM's inaugural Salon Privé auction at West London's picturesque Syon Park estate. Joining it on the docket will be numerous other Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin classics (among others) representing the finest of historic British motoring. Follow the jump for the full press release.

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1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 10EX prototype up for auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Salon Privé 2010 fires up as Europe's largest luxury and supercar show

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Design/Style

Jaguar D-Type at the 2010 Salon Privé - Click above for high-res image gallery

We can officially add the Salon Privé to the gearhead bucket list. The fifth annual automotive exhibit at London's tony Hurlingham Club has established itself as a mecca of high-end metal, old and new, and while this year's event lacks the major unveils and sneak peeks of 2009, it's still packing more luxury and performance metal per square acre than just about any other show on the planet. For 2010, manufacturers from around the globe have rolled out their best and brightest, both from their past and present portfolios. Highlights of this June 21-23 gathering and concours include the always wicked-looking Veritas III, as well as the Lexus LFA, Lotus Evora and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

The new tin is cool and all, but we're more interested in the smattering of old-school supercars in attendance. Want to get within sniffing distance of a McLaren F1? No problem. How about a Bugatti EB110 or a Ferrari F50? The Salon Privé will be happy to oblige. Check out our massive high-res gallery for a cross-section of the awesome in attendance.

Gallery: 2010 Salon Prive

[Source: Salon Prive]

Salon Privé 2010 fires up as Europe's largest luxury and supercar show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sportec returns with hotter, lighter SPR1R

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, UK

Sportec SPR1R - Click above for high-res image gallery

There seems no shortage of tuners committed to joining the word "Porsche" with the word "faster." Today's faster 911 comes via Swiss tuner Sportec in the battle-gray guise of the SPR1R. A refined version of the SPR1 the company debuted last year, this one sticks with the 3.6-liter, 846-horsepower twin turbo powerplant and other mods of the original, and adds items like carbon and Kevlar body panels and forged wheels.

On top of that, Other components swapped for lighter versions help shave more than 100 pounds compared to the weight of last year's car. The SPR1R is now a dainty 2,849 pounds. Getting to 62 miles per hour takes just 3 seconds, and top speed is listed at a tidy 236 mph. More info is in the press release after the jump, and you can see it on show at the Salon Privé in London later this month. Or just head straight for the gallery of high-res photos right now.

Gallery: Sportec SPR1R

[Source: Sportec]

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Sportec returns with hotter, lighter SPR1R originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Veritas RS III to officially debut at London Salon Privé

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:58:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows, UK

Veritas RS III - Click above for a high-res image gallery

You remember the Veritas RS III? The open-cockpit supercar is a revival of the 40's-era BMW racing team, spearheaded by a crew of enthusiasts dedicated to making the most visceral, back-to-basics driving machine known to man. With a choice of two BMW M-sourced powertrains - 480hp V8 or 600hp V10 - the Veritas hits 60 mph from a standstill in the three-second range en route to a top speed over 200 mph with either engine and no electronic aids. With a list price starting around $375,000, only 50 examples will be produced, and the first one has finally arrived. After initially spotting a prototype at the Nürburgring, followed by details a year ago and more details last summer, the blitzschnell supercar is finally ready for its close-up and it's set to take place in London this July.

Alongside several UK debuts, the Veritas RS III will be headlining this year's London Salon Privé, an exclusive supercar show at the Hurlingham country club. Other noteworthy dream cars on the docket include the Morgan Aero Super Sport and Aston Martin One-77, two British supercars making their UK debuts. Aston will also roll out its V12 Vantage and DBS Volante for the home crowd, while the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S and Maybach Zeppelin will be on hand for the first time in the UK as well. The show takes place from July 22-24, with tickets starting at a staggering £125 for a one-day entrance pass. Think that's a little steep? Then check out the updated image gallery below for a closer look. It's free.

Gallery: Veritas RS III

[Source: Auto Express]

Veritas RS III to officially debut at London Salon Privé originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marcos unveils new TSO models

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars

Specialty sports car manufacturer Marcos took the wraps off its new TSO models Tuesday at London's exclusive Salon Privé luxury and supercar event.

Available in two flavors, the performance-oriented GTC and the targa-topped R/T grand tourer (pictured), the newest TSO is powered by a 5.7-liter Corvette V8, with the R/T spec sheet citing 475 hp. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard. With the optional Performance Pack, 4Car reports that the TSO does the 0-60 sprint in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 185 mph. If safety is a primary concern, perhaps you should look elsewhere - the Marcos carries neither airbags nor ABS.

Only 50 or so of the built-to-order TSOs will be made annually, with U.K. prices starting at $92,000 for the GTC and just under $100,000 for the R/T.

See additional live shots of the Marcos TSO models at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend at PistonHeads.

(Full specs and more pics after the jump)

[Sources: 4Car, Marcos Engineering]

Continue reading Marcos unveils new TSO models

Marcos unveils new TSO models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jul 2006 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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