Autoblog

Report: Stirling Moss falls down elevator shaft, breaks bones but OK

John Neff — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Celebrities

Sir Stirling Moss and his carbon fiber elevator - Click above to watch video after the jump

Reports are flooding our inbox this morning that Sir Stirling Moss, one of the most decorated drivers in all of motorsport, was injured falling down a lift shaft in his London home. Moss reportedly fell three floors down the shaft when the doors opened while the lift itself was still one floor above. The 80-year-old racing legend is said to have broken both ankles and four bones in his feet, though he is OK and expected to recover from his injuries in about six weeks.

Now, you may be wondering why Moss has a lift in his home. Remember, "lift" in the UK means "elevator" in the U.S., and the elevator in Moss' home is unlike any other. Let us take you back to June 2009. That month we reported about Moss' swank London home that's outfitted with such crazy contraptions as a giant tray that lowers from the ceiling to deliver dinner in front of the television, a remote-controlled jacuzzi tub and an automated inbox/outbox in his office. The report's real gem, however, was Moss' carbon fiber elevator that was designed especially for him by the Williams F1 team at the time.

While no reports of the accident mention anything about a carbon fiber elev... err, lift, being what Moss took his tumble down, we can't imagine he has two lifts in his house. Follow the jump for video of the carbon fiber elev... dammit... lift in action, and beware F1 teams bearing gifts.

[Source: The Independent]

Continue reading Report: Stirling Moss falls down elevator shaft, breaks bones but OK

Report: Stirling Moss falls down elevator shaft, breaks bones but OK originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Book Review: Legendary Race Cars by Basem Wasef [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Maserati 8CM number 3011 from Legendary Race Cars - Click above for high-res image gallery

Confused as to what to do with all the Barnes & Nobles and Amazon.com gift cards your in-laws pelted you with this Holiday season? Be confused no more! Legendary Race Cars is the book every pistonhead needs sitting on their night stand in 2010. We really hope you haven't gone all Kindle on us, because Basem Wasef's coffee table-sized book is loaded bow to stern with gorgeous photographs of some of the most desirable cars ever built, let alone raced. Wasef took all the non-vintage pictures, too, and they're quite stunning.

What cars? Well, that's the really fantastic part. Put it like this: had we been asked to write such a book, our choices wouldn't have been much different. There are 25 legendary racers in all, spanning from motorsports earliest days right on up to the present. In truth, a great mix of racing machines.

The first car discussed is the Ford GT40 and the last is Sterling Moss's Mercedes-Benz 300SLR - the No. 722 car. In between you get Carroll Shelby's Aston Martin DBR1 and Cobra Daytona Coupe, all the Auto Union Grand Prix Cars, Senna's McLaren MP4/4, Fangio's Maserati 250F and of course the brutally awesome Porsche 917. Each car is discussed in informative, enthusiastic and playful detail, yet the text is never slavish or obsessive. If you want to know who cut the Maserati 8CM's splines, look elsewhere.

And that's not even the half of it, as Legendary Race Cars is loaded with more winners like Richard Petty's Plymouth SuperBird, the first round the world winner, the Thomas Flyer, the Indy-dominating Marmon Wasp (first car to ever employ a rear-view mirror!), Audi's Group B killer S1 Quattro, Schumacher's Ferraris, McRae's Subarus and even Ecurie Ecosse's Jaguars.

Some of you might be familiar with Basem Wasef's first book, Legendary Motorcycles. If you are, you'll no doubt remember that Jay Leno wrote the introduction to that one. Not bad for your first book. For his second book, Basem got none other than Sir Stirling Moss to pen the foreword, which, for you whippersnappers who have no clue who Sir Stirling is, would be like getting Snoop Dogg to help you write an essay about gangsta rappers and marijuana.

Here's part of what Moss has to say, "Selecting these 25 legendary cars cannot have been easy. Automobiles, like paintings and other works of art, have different effects on different people... I would hate to have been making the choice - but I am enormously proud and happy to have been invited to write the foreword for this book." All we can do is say wow. For his third book, Mr. Wasef will no doubt be writing it in Colin Chapman's blood. Until then, pick up a copy of Legendary Race Cars (It's $23.10 right now at Amazon). You won't regret it one iota. Make the jump to watch Basem Wasef discuss Legendary Race Cars with none other than Jay Leno, and don't forget to check out the gallery that's filled with some choice stills from the book.

Gallery: Legendary Race Cars

Continue reading Book Review: Legendary Race Cars by Basem Wasef [w/VIDEO]

Book Review: Legendary Race Cars by Basem Wasef [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Goodwood Revival: Minis, Moss and More

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Mini, UK

2009 Goodwood Revival by Tim Brown - Click above for our high-res image gallery

The Earl of March is our hero. There, we've said it. The guy took some of his substantial inheritance and decided to do something charitable for the public with it. He had the old Goodwood Motor Circuit cleaned up after decades of neglect and resurrected the great racing that had taken place at the circuit back in the Forties, Fifties, and early Sixties. Literally. The entrants have to have been eligible to race when the circuit was open originally, so only cars made from 1948-1966 make the grade.

The Goodwood Revival, as the event is now known, revives the glory days of racing, when gentleman racers could drive their Sports Cars and GTs to the track, run them for all they were worth, then pack 'em up and drive them back home. Goodwood also happened to host Formula 1 races and Tourist Trophy runs back in the day, so the entry list is pretty amazing.

Besides the incredible cars and A-List automotive celebs that show up for the event, the Revival is famous for one other thing: Participants and spectators are encouraged to dress in period clothing. So it's basically the world's biggest costume party held at a racetrack. How cool is that? Follow the jump to hear more about the 2009 running of the Revival, and make sure you check out the incredible gallery of photos by contributor Tim Brown. We bet you'll find a few new wallpapers in the batch.

Gallery: 2009 Goodwood Revival

Continue reading 2009 Goodwood Revival: Minis, Moss and More

2009 Goodwood Revival: Minis, Moss and More originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mr. Bean to make first 'live' appearance at Goodwood Revival to honor Mini turning 50

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Hatchback, Mini, UK, Celebrities, Event Alert

You like Minis? Comedy? All things British? Well mark your calendars for September 18-20, as comedian Rowan Atkinson will be appearing in character as the bungling Mr. Bean during the UK's Goodwood Revival. Not only that, but to celebrate 50 years of Mini, Mr. Bean will be driving his pea-green and black-hooded Issigonis-penned Mini around the Goodwood Motor Circuit each day of the festival - sitting on the roof! Turns out it's a well known Mr. Bean gag. Ahem.

Atkinson, a well known car buff (and McLaren F1 owner), will also be bringing his Jaguar Mk IV to help celebrate 80 years of Sir Stirling Moss. One more thing, Atkinson will field a 1965 Austin Mini Cooper S during an all-Mini St Mary's Trophy saloon car race. We wish him the best of luck with that last one, despite our blood-boiling jealousy. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Goodwood | Image: Max Nash/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading Mr. Bean to make first 'live' appearance at Goodwood Revival to honor Mini turning 50

Mr. Bean to make first 'live' appearance at Goodwood Revival to honor Mini turning 50 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Sir Stirling's House in London, complete with carbon fiber elevator

Noah Joseph — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST

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

Sir Stirling Moss' carbon fiber elevator - Click above to watch video after the jump

F1 drivers tend to accumulate a great deal of money over the course of their careers, and few have had careers quite as distinguished as Sir Stirling Moss. Over the course of only ten years in professional racing, he competed in about 500 races and won some 200 of them. So what did Sir Stirling do after he retired? He built himself a house that would make James Bond drop his martini.

Situated in the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in London, the Moss residence includes such gizmos as a giant tray that lowers from the ceiling to bring him his dinner in front of the television, a remote-controlled jacuzzi tub, an automated inbox/outbox for his office, and - the piece de resistence - a carbon fiber elevator made especially for him by the Williams F1 team. But in case that's not enough, Moss is in the process of building himself a new high-tech, environmentally-friendly residence in Deerfield Beach, Florida. (Where else? The man's over 80 years old, for crying out loud.) Check out the video footage of Moss Manor in Mayfair after the jump.

[Source: The Independent and Sunday Times via Jalopnik]

Continue reading VIDEO: Sir Stirling's House in London, complete with carbon fiber elevator

VIDEO: Sir Stirling's House in London, complete with carbon fiber elevator originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SLR Stirling Moss won't be offered in North America (w/VIDEO)

Noah Joseph — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Videos, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss

With the exhibitors' roster for the upcoming 2009 Detroit Auto Show dwindling, you'd think that any cars being unveiled there might actually, you know, be available in North America. But according to reports, you'd be wrong.

Mercedes-Benz is anticipated to unveil the million-dollar Stirling Moss edition SLR McLaren, but sources indicate that the limited-production topless supercar won't even be offered in the market in which it's being unveiled. No worries for Mercedes, which will likely have sold the full run of 75 SLR speedsters being offered exclusively to current SLR owners before the show concludes. Bad news for supercar owners in the U.S,, who'll just have to blow their extra million on another Veyron, Reventon or Koenigsegg instead.

Now, for your viewing enjoyment, we invite you to follow the jump for video footage of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, the longest-named open-air sportscar since the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Spyder.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading SLR Stirling Moss won't be offered in North America (w/VIDEO)

SLR Stirling Moss won't be offered in North America (w/VIDEO) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: McLaren SLR Stirling Moss to bow in Detroit

Drew Phillips — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:21:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Sterling Moss

Things got just a bit brighter for the Detroit Auto Show. Mercedes-Benz will officially unveil what will surely be one of the most attention-grabbing cars in Cobo Hall, the 2009 McLaren SLR Stirling Moss. The boldly styled Merc will be the last vehicle built under the partnership with McLaren, and even at a cost of €750,000 Mercedes should have no trouble finding buyers for the 75-car allotment. Each will feature full carbon fiber bodywork wrapped over the standard version, a 650-hp supercharged 5.5-liter V8 and the five-speed automatic transplanted from the SLR 722. Despite lacking any sort of roof or proper windscreen, the Stirling Moss can still achieve a top speed of 217 mph and can reach 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. Other unique features include "swing-wing" doors, a retractable air brake that can be operated manually and a two-piece tonneau cover (stored in the trunk) that can cover the entire cockpit or just the passenger seat. Check out the gallery below for high-resolution images, and expect plenty more when we see the car live in Detroit.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss

Continue reading Officially Official: McLaren SLR Stirling Moss to bow in Detroit

Officially Official: McLaren SLR Stirling Moss to bow in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss roadster

Drew Phillips — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for a gallery of the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss
We've seen quite a few spy photos of a lightweight speedster variant of the McLaren SLR supercar, but up until now we didn't know exactly what Mercedes-Benz had in store for us. Thanks to Dutch magazine AutoVisie and a scanner-wielding member of GermanCarZone.com, we now have a few more rendering and a possible name: Stirling Moss.

The legendary British racecar driver won his first F1 Grand Prix in a Mercedes-Benz, and famously won the 1955 Mille Miglia in record time piloting a 300 SLR. The car to bear his name features a nearly identical version of the supercharged V8 in the standard SLR, although output is nearly on par with the SL65 AMG Black Series at 650 horsepower. That should allow the Stirling Moss SLR to hit 62 mph in under 3.5 seconds and on to a face-contorting top-speed of 205 mph. Beginning in June of 2009, 75 examples will be produced, with current SLR customers being the only people deemed worthy of piloting the McLaren SLR Stirling Moss. Thanks for the tip, Mark!

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Sterling Moss

Gallery: Spy Shots: McLaren SLR Speedster

[Source: GermanCarZone.com, The Sun]

Edit - the photos were scanned from The Dutch magazine Autoweek and not AutoVisie. We have also added a new, better photo.

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renntech does up the Merc McLaren SLR 722

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

We know that Mercedes used the SLR 722 badge on the SLR McLaren 722 Edition to honor the 1955 Mille Miglia-winning Mercedes-Benz 300SLR of Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, but still. That car, wearing a big "722" on the doors, which indicated their 7:22am start time, managed to beat the favored Porsches and Ferraris back in the day. But people see a 722 on the label and somehow 650 hp doesn't seem good enough. Enter, supertuner Renntech.

Renntech takes the supercharged 5.5-liter V8 that resides in every SLR and adds some of its magic. This time it's a simple application of one of the company's upgraded intercoolers and a new intercooler pump. These revised units have twice the capacity of the stock coolers and reduce temperatures by a full 50 degrees. The result is horsepower that now hits the magic 722 mark. No price is listed for the conversion, but it sounds like it could be a real winner with the few customers lucky enough to have a 722 parked in their garage. We could do without the aftermarket wheels though.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

Renntech does up the Merc McLaren SLR 722 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren "722 Edition"

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Our team in Paris just sent us some live shots of the updated Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. As we reported back in July when it was announced, this is a more powerful and sportier variant of the SLR McLaren called the "722 Edition." Produced to honor Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson's 1955 Mille Miglia victory, the "722" is a reference to their 300 SLR's start number 722 (which corresponded with its 7:22 AM start time).

The SLR's power has been boosted to an even more impressive 650 hp, and the suspension has been tweaked to give the car an even more sporting character. Additionally, the front air dam and rear diffuser get slight makeovers to improve aerodynamics. Black wheels and red "722" badges will help distinguish it from lesser SLRs. Lots of carbon fiber, leather/alcantara seating and a new racecar-type steering wheel complete the package.

Many more pics from Eric Bryant and M-B, plus the original release after the jump.

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren "722 Edition"

Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren "722 Edition" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 boosts performance, honors past

Alex Nunez — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:52:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes has unleashed a more powerful and sportier variant of the SLR McLaren called the SLR 722 Edition. Produced to honor Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson's 1955 Mille Miglia victory, the "722" name is a hat tip to their 300 SLR's start number 722 (which corresponded with its 7:22 AM start time).

The SLR's power has been boosted to a thundering 650 horsepower, and a re-tuned suspension lends the car an even more sporting character. Visually, the front air dam, and rear diffuser get revisions to improve aero performance. Black wheels and red "722" badging clue passers-by in to the fact that this is no garden-variety SLR.

Inside, copious amounts of carbon fiber, leather/alcantara seating and a new race-type wheel complete the package.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition goes on sale July 11.

(Many more pics, release after the jump)

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 boosts performance, honors past

Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 boosts performance, honors past originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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