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New electric racing series promises electrifying action

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Ready or not, electric-powered motorsports is spreading rapidly and, if history is repeated, it will accelerate the development of road-going electric vehicles just as petroleum-powered racing did more than a century ago.

Formula E already is a global racing series and in 2021 an electric-powered off-road racing series, Extreme E, is scheduled to launch. 

Now comes word of SuperCharge, which plans to stage eight festival-style “events” in urban areas around the world, each with 16 drivers and each involving 15 6-lap races per event, apparently two cars at a time with the losing driver eliminated.

“SuperCharge heralds (a) new take on environmental and financially sustainable motorsport,” promoters claim.

SuperCharge electric racing

Races will be contested on a 1-kilometer (0.6-mile) circuit that features something called the “SuperLoop” shortcut that can be used once each race, a water gantry and a 2.5-meter (8.8 feet) jump “making spectating even more exciting and unpredictable.” The tracks also will include a “low-friction” section to enhance sliding.

The specially built racing cars, dubbed SC01, will have 670-horsepower battery propulsion and will sprint to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds, organizers claim. SuperCharge says the cars are being constructed in consultation with automakers “to showcase the latest and future electric cars and battery technology.”

“Motorsport is at a crossroads,” Rob Armstrong, SuperCharge managing director is quoted in the news release. Armstrong formerly was involved in the FIA Rallycross and FIM Speedway (motorcycle) world championships.

“With many countries and cities already announcing plans to ban internal combustion-engine cars in the coming years, the need for road car-based electric motorsport is becoming more and more compelling,” Armstrong said. “We believe it is only a matter of time before there are more electric motorsport series. Given this rapidly increasing EV momentum, we believe the timing and appeal of SuperCharge is ideal and see a clear space for it as the road car-relevant motorsport series.”

“The SuperCharge series has amazing allure for a race driver like me,” driver Tanner Faust is quoted in the news release. “In my career I’ve found that for a new motorsport to grow successfully it has to appeal to a young demographic, as well as the major car manufacturers,” he is quoted in the series announcement.

“The excitement of electric acceleration, high-performance and cutting-edge technology, combined with the tempo of the race day, will tick both boxes and in turn ensure a very successful series. At a time when the automotive enthusiast world is so strong, and yet the manufacturer involvement in traditional motorsport is weakening, we really need an environmentally and financially sustainable, technologically relevant racing series like SuperCharge to reinvigorate motorsport at its core.” 

For more information, visit the SuperCharge website.

Mazda centennial celebration includes tracing its racing DNA

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“By demonstrating its products in the public eye, putting them to the test against rival manufacturers on the racetrack and rally stage, Mazda validated its technology, marketed its cars across the globe and inspired countless privateers to compete in their own Mazdas at all levels of motorsport,” the automaker said as it celebrated its motorsports history as part of its corporate centennial. 

“This never stop challenging approach has seen Mazda compete from the very earliest stages of the company,” it added.

Founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, what would become Mazda turned the following year for leadership from industrialist Jujiro Matsuda the following year. Matsuda moved the company into machine-tool production. 

He also saw the popularity of motorcycle racing in Japan, noted that most of the bikes were imported or build from imported parts and saw an opportunity for business and for promotion of the company. A 250cc 2-stroke prototype was developed and, “to everyone’s surprise, it won its first race beating a British-made Ariel, which was one of the most-respected and fastest bikes of the time,” Mazda notes.

From 2-wheelers, the company moved into production of a more practical 3-wheeler, a sort-of motorized rickshaw that it called the Mazda-Go. That machine’s name eventually (in 1984) becoming the name of the entire company.

Cosmo at 1968 Marathon De La Route
1969 Spa 24 Hours

Mazda produced its first automobile, the R360, in 1960. Later that decade came the Cosmo Sport, which Mazda launched a pair of its new and rotary-powered sports cars by competing in the 1968 Marathon De La Route, an 84-hour race around the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. One car crashed but the other finished fourth behind two Porsche 911s and a Lancia Fulvia.

Beaten only by “two of the finest sports cars in Europe… Mazda, the rotary engine and the stunning Cosmo had made their mark,” the company notes.

A trio of twin-rotor R100 coupes were entered in the 24-hour race at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, in 1969, two of the cars finishing 5th and 6th behind a quartet of Porsches.

Back in Japan, Mazda also was racing, challenging the Nissan Skyline with the RX-3 coupe in touring car events and posting a 1-2-3 finish in the 1972 Fuji Grand Prix.

“The RX-3 also became a popular and successful race car around the world – competing in the USA, Europe and Australia,” Mazda reports.

“Yet arguably the car that really put Mazda amongst the sports car greats was the Mazda RX-7. 

Racing in Japan in 1972
RX-3 racing in Japan
RX-7 at Spa in 1981

“Across all three generations this Mazda icon took part in racing and rallying in a huge myriad of specifications in the hands of both the factory and privateer entrants. The Mazda RX-7 was used for Mazda’s first factory entry at Le Mans 24 Hours, but it was overall victory at the 1981 Spa 24 Hours – the first for a Japanese brand – that really put the RX-7 on the map. Alongside winning the British Touring Car Championship in 1980 and 1981, these victories for the British TWR team firmly established the RX-7 in the UK.”

The RX-7 also was successful in the GTU class of sports car racing in North America, winning championships 7 years in a row.  The RX-7 also competed in the World Rally Championship despite being driven only by its rear wheels against competitors with 4-wheel drive.

“For all the brand fame achieved by the motorsport activities of the Cosmo, R100, RX-3 and RX-7 coupes,” the company notes, “it’s Mazda’s association with the world’s most famous race — the 24 Hours of Le Mans — that stands above all else.”

Chevron-Mazda at Le Mans in 1970
Group C 717C at Le Mans in 1983
Winning at Le Mans in 1991

Mazda took what it calls a “first toe-in-the-water” look at Le Mans in 1970 when it’s 10A rotary engine was installed in a British-built Chevron chassis.  The car was sidelined after 19 laps, but Mazda returned in 1973 and by 1981 was racing at Le Mans with its own Mazdaspeed team.

Soon, Mazdaspeed moved from the RX-7 to purpose-built sports prototype cars to compete in the Group C level of endurance racing. Mazda won a succession of class victories.

Finally, in 1991, a rotary-powered Mazda 767B driven by Volker Weidler, Johnny Herbert and Bertrand Gachot became the first Japanese entry to finish first overall in the Le Mans race.

Mazda also was successful in Group A rallying with its conventionally powered 323, and the introduction in 1991 of the MX-5 (Miata) introduced sports car racing to a new generation of privateer competitors around the world.

In the United States, Mazda Motorsports North America competes with a two-car, RT24-P prototype factory-back effort in the 2020 IMSA Sportscar Championship.

1989 Mazda 323AWD in Swedish Rally
Group B RX-7
Miata MX-5 at the 2014 Nurburgring 24 Hour
MX-5 Global Cup

“Even better, when it comes to racing on road course circuits in the USA, more private competitors race a Mazda or a Mazda-powered car than any other brand,” the company reports, “and across the world from Mexico to Australia, from Europe to North America, and at home in Japan, Mazdas are chosen by drivers and teams to race and rally — highlighting the driver’s car ethos at the heart of every Mazda.”

AC re-creating 1963 factory Le Mans cars, but this time electric powered

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Back in July, AC Cars Ltd., announced its return and plans to produce new AC Cobras with Ace bodies and either a fully electric powertrain or a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine. Now, the company says it will launch a new and limited series of 12 special cars called the AC Cobra Le Mans electrics to celebrate the marque’s factory effort in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1963.

The electric powertrains will provide 617 horsepower (460 kW) and 738 pound-feet of torque, according to AC Cars.

Stirling Moss was AC Le Mans team manager in 1963. Peter Bolton and Ninian Sanderson drove the No. 3 car to 7th place overall

“The new cars are faithful re-creations of the cars conceived and built almost 60 years ago to secure for Britain the ultimate accolade in sports car racing – success in the 24 Heures de Mans,” the company said. 

“International motorsport’s annual test of power, speed and endurance takes place at the Le Mans circuit in France on 12 and 13 June next year, making 2021 a fitting time in which to celebrate these… bespoke, unique and iconic cars.”

Since the late 1990s, AC Cars noted, AC Heritage of Brooklands Motor Circuit has produced hand-formed aluminum bodywork for Cobras. AC Heritage will provide bodies for the re-creation Cobras. 

“But for these 2021 re-creations, new ideas and new skills were required too,” AC Cars said. “Inside the handcrafted bodywork is a power system for a new age. AC has introduced to its talent pool the services of its new Derby-based technical partner Falcon Electric.

“In 1963, AC built two bespoke AC Cobras for the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” AC Cars noted, adding that Stirling Moss was the team manager. “One of those was registration number ’39 PH’ and the other one was registration number “645 CGT.” Six of each of the re-created cars – bearing one of the two distinctive liveries — will be offered to customers from today.

“The ‘new’ cars importantly will have chassis numbers each bearing a new and unique prefix as well as their original, in sequence, AC numbers -= a vital pre-requisite to their place in the valuation process in the future. The numbers will be listed alongside all other ACs in the company’s ‘Bible,’ an important historical listing which underpins the importance and pedigree of the AC Brand.”

The company added that the most distinctive feature of the Le Mans cars was a “large, streamlined aluminum hardtop fitted to improve aerodynamics and to increase their speed along the Mulsanne Straight.”

Ed Hugus and Peter Jopp and the No. 4 car was disqualified after 10 hours for a refueling violation

The re-creation cars will be priced at £600,000 ($777,225) each.

“We are determined to make a tremendous success of these recreated AC Cobra Le Mans electricsdesigns when they are launched first in the UK and later in other markets,” said Alan Lubinsky, AC Cars chief executive. 

“We know the external appearance will win the approval of many ‘traditional’ AC fans,” he added. “The inclusion of an up to the minute, emissions free powertrain from our new friends, the electric experts at Falcon, will chime well with the excellence of the handmade bodywork built in the historic and important location of Brooklands!

“This the start of not just a new chapter but of a whole new era in AC’s illustrious history. We will be following up the launch of these new models with other additions to our already expanding range.”

For more information, visit the AC Cars website.

Pick of the Day: 1955 Chevy 210 custom with loads of classic appeal

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The Pick of the Day is a 1955 Chevy 210 street rod that looks like everything was done right, with great workmanship and tasteful customization.   The overall effect is a classic cruiser as it might have been done in period.

“This is an incredible, no-expense-spared rotisserie build with everything 100% new or restored,” says the Salem, Ohio, dealer advertising the custom Chevy on ClassicCars.com. “The goal was to build a car with a ’70s Auto-Rama vibe without going too far into the wacky zone, and I think they’ve succeeded.”

chevy

The description of this Chevy in the ad is extensive and colorfully written.  Here are some excerpts that put this build in perspective:

“Starting with an incredibly solid Chevy 2-door, they stripped it bare and started rebuilding it almost at the molecular level,” the seller says. “Chevy fans will quickly spot the Nomad quarter panels which open up the wheel arches and give this coupe a slightly different look.

“The paint is simply called Medium Garnet Red and it comes from a luxury-car pallet but it looks just about right on the vintage Chevy bodywork. The shine is deep and reflective and you won’t find any ripples or waves anywhere on this car. As I said, there’s a huge investment in time to get everything just right.

“All the chrome was refinished as well, including the 1-piece California bumpers (this is an original California car and also has correct California seamless frame). You’ll quickly spot the Corvette-style grille inserted up front, which is a favorite upgrade that makes a big difference in the look, and that side trim is from a 1955 Pontiac – bet you didn’t even notice because it looks like it belongs there.”

The Chevy is powered by a 350cid crate engine fitted with aluminum heads, upgraded camshaft and other bolt-on upgrades, “so it’s a fantastic runner,” the ad says. “A big part of that is the FAST fuel-injection system sitting on top of a Summit aluminum high-rise intake.”   The engine is linked with an overdrive automatic transmission and 9-inch 3.55 rear.

The suspension, brakes and steering systems have been extensively modified and modernized, which the seller says were designed for good handling and seamless cruising. 

The interior also has been completely redone with an eye for vintage appeal with modern features.

“The tan-leather interior replicates the original patterns and look but the plush feel is beyond anything they were doing in 1955,” the seller notes. “The power windows zip up and down faster than on a new Cadillac, the A/C blows cold and there’s a killer Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo system that sounds especially good thanks to extensive sound-deadening materials used throughout the cabin.”

chevy

The seller goes on listing the many attributes of this Chevy, with stands on a set of classic Cragar SS wheels and BFGoodrich T/A radials. 

“This is a true turnkey car that does not need anything,” the seller concludes. “If you are looking for the best of the best, this is it… and you will buy for half of what it originally cost to build!”

The asking price is $58,500.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

chevy

From Sunshine Special to The Beast: The evolution of the presidential car

(Editor’s note: The following article was provided by Vanarama, a British vehicle leasing company that apparently has been fascinated by American Presidential limousines.)

The first official presidential state car was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 and boasted a two-way radio as one of its defensive capabilities. Fast forward to today, and “The Beast” can withstand an asteroid (or so some say).

With the US presidential election fast approaching, Vanarama thought it long overdue to look back at the official state cars that have been used by United States presidents throughout the years. As you can imagine, with the first state car being put in place in 1939, they have been updated significantly over the past 80 years to protect against an array of ever-advancing security threats against the president.

1939 Lincoln K Sunshine Special

The first official presidential state car was the Lincoln K Sunshine Special. It was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, and was in service for three years until 1942. It was also the first presidential car to receive customizations as recommended by the Secret Service. The car started life with a two-way radio, extra-wide running boards and handles for Secret Service agents to grab and ride on the outside of the car should it be necessary.

However, this all changed in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor during WW2. Suddenly, the protection of the president was taken a lot more seriously and changes were made to the car to match the climate. Armored plated doors were added to the car, along with bulletproof tires. If the occupants of the car needed to go on the attack, storage compartments for submachine guns were added down the sides of each door.

1942 Lincoln Custom

The second presidential car was the 1942 Lincoln Custom and was the first to be built during WW2. Due to this, the maximum amount of protection for presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman was needed and would be installed from day one. It was the first presidential car to be delivered with protective armor. The armor added an additional 7,000 pounds to the original weight of the car.

To accommodate the extra weight, the car was outfitted with a Bendix Aviation brake servo, which provided assistance to the driver to slow the car down. The car also featured a “parade generator” which would keep the lights running over extended periods of time should they be needed. After the war in 1946, the car was refitted with a new grill clip for modernization.

1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan

President Harry Truman didn’t get to pick the previous presidential car he rode in, but now it was his turn. Legend has it that during the 1948 presidential race, General Motors would not give use of their cars, and because of this he held a grudge against them. When he was to choose the automotive manufacturer to make the new car, he chose Lincoln over Ford because of this.

During this time, it was becoming more common for presidential cars to be modified, and one of the more curious changes was to add extra headroom to the car to accommodate tall silk hats, a popular fashion accessory at the time. A more practical customization in order to defend the president from attack was the armour-plated bodywork. In 1954, the famous “bubble-top” was added by President Dwight D. Eisenhower after he realized that when it rained, no one could see him in the car when the roof was up during a parade.

1961-1972 Lincoln Continental SS-100-X

Four variants of the Lincoln Continental were used between 1961 and 1972, but we’ve focused on the SS-100-X. This was the Secret Service code name given to the now-infamous presidential limousine which was used by John F. Kennedy. The car is perhaps best known due to the assassination of President Kennedy on 22nd November 1963. The SS-100-X was the last open-top presidential car to be actively used because of this, although the car remained in service after the incident for eight more years.

Although the car was sleek and stylish, it lacked many security features that you’d expect to find on a car fit for the leader of the free world. After the assassination, many new features were added including titanium armor plating, a bulletproof permanent hardtop and glass. Three more variations were put into service in the years following, used by Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. As you might imagine, they were all extremely heavily armored with America still recovering from the Kennedy tragedy.

1983 Cadillac Fleetwood

Ronald Reagan was the first and only president to use the Cadillac Fleetwood limousine when it was delivered to the White House in 1983. It was the first time, after a long list of Lincoln cars, that Cadillac was given the chance to produce a presidential car. The car famously featured a raised roof and seats to make it easier for President Reagan to see the passing crowds. Unlike previous cars that presidents got around in, it was totally encased in bulletproof glass.

Other security features included thick, armored bodywork, heavy-duty brakes to slow the car down due to the increased weight, along with oversized wheels and tires. By this time, presidential cars were no longer used outside of official duties because of security concerns.

1989 Lincoln Town Car

The Lincoln Town Car would succeed the Cadillac Fleetwood when it was commissioned by George H. W. Bush in 1989 and is perhaps the hardest presidential car to find accurate information on. Why? We’re not sure. It was the last Lincoln car to ever be used as an official state car, with Cadillac taking the reins permanently from there on.

The car featured security upgraded such as bulletproof glass and armored plating, and the powertrain had to be updated to accommodate the extra weight. To be honest, we’d love to give you more information on this car, but information is extremely hard to find. Almost suspiciously hard, some would say!

1993 Cadillac Fleetwood

Bill Clinton’s time as president would see the return of an updated Cadillac Fleetwood limousine as the official state car. The car purposely didn’t have a sunroof or running boards installed to minimize threats from the outside world. The car, powered by 7.4-liter V8 engine from a Chevrolet pickup truck could reportedly hit speeds of up to 142 mph.

CNN once interviewed a former Secret Service agent named Joe Funk, who also happened to be the driver of the presidential car for a portion of Bill Clinton’s time in office. During the interview, he described the inner workings of the car, saying that although the president is essentially totally cut off from the outside world due to the bulletproof nature of the car, he had all manner of communication systems available to him. In 1993, it was considered extremely high tech to have access to phones, internet and “satellite communications” while in a vehicle.

2001 Cadillac DeVille

Although the presidential state car introduced in 2001 was a Cadillac DeVille by name, some would say it wasn’t really a DeVille at all. By the time the millennium rolled around, Cadillac had stopped producing a single-framed car that would be suitable for conversion into a limousine. Add on to this that Secret Service requirements for a presidential car were increasing and becoming even more ambitious. According to speculation at the time, the limousine’s frame is built upon a chassis of a General Motors SUV.

According to commentators, the car was the most technologically advanced in the world at the time. It included an infrared night vision system and was so heavily armored that the bulletproof glass actually blocked parts of the light spectrum. The car was also rumored to contain an emergency supply of blood in case of emergencies.

2005 Cadillac DTS Presidential State Car

Introduced as the new presidential state car in 2005, the Cadillac DTS was a hand-crafted model built for the requirements of the Secret Service. Although a lot of the car’s details are hard to come by due to the sensitive nature of vehicle, we do know that the vehicle is one of a kind. Perhaps the most impressive security measure is the five-inch-thick armour panels that surround the car. The windows, unlike other presidential cars, don’t open to ensure the safety of all the occupants.

Like the Cadillac DeVille, the bulletproof glass on the DTS is also so thick that it restricts certain aspects of sunlight from entering. To address this, a fluorescent halo lighting system was added to ensure the president inside can catch some rays without having to open a window. A glass partition also divides the driver and the occupants in the back of the car, while run-flat tires made it next to impossible to slow the car down, even when deflated.

2009 Cadillac “Cadillac One”

The Cadillac “Cadillac One,” so named because it’s not based on any known Cadillac model, came into action on 20th January 2009, as it drove President Obama two miles down Pennsylvania Avenue to his inaugural parade. The car was aided in design by the Secret Service and has perhaps the most complete defensive capabilities of any previous presidential car. Featuring state-of-the-art electronics, five-inch-thick bombproof glass and a sealed interior to prevent against chemical attacks, the car is super secure.

Upon the release of the Cadillac One, a press release revealed that the car’s “security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world.” The Cadillac One was the presidential car until 2018, when a new model came into service dubbed “The Beast,”,although both names are used interchangeably in reference to both cars.

2011 Ground Force One

Named after Air Force One, the president’s official plane, Ground Force One is a black armored bus used by the president and other officials from the government. At more than 45 feet in length, it was specially designed by the Secret Service. Formerly, the Secret Service used standard buses that they leased and fitted with equipment needed to run the country from eight wheels. However, it was announced in 2011 that a new permanent solution had been found – Ground Force One.

The bus features an array of security features including oxygen tanks to guard against chemical attacks, an extra supply of the president’s blood and an enemy suppression fire system. It’s used mainly for transportation to more remote areas, such as during Obama’s bus campaign through Ohio and Pennsylvania in 2012, according to Business Insider. In order to wave at crowds, occupants have to stand next to the driver as all other windows are tinted.

2018 Cadillac “The Beast”

Similar to the 2009 edition, “The Beast” features a similar array of security measures to its predecessor and is essentially an updated version of the car with a few minor differences. Road & Track reported that “the design appears to be a simple evolution of the old model with more current Cadillac design cues, like an Escalade sedan.” The car gained notoriety after Donald Trump’s state visits to the UK, and his 2018 meeting with Kim Jong-un.

The car features Kevlar-lined tires to prevent against attacks trying to slow the car down, along with a foam-sealed fuel tank to ensure the car could never explode if it was involved in a conflict. As you’d expect, presidential cars now come with a state-of-the-art communication system as standard and a secure oxygen and blood supply. It has been called a “rolling bunker” one commentator said, and “may be ugly, but it could withstand an asteroid.”

Presidential cars have certainly changed over time, along with their prize passengers. Who will be riding “The Beast” in January 2021 for the presidential inauguration? We’ll have to wait and see.

Massive road locomotive tops Bonhams ‘Golden Age’ auction

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Bonhams’ “The Golden Age of Motoring Sale” is a London to Brighton Veteran Car Run tradition, and while the coronavirus pandemic canceled the historic drive to the British Channel this year, the sale took place at the auction house’s New Bond Street headquarters.

As usual featuring early era vehicles, the sale was dominated in more ways than one by “The Lion,” a 1932 Fowler 10hp B6 Super Lion, a massive “road locomotive” that sold for $1,181,367 after what Bonhams termed “a lively bidding battle between bidders in the UK and USA.”

The cockpit

The massive steam-powered vehicle was purchased by the Saunders Steam Collection of Bedfordshire, England, with John Saunders called the vehicle a “late birthday present” to himself. He said he hopes to display The Lion at fairs and shows in 2021.

“Just one of four ‘Super Lion’ showman’s road locomotives, the 1932 Fowler 10hp ‘B6’ known as ‘The Lion’ was originally built by agricultural engineers Fowler for the Bristol-based Showman Troupe Alderton and Rowland,” Bonhams noted. 

“In its working life The Lion powered popular fairground rides of the period, such as the ‘Noah’s Ark.’ The Lion had had only two other previous owners, both based in the West Country, with Arthur Thomson buying the machine in 1995 when he oversaw its complete restoration over two and a half years to its former glory. In his ownership, The Lion made frequent appearances at steam rallies and other events including the Great Dorset Steam Fair and the Royal Bath & West Show.”

The big vehicle was one of three consigned to the sale from the collection of the late Arthur Thomson. The others were a 1902 Arrol-Johnston 10/12hp Twin-Cylinder Six-Seater Dogcart that sold for $125,269 and a 1910 White Model 0-0 Five-Passenger Touring Steam Car that sold for $104,390.

1929 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport

Among other highlights of the sale were:

  • A 1901 Panhard-Levassor Type A2 7HP Twin-Cylinder Rear-Entrance Tonneau that had been part of the Schlumpf Collection and later residing at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The historic vehicle sold to a German bidder for $417,563.
  • A 1924 Vauxhall 30-98 OE Velox Tourer, coming out of 52 years of ownership and selling for $335,542.
  • A 1903 Thornycroft 20hp Four-Cylinder Double Phaeton, one of the few survivors of the marque and a veteran of many London to Brighton events. It sold for $395,193.
1903 Thornycroft

Top-10 sales, Bonhams Golden Age of Motoring 2020

  1. 1932 Fowler road locomotive, $1,181,367
  2. 1901 Panhard et Levassor Type A2, $417,563
  3. 1929 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport tourer, $402,650
  4. 1903 Thornycroft double phaeton, $395,193
  5. 1924 Vauxhall Velox, $335,542
  6. 1938 Lagonda V12 drophead coupe, $171,499
  7. 1922 Delage Tourer, $126,760
  8. 1902 Amoi-Johnston dogcart, $125,269
  9. 1920/21 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, $117,812
  10. 1932 Alta Supercharged Sports, $117,812

(Prices include buyer’s fee.)

1902 Arrol-Johnson ‘dogcart’

Bonhams next motor car auction is The Bond Street Sale scheduled for December 5 in London.

For more information, visit the Bonhams website.

What is brake-by-wire and how do these systems work?

Some automakers are using brake-by-wire systems in their latest vehicles. Jason Fenske at Engineering Explained has the details on how these systems work.

Brake-by-wire systems insert electronics into the mechanism. In a car with brake-by-wire, pressing the brake pedal sends a signal to a brake control unit that then actuates the brakes. Computers determine, based on pedal position and pressure, how much braking the driver wants. An electric pump then pushes hydraulic fluid through brake lines, much like conventional braking systems.

It may not sound like a good idea to cut the direct connection between the pedal and brakes, but these systems have redundancies. For example, Audi’s system includes a path for pedal pressure to act directly on the brakes as a backup.

Video by Engineering Explained

This technology has a few advantages. Because the pedal isn’t directly connected to the braking system, pedal feel is artificially generated. That means engineers have complete control over how pedal feel is tuned, Fenske noted.

In hybrids and electric cars (like the Audi E-Tron Sportback Fenske used in this video), which use both regenerative braking and friction braking, brake-by-wire offers more flexibility in how the two braking methods are deployed. In all cars, brake-by-wire also gives the car more control, aiding the effectiveness of driver-assist systems, Fenske said.

By-wire controls also offer designers more flexibility when combined with battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains. They could allow future cars to be designed by simply placing new bodies atop a common “skateboard” chassis. That idea was first proposed by General Motors in the early 2000s with its Autonomy and Hy-Wire concepts and is now being put into practical use by startup Canoo, which designed a complete chassis that can be driven without a body.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Pick of the Day: 1994 Jaguar XJ220, a short-lived top-speed-record holder

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Supercar records are interesting yet sometimes frustrating. Just when one automaker creates a car that claims the mantle of fastest car in the world, another company somehow releases another one that is faster.

The situation is well-illustrated by the Pick of the Day, a 1994 Jaguar XJ220, a spectacular mid-engine sports coupe that all too briefly held the top-speed record for a production car.

This Jaguar is finished in the rare combination of Le Mans Blue over Grey leather, and is completely road ready with total mileage of 1,199 miles from new, according to the St. Louis, Missouri, dealer advertising the Jag on ClassicCars.com.

The original XJ220 concept car was completed at 3 am on October 18, 1988, which was the same day it was to be unveiled at the British International Motor Show. It was placed on the Jaguar stand at 6 am and unveiled at 11 am. How’s that for being just in the nick of time?

Jaguar’s marketing department had set up space on their stand for the XJ220 but had not even seen the car until its arrival. The car was extremely well-received by the press, and a number of Jaguar enthusiasts handed over blank checks to guarantee the option of buying the car if it actually went into production.

Compared with the XJ220, Ferrari’s display of the new F40 at the same show was viewed as lukewarm.  An estimated 90,000 additional show visitors came to see the XJ220.

Then things changed. The XJ220 was supposed to have a V12 engine behind its seats, but by the time production began, the engine was changed to a 3,498cc 542-horsepower twin-turbo V6 produced by TWR. That put off a lot of prospective buyers, some to the point of filing lawsuits, and it immediately put a black cloud over the XJ220.

Despite the smaller engine, the XJ220 when launched in 1992 had a top speed of 217 mph, which set a world record for a production car.

jaguar

But then the competition, in the form of McLaren, revealed the iconic F1, which when launched in 1992 had a top speed of more than 231 mph, soundly breaking the XJ220s record while reducing the halo Jaguar to a mere footnote in supercar history.

As a result, the McLaren F1, if you can even find one for sale, has an average price in excess of $15 million while the XJ220 can be bought for a fraction of that amount. For a buyer, the XJ220 looks like an absolute bargain in comparison.

This XJ220 seems like a good one, which despite its miniscule mileage has had all its critically important services completed, including a recent fuel-cell bladder replacement – an expensive Achilles heel for this model – and engine-belt service, according to the seller.

jaguar

Having these pricey but important service items done means the next owner will not have to shell out 10s of thousands of dollars to have them completed. The sale includes all books, service history and tools, the dealer notes.

Jaguar produced a total of 283 chassis for the XK220. but only 280 cars were built. That is very low production, with the rarity making the values for these cars seem even more like a bargain. McLaren F1 production was only 106 cars, but does that make it worth 30 times more than the XJ220?

I have driven two McLaren F1s and three different XJ220s, and the difference from behind the wheel is significant. The F1 is bare bones inside, much like a Ferrari F40, where the Jaguar is a luxurious place to be, with leather everywhere, comfortable seating for two, even a decent Alpine stereo. In addition, the F1 is a carbon-fiber car, where the XJ220 is made of honeycombed aluminum.

Sure, the XJ220 is not as fast as an F1, but it’s still plenty fast, and it has a nicer interior, excellent build quality, low production and a high level of exclusivity.  The asking price is $495,900 for this apparently fine preserved example.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

Larry finds some gems on the AutoHunter docket

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AutoHunter, the ClassicCars.com take on the increasingly popular online collector car auction marketplace, has offered more than 100 vehicles for bidding in the last few weeks, and recently posted its first 6-figure sale, a 1963 Jaguar XKE selling for $131,000.

In the spirit of the Journal’s popular Pick of the Day featuring cars from the Collector Car Marketplace, with its more than 36,000 vehicles for sale, each Friday evening one of our editors takes a trip through the AutoHunter docket and shares the gems he or she has found there.

Today, it’s my turn, and among the cars he’ll be watching as the bidding unfolds is a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, one of the new mid-engine C8 models that is being offered up for bidding with only 250 miles on its odometer.

Here are the cars that caught my eye that are up for bidding in the next several days, listed in chronological order:

1938 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood Imperial limousine

Sure, a modern minivan works just fine for transporting the family, but why not do so in real style! The limousine coachwork on this big 7-seat Caddy is by Fleetwood. Moving the big car down the road is a 346cid V8 engine linked to a column-mounted 3-speed manual transmission. The limo is being offered after spending the past 25 years in climate-controlled storage. There’s even a roll-down window between the driver and passenger compartments and a speaker-and-microphone system, although the latter is reported not to be in working condition, which may be just fine for a Mom and Dad seeking some quiet time.

1956 Buick 50 Super

This classic mid-’50s hardtop was mechanically restored in 2012, when it also was repainted from its original light blue to its current light yellow-and-white two-tone presentation. In 2018, the interior was refinished with new upholstery, headliner and carpeting. The car has air conditioning, an electric fuel pump, power windows/brakes/steering and even power front seats. The car has a 322cid V8 engine and 2-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission. The odometer shows 52,000 miles, and the seller reports driving it only 600 miles in 5 years of ownership.

1973 Plymouth Sport Fury

The sleek copper-colored Plymouth coupe has had only 2 owners since new and is available for its third on AutoHunter. Power is provided by a 361cid Commando V8 linked to a push-button 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The car is reported to be in “highly original” condition and comes with the factory build sheet. The interior is done in black and orange with a center console between the front bucket seats. There’s a functioning air conditioning unit under the dash, which the seller believes was dealer-installed back in the day.

1976 Porsche 912E

With the 914 dropping from its lineup, Porsche needed an entry-level car for the US market for the 1976 model year, so it brought back the 912E for one selling season. To do so, it took the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and now fuel-injected engine from the 914 and put it into the 911 chassis. The engine was linked to a 5-speed manual transmission and a few more than 2,000 were sold. This one features an electric sunroof, air conditioning, fog lamps and factory-installed Blaupunkt radio and Fuchs 5-spoke aluminum wheels. The interior features perforated tan leather seats.

1985 BMW 635CSI

This mid-’80s BMW classic coupe comes with a single-family history. The car was purchased in Germany and imported by the seller’s uncle to Hawaii, where it has resided with the family for 34 years. The coupe has a 3.5-liter inline-6 engine and 5-speed manual transmission. The car has a sunroof, rides on BBS basketweave wheels, and was “professional refinished” last year, including fresh suspension and brake components. The paint color is Diamond Black Metallic and the interior is red leather.

1991 Mazda MX-5

From a BMW in Hawaii we move on our AutoHunter tour to a Mazda Miata in Quebec, Canada. This MX-5 was sold new in Quebec. Its convertible top was replaced recently. The car has a 3-spoke wood Momo steering wheel and an upgraded Kenwood audio.  

2020 Chevrolet Corvette

Finished in Torch Red is this 2020 mid-engine C8-generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray showing 256 miles on its odometer and thus presented in virtually showroom new condition. Power comes from a mid-mounted, 490-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The C8 has the 2LT package with removable Targa top and 8-way power bucket seats in tan leather with carbon fiber trim. The car also has a 10-speaker Bose audio system. 

To see all the cars available for bidding, visit the AutoHunter website.

Auction analysis: Jaguar continuation cars have become collectible stars

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This past weekend, RM Sotheby’s held a single-consignor auction in Elkhart, Indiana, and sales numbers at this live and online sale were strong, with many of the cars selling for record figures. The auction was no reserve and generated $44,385,420 in commerce.

Among the many spectacular cars at the auction were three standouts from Jaguar — an XKSS, D-Type, and an E-Type Lightweight. All the more interesting was that they were all Jaguar continuation cars, and with the exception of the E-Type Lightweight, they were the first to come to the auction market since they were built.

1963 E-Type Jaguar continuation car
1963 E-Type continuation car
1963 E-Type Jaguar continuation car

Just for some history, and likely due to the extremely high prices for original examples of these cars in the collector car market, Jaguar decided to start building a few new ones to their original specifications. 

The first was the E-Type Lightweight. These continuation cars were announced in 2015 and were built to complete the original planned set of 18 cars (only 12 were built in period). The continuations sold new for an estimated $1.6 million; all six sold almost immediately.

Jaguar followed up in March 2016 by announcing that it would complete the intended original production run of 25 XKSS cars by building the nine XKSS that were never finished due to the Browns Lane fire. Just like the E-Type Lightweight continuation cars, each of the cars was made in the Jaguar Land Rover Classic facility at Brown Lanet. And like the E-Type Lightweights, all nine cars sold immediately after the announcement, each for an estimated $1.5 million.

In 2018, Jaguar announced it would build 25 D-Type continuation cars. This number was again due to the company having planned originally to build 100 cars, but due to the fire built only 75 of them in period. The continuation cars could be ordered in long- or short-nose form. Again, all cars were sold immediately at the estimated price of, you guessed it, an estimated $1.5 million. The car offered in Indiana was a short-nose example.  

1955 D-Type Jaguar continuation car
1955 Jaguar D-Type continuation car

Since these cars were built, there has been much speculation about what they would be worth on the secondary collector car market. If you used Shelby Continuation Cobra cars as an example, it seemed likely that values would drop considerably. 

I have to say that these Jaguars are a different breed from other continuation cars, having been built in the same location as the originals rather than somewhere else. Each was constructed utilizing the same materials and hand craftsmanship as the originals in the 1950s and ‘60s. 

Also, the number of Jaguar continuation cars was limited to the company’s original intentions, making them more exclusive and more special. Each of these Jaguar models carries the chassis number it was intended to have in the original production run. They are true continuation cars, built to complete the planned production for each model.

1957 XKSS Jaguar continuation car
1957 Jaguar XKSS continuation car
Jaguar continuation car

So how did they sell? Quite well. The E-type Lightweight went for $1.71 million, the XKSS for $1.985 million, and the D-Type for $1.325 million.

These prices indicate that each of these incredibly special “true” continuation cars has a strong place in the collector market. I am both envious of their new owners and, at the same time, congratulate each for tremendous taste and foresight.