Whether you’re a fan of vintage Porsches or big-time college basketball, the Drive Toward a Cure has an auction of interest. Up for bidding is a prize package that includes a pair of court-side floor seats to a Duke University men’s basketball game December 16, as well as a private tour of the Ingram car collection, also located in Durham, North Carolina.
The full amount of the winning bid will go to the Duke School of Medicine Department of Neurology, Parkinson’s Disease and Movements Disorders Program, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence and Drive Toward a Cure partner.
The winning bidder also will receive a basketball autographed by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is scheduled to retire after the 2021-2022 season. “Coach K” has guided the Blue Devils to five NCAA Division I national championships.
Vintage Porsches and Blue Devils basketball await the highest bidder
“The magnificent Ingram Collection, (is) known not just within the Durham area, but regarded among the Porsche marque globally as a custodian of the Porsche brand’s history with more than 80 vehicles that range from one of the earliest production Coupes hailing from Gmund, Austria to a select cross-section of the sports-car brands past seven decades,” Drive Toward a Cure notes of the car collection.
The auction is being held on the eBay platform and runs through December 5. Duke is scheduled to play Cleveland State on December 16.
The Pick of the Day is a1954 Mercury Monarch Lucerne Sun Valley, an actual barn-find survivor with a factory transparent roof panel and period customization that includes a continental-kit spare tire hanging off the rear.
“Rescued from a barn in the Indiana countryside, this Monarch is an incredibly rare car,” according to the O’Falllon, Illinois, dealer advertising the Mercury on ClassicCars.com. “Monarch was introduced in 1946 as a division of Mercury of Canada and produced cars until 1961.
“The 1954 Monarch you see here was one of only 200 Sun Valley glass-top cars ever produced, and according to one source, is one of only 10 cars that have survived the years!”
The 2-door hardtop is described by the dealer as an “amazing survivor,” although there is no word in the ad as to whether the Mercury is an all-original car that has somehow managed to remain intact over the decades, without restoration or revision. The paint and chrome look in the photos as if they might have been redone.
“This Monarch would make a great driver, or a solid and worthy platform to fully restore,” the dealer says.
The Mercury has 95,533 miles showing on its odometer, the dealer adds, and is powered by the correct 256cid V8 linked with a 3-speed automatic transmission.
“The most unique part of the car, the glass top, is in great shape, and free and clear of cracks, scratches, or blemishes,” the ad says. “You will never get tired of hearing people exclaim, ‘Wow! I’ve never seen one of those before!’”
The photos with the ad show the Mercury looking to be in great shape, with a solid body, presentable paint and nice interior. Distinctive stylistic touches differentiate the Monarch from its Ford sibling.
“Factory equipment includes Sun Valley glass top, power steering and brakes, power windows, a rear window wiper, dual mirrors and spotlights, am radio, fender skirts and a dealer-added continental kit,” the ad says.
The asking price for this rare Canadian Mercury with the see-through roof is $33,000.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is a 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle powered by a built 454cid V8 big block engine.
The body is finished in Island Teal and features SS 396 on the grille and tail panel with 396 side markers on the front fenders.
Inside, the matching Island Teal interior has front buckets seats, a center console housing a Hurst shifter topped with a white cue ball knob, and a custom wood-trimmed steering wheel.
Mounted about the center console is an aftermarket cluster for the water temperature, voltmeter and oil pressure gauges.
According to the seller, $11,000 was spent on the engine, which is linked to a 4-speed manual transmission.
This Chevelle’s auction ends December 7 at 11:40 a.m. MST.
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and gallery of photos.
Being an editor at AutoWeek magazine in the 1980s and ‘90s meant frequent trips to Los Angeles on various assignments. I think our office manager thought it was strange that I’d always request her to make my room reservation in Redondo or another of the beach communities south of LAX rather than in LA proper.
I had my reasons. I liked the more relaxed atmosphere and the informal dining I found in the beach communities, but to tell the truth, the primary reason for my preferred lodging location was the opportunity to drive past the Vasek Polak Porsche dealership and to stare at the amazing racing cars displayed on the other side of the showroom big windows.
For a kid who grew up in the rural Midwest, pouring each Sunday over the “sports cars” listings in the classified advertising section of the Chicago newspapers, getting to see not only real sports cars but real racing sports cars was a treat.
Racer Jody Scheckter (left), Vasek Sr. (center) and his son, Vasek, with the Porsche 917-10 during the 1973 Can-Am season
For those who don’t or perhaps are too young to remember, Vasek Polak was injured while fighting the Nazis during World War II, and he later escaped from communist-run Czechoslovakia in 1949, and found work as a motor pool mechanic for the U.S. Army in West Germany.
In 1951, he found his way to the US, opened an auto-repair shop in New York City and working as a mechanic at Max Hoffman’s famous import dealership.
Like so many others in the post-war period, he would move to California, opening an automotive repair shop in Manhattan Beach in 1958 and, a year later, turning that shop into not only the first stand-alone Porsche dealership in the US, but through the 1960s and into the ‘70s, into the center of American racing for the Porsche brand.
Vasek Polak, motorcycle racing champion
Polak had been involved in motorsports since the 1930s, winning a Czechoslovakian national motorcycle racing championship and then racing on four wheels after the war. He competed as a driver in the fledgling but increasingly fierce California sports car competition, but focused on engine-building and preparing cars for others to race. Those others included the likes of Jack McAfee, Roger Penske, Bob Holbert, George Follmer, Jerry Titus, Milt Minter, Joe Bonnier, and many others.
Through the years, Polak would add other import-brand dealerships to his company’s portfolio before his death in 1997, at the age of 82, several weeks after being severely injured in a crash while driving on Germany’s autobahn.
What triggers this fit of nostalgia is a news release announcing a forthcoming book about Vasek Polak and his career and his car collection written by his granddaughter, Maurie Polak.
The news release notes that the Vasek Polak Collection’s online store and its limited-edition offerings goes live December 1 and that Maurie and her father, Vasek, son of Vasek Polak Sr., will be at the 2022 Porsche and Vintage VW literature, toy, model and memorabilia swap meet, the 38th annual such event, which is scheduled for February 26, 2022, at the LAX Airport Hilton.
The recent McCormick auction in Palm Springs, California, achieved a record 82 percent sales rate and a total result of more than $7.41 million.
The overall total for 365 cars, trucks and motorcycles crossing the block eclipsed McCormick’s previous auction in February 2021 by more than $3 million. The unpretentious event had just six vehicles reaching into the low six figures, with quite a few sales under $10,000.
The top-selling collector car was a 1956 Jaguar XK140 MC roadster that went for $169,600. That was followed by a perennial favorite, a 1966 Shelby GT350H fastback – originally part of the Hertz rental-car fleet – that sold for $138,860.
Other six-figure sales were for a 2018 Dodge Demon, at $128,260; a 2001 Ferrari 360 Spider, for $125,610; a 1995 Land Rover Defender D90 diesel for $113,420; and a Chevrolet Corvette coupe for $104,940.
One of the stars of the auction, a 1965 Ford Mustang Eleanor, failed to sell with a bid of $195,000, which did not meet reserve. Also not meeting reserve was a 1965 Porsche 356C cabriolet, which was bid to $190,000.
McCormick’s next auction at its Palm Spring’s home base is set for February 25-27, 2022. For information, visit the McCormick website.
Savile Row, the London Lane known for its fine tailoring, will also showcase fine automobiles during the inaugural Concours on Savile Row, scheduled for June 15-16, 2022.
To announce the new event, the one-off 1981 Aston Martin Bulldog, a Bizzarrini 3500Gt and a Bentley continental GTZ have been displayed on the Row sidewalk. The concours will take place on the street, which will be closed during the two-day, mid-week event.
The new concours is being staged in a partnership between Pollen Estate, which owns much of Savile Row, and Hothouse Media, publisher of Magneto magazine.
“Savile Row tailors have a historic relationship with the automotive industry, from driving suits, to driving jackets and even car interiors,” the partners said in the announcement.
“What propels this relationship are the attributes that the collector car world and custom tailoring share: craftsmanship, beautiful design, high-quality materials, attention to detail, and very discerning customers.”
Zoute schedules women’s rally
Organizers of the Zoute vintage rally in Belgium will stage the Rally des Muses for women and their cars the weekend of May 19-22, 2022. The event will begin in Deauville, France and end at Zoute, Belgium.
“In ancient Greek mythology, the Muses were nine goddesses — nine of Zeus daughters — who symbolized the arts and sciences,” the event announcement notes. “Today, a muse is an artist’s guiding light, a source of creativity and inspiration. For these inspiring women who like to take the wheel themselves, we organize this fantastic ladies-only rally!”
There will be a place for men to participate, “to cheer on their muses” as they cross the finish line, and then also to participate in the post-rally celebration.
More custom motorcycle winners
People’s Choice
Custom Classic
Custom Street
Freestyle winner
The Progressive IMS Outdoors J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder custom bike season wrapped up with a bonus round in Southern California at Costa Mesa.
Ultimate Building series officials noted the “talent and pure passion on display” as Jon MacDowell took first place in Custom Classic for a 1967 Triumph, Mikey Loko won in Custom Street with a 2017 Harley-Davidson Street glide, Mark Shell topped the Freestyle class with a completely custom machine, and Lily Karapetyan won the People’s Choice for her 2019 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim.
‘Unexceptional’ turns out to be exceptional
In 2014, Hagerty staged the first Festival of the Unexceptional in the UK to celebrate the everyday family cars typical on British roads from the late 1960s through the ‘80s. This past week, the Royal Automobile Club presented Hagerty and its festival with the Motoring Spectacle of the Year award as part of the RAC Historic Awards giving.
According to the RAC judges, “Defying its name, this brilliant event was truly exceptional in 2021. Not only does such a gathering of the mundane create a wonderful spectacle, but we also felt that Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional is capturing the zeitgeist of the classic world and introducing legions of new fans into the joys of owning old cars. Affordable, accessible and inclusive, this event turns the everyday into the extraordinary.”
The 2021 event was held on the grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle.
Beaulieu sets 2022 events calendar
Cars arrive for Hot Rod & Custom Show | Beaulieu photos
Beaulieu, home of Britain’s National Motor Museum and Palace House, ancestral home of the Montagu family, has announced its 2022 car events calendar, with events manager Charlotte Mountain noting, “As we look forward to a brand-new year of Beaulieu events, it is exciting to be able to announce such a packed calendar, with the return of so many much-loved events. As well as a number of favorites, it is great to be welcoming new rally Simply Italian to the calendar.
“After the disruptions to the beginning of the 2021 events season, we’re hoping that 2022 will be a year to remember for great events and days out at Beaulieu.”
The Beaulieu calendar includes:
April 3, Simply Aston Martin
April 10, Simply Audi
April 24, Simply Italian
May 14-15, Spring Autojumble (swap meet)
May 15, Land Rover Rummage
May 22, Simply Ford
May 29, Simply Electric
June 5, Simply Porsche
June 12, National Mini Day
June 18, Simply VW
June 19, Hod Rod & Custom Show
June 26, Simply Jaguar
July 3, National Austin Seven Rally
July 10, Simply Land Rover
July 16, Simply Vauxhall
July 17, Simply French
July 24, Simply Japanese
August 6-7, Supercar Weekend
August 14, VW T Chill
August 14, Graham Walker Run for vintage motorcycles
If you thought John Hennessey’s 6-wheelVelociRaptor pickup truck was outrageous, wait until you get a load of “Project Deep Space,” which Hennessey Special Vehicles says not only will be the world’s most expensive electric vehicle — pricing to start at $3 million — but also will be “a unique, ultra-luxurious, grand tourer that can transport four adults in absolute comfort along with four sets of golf clubs, plus luggage.”
Think ground-bound private jet, but with 6-wheel drive provided by a half-dozen, 400-horsepower electric motors for “astonishing grip and performance.” The private-jet reference especially works because of Hennessey designer Nathan Malinick’s experience doing private aircraft interiors.
Regarding the interior, the driver will seat front center with passenger seats on either side and slightly behind with a fourth “VIP” seat rear middle. Access will be through gullwing doors.
Oh, and the world’s first 6-wheel hyper-GT, with production scheduled to begin in 2026, is only one of three new vehicles Hennessey plans to launch in the next decade.
Plans call for 105 units to be produced.
“Of course,” Hennessey Special Vehicles adds, “given Hennessey’s trademark obsession with power and speed, it will be devastatingly fast with unmatched traction thanks to its unique six-wheel drive powertrain. With a 50 percent increase in surface contact over traditional four-wheeled vehicles, the performance of the Hennessey hyper-GT will be utterly astonishing.”
Nathan Malinck
John Hennessey
“Hennessey has spent more than 30 years building some of the fastest and most exciting vehicles in the world,” John Hennessey is quoted in the announcement. “This mantra will continue for our next 30 years by introducing the world’s first fully electrified, six-wheel-drive hyper-GT. We believe that ‘Deep Space’, with six electric motors combined with six driven wheels, could be the world’s quickest accelerating four-seater from zero to 200 mph!”
Hennessey Performance and Hennessey Special Vehicles are based in Sealey, Texas, west of Houston.
“On the Road” is the theme for the 2022 Pirelli Calendar, which reportedly arrives in an LP record-style slipcase. But that only seems fitting since the photographer for the 2022 edition is Bryan Adams and the subject of his photographs are other music stars.
Noting there was no Pirelli Calendar in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Italian tire company proclaimed in its announcement, “This is a special return because it coincides with the celebration of Pirelli’s 150th anniversary.”
Pirelli also said Adams had written a song titled On The Road that will be on his next album.
“For over twenty years, while adding to his vast catalogue of musical successes, Bryan Adams has also established his reputation as a photographer and through the photos of On The Road he has captured the artist’s life on tour,” Pirelli added.
Iggy Pop
“On the Calendar set, the musicians relive moments of life on tour, from the tension before a performance, to the breaks between rehearsals and concerts, through to the long journeys from one city to the next and the solitude of hotel rooms.
“These are experiences that Bryan Adams himself knows well, and for the first time in the history of the Calendar, the photographer is part of the cast.”
Other subjects featured in the 48th edition of “The Cal” include Cher, Jennifer Hudson, Kali Uchis, and Iggy Popp. Photos were taken in Los Angeles at the Palace Theatre and the Chateau Marmont hotel and at the Scalinatella hotel in Capri.
Pirelli says the 2022 calendar spans 160 pages and more than 70 images.
Bryan Adams self portrait
“It would be very, very hard to encapsulate everything that happens on the road in a couple of days,” Adams is quoted. “So what I tried to do was to represent some of the aspects of it… for example, musicians never really see the front of the building, they see the back of the building, we see the stage door, we see the backstage area, we see the basement of a building… you go from the stage door to the car door to the hotel door to the train door to the bus door, so it’s a bunch of doors, but it’s always about traveling…”
With winter quickly approaching where I live in New England, I have been thinking about vehicles that are classics, or modern-day classics, that would be great for dealing with all the snow we have out here.
Sure, I could opt for a classic Ford Bronco or Land Rover, but I decided if I want something that would work well in all weather conditions and also be reliable, as having issues with a car in the winter months is worse than in the spring to fall, with the worst case getting stranded in the snow with a broken car, I decided to look to japan.
The Pick of the Day is a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser that will work in all conditions, be able to cross most obstacles, and offer reliability that is legendary.
This FJ Cruiser is being advertised on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in northeast Pennsylvania, and it looks to be a great example of these retro-inspired modern-day collectibles. It has covered only 61,583 miles from new and is likely to be good for a few hundred thousand miles or so.
Finished in its original Sandstorm Beige paint with a Dark Charcoal interior that make it even more retro looking, the Cruiser is described by the seller as being in good shape.
The many photos in the ad show every part of the car you want to see and depict a very well-cared-for example. One of the nicest things about this FJ Cruiser is that it appears to be completely stock down to the wheels, something that is rare with these SUVs.
The Cruiser’s engine is the same Toyota 4.0-liter V6 that powers the 4Runner and Tacoma, putting out 239 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, which is plenty to cross any trail you can think about.
During the past 18 months, the prices for FJ Cruisers have been on the rise, which I can’t say I did not see coming. These capable and fun-to-drive trucks offer vintage Toyota FJ-inspired styling combined with a modern powertrain, a comfortable interior with such niceties as working A/C, and reliability that’s absolutely top of class..
Low-mileage examples of the FJ Cruiser are more and more difficult to find, especially ones that are completely stock as this one is. With an asking price of only $23,991, this FJ Cruiser seems to be an excellent deal on one of the most fun modern collector cars I can think of.
Sure, a classic Land Rover Defender 90 is more valuable. but the D90 will never be as reliable as the Toyota FJ Cruiser, which offers practically everything that the Land Rover does in a similar package.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Up for auction on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is a 1996 Volkswagen Kombi bus that was imported to the United States from Brazil.
“The Volkswagen Bus, built on what Volkswagen referred to as the Type 2 chassis, has origins dating back to the 1950 model year as a light commercial vehicle,” AutoHunter notes in the listing. “In global markets, the Type 2 was sold as the Transporter, Kombi, Samba or Microbus depending on configuration and geographic location.”
This 1996 VW 15-window bus underwent a repaint in two-tone red and white after it was imported to the States. The body, described as rust-free in the listing, features an aftermarket rear-mounted roof basket, a side-mounted step ladder and a barn door-style access to the passenger compartment.
Inside, the bus houses three rows of seating upholstered in dark gray vinyl and neutral=patterned cloth inserts.
Power comes from a refurbished rear-mounted, air-cooled 1.6-liter flat-4 linked to a flour-shifted 4-speed manual transaxle.
The odometer shows 84,000 kilometers, although true mileage is unknown.
This Volkswagen bus’s auction ends December 6 at 12:00 p.m. MST.
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and gallery of photos.
