Chevrolet has discontinued the LT5 crate engine—the most powerful General Motors production engine—after just one year of availability.
The news was first reported by Motor Trend, and subsequently confirmed to Motor Authority by Chevrolet Performance spokesperson Trevor Thompkins. However, Thompkins wouldn’t comment on why the LT5 was discontinued, or how many of the crate engines were sold.
Used in the C7 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the LT5 is a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that makes 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet Performance announced its availability as a crate engine at the 2018 SEMA show, sticking an LT5 in a 1973 Chevelle Laguna.
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 at Virginia International Raceway
Thanks to the LT5, the C7-generation ZR1 was the most powerful production Corvette to date, and the ultimate front-engined ‘Vette. Chevy has since transitioned to the mid-engined C8 Corvette, but it’s unlikely that the LT5 will find its way into that car’s engine compartment.
Chevy is thought to be planning a next-generation ZR1, and has already confirmed that a new Z06 will be unveiled in October. The Z06 will use a new flat-plane crank V-8 similar to the one that powers the Corvette C8.R race car. The next ZR1 is expected to use a twin-turbo version of that engine, while a new performance flagship named Zora will reportedly add hybrid assist.
Chevy’s crate-engine catalog is getting electrified as well. While the Bowtie brand still offers other V-8 crate engines, it’s also shown an electric option dubbed Electric Connect and Cruise. As seen in the E-10 and Blazer-E restomods, it has everything needed for an electric powertrain swap, including motors, battery pack, and all necessary control electronics.
This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.
My ears are treated to a deep, gratifying low rumble that reminds me that this Cadillac is a 2021 CT5-V, the souped-up version of what’s now the largest sedan the brand offers.
However, that initial smile fades as I contemplate what this car really represents: This generation of Cadillacs may be the swan song for the brand’s vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.
It’s almost shocking to think that OEM known for being the Standard of The World due to its engineering prowess will become just one more luxury electric-vehicle brand.
Of course, the electric vehicles of the future will be nearly silent, faster, smoother, and cleaner than those we see today. Being kinder to our world by no means is a bad idea.
Consider that 1974 was the last year for leaded fuel, and for 1975 cars including Cadillacs were equipped with catalytic converters and an advanced exhaust emission control systems.
Believe it or not, 1975 has more than a few similarities to 2021, and concern over the environment is just one. The exit from the Vietnam war spawned Operation Babylift. INASA launched its first probe of Mars, Viking 1. Also, the Watergate scandal sent people to prison, the last naturally occurring case of smallpox was diagnosed and treated, Microsoft was a start up company and Wheel of Fortune made its television debut.
The Fleetwood Brougham was, indeed, large and in charge
Cadillac built its reputation on innovation and luxury. The 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham came into being with features galore and a wide range of options. Just the fully padded vinyl roof alone had 14 different color options and two choices of texture, including Elk Grain. The paint was offered in 21 colors, including the Cerise painted car in our story. The interior’s plush, pillow-top upholstery delighted customers with a variety of both colors and patterns.
In other words, customers could spec out a new model with the knowledge that these premium cars were not all cookie-cutter products. A Cadillac buyer could pick some of the more esoteric trims and be confident that visually this would be rather unique.
Unlike the sedans of today, the 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was truly massive. It dwarfs the CT5-V. It stretches 233.7 inches, and there’s so much room inside that fold-down footrests are provided for the back seat.
Features and options included Twilight Sentinel headlights (delays headlights turning-off), Guidematic (auto-dimming headlights when oncoming cars approach), illuminated entry, cornering lights, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power trunk closure, power adjustable antenna, fiber-optic light monitors, automatic parking brake release, and ride level control.
Unlike its ancestor, the 2021 CT5-V has a wild side
The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V, like numerous modern cars, incorporates many of the standout features from 46-years ago. However, these are now commonplace, and consequently don’t generate much of a buzz. In fact, many of these are to be expected.
To offset the bulky, body-on-frame construction of the earlier Cadillacs and the performance =obbing effects of emission control devices, under the hood resides an 8.2-liter overhead cam V8 with a Rochester four-barrel Quadrajet carburetor. On paper, this sounds impressive. However, it cranks out just 190 horsepower at 3,600 rpm. At 360 foot-pounds at 2,000 rpm, torque is sufficient to counter-act the car’s weight.
The Fleetwood would cruise from 0-60 in a very leisurely time of nearly 13 seconds and topped out at 114 mph. The emphasis was on smooth luxury.
Cadillac did achieve the goal of making an enormous auto easy enough to drive around town and comfortable over interstate travel, albeit this does tend to noticeably sway around corners.
The Fleetwood Brougham requires little to no steering effort, as the power steering is so highly boosted. The effortless steering is matched with no road feel. Complete isolation was the goal. The ultra-soft suspension doesn’t help in driving dynamic, neither does the seating, which is more akin to a sofa.
Since then, our definition of what a car, even a luxury car, should be has radically changed. Luxury and performance do not need to be mutually exclusive. The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V is a perfectly good example of that. This has both a comfortable ride and a vast array of features. However, this has a wild side lurking just under the driver’s foot.
Cadillac fits an impressive 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 into the CTS-V. While more than 2.5 times smaller in displacement, and with two fewer cylinders than we find in the 1975 monster, this engine produces a robust 360 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and a peak of 405 foot-pounds of torque from 2,350-4,000 rpm. Weighing in at 3,974 pounds, the car scoots t0 60 mph in less than 5 seconds (and there’s a Blackwing version that will keep going up to more than 200 mph).
The overall length on the CT5-V is a reasonable 193.8-inches, nearly three feet shorter than the 1975 Fleetwood.
Power and being considerate of the environment do not need to be mutually exclusive, either. EPA have continued for reduce emissions and other regulations have steadily improved fuel economy. The CT5-V is a powerhouse yet can still manage 21 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. It’s doubtful if the 1975 could achieve that going downhill with a tailwind. Technology is taking today’s internal combustion machine to heights that were unimaginable a few decades ago.
One of the other standout engineering marvels at GM is the Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 suspension, which also is found on the Chevrolet Corvette. The latest, fourth generation of this is up to 45-percent faster at damping response compared to the prior version. This has a MacPherson type strut set up in the front and a five-link, independent rear with a stabilizer bar. Not only does this provide compliance on poor road conditions, but it stiffens for driving in an enthusiastic manner. Coupled with the variable effort steering, standard fat 245/40R19 summer-only, run-flat tires, the 2021 CT5-V is not giving up much to full-bore sports cars.
The 1975 Fleetwood came out of the box with a three-speed automatic transmission while the 2021 CT5-V comes standard with a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters for manual controls. It also has five driver-selectable modes that allow variation on the transmission, steering and suspension.
Enticing customers with a power antenna from years ago does sound archaic and a bit funny in comparison to what the 2021 Cadillacs offer. Beyond the vast number of standard features, the CT5-V this comes complete with the Premium Package that includes an expansive Ultraview sunroof, semi-aniline leather seats, and the parking package. The Technology Package and Driver Assistance and Advanced Security Package folds into the Cadillac adaptive cruise control, reverse automatic braking, and theft deterrent alarm system with sensors for inclination and interior vehicle movement. The Driver Awareness Package also has Intellibeam — auto high beam (a descendent of the Guidematic), following distance indicator, and lane keep assist with land departure warning.
Easily one of most helpful features available (and not on this specific car) is the Head-Up Display, allowing drivers to focus more on the road ahead. In all of the V models it should be a no-brainer to include this, as these are performance-oriented machines. Little doubt this was a bean-counter decision.
My butt locked into the 18-way power-adjustable seat (driver and passenger), which includes 4-way power lumber controls. Cadillac is constantly reminding me that I can do far more than navigate this like the retired senior citizen customer clad in white shoes and belt from decades past. Yes, in a sedate fashion, this gets from point A to B in a civilized manner. However, if that’s really the goal, it’s unnecessary to get any V-Series Cadillac.
The CT5-V is no Corvette, but it does hold twice as many occupants and still can offer confidence inspiring sprints and cornering. In fact, this is the kind of car that will get you in trouble. Not because it misbehaves, but rather the police don’t take kindly to tearing up the boulevard like an unrestrained teenager. Sure, this can leave rocket to triple-digit speeds in a blink, whereas Cadillacs of yore would struggle getting up to speed. There is true pleasure in any grocery run.
Even though the CT5 models are the large sedans in the Cadillac lineup, these seat four, not six. The trunk is able to swallow a few golf bags, not half-a-dozen corpses. And, 21 percent of this modern Cadillac is made in China, which was definitely not the case in the ‘70s. As such, the CT5 and the Fleetwood are really worlds apart.
While the styling has dramatically changed, the 1975 Fleetwood Brougham and the 2021 CT5-V are like bookends to a greener, cleaner world. The writing is on the wall, this could be the end of an era, the last chapter in the love/hate relationship of the gas-powered Cadillacs.
1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham courtesy of Mike Steiner
(Editor’s note: During the month of September, we’re publishing a series of articles about selling a collector car. Today, Andy Reid looks at selling through an online auction.)
Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the last few years, you are aware that online auctions have become a great way to sell a car, sometimes for quite a bit of money.
Before you decide that an online auction is the best way to sell your car, let’s first talk about some reasons you might want to choose any of them as the place to sell your collector car.
One of the benefits on an online auction is that they can reach thousands, sometimes even millions of potential buyers. Part of the reason for this is that an online auction is a timed event, with a definitive end time for the sale.
This is different from a standard online advertisement, which will offer your car for sale until it is sold. The definitive end time for online auctions builds excitement and gives a sense of urgency to prospective buyers.
The bidding process itself also can add a competitive element to the act of buying your car, and can drive up the price as two or more bidders try to outdo each other other. This does not always happen, but when it does good things tend to happen for the seller.
Another benefit of an online auction is that if your car is either set at no reserve or a reasonable reserve, it is very likely to sell and in a set time limit. This helps the seller to avoid months of phone calls from potential buyers, showing the car over and over again, and all the other aggravation that can occur when you try to sell the car privately.
The final benefit when you do sell the car at auction is that once the car is gone, it is gone. You do not need to field after-sale questions from the buyer if you do not want to, and the minute it leaves your garage you can let go of any responsibility for that car.
However, an online auction does not provide the same level of anonymity for the seller as a live auction, but it definitely has less hassle than just selling privately.
Obviously, we’re going to suggest AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com
So, after reading all of that, you have decided you want to sell your car at an online auction, what are the steps you need to take to make the auction as successful as possible?
The first thing you should do, even before contacting the online auction company, is to do a little research online and come to an educated decision of what your collector car is worth.
Be realistic.
You need to be as objective as possible in evaluating the condition of your car, and then use a valuation tool, such as that provided on the Hagerty website, to established your asking price. We all love our collector cars, but this is a time when you need to be a bit more scientific.
For example, a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette with the L88 engine option is worth considerably more than one equipped with an L46 engine. Also, as a rule, cars with an automatic transmission are worth less than those with a manual gearbox. Ditto for cars with air conditioning, which can add 10 percent to the value of some cars.
If your car still has its original and factory-installed engine and transmission, this adds value. If not, you likely will have to deduct as much as 30 percent from what you thought it was worth.
A final note about determining the value of your car is that you should not consider “how much you have in the car” and strive for that number. Just because you spent $70,000 restoring a Triumph TR6 does not mean I it is worth $70k. I am pretty certain no TR6 road car is worth that much money. What you spent to get it there can be a sales tool, but not a tool use to come up with the price you want. The market sets the price, not your personal restoration costs.
Next, present your car to the online auction, informing the site what the car is worth and its condition. The auction company likely will want to haggle about the reserve (the minimum amount you’ll accept for the car), but if you did your homework, you should be very close to the mark.
Obviously, we like AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com.
Also, be sure you like the people you are dealing with. Ask about the customer service offered before and after the sale, the kinds of marketing you can expect your car to receive, and the details around listing fees and commissions. All of these things can be negotiated, and you should ask questions about every phase and get something in writing regarding those issues.
Now that you have picked the online auction company, your next step is to get your listing done. This requires a well written and extremely complete description of your collector vehicle. This should include any interesting about your car’s history, as well as its restoration and service history, awards won, color combination,s and whether they are what the car was originally, all options, all modifications. In other words, literally everything.
You should supply all of this infomation to the auction company and unless you are a professional writer, allow them to write the description. After they complete it, be sure you get to proofread what has been written and ask for any changes or additions that are needed.
An extra tip is if your car is in a factory color, be sure to name the exact color that the factory called it. This simple addition will attract the experts for that car and add a level of credibility to your cars listing.
Next, get many high-quality pictures of your car taken. I say to get this done as if you are not the best photographer you should consider hiring a photographer who is. In most cases, the auction company will have a photographer contact in your area who specializes in this. This service will cost you something, but the photographs in your listing are one of the most important parts and the single biggest way to attract buyers.
When your listing is completed and you receive the assigned date and time when it will go live, the exciting, stressful and time-consuming part of the process starts. As bids come in you get more excited and as comments and questions come in your mood will vary from happy to angry and everything in between.
You need to be sure to monitor your listing often, think hourly, and reply to questions and comments quickly. If you fail to reply to the questions and comments potential bidders will tend to become suspicious and you will not get bids on your car. If a comment is negative, either provide a truthful answer or, if it is along the lines of t“Camaros are all ugly,” simply ignore it. People interested in your car will ignore the nonsense posts and will often fight for you. It is best not to engage with an opinionated knucklehead who simply hates your make, model, or year.
If you doubt the need to reply when asked a question, simply take a look at some of the online auction listings and see what happens when sellers do not respond. You need to be sure to do this during the entire run of the auction.
Near the end of your auction, be aware that it is common practice to receive a call from the auction company if your car is close to the reserve, asking you to lift the reserve. This is a good idea 99 percent of the time as it lets buyers know that the car will be sold to the highest bidder and adds an incentive for them to click the bid now button. Also, it is good to remember that in every single car deal, the best sales are those in which each side has been willing to give a little.
Also, removing the reserve can open a floodgate to bidders and your car may well sell for more that you imagined.
Hopefully if you follow these steps you will be happy at the end of the sale. Remember that the process can be time consuming, but also be quite exciting, and if you come into the auction with a realistic idea of what your car is worth and follow up on all these steps, you are likely to have a happy result — and have some fun as well.
So, you like the looks of the vintage Ford Thunderbird from the mid-1950s but not ready to deal with nearly 70-year-old mechanical components. The Pick of the Day just might be the car for you. It’s a 2004 Ford Thunderbird with the style of the classic 1957 model.
“All the bling of a 1957 Thunderbird, all the luxuries of a modern T-bird,” proclaims the private seller in Kerrville, Texas.
“It’s a pristine 2004 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe convertible which has been professionally modified by an automotive engineer to look like the classic 1957 T-Bird!” the seller notes. “It has always lived in a garage and never been smoked in. Just under 31,000 original miles!
“From the front, where the hood scoop sits over a show-stopping grille and modified front bumper, to the back, with its Continental tire kit and perfectly positioned exhaust tips underneath, there’s just so much to like on display here.
“Ford knew what they were doing when they rolled out the 2-seater Thunderbird convertible, capturing the look and feel of the original while updating in every way. This one wears the rare and gorgeous Merlot Metallic paint, an elegant color that compliments the long, sleek design and makes this Thunderbird look far more expensive than it is.
“The dark paint accentuates the swooping profile and works better than many of the other colors offered, and because this a 2004-only color, you won’t be seeing these Merlot beauties at your local cruise-in.
“With just 30,932 original miles, you know this one is in great shape in every way and has lived an easy life, like most Thunderbirds, as a collectable. As such, it’s never seen snow, never been wrecked, and if it’s even been in the rain it was only in an emergency, because this has obviously not been a daily driver.”
The seller adds that the tan leather interior is “a dramatic contrast” to the dark red exterior paint.
The car has modern features, including automatic climate control, power windows and seats, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, power convertible top with glass backlight, body-colored porthole hardtop, 6-disc CD changer, satellite radio, etc., and Ford’s 3.9-liter V8 rated at 250 horsepower and linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The car rides on huge 25-inch wheels, the seller adds.
“The big, clear gauges have a retro feel but aren’t duplicates of old gauges, but rather a modern take on a classic look, right down to the turquoise-colored pointers.”
The seller reports having had 10 years of ownership. “The only faults I can find is that the hood scoop bezel is aftermarket and the tan convertible top has a very light water stain.”
“The big, clear gauges have a retro feel but aren’t duplicates of old gauges, but rather a modern take on a classic look, right down to the turquoise-colored pointers. The tan power convertible top is the one you’ll use most often, but it also includes a Merlot Metallic color-matched porthole hardtop so you can use it year-round.
Interesting to note that when Ford resurrected the Thunderbird in its modern guise, one of the criticisms was the lack of the mid-‘50s tail fins and porthole window.
The car is offered for $29,900. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
“The Chieftain debuted as a 1949 model and rode on the General Motors A platform with a 120-inch wheelbase,” AutoHunter notes in the car’s listing. “A second-generation model launched six years later.
“Cosmetic updates came with each subsequent year, including “Star Flight” styling that adorned the 1957 models, bringing revised bumpers and redesigned rear fenders.”
This 1957 custom example incorporates a 1979 Cadillac chassis taking the frame, floor, trunk pans and other components from the Cadillac and retrofitting it to this Chieftain.
Other exterior modifications include lowered rockers, Frenched headlights, dual spotlights, lengthened tail fins and fender artwork.
The interior houses a split bench, tilt/telescoping steering column and steering wheel all taken from the 1979 Cadillac. Hard to miss, the upholstery is done in a green wavy pattern accenting with white piping and a white headliner.
Interior amenities include Air Tique heat and air conditioning, an upholstered custom center console with a Kenwood audio head unit and rear air shock controls.
Power comes from a replacement 425cid V8 sourced from the ’79 Cadillac and linked to a column-shifted automatic transmission.
The odometer shows just under 6,000 miles, although true chassis mileage is unknown.
This custom Chieftain’s auction ends October 1 at 12:00 p.m. PDT.
Visit this vehicle’s AutoHunter listing for more information and gallery of photos.
In conjunction with Volkswagen’s Innovation and Engineering Center California, students at the Academy of Art’s School of Industrial Design, where instructors include acclaimed Mazda Miata designer Tom Matano, have completed a project designed to explore future mobility concepts for long-distance travel.
Students studying industrial design, interior architecture, graphic design, fashion, advertising and new media produced what is being termed “fresh insight into the future of transportation.”
“This was a tremendous opportunity for our students to learn from – and alongside – industry experts at Volkswagen Group of America who are paving the way for technology and mobility,” the school said. “Electrification and autonomous vehicles are without a doubt the future and will only continue to grow, which created a perfect use case for us to come together and create an integrated vision.”
Students worked in 5 team groups and produced concepts based on Kinship, Orbis (business travel), Outreach (the modern nomad), Urban Cowboy (adventure), and X Hubs (highway rest areas).
Comedian Norm Macdonald died last Tuesday after a private nine-year battle with cancer. The “Saturday Night Live” alumnus wasn’t a car enthusiast. In fact, he never learned how to drive. Jay Leno capitalized on that fact in a 2020 episode of Jay Leno’s Garage when he taught Macdonald how to drive in the safe environment of a racetrack. That was pretty important because Macdonald shared that he drove six times and had four accidents.
In the episode entitled “Dare to Dream,” Leno used an Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan to put Macdonald behind the wheel for the first time since he had a driver’s permit. Leno didn’t choose the 505-hp Quadrifoglio model. Instead, it was a model with the 2.0-liter turbo-4, likely a Sport based on the clover-leaf wheel design. That’s not exactly a track car, but it also wasn’t in store for much abuse.
The experience went as you might expect for a 60-year old who had never driven. All alone on California’s Willow Springs racetrack, Leno had to tell Macdonald how to start the car and which pedals were which. Macdonald started out slowly, going less than 20 mph initially, then building up to the mid 20s and then around 40 mph. Along the way, he used much of the track without any idea of what an apex is. The closed course was a wise idea.
Macdonald eventually built up to 78 mph, which he said felt like 500 mph. The most fun came next, when Leno, an experienced driver, took Macdonald for a spin at speeds up to and above 100 mph. That drew several swears and screams from the passenger seat. Throughout the video, elements of Macdonald’s droll and sometimes mumbling delivery came though.
Macdonald may not have been a car guy, but this video shows the fun that can be had behind the wheel of a car, even for a newbie. RIP, Norm.
This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.
Ever dream of buying and restoring one of those historic buildings along historic Route 66? Now you can, at least in the virtual world.
Route66news.com reports about a new video game that lets you restore and reopen a service station along the Mother Road. “Gas Station Simulator” has been available since mid-September for $19.99 on the Stream online platform.
The Route66 website reports Games Radar says since its launch, “Gas Station Simulator,” developed by Drago Entertainment, has been among the top-5 in video game sales.
“It starts,” Ron Warnick writes on the Route66 website, “with you driving your really cool car — complete with a smoking dog bobblehead — through a desert before pulling into the Dust Bowl Gas Stop and buying it from the owner. Shortly after, you get a call from your uncle who tells you that your grandfather once owned it, and he’s happy to help you get it back into shape…
“You even have to build everything from the ground up. Starting with breaking down 2×4 planks to get into your new gas station and driving a front loader to remove sand from the parking lot and pumps, there’s actually a fair bit of work to do before you can start serving customers.
“Aiming and tossing garbage bags and other trash into dumpsters — Kobe! — is dumb fun that even tracks your furthest distance with a triumphant ‘high score’ sign. Oh, and that kid that keeps showing up and tagging the stop with spray paint? Throwing trash at him is fun, too.
“There’s a simple kind of fun in the other tasks,” he adds. “Filling up a person’s car presents a meter, which tells you when you need to stop. The Shift key speeds the meter up, but you’ll have to be quick to stop if you want the maximum tip.”
Mercedes-Benz brought back its greatest post-war nameplate, the 300SL, when it completely revamped its 2-seat sport/luxury cars for 1990, bestowing the title on the inline-6 version, as opposed to 500SL for the V8 cars.
The Pick of the Day is a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SL convertible described as being in near-perfect factory condition and driven only 37,000 miles, mainly by the first of its three owners, according to the Reno, Nevada, private seller advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.
As well as low mileage, this Mercedes has what seems like a low asking price of $15,500. But that’s not too surprising as these 6-cylinder convertibles dwell in the bargain basement of collector cars for whatever reason, never having achieved much of a following.
I find this perplexing. These are truly lovely grand touring cars featuring a load of significant features, such as adjustable suspension, full-luxury interiors and “pop-up” roll bars that deploy in the event of a rollover accident.
Yet according to the Hagerty value guide, a 1991 300SL in average #3 condition is worth under $10,000, putting it in the territory of much-lesser sports cars. Ones in excellent #2 condition – which I believe would include this Mercedes – rise to only $22,400. And a totally dolled-up concours example would command just $32,400.
That’s totally chump change for such a fine GT. I would assume that the more-powerful V8 models get the bids, but they fare only slightly better, according to Hagerty. In my view, these late-century Mercedes SLs are forgotten gems, way undervalued for what they are.
Mercedes has produced the SL-Class (SL standing for Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight in English) since the 1950s, and the attractive new R129 models for the ‘90s were designed to replace the popular R107 design that had carried through from 1972.
The 300SL, by the way, gets 228 horsepower out of its dual-overhead-cam 6, which seems like enough, and there are the somewhat rare examples that were ordered new with 5-speed manual transmissions. Most, like this one, are equipped with automatics.
These Mercedes were faulted at the time for being overweight and not nearly sporty enough, but when I did road tests in a number of them back then, I found them to be quite appealing. I like their wedgy styling, overall drivability, excellent build quality and supreme comfort.
This Mercedes seems like quite a find despite its apparent lack of collectability. The seller describes it as being in “impeccable condition.”
“There isn’t a ding, scratch or chip on the car,” the seller says. “The car was always garaged and never driven in the snow. Hard top and new soft top. AMG wheels, European headlamps and new set of extra floor mats still in the plastic… otherwise fully loaded as were all the SLs.
“The car was purchased new by wealthy business owner in Connecticut and later shipped to his home in Palm Beach. It was purchased by a high-end car trader who did not drive car and it was subsequently purchased by me in 2014 for our collection.”
The 300SL has been regularly serviced by a certified Mercedes technician, the seller notes, and presents pretty much like a new car, ready for its next luxurious road trip.
The $15,500 asking price still seems low considering the car’s stated condition. The bright-red color is not ideal, these Mercedes looking more attractive in neutral shades, but that would not be a deal breaker.
“You will find other 300SLs for less money, but none in the condition of this car with these miles,” the seller notes.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
In 1911, in a show of the vehicle’s speed and reliability, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 1701 was entered in the London-Edinburgh Trial, a test that presented early motorcars on a nearly 800-mile challenge, a challenge made more difficult because gearboxes were required to be locked into top gear throughout the drive.
Not only did that Silver Ghost win the event, but earlier this month it repeated the run, accompanied by other vintage Ghosts and one of the newest of Rolls-Royces.
“The Silver Ghost is arguably the most famous Rolls-Royce model of all time,” said Rolls-Royce spokesman Andrew Ball. “It was through its success in the early trials of speed, reliability and endurance that it earned Rolls-Royce its reputation as ‘the best car in the world.’
1701 on the route
“Winning the 1911 London-Edinburgh Trial was a landmark moment for Silver Ghost 1701. That the same car, now a priceless collector’s item, can repeat the endeavor 110 years later is testament to its remarkable engineering, materials and build quality.”
Rolls-Royce noted that the Silver Ghost 1701 was designed as an “experimental speed car” and that, “given the primitive state of Britain’s Edwardian roads, its average speed of 19.59 mph was highly impressive – and it’s then unheard‑of fuel efficiency of over 24 mpg even more so.
“To prove that the car had not been modified in any way, it achieved 78.2 mph on a half-mile speed test conducted immediately after the Trial. It also became the first Rolls-Royce to exceed 100 mph in a later test at the fabled Brooklands circuit in Surrey.”
The British luxury car manufacturer said it kept the recent re-enactment as faithful to the 1911 event as possible, following the original Great North Road route “as closely as practicable” and once again, “locked in top gear just as it was 110 years before.”
Arrival in Edinburgh
One difference with the re-enactment was 1701’s companions on the recent drive. The 20-Ghost Club, comprised of early Ghosts and their owners, went along with nine vintage vehicles, and Rolls-Royce also sent one of its newest Ghosts along as well on the two-day drive from the Royal Automobile Club headquarters to the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Edinburgh offices.
“Silver Ghost 1701 has a unique and special place in the marque’s history and affections,” Andrew Ball noted. “It’s difficult to think of many machines that can still perform exactly as they did 110 years ago. This extraordinary car is a remarkable tribute to our predecessors who designed, engineered and built it.”
