Specs

White Lotus Esprit, number plate "PPW 306R", with the following modifications:

Submarine Features

*Retractable wheels, with extendable covers to protect the wheel cavity
*Retractable fins and rudders for underwater steering
*Convertible dashboard to double as a submarine control system
*Radar and Nautical guidance equipment
*Metal blinds for rear window
*Four retractable propeller units at the rear of the car

Weapons & Defence

*Surface-to-air missiles
*Underwater mines
*Oil-slick sprayer for underwater camouflage
*Rear mounted concrete sprayers
*Harpoons for underwater combat
*Self destruct system
*TV Monitor and closed-circuit camera
*Periscope

[Gridcrasher, Photo Credit: qv500

1992 GEO STORM "THE THUNDERSTORM"

DUE TO THE RECENT PASTING OF MY BELOVED HUSBAND, I HAVE FOR YOUR BIDDING PLEASURE. THE "THUNDERSTORM." THE THUNDERSTORM WAS HIS PRIDE AND JOY. WHERE HE SPENT MANY HOURS WORKING ON IT AND TAKING IT TO CAR SHOWS. THE STORM AS WE WILL CALL IT. THE STORM IS GARAGE KEEP, WITH CAR COVER DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR IT. IT STILL SMELLS LIKE A NEW CAR !! AND DOES NOT HAVE A BLEMISH ON IT. THE STORM WAS KEPT AND USED FOR SHOW PURPOSES ONLY. SINCE IT WAS DRIVEN ONLY TO AND FROM CAR SHOWS, IT ONLY HAS 37,803 ACTIUAL MILES AND IS IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION. DRIVES AND RUNS WELL. NO PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER. EQUIPPED WITH A KENWOOD AM/FM CD. IT IS TITLED AS A 1992 GEO STORM

HISTORY OF THE STORM: CUSTOM MADE BY: DONNIE DOWNS OF SECTION ALABAMA. THIS MAN IS A TRUE DESIGNER AND MASTER MECHANIC. IT CAN BE SAID THAT HE IS A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME. THE STORM CONTAINS FLIP UP SUN ROOF AND REAR SLIDING WINDOWS, ELECTIC ANTENIA, ENGINE CONTAINS "LOTS OF CROME", BECAUSE OF THE LIMIT OF PICTURES, THERE WAS ALSO A PICTURE OF GEORGE JONES "THE POSSUM" AND A LOCAL NEWS MEDIA PERSON, BODY COLORS: GEO WHITE/GEO COBALT BLUE, COMPILING OVER 22 CAR PARTS:

1. 1992 GEO STORM, 2. 1985 SUBARU BRAT REAR, 3. 1972 MALIBU WHEELS (GEO CENTERS), 4. 1970 CHEVELLE HOOD SCOOP 5. 1990 FORD ESCORT REAR BUMPER, 6. 1987 TOYOTA TRUCK (SPACE TIRE LIFT), 7. 1992 CHEVY CALVALIER (BOW TIES) 8. 1987 TOYOTA TRUCK(SPACE TIRE LIFT) 9. 1985 FORD RANGER FUEL PUMP, 10. 1967 CHEVY IMPALA (TAXI) HUB CAPS, 11. 1990 CHEVY S-10 BLAZER (POWER HATCH) 12. 1987 HONDA ACCORD POWER RADIO ANTENIA 13. 1992 GEO STORM (PLATIUM ROCKER CORNER) POLISHED 14. 1992 STORM FENDERS R-L AFTER MARKET, 17. 1991 STORM HEADLAMPS (USED) 18. 1992 STORM RADIATOR SUPPORT (USED) 19. 1992 STORM WINDSHIELD (NEW), 20 WHEEL SPINNERS (AFTER MARKET) 21. 1991 STORM REMOTE CONTROL ARM 22. AFTER MARKET GROUND EFFECTS

Thanks to Chris for the tip [Source: eBay]

Where to start with this cornucopia of fine racing machinery? The numerous Acura Legends? The third- and fourth-generation Camaros? The Oldsmobile Trofeo? Imagine showing up to race a Trofeo, if you dare! There's a Porsche 944 and a few 80s BMWs and the usual Sentras and Corollas and Accords, but we say forget all that dime-a-dozen stuff. Yes, forget 'em, because this auction boasts such jewels as an '87 Sterling 825SL, the car that combined Honda styling with Rover build quality in one unbeatable package! Or how about a '91 Mazda 929? Big, fast, and rear-wheel-drive, from the marque that dominates LeMons like no other? Why, you've practically got the checkered flag in hand if you get that car! Or maybe an '85 Nissan Pulsar is more your speed, and why wouldn't it be? You're more of a patriotic Detroit Iron type of racer? Hey, they've got Thunderbirds aplenty! Devilles! Bonnevilles! Tauruses and Sables, Crown Vics and Grand Marquises! We can't say which ones will go for less than $500, but my experience at this auction has been that the ugly runners go for the minimum bid or barely above it. [Auto Return (PDF)]

duPont REGISTRY SHOWCASES RESURRECTED AMERICAN ICON

St. Petersburg, Fla. (March 2008) - The duPont REGISTRY™: A Buyers Gallery of Fine Automobiles celebrates its 23rd anniversary by offering the original General Lee car seen in the opening credits of "The Dukes of Hazzard." The restored car has been brought back to its original state though a few scars remain including a crack in the windshield incurred when it jumped a police cruiser during the opening credits.

"We feel privileged to have such an iconic car featured as part of our April issue," says Tom duPont, Publisher of the duPont REGISTRY™. "A total of 309 cars were utilized during the filming of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' but Lee 1 is the first, the original and 'The Classic'."

A 1969 Dodge Charger, Lee 1 is powered by a big block 383 engine and still retains many of its original parts thanks to meticulous restoration work which took 16 months to complete. Remnants from its celebrity days also remain: the original parking permit for Los Angeles Southwest College seen in the pilot episode, the label next to the VIN which reads "Lee 1", and the twin flags which are unique to the original Lee have all been preserved making this unique car priceless to collectors.

Restoration enthusiasts, luxury connoisseurs and Hazzard fans will all be thrilled to see the exclusive Lee 1 in the April issue of the duPont REGISTRY™: A Buyers Gallery of Fine Automobiles which hits newsstands March 18. For more information about Lee 1, visitGeneralLeeEnterpirses.com.

[Source: duPont Registery]

Employees hope that the sale will cover the back-taxes so that they can get their back-pay. You'll remember one employee told us that Unique Performance lied about paychecks to get people to continue working. Details below:

Unique Performance/Unique Motorcars Auction

Bankruptcy Case No. 07-36211-BJH-7, Vintage Automotive Restoration. Moved for convenience of sale: Bankruptcy Case No.07-31392-BJH-7 Secure Car Armour Corp., armored luxury cars and bankruptcy case no. 07-45584-DML-7, Thomas Estate, 2005 Hummer
DATE:
March 27th, 2008, 10:00 AM
LOCATION:
13950 Senlac Drive, Farmers Branch, TX 75234
INSPECTION:
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 from 9 am until 4 pm (CDT)
STYLE:
Online Only

[Rosen Online Auction]

Own the first production Limited Edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 to come off the assembly line. Proceeds of the sale to benefit notMYkid Charity. Dodge Challenger is back after nearly 35 years and you could own the first vehicle before it's even produced. Bid for Dodge Challenger #1,the first production Challenger to come off the assembly line for direct sale to the U.S. Dodge dealer network. The #1 Challenger includes all production options including a 6.1 Liter V8 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, sunroof, navigation and performance tires. The vehicle will be identified by a dash plaque indicating #1 of the Limited Edition production. You have seen the concept and rest assured the production model is true not only to the Challenger concept but also Challenger's heritage. Five "teaser" photos of the production car have been released showcasing the notable styling elements that are sure to please. The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - the ultimate modern American muscle coupe will make its worldwide debut at the Chicago Auto Show on February 6, 2008. In addition to receiving the rights to the first production Challenger, the winning bidder also receives: Two VIP passes to the May 2008 Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR race at Darlington Raceway complete with airfare and lodging, a meet and greet with Kyle Petty at the Dodge Challenger 500 in Darlington, May, 2008 and a Dodge Motorsports prize pack with vehicle delivery. The vehicle will be delivered to the Dodge Dealer of choice in the United States no later than May 31, 2008. All Proceeds from Dodge Challenger No. 1 will benefit notMYkid - an organization dedicated to facilitating improved understanding about youth behavioral health issues including suicide, drug abuse, eating disorders and depression. notMYkid was founded in 2000, and is designed to educate parents about youth and adolescent substance abuse, eating disorders, suicide, ADHD, depression, and more. Information is available on the website www.notMYkid.org to educate parents about the warning signs and symptoms and to empower them to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies. In 2006, notMYkid reached 80,000 parents and students nationwide. The organization offers several programs for parent education as well as peer-to-peer youth programs.

From Rumor to Instant Legend in the Blink of an Eye. Chevrolet presents the very "First Retailable Unit Built" Corvette ZR-1 for auction at Barrett-Jackson on Saturday, January 19, 2008 with all proceeds from the auction will benefit The United Way. GM AND BARRETT-JACKSON MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE VEHICLE (INCLUDING NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE).

Dave Ressler of Ressler Chevrolet of Mandan, North Dakota was destined to be in the automotive sales business.

"You can say I was inspired because of my dad who was a car salesman for 25 years," said Ressler of his dad, Chris, who died in 1977 and worked at Bob Chase Chevrolet. "From the day that my dad passed away, Bob kept calling and wanting to hire me."

He eventually did.

In 1972, Chase moved into the facility Ressler now occupies. It was Mandan's only Chevrolet dealership at that time - a distinction it still holds today and is home to 21 employees. In 1980, Chase sold to Ivan Gandrud, who held the store until 1988. Thirty people were working for Chase when the business changed hands. And in 1988, Ressler bought the dealership and hasn't looked back.

Ivan started with 30 employees and took it up to roughly 55 when he sold.

With Ressler it went from 55 to over 130 employees.

Ressler is pretty proud of the growth of his business. He's proud, and justifiably so, of a lot of things.

"I'm probably the youngest car dealer in the two towns," he said. "I started when I was 32. I work hard at what I do. I'm a workaholic. I really don't know how I got that way. Maybe I got it from my dad."

The hard work has paid off.

Ressler said his dealership has received eight Customer Choice Awards over the lasts 6 years. He said this is an accomplishment achieved by no other Chevrolet Dealership anywhere.

"The awards are based on customer satisfaction," he said. "We do not get any extra money for this. It's a 'wow' effect, I guess. It tells us we're all doing a good job."

Ressler said he expects a lot of himself and the same from his employees.

"We have a mission statement that we all work by," he said. "There are five critical areas that we focus on everyday."

They are:

Customer Satisfaction
Employee Enthusiasm
Market Leadership
Ongoing Improvement
Financial Performance
"If we work hard at these five things everyday, we know that we're doing a good job," he said. "It's important to have our employees focused on the right things."

Ressler said he's a hands-on employer - he can't help himself being the workaholic that he is - and enjoys being involved in the daily activities. But there certainly must be a point when he has to slow down, take a break and say "enough already."

But, that's not going to happen anytime soon. In March of 1999, Ressler moved to Bozeman, MT. and acquired a Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-Cadillac-Toyota dealership. "I'm back in the day-to-day," says Ressler, spending about half his time in Bozeman, and the other half in Mandan.

The Bozeman store, which employs 85 people, believes in the same values as the Mandan store. Because of this, it enjoys being the leader in the Gallatin Valley with more new/used car sales, service, parts sales and body shop service than any other dealer in the valley.

"Selling BEST PRICE has been well accepted, along with Saturday service and parts sales," says Ressler. "I'm having a blast and business is great at both stores. Enough isn't enough, I guess. I'm not going to stop. I'm chasing to be the best of the best!"

You are now embarking on the purchase of a life time, the opportunity to own and operate "The World's Largest Robot", Robosaurus, the ICON of robotics worldwide. This 40' tall, 31 ton mechanical dinosaur has thrilled crowds throughout the World since his birth in 1990 after two years of construction. Robosaurus would cost over 5 million dollars to develop and build today. Robosaurus in action is every child at heart's dream. The crowd feels the heat of 20' flames shooting from the giant nostrils and hears the sound of crunching metal as the foot high stainless steel teeth rip into a car with 20,000lbs of crushing force. Robo laughs and roars as the car easily rips apart. You, as the operator, feel the thrill of tearing a car in half, incinerating it and throwing it to the ground in flaming pieces. Buy this for your kids, your grand kids and best of all, the child in you. All this and you own a one-of-a-kind that has not even come close to being duplicated in the last 17 years of Robo's existence. Check out the amazing technology of Robosaurus and you will be enthralled by this state-of-the-art "Mechanical Wonder of the World". In addition to Robosaurus, you will receive the full show equipment including three racing radios, remote control special effects board, Telex transmitter and receiver system, HAM-band TV Station for live broadcast to pilot, Hi-8 video camera, programming console for on-board animation computer system, tool kit for loading and unloading, service, maintenance and operation manuals, touch-up paint and numerous transport cases. Other spare parts, shop equipment, materials, and the Semi-tractor for towing are available by separate treaty. Full maintenance and driver training available. Robo transforms into a 48ft semi trailer that is street legal in North America. Comes with current California trailer title. **This Lot is sold on a Bill of Sale. Special conditions will apply.**

For the first time in the nearly 40 years, Ford Motor Company and Shelby Automobiles are partnering to build the Shelby GT500 KR in 2008. This new model of the popular Ford Mustang represents a new chapter in the history of the Ford Mustang and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. When unveiled at the New York Autoshow in 2007, the car became an instant classic. On January 19th, the first GT500 KR offered for sale to the public will roll across the auction block. This 540hp limited edition Mustang will be one of approximately 1,000 built and the first and only car offered with a new "segment exclusive" feature that will be unveiled during the auction. All proceeds from the sale of this car will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Over the last three years Ford and Barrett-Jackson have raised over $1.8 million dollars for charity through the auction of Ford Motor Company Products. This new model will give the winning bidder an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause while making automotive history.

"Mustang Monthly" July 2001 issue listed this car as the number one car on top of their "Top 10 Dream Cars" to own. A 1960's Shelby Cobra Mustang that has been owned by Carroll Shelby since new. A 5-year concours rotisserie restoration by nationally known Shelby restorer Jim Cowles completed in September 2007. Carroll Shelby only owns one other Shelby from the 1960's since new and that is the first Shelby AC Cobra, CSX2000.

Ever since "Monster Garage" premiered on Discovery Channel in June 2002, Jesse James led teams to build vehicles that make beer, do wheelies, shake trees, even transport gorillas. But all the while, Jesse was turning his thoughts and his dreams to the sky. Everyone said he couldn't do it, and the lawyers begged him not to do it, but Jesse James and his 9 man team managed to take a $100,000 Panoz Esperante sports car and create an airborne vehicle whose first flight matched the success of the Wright Brothers'. After the team tore out the Panoz's plush interior to make room for a roll cage, installed a used propeller engine in the trunk, mounted 36' handmade wings to the car's exact center and secured a rear tail with a 15" fuselage, the flying car was taken to Kitty Hawk, NC, home of the Wright Brothers' first flight. Under the power of the original Panoz engine, Jesse taxied the flying car onto the runway, started the propeller engine and, after hitting 80mph, guided the automobile off the ground for 280 feet, landing safely without even a scratch to the Red Baron paint job. THE DESIGNERS: Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers, Long Beach, CA, Fireball Tim, artist and car designer, Malibu, CA, Dan Panoz, founder and owner, Panoz Auto Development Company, Braselton, GA, Ed Sweeney, aircraft mechanic, Black Forest, CO, and Neal Willford, engineer, new product development, Cessna Aviation, Andover, KS. THE BUILDERS: Jesse James, custom-bike builder/designer, West Coast Choppers, Long Beach, CA, Jason Barnes, vehicle engineer, Panoz Auto Development Company, Flowery Branch, GA, Niclas Jancic, Panoz Auto expert, GA, Mark Palmer, aircraft-design engineer, Peru, KS, Ronnie Powers, airplane builder and owner, Atlanta Air Salvage, Griffith, GA, Johan Ragnarsson, custom-car builder, Beuford, GA, Chris Rusch, fabricator, Two Rivers, WI, Andre Stowe, welder and metal-shop owner, San Diego, CA, Ed Sweeney, aircraft mechanic, Black Forest, CO, JD Terry, avionics/electrical engineer, Cessna Aviation, Wichita, KS, and Neal Willford, aircraft engineer, Cessna Aviation, Andover, KS. VEHICLE SPECS: Height: 80"; Width: 38'; Length With Parts Extended: 26'; Ground Clearance: 2.5". **SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY. SPECIAL CONDITIONS APPLY**

5.) 1970 Chevy Chevelle LS6 SS - $177,500 4.) 1953 Buick Skylark - $155,000 3.) 1970 Hemi Cuda - $245,000 2.) 1956 Chevy Bel Air - $255.000 1.) 1932 Ford Custom Competition "Rollin Stone" - $320,000

LotNumber 1316 Year 2009 CarMake CHEVROLET CarModel CORVETTE CarStyle ZR-1 CONVERTIBLE

"From Rumor to Instant Legend in the Blink of an Eye. Chevrolet presents the very "First Retailable Unit Built" Corvette ZR-1 for auction at Barrett-Jackson on Saturday, January 19, 2008 with all proceeds from the auction will benefit The United Way."

Let's see if I can get all the right buzz words: Dodge - Mopar - Chrysler - SUV - Crossover - Journey - Crew - Chrome - Badge - Spy - Camouflage - Espionage - Automobilia - Collectible - Rare - Auto Show - Emblem - Press - Prototype - Test Car - Future Car ... And this auction is all of the above! This is another Brenda Priddy & Company Charity Auction: You pick the charity (from our list of suggested charities)! You pay the charity directly! Show proof of the payment and the "prize" is all yours! And in the world of automobilia - this is about as rare as it gets! Background: In September of this year, in Frankfurt, Germany, Dodge introduced the Journey - a new crossover / SUV vehicle - at the Frankfurt Motor Show. But up until shortly before the Frankfurt Motor Show, the name for the new Dodge was going to be "Crew". We can't tell you how many chrome name badges were produced for the "Crew" before they officially named it Journey - we've only seen one - and it's the one we have up for auction! Brand new and still stuck on a piece of clear plastic - this is a rare piece of modern Dodge history and we doubt you'll ever see another one - anywhere.

In addition to the chrome name badge, we also have the rear 'camouflage' from a Crew / Journey prototype. It is like-new with foam padding, mesh covers for over the lights, clear plastic which goes over the license plate and an industrial- strength zipper! You'll also get a Dodge Rubik's Cube that was given to the media / press at the Journey's Los Angeles introduction last month (at the L.A. Auto Show), and a 12-inch by 18-inch signed-photo of a Journey test vehicle (with the cover blowing away as engineers are attempting to put it on). (Please note: The photo is simply for your enjoyment, and not for publication anywhere.) If the winning bid is over $300, well add 2 hard-to-get/limited edition I-can't-tell-you-what-it-does-or-I'll-have-to-kill-you purple "espionage" writing pens from Brenda Priddy & Company (me). And if the bidding is over $500, the winning bidder will get an official "Brenda Priddy & Company" Espionage hat! And on top of all the goodies, we'll pay (of course) all the Ebay fees, and all we ask is that you pay $35 for shipping in the U.S. (The camouflage is heavy!). We'll cover any additional shipping charges, although we won't ship this package outside of the United States.

And you get to choose where the purchase price/money goes!! Here's the deal: Bid as usual (nah ... bid EXTRA high - it's for a good cause!) The winning bidder gets to make a donation directly (in the amount of the high/winning bid - or more) to one of the following charitable organizations by way of credit card or PayPal on the internet. (You make it - NOT me!!) Have the organization send me proof of the donation, plus a copy of the e-mail confirmation that they'll send you upon receiving the funds, your fingerprints and your first-born, and I'll happily send you all the goodies! Organizations to choose from: Make A Wish Foundation (http://www.wish.org/ ), American Heart Association ( http://www.americanheartassociation.com ), March of Dimes ( http://www.marchofdimes.com/ ), American Cancer Society ( http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp ), Fisher House ( http://www.fisherhouse.org/ ), Shriners Hospitals for Children ( http://www.shrinershq.org/ ). (Enough choices? Want to suggest another one?) Anyway ... that's it! Easy, isn't it ... and just think - you'll likely be the only one on your block priceless camouflage from a Dodge crossover and a (possibly one-of-a-kind) chrome nameplate / badge that will never be!! (And every last penny of the winning bid goes to a charity!) Go for it ... And let those engineers know that I'm not all that bad!! ... And thanks for reading the nearly 650 words!! Brenda Priddy ....... www.myspace.com/BrendaPriddy [eBay]

It turns out that the 1995 Batmobile, which cost $2.8 million to build, can't be driven anywhere in public. It's basically just a sort of hideous looking doormat. It could be a safety thing, could be a licensing thing or it could just be an attempt by WB to make up for the horrible film they unleashed on the universe. [Hemmings News]

37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Auction to Feature the World's Only 1963 Ford Thunderbird 'Italien'

The 1963 FORD Thunderbird ?Italien? concept car will be sold at No Reserve during the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on Jan. 12-20, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Oozing with European panache from the aerodynamic roof line to the front and rear leather bucket seats, this one-off concept was an extreme departure from the traditional classics rolling out of Detroit in the early 1960s.

Hailed as ?The World?s Greatest Collector Car Events?,? the Scottsdale auction will feature 1000 of the world?s finest collector vehicles and lavish lifestyle events. As always, Speed Channel will broadcast live-coverage of all six auction days.

?It?s rare for such a classic concept to be offered at auction,? said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. ?The ?Italien? features design cues that were virtually nonexistent in the United States during its time of production. This could be the most sought after and significant Thunderbird to ever cross the block at Barrett-Jackson.?

The ?Italien? was designed and built by Vince Gardner at the Dearborn Steel Tubing Company, an outsourcing contractor responsible for various non-assembly line Ford concepts, including the 1964 Ford Thunderbolt and Mercury Super Cyclone. It was showcased in Ford?s 1962-63 ?Custom Car Caravan,? numerous Autoramas across the country and in the 1964 New York World Fair?s ?Cavalcade of Custom Cars.?

?The ?Italien? was born during an exciting period in automotive history,? added Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. ?In the ?50s and early ?60s, concept cars were showcased across the world in parade-like settings. This rare Thunderbird was a great attraction at many famous shows, and we plan to recreate that same exciting atmosphere in Scottsdale. When it hits the block in January, it will be the first documented public appearance since its showing at the World?s Fair in 1964.?

While most Ford concept cars were destroyed after their world tours, the ?Italien? was rescued by actor Dale Robertson of TV?s ?Tales of Wells Fargo,? ?Wagon Train? and ?JJ Starbuck.? Tom Maruska purchased it from noted Ford collector Don Chambers in January 2006, and immediately began its restoration to original specifications.

Barrett-Jackson continually reaffirms its leadership position in the collector car market by elevating consignment standard and serving as the barometer for market trends. Barrett-Jackson recently announced that Portland-based Endeavour Capital purchased a significant minority share in the company, further validating the integrity and growth potential of the world?s leading automotive/lifestyle event.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the ?World?s Greatest Collector Car Events?? in Scottsdale and Palm Beach, Fla. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com

The ex-Steve McQueen 1963 FERRARI 250 GT/L LUSSO BERLINETTA DESIGN BY PININFARINA; COACHWORK BY SCAGLIETTI Chassis No. 4891 Engine No. 4891

Marrone Metallizzato, Beige leather interior
Engine: V-12, 2,953cc, three Weber dual throat carburetors, 250bhp at 7,000 rpm; Gearbox: 4-speed manual; Suspension: front, independent with coil springs and tubular shock absorbers; rear, live axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and tubular shock absorbers; Brakes: four-wheel discs. Left hand drive.

Perfection is approached progressively, in stages and steps.
For Steve McQueen the pursuit of perfection began in 1955 when he, along with some 200 others, auditioned for one of two openings in Lee Strasberg's Actors' Studio. He and Martin Landau where selected for those exclusive positions. The following years saw McQueen appear in several New York-based television productions before continuing his television career in Hollywood with roles like Josh Randall in "Trackdown". Creating characters, an acting style and a persona which would become legendary, Steve McQueen was on his way.
McQueen landed his first starring movie role in 1958 in the science fiction milestone "The Blob" while building his television reputation with the series "Wanted: Dead or Alive" which developed the John Randall character into a five-year series, from 1958 through 1961, totaling 73 episodes. With this role Steve McQueen became an instantly recognized acting celebrity, but the best was yet to come.
From the late 50's on McQueen managed parallel careers in television with "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and in film with movies and roles of steadily increasing significance. He achieved breakout success in "The Magnificent Seven" in 1960, an environment of unusual complexity, featuring a strong group of charismatic actors. Steve McQueen's presence on camera, although overmatched on paper by the accomplishments, reputations, billing and experience of established stars like Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn and James Coburn, always drew the eyes and attention of theatergoers.
The McQueen legend was anchored in bedrock in 1963 with his role as Captain Hilts in "The Great Escape." Once again surrounded by a stellar cast including James Garner, (Sir) Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasance, James Coburn and David McCallum, Steve McQueen's portrayal of Hilts, the baseball-playing loner American escape artist, combined dedication, bravery, determination and bravado with a motorcycle chase that set the stage for later McQueen driving/riding roles in "Bullitt" and "Le Mans".
McQueen was the king of cool, with a self-deprecating casualness that only enhanced his charm, capability and charisma. His fondness for automobiles, motorcycles, toys and generally anything mechanical permeated his life, both on-screen and off.
His career was on a roll in early 1963 when Steve McQueen and his wife Neile Adams walked into Otto Zipper's Wilshire Boulevard showroom in Santa Monica and left behind a check that made Steve's years at California's Boys Republic seem a distant memory. It was the deposit on a new Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso Berlinetta, the car offered here.
The Ferrari 250 GT
Enzo Ferrari had begun his company's own quest for the perfect gran turismo in 1954, in a fitting parallel with Steve McQueen's 1955 acceptance into The Actors' Studio. Ferrari's vehicle was the 250 GT Europa. Powered by a development of the original Ferrari V-12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo, the first 3-liter 250 GT Europa with three Weber carburetors gave some 250bhp. Its chassis was Ferrari's first road car with coil spring independent front suspension.
For Ferrari the creation of the 250 GT Europa spelled commercial success. Although only thirty-six examples were built, it led directly to Ferrari's next series-produced gran turismo, the 250 GT bodied by Boano and its successor Ellena to a design by Pinin Farina. Built from 1956 through 1958, production of the 250 GT Boano/Ellena berlinettas amounted to some 130 cars. They established a pattern for future 250 GTs: voluptuous yet practical coachwork from the pen of Pinin Farina with Ferrari's race-developed and proven V-12 engine and refined parallel tube chassis with independent front and live axle rear suspension.
As Steve McQueen managed parallel television and movie careers in Hollywood in the late Fifties, Ferrari launched the parallel development paths for the 250 GT with the 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France, the 250 GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta, California Spyder and the 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupé and Cabriolet.
The reputation of the Ferrari 250 was also to take a leap in the next few years with the introduction and development of the 250 Testa Rossa sports-racers, automobiles that would become ubiquitous in the hands of the factory and numerous private entrants and would dominate the podium results of every major international and national race and series for the next five years and elevate the designation "250" into the top ranks of automobile history.
Ferrari piled success upon success for the 250 GT, particularly with the 250 GT SWB and its successor the brilliant 250 GTO. Over 1,500 250 GT Pininfarina Coupes, Cabriolets and GTEs satisfied the market's demand for handsome, comfortable and satisfying to drive pure road-going gran turismos. Ferrari and Pininfarina, however, recognized that something more - more distinctive, more exclusive, more desirable - was needed to crown the 250 GT's history. Thus, late in 1962 at the Paris Show, Ferrari brought out the last of the 250 GT series, the 250 GT/L Lusso berlinetta.
The Lusso combined the best features of the 250 GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta and the 250 GTO in one beautiful, refined, quick, responsive, luxurious package, wrapped in one of Pininfarina's most successful designs. Built on the short 2,400mm wheelbase chassis modified to place the 250hp 3-liter Colombo-derived engine and engine-mounted 4-speed gearbox between the front wheels for more cockpit room, the Lusso drew from the GTO its precisely located rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and Watts linkage. Production bodies were executed in steel by Scaglietti following Pininfarina's design.
And what a design it was. Instantly recognizable as a Pininfarina-designed Ferrari, the Lusso was at once slim, svelte and sexy, a masterpiece of design which was matched by its aerodynamic refinement, the direct result of Ferrari's and Pininfarina's experience with the round-tailed SWB and the cutoff Kamm tail of the GTO. Slim, light pillars supported a thin roof and left abundant glass area. The sloping back window flowed gracefully to the short rear deck and small but effective spoiler above the Kamm-back cutoff tail.
"Lusso" means luxury and this elegantly designed Pininfarina creation was appropriately trimmed and appointed with thick carpets and soft leather. Its unusual instrument grouped the tachometer and speedometer in large pods at the dashboard's center and placed the engine instruments in a panel directly in front of the driver, giving the Lusso's interior its own hint of advanced design.
Like all Ferraris the Lusso was a driver's car, with excellent visibility and a seriously driver-centric grouping of instruments and controls that said, no matter how "lusso" the interior and seductively sculpted the Pininfarina/Scaglietti body, that the 250 GT/L Lusso was intended to cover large amounts of ground quickly. In production for barely eighteen months, 350 would be built and they are today one of the most appreciated and sought of all Ferrari's front-engined V-12 powered gran turismos.
This Car
The history of this car, particularly during its initial ownership by Steve McQueen, is particularly well documented in the memories and photographs of William Claxton, McQueen's close friend and a professional photographer who was at one time the Art Director of Motor Trend magazine. Its current owner, Michael Regalia, has connected with many people who knew Steve McQueen when he owned the Lusso or worked on it for him. It therefore has a particularly rich and variegated history to enhance its appeal to serious collectors.
McQueen took delivery in mid-1963 and he, Claxton and their wives immediately set out on a long road trip familiar to many attendees at the Monterey Historics and Pebble Beach Concours weekend. Starting from Los Angeles, the McQueens in their new Lusso and William and Peggy Claxton in their Porsche 356 SC took off up the California coast through Big Sur and Carmel to Monterey. From there they headed to San Francisco, then over the Sierras to Reno/Lake Tahoe, down through Death Valley and back to Southern California. Claxton has related in a recent Motor Trend article how McQueen would set up a rendezvous point then take off in the Lusso to arrive early "pretending to be bored waiting for us to arrive. It was a great time. He really loved that car."
McQueen and the Lusso got some track time at Riverside in 1965 when he was doing an ad shoot for TAG watches in a Lola. In between shots McQueen, no doubt loath to see an empty track with nothing on it, went out in the Lusso. Richard Freshman recalls seeing it with Steve and Neile at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Steve's love of the Lusso was famous. Famed Porsche restorer Joe Cavagliere, recalls working as a valet parker at the time and vividly remembers that McQueen always parked it himself, the only celebrity who wouldn't let Joe park his (or her) car.
It is featured in a number of photo shoots by William Claxton, including several with his wife Peggy, a professional model, and particularly a shoot with Steve McQueen and Peggy for Cosmopolitan. Serviced initially at Zipper's, McQueen later took it to Hollywood Sports Cars. It was repainted for McQueen by Lee Brown - who in recent years remembered the car and even retrieved a small can of carefully preserved (but now dry as a bone) touchup paint marked "McQueen Lusso." McQueen owned it for many years but eventually parted with the Lusso, perhaps in late 1967 when he acquired his Ferrari NART Spyder after experiencing one during the filming of "The Thomas Crown Affair." In 1973 it was with Charlie Hayes at Salon Ferrari in Santa Ana and it was there that Tom Sherwood purchased it in July 1973. Sherwood drove it to San Francisco where it was, to all intents and purposes, stored and unused for the next 24 years until it was spotted by Michael Regalia, past president of the Nethercutt Collection and the guiding light behind many of J.B. Nethercutt's concours-winning restorations, in 1995. Regalia calls it, at the time "the nicest, unmolested Lusso that needed a restoration in the world. Cosmetically it was not great, but it ran very well." It took him two years, until November 1997, to convince Sherwood to let it go.
The Lusso's Steve McQueen history was undocumented at the time but shortly thereafter Mike Sheehan obtained and sent to Michael Regalia a copy of Luigi Chinetti's order from Otto Zipper showing the original color, Marrone, and the ultimate purchaser as Steve McQueen. Subsequent research throughout Southern California, aided by Steve McQueen's and Neile Adams' son Chad McQueen, introduced the owner to William Claxton, painter Lee Brown, and others who remembered the Lusso from Steve McQueen's ownership.
Restoration was begun in late 2000. Mike Regalia disassembled the Lusso himself and stripped the body to bare metal which revealed completely rust-free and undamaged sheet metal and chassis. The engine and drivetrain were disassembled, found to be in excellent condition internally, then carefully rebuilt and reassembled by Mike Regalia. Doing all the metal work, disassembly, reassembly, chrome trim metalwork, suspension, mechanical work and detailing himself, he took his time and proceeding slowly until late 2004 when a call from Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance co-chairman Glen Mounger inviting the McQueen Lusso to the 2005 Concours accelerated the project. Tom Ryan and Prestige assisted with the paint and upholstery during the push to complete but with those exceptions - and of course specialized subcontracting like plating and machining - the entire restoration was done personally by Michael Regalia.
Completed in time for the concours, additional work followed which resulted in earning Platinum Awards at the January 2006 Cavallino Classic and 2006 Concours on Rodeo and Best in Class at Amelia Island in March. It has subsequently been displayed at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles and was invited by Ferrari to be displayed at the recent 60th Anniversary Concours in Maranello.
In addition to the classic feature article in Motor Trend, the McQueen 250 GT/L Lusso is the subject of a feature article in the August 2007 issue of Robb Report and will be the subject of an in-production segment on television where it is driven by Chad McQueen.
Its show awards, including standing up to the intense scrutiny of the expert judges at Cavallino Classic, demonstrate the high quality of its restoration and preparation by Michael Regalia. Presented in all respects in as-new condition, it comes with extensive documentation including a copy of the original order from Otto Zipper to Luigi Chinetti for Steve McQueen, Lee Brown's pint of touchup paint, various documentation and copies of photographs from William Claxton and even Steve McQueen's original California license plates. The rear plate is restored while the front plate - which the owner does not use because it detracts from the beauty of the Lusso's Pininfarina/Scaglietti lines - is still original and unrestored.
Even when called "Marrone Metallizzato", Brown does not convey the particular appeal, attraction and distinctiveness of Steve McQueen's choice of color for his 250 GT/L Lusso. The rare chosen color beautifully complements the coachwork. It is instantly apparent that this is a very special Lusso, and instantly recognizable as the distinctive, appreciated, beloved possession of Steve McQueen, the king of cool.
It is an example of the highest, best and most refined development of Ferrari's 250 GT series, the closest to perfection which the combined talents of Ferrari, Pininfarina and Scaglietti could bring this singularly important series of automobiles from Maranello. It will be an enthusiastically welcomed participant at any of the many exclusive events for which it is eligible. Now carefully restored, thoroughly and unquestionably documented and thoughtfully presented in impeccable cosmetic and mechanical condition which would have made the ex-mechanic in Steve McQueen proud, the McQueen Lusso's history is just beginning to unfold.