Next month's inaugural Bonhams The Amelia Island Auction looks set to be headlined by a pair of classic American cars. The earliest is this Cord L-29 Murphy Town Car, which is from the estate of Jay Hyde, who owned the car for over 55 years. It is one of only very few L-29s that received custom coach-work and only one of as few as four of the revolutionary machines that were bodied by Murphy with this style. One was owned by Errett Lobban Cord himself and the other three by Hollywood actors. The featured example was first used by actress Dolores Del Rio. Having survived in very original condition, it has an estimate on request.
Whereas the L-29 was the first Cord, the DV-32, built around the same time, would turn out to be the last Stutz. Powered by twin-cam, four-valve per cylinder straight eight, it, arguably, was also the finest model produced by the American manufacturer. The range was topped by the Super Bearcat of which just ten were built. One of the rare survivors of this very short-wheelbase model will also be offered by Bonhams at Amelia Island. Still wearing the original Weymann body, which was partly constructed with fabric skins, it has been owned by some of America's most famous collectors. The DV-32 Super Bearcat is estimated to sell for over $850,000.
This weekend, the Circuito de Catalunya hosted the second of three official pre-season Formula 1 tests. While some of the other teams grabbed more attention, fastest of all was the Lotus E23 Hybrid Mercedes. Although these early tests may deceive, it does look like the Enstone-based team has turned a page after last year's disastrous season.

Enjoy the links:

1929 - 1931 Cord L-29 Murphy Town Car - Images, Specifications and Information

2015 Lotus E23 Hybrid Mercedes - Images, Specifications and Information

1932 - 1933 Stutz DV-32 Super Bearcat - Images, Specifications and Information