Ultimatecarpage.com update (05-19-08)

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

A thirty minute bidding war at RM Auctions' Legenda e Passione Ferrari auction in Maranello ended in a startling $10-million hammer price for a 250 GT SWB California Spyder. Whether it was due to Ferrari's recent announcement of the all new California, or just two bidders not wanting to give up, the price was double the top estimate and well over twice as much as ever before bid for a California. And in our opinion, it wasn't even the nicest California in existence. Arguably the California featured in our article, which has a factory installed competition spec engine and hard-top would take those honours. What this impressive, but rather impractical auction result will do to California prices time can only tell, but it is safe to say the 50 other SWB California owners were pleased to learn about the result.
Catching up on current affairs after spending much time in Villa d'Este and at Monaco, we take a look at some of the latest releases. Audi once again showcased the potential of their TDI technology with the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro show car that packs a 224 hp four cylinder oil burner. One of Italy's most successful designers Ercole Spada has set up shop for himself and together with his son developed this rather radical Codatronca TS. Powered by a very powerful V8 engine, it might enter production very soon. Also using V8 power, but in a completely different package are the all-new Ford FG Falcon FPV GT and slightly revised Vauxhall VXR8. Both Australian built machines offer fantastic bang for the buck.
Up until the late 1950s small displacement racing cars were hugely popular with both the manufacturers and privateer racers. Today we have lined up two particularly successful examples from two different eras. First up is the MG Magnette K3, which is considered one of the marque's finest machines. It was first raced in the 1933 Mille Miglia, beating local manufacturers like Maserati in the under 1100cc class. Pictured is one of the MM team cars. Developed two decades later, the Maserati 150S is today often forgotten, overshadowed by the company's larger engined sportscars and single seater racers. It was nevertheless highly successful and its four cylinder engine lived on into the 1960s when it powered various Formula 1 cars.

Enjoy the links:

2008 Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro - Images, Specifications and Information

1960 - 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Ford FG Falcon FPV GT - Images, Specifications and Information

1955 - 1956 Maserati 150S - Images, Specifications and Information

1933 - 1934 MG Magnette K3 - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Scion xD RS 1.0 - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Spada Codatronca TS Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2008 Vauxhall VXR8 - Images, Specifications and Information

Regards,
Wouter Melissen