During the film festival in Venice, Aston Martin revealed the third generation of the Aston Martin Vanquish. At a time where most manufacturers turn to hybrid drivetrains the spectacular Vanquish features an internal combustion engine only. The engine used is a twin-turbocharged V12 engine, which produces 823 bhp. The chassis used is a stiffer yet version of the familiar extruded and bonded aluminium space frame. Aston Martin limits production of the Vanquish to less than 1,000 examples per year and the first deliveries are expected for quarter four of 2024.
Californian broker Fantasy Junction has two remarkable V8-engined American race cars on offer. The earliest is a very rare full Competition AC Shelby Cobra 427. One of just 19 built, it was extensively raced in period and has since been cherished by its subsequent owners. Although it has been restored, chassis CSX3018 retains all the original Shelby components.
Very much a modern day interpretation of the Cobra was the Panoz Esperante GTR-1. The example now consigned to Fantasy Junction was the original prototype and it was shown at several motor shows in road-car specification for homologation purposes. Never raced in period, chassis 001 has been meticulously restored in recent years by many the of the period Panoz staff.

The Bonhams auction has been a set fixture of the Goodwood Revival since 1998 and this year will be no exception. The British auctioneer has consigned an eclectic mix of cars that will cross the block this Saturday. Among the most interesting is this 993-generation Porsche 911 Turbo. It is understood to be the very last air-cooled 911 to leave the factory, partly because its delivery was delayed to allow the company's Sonderwunsch department to carefully customise the car to the wishes of the original owner. Before it was delivered, it was fitted by the dealer with sill plates that fittingly read 'Last Waltz'. Cherished by its successive owner, the 911 Turbo has a mere 11,000 original kilometres on the odometer and is estimate to sell for £700,000 - 800,000.
From an historic perspective, the MG K3 Magnette included in the 90-strong list is arguably the most significant. It was one of the works cars and is believed to have been driven to a class win at the Mille Miglia by Johnny Lurani and George Eyston and later in 1933 to an outright Tourist Trophy victory by none other than Tazio Nuvolari. Owned for many decades by the late Peter Briggs, K3003 is offered during MG's centenary year.
A modern classic consigned is this Aston Martin V12 Speedster. One of a mere 88 built, this is understood to be one of only a dozen in right-hand drive. Like so many recent supercars, it has only barely been used but the V12 Speedster aches to be driven.

Californian auctioneer Gooding & Co. will return to the Hampton Court Palace for the annual London Auction. Headlining the sale are four formidable Bugattis consigned from the collection of Dutch enthusiast Jack Braam Ruben. Our absolute favourite is this beautifully preserved Type 43A Roadster. The Type 43 was a thinly disguised Grand Prix car for the road and the first production sports car with a genuine 100 mph top speed. Of the rarer still Type 43A only 19 were built and chassis 43309 is the most original of the ten survivors. Among the previous custodians were many distinguished collectors and a Type 43A is only very rarely offered for sale. The pre-sale estimate is accordingly set at £3,000,000 - 4,000,000.
Also due to cross the block are a trio of fascinating Type 57s. The earliest is this Type 57 Stelvio Drophead Coupe, which has also survived in highly original condition. Before Braam Ruben acquired 57181 in 2021, it had been in single family ownership since 1967. Another distinct Type 57 is this Atalante Coupe, which has benefitted from a comprehensive restoration to its original colours since joining the collection in 2019. Like the Type 43A, it should sell for over £3 million. The Type 57 Ventoux on offer holds the distinction of being the last new Bugatti sold in the United Kingdom. Another highly original survivor, 57724 should be slightly more affordable judging from its £550,000 - 650,000 pre-sale estimate.

The second half of our season will kick off next week with the annual Dix Mille Tours. Hosted by the unique Paul Ricard circuit, it was one of the first stand alone events by Peter Auto and has been a set fixture for over a decade. To get you in the mood, we have highlighted four great cars that are entered to race in the Dix Mille Tours. Leading the way in the Endurance Racing Legends 1 is this Audi R8, which will be campaigned by a hugely successful French gentleman racer and collector. The car itself was only completed after the project had been abandoned using a spare tub and many mechanical components used in period including a Le Mans winning engine. Competing in the same category will be this Saleen S7-R, which was raced extensively in period, first by the Konrad Motorsport team and later by the RAM Racing and ARC Bratislava teams. Now restored to its 2002 Le Mans configuration, we first saw 014R already raced earlier this year at the Spa Classic.
From the 1970s comes this TOJ SS02, which will compete in Classic Endurance Racing 2. Built for the popular European 2-Litre Championship, it is the second sports car built by the Jörg Obermoser run effort. Liveried in the iconic Warsteiner colours, it was campaigned in period by Australian Dave Walker, who finished third at the Hockenheimring.
Another fascinating car due to compete at Paul Ricard is this Porsche 906 entered in the CER1 class. It was built in period by the Scuderia Brescia team using a factory frame and components for an Italian customer. Raced extensively in period, chassis 906-B01 is a veteran of four Targa Florios.
Tickets for the event are still available on the Peter Auto website, including the option for a grid walk on Saturday and Sunday.

History was made this weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance when this Bugatti Type 59 was named 'Best of Show.' It was the very first time an unrestored, preserved car won the coveted award. Based on a works Grand Prix car, this particular Type 59 was fitted with a sports car body and sold to King Leopold of Belgium. Throughout its 90-year history, it has benefitted from very diligent custodians and accordingly, it has been beautifully preserved.
Also making headlines on the Monterey Peninsula were the various auctions. The three-day RM Sotheby's sale topped the charts with well over $150 million worth of cars changing hands. Selling for $17 million, the very first Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder was the most expensive of all cars sold during the Monterey car week. Also noteworthy was the sale of this Ferrari F50, which set a new world record at $5.5 million.
Mercedes-Benz celebrated the company's 130-year involvement in motorsport with special Mercedes-AMG GT3. The limited-production model is an unrestricted version of the GT3 racer, which serves as a final send-off for the successful competition car. As such it is the last of the line of naturally aspirated Mercedes competition cars. Only 13 examples of the GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport will be built.

It has been news-packed couple of days on the Monterey Peninsula with many high-profile new-car launches. Among them was the introduction of the all-new Lamborghini Temerario, which will replace the Huracan as the 'baby Lambo'. Gone is the V10 engine, which is replaced by a high-revving twin-turbo V8 engine. complemented by three electric motors. The system output is an impressive 908 bhp. The compact Temerario features a clean exterior and interior design.
Another highly anticipated car to break cover is the BMW M5 Touring, which will be available in the United States as well. It shares the hybrid drivetrain with the sedan, which was launched a month ago.
Maserati revealed a road-going version of the MC20 GT2 racer, which is appropriately dubbed the GT2 Stradale. It combines a performance oriented chassis with a slightly more powerful version of the twin-turbo V6 of the MC20 road car.
In addition to the new regular production cars, there were also niche manufacturers that took centre stage. Touring Superleggera unveiled the Veloce12, which is a comprehensively enhanced Ferrari 550 Maranello. For €690,000 and a donor car, Touring Superleggera will fit all-new body panels, a fresh interior and a tuned engine and a bespoke exhaust system. To complete each of the 30 Veloce12s requires over 5,000 man-hours.
Strictly a one-off is this Automobili Pininfarina Battista Targamerica. As the name suggests, it is a targa version of the Battista built specifically for an American customer.