Aston Martin have offered a first update on the Valkyrie AMR Pro since it was first announced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018. A lot has changed since then, so the current configuration of the upcoming track-only machine is considerably different. The proposed LMH class Le Mans racer has been cancelled but much of the development work done for that version of the Valkyrie has now been incorporated in the altogether more extreme Valkyrie AMR Pro. The hybrid system used on the road car is deleted to reduce the weight of the car considerably. It is also has a slightly longer wheelbase and boasts a very aggressive body kit. In addition to two prototypes, Aston Martin plans to limit production of the AMR Pro Valkyrie to just 40 examples.
Last week, Ferrari introduced the very interesting 296 GTB. It is powered by a wide angle V6 engine with a pair of turbos placed inside the V. An additional hybrid electric system helps boost the power to a combined 818 bhp. The 120-degree V-angle is reminiscent of the 156 Dino F1 that won the 1961 World Championship. A further nod to the classic 'Shark Nose' racer are some exterior design cues on the 296 GT.
Porsche have completed the 992-generation 911 line-up with the introduction of the GTS version. It is powered by a 473 bhp version of the twin-turbo flat-six engine that powers the 'entry-level' 911 models. Among the versions available are the 911 Carrera GTS and the 911 Targa 4 GTS.

With historic racing resuming at the Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or earlier this month, we have finally had an opportunity to see some 'new' cars in action. One of the most spectacular was this March 86G Buick. Originally conceived as a BMW GTP racer for the 1986 season, it was later acquired by Gianpiero Moretti for his MOMO team and fitted with a turbocharged Buick V6 engine. The featured example was one of three raced by the team and it has more recently been sold to a French enthusiast, who raced it at Dijon in the Group C category.
In the Classic Endurance Racing 2 series, this Chevron B36 was given its first outing since being acquired by its Swiss owner. One of the very last built, this car was sold to Greece in 1979 and was raced there well into the 1980s. Following a lengthy spell in the United States, chassis 36-79-01 joined a growing stable of Chevron sports cars of a Swiss enthusiast. It should be back out next week at the Peter Auto Le Mans Bugatti meeting.
The earliest of the trio of sports racers was this Lola T212. It was one of three sold to the United States to be run by the Baker Motor Co. team. It was raced with some success by a succession of owners until 1976. Now repatriated to Europe, chassis HU35 was campaigned at Dijon by its current, Austrian owner.

The results are in for the sales held by three international auction companies in Europe last week. Two of these were live sales but the top selling lot came from the online only Gooding Geared Online sale. Heading the compact, 14-lot auction was this Ford GT40, which found a new owner for just over £2.5 million; well above the top estimate.
The RM Sotheby's Milan sale saw just under €12 million worth of lots change hands last Tuesday. Topping this auction was the Ferrari 275 GTB that was originally owned by movie director Roger Vadim and his actress wife Jane Fonda. Benefitting from a comprehensive restoration back to its original configuration, it found a new owner for €2.3 million.
On Sunday, Bonhams staged their third annual Bonmont Sale on the shores of Lake Geneva. As always, this was a modern supercar rich auction, so it was no surprise that this McLaren P1 and virtually brand-new Ford GT scored the best results at this CHF 10 million auction.

After announcing the first consignments last week, Gooding & Co. have now revealed one of the absolute highlights of the upcoming Pebble Beach Auctions: the lowest mileage McLaren F1 in existence. Originally delivered to Japan and finished in a one-off metallic brown, chassis 029 has only 390 kilometres on the odometer. The pre-sale estimate listed is in excess of $15 million.
No doubt back by popular demand, Porsche have added the Touring Package to the 911 GT3 line-up. This lightweight version of the high performance model does away with the GT3's rear wing and also features a bespoke interior and trim package. As before, the GT3 Touring comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox but the seven-speed automatic is now also available as a no-cost option.
Ahead of the official launch, Maserati have revealed these teaser shots of the upcoming Granturismo. This will be the first all-electric model produced by the Italian sports car manufacturer.

Over two months later than planned, we have finally shot back into action to cover the 2021 edition of the Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or. Now held at the Circuit Dijon-Prenois, it is one of the longest running historic racing events in the world. Today, the Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or is organised by French specialists Peter Auto. That means that all the familiar grids like Sixties' Endurance, Classic Endurance Racing and Group C were all represented at the undulating French track. Despite the travel restrictions that are still effect, the grids were strong and among the many highlights on track were an achingly beautiful Ferrari 312 P, the mighty Jaguar XJR-14 Group C racer and a full range of Maserati competition cars.
We hit the ground running and have captured every Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or grid in our action-packed, 200-shot gallery.

Californian auctioneer Gooding & Co. announced the first consignments of the upcoming Pebble Beach Auctions. It will be the first in person Gooding auction of the year and judging by the early consignments, it will be a sale to watch.
Among the headliners are a pair of Ferraris from the same Southern California collection. These included this 400 Superamerica S2 Pininfarina Aerodinamico, which was originally shown at the 1963 New York Auto Show. Having had just two owners since 1986, it was fully restored in 2004 and subsequently shown at a select number of events. Rarely seen since the early 2010s, chassis 4251SA has a pre-sale estimate of $2.2 - $2.6 million.
The second Ferrari from the same long-term custodian is this 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet. Finished in a fabulous gold with a beige leather interior, it was originally displayed at the 1958 Earls Court Motor Show. Like the Superamerica, chassis 1075GT was carefully restored by Wayne Obry's Motion Products with class wins at Pebble and Villa d'Este as the result. Gooding estimate that it should sell for $4.5 - $5.5 million.
Another stunning machine available during the two-day sale in August is this Siata 208 CS Balbo Coupe. This rare Fiat 8V engined sports car was originally delivered to Italy but spent most of its life in the United States. The one exception was a spell in the German Rosso Bianco collection. It was completely restored in recent years before being shown at Pebble Beach in 2017.

French supercar manufacturer Bugatti have released the full details of the new 490 km/h Chiron Super Sport. Limited to 30 examples and priced at €3,500,000 before taxes, it is the most extreme production version of the Chiron yet. Compared to the 'standard' Chiron, the Super Sport has a more aerodynamic body, which allows the mesmerising top speed.
Capable of similar performance is the Rimac Nevera. The second generation Rimac is powered by four electric motors that produce a combine 1,877 bhp. Thanks to the 2,360 Nm of torque, the Nevera can accelerate to 160 km/h in just 4.3 seconds.
Ahead of its competition debut later this month, BMW have finally officially revealed the new M4 GT3 racer. It is powered by a motorsport version of the familiar turbocharged six-cylinder engine that can produce up to 590 bhp depending on the restrictors fitted. After a select numbers of outings in 2021, the M4 GT3 will be made available to customers from the start of the 2022 season.
A GT3 of a slightly different caliber is this unique Bentley Continental GT3, which has been especially modified to race in the Pikes Peak hill climb on June 27th. Fitted with a wild aerodynamics package and a retuned, 750 bhp engine, it looks set to be one of the top contenders in the event.
We offered a first glimpse last month and here is the Touring Arese RH95 in full detail. Although not mentioned with so many words, the striking machine is based on a Ferrari 488 and will be available to a select number of customers. A limited number of 18 Arese RH95s are anticipated to be produced and they can be completed within six months after receiving the donor vehicle.

In less than two weeks time, RM Sotheby's will host an exclusive sale in Milan with just 19 lots. Among the consignments are three very interesting machines produced at the nearby Alfa Romeo factory. The most sophisticated of the trio is undoubtedly this mighty DTM/ITC specification 155 V6 TI. Built ahead of the 1996 season, it was raced by the works team in the iconic Martini colours. Allessandro Nanini drove it to two victories that year. Recently restored to full running order, chassis SE065 005 has a pre-sale estimate €600,000 - €800,000.
The DTM or Division 1 version of the 155 was not the only successful racer of the family. This 155 TS, built to Division 2 regulations, was raced with great success in national championships. The example on offer was raced by Gabriele Tarquini in the final rounds of the 1994 British Touring Car Championship, which he won. This car won one race and was later donated to Tarquini. It is now offered directly from the collection of the legendary touring car racer.
Of an altogether different vintage is this lovely 6C 2500 SS Villa d'Este Coupe. One of 32 built with the iconic body style, this example was sold no to Paris but spent most of its life in American hands. Repatriated to Italy in 2014, chassis 915913 has since been restored and used regularly.

This weekend, we will finally kick off the 2021 season with the Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or held at the Circuit Dijon-Prenois. Cancelled last year, it is one of the oldest historic racing meetings in Europe, which was first organised as a support event for the French Grand Prix back in 1964. Despite the numerous travel restrictions still in effect, there are strong grids throughout and there is even room to accommodate 1,000 spectators per day. Tickets are available at the gate.
In order to get you in the mood for this year's edition and our subsequent report, we have taken a closer look at three cars that starred at the last edition, in 2019. The most recent is this Ferrari 360 GT, which was raced extensively in the FIA GT Championship between 2001 and 2005. Based on a 360 Challenge car and bearing chassis number 000M, it is the very first car converted by Michelotto.
Expected to also race at the event this weekend is this Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ, which has benefitted from a comprehensive, recent restoration. It was delivered new to the United States, where it remained until it was acquired by its current, Swiss custodian some years ago.
Another thoroughbred Italian racer is this very rare Maserati Tipo 63 Birdcage. One of a handful of mid-engined Birdcages built, this example was raced by Count Volpi's Scuderia Serenissima with a distinct fin on the engine cover. Today chassis 63.004 is owned by a member of a German Maserati enthusiast family. The family will be present with no fewer than five cars this weekend, all racing in the Greatest's Trophy grid.