At the upcoming Amelia Island auctions, there are a pair of legendary pre-War cars that could actually top the sale. Gooding & Co. have consigned this achingly beautiful Talbot Lago T150C SS Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop Coupe. Sold new to France, it spent a vast majority of its life in American hands. Among the owners were Tommy Lee, the Nethercutt Collection and Lindley Locke, who owned the car for nearly five decades. Finished in a striking two-tone blue and silver, chassis 90107 has an excess of $10 million pre-sale estimate.
Headlining the RM Sotheby's sale is this Packard Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria. It is one of just three known survivors of the highly exclusive model that was built as part of the factory Individual Custom programme. It has been owned by several prominent collectors with the late Frank Ricciardelli as the most recent. Fully restored, it was shown at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was one of the nominees for the 'best of show' award. Now offered from his estate, 1108-15 should sell for around $4 million.
The last 2022 Formula 1 car to break cover is the Alfa Romeo Racing C42, which was run in the first test sporting a camouflage livery. Powered by the potent Ferrari power unit, the C42 will be driven by Valtteri Bottas and rookie Zhou Guanyu.

British specialist manufacturer Morgan have revived the iconic three-wheeler with the all-new Super 3. While it retains the classic two wheels upfront and one at the back, it boasts a thoroughly modern bonded aluminium monocoque chassis. The Super 3 is powered by a very compact, Ford-sourced three cylinder engine, which is mounted behind the front axle and produces 117 bhp. The exterior design is inspired by the jet age and includes two 'diffuser plats' mounted on either side of the engine bay. These manage the cooling requirements, can be fitted with luggage racks and panniers. The striking Super 3 is available for ordering immediately and deliveries should start in the summer.
Official testing for the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship kicked off on Wednesday at Barcelona with brand new cars built to heavily revised regulations. Not surprisingly, one of the most radical cars on track was the Red Bull Racing RB18. Its many interesting features were carefully hidden when the team launched the livery two weeks ago. These include side-pods with very deep undercuts and pull-rod front suspension. All these key elements are designed to optimise the airflow under and over the car. The RB18 has not featured at the top of the time sheets but we reckon that is only a matter of time.

At a special event in Paris, the Alpine Formula 1 team took the wraps off the new Renault-engined A522. Built to the latest regulations, it also boasts a striking livery brought about by its new title sponsor BWT. Due to be driven by Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon, the A522 will hit the track at Barcelona tomorrow.
Launched last week, both the Ferrari SF-75 and the Mercedes-AMG W13 E Performance have already been out on track. using one of the two filming days as a shakedown.
The latest Porsche model to receive the 'T' or Touring treatment is the Macan. Powered by a re-tuned four-cylinder turbo engine, it is considerably lighter than the six-cylinder engined Macan models. A a result, the Macan T sits between the Macan and the Macan S in the range.
For enthusiasts of high-performance trucks, Ford have introduced the second generation Ranger Raptor. Whereas the first generation model was availably only with a turbo-diesel engine, the new Ranger Raptor can also be specified a twin-turbo, three-litre V6. This high-performance EcoBoost unit is good for 284 bhp. This power is transferred to all four-wheels through a ten-speed, automatic gearbox.

Two of the most highly anticipated 2022 Formula 1 cars have broken cover. Yesterday, Ferrari revealed the SF-75, which is named to mark the 75th anniversary of the Italian manufacturer. Arguably, the team that look most forward to the heavily revised regulations, Ferrari have a lot riding on the SF-75. Like the Williams shown earlier this week, it has a great 1990s vibe to it with a low and relatively wide nose. The side-pods are also distinct with an unusual, concave top surface.
This morning, defending Constructors' World Champions, Mercedes-AMG F1, took the wraps off the new W13 E Performance. This also has a low nose as a result of the revised regulations and features interesting details on the floor and the rear wing. Newly signed driver, George Russell, took the W13 E Performance for its first run at Silverstone shortly after the launch, under the watchful eye of seven-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.

Kicking off the auctions on Amelia Island is Bonhams with their sale on Thursday, March 3rd. The absolute highlight is this Porsche 550 RS Spyder. Delivered new to a German racer, it was eventually sold to the United States where it joined the collection of the late Dr. Gary Quast in 1972. Meticulously restored, 550-0036 will now be offered for the first time in 50 years. Offered from a single family ownership of 60 years, this Bentley 3½-Litre Vanden Plas Tourer. It is actually the very first 'Derby Bentley' and served as the factory demonstrator. Apart from a re-paint very early in its life, it has survived in remarkably original condition. Considering its history, the $400,000 - $600,000 estimate seems on the low end for chassis B1AE.
Yesterday, Williams launched their new-for-2022 FW44. Whereas several other teams only revealed the livery using a show car, Williams sent out the real FW44 for a shake-down at Silverstone. Apart from the striking dark blue livery, it stands out with a very 1990s looking nose and remarkably narrow side-pods. One of the cars, it will face is the AlphaTauri AT03. It boasts a mirrored version of last year's livery and also hit the track already this week. Official testing will commence on February 28th at Barcelona.

Consigned to next month's RM Sotheby's Amelia Island sale are a trio of recent hypercars. With a $3.6 - $4 million estimate, this Ferrari LaFerrari is the most valuable of three high-performance machines. It was finished in all-black and has covered only 576 miles. The original owner of this Bugatti Chiron Sport clearly enjoyed driving his pride and joy more, having accrued close to 4,000 miles since taking delivery in 2019. Equipped with $301,000 worth of options, the Chiron Sport was finished in a striking black with red accents throughout the car. Not even two years old is this McLaren Speedtail. It was finished in a custom colour combination, which is a tribute to the McLaren F1 #036, which was originally owned by Mansour Ojjeh. The second Speedtail delivered to the United States, it is now estimated to sell for $2.6 - $3 million.
The latest Formula 1 car to break cover is this McLaren MCL36. Powered by the dominant Mercedes-AMG hybrid drivetrain, it boasts an unusual combination of pull-rods at the front and push-rods at the rear. This is a reverse of the suspension layout used during the last couple of years. The fascinating change is a direct result of the revised aerodynamic regulations.

The first real 2022 Formula 1 car to break cover is the Aston Martin AMR22. It was unveiled this afternoon ahead of a planned shakedown tomorrow. With the car due to run anyway, the Aston Martin team saw no reason for a livery reveal. It looks decisively different from the show car with a distinct nose and raised side-pods. Not giving anything away, the Red Bull Racing opted to do a livery reveal only of the World Championship defending Red Bull Racing RB18.
Porsche 're-imagineer' Singer have introduced the Turbo Study. As with all Porsches re-done by Singer, it is based on a 964-generation 911 but now fitted with a 3.8-litre turbo engine. Fitted with a bespoke carbon-fibre composite body, it can be finished to the customer's specific needs with rear- or all-wheel drive.
Introducing its future motorsport programme, Cadillac published more teaser images of the Project GTP IMSA racer. Due to compete in the now renamed GTP category from 2023 onwards, it should start testing shortly. Ford will enter the GT3 category with a five-litre V8 engined Mustang, which will hit the tracks from the 2024 season onwards.
This week, Alfa Romeo debuted the first all-new model in several years in the form of the Tonale compact SUV. It will be powered by a variety of engines, with the range-topped by this 275 hp Q4 Hybrid. French manufacturer DS Automobiles will use this E-Tense Performance as a high-performance test laboratory for future products. Built around a carbon-fibre composite monocoque chassis, it is powered by a pair of electric motors that are good for a combined 815 hp.

The 2022 auction season is going ahead at full pelt and the attention will now turn to Amelia Island where Gooding is one of three international companies to host a sale. One of the most fascinating consignments is this Toyota 2000 GT. A factory show car, it is the first example to receive a proper chassis number and was subsequently modified by Carroll Shelby for competition use. Having had a single owner since 1980, it is now offered on the open market for the first time with a $2.75 - $3.5 million estimate.
Also part of the sale is the impressive Lloyd Hawkins Collection that includes fabulous 1960s and 1970s competition Porsches. Among them is this 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 IROC, which was raced by the likes of Peter Revson, Gordy Johncock and A.J. Foyt in the inaugural IROC championship. It was later sold to Canadian Klaus Bytzek, who extensively raced 911 460 0085. One of the very last factory 935s built, this 935/79 was campaigned only once in period; at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979. Still in its original Interscope livery, chassis '0031' is one of two 1979-specification 935s offered from the Lloyd Hawkins Collections.
A true time-warp example, is this BMW 507 Roadster, which was retained by the original owner for 60 years. Having spent the last decades in storage, 70228 could very well be the last original, unrestored 507 to be unearthed.

At both sales held in Paris this week, there were Bugatti EB 110 GTs that defied the top estimate. On Wednesday, this one owner silver example found a new owner for €1.8 million at the RM Sotheby's sale. That was a startling 50% over the top estimate, underlining the dramatic increase in interest in these V12-engined supercars. The result was confirmed the following evening at the Bonhams auction where this blue example sold for a nearly identical amount. This was also well over €500,000 more than the Bonhams specialists had estimated before the auction.
With a dramatic rule change coming into effect this year, the Formula 1 car launches are more anticipated than ever before. The very first 2022 to break cover is the Haas VF-22. Once again equipped with a Ferrari powertrain and gearbox, it looks largely like the generic 2022 car shown by the FIA last year. The images are a deliberately vague in the crucial areas and the car should look a little different once it hits the track at the end of the month. The next car due to be revealed is the World Champion Max Verstappen's new Red Bull Racing RB18 that will debut on Wednesday.

The results are in from Scottsdale and the three international auctioneers, Gooding, Bonhams and RM Sotheby's all recorded impressive results. There is no rest for the weary as this was supposed to be Retromobile week and RM Sotheby's decided not to move tomorrow's Paris Sale. One of the most interesting cars consigned is this Ferrari 550 GTC. Built in 2003, it is one of three fully sanctioned prototypes built for Ferrari by N-Technology before the 575 GTC was launched. The example consigned is the first of the three and it lead the Spa Six Hours before an engine failure ended its charge. Later in its life, it was driven to three Italian Hill Climb class championships.
Aston Martin have today revealed a new range topping model in the form of the DBX707. As the name suggests, it does indeed offer passenger jet like performance courtesy of the twin-turbo V8 that has been modified to produce 697 bhp or 707 ps. This allows the big SUV to accelerate to 160 km/h in a physics defying 7.4 seconds. The DBX707 will enter production this quarter with the first deliveries due in Q2.