May 18, Chino Hills, CA – In June, approximately 250,000 fans will converge on the Circuit de la Sarthe for the 80th Grand Prix of Endurance, des 24 Heures du Mans 2012, but on June 2, 2012 at Boy’s Republic, 1907 Boys Republic Drive in Chino Hills, California, fans of the actor who made the race famous on film will participate in a gathering on a smaller scale but with no less reverence. The fifth annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show will celebrate the character of Frank Bullitt as portrayed by the iconoclastic actor in the movie “Bullitt” as cars, motorcycles and fans arrive for the display on the campus of The Boys Republic.
However, for many attendees as well as entrants, it is the role of Michael Delaney in the classic film “Le Mans” that raises the pulse, and no race car is more identified with Steve McQueen than the legendary Porsche 917.
This year’s show is privileged to present one such example of that legendary status, Gulf Porsche 917K chassis 015, the overall winner of the 1970 Daytona 24 Hours. This race was the debut of the J.W. Automotive Gulf sponsored Porsches and it was a complete triumph finishing 1st and 2nd. This particular 917 completed the race with no major problems and won by a margin of forty-six laps, a record that was intact for seventeen years. The owner of 917-015, Bruce Canepa of Scotts Valley, Ca, is passionate about all things automotive and is pleased to share this passion with other like-minded enthusiasts by entering his Porsche in the Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys Republic, 1907 Boys Republic Drive, Chino Hills, CA. Parking is free and admission is $10.00 with children under 12 free. For those wishing to enter the car show, please visit the website for registration.  The show’s organizers are still looking for great cars for the show field, in both judged and display only catagories.  Preregistration is much appreciated; For more information: www.stevemcqueencarshow.com

A younger, smiling, handsome Carroll Shelby aboard CSX2000, the just-built first ever Shelby Cobra

Wow. The guy that was too tough, too lucky, and too stuborn to die, finally has.

It pains me to know that never again will my cellphone ring, with that unmistakable gravelly Texas-laced  voice on the other side, which always said “Matt Stone, this is Carroll Hall Shelby calling, and I think we need to have lunch.” I enjoyed those lunches more than I can tell you.  Last time we met, I sensed he had taken the white flag, and was looking for the chequered; his lungs and kidneys were failing, he’d lost weight, his color wasn’t good, and he was tired all the time.

I love this photo: Shelby and his posse at his own Terlingua ranch in Texas. Shelby is in the middle, wearing the white shirt. His lifelong pal, artist Bill Neale, is at the far right of this photo. Another big name is that of motojourno supremo David E. Davis, Jr., the big guy with the the handlebar 'stache third from right

Shelby is of course an automotive, racing, and carbuilding icon of intergallactic proportion, and only fell short of his 90th birthday party by about six months. He was only a year or so older than my own late father, and although nobody could ever replace my own original, Carroll called me son and I called him dad.

Me and my own late father Milt, daughter Mo and nephew Evan in my 2008 Shelby GT Mustang

He lived enough for any three normal persons’ lives, and it amazes that he got so far with a transplanted heart and replacement kidney.

Trademark overalls and big smile in place, as we'll always remember them

And goodness knows he had major chops as a racing driver, the point being his overall win at Le Mans for Aston Martin in 1959.  He retired from racing a little more than a year later.  For more on this impressive aspect of this amazing life, pick up a copy of my friend Art Evans’ book entitled SHELBY, the Race Driver.  It tells the story, and its a damn good one.

In good company: showing off a Cobra to the Other Coolest Guy in the World, Steve McQueen. Wish I had the Shelby American race team Econoline seen far right in this photo. Dave Friedman photo

I’ve seen Carroll Shelby breathe fire, and be as mean as a stuck hog; and I’ve also watched him display uncommon kindness and generousity. He had all of that in him, and more.  He wanted nothing more than to build cars.

The Cat in the Hat; Shelby with the prototype for the new GT350; as wonderfully cool an old SOB as ever was

Just below you’ll find Shelby American’s own press release and tribute, and I’ve also posted some photos you might enjoy that give you some more insight to the man.

Carroll and I in the recent Shelby Ford Cobra V-10 Concept

There will simply never be another like him. Whenever we parted company, he always hugged me and said “Love ya, son.” And obviously all I can say at this point is “Luvya, dad…”

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LOS ANGELES – May 11, 2012 – Carroll Shelby International, Inc., (OTC: CSBI.PK) announced today that Carroll Hall Shelby, a man whose vision for performance transformed the automobile industry, has died at age 89.   Mr. Shelby passed away yesterday at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Born on Jan. 11, 1923, Carroll Shelby was one of America’s greatest success stories.  Championship-winning racecar driver, “flying sergeant” wartime pilot, philanthropist, entrepreneur, car manufacturer and racing team owner, he embodied the ingenuity, tenacity and grit to overcome any obstacle.  He is perhaps the only person to have worked at a visible level with all three major American automobile manufacturers [ that being Ford, GM, and Chrysler].

Carroll Shelby founded Carroll Shelby International, a publicly held corporation involved in many industries.  His licensing arm has agreements with industry giants, such as Mattel, Sony, Ford Motor Company and Electronic Arts.  His car company, Shelby American, has a thriving parts business as well as a line of muscle cars including the Shelby GT500 Super Snake, Shelby GT350 and Shelby GTS.  The Las Vegas-based company also manufactures a limited number of the 1960s Shelby 289 “street,” 289 FIA, 427 S/C and Daytona Coupe Cobras.

Shelby considered his greatest achievement to be the establishment of the Carroll Shelby Foundation™.  Created in 1992 while Shelby was waiting for a heart transplant, the charity is dedicated to providing medical assistance for those in need, including children, educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs and benefitting the Carroll Shelby Automotive Foundation.

Shelby remained active in the management of each of his companies and the Foundation until his death, even though he endured both heart and kidney transplants in the last two decades of his life.

“We are all deeply saddened, and feel a tremendous sense of loss for Carroll’s family, ourselves and the entire automotive industry,” said Joe Conway, president of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member.  “There has been no one like Carroll Shelby and never will be.  However, we promised Carroll we would carry on, and he put the team, the products and the vision in place to do just that.”

Shelby is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo.  Funeral plans are not currently available.  Donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged in lieu of flowers.  Information about the Carroll Shelby Foundation is available at www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.

About Shelby American, Inc.

Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products.  Now a subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International, Inc., the company manufactures authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA and 289 street car component vehicles.  The company offers the GT350, GT500 Super Snake and GTS post-title packages for the current generation Ford Mustang.  For more information, visit www.shelbyamerican.com.

About Carroll Shelby Licensing

Automotive manufacturer and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby is one of the most famous and successful high performance visionaries in the world, and he has spent the last 50 years establishing and protecting his name, trademarks and car design rights.  He founded Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., which has the exclusive right to license the Shelby trademarks and vehicle design rights for some of the most famous muscle cars and high-performance vehicles.  CSL also holds trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and collectibles. For more information about the company or licensing opportunities, call (310) 914-1843, or fax (310) 538-8189 or write to Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc., 19021 S Figueroa St., Gardena, CA, 90248, or visit www.carrollshelby.com, www.shelbylicensing.com or www.carrollshelbyinternational.com.

About The Carroll Shelby Foundation

The Carroll Shelby Foundation was created by legendary racer and automotive manufacturer Carroll Shelby.  Headquartered in Gardena, Calif., the Foundation is dedicated to providing medical assistance for those in need, including children, educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs and benefitting the Shelby Automotive Foundation.  For more information visit CarrollShelbyFoundation.org.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This release may contain forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future events or results to differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements. CSI disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on its behalf.

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Carroll Shelby:  A Life Well Lived

Carroll Hall Shelby, a man whose vision for performance transformed the automobile industry, has died at age 89, his company, Carroll Shelby International, said today. Mr. Shelby passed yesterday at Baylor Hospital in Dallas.

Born on January 11, 1923, in East Texas, Shelby is considered one of the truly great American success stories of the 20^th century. Race car driver, WWII “Flying Sergeant”, philanthropist, automotive entrepreneur and racing team owner, he came to embody the ingenuity, tenacity and grit needed to win during his 60+ year career.

The son of a postal worker in the hamlet of Leesburg, Texas, Shelby attended high school in Dallas and joined the Army to fight in World War II. After serving as an aviator in the war, he returned home to Texas where he dabbled in business with a dump truck operation, a chicken farm and a sports car dealership.  It was while he co-owned the Dallas dealership with fellow Texans Jim and Dick Hall that Shelby first tasted car manufacturing. Together, they created a handful of “Scaglietti Corvettes” that were based on GM’s roadster.

Meanwhile, he began to feed his obsession for speed. Shelby’s first race was at a drag strip in a 1932 Ford.  Moving on to road courses, he raced throughout the USA in his spare time. When all of his chickens died of limberneck disease, Shelby moved into the cockpit as a career.

Once on his way to a race, Shelby had to wear his work clothes from the farm to make the start time. When his odd racing attire netted him more attention and publicity than his victory, Shelby made the striped bib coveralls his trademark.

In just a few short years, he became a dominant figure on the racing scene. He was courted by the top car manufacturers in the world to drive for them, including Ferrari. Shelby captured three national sports car championships in the United States, earned a spot on the Aston-Martin team in Europe, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and set land speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats. Twice, he was named Sports Illustrated’s “Driver of the Year.”

Still in his prime, a heart condition caused him to abandon his driving prematurely in 1960. Instead of reeling in self-pity, Shelby turned his attention and talents to race car design and automotive manufacturing.

Carroll Shelby believed in combining big horsepower with inspired engineering.  He first approached Chevrolet because of his experience with the Scaglietti Corvettes.  The idea was to fit the 283 c.i.d. Chevrolet motor into the AC Ace chassis, as the English carmaker had lost its engine deal. However, GM turned down what would have essentially been a competitor to their existing sports car. 

That led Shelby to approach Lee Iacocca at Ford Motor Company with the idea of building a two seat sports car using the company’s new small block engine.  It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship between the two.

When Ford agreed to supply motors and cash to start the venture, Shelby vaulted into action. He formed “Shelby American” around a group of Southern California hot rodders.  They shoehorned Ford’s engine into the lightweight Ace roadster.  Christened the Cobra, a name which Carroll said many times came to him in a dream, Shelby’s CSX2000 was introduced at the New York Auto Show in 1962. It turned the sports car world on its ear.

After developing a competition version of the Cobra, Shelby fielded a team in Europe to race against the best.  In addition to racing the Cobras, both in coupe and roadster form, he eventually added Ford GT’s to the team at the behest of Ford Motor Company.

In 1965, they won the FIA sports car world championship and the next year captured the overall win LeMans with the Ford GT and a class win in the Cobra Daytona Coupe. Carroll Shelby is the only man to have won the prestigious Le Mans race as a driver, team owner and automotive manufacturer.

“Carroll Shelby was an automotive visionary and leader,” stated Dan Gurney, who was part of the Shelby American racing team and an American legend in the car building racing world. “His West Texas downhome bib overall style had  a huge emotional impact on me and when he launched his  now legendary Ford powered  Cobra team, I found myself a very willing volunteer to  lend my driving ability to his quest to take on the established European teams on their home turf.

Cobra Daytona Coupes Rock Le Mans

As part of Shelby American, we managed to win some tremendous races together: the very first FIA sanctioned points race for Cobra at Bridgehampton 1963 in a Cobra Roadster, the GT classes at the Targa Florio, at Le Mans and at Goodwood with the Daytona Cobra Coupe in 1964.  Then we won the crown jewel: the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hour Race with the Ford Mark IV.  His leadership was very unconventional and more powerful than either his friends or competitors ever imagined. His charm will be missed, his reputation as a motorsports icon is secure.”

At the same time, Shelby’s operations turned out the Shelby 289 and 427 Cobras, as well as a succession of Mustang-based Shelby’s created at the request of Lee Iacocca at Ford Motor Company. He scaled back his California operations in the late 1960s when new government regulations and insurance rules began to affect the sales of performance cars. For several years, he operated businesses in Africa until civil war in the region closed them down.

Shelby was also a pioneer for modern licensing programs in the automotive industry.  Beginning in the 1960s, he began licensing his name and designs for various products.  Unfortunately, he was forced to assert his right to his famous trademarks and designs many times over the years, too.

In 1982, he began helping his friend Iacocca, who had assumed the helm at Chrysler, to enhance performance of the cars at the struggling company. His team turned the lowly K car into a pocket rocket and pioneered a new class of cars. They also created the muscle truck and developed the Dodge Viper, which paced the 1991 Indy 500 with Shelby at the wheel.

In 1988, Shelby started building Cobras again. Teaming with McCluskey, Ltd, he began development of the “mystical 43” 427 S/C big block Cobras, which were the last 43 chassis numbers left from FIA homologation.   That laid the groundwork to develop a limited line of “continuation” big block Cobras.

In 1995, his long-established company, Shelby American, opened a facility in Las Vegas at the new Speedway to expand his continuation Cobra operations. In Las Vegas, he later manufactured the Oldsmobile powered Series 1 roadster in cooperation with GM and added other Cobra models. In 2005, Shelby entered into a new agreement with Ford Motor Company that involved him in the development of the new Ford GT and led to the re-introduction of several Mustang based Shelby cars, including the Shelby GT-H, Shelby GT-500, Shelby GT-500 “Super Snake,” Shelby GT and Shelby GT500KR.

Carroll Shelby spent 50 years establishing and protecting his name, trademarks and car design rights, and in the 1980s he established Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc., which licenses companies worldwide to manufacture, market and sell everything from the best and fastest muscle cars on the road (e.g. the 1960s Shelby Cobra 289, 427 and Daytona Coupe, and more recently the Ford Shelby GT-500) to premium Shelby memorabilia. These first in brand licensees range from Ford Motor Company’s manufacture of the new model year Ford Shelby GT-500s, to clothing, diecast model cars and exciting video games such as “Need for Speed” (Electronic Arts) and “Forza Motorsport” (Microsoft).

“At Ford, Carroll Shelby will always be remembered as an innovator, a performance vehicle legend but most importantly an incredible partner and close friend for more than 60 years,” said Edsel Ford II, member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company and great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company. “The Ford and Shelby collaboration is something that has always been very important to me personally and Carroll will continue to be the inspiration behind our future collaboration that will carry his name. My family and I are honored to have had Carroll as a friend and part of our family. He will never be forgotten.”

Meanwhile, Shelby American, Inc., now headquartered in Las Vegas, continues to build authentic continuation Shelby Cobra vehicles.  It also offers the best and most exciting contemporary American muscle cars on the road, such as the post-title Shelby GT500 “Super Snake”, Shelby GT-350 and the Shelby GTS.

Joe Conway, President of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member, John Luft, President of Shelby American, Inc. and Tracey Smith, President of Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc., combine to bring a formidable team of experience and dedication in carrying out Carroll Shelby’s visions for the future.

“We are all deeply saddened, and feel a tremendous sense of loss for Carroll’s family, ourselves and the entire automotive industry,” said Conway.  “There has been no one like Carroll Shelby and never will be.  However, we promised Carroll we would carry on, and he put the team, the products and the vision in place to do just that.”

“Carroll was a visionary who never stopped seeking ways to build faster, better cars,” noted Luft. “He was actively involved in each of the models we build today, the development of our parts business and each of the cars scheduled to be introduced over the next few years. Carroll Shelby was the ultimate competitor and his spirit will continue to guide our company.”

Shelby considered his greatest achievement to be the establishment of the Carroll Shelby Foundation™. Created in 1992 while Shelby was waiting for a heart transplant in the hospital, the charity is dedicated to providing medical assistance for those in in need, including children.  The Foundation also supports educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs and benefits the Carroll Shelby Automotive Foundation.

“Carroll formed a foundation to give something back to those who have not been as fortunate as him, in both medicine and education,” explained Carroll Shelby Foundation Board Member M. Neil Cummings, Esq. “The Foundation is well endowed to continue Carroll’s vision.”

Shelby remained active in the management of each of his companies and the Foundation until his death, even though he endured both heart and kidney transplants in the last two decades of his life. An innovator and pioneer, he achieved an almost mythical status that never diminished. He traveled the world, socialized with movie stars and beauty queens, made and lost numerous fortunes, won races, built cars and lived large.

Shelby is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister, Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth, six grandchildren, four great grandchildren and his wife Cleo. Funeral plans are not immediately available. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Carroll Shelby Foundation (www.cscf.org).

Greetings readers,

I recently attended a couple great Porsche events, the first on the day that we learned that Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche passed away, he who designed the Porsche 911/912 then went on to launch Porsche Design.

These two events were the PCA Porsche Festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA, which was born and I still think of as California Speedway.  The other was a fine gathering of all manner of Porsche cars on the garden green of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

I’m guessing who finshed where in what race at Fontucky, or who place where in the judging at Art Center might be of less importance to you than just seeing the cars.  So, keep scrolling down, and please don’t leave too soon, and enjoy these wonderful pix by my pal Kirk Gerbracht.

My '89 Carrera 3.2 coupe on left, Kirk's immaculate '03 996 X51 Carrera coupe in the middle, and other buddy Jeff's recently acquired Cayman S Sport on the right.

Here's Kirk and Jeff's cars, protecting the entrance to the potties.

I got a great shady spot - important for a black car whose AC is on the fritz, and that 993 C2S parked behind me was perfect.

Jeff's new toy is terrific, and he also plans to track it - I can't wait for that ride.

Some of these club racers and time-trialers get pretty serious with their cars. Check out this barely still street legal 911.

Pal Jeff, with the black Cayman, got a little track-itchy every time this guy went by.

911 SC chases down that lovely vintage feel 912.

Late model Turbo chases down much modified 964; off to Art Center now...

How nice to come around the corner and see this.

Art Center's grounds are perfect for modest sized car shows.

Fabulous 356s; stylish, quick enough, sporty, and beaufifully crafted. Luv 'em.

Early 911 meets late 356 - cousins for sure, but evidence that time marches on.

Early 911s draw the crowds, and big prices these days.

I always forget the name of this color, but just love it; so subtle, so elegant.

I really appreciate the 912E; what a great road tripper that would be easy on gas.

A local dealer brought this new 991 and everyone had an opinion about it.

So, a real (rare) 924 Carrera GT or well done clone? Sorry, I don't remember.

PCA Anniversary club coupe; rare and attractive color combo. I think PCNA built like 50 of these.

Most interesting ’72 911T with external oil filler door (not visible) on passenger side rear fender.

The background car, a 912 Targa, is about as rare as they come. Tasty alonside early 911s.

My only complaint? Not enough cars; lawn would have held another two dozen comfortably.

To Benefit The Boys Republic of Chino Hills, CA

Attend just to spectate, and the organizers are still looking for great cars for the show. So register and bring your car.  Most any cool old car, truck or bike is eligible.
www.stevemcqueencarshow.com

May 2, 2012, Chino Hills, CA: “Look, you work your side of the street and I’ll work mine”
These are the words of Frank Bullitt as portrayed by iconoclastic actor Steve McQueen in the movie “Bullitt”. McQueen’s celebrated role in the film will be honored as cars, motorcycles and fans converge on Saturday June 2, 2012 at the campus of The Boys Republic, 1907 Boys Republic Drive in Chino Hills to celebrate the Fifth Annual Steve McQueen Car Show.
The Boys Republic is a private, non-profit, nonsectarian community for at-risk teens to which McQueen belonged as a 16-year old student in 1946. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys Republic. Parking is free and admission is $10.00 with children under 12 free.
Attendees can also get into the chase on Friday night, June 1 at The Bullitt Dinner, featuring automotive writer and editor Matt Stone as MC, son Chad McQueen, Bullitt stars Don Gordon and Pat Renella. Also expected in attendance are Fox TV’s “Alcatraz” stars Sarah Jones and David Hoflin. The fete will begin with a reception from 5:00 to 6:30, dinner from 6:30 to 7:30 and program at 7:30. Tickets are $100.00 per person and can be purchased at www.boysrepublic.org.
In addition to an expected array of 300 plus cars and motorcycles, Bullitt fans will be treated to a convoy of Bullitt Mustangs and Chargers rolling into Chino Hills as the International Mustang Bullitt Owners Club (IMBOC) arrives from Chicago. The club will be creating awareness of the event with a cross-country drive on Route 66 culminating with participation in the show. (See their website at www.Bullittevents.com)
For more information or for those wishing to display a car or purchase apparel in advance, please go to our website atwww.stevemcqueencarshow.com

And please pardon my personal plus, but a few years ago, I wrote a book about all of the great cars and bikes that Steve McCool owned, raced or put into his films. Its called McQueen’s Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon.  The photos alone will blow you away. And if I say so myself, its a great Father’s Day gift for less than $20.00 Amazon sells it at a great price, and you can also buy publisher direct at www.motorbooks.com

I totally understand the appeal of finding a great car languishing in a barn.  You look at the poor dusty beast through somewhat rose colored glasses, imagining what it could be if given your tender loving care.  I know, I’ve done it.  But I’m also careful about saddling up to too big a horse, or getting too deep into a car I’d never get my money back out of. 

Now I know cars (classic, new or old) are seldom logic purchases: I usually buy first with my heart, and next with my head, and third with my wallet.  But a rusty old car in a barn isn’t enough to make me commit financial suicide.  Take for example, the case of film director Agostino “Dino” De Laurentiis’ Ferrari 250 GTE which was just expertly sold by Bonhams at its Monaco auction held just last month.  This was at one time a beautiful automobile, resplendant in metallic silver paint over red leather, with a screaming 3.0-liter Ferrari V-12 up front and gleaming Borrani wire wheels on its suspension.  The car has been sitting for decades, but appeared very complete and whole, which adds considerable to its value and appeal. 

Bonhams sold the car for about $163,000, and it will take every penny of $100,000 to restore it properly and make it once again the beautiful automobile it deserves to be.  When completed, it’ll probably be worth about that same $100,000, perhaps a little more, placing, for the moment, no value on its celbrity ownership.  Hmmmm….unless I were the late director’s close relative, I’m not sure having his $100,000 car would be worth $263,000 to me. 

The barn finds I really love are the ones that can be cleaned up, mechanically recommissioned, and then driven and shown as a well preserved original.  I totally understand the value of original patina, but even if the De Laurentis Ferrari could be mechanically recommissioned for not too much money, it would still look like an abused, neglected Ferrari, something I don’t personally enjoy. 

Yet, such barnfinds sell like mad at auction, reach record prices, and generate a lot of news.  I understand the appeal, but not the economics — wouldn’t it make sense to save tens of thousands of dollars and just go out into the market and find a clean, well preserved or properly restored example of your barnfind dream machine.  I also realize that sometimes you buy the car, and sometimes you buy the story, or a combination of the two, but is it worth all the extra financial loss?

Or what am I missing?

My Friends at Lamborghini recently asked me if I’d like to sample their latest Gallardo Spyder, this one the pretty groovy LP550-2, with full time all-wheel drive and one rompin stompin 5.2-liter V-10 engine.  My response, was of course: Duh!  So I did, while down in Amelia Island, while there to judge the Amelia Island Concours.

Exotic bedfellows: "My" Gallardo Spyder sits alongside the new McLaren

I’ve driven nearly every variation of Gallardo there has been, and have liked many of them, but not all.  I covered the Gallardo launch program in Italy some years back, and was modestly underswhelmed by the car at the time.  Wonderful new engine, but the car understeered too much, and the exhaust note was dull.  No so no mo.  I loved the Superleggerra model a lot, but have to say this is the best Gallardo I’ve driven to date.

Not much engine to see, but it's there, I promise

Naturally all things evolve, and the Gallardo has come a long way since it was born.  The engine has grown in size and power, and the rock solid chassis has been retuned for pin sharp response and amazing grip.  This was the first Lambo model to get an Egear paddle shifter, autoclutch transmission, and the earliest ones weren’t bad, but hardly great.  Even though this particular technology is getting old, having been uped by many cars employing “dual-clutch” designs which upshift faster and more crisply, Lamborghini engineers have continued to evolve the old system and it works really well now. 

Nice tush, no?

And the exhaust pipe benders of Sant A’gata Bolognese, Italy (home of the Lamborghini factory) have tuned this car’s exhaust system to a roarty snort.  V-10s often sound nasel, but this car sounds like a well-tuned trombone section.  Fast — Oh yah.  0-60 in less than four seconds, and 100 comes up pretty quickly too.  All done with no bad habits, no overheating, and a firm but comfortable ride.

As it should for a sticker price of $233,825.  You can discuss the merits of Ferrari vs. Lamborghini all day long, but the fact remains that these cars are edgy, and definately not the same old same old.  And in cars, as in life itself unique is good in my opinion.  Lambo’s are extreme automobiles, just oozing Italian style.

It won’t be too many years before Lamborghini replaces the Gallardo, and as the brand nears its 50th anniversary, I expect something very special to come along.  I’ll be watching.  And if you fancy a current Gallardo, they won’t make them forever, so get one before they’re not.

More photos just below

Trying hard not to giggle too much while doing this

The Shelby 1000 is the most powerful Shelby Mustang ever, comes 50 years after original Cobra launch at NYIAS.

By now you know that the 2013 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 will deliver 650 horsepower courtesy of a specially designed and purpose built 5.8-liter supercharged V-8 engine. That’s right, 650 horse, and a 200mph top speed, right off the showroom floor, straight from Ford, backed by a factory warranty.

But that’s not enough for 89 year old Carroll Shelby. During the many lunches he and I have shared over the last year or two, he talked non-stop about his “1000 horsepower Mustang. I know we can do it, and we’re close. I want this to be the fastest car we’ve ever built, and it’s got to be street legal and idle like a Lincoln.” The development work and testing are done, and the result is called the Shelby 1000. In fact there are two of them. The first is the “street” version, cranking out 950 horsepower, smog legal in all 50 states. Lest you think that the big number is only the result of cranking the boost up on a 750 horsepower GT500 SuperSnake – no.

The factory 5.4-liter engine is stripped to the block and given some serious machine work in anticipation of a new crank, rods and pistons. The heads also get a flow job, and the whole deal is topped by a new supercharger. The other baddest of all Shelbys is called the 1000 S/C, and it’s built primarily as a track rat. The much warmed over 5.4-liter four-cam V-8 in this one is good for 1100 horses.

Some Shelby American-built or modified Mustang have been criticized for wearing too many badges, too much Shelby ID, or other styling gingerbread. Not so the 1000; The front fascia gets a makeover, and the wheelwells are stuffed with Forged alloy Shelby 1000 20-inch wheels exclusive to this model, plus massive brakes more up to corralling the big motor. The Shelby identification is present of course, but it’s relatively subtle. The car looks the business, no doubt, but is absolutely classy in doing so.

Naturally the fuel and exhaust systems get a major makeover, as does the suspension and interior. Ancillary gauges are mounted in a unique instrument cluster on the driver’s side A-pillar.
Why isn’t 650 horsepower good enough? The “mainstream” GT500 is primarily engineered by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team and built on the mainstream Mustang production line. Were it not for Shelby’s licensing deal with Ford for the use of the GT500 name, its likely that car would still be sold as the SVT Mustang Cobra, as it was prior to 2007. Carroll Shelby wanted his ultimate Mustang to be developed, engineered and built by himself and his team of designers, hot rodders, and speed freaks at the Shelby American facility in Las Vegas. Which the Shelby 1000 is. Price announcements and delivery dates are pending. –

Fabulous Delage set the tenor for the entire event

It was my recent good fortunte to serve as an emcee for the Rancho Mirage Desert Classic concours, and in case you weren’t there, here’s a copy of the official press release along with some great photos by my pal Kirk Gerbracht. If you plan to be in or around SoCal next February, put this one your calendar. Its a really high quality regional show put on by real car people at a spectacular resort near Palm Springs and Palm Desert. In case you wondered, yes this is the event that took place at LaQuinta last year, also a wonderful desert resort, but this new location proved the perfect fit.

Here’s the entire scoop:
The 2012 Rancho Mirage Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance ended its 5th annual event on Sunday, February 26, showcasing over 250 world class rare vintage cars and motorcycles displayed on the green at the 4-star Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage. The event was produced in partnership with Palm Springs Life magazine.

Awards in several prestigious categories were handed out including

Super Indeed - a most worth Best of Show

Best in Show Award to Don Murray and his elegant 1963 Ferrari Super America, and the People’s Choice Award to Peter Giabobbi’s outstanding 1959 Ferrari Testa Rossa replica hand built by him from all authentic Ferrari components.

Very cool vintage warbird flyover

With an exceptional field of classic cars, race cars, and vintage motorcycles, as well as a breathtaking aerial display of international war birds by the Tiger Squadron, the 2012 Rancho Mirage Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance offered a thoroughly memorable spectator experience. The spectacular weather and stunning ambiance of the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa provided the perfect combination for this event which was attended by a record number of spectators.

The City of Rancho Mirage, and this Rancho Mirage Resort, were perfect hosts

‘‘The premiere of the Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance in Rancho Mirage exceeded our expectations,” commented Rancho Mirage Mayor G. Dana Hobart. “We look forward to a long and productive relationship with the event’s leadership.”

Everybody loves Ferraris, and this show packed plenty of them; newer, older, and in between

The event was attended by members of the prestigious guests from the Petersen Automotive Museum and The Checkered Flag 200 Club who were out in force mixing with the large crowds of car enthusiasts and the general public. The weekend of fabulous events included The Desert Tour Classic, The Desert Auction, and the Rancho Mirage Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance. In addition, the Classique on Saturday morning drew hundreds of people who lined the streets of the Coachella Valley to watch the Desert Tour participant’s parade past.

The Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance is a world-class exhibition of rare and vintage cars spanning the history of automotive excellence. The annual event features a week of public events including presentations, displays, car auction, and classic car races. Rated amongst the

“Top Ten Classic Car Shows in the World,” The Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance features an exciting line up of over 250 museum quality domestic and foreign cars.

The Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance is a Palm Springs Life Event

For further information visit: http://www.desertconcours.com/

Please don’t leave, many more great photos just below.

I attend a lot of car shows, and rarely see a Paige, much less one this nice.

My buddy's Jeff's Alfa Spider; see the two long legged girls in the background? The one on the left is my Linda, the one on the right is photographer Kirk's wife Cathy

 

A great Ferrari that nobody ever gets tires of looking at, a 275 GTB, of courseMy friend Andy Cohen's droolworthy small-block Shelby Cobra (and yes, it's a real one...)

 

 

Two sports cars from Kurtis, the Indy-winning pride of Glendale, California

Many Alfisit don't care for these lovely Bertone bodied 2000 and 2600 Spiders - I have no idea why not!

 

"Big American" like these wonderfully massive Caddys was also prevelant and popular at this year's Des Classic

 

Something for everyone; the Des Classic boasted racecars, bikes, trucks, and even neoclassics

It just wouldn't be a car show without a smattering of SL Benzes

The annual Amelia Island Concours is one of my favorite happenings in the world. It was my honor to again serve as a judge; there’s almost too much to say about this amazing gathering of cars, heroes, legends, and friends, but here’s the official press release and a bunch of photos for you to chew on.

Winners photo courtesy Neil Rashbaugh

1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57 AND A 1962 FERRARI 330 LM WIN BIG

AT THE 17th ANNUAL AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE

World’s Most Innovative Automotive Event Draws Nearly 23,000 fans

and 295 Automobiles, Kicking-Off the Season in Style

JACKSONVILLE, FL (March 13, 2012) – The 1938 Bugatti Type 57 and the 1962 Ferrari 330 LM took home the Best In Show honors on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at the 17th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which attracted about 23,000 spectators and 295 vehicles.

The coveted Concours d’Elegance award went to the stunning 1938 Bugatti Type 57, owned by the Off Brothers Collection from Richland, Mich. One of only three surviving Aravis Drophead Coupes bodied by Gangloff, this green Type 57 arrived in the U.S. in 1961 and was fully restored in 2009. Bugatti produced the Type 57 between 1934 and 1939, ceasing production of the world’s fastest stock production car shortly after the beginning of WWII.

The rare 1962 Ferrari 330 LM, or “3765” GTO, owned by Jim Jaeger from Indian Hill, Ohio took home the Concours de Sport award. The 330 GTOs were Ferrari’s in-house hot rods: prototype Grand Touring cars with four-liter V-12 engines instead of the GTO’s traditional 3-liter V-12. Just two were built – a cross between a pure prototype and a road-going Grand Touring car. Assigned to Ferrari Engineer and racer Mike Parkes and factory F1 and sports car ace Lorenzo Bandini, Jim Jaeger’s 4-liter GTO appears as it did on June 23, 1962 when gridded seventh at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The very best in classic car pageantry displays also included the 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe that helped unseat Ferrari as World GT Champion and the sleek 1929 Duesenberg J-108 Convertible Coupe that played a role in the classic move The Gay Divorcee. Several other star cars were seen, including Rita Hayworth’s Ghia-bodied Cadillac, a Duesenberg once owned by Ginger Rogers, Natalie Wood’s Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster and Tom Mix’s custom Cord 812 roadster.

Variety is the spice of life, and of Amelia Island

“Every year I’m amazed at the extraordinary vehicles I see grace the field, and this year was no different,” said Dick Messer, former Director of The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. “Both winners are perfect examples of style and sport and are very deserving of their awards. I congratulate the judges on their stunning choices.”

The Kalikow Momo Mirage, my late friend Gene Garfinkle worked on the design

Perhaps the Mirage's best angle; powertrain is LT-1 Corvette of the early 70s

Cars that graced the covers of Road & Track were on display, as were a selection of cars that won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

This year’s Concours also celebrated the momentous 50th Anniversary of the Ferrari GTO, which was marked by a gathering of twelve impressive vehicles on the show field.

Some of Quick Vic's toys

More Vic Elford cars

Rally and road racing champion “Quick” Vic Elford served as the 2012 honoree, greeting attendees throughout the weekend. He also took part in the Great Endurance Drivers Seminar alongside other legendary drivers such as Sam Posey, Hurley Haywood, Brian Redman, Jim Hall, Gerard Larrousse, Joe Buzzetta, David Hobbs, Vic Elford, and Derek Bell.

Ferrari and Cobra fans were also treated to the unprecedented Cobra vs. Ferrari: the Battle for the World Championship for Sports Cars seminar on Friday, where Ferrari racing engineer Mauro Forghieri, Shelby Cobra Championship driver, Bob Bondurant, and Cobra Daytona Coupe designer Peter Brock, discussed one of motorsports’ most bitter rivalries.

Some of the world’s most prominent corporate, public and private collections had displays at the event, including Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. BMW also held the North American Debut of its new 6 Series Gran Coupe four-door coupe during the weekend.

Plans for the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance are already underway and the event is scheduled to be held on March 8-10, 2013 10th and the 18th Fairways of the Golf Club Amelia Island at Summer Beach adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

About The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

Now in its second decade, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is among the top automotive events in the world. Always held the second full weekend in March, “The Amelia” draws nearly 250 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile like no other. Since 1996, the show’s Foundation has donated nearly $1.7 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc. and other deserving charities on Florida’s First Coast. The 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is scheduled for March 8-10, 2013. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org or call 904-636-0027.

The Pontiac Pegasus concept, running 4.4-liter Ferrari V-12 engine.

Chuck Wray's '60 Alfa Giulietta Spider Veloce, the best Julie I've ever seen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chrysler Sebring is dead – long live the 200. By now you likely know that the old Platypus-looking Chrysler Sebring sedan and convertible have been substantially remodeled and reborn as the Chrysler 200. For my recent weekend in Palm Springs for the Desert Classic Concours, I copped a top line 200S hardtop convertible from Chrysler’s press fleet, and it proved a great desert weekend ride. I was most anxious to see if the car’s 200-fication was just a quick reskin and a badge job or packed enough substance to make the car a player in the mid-sized sedan and coupe catagory. I’m pleased to tell you the latter is the case. The prior car’s frumpy face has been Botoxed into a handsome prow, with a neat tushy tuck as well. I can’t tell you how much crisper this car looks than the old one.

The convertible hardtop is the nifty tricky, as it gives you the closed, metal-roofed security of a coupe, and all the sky you could ask for by holding down the retractable top button for about 30 seconds. There’s no latching or unlatching to futz with, as the trunk opens up, the roof folds in half, and then neatly hides itself away neath the metal tonneau cover. Of course all this mechanism is kinda heavy and complex, and impedes on trunk room, but fortunately doesn’t eat up the entire hold, so between the remaining trunk volume and the back seat, there’s plenty of weekend luggage room (we suggest soft luggage at this point). If you like a conventional cloth convertible top, it can still be had – which saves some weight, a little fuel mileage, and some purchase price (the retractable top is about two-grand more than the old school, lined, insulated cloth affair, which is still nice).

Our beautiful Tungsten Metallic gray exterior paint job is a perfect compliment to the car’s new suit, and looked great with the black and gray, leather wrapped cabin. This car was full boat, packing all the S sport package and top entertainment and electronics stuff. Great looking 18-inch alloy rolling stock was also part of the deal, this car basing at $32,070, and bottomlining at $35,510.  Not cheap, but not yet in BMW territory either, and you can see the money and content in this car.

Plenty of power here, in this case a 3.6-liter V-6 spooling out 283 horsepower, more than plenty to make this car move out smartly, teamed to a just-fine 6-speed automatic transmission. EPA? Not bad, at 19 city, 29 highway, about what I averaged during my week in the car.

Sebring interiors, no matter the trim level, always looked particularly low rent; not this one. It’s as nice, and nicely finished, as the cabin in any Lexus.  Overall I was impressed with the fit, finish, and build quality of the entire car.

The driving experience is best described as effortless cruising, which is what a Chrysler always used to be about. Plenty of power for most any situation, a nice ride, comfy cabin, and solid, confident handling. And it’s quiet too; very little road rumble, and any notion of windnoise has been well trimmed out of it.

Would I prefer this to a G37 convertible or a BMW 3 Series retractable convert? Likely not, but at least the 200 is a player now, and not an American copy of a Japanese car. Like the ad says, it’s imported from Detroit, a distinctly American car, and that is once again a positive attribute.

Were I buying a 200, I might ditch a few options to keep the price down (that’s often the way I think), or just go for the cloth top bod with the four cylinder engine, all in the name of having a mid-sized open topper that’ll haul all my gang to the beach, get good mileage, and not cost a lot.

Does that sound too much like a rental car? Maybe, but at least a lot better one than before.  This one, you’d own not just merely rent.

Happysnap photography by me.