Rare Ferrari 250 TR expected to break records at RM's Maranello auction

With its stunning pontoon-fendered bodywork sculpted by Scaglietti, the Ferrari 250 TR is not only one of the most beautiful cars ever built, it was one of the most competitive as well. Ferrari captured ten victories in nineteen races from 1958 to 1961, including a class win at Le Mans with Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien.
It's rare to see one offered for sale, and it is a guarantee that a massive sum of money will exchange hands when one comes on the market. Those high-end car collectors who remain unaffected by economic woes will have the chance to part with such funds this coming May when a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR, chassis #0714TR, crosses the block at RM Auctions' Ferrari Leggenda E Passione sale in Maranello. This particular example was campaigned extensively from 1958 to 1963 and is painted in its period-correct black paint with a red nose. RM expects the 250 TR to set a new world record for a car sold at auction, potentially exceeding the $21.7 million it took to buy a 250 GTO last year. More details on the sale in the press release from RM after the break.

[Source: RM Auctions]

Cavallino Classic Ferrari Track Day in Palm Beach, FL

The Cavallino Classic Ferrari Track Day in Palm Beach, FL is a big hit among gear heads and those with the exquisite taste for Italian. Not Italian food, but a certain raw Italian horse.

I guess you could eat a horse but for some reason I don’t think you will be welcomed in the presence of many. Speaking of the presence of horses, you have to check out the video below of Garage 419’s very own Matt Farah basking in the glow of some of the most beautiful vehicles on this planet. That would be new and classic Ferrari’s at the Cavallino Classic Ferrari Track Day in Palm Beach, FL.

South Florida knows how to showcase exotics on a completely different level such as the recent Naples Ferrari Car Show on 5th Avenue mentioned on Exotics and Luxury’s website.

I will quote Ferris Bueller as Matt did in the video checking out the Ferrari 250 GT California: “It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”! Truly Classic!

Ferrari 599XX and 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE coming to Geneva

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next week, Ferrari will hold two world premiers both having to do with its 599 GTB Fiorano.

The first will be the dynamic Handling GT Evoluzione (HGTE) Package for the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. It supposedly provides sharper handling and other improvements that Ferrari will offer more details about in Geneva next week.

The second will be the world debut of the Ferrari 599XX which it says is a “technological laboratory aimed at a select group of clients.” Technologies for the 599XX have been influenced by Ferrari’s road-going and F1 research teams. Ferrari says that “many of the technological solutions it carries are being used for the first time and have been developed exclusively for this special car.”

We’re not sure if the 599XX will be a road-legal or a track car or what exactly Ferrari means by “a select group of clients” - but we’ll tell you when we find out more details next week.

Ferrari 599XX and 599 GTB HGTE To Be Showcased at Geneva Motor Show

The upcoming Geneva Motor Show next week will lack a few manufacturers but have some stunning introductions including a few from Ferrari. Ferrari will be taking the wraps off of the Ferrari 599XX and 599 GTB HGTE. If the 599XX reminds you of the FXX name then you may be onto something. The 599XX will be a tricked-out version of the Ferrari 599 GTB incorporating some of the latest technologies and engineering that Ferrari has to offer.

Some of the tricks may be those used on the race track and on street cars but it will be something fresh and new. Although I cannot agree that the 599 is a looker when you compare it to other Ferraris or even it’s cousin, the Maserati. Below is a sneak preview image from Ferrari. Will you be a fan of the Ferrari 599XX or Ferrari GTB HGTE? If so then you probably won’t be able to get one unless you have owned several other Ferraris. Remember the program that Ferrari had if you wanted to purchase an Enzo? Yea, Ferrari says NO unless you are truly “loyal” and you have to have a few of these Italian horses in your garage already to even be considered to be put on the list for a 599XX.

Marcello Felipe_ 2009 Renault New Alpine Concept Design

Brazilian design student Marcello Felipe Maggioni brings us this rendering of a Renault sports car. The design pays homage to the 1987 Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo, a car that in turn had inspired Marcello himself to be a car designer.

The four front headlights are highlighted by the use of two LED light strips above each pair on either side. Rear lights also feature LED technology but with an added 3D effect. The engine is a Renault F1 powerplant modified for road usage. It's there for all to see under a large glass cover just behind the two seats.

Marcello is studying a course called Design of Mobility - Transportation Design, at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado in São Paulo, Brazil. Perhaps the day when Renault builds its awaited Alpine sports car, a design similar to his one will emerge.

Several characteristics were taken from the original Alpine GTA in order that a sort of lineage was maintained such that if a modern version of the car were built its history and heritage would be obvious to the eye. A few of these exterior design characteristics include large headlights that droop very low on the front grille. The flowing swoosh behind the C pillar has been retained but changed to suit a more futuristic look. It also serves the purpose of being an air inlet for the engine.

Which Automotive Era Do You Wish You Grew Up In?

We can't choose when or where we're born. You could be an Earnhardt in the 1990s or a Daimler in the 1920s. Given the choice, which automotive era do you wish you grew up in?

If we were totally ironic, we'd go with the Malaise Era. But we're only feeling partially ironic today so we're not. We were thinking maybe the El Camino era of the 1960s and 70s but this is perhaps too easy. Given free range to pick a time and a place we'd definitely get dropped in the international rallying days of the early 1950s and race classic Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Maseratis against the likes of Sterling Moss, Dan Gurney and Juan Miguel Fangio. Racing in events like the Targa Florio where it was just man, machine and a confusing set of poorly-lit roads is the kind of thrill you can't get today.

Carbon Fiber Wheels by 360 Forged

Many thanks to my friend Zach over at Exotics And Luxury who just brought these new Carbon Fiber Wheels by 360 Forged to my attention! They definitely look super awesome and probably cost blue label top shelf dollars. After checking out the brochure, I must conclude that these are not TRUE carbon fiber wheels.

Although the center piece appears to be full carbon fiber, the brochure says the wheels are 3 piece forged T6 aluminum. So while the look and weight savings is definitely there, under that carbon fiber 5 spoke is most likely aluminum. Like I explained in my earlier post (Carbon Fiber Wheels - Not the Ultimate Performance Wheel Material) which examines the science of why you will most likely never see full 100% carbon fiber wheels, these are purely for show and their structural integrity still needs to rely on the 3 piece aluminum frame.