Italian auto industry rocked by earthquake.

Northern Italy was rocked by yet another earthquake today. One that has literally shut down the Italian auto industry. At least for the next couple of days. The quake was centered about 40 kilometers north of Bologna Italy. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, and Maserati all are either headquartered or have factories in that area. So far, Maserati is the only manufacturer that is showing damage at their factory. All have ceased operations for the day to allow workers to go home and be with their families. Details are still emerging, so we will keep you posted on this as more details come out.

Source: Autoblog.

Updated Scottsdale 2012: Lee Iacocca's Ferrari F40

This one slipped under my radar until it was pointed out on another blog that the 1991 Ferrari F40 Berlinetta being offered for sale at the RM Auctions sale this weekend was originally owned by none other than Lee Iacooca. This car when it was new was one of my poster cars along with the Lamborghini Countach in my bedroom. And it is still considered the ultimate by many car enthusiasts. This car has three owners, the first of which being Lee Iacocca, father of the Mustang and the K-car. And since 1991 has only covered 300 miles, making this car probably the lowest mile F40s in existence. The F40 was conceived by Enzo Ferrari to commemorate the company's 40th anniversary building cars and was the last car Enzo oversaw to completion. Powered by a twin turbo, 3 liter V8 with 471 horse power was unheard of at the time from a factory built car. 0-60 was 3.9 seconds and could reach 140 miles per hour in under 14 seconds. only 400 examples were ever produced with fewer ending up on American shores. 1991 was the last model year for the F40, and with the mileage and ownership lineage, makes this one special car. It has also never been registered or titled. That's right, this car is still on the Ferrari MSO. This car keeps getting better and better. RM estimates the value between $650 and $750,000 dollars. We'll be following this one for sure.

Update: This car sold for $710,000. 


Source & Photos: RM Auctions

Little known history of the Chevrolet Bowtie.

Some automotive brands are pretty clear about how their corporate logos have come about. Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Porsche and Ferrari all come to mind. One that's not well known, but also shrouded with a bit of mystery is the bowtie logo of GM's Chevrolet division.

Several stories have emerged as to how the now famous logo originated. One from Billy Durant's daughter who says that it originated from her father's imagination one night at dinner. Another from Durant's widow saying that her husband found a similar logo while reading a newspaper while on vacation in 1912. Others say it is a stylized version of the Swiss flag cross as Louis Chevrolet was born in Sweeden.

The official origin from General Motors is that Billy Durant saw the logo as part of the pattern on some wallpaper in a Paris hotel that he would tear down and return to Detroit with in 1908. The earliest known use of the the bowtie logo dates to 1913. So who's to say which one is the true meaning behind the bowtie? Durant passed away in 1947, so the answer has certainly gone to the grave at this point. But there is no denying that it ended up being the right choice as now, 100 years later the Chevrolet brand is still in business making cars.

Press Release:

DETROIT, Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally recognized today, the Chevrolet bowtie logo was introduced by company co-founder William C. Durant in late 1913. But how it came to be synonymous with the brand is open to wide interpretation.

Durant's version of how the logo came into existence is well known. The long-accepted story, confirmed by Durant himself, was that it was inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel.

According to The Chevrolet Story of 1961, an official company publication issued in celebration of Chevrolet's 50th anniversary:

"It originated in Durant's imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends, with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car."

However, conflicting accounts have emerged, each of which is plausible enough to deepen the mystery and suggest it may never be solved. Two of the alternate origins come from within the Durant family itself.

In 1929, Durant's daughter, Margery, published a book entitled, My Father. In it, she told how Durant sometimes doodled nameplate designs on pieces of paper at the dinner table. "I think it was between the soup and the fried chicken one night that he sketched out the design that is used on the Chevrolet car to this day," she wrote.

More than half a century later, another Bowtie origin was recounted in a 1986 issue of Chevrolet Pro Management Magazine based on a 13-year-old interview with Durant's widow, Catherine. She recalled how she and her husband were on holiday in Hot Springs, Va., in 1912. While reading a newspaper in their hotel room, Durant spotted a design and exclaimed, "I think this would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet." Unfortunately, at the time, Mrs. Durant didn't clarify what the motif was or how it was used.

That nugget of information inspired Ken Kaufmann, historian and editor of The Chevrolet Review, to search out its validity. In a Nov. 12, 1911 edition of The Constitution newspaper, published in Atlanta, an advertisement appeared from by the Southern Compressed Coal Company for "Coalettes," a refined fuel product for fires. The Coalettes logo, as published in the ad, had a slanted bowtie form, very similar to the shape that would soon become the Chevrolet icon. Did Durant and his wife see the same ad – or one similar – the following year a few states to the north? The date of the paper was just nine days after the incorporation of the Chevrolet Motor Co.

One other explanation attributes the design to a stylized version of the cross of the Swiss flag. Louis Chevrolet was born in Switzerland at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchatel, to French parents, on Christmas Day 1878.

Whichever origin is true, within a few years, the bowtie would emerge as the definitive Chevrolet logo. An October 2, 1913 edition of The Washington Post seems, so far, to be the earliest known example of the symbol being used to advertise the brand. "Look for this nameplate" the ad proclaims above the emblem. Customers the world over have been doing so ever since.

Many variations in coloring and detail of the Chevrolet bowtie have come and gone over the decades since its introduction in late 1913, but the essential shape has never changed. In 2004, Chevrolet began to phase in the gold bowtie that today serves as the brand identity for all of its cars and trucks marketed globally. The move reinforced the strength of what was already one of the most-recognized automotive emblems in the world. More than 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold in more than 120 countries and regions during 2010.

About Chevrolet -- Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

Source: GM

Thinking of Monterey

Well, it's Monterey Week. considered by many as the pinnacle of the collector car hobby. Events like the Quail, Concourso Italiano, Pebble Beach Councours d'Elegance and the Rolex Historics to name a few. Cars that are restored to better than new condition that rarely make it out of the garage, gather to strut their stuff for the world to see. Every year I am treated to parts of what I would call my PowerBall wish list if I were to ever hit the lottery and strike it rich. Many folks would lavish them self with new cars, where as I would build a nice new garage and fill it to the brim with automotive history. One such vehicle is the Ferrari 265 GT/B Daytona and the Shelby 289 Cobra. These classics are some of the most beautiful cars to ever be designed and this year in Monterey, RM Auctions has examples of each that I would love to call my own.


1971 Ferrari 365 Daytona coupe

1964 Shelby 289 Cobra

Picture source: RM Auctions

Formula One News: Ferrari & Mercedes 2008 cars, Hamilton resigns with McLaren

It has been a busy week in Formula One news. The teams are beginning to show off their cars for the 2008 season, and just about all the drivers have been signed. To help celebrate Lewis Hamilton's 23rd birthday and contract signing with McLaren. Mercedes Benz has given Hamilton his 2008 ride. Behold the MP4-23. The Mercedes - McLaren racer will continue to carry Vodafone as their sponsor for 2008, along with that uber cool paint job.

Mercedes unveiled the MP4-23 at the new Mercedes Benz museum in Stuttgart Germany to over 1000 invited guests. Seven hundred of which were from the nearby Stuttgart-Untertürkheim manufacturing facility.

"The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 is the coolest birthday present you can get, well it is for me anyway! To see the car for the first time at such a great place as the Mercedes-Benz museum makes it an even more memorable day." Said Hamilton about his new toy.

The MP4-23 is now on it's way from Germany to the Circuito de Jerez in Southern Spain , where Hamilton and his new teammate, Heikki Kovalainen, will be giving the car proper testing. 14,000 man hours went into the engineering of the MP4-23 so far. With another 3,000 hours of wind tunnel testing. Development began in 2006, and development for the 2009 season car is already underway.

MP4-23 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

ENGINE

Type: Mercedes-Benz FO 108V
Capacity: 2.4 litre
No. of cylinders: 8
Max. rpm: 19,000 (FIA regulatory limit since 2007)
Bank angle: 90O
Piston bore maximum: 98 mm (FIA regulation)
Bore spacing: 106.5 mm
Number of valves: 32
Fuel: Mobil 1 Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
Lubricants: Mobil 1, newly developed 2008 formula for lower friction and better wear resistance
Engine: 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight) TRANSMISSION

Gearbox

Speeds: Seven forward and one reverse
Semi-auto: Yes
Driveshafts: McLaren
Clutch: Hand-operated

Chassis: McLaren moulded carbon fibre/aluminium honeycomb composite incorporating front and side impact structures. Contains integral safety fuel cell
Front Suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Rear Suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Suspension Dampers: Koni
Electronics: McLaren Electronic Systems control units incorporating electronics for chassis, engine and data acquisition. McLaren Electronic Systems also supplies the electronic dash board, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems
Bodywork Construction: One-piece engine cover; separate sidepod covers; separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing.
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
Radios: Kenwood
Race Wheels: Enkei
Batteries: GS Yuasa Corporation
Steering: McLaren power-assisted
Instruments: McLaren Electronic Systems

Ferrari F2008:

Ferrari has also launched their F2008 Formula One car. Ferrari's contender this year has been designed with all of the changes to the 2008 Formula One season. This includes the standard electronic control unit from McLaren, upgraded gearbox and safety changes to better protect the drivers head on the sides. The body for the F2008 has also be redesigned to allow for maximum safety, with updated aerodynamics.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Chassis
Carbon-fibre and honeycombcomposite structure
Ferrari longitudinal gearboxLimited-slip differential
Semiautomatic sequentialelectronically controlled gearbox quick-shift
Number of gears: 7 + Reverse
Ventiled carbon-fibredisc brakes

Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
Weight (with water, lubricant and driver): 605 kg
BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13''

Engine
Type: 056
Number of cylinders: 8
Cylinder block in castaluminium: V 90°
Number of valves: 32
Pneumatic distribution
Total displacement: 2398 cm3
Piston bore: 98 mm
Weight: <95>


Lewis Hamilton:

All of this brings us back to Lewis Hamilton. He has renewed his contract with Mercedes-McLaren for a reported $138 million dollars. This is for a 5 year contract, earning the 23 year old Driver's Champion $27 million per year.

Things are shaping up for an exciting season in Formula One this year. Sadly of course there will be no U.S. venues this year. But we will still follow each race and report all the news this season.

Source: Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Motor Authority.

The King returns! The 2009 Corvette ZR1

The Myth, The Legend, The History. It all returns with the new C6 Corvette ZR1. Formerly known as the Blue Devil and the Corvette SS. What we are looking at here is the fastest production Corvette of all time.

The aluminum and magnesium from the Z06 is the basis for the ZR1. At the front, you'll find a C6-R inspired splitter in carbon fiber. Flared front fenders with large air outlets to quickly move hot air out of the engine compartment. Also for the first time on a production Corvette, the hood has a clear lexan window to show off the new LS9 V8 engine. Which is oh so cool to look at. Oh, did we also mention that all the front sheet metal is carbon fiber rather than fiberglass?

A major styling change is the carbon fiber roof. GM really pulled out all the stops for the carbon fiber. GM materials engineers put a lot effort into developing an additive for the clear coat that could be applied to the carbon to preserve it for the life of the car. The ZR1 is the first car ever to have a carbon fiber clear coat that will last the life of the car. The chemical additive costs $60,000 a gallon and the clear coat with the additive mixed in comes to $2,000 a gallon. With out this the resins in the carbon fiber will break down over time, causing the appearance to yellow and become brittle.

When the original ZR1 was let lose in 1990, it was powered by a dual overhead cam, 5.7 liter V8 with 405 horsepower. Seems like nothing when compared with the super cars of today, but for 1990 this was earth shattering. The new LS9 supercharged 6.2 liter V8 in the 2009 ZR1 is rumored to have somewhere between 620 and 650 horsepower. That's well over the 505 hp on the current Z06 with it's 7.0 liter V8.

With the Z06, GM received many complaints about how hard the car was to drive on the street. Yeah it did great at the track, but in an everyday setting. It was just too much. In the ZR1, there are softer springs than the Z06 but GM added the same magneto-rheological dampers as the Ferrari 599. The fluid in these units is filled with iron particles and the viscosity can be instantly changed by varying an electric current passing through it. Sensors in the car take measurements every 0.001 seconds and adjust the dampers every 0.002 seconds.

15 inch Brembo brake rotors are placed in the rear wheels, while 15.5 inch rotors are used up front. Capped with bright blue 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers, also from Brembo. The brakes are topped with Michelin Pilot Sport

285/30ZR19s front tires while traction goes through 335/25ZR20s at the rear.

Will the new ZR1 be King of the Hill like the C4 ZR1? Only time will tell, and the numbers will be proven once GM sends a few out for testing. Look for more details as we get closer to the Detroit auto show next month.

Source: GM.

Christie's out of the collector car auction business.

It was short and to the point. The September 5th statement from Christie's Auction House was just three sentences long. The world famous auction house has chosen to close their International Motor Cars department. The decision was made "following a periodic strategic review of operations". The department closed at the end of the month.

Shortly after the announcement, word came that three of the five member department, Rupert Banner, Philip Kanto, and Cordon McCall were all joining rival auction house Bonhams.

The 241 year old auction house started the International Motor Cars department in 1972, and was one of the oldest collector car auctioneers in the business. Christie's has sold many of the top dollar collector cars that have broken records for value. Recently they auctioned a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTL Lusso formerly owned by the late Steve McQueen, for a record $2,310,000. Christie's was also to auction a 1936 Auto Union "Silver Arrow" grand prix racer, but the auction on the car was canceled when the history of the car was questioned.

Ferrari F43 Scuderia. Formula 1 technology in a street car.

Ferrari recently revealed the new F430 Scuderia. This new Prancing Horse is probably one of the best looking cars in the Ferrari line up. Originally thought to be called the F430 Challenge Stradale. Regardless of what it's called, this new F430 joins the coupe and spyder, yet takes a decidedly harder, more track-oriented edge than its siblings.

The Scuderia weighs around 220 lbs. less than the standard F430 coupe, and this version of Ferrari's 4.3L V8 produces 510 horsepower versus the standard 483 horsepower. That gives the Scuderia a frighteningly low power-to-weight ratio of 1 horsepower for every 5.4 lbs! The new F430 Scuderia also promises to carry a lot of trickle-down F1 technology as well, including lightning-quick 60 millisecond shifts and an integrated traction and stability control system. In order to accentuate the car's F1 connection, none other than famed F1 driver Michael Schumacher officially unveiled the car in Frankfurt in September. Here's the official Ferrari press release.

Press Release:

The Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Michael Schumacher will officially unveil the car at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new Ferrari 430 Scuderia will join the road-going V8 line-up alongside the F430 coupé and the F430 Spider. The 430 Scuderia is a truly high-performance 2-seater berlinetta which demonstrates how Ferrari's Formula 1 know-how is carried across to its production cars.

The new model is a special series based on the F430 and is aimed specifically at Ferrari's most passionate and sports-driving oriented clients. Development focused on light weight, minimum trimmings and innovative technology. All this to exalt the car's extremely high-performance and ability to thrill the driver.

The new car can count on an extremely low weight-to-power ratio of just 2.45 kg per hp thanks to a low dry weight of just 1250 kg - 100 kg less than the standard F430 – and to the naturally-aspirated 4308cc V8's 510 hp at 8500 rpm.

Superb performance both on and off the track is assured by a series of cutting-edge solutions. There is the latest F1 software - Superfast – which reduces gearchange times to just 60 milliseconds, and new traction control which, for the first time, combines the E-Diff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction and stability control in a single integrated system.

Vehicle dynamics, control and performance thus represent the zenith of Ferrari's achievements in terms of developing road-certified sports cars.

The 430 Scuderia will be officially unveiled by Michael Schumacher on September 11 2007 at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt.

Kimi Raikkonen wins Formula 1 Driver's Title at Brasil. Race review

With the season finale to the 2007 Formula One season, we have a new champion. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen has been crowned with the 2007 Driver's Title at the Brazilion Grand Prix. Ferrari could have also won the Constructer's Title as well, but lost that to McLaren. Ferrari finished off the season woth 204 points to McLarens 218.

Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, having started from pole and led much of the race, dutifully did the right thing by not trying to make a race of it as his team mate needed the 10 points for victory. Massa carried it off with dignity in front of his adoring countrymen.

The Williams team came to Brazil under pressure from Red Bull for their fourth place overall, and rose to the occasion magnificently as Nico Rosberg battled with and beat the BMW Saubers team of Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld in a fantastic battle that was sadly overshadowed by the world championship.

Fernando Alonso initially said he could hold the Ferraris off, but not when they really began to push their cars. Had his tranmission not shifted to neutral on the eighth lap, before resetting itself, Lewis Hamilton might still have had his crack at the title. As it was, he was able to fight back to seventh place, bringing his points tally equal to Alonso’s but taking second overall on countback on the strength of five second place wins to Alonso’s four.

Ferrari owned the race from the start, and Raikkonen's ability to run three laps longer in the second stint proved crucial as the new world champion sped home to a deserved sixth victory of the year.

All in all it was an excelent, action packed finale to the 2007 season.