Car of the Month III

We know that its been a while since we lasted posted our Car of the Month.

To make it up to you, we bring you something that’s extremely rare in our collection.

The World Famous 1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow.

“This Car Was Part Of The Harrah’s Auto Collection From The 1960’s To 1987 And Was Restored In Their Restoration Facility”

Not many are not well acquainted with the Piece Arrow brand, let alone know that there are a few brooding about here in the UAE as well. For those of you who want to become more familiar, please do visit our Encyclopedia section.

RAE has been up close and personal with a few V8 Cabriolets here in the UAE, but for reasons pertaining to privacy, are not able to post them.

Nevertheless, we bring you what has been touted on several occasions for the past 6 decades as one of the most important and simultaneously delectable collaborations of Metal, Rubber and Human Effort in car history.

This car is currently not for sale anywhere in the World except the Middle East via the Rolling Art Emporium.

It is only 1 of 5 cars produced in 1933, out of which only 3 remain in the World today. 

Born out of a meeting between PA Vice President Roy Faulkner and his designer friend Phillip Wright who had conceived an automobile with a totally new appearance – based on wind tunnel experiments and developments.

Twin spare wheels are concealed in the front wings, while the rear wheels were hidden bheind skirts.

Their rear compartments were fitted with a duplicate set of instruments.

The asking price for the production cars at the time – a staggering USD 10,000

It took three months and thirty skilled men to build the five cars, mostly by hand.

Here is what another source has to say about the car at the time:

“In 1933, Pierce-Arrow unveiled the radically streamlined Silver Arrow in a final attempt to appeal to the wealthy at the New York Auto Show. The car was well received by the public and the motoring press, being announced with the slogan “Suddenly it’s 1940!” Pierce sold five examples but, since it was priced at $10,000 during the worst of the depression, the rich were hesitant to spend so much. The bodies were built at Studebaker, which subsequently assisted in rolling out a lower-priced production model. This, however, lacked many luxury features of the show car and still failed to generate enough sales.”

Engine: v12, L Head

Transmission: 3 speed manual

Brakes: drums all round, servo assisted

Top Speed: 115 MPH (approx.)

SHARJAH CAR MUSEUM

I always thought that we would see either Dubai or Abu Dhabi complete this feat first, but Sharjah has beaten them to the punch.

While many car collections remain in the private residences of owners across the UAE, Sharjah has decided to take one step in the right direction in this rapidly developing market.

If you want to know more about the new RTA law on cars older than 20 years and what you can do to protect your classic car please seach the Latest News Section on a dedicated piece to guide you along your way.

While the Sharjah Car Museum isnt exactly littered with Duesenbergs, Lincon Zyphers or Auburn Boattail Speedsters, it certainly does have its fair share of very nice Rolls Royce’s and other marques you would certainly expect to see out here in the Middle East.

The majority of cars need work, as does the clubs ethos in reaching the correct base it wants to attract to its Membership rota.

With a dedicated clubhouse, pool table, books, magazines and a soon to operate coffee house – it has all the humble beginnings of an organisation that can sprout to much larger proportions in the very near future. Winter occasions will be supported by the large outdoor space with manicured lawns that adorn the entire purpose built facility just next to the Sharjah Airport.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem is a member of the Federally recognized club that aims to protect owners and put them on an equal footing with one another during Member gatherings with specially made historic plates and an individual registration process.

A trip to the Museum is well worth it and I do believe that it will be a template for Dubai and Abu Dhabi to celebrate the mass hoard of trophies and true spectacles of Rolling Art littered throughout the UAE.

Do feel free to get in touch should you need more information at info@rollingartemporium.com

The Founder of TVR Passes Away. RIP Trevor Wilkinson.

AS REPORTED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES:

A legend in his own right.

Trevor Wilkinson, the founder of TVR, the small British carmaker known for nimble little sports cars that early owners often assembled from a kit, died on June 6 in Minorca, Spain. He was 85.

His death was confirmed by Marshall Moore, the president of the TVR Car Club of North America.

The soft-spoken Mr. Wilkinson built his first car in 1947 as a race special and incorporated TVR Engineering (later simply TVR) the next year. The company name was a shortened version of his first name. In later years, the company was known for producing extroverted cars with outlandish names like Sagaris (a Persian-era battle-axe) and Cerbera (a derivative of Cerberus, the three-headed hound of hell).

Nothing resembling regular production began until the late 1950s, by which time Mr. Wilkinson had come up with the formula that served TVR well for the next several decades: a light tube chassis draped with oddly styled fiberglass bodywork. Mechanical components were a mishmash of parts from larger British manufacturers.

It all worked surprisingly well; early TVRs, while generally cramped and uncomfortable to drive on the street, proved to be capable weekend club racers. Because of a loophole in the British tax laws, TVRs of this era were available fully assembled or as a kit.

After the loophole was closed in 1970, most TVRs came fully assembled.

Mr. Wilkinson left the company in 1962, and TVR was sold to Martin Lilly in 1965.

Under Mr. Lilly’s stewardship, the company began to make an impression among American sports car enthusiasts.

From the start of regular production in the mid-1950s until 2006, TVR produced fewer than 30,000 cars, Mr. Moore estimated.

Mr. Wilkinson stayed in touch with TVR’s small fan base in the United States. He often attended club events, including the annual gathering of the TVR Car Club of North America. Mr. Moore said Mr. Wilkinson had been bemused by the size of the gatherings and the popularity of the cars in America and had admired the cars built by TVR’s subsequent owners.

The future of TVR is uncertain, with its factory in Blackpool closed since late 2006; there have been several failed attempts by the current owner, Nikolai Smolenski, to restart production or to sell the company .

Mr. Wilkinson was not married and had been living in retirement in Spain at his death.

http://www.tvr.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVR

America in recession? I dont think so says Classic Car market…

Many are of the opinion that buying classic cars in the US would be the best thing for people outside its four walls at this point in time.

They couldn’t be more wrong.

At a time when many say that the USA is going into recession, the classic car market has not been recorded at a stronger point in the last 12 months, especially with the most recent auction results.

Sure, there may be certain distress sales, but when your talking about pure classics and muscle, you better bring a good bank account with you to the table, as the bidding is going through the roof. Alternatively, if you have been sitting and converting your hard earned cash into Euros – you bet well and can buy more.

SCM and its analysts have a great few things to say about what is and what isn’t hitting the mark in terms of estimates for certain Hemi packed cars or Cobra stinging AC’s  going up on the auction block. Have a look at what they have to say here in an article entitled “Recession Proof Muscle Cars”

http://www.sportscarmarket.com/articles/archives/1429

If you need more convincing, how about a $ 1 Million Ford while youy here? Think I’m joking? Think again. Have a look here:

http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/fortune/2008/03/13/fortune.callaway.ford.fortune

But to top it all off, a ginger haired ex- Radio DJ from UK has gone and done what no man has done before. That is to buy a 1961 Ferrari California Spyder for over $ 11 Million (previously owned by a certain J Coburn). The Internet still burns with stories covering the event itself. No doubt, the man loves his cars, but paid perhaps a tad too much we think.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/1961-ferrari-california-spyder-sells-for-record-10-894-900/

http://uk.reuters.com/article/motoringNews/idUKNOA03787520080520

http://www.luxurylaunches.com/auctions/ferrari_fetches_11_million_at_an_auction.php

There have been numerous records set and many broken this year, in fact so many, I didn’t want to list them just yet.

 We do still have 5 months left in 2008 and I will post the most exciting ones for last.

Till then,

Enjoy.

Fake Ferrari manufacturers caught red handed….

Italian Tax Police Bust Up Fake-Ferrari Ring

 

 

Auto-Body Shops Built Counterfeits Using Pontiac Fieros

By ROSAMARIA MANCINI
February 28, 2008

(See Corrections and Amplifications item below.)

 

It was the ultimate face-lift: a sporty red Ferrari F355 on the outside, a used Pontiac Fiero on the inside.

That was enough, apparently, to entice wannabe Ferrari owners to plunk down €20,000, or about $30,000, for the chance to own an approximation of the real thing.

Yesterday, Italian tax police, the Guardia di Finanza, busted up a ring of auto-body shops across the country that were trafficking in one of the most high-end and high-priced counterfeit cars of all time.

See photos of some fake Ferraris.

The ring operated in a dozen cities from near the Alps in the north to Sicily in the south. Tax police rounded up seven completed fake Ferraris, as well as another seven that were still being decked out. Some of the counterfeit cars had already been sold. They also seized numerous spare parts, some of which were genuine Ferrari. Eight people were placed under investigation, but no arrests were made.

The head of the Palermo unit of the tax police, Guido Mario Geremia, who spearheaded the investigation, said it involved “a sophisticated operation that was running throughout Italy.”

The global counterfeit industry has been one of the world’s most inventive, churning out knockoff copies not just of Channel handbags and Gucci sunglasses, but also of products ranging from high-end wines to pharmaceuticals, telecommunications equipment and videogames.

Even by those standards, copying a Ferrari seems particularly brazen. The company makes about 6,000 cars a year, and waiting lists for new models can run years. Most cost more than $200,000, but prices can soar far beyond that depending on the level of customization. The company boasts that its engineering — much of which it also uses on its championship Formula One racing team — is second to none.

So who would dare buy a fake? “There are people who buy fake Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags, so it’s not so strange that someone would buy a fake Ferrari,” said Mr. Geremia.

Mr. Geremia said he began working on the case six months ago based on a tip. He was able to trace the different cars and fake parts to cities throughout Italy, where specialized auto-body shops would strip down the body of the old Fiero, including its bumpers, hood and rear, and then mount parts to build the fake Ferrari.

Once assembled, the fake Ferraris looked pretty close to the real things. At least when standing still. The Pontiac Fiero, whose production cycle spanned the second half of the 1980s, was considered a peppy, if not so dependable, two-seater. Still, its V4 engine is no match for the V8 under the hood of the F355, which boasts a top speed of 183 miles per hour.

In a few cases, Mercedes and Porsches were used as the underlying cars instead of Pontiacs.

Ferrari SpA, a unit of Fiat SpA, had no comment on the investigation. Spokeswoman Mariella Mengozzi said the company works side by side with authorities in Italy and abroad on these types of investigations.

Last year, fake Ferraris were nabbed by the tax police in Sardinia and Rome. In 2006, the European Commissioner for Justice, Franco Frattini, protested publicly that fake Ferraris were popping up in China.

The ring uncovered yesterday included salesmen who promoted what they said were “replica” Ferraris over several Internet sites. They also operated showrooms where the cars were displayed. Others provided parts, from headlights to steering wheels.

The latest figures from the World Customs Organization show that all types of counterfeits result in about $500 billion to $600 billion in lost sales annually, which is about 5% of global trade.

Harley Lewin, a partner with New York law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP, who specializes in counterfeit issues and isn’t involved in the Ferrari case, said that even a few fake Ferraris on the road could harm the company’s image. “It starts to taint the brand,” he said. “It becomes a big deal; all of the sudden legitimate products start to lose their color, their appeal. The fake cheapen and diminish the real thing.”

Write to Rosamaria Mancini at Rosamaria.Mancini@dowjones.com

ANOTHER BARN FIND !

This time SCM finds another – but genuine and collosal car stash in Australia.

You have to see it to believe it.

http://www.sportscarmarket.com/garage/slideshow.php

Enjoy.

RetroMod Muscle on the horizon…..

With so many cars now coming out as part of a retro inspired – back to the future style marketing ploy – we now find this…….have we really run out of new ideas?

Or is the classic car market really bubbling over into the new age market ?

A Challenger for every budget

Dodge recently launched a new microsite to help hype the 2009 Challenger.

photo courtesy Dodge

Rumors about the Dodge Challenger have been flying around since the concept first made its debut, at the New York International Auto Show, Chrysler unveiled its full 2009 Dodge Challenger model lineup which will include the SRT8 with a 425hp, 6.1-liter Hemi, the R/T with a 375hp, 5.7-liter Hemi and the SE with a 250hp, 3.5-liter V-6.

 

“Our all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger is a modern-day muscle machine representing the best from the past and present,” said Mike Accavitti, director of Dodge and SRT Global Marketing. “Thirty-five years following the debut of the original, we are bringing Dodge Challenger back and loading it with essential hardware, styling and technology desired by today’s buyer.” Numbers have yet to be revealed, but officials are saying that prices will start in the low $20,000s for the SE.

 

For complete information about the entire 2009 Challenger lineup, check out the elaborate microsite Dodge has set up.

American Supercar. Mojo Rising…..

According to Hemmings News:

The S5S Raptor concept came out of a partnership between American Specialty Cars and Saleen.

Having recently undergone major changes in administration and location, specialty manufacturer Saleen Inc. reinforced their high-end American performance status at the 2008 New York International Auto Show’s introduction of the S5S Raptor. American Specialty Cars (ASC) partnered with Saleen on the design and construction of this striking concept, which sports an aluminum chassis and composite bodywork.

 

The S5S Raptor is motivated by a mid-mounted, E85 ethanol-fueled, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine that makes 650hp and 630-lbs.ft. of torque; this power is fed through a six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels, allowing a 0-60 mph run of 3.2 seconds and a top speed north of 200 mph. Saleen hinted that production may begin in 2010, and the car could come to market with a sticker price of $185,000, making it a bargain in comparison to the even more potent 750hp, $555,000-plus S7 Twin Turbo.

 

Information is forthcoming at www.saleen.com.

American Muscle guns for the Nissan GTR

According to Hemmings News- the Cadillac strikes back….

Early indications are that the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is capable of thumping German sedans on their home turf.

photo courtesy GM

Gasp! The fastest sports sedan to ever lap the ’ring on street tires has a wreath and crest in its grille, not a three-pointed star, four interlaced rings, or whatever that round blue and white thing on BMWs is supposed to be.

 

In testing May 8 at Germany’s legendary Nürburgring race track, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V completed a lap of the legendary Nordschleife in 7:59.32. This blistering time appears to be the fastest ever publicly documented for a production sedan on factory-spec street tires, according to GM’s propaganda department.

 

The latest edition of the V owes its world-beating performance to a supercharged 6.2 LSA small block with 556hp and 551-lbs.ft. of torque. GM is saying that the car will smack down the 60-mph mark in 3.9 seconds and run the quarter in the 12s at 118 mph — which is a slightly high trap speed, so you can’t help but wonder if the car could dip into the 11s on sticky tires. Of course, it’s a Cadillac so this isn’t about drag racing. The CTS-V will ride on GM’s Magnetic Ride Control with electromagnetically controlled shocks giving drivers the option of a stiff or supple ride. There will be two transmissions on tap: a six-speed manual Tremec with two overdrive gears or GM’s 6L90 six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

For the complete story, photos and footage of GM’s John Heinricy flogging the V around the ’ring, check out: www.cadillac.com/09ctsv.

Rolls Royce Hyperion

According to Hemmings News:

The Hyperion is a Pininfarina styled Rolls-Royce designed to pay homage to the great pre-war cars.

photo courtesy Pininfarina

A private client has commissioned Carrozzeria Pininfarina to create a very special Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupé, which is taking the form of the Pininfarina Hyperion.

 

The Hyperion is, in Pininfarina’s words, “an homage to the great pre-war cars.” This one-off ultra-luxury convertible will hark back to the heritage of both Rolls-Royce and Pininfarina, and judging by the teaser drawing the Italian firm has released, its styling is highly dramatic.

 

The Hyperion will make its public debut at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August; stay tuned for more details.

Since our partners are a great contributing force to Pebble Beach, we will be getting you pictures out worldwide almost certainly before anyone else does.

The Lamborghini Reventon. Hypercar or just Hyper Hype?

Ever since its debut, the Lamborghini Reventon has become a household name.

Back when we were invited to the Launch of the Maserati GT in Dubai at DIFC, many movers and shakers amongst the super car owners club there led me to believe that one was heading its way to Dubai, straight into the hands of a certain Lebanese businessman.

Nevertheless, here we are in August of this year and not a single shot of the car has been seen sent out over the net or in print – cruising down the roads of the UAE. With only 20 units world wide, what can you expect?

HOWEVER, this is the UAE.

With showrooms that are adorned with Carrera GT’s and Maserati MC12’s like they were mere kinder egg toys, one made its way here.

As instantly as it arrived, it disappeared just the same.

Here is what the first one ever – delivered to Vegas looks like coming in (unwrapped like the best Xmas gift you could imagine):

The Rolling Art Emporium is well connected. We make no bones about it. Your probably asking what the second car in the gallery above is. Read on to find out.

But first, more of my ranting.The problem with a car like the Reventon is that it is bound to be paraded around the worldwide market. How sad for Lamborghini that they now end up on the web as opposed to being cherished in a private collection.

Have a look for yourself: http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/lamborghini/unspecified/670537.html

But there is always a catch. The car may not be for export out of the USA. There are regulations that keep them stateside.

Want one? Why not 2?

RAE can get you one if you want it, not a problem at all.

Want a Bugatti Pur Sang? Again, not a problem.

How about an MC12? Or perhaps something as insane but road legal as FXX or an FXX with a MC12 Corsa engine mated to it? All available and not a problem.

The only real problem with all these cars is they are marketing exercises. Dont get me wrong – I am perhaps the happiest person alive to see these cars in the flesh and under private ownership. The problem is they circulate far too often on a global scale.

Even the Enzo, the F50 and the McLaren F1 have not been immune to this dreadful business.

In light of this, the Rolling Art Emporium would like to think that we cater to the tastes of the genuine collector, which brings us to our Mystery car:

The 1996 Lamborghini Zagato Raptor

Zagato launched an exciting new sportscar on the occasion of the 1996 Geneva Show. A World Premier, the Raptor is a provocative styling proposal powered by Lamborghini’s classic V-12. The car features a novel modular cockpit lay-out with a front-hinged, one-piece greenhouse section which includes the doors, windscreen and the company’s famous double-bubble roofline. From a traditional two-seater coupe, the Raptor can be transformed into a two-seater Barchetta. Following on in Zagato’s long tradition of memorable show cars, the Raptor is no mere dream car, but a thoroughly practical and feasible production proposition. The Zagato Styling Centre (SZ Design) has developed the Raptor in order to ensure it could be built as a limited series. From the innovative tubular and box-section chassis to the exciting interior styling, the Raptor is a concentration of advanced design and engineering. Fully certifiable for the road, this ultra-high performance, mid-engined sports coupe uses a powerful 5.7 liter V-12 driving all four wheels. Lamborghini carried out tests on the Raptor, after which it appeared at Pebble Beach Concours celebrating the Zagato marque.

Now thats what I call a truely exclusive hyper car with no hype about it…..

If you want it, we own it, so you can have it and there is only one in the world.

Calling all genuine car collectors…..

Enjoy.

Sharjah Classic Car Museum to the rescue on RTA’s new law? ATC to form new body or laws?

The Rolling Art Emporium would no doubt have serious concerns about the new law that the RTA has passed regarding cars over 20 years old. Our sole speciality concerns the finest classic and vintage cars in the World.

However, amidst the mass hysteria and panic for those who own and trade in classic cars – or even cars that are over 20 years old should stop holding their breath and foaming at the mouth.

The Sharjah Classic Car Museum is also home to the Sharjah Classic Car Club. Why should this interest you or classic car owners? All shall be revealed:

The Sharjah Government has lobbied long and hard to the Federal Council to initiate what it has recognized as a rapidly growing community of classic car owners and thus under law – allowed to issue Federal plates for classic cars.

A membership form filed along with the fee to join the club and other costs involved in procuring the plate insure your car is protected.

On a private visit to the Museum, the curator was keen to mention that they would help owners register their cars even they currently were registered in Dubai. They even have services to look after your vehicle, and send it off for its testing to secure its registration, so you have nothing to worry about.

One should mention, of the first 5 members of the club – MBS himself is a member and the honorary star guest who was given a personal tour when it was first opened.

But wait – there is a catch.

Firstly the club needs the car to be physically present before it can be protected via registration and given a plate.

They will not provide such services for cars they do not deem to be classic, vintage or historic (despite the fact that the Museum is home to replicas and other such cars it does not register).

Such details include cars that are ‘younger’ than 1970 or more would not fall into the category.

All registering cars will also have to be part of the club, which means the joining fee and the renewal fee every year. A small cost in my mind for those who can already enjoy such a small (or extreme) luxury.

For those of you concerned about the Sharjah element and making their way to the Museum, have no fear. It is located conveniently off the Emirates Road and the Curator and Director are very friendly and willing people. We have personally had tours one on one there and can say the initiative is present with some way to go before they reach the correct calibre of presentation and content.

Recently their web contacts list has been taken off the list of Sharjah Museums, however – I have a contact number and fax number for you to reach them on:

Phone  065 58 00 58

Fax      065 58 08 07

How about Dubai then? What will they do you ask.

Well, from extremely reliable sources, we know for a fact that the ATC UAE is working its way towards establishing a body modelled closely on the guidelines of the Federation of International Classic Vehicles (of which it became a member not long ago).

I have yet to contact them and establish exactly what their laws are regarding “Classic” vehicles and how to go about protecting them. Once I know more – so will you.

Dubai is a place I have lived in all my life. If its known for one thing – its being realistic. Fine, the RTA has passed a drastic law – the intentions of which have not been clearly outlined. At some point before 2009 in the coming months, they will sharply review the law with exceptions – which I suspect will protect classic cars.

I am vary as to what the definition of a classic car is, but I imagine it will be something along the lines of the Sharjah Car Club mark of 1970 and older.

I know first hand that there are over 5000 classic cars in Dubai alone which are registered. Some personal collections even span into an excess of 175 cars amongst prominent but very low key people.

I suspect that ExoClass Club UAE will be meeting at some point once all its members and committee chairs have returned from their summer vacations to discuss this further.

Rumor has it that a recent article in Gulf News claimed that all classic cars would be protected from this law. How? What defines a classic car – the gent who sent in the email did not say, but once we find out more – we will post it up here for all to see.

We welcome all your suggestions and concerns and if a petition need be started – your signatures. Send them all in to info@rollingartemporium.com