New AutoCars News: Classics Cars

Showing posts with label Classics Cars. Show all posts

1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible

7:02 AM

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The impressive-looking example is one of just 116 units produced in 1969, when it was custom-ordered by the son of a wealthy Kentucky-based tobacco family, who decided in the end not to take delivery for personal reasons. The vehicle ended up in Tennessee and this is when Bryan Cooper, the promoter of Knoxville Corvette Expo, who offered it to Corvette authority Paul Kitchen, bought the car in 1977. The two men dropped the gas tank and discovered the sticker for verification, which remained with Kitchen when he sold the car, but it was reunited with the model in November 1987.

The classic Corvette was placed in storage for almost 25 years, until February 2012, when it was delivered to Roger Gibson, a renowned restoration expert, who spent 5,100 hours restoring it, in a 19-month period. This is when the drop-top received the correct fresh LeMans Blue paint and the matching Bright Blue interior, along with the black vinyl auxiliary hardtop. Original components were preserved during the process and these include the open-chamber head L88engine, producing 430HP and connected to the aluminum-case 4-speed transmission.

The 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson's 45th Scottsdale event, which will be held between January 23 and 31, 2016. Besides the vehicle, the new owner will also receive several signed documents, noting its past history, receipts and two three-ring binders detailing the work made by Gibson, NCRS shipping report, NCRS validation service, "Prove It" report and, of course, the original Tank Sticker.

6:38 AM

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Manufactured in July 1955, it had an in an Ivory (DB 608) painted bodywork with a Red leather (1079) interior. It's recorded in the Gull Wing Group and Eric LeMoine 300 SL Registers and, unlike the majority of US-delivery Gullwings, which were imported through Max Hoffman in New York City, this one was sent west for a special order through the brand's LA distributor.

One of its long-term owners was Ottmar Thomas of Visalia, from California, who had the car in his possession between 1972 and 1990, when it was bought by Paul Russell & Company. Before being sold to its present owner, racing driver and Mercedes-Benz restorer Lothar Motsenbacher, it was repainted in the Silver (DB 180) color, which it retains and comes with the usual chips and cracking expected from age. The engine bay in which the 3.0-liter inline-six sits is described as having "the correct patina" and the bumper and chrome grille were re-plated, while the rest of the chrome is original.

"Aged" is a word that can used to describe the cabin, too, as the Roser leather on the seats shows the usual wear but "is not cracked or split", at least according to the seller. In the boot, this classic Merc sports the correct full-sized spare and tire along with a jack. This 300 SL Gullwing will go under the hammer at RM Sotheby's Arizona auction on January 28 and is expected to sell for anywhere between $1,1 million to $1,5 million.

9:02 PM

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The major attraction was of course the Skoda 935 Dynamic prototype, a streamlined concept dating back to 1935 which was carefully restored back to its original condition by Skoda themselves. This is after all the only one in existence globally, with its last public appearance set back in October 1935 at the Motor Show in Prague where the Skoda 935 Dynamic made its debut. With its teardrop-shaped body, the 935 was exhibiting one of the most progressive designs in the auto industry at the time.

The mid-engined concept is using a body made out of aluminum/steel composite which kept the weight figure down at 1170kg. The water-cooled flat-four 2.0-litre engine is mounted in front of the rear axle and produces 54hp, enough the take the aerodynamic 935 at speed up to 140km/h. Measuring 4.86m in length, 1.68m wide and 1.54m high, this Skoda prototype is a testament of the innovative power that fuelled Skoda back then.

The car was a part of a private collection from 1939 and up until 1968 where the then newly-founded Skoda Museum bought it with Skoda deciding a full restoration back to its original glory in 2012.

Skoda showcased nine cars in total, with the rest of them to be the Laurin & Klement Voiturette A (1905), Laurin & Klement Type S (1911), Laurin & Klement 110 (1925), ŠKODA 645 (1930), ŠKODA Rapid Cabrio de Luxe (1937), ŠKODA Superb OHV (1939), ŠKODA Felicia (1961) and the ŠKODA 1100 MBX (1969).