Porsche has hit the million with the 911 reaching this massive milestone.

• Zuffenhausen celebrates the original sports car and design icon

It is the quintessential sports car for everyday driving, and a style icon that is unmistakable as both the face and heart of the Porsche brand: the 911. In Zuffenhausen today, the one-millionth model rolled off the production line – a Carrera S in the special color "Irish Green," with numerous exclusive features following the original 911 from 1963. 

The two-door car remains the most important model in the product range and is key in helping Porsche maintain its position as one of the most prestigious car manufacturers in the world.

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG, has been a part of the development of the 911 since day one: "54 years ago, I was able to take my first trips over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road with my father. 

The feeling of being in a 911 is just as enjoyable now as it was then. That's because the 911 has ensured that the core values of our brand are as visionary today as they were in the first Porsche 356/1 from 1948."

The Porsche 911 established a new category and remains at the pinnacle of the premium sports car segment. In 2016 alone, 32,365 vehicles were delivered worldwide – more than ever before. Nevertheless, it has maintained its exclusivity over the decades and has become a coveted collector's item. 

The quality of the 911 and Porsche vehicles in general, is legendary. Over 70 percent of all Porsche cars ever built are still ready to drive today. In addition, the Porsche 911 can consistently be found at the top of quality rankings such as the "Initial Quality Study" from the U.S. market research institute J.D. Power.

The mythology of the Porsche 911 has been cultivated by countless motorsport successes. No other sports car embodies this recipe for success quite like the 911. More than half of Porsche's over 30,000 race wins can be credited to the iconic car, and it still thrills private motorsport enthusiasts around the world in numerous racing series.

Porsche has never strayed from the founding concept of the original 911. "But we have continued to enhance the technology of the 911, refining and perfecting the sports car," says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, "that's why it remains a state-of-the-art and technically innovative vehicle. We have also been able to expand the model line very successfully through derivatives."

One significant factor in this success is the production site at the headquarters in Zuffenhausen, where all 911s ever built have been manufactured. Today, all two-door cars – 911, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman – and their various derivatives are handled on one assembly line thanks to a sophisticated production approach. 

The assembly workers are experts in up to 200 different tasks and, with their passion and knowledge, they ensure that each Porsche is delivered with the quality typical of the brand. Uwe Hück, Chair of the Group Works Council of Porsche, says: "I cannot imagine the success story of the 911 without our unique Porsche employees. Today, we have the one-millionth 911. The good thing about it is that our colleagues still make them with the same devotion as the first car. The construction of the Mission E at the Zuffenhausen site is ringing in a new era at Porsche. 

And it is clear that if we are to make it a success, we will need our highly qualified and motivated employees. They will make sure that the Mission E is an emotional experience just like our 911 has always been – and always will be."

The one-millionth 911 will not be sold. Before it moves on to enrich the collection at the Porsche Museum, it will embark on a world tour and will take road trips in the Scottish Highlands, around the Nürburgring, and in the USA, China, and beyond.

What must surely be the best MK1 Ford Cortina from 1963 is up for auction at Historics at Brooklands.

Historics offers for sale arguably the finest remaining 1963 Ford Cortina, that’s travelled an average of one mile-a-day in its 53 years

‘Exclusive’ isn’t a word that best describes the Mk. I Ford Cortina after sales that crested one million.  Nevertheless an early, immaculate, and very original example of the 1500 GT model that comes to sale at Historics at Brooklands major classic car auction near Weybridge on Saturday, August 20^th is a wholly different matter, having travelled an average of just one mile a day since it left the Dagenham factory 53 years ago.

Fitted with a tuned 1,498cc engine, the 1500 GT was the top specification model of the day, its  zesty 78bhp sufficient to propel the svelte four-door to 95mph, with a 0-60 acceleration time of just 14 seconds… leaving the Morris Oxford of the day some five seconds in its wake.

Despite its performance, when it appeared in the Ford showroom at a princely £748, this 1963 Cortina 1500 GT would have played second fiddle on the attention stakes to the fleet of Mk.I’s that starred in the saucy ‘Carry on Cabby’ film that screened at the time, helping to secure valuable awareness for Ford’s new model.  

However, since it was first registered on 4^th July 1963, the fastidious care and obsessive attention paid to it by its two owners – the last acquiring the car 27 years ago - makes this 19,244 warranted mile car arguably the finest and most original Mk.1 Cortina remaining today.

This multiple concours* winner, ARE 163A, features superb Goodwood Green coachwork, and the interior is utterly as-new. The dashboard, featuring the early strip speedometer and pod-mounted rev counter, has no age-related blemishes and the seating, trim and and original carpets are unmarked.  

Interested parties should note that the car is currently fitted with a period Les Leston Grand Prix steering wheel, and that the original is sold with the car.

The scene under-bonnet is delightful and exactly as it should be, and ditto beneath the car, where the condition is as fine as topside, with the jack and tools - spotless and polished - all present and correct.

The garage owner who has conducted the majority of the MoT tests has re-affirmed the car’s magnificent condition, adding that he recalled a time when the previous owner refused to drive the car home after the test as it was raining, choosing to walk instead. He collected the car three days later… when the roads were dry.

Very substantial interest at the estimate of £24,000-£28,000 is anticipated in acquiring this very rare, superb 1963 Ford Cortina 1500 GT in time-warp condition. 

It is one of the highlights of the sale of 140 fine classic motor cars and motorcycles, across a wide range of values, marques and eras, on Saturday, August 20^th by Historics at Brooklands Museum, Surrey, where all consignments can be viewed on the Thursday and Friday prior.

*The current vendor has shown the car at a number of events, unsurprisingly with great success. The following are just some of the awards it has won:

1990 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Concours winner

1991 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Best GT (National Rally)

1992 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club - Concours winner

Ford 1600E Owners Club, Visitors - Concours winner

Auto-Glym Concours 1960-1970 - Classic saloons winner

1995 Mk.I Cortina Owners Club (National Rally) - Concours winner

100's of bidders helped Classic Car Auctions achieve a remarkable 80% sales rate for their latest classic car sale.

Hundreds of bidders in the packed out auction hall at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre helped Classic Car Auctions (CCA) achieve a 80 per cent sales rate and total sales of more than £1.4million in its auction on Saturday, its biggest ever sales total.

Headlining the results was a very exciting 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series I Fixedhead Coupe ‘barnfind’ which sold for £66,000 including premium.

With no less than 12 phone bidders fighting for the car plus plenty of interest in the room, the highly sought after early manual car covered in dust eventually sold to rapturous applause for more than double its upper estimate.  

Buyers at the auction also had the chance to bid on some great value modern performance cars. A 2006 Porsche 911 (997) 3.6 Turbo, a UK car with a manual gearbox, sold for £33,880 while a 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage with just 15,000 miles on the clock sold for £39,600. With renewed interest in the marque, a 1996 TVR Griffith 500 in need of some TLC sold for £14,300, nearly three times its lower estimate.

The very best Fast Fords continue to prove in demand from enthusiasts and a rare, low mileage 1987 Ford Capri 280 Brooklands sold for £31,200, nearly double its lower estimate.

Commenting on the results from the sale, CCA general manager, Guy Lees-Milne, said: "This was our biggest catalogue yet and our customers were clearly impressed by the great selection, variety and value of cars we had on offer. It was great to see so many people join us, the atmosphere was once again fantastic with some very special cars selling for some amazing prices.” 

A pair of special 80s hatchbacks drew nostalgic glances from auction goers. With just 6,000 miles on the clock, a fantastic 1983 Ford Fiesta Popular Plus was snapped up for £7,700. Owned by a husband and wife for more than 20 years, a now rare 1988 MG Metro sold for £6,600.

Always proving popular, particularly the very best examples, a cherished 1972 Volvo 1800 ES was sold for £24,420, more than double its lower estimate. This car, with only 32,000 miles recorded, was sparkling and won many fans on auction day.

CCA is now inviting entries into its September Sale which takes place once again at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre near Leamington Spa, on the 24^th of September.  

Guy added: “I’m delighted that once again we have helped our vendors sell their ‘everyman’ cars for some great prices. It’s always wonderful to welcome new buyers to our sales and hope to see many more at our next auction.”

You can view the full results from CCA’s June Sale here http://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/cca-june-2016-classic-car-sale/view_lots/pn/all.

A pair of barn find jaguar E-Type Mark 1's are up for auction and restoration at the next CCA sale.

Two early Jaguar E-type barn finds, both ideal candidates for restoration projects, will be auctioned by Classic Car Auctions (CCA) at the June Sale on Saturday 18^th June at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa.

The first of the pair is a 1963 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series I Fixedhead Coupe. Clearly a well-loved car, the first owner kept it for 30 years before it was passed on to its second owner in 1993. Driven for only two years, the car was then tucked away in a barn and has recently been discovered an amazing 20 years later.

This early E-Type is an original, highly desirable, UK right-hand drive manual now in need of some TLC.  Beneath the dust, this blue E-type presents in partially dismantled condition with the bumpers, headlamp covers, engine air filter and interior carpets removed. The bodywork appears to be sound with the original dashboard,glass and wheels still in place.

The car now offers an exciting opportunity for an E-type enthusiast to bring it back to life when it goes to auction this month with an estimate of £25,000 to £30,000.

Speaking ahead of the sale, Guy Lees-Milne, general manager of Classic Car Auctions, commented “The Jaguar E-type is one of the most recognised and iconic cars ever produced and is extremely popular among classic car fans. Barn finds such as these offer the chance to purchase a beautiful car at a great value price and bring back to its former glory, a labour of love which could also be a very savvy investment.”

The second E-type ready for resurrection is a 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 Coupe 2+2, a model which is currently increasing in value on the market. The right-hand drive, manual example with a 4-speed gearbox is an abandoned restoration project which ran out of steam some 15 years ago.

The car presents today as partially stripped with the bodyshell described as solid and in good order, currently partially painted in a grey oxide undercoat. The interior has been restored at some stage and can easily be returned to good condition. Though the Webasto roof is in a poor state, the car is up on its wheels with the engine, exhaust, gearbox, and steering all fitted.

The Jaguar Heritage Certificate confirms that the car was manufactured on 11^th July 1966 and originally finished in Opalescent Dark Blue. The chassis number also ties up and its original registration number was 'DSO 672E'. This unfinished project car comes with bags of potential and an auction sale estimate of between £12,000 and £15,000 for the ambitious prospective new owner.

Baron's Spring classic Auction brought some huge prices and some stunning cars from all over the world.

A trio of Italian sports cars topped the popularity polls at Barons’ Spring Classic sale at Sandown Park on April 6^th. However, in an auction in which several lots powered past top estimate, the biggest battle was over a one-owner, 1963 Triumph TR4, which sold for more than double estimate after frenzied bidding.

The highest price of the day was the £79,200 achieved for the immaculate 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago, reinforcing that fine examples of this supercar will command premium prices. It was joined on the ‘podium’ for top spot by the very pretty 1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Touring Spider, which exceeded top estimate to sell for £35,750, and the 1971 Alfa Romeo Montreal restoration project, which also exceeded estimate, at £27,500.

Bidding on the highly original 1964 Triumph TR4 was quite extraordinary, with a tenacious telephone bidder finally securing it for £26,950. The one-owner car has sat in a garage since its road tax ran out in November 1991, and the bidding battle to over double estimate reflected both the desirability of this classic British sports car and the importance of interesting provenance.

Another iconic British model to power past top estimate was the superb 1973 MG B roadster, which has had almost 3,000 man-hours spent on refurbishment. The new owner drove that away for £20,350. And the charming 1935 Riley Falcon – which was in the same ownership for 77 years from 1935 to 2012 – has gone to just its third owner, for £15,765.

It was a very busy saleroom again, creating a great atmosphere for the auction. There were a record number of internet bidders, and a large number of telephone bidders - many of whom ended up buying cars - and multiple commission bids on several cars. Many of the cars that did not sell under the hammer generated a lot of interest afterwards, most notably the Triumph TR3, which subsequently sold. Barn find and restoration projects are still very much in vogue; in addition to the Alfa Montreal, the Jensen Interceptor and Volvo P1800s sold under the hammer.

Tim Gascoigne, Barons’ Auction Manager, commented, “We are really pleased with the strong results, and it goes to show that you don’t always need to have a large number of cars to have a good sale, as quality really is key. We’re now very much looking forward to returning to Sandown Park for our Ford Auction on Saturday 30th April at the International Ford Show.”

Results, Barons, Sandown Park, April 6^th

Make/Model	Sold @ Inc
2004 Lamborghini Murcielago	£79,200
1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Touring Spider	£35,750
1971 Alfa Romeo Montreal	£27,500
1963 Triumph TR4	£26,950
1965 Ford Mustang Coupe	£25,850
1973 MG B Roadster	£20,350
1995 Aston Martin DB7	£18,150
1998 Aston Martin DB7	£16,500
1935 Riley Falcon	£15,675
2001 Maserati 3200 GT	£14,300
1969 MG CGT	£12,925
1950 Opel Olympia	£8,800
1984 Mercedes 500SEC	£8,580
1967 Toyota Corona 1600S Coupe	£6,875
1972 Jensen Interceptor III	£6,750
1975 BMW 1602 Coupe	£5,610
1991 Bentley Turbo R	£4,600
1989 Mercedes 500SEC	£3,960
1984 Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe	£3,850
1996 Mini Cooper Saloon	£3,800
1998 Jaguar XJS Paul Banhams Conv.	£3,520
1998 Jaguar XK8 Coupe	£3,520
1992 Mercedes 190E	£3,080
1985 Opel Monza GSE 3.0 Coupe	£3,080
1996 Alfa Romeo Spider Convertible	£2,860
1991 Mitsubishi 3000 GTO V6 4WD	£2,800
1979 MG BGT	£2,420
1999 BMW 323i	£2,200
1973 MG BGT	£2,200
1964 Volvo P1800S	£1,870
2004 MG TF Sports Convertible	£1,760
1999 Mercedes C200 Classic Saloon	£1,350
1972 Volkswagen K70	£1,250
1995 BMW    328i	£1,150