Classic Car Auctions to showcase an eclectic range of cars for their final auction of the year.

• 130 ‘everyman’ classics will be offered at auction at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre on Saturday 3^rdDecember.
• Lots include a 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo, a 1973 Jaguar E-Type SIII V12 Roadster barn-find, the first ever 1977 Vauxhall Chevette HS and a special VW Beetle charity lot.
• The sale is the auction houses’ final event of 2016 and includes a special viewing day on Friday 2^ndDecember.

Classic Car Auctions returns this weekend with its final auction of the year and a catalogue of 130 quality ‘everyman’ classics for sale on Saturday 3^rd December at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.

With a diverse mix of traditional and modern classics on offer, buyers can expect everything from rare, low mileage collectibles, to eighties performance icons, timeless, restored classics and ready for restoration ‘barn finds’, offering the chance to buy some of the most desirable cars on the market, along with some healthy investment opportunities, given the growth in the sub-£100k market.

 

Proving popular at CCA sales, a number of iconic, modern performance cars headline the sale including a remarkable UK supplied, right-hand drive 1992 Honda NSX, finished in striking metallic black with a black leather interior. Supplied with a perfectly suited registration plate, 'J13 NSX', it is estimated at between £30,000 and £35,000.

Another iconic model, a 2001 Subaru Impreza P1 2.0T 4WD 2DR, number 524 of just 1000 limited editions by Prodrive, and with just one previous registered owner, offers great value to buyers with a sale estimate of £10,000 to £12,000. A supercharged 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG, with incredible performance and luxury, also offers buyers exceptional value, with a sale estimate of £8,000 to £10,000.

Fans of British performance models have the chance to own a 1999 Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo, with both low mileage and recent servicing, estimated at between £26,000 and £30,000.

A fantastic choice of Porsches are also available, with a right-hand drive 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo finished in Tahiti Blue and maintained in excellent condition, estimated at between £55,000 and £65,000.

A very well cared for 1983 Porsche 944 Lux, finished in Guards Red with a leather and pinstriped velour interior, and reading just 61,000 miles, is estimated at between £8,000 and £10,000. Also, an attractive 1980 Porsche 911 3.0 SC Targa which has benefitted from much recent expenditure, is expected to achieve between £20,000 and £25,000 on sale day.

Barn-find E-Types are now a regular at CCA, commanding elevated sale prices over the last year, and a UK, right-hand drive 1973 Jaguar E-Type SIII V12 Roadster barn-find, ready for restoration, is therefore sensibly guided at £25,000 to £30,000.

Other highlights of the auction include a 1977 Vauxhall Chevette HS 2.3, a genuine part of motoring history as the very first example off the production line and now fully restored, estimated at between £18,000 and £22,000.

An unusual 1985 Mercedes-Benz 250 Limousine formerly owned by the United Arab Emirates Embassy will be offered at ‘No Reserve’.

Finally, the auction house will be offering a special charity lot, a 1975 Volkswagen 1303 Beetle Convertible, with all proceeds to be donated to 'Bloodwise', to end a year of fundraising for the blood cancer charity.

“We pride ourselves on the variety we offer our customers at our sales, and this one is no exception as one of our most exciting catalogues yet,” comments Guy Lees-Milne, auction manager at CCA. “We welcome all car fans, young and old, to our sales and we’ll be getting into the Christmas spirit early, so if you’re looking for a festive day out, or to buy the ultimate Christmas present, we can promise a very exciting auction.”

A special viewing afternoon will be held on Friday 2^nd December at the auction venue, near Leamington Spa. The sale itself begins at 12.30pm on Saturday 3^rd December. 

To celebrate the end of the seventh generation Phantom, Rolls-Royce has designed and built a bespoke picnic Hamper.

Rarity is an attribute awarded to items of true luxury. In this spirit, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has created a Picnic Hamper for the Phantom Zenith Collection; a rare and collectable addition to Rolls‑Royce’s remarkable new Bespoke end-of-the-line Phantom models.

As preparations for the eighth-generation Phantom limousine commence, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars earlier this year announced it will build 50 sumptuously specified Bespoke creations named the Phantom Zenith Collection, featuring the much-loved Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé models, both of which have been announced to leave the stage at the end of the year.

Recognising the unique nature of this Phantom celebration, collectors and patrons of the Phantom Zenith Collection have asked the marque to enrich these extraordinary pieces by offering exclusive access to the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design Team, who have responded by creating a Bespoke Picnic Hamper to complement each new motor car.

The picnic hamper completes the trinity of objects created under the Phantom Zenith Collection, joining the motor car and a unique metal ingot (a single piece of the Phantom assembly line from the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England), which will be presented in the motor car itself, hinting at the historical significance of this rare and precious collection.

The hamper will serve as a true collectors’ piece, marrying Rolls-Royce’s remarkable craftsmanship with its customary eye for detail. Every hamper will be sequentially numbered to perfectly match each owner’s Phantom Zenith Collection motor car.

Embodying the concept of the picnic as an occasion to be savoured and appreciated, the hamper itself is crafted from American Walnut wood and natural grain leather. Each is finished in a choice of three colour combinations matching the interior of the cars themselves. These include a subtly contrasting Ardent Red leather and black leather piping inspired by a 1929 Phantom II; a contemporary combination of Navy Blue and Arctic White leather piping evoking the genteel ambiance of a the original 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom II; or a timeless black Anthracite leather with Seashell piping, reminiscent of the 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

The hamper’s leather stitching – and a dart of contrast colour on the lid – echoes the interior of the Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé’s split tailgate, a private hosting area complete with a cool box, illuminated glass shelf, Champagne holder and a leather seat for two.

Upon opening the hamper owners will find inside a unique plaque corresponding to the identification number given to their vehicle – one of just 50.

Piano Black picnic tables housed within the hamper fold out on milled-aluminium hinges. Like the armrest cappings inside the car, the hinges reference the history of these remarkable motor cars, engraved with the locations of the global debut of the experimental versions of each car – Villa D’Este on the shores of Lake Como for 100EX, the progenitor of the Phantom Drophead Coupé; and Lake Geneva for the 101EX, the car that would ultimately become the Phantom Coupé.

The leather and wood interior shelving of the hamper contains lead crystal wine glasses, handmade stainless steel cutlery, napkins embroidered with the Rolls-Royce monogram in Arctic White, and a handcrafted American Walnut chopping board. A final flourish, the Zenith Collection Picnic Hamper comprises unique crockery, with painted black and platinum detail around the edges.

The Phantom Zenith Collection Picnic Hamper will be on display at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California from 17-21 August.

One-off 6-seater Audi limo took almost a year to develop to the same exacting standards as a standard A8

One-off six-seater Audi limousine took almost a year to develop and finesse to the same exacting standards as a production-ready A8

• Premium manufacturer develops and builds 6.36-metre luxury saloon to special customer order
• Comfortable and spacious seating for six
• Wheelbase extended by almost 1.1 metres over the A8 L, with a completely reworked outer skin starting from the A-pillar backwards
• Additional use of aluminium to lengthen and strengthen the Audi Space Frame

Audi has gone to even greater lengths to deliver all of the familiar trappings associated with its flagship A8 L model in an entirely unique format of considerable proportions. At the special request of a European customer, the premium brand has created the Audi A8 L extended, a built-to-order model measuring 6.36 metres (20.9 ft) in length and with a wheelbase of 4.22 metres (13.8 ft). 

The A8 L extended affords exquisite comfort for passengers occupying all of its six seats. Audi has further requests for the custom product already.

Experts invested almost a year in developing and building the exceptionally long luxury saloon. The result was an exclusive one-off specimen that meets the high standards of the production model in every domain. The major challenges concerned the safety and rigidity of the extra-large body, as well as the styling of the silhouette.

The Audi A8 L extended benefits from the low weight of the production model’s body, which uses an Audi Space Frame design and is made almost entirely from aluminium. For the built-to-order version the engineers extended the side sills and centre tunnel using extruded aluminium sections.

Inside the tunnel, these also assist with the air routing. A double rear bulkhead separates the passenger compartment from the luggage compartment; the roof incorporates additional aluminium profiled tubes and cross-braces. These measures provide torsional and flexural rigidity almost on a par with the A8 L.

The representative XXL saloon in discreet moonlight blue, metallic offers 1.09 metres (3.6 ft) more wheelbase and overall length than the Audi A8. To maintain a harmonious roof line, the entire body from the A-pillar back has been reworked.

The experts embedded a 2.40-metre (7.9 ft) glass panel in the roof skin to enhance the sense of spaciousness.

The sun blinds – one for each row of seats – prevent overheating of the interior in strong sunlight. The headlights and rear lights incorporate small side marker lights, as is prescribed by law for vehicles of this length.

All passengers face the direction of travel in the Audi A8 L extended. The six seats are upholstered in extra-supple Valcona leather, in the colour velvet beige. Rows two and three feature electrically adjustable individual seats. The third row has a continuous centre console, a Rear Seat Entertainment display and a cool box.

The one-off A8 version is powered by a 3.0 TFSI engine developing 310 PS, delivering up to 440 Nm(324.5 lb‑ft) of torque. This propels the saloon from 0 to 62 mph in 7.1 seconds and up to an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. 

An eight-speed tiptronic transfers engine power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. The 19‑inch wheels in 15‑spoke design conceal the brake system of the Audi S8, which assures outstanding deceleration of the over six-metre-long (19.7 ft) luxury saloon, with its unladen weight of 2,418 kilograms.

HRH Queen Elizabeth II has made the decision to sell of one of her luxury Bentley's, your's for £200k

• Unique Bentley Mulsanne as used exclusively by the Queen has gone on sale
• Limousine used by her Majesty during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations and to visit 10 Downing Street and has only done 5,000 miles
• Unique Mulsanne served a total of two years for use exclusively by Queen Elizabeth II
• Satellite Navigation system features Windsor as the home address
• Mulsanne is Bentley’s flagship luxury limousine powered by a 6.75-litre with over 500bhp, and this Royal example is on sale for just under £200,000

The Queen’s Bentley Mulsanne limousine has gone on sale for just under £200,000 on Auto Trader. This rolling piece of history was reserved for exclusive use by the Monarch during a two-year period from 2012 to 2014 when the Bentley was retired from Royal duties.

The Mulsanne was pressed into service by the Queen during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations and for a unique visit to 10 Downing Street where she attended her first-ever cabinet meeting with Prime Minister, David Cameron, who greeted her on her arrival.

The limousine was first prepared and registered by Bentley in Crewe at its headquarters for exclusive use by the Queen.

The Royal wheels features several upgrades including walnut burr veneered picnic tables, door panels and rear quarter vanity mirrors. There are embroidered Bentley emblems to all seats and the car runs on optional 21-inch classic alloy wheels.

The interior boasts a full leather interior, air conditioning, driver information system and satellite navigation system, which has Windsor set as the home address.

The Mulsanne is powered by a muscular 6.75-litre engine with over 500bhp and is capable of dashing to 60mph in just over five seconds. The Bentley is capable of hitting a top speed of 184mph, but it is not known whether James didn’t spare the horses transporting her Majesty to one of her many pressing engagements.

This Ex-Royal Household Bentley Mulsanne covered less than 5,000 miles during its two-year service with the Queen and is now offered in immaculate condition having covered a total of 5,826 miles.

Prospect buyers can pick up a piece of unique automotive history for just under £200,000 in the year that the Queen herself celebrates her 90^th birthday. The car is offered for sale by a dealership based in Bramley, Surrey.

Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader Retailer & Consumer Products Director said: “Auto Trader has a long tradition of advertising unique and famous cars including recently Victoria Beckham’s own Range Rover Evoque, but few come with such Royal pedigree as this Bentley Mulsanne limousine. What makes this Bentley particularly stand-out is that it was reserved exclusively for use by her Majesty and it has gone on sale in the year the Queen celebrates her 90^th Birthday."

GENEVA - You want rare and bespoke, well Bentley has provided both with the Mulsanne Grand Limousine.

• Privately-commissioned, bespoke Mulsanne is perfect showcase
  of Mulliner’s skill and vision
• One metre of additional length and a new higher roof affords passengers luxury of space and comfort
• Luxurious private-aviation-inspired rear cabin with face-to-face seating
• ‘Smart glass’ assures privacy; in-car technology enhances experience
• Hand-crafted in Crewe by Mulliner, Bentley’s coachbuilding division

Bentley unveils the Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show today, showcasing the ultimate expression of bespoke automotive luxury, craftsmanship, individualisation and refinement.

The Mulsanne Grand Limousine is one metre longer and 79 mm taller than Bentley’s new Mulsanne and features a unique interior with private-aviation-style seating configuration in the rear cabin.

Bentley’s first application of electrochromic or ‘smart glass’ – which allows passengers to switch the interior division and rear-cabin window glass between clear and opaque at the touch of a button – and a suite of onboard technology ensures the Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner experience is both exclusive and luxurious.

This private commission has been designed, engineered and handcrafted by Bentley’s coachbuilding division, Mulliner, which has more than 100 years’ heritage in peerless bespoke automotive coachbuilding and fabrication.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, comments: “The Mulsanne Grand Limousine showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of our in-house coachbuilder, Mulliner and exemplifies the way in which our experts consult with a customer to turn their vision into an extraordinary reality. The attention to detail, quality, creativity and skill applied to every Mulliner commission is truly unique in the automotive world.”

Coachbuilt by Mulliner

Inside the ultra-luxurious, customer-commissioned passenger cabin is an experience evocative of the very best in luxury private-aviation design.

The original brief was to build a car with four rear seats of equal comfort.  The four seats – two of which are rear-facing to allow face-to-face conversation – are generously accommodated beneath a uniquely handcrafted wood-veneered roof bow within a cabin trimmed in sumptuous leather.

Privacy is ensured by an electrochromic ‘smart glass’ division that changes from clear to opaque at the touch of a button. Bentley’s craftsmanship is also on show in the quality of the veneer panel encasing three dials displaying UK and local time as well as exterior temperature.

With the focus on the rear-cabin, a new HVAC system has been developed exclusively by Mulliner. Furthermore, the interior offers features such as iPad charging and docking stations, as well as veneered fold-out tables, a bottle cooler with frosted glass and crystal flutes, and a soft drink cabinet with bespoke tumblers. It has an intercom system to communicate with the driver and unique controls for the rear features.

Throughout, only the most luxurious materials have been used to achieve exemplary levels of refinement. The opulence of the rear cabin is accentuated by the extensive use of wood and leather for which Bentley is renowned.

Finished in two-tone Silver Frost and Moroccan Blue, the greatest attention to detail has been applied to the Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner. This is evident from the Flying ‘B’ mascot – engraved with the words ‘Coachbuilt by Mulliner’ – which stands above a unique iteration of Bentley’s iconic chrome grille and lower bumper grilles, designed specifically for this car.

The effortless lines that track from the bonnet along the sinuous body of the limousine conclude in beautifully resolved shoulders, melding the aesthetic purity of Bentley’s flagship car with the luxury of additional space inside. Beneath this delightful example of coachbuilding sit four unique 21” wheels, colour-matched to the exterior finish.

In accordance with the enhanced dimensions, the Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner is fitted with a fully engineered powertrain, transmission and a re-engineered chassis and suspension, guaranteeing the highest possible degree of passenger comfort and safety in the longest ultra-luxury sedan in the world.

Mulliner – Rare by design

Mulliner exists to respond to the requirements of Bentley’s most discerning customers. In the world of Mulliner, anything is possible. Any type of personalisation can be undertaken to create a unique Bentley of individual taste. Whatever a customer desires, highly skilled and dedicated craftspeople – supported by the vast styling and engineering experience of Bentley – take a customer’s vision and turn it into reality.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, this time SEMA displays a Pick Up Limousine from Toyota, The "Tundrasine"

• A Stretch Limo That Stretches the Limits of What a Full-Size Pickup Can Become

Toyota takes the Tundra pickup to new places in luxury and length with its Tundrasine concept, which made its global debut today as part of Toyota’s 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show display.

“SEMA members take their vehicles to extremes, and Toyota definitely goes to a new extreme with the Tundrasine. It stretches beyond what is normally expected of a stock Tundra,” said Steve Appelbaum, National Engagement Marketing Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “SEMA is the perfect event to debut this concept vehicle that takes the best of Tundra and turns it into the pinnacle in executive transport . . .  limo style.”

The vehicle started out as a Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition 4×4 CrewMax 5.7L V8 pickup. Toyota then transformed that full-size Tundra into a larger-than-life-size limousine—hence the Tundrasine’s portmanteau name.

The Tundrasine is over 26 feet in length and has a wheelbase of 235.9 inches. The exterior is painted Midnight Black Metallic, and its eight doors open to reveal a custom and functional brown leather interior, inspired by the cockpits and passenger compartments of luxury private jets.

“People have seen plenty of limousines before, but never one quite like the Tundrasine,” said Appelbaum.

The Tundra that serves as the basis for this chauffeur-driven showstopper was—like all Toyota Tundras—assembled at the company’s facility in San Antonio. “They say everything’s bigger in Texas,” Appelbaum said, “and the Tundrasine really drives that point home—or anywhere you want to go.”

The Tundrasine can be seen November 3-6, 2015, in the Toyota display booth (#24700) located in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at the 2015 SEMA Show.

Fast Facts

Base vehicle:              Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition 4×4 CrewMax 5.7LV8

Exterior color:             Midnight Black Metallic

Interior color:              Brown leather

Wheelbase:                 235.9" (+ 90.2" vs. stock Tundra CrewMax)

Overall length:            319.1"              (+ 90.2")

Overall height:            76.2"                (no change)

Overall width:             79.9"                (no change)

Track (front/rear):       67.9"/67.9"      (no change)

Curb weight:               7,978 lbs.         (+ 2,288 lbs.)