LA SHOW - The Genesis G90 has been named as one of the finalists for North American Car of the year 2017.

During the Motor Press Guild’s opening breakfast at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday, the all-new Genesis G90 was named one of three finalists for the prestigious 2017 North American Car of the Year award. The Chevrolet Bolt and Volvo S90 join G90 to round out the final three.

“It’s humbling to have G90 considered among the best new cars introduced this year and to be named a finalist for one of the most sought-after distinctions in the auto industry,” said Erwin Raphael, general manager of Genesis in the U.S. 

“The premium large-car segment is the pinnacle of automotive design and engineering and this recognition is a testament to the world-class refinement of our flagship model and the respectful ownership experience we deliver to our customers.”

The North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards honor excellence in innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, driver satisfaction and value. Initiated in 1994, they are judged by roughly 60 full-time professional automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who work for some of the most well-respected magazines, television, radio, newspapers and websites in North America. They are the longest-running awards not associated with a specific publication, a structure that produces a diverse base of independent jurors. The 2017 Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the year winners will be announced Jan. 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The G90 is available nationwide at Genesis retailers, offering customers simple vehicle configurations with a choice between two engine options, an uncompromised suite of advanced safety technologies, plus best-in-class standard luxury amenities.

The Genesis brand prides itself on its respectful ownership experience that form the customer-centric Genesis Experience. From service valet appointments scheduled using the Genesis mobile app to complimentary maintenance and Genesis Connected Services, the ownership experience is designed to provide time-saving conveniences that are unmatched in the industry.

UBER RARE, show car based on an Aston DBSV8 has been hidden for 40 years, now up for auction.

• Ogle-designed, futuristic show car based on an Aston Martin DBSV8, first showcased at the 1972 Geneva Salon and Montreal Motor Show
• One of only three such cars, the first of two originally commissioned by the W.D. & H.O. Wills tobacco company to promote ‘Sotheby’s Special Reserve’ cigarettes
• Stored in secret for 40 years, it still carries its original dark blue paintwork, gold pinstriping and vibrant green Moquette upholstery
• To be offered by H&H Classics at its 14 October 2015, Duxford sale at £100,000 - 120,000

Joining the headlining Colton Collection Ferraris at H&H Classics’ 14 October Duxford sale is another car from one of the Grandes Marques, this time an Aston Martin, though certainly not one many would recognise.

Named the ‘Sotheby Special’, after sponsor W.D. & H.O. Wills’ brand of cigarettes (yes, the ‘Sotheby’ comes from a short-lived licensing deal with the auction house), the cutting edge lines of the car were by Ogle Design, the Letchworth-based studio also responsible for the Raleigh Chopper bike, Reliant’s Scimitar GTE and the Bond Bug.

The Sotheby Special was based on an Aston Martin DBS V8 chassis (DBSV8/10380/R), with outrageous 1970s glassfibre coachwork supported on a Reynolds 531 tubular steel frame. 

The entire ‘glasshouse’ is in Perspex. Under the bonnet lies an early prototype Aston Martin V8, while the cockpit is a riot of bright green courtesy of ‘banquette’ seating for three in hardwearing Moquette – a type of industrial material used on public service vehicles such as buses and trains.

A striking feature of the rear of the car is the strip of 22 rear lights. The harder the driver pressed the brake pedal the more lights were lit up.

The car was built purely for show, was never road-registered and will require much loving care to bring it back to ‘Motor Show’ condition. 

A second, fully functioning car was manufactured for promotional duties (later to be repainted in Embassy colours for use by Graham Hill’s Grand Prix team) and a third commissioned by a private individual who, once seeing the car on BBC TV’s Tomorrow’s World, simply had to have one, even at a cost in 1973 of £28,750. At the time the standard V8 Saloon was listed at £8,749.

The original Sotheby Special, thought lost for so many years, or confused with the second chassis, was disassembled after it left the show circuit and was then sold and placed in long-term storage. 

H&H will offer this highly significant car at an estimate of £100,000 - 120,000 at its 14 October, Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambs sale.

Damian Jones, Sales Director for H&H Classics comments: “This car will certainly ‘light up’ our Duxford sale. 

It’s a remarkable car for three reasons: its futuristic design and engineering, its very of-the-period tobacco connection and the fact that as ‘barn-finds’ go, this one is pretty special. It is a fascinating part of automotive history and we are delighted to place it back in the limelight for which it was designed.”

Ultra rare Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage comes under the hammer at Blenheim Palace Auction.

• Exceptional right-hand-drive Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage headlines Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale
• Believed to be one of only 50 ever built and one of three originally supplied from the factory with an automatic gearbox
• Recent restoration and upgrades by specialist Aston Martin preparers have maximised and enhanced the driving experience
• Guide price of £675,000 - £775,000 underscores its rarity, provenance and high-quality mechanical restoration
• Held at the majestic location of Blenheim Palace on Friday 4 September, the Salon Privé Sale features a host of high-end classic and modern supercars 

The star of the show at Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé Sale held at Blenheim Palace on Friday 4 September will be an outstanding and very rare Aston Martin.

Presented with superb history and in immaculate condition, the 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage will command a guide price of £675,000 - £775,000 and will be the headline lot in an auction of over 60 exceptional, handpicked modern and classic cars.

Finished in its original Goodwood Green paint and red leather interior, the striking Aston Martin is believed to be one of only 50 cars built in this specification, and one of only three Series V Vantages to be built with an automatic ‘Borg Warner’ gearbox.

Aston Martin produced the DB4 from October 1958 to June 1963 and in that time made five ‘Series’ variants of shape and specification. 

The later Series V models were built between September 1962 and June 1963 and had a longer wheelbase (3.5-feet), creating increased legroom and space for luggage, making them superb grand touring machines.  

Delivered new on 24 August 1963, this particularly model, chassis #1197, is believed to be one of the last to leave the factory - the last being #1215L - before building of the later DB5 model commenced. 

The matching numbers Vantage variant has a unique and fully documented history as well as being recently restored to fast-road specification, by specialist Aston Martin race preparers.

During the restoration a four-speed David Brown manual gearbox with overdrive was fitted along with a full handling kit comprising springs, roll bars and Koni dampers. 

The brakes were also upgraded as well as adjustable power steering to further complement the driving experience. A set of custom-made ‘off-set’ Borrani wheels and restored red leather interior finish off the tasteful modifications.

The car comes with a comprehensive history file, including the factory records on the build sheet from 1963 to 1966 and correspondence from Aston Martin to the first two owners. 

It also comes with the original gearbox, allowing any future owner to return the car to original specification. The history then follows from 1973 to 2015 with vast amounts of invoices, receipts, MoT certificates and the now void tax discs, giving a detailed record of this car’s past.

Operations Manager and Classic Car Consignor, Harry Whale said: “We are very excited to offer this DB4 Series V Vantage, which incorporates an intoxicating blend of extraordinary provenance and history, along with an unrivalled driving experience. 

It’s a stunning example of the DB4 Series V Vantage and a car to cherish for years to come. Next month’s sale epitomises what we can do here at Silverstone Auctions - offering a quality, eclectic mix of exciting cars.”