USA - Volvo celebrates 60 years of selling and marketing cars in the US, both on screen and TV and to the public.

Swedish automaker Volvo celebrated 60 years in North America with a special gathering of celebrities and vintage cars at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood last Saturday night.

Comedian and vintage Volvo owner Jay Leno entertained a crowd of more than 300 Volvo owners, executives, retailers, and media amongst an unprecedented collection of new and historic Volvo cars, live music, and Scandinavian fare.

Notable cars on display included a 1928 PV4, Volvo’s first covered car; a 1955 PV444, the first Volvo exported to the U.S.; the 1967 P1800S driven by Roger Moore in the hit sixties’ television series, “The Saint”; and the all-new, award-winning XC90 sport utility vehicle. 

Guests explored Volvo’s rich past and bright future by visiting a series of Volvo branded shops created in the facades on Paramount’s City Streets back lot.

In the Volvo Cars Art Gallery, for example, was a collection of Julius Shulman-inspired photos starring Volvos past and present taken recently by Ann Street Studios at iconic locations around Los Angeles, where the very first Volvo was imported in 1955. Shulman was an American architectural photographer whose work spread California mid-century modern around the world.

Guests perused the collection of vintage Volvo advertisements in the Volvo Cars History Museum, and in the Bowers & Wilkins Listening Room, audiophiles appreciated the high technology powering the 19-speaker, 1,400 watt entertainment system available in the all-new XC90 sport utility.

“Volvo has had a special place in many Americans’ hearts for generations,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO, Volvo Cars of North America. “Maybe they grew up riding in a Volvo, or were saved by one, or perhaps they learned to drive in one. Whatever the case, we are celebrating those experiences and now our version of luxury for generations to come.”

Volvo Cars is benefitting from a recent investment of $11B that is being used to develop an entirely new lineup of luxury vehicles. The company has experienced nine months of consecutive year-over-year growth and is aiming to increase sales to 800,000 cars globally in the medium term.

Iconic Volvos displayed at 60^th Anniversary Event

• 1928 PV4 Special - Volvo's first saloon car appeared in the summer of 1927, not long after the company was founded. There are believed to be just four PV4s remaining out of 694 built.
• 1955 PV444 - The first Volvo to roll on American roads made its entry in 1955. In September of that same year a stunning maroon coupe with whitewall tires was unveiled to the public in the Swedish pavilion at the California State Fair & Exposition in Sacramento. Many more would follow, including this one.
• 1957 Volvo Sport (P1900) – This sporty, chic convertible paved the way for the more popular and now very collectible P1800. Volvo Founder Assar Gabrielsson commissioned the California-based company Glasspar to make prototypes of the Sport’s fiberglass body. Only 67 units were made with just 20 sold in the U.S.
• 1967 P1800S - In 1961 Volvo introduced this new sports car and made an indelible mark on the auto world. With Italian-influenced styling and a peppy 100 horsepower engine, the U.S. quickly became the car’s biggest market. No prior Volvo created a greater impression, and perhaps none has since. The P1800 got an extra boost because of its role in the sixties’ TV series "The Saint" starring Roger Moore, who played hero Simon Templar. The exact car he drove in the series was on display.

Happy 60th Anniversary Aston Martin, here is to a bright, modern and supercar future.

Hundreds of VIP customers and guests were in Newport Pagnell on Friday last week (12 December) for the launch of Aston Martin Works’ 60^th anniversary celebrations.

More than 400 guests from across the UK and continental Europe made their way to the historic home of Aston Martin for the pre-Christmas party – which also marked the launch of the dealership’s exclusive 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Vanquish sports car.

Just six of the 60^th Anniversary edition Vanquish models – created by the Aston Martin design team and the brand’s bespoke personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin – will be built, and the majority have already been snapped up by collectors keen to own a piece of Works’ heritage. 

Stars of the show at the launch event in Buckinghamshire on Friday also included a number of the rarest and most sought-after Aston Martin models, with pride of place shared by cars selected to reflect the brand’s six decade-long association with Newport Pagnell.

Among the cars on display was an iconic Aston Martin DB5; the DBS which starred alongside Tony Curtis and Roger Moore in 70s TV show The Persuaders; and an original Vanquish – the last model to be made at the Newport Pagnell factory before production moved to the brand’s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in 2007.

Announcing the launch of the 60^th anniversary celebrations and revealing the limited edition sports car, Aston Martin Works Commercial Director, Paul Spires, said: “Designed by Marek Reichman and his team these limited edition Vanquish sports cars are a celebration of 60 glorious years of Aston Martin at Newport Pagnell.

“Strictly limited to just six cars, each one representing a decade of our operations here, these are truly ultra-rare collectors’ items and a fitting beginning to our year-long celebrations.”

Aston Martin Works will be holding a number of anniversary celebration events throughout 2015, and full details of all the activities will be announced over the months ahead.

Roger Moore's Volvo P1800 ST 1 to showcase at Manchester

The car made famous by Roger Moore back in the 60’s TV series ‘The Saint’ visits Manchester for the first time on September 21st and 22nd at The Footman James Manchester Classic Car Show, EventCity, Trafford Centre.

The iconic Volvo P1800 was found rotting away in a Welsh barn over 20 years ago after a long search by keen Volvo enthusiast Kevin Price. When he finally found and confirmed the identity of the car Kevin discovered it was almost unrecognisable as the sporty white coupe so synonymous with 60’s TV glamour. The bodywork was all but destroyed, the engine was in rusty pieces all over the back seat and essentially the car was only good for the scrapyard. This is where it would have ended up had Kevin not had the foresight to seek it out and save it, recognising the vehicle’s unique history.

Now, after a huge restoration project spanning decades, the car is back to its former glory and has recently moved under its own power for the very first time.

Kevin Price, of the Volvo Enthusiasts Club said: “We’re very excited to be showing the original car from the Saint TV series in Manchester at The Footman James Manchester Classic Car Show on September the 21st and 22nd at EventCity. This will be the first time the car has ever been seen at a show anywhere having been completely finished in every way. I might even give it a good ‘run out’ and drive it there from Bewdley rather than trailer it. I’m sure we’ll turn a few heads!”

Show organiser Andy Rouse said: “We’re very excited to be bringing a top quality classic motoring event to Manchester and the North West of England. The response from the classic motoring community in the region has been superb and the cars we’ve got lined up are simply wonderful. The Saint car is a project we’ve been aware of over the years and it’ll be great to see the final results of Kevin’s incredible hard work and dedication. We look forward to seeing everyone at Event City on Sept 21st and 22nd.”

Footman James’ managing director Andy Fairchild added: “We are looking forward to seeing the Volvo P1800 again as, having sponsored the car’s restoration; it holds a special place in the hearts of many people here at Footman James.  Supporting restorations, such as the Volvo P1800 enables enthusiasts to breathe new life into the classics of yesteryear, ensuring they take centre stage once more and thus securing the future of the industry for all.  I am sure the car will be a huge crowd pleaser at the Manchester show.”

James Bond's Lotus Submarine goes to auction

• RM Auctions lifts the gavel on the one and only functional submarine car, used in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me,at its eagerly awaited central London sale, 8–9 September
• Fully functioning submarine car was designed and fitted to propel underwater
• The actual car seen, on screen, driving underwater;  one of the most famous movie cars of all time
• Never before offered for sale
• Amazing story of ‘lost and found’

“Pay attention, 007, RM Auctions is about to sell one of my most ingenious creations and we wouldn’t want it to fall into enemy hands”. Well, ‘Q’ might be a little concerned that his incredible Lotus Esprit Series 1 ‘Submarine’ Car is due to be sold at auction, but for millions of movie fans out there, the appearance of this iconic Bond car on the open market represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

No Bond car has ever done anything as outrageous as transform itself into a submarine. Used to incredible effect in the film The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore, the white Lotus commonly tops the polls when generations of movie fans are asked to vote on their favourite film cars of all time. Like all the best Bond cars, the Lotus was a veritable war chest of weaponry and gadgetry, all designed to fox and foil the enemy, whilst also helping Bond to another hard-won victory for Queen and country.

The vehicle to be offered by RM Auctions at its forthcoming London sale, 8-9 September, in Battersea Park, is the one and only fully functioning car especially designed and built for the famous underwater sequence seen on screen in the 1977 film. Abundantly authenticated, and known as ‘Wet Nellie’ on the set, it was developed from one of six Esprit body shells used in the making of the film. As the only car to be built into a fully operational, self-propelled ‘submarine’, by Perry Oceanographic, based in Riviera Beach, Florida, it is the vehicle which claimed the most screen time in the film. The driver of the car was Don Griffin, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and test pilot for Perry, who operated the vehicle utilising its motorised propellers while manoeuvring with levered steering mechanisms. At the time, the car was said to have cost over $100,000 to create (equivalent to nearly a half million dollars today).

Subsequent to filming the underwater scenes in the Bahamas, the vehicle was shipped to Long Island, NY, where it was kept in an unassuming storage unit on a ten year rental, paid in advance. Fate later intervened when, in 1989, the then rent delinquent unit was put up ‘blind’ for public auction. A modest winning bid from an area couple brought surprise and wonder when the blankets were removed to reveal the iconic 007 ‘Submarine’ Car. After positive authentication, the Lotus was shown occasionally – including a stint at the Petersen Automotive Museum – but mostly kept closely under wraps, until now.

Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Auctions, Europe, says: “We have a great track record in selling incredible and iconic movie cars, and this particular Lotus is certainly up there amongst the most famous cars of all time. Over the years, millions of moviegoers have stared in awe as the Lotus transformed itself into a submarine, and now, perhaps one of them will have an opportunity to own it. Her Majesty’s Secret Service aside, it surely is the ultimate beach accessory!"

RM Auctions sold “the most famous car in the world”, the Aston Martin DB5 used by Sean Connery in the enormously popular Goldfinger and Thunderball movies, for an incredible £2.9 million during its 2010 London sale.

For further information on RM Auctions’ forthcoming London sale, or to view a frequently updated list of entries, visit rmauctions.com