October 16, 2007

The 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” concept car

Filed under: Uncategorized - BigPimple @ 8:49 am

In the past few hours, I have been looking for a unique Mitsubishi car with quality Mitsubishi oxygen sensor. But, it turns out to be quite a hard job finding even just one. Well, that proves that unique cars are indeed rare. Sometimes, I even feel that I run out of topics to discuss.

But then… let me share with you the unique 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” concept car about to be sold at an auction with No Reserve. Barrett-Jackson recently proclaimed that the rare sale would be part of the company’s 37th Annual Collector Car Event, which will be held on January 2008.

Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, said, “It’s rare for such a classic concept to be offered at auction.”

“The ‘Italien’ features design cues that were virtually nonexistent in the United States during its time of production. This could be the most sought after and significant Thunderbird to ever cross the block at Barrett-Jackson,” he added.

Looking back in the vehicle’s history, the “Italien” was designed and built by Vince Gardner at the Dearborn Steel Tubing Company, an outsourcing contractor responsible for various non-assembly line Ford concepts, including the 1964 Ford Thunderbolt and Mercury Super Cyclone, according to an article at gizmag.com. The vehicle was showcased in Ford’s 1962-63 “Custom Car Caravan”, numerous Autoramas across the country and in the 1964 New York World Fair’s “Cavalcade of Custom Cars”.

Most Ford concept cars are likely destroyed after their world tours. Fortunately, the “Italien” survived and was rescued by actor Dale Robertson of TV’s “Tales of Wells Fargo,” “Wagon Train” and “JJ Starbuck.”

In January 2006, Tom Maruska purchased the concept car from a prominent Ford collector Don Chambers. By then, the vehicle was restored to its original specifications.

The coming event will the vehicle’s first documented public appearance, counting from the World’s Fair in 1964.

For me, the car looks more than just a collectible. So, I guess, collectors would love it much more than I do.

Unique Ferrari vehicles at the Australian International Motor Show

Filed under: Uncategorized - BigPimple @ 12:23 am

I missed some of the recent events since I was quite busy looking for quality Dodge stealth parts. So, what could I feature today? Hmmm…

Who’s going to see the Australian International Motor Show? I heard there would be four unique Ferrari’s that is to be displayed, which will demonstrate the depth and breadth of Carrozzeria Scaglietti, the Ferrati personalization programme.

Kevin Wall, General Manager for Ferrari in Australia and New Zealand, said, “For nearly two years Ferrari has not built the same car twice, such is the ability to personalize every Ferrari.”

“So, in a very real sense each of the four cars on our stand at the Australian International Motor Show is unique. Indeed, with these four cars, they are amongst the most highly specified Ferraris ever seen in Australia, as we have used them to illustrate to prospective owners the many possibilities that are open to them when ordering their own Ferrari,” he explained.

Considering that Ferrari is the supreme maker of super cars, Ferrari vehicles are defnitely unique. According to legend, Enzo Ferarri only built road cars to fund his success in Grand Prix racing. By then, people were only lucky enough to be permitted in buying a Ferrari and take the cars as produced in the Maranello factory.

Currently, Ferrari provides equipment and features that allow its owners to fully examine the abilities of their cars in a race track.

Well, enough said. Let us now check the four models in the show, details thanks to fullboost.com:

  • Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano – This is the newest model from Maranello, resplendent in black with a red interior with black carpet. Significant additional exterior features include the ball polished 20 inches ‘Challenge Alloy Wheels’, along with the yellow brake calipers fitted to the massive carbon ceramic brake system. The vehicle also comes available with Scuderia Ferrari shields molded into the front guards that mark the links to the Formula One team. Likely a racing design is the Rosso leather upholstery fitted to the Recaro Seats, which are fully electrically adjustable. The style of the leather is the Daytona design, which was featured in so many classic Ferraris and has been contrasted by a special style and thickness of stitching. The leather extends to the roof lining, rear bench and side panels. Among other found in the rear bench is a set of hand crafted luggage, specifically designed for the 599. The dashboard is comprised with optional Carbon Fibre trim, which was also used on the steering wheel that has a row of LEDs in its top rim indicating the engine speed and gear change points and through which can be seen the yellow instrumentation. The mirrors are photochromatic for that purpose of not getting the driver dazzled by another car receding in the rear view mirror. Aside from being equipped with a V12 engine, the 599 comes fitted with Bose HiFi audio system.
  • Ferrari F430 Coupe – This is more like the Rosso Corsa or one of the four reds available to Ferrari owners, with a beige interior. On the rear, the standard bumper and splitter have been replaced with a carbon fibre unit, which was used in the 430 Challenge racing cars. The 430 Coupe has ball polished alloy wheels, where red calipers are visible and Scuderia Ferrari shields are fitted to the front guards. In the interior, the leather was extended to include the roof lining, rear parcel shelf. The Daytona leather seats made use of a unique style of piping, instead of stitching. The dashboard is features with carbon fibre inserts that comes with a personalized dedication plate for the new owner. The audio system has been upgraded to the Bose HiFi systems, which included an extra bass box. To compliment with the exterior, the instrumentation was made red.
  • Ferrari F430 Spider – This is a Rosso Corsa with a black interior. The vehicle has the Challenge style allow rims same as with the 430 Challenge racing car. It shows the carbon ceramic brake system with yellow calipers. The driver is held in place by full racing seats. The Scuderia Ferrari shields on the guards link the vehicle being part of the Formula One team. The black leather was made extended to the rear parcel shelf and has contrasting stitching in red, along with a yellow rev counter and carbon fibre inserts completing the interior. The vehicle is also comprised with a full iPod connection system.
  • Ferrari 612 Scaglietti – This vehicle comes with a Gregio Silverstone exterior with a Crema interior and black carpet. The seats have Daytona trim, special piping and a diamond pattern stitching. The dashboard is featured with a special darkened aluminum trim that compliments with the yellow instrumentation. It is equipped with 19 inches modular alloy wheels, where yellow brake calipers are being seen.

Now, which of these magnificent beasts is your best pick?

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