Bad pun, but what exactly is driving the interest there? Is it the discontinuation of the model?
It's a McLaren F1, likely the most iconic supercar ever built, and there are only 107 of them, possibly 109 if you believe the story of 2 being quietly sent to a very wealthy McLaren patron in Mexico who was trying to avoid the outrageously high import duties on them. I do believe it, there is some photo evidence of them, but they've not been seen anywhere in over a decade. Eventually they'll turn up.
Yes.
I can only imagine (sadly...) the pleasure I'd get from driving such a machine.
Sigh...
Me too. As much as I love the style it's not something that I want to invest that kind of money into. It's cold comfort, but supposedly it drives like a boat, since there's so much unsprung weight hanging off the thing, and it has no anti-roll bars and very skinny tires.
It is really too bad you all can't find a way to visit the Mullin Automotive Museum - I feel so fortunate to have these treasures local to me:
http://www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com/car-30-1939-delahaye-type-165-cabriolet.html
I'd like to, maybe next time I'm on the Left coast. Here's a question, is there ever any actual sunshine here? 90% of the time it's been cloudy, damp, and cold, I wore long sleeves or a jacket everywhere. Reminds me more of England than what you'd expect in California. I went to the beach and the water was downright frigid.
lol - and I do appreciate you saving me from myself...
The XK120 is a FABULOUS car from a FABULOUS period in auto history. However, I am a little worried about you - being pampered by Gooding&Co seems to have had an effect on you - now you actually care who previously owned the car - next thing we know, you'll be encasing the cars in Lucite and storing them away in UV-proof vaults...
It was the reason I stuck around for the auction, I really wanted that car. The Super Sport 120s don't come up for sale too often, and fewer still are all-original. I'm interested in the ownership on this one, because this is the guy who actually brought British, German, and Italian sports cars to the USA. He was the first importer who could setup a proper supply chain for cars and parts that actually worked. He was also a world class ***hole, and one of the few people who ever intimidated Enzo Ferrari. It's rumored, likely 80% true, that he had a wife and family on both sides of the Atlantic, and enough guns and muscle around him to make Capone look like a small-timer. The Gov't knew about issues with emissions decades before anyone ever said anything about it publicly, same with the DOT with safety, but they didn't wait to act until after he retired due to his health. Coincidence? Unlikely. People feared this guy, and by most accounts, with good reason. Like most tycoons he softened near the end of his life and contributed to philanthropic causes, but I think that was largely to try and keep from going to Hell.
Also, the car isn't a garage queen, it's been driven quite a lot, and there's the world records it set in its day. So it's historically significant in many ways.
Bad news, the 962 was sold out from under me, this is the second time that I've been burned trying to work a deal in the M.E.. For now, I'm gritting my teeth until the rest of the sale goes through and the other cars are on their way here, but after that I'm thinking about legally going after them. They broke a contract with me and I'm not happy about it. While they are refunding my deposit, supposedly, it's very wrong and I expected better from such a high profile dealer. The real problem is that the Emirates tort system is worse than the USA's, but not in favor of the plaintiff. Essentially you must prove that you are financially damaged almost to the point of ruin, or dead/mangled, to get a favorable ruling, especially if you aren't a citizen there (and aren't Muslim). So...
[VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk7fYBw6PfQ[/VIDEO]
and no, I'm not trying to sound prejudiced, it's just a reality that most outsiders never get the full benefit of another country's legal system... and it just so happens to be worse in parts of the world where people can still own slaves. I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Really... :rolleyes:
I was laughing with my mechanic Richard, reliability goes like this:
