All posts by Francis Mitterrand

1954 Porsche 356 Speedster is for sale

February 23, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

In 1954, Porsche introduced one of its most desirable collector models, the Porsche 356 Speedster. It was produced until 1958, and when it appeared it was an instant hit on the American market. 3,676 examples were produced and one of them, the 1954 Porsche 356 Speedster, is for sale.

This car is finished in Oslo Blue (the original color was White), and is in good condition. It is equipped with sealed-beam headlights with stone guards, gold badging, a Talbot driver-side mirror, quadruple beehive taillights, a single engine lid vent, body-color bumpers with polished overriders, and a Reutter badge riveted to the right-front fender, black soft roof and Koni shock absorbers.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in red leather with Mercedes-Benz-sourced blue plaid cloth inserts. Red leather covers the dashboard and door panels. There are also black and red Coco Mats, a gold dash badge, an adjustable rearview mirror, and a passenger grab handle.

The 356 Speedster is powered by a 1.5-liter flat-four engine paired with a four-speed manual that sends power to the rear wheels. The clock reads 27,413 miles, but it can’t be said for sure that’s the actual number since the odometer shows the same mileage as in 2021. It is mounted on 14″ Fuchs wheels wrapped in 185/65 Firestone All-Season tires.

The car comes with tools, a Porsche Classic Technical Certificate, and a clean Florida title in the owner’s name listing the vehicle as a 1954 model year.

The auction ends on March 2nd and the current highest bid is $225,000 USD.

Gallery:

Source: Bring a Trailer

Auctions, News

1951 Jaguar XK120 is up for auction

February 23, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

At the 1948 London Motor Show Jaguar revealed its first sports car since 1939 when production of the SS ended. It is a Jaguar XK120 designed by Jaguar Chief Engineer William Heynes, which was offered as an open two-seater or roadster. It was produced until 1954 and one, the 1951 Jaguar XK120, was offered at auction.

Jaguar XK120 is powered by a 3.4-liter DOHC inline-six engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission equipped with a lightened flywheel. It is mounted on a set of chrome 16″ wire wheels. It is equipped with leather hood strip, split windshield, Lucas front driving lights, rear wheel vents, Jaguar-branded hubcaps, Vredestein tires installed out back, front disc brakes as well as an electronic ignition system, an exhaust header, dual SU carburetors, and safety belts.

This car is finished in shade of maroon, while the original color was bronze, according to the Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate. It has been properly maintained and is in good condition. 21 years ago, the car was restored and recently serviced. Inside, the seats are upholstered in brown leather that also covers the door panels, combined with wood trim. The design of the cabin is decorated with wooden decorations and a four-spoke steering wheel.

The car comes with a Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate, service records, and a Pennsylvania title.

The auction ends on February 28th and the current highest bid is $30,000 USD.

Gallery:

Source: Bring a Trailer

News

Bentley is giving up on the W12 engine

February 23, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

The news that Bentley is abandoning the W12 engine is now official. This was confirmed by the company saying that from April 2024 this type of engine will not power their cars. This decision is not a surprise because Bentley announced two years ago that, from the next decade, it will produce only electric cars.

It all started 20 years ago when the Continental GT Coupé was revealed, and the 6.0L turbo W12 engine currently powers more than 105,000 Bentleys produced. The last model to be powered by this engine, which will have the honor of closing a period of time in the production of powerful engines, will be a limited edition Bentley Batur.

“When we first launched the W12 back in 2003, we knew we had a powerful engine that would propel both our cars and brand forwards at speed. Twenty years and more than 100,000 W12s later, the time has come to retire this now-iconic powertrain as we take strides towards electrification – but not without giving it the best send-off possible with the most powerful version of the engine ever created,” said Bentley chairman Adrian Hallmark.

Bentley Batur will be powered by a 6.0L twin-turbo W12 engine with 740 hp (551 kW) and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque. Power is transmitted to all wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Delivery of the last Bentley with a W12 engine is expected in mid-2023, and only 18 units will be produced. All the cars have already been sold at a price of 2 million dollars.

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