The Bullitt Mustang is likely to be probably the most well-known and priceless popular culture Ford in historical past, however the Gran Torino earned film title standing in 2008. Clint Eastwood directed and starred in that movie as Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski, who befriends a Hmong teenager named Thao (Bee Vang) after Thao tries to steal Walt’s prized 1972 Gran Torino Sport.
Thao and his sister Sue (Ahney Her) step by step endear themselves to Walt all through the movie, and Walt protects Thao from native gang members who challenged him to steal Walt’s automobile as a part of an initiation. Walt dies on the finish of the film, and leaves his canine Daisy and automobile to Thao, on the situation that he not modify the automobile with spoilers or the like. In one of many movie’s ultimate scenes, Thao drives the Gran Torino alongside the Jefferson Avenue riverfront in Detroit with Daisy within the passenger seat.
Don Ripple, the movie’s mechanic, purchased the automobile in Utah previous to filming and in addition procured the white Ford pickup Walt drove all through the movie. Eastwood purchased the Gran Torino after the movie wrapped and added it to his sizable automobile assortment.
The most valuable iteration of the Toyota Supra is the fourth generation, which was in production from 1993 to 2002. When it was first released in 1998, it carried a price tag of under $31,000. However, over the years, its value has appreciated significantly. Today, depending on its condition, a 1998 Supra can fetch anywhere between $35,000 and $65,000, with some exceptional examples selling for over $100,000 each.
The fourth generation Supra boasted a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six engine that churned out 312 horsepower and 315 pounds-feet of torque. With this power, the 3,265-pound coupe could race from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 177 mph. Additionally, buyers had the option to choose a model with a removable targa top. The 18.5-gallon fuel tank and the highway fuel mileage of 22 mpg offered a cruising range of over 400 miles.
Despite these impressive features, the declining popularity of two-door coupes in the U.S. market as the 21st century began led to the discontinuation of the Supra after the 2002 model year. The nameplate remained dormant until 2019, when the Supra returned in its current iteration.
The Ferrari 250 GTO is not only the most valuable car in the world, but also one of the most successful race cars of its time.
Ferrari built the 250 GTO as a race car first and road cars were built for homologation purposes.
The most expensive Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $70 million.
Ferrari is known as one of the most renowned sports car manufacturers of all time with a reputation for building some of the most desirable sports cars on the planet. Special vehicles built by Ferrari are always in high demand and almost instantly increase in value for this reason. This has in turn made Ferraris not only the most desirable sports cars, but also some of the most valuable cars. But only one Ferrari can claim the title of the most valuable car in the world.
The Ferrari 250 GTO is one of those cars that will always be mentioned as one of the greatest cars of all time. Its race wins shaped Ferrari’s path in the 60s and has aided them in becoming the desired sports car brand they are today. But beyond its value, the 250 GTO was one of the most successful race cars of its time which has in turn made it the most of the most valuable cars ever.
All great vintage cars had their roots in racing which is why they are so desirable and valuable many years after they’ve won. The 250 GTO is no different as Ferrari’s main focus was racing and only made road cars to fund that passion. So the Ferrari 250 GTO was built as a racecar first and road cars were built for homologation purposes.
Ferrari built the 250 GTO as a grand tourer to race in the Group 3 GT racing. The project was headed by Giotto Bizzarrini who was Ferrari’s Chief engineer at the time. If the name Bizzarrini sounds familiar, it’s because this is the same famous engine builder responsible for the V-12 engines in Lamborghinis. The 250 GTO wasn’t built from the ground up as a completely new car but shared parts from already existing cars.
The chassis was based on the 250 SWB with minor modifications to prepare it for its intended purpose. Its design was beautiful but functional at the same time as aerodynamics was important to help it achieve higher top speeds. The car was even tested in a wind tunnel which also affected the general design of the vehicle. Most of its aero was integrated into the bodywork as seen in most Ferrari road cars of today. The final product was a beautiful aluminum lightweight race car.
The engine was also another existing part Ferrari had used previously for racing which was suitable for the new purpose. The Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine was previously used by the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which won many championships in its racing career. 10 Championships were won with this engine which included:
Engine Specifications
Engine
NA V-12
Displacement
3.0 liters
Power
296 horsepower
Torque
217 pound-feet
Transmission
Five-speed manual
Layout
Front engine rear-wheel drive
The 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958, 1960, and 1961
12 Hours of Sebring in 1958, 1959 and 1961
Targa Florio in 1958
1000 km Buenos Aires 1958 and 1960
4 hours of Pescara 1961
While the Testa Rossas were mid-engine cars, the 250 GTO was a front-engine car but still made similar power. The only transmission offered was a five-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels. The combination of the Ferrari’s 250 SWB chassis and race-proven V-12 led to the many successes of the 250 GTO.
The Ferrari 250 GTO made its debut in 1962 at the 12 hours of Sebring which was a Formula One championship at the time and this was a GT car. But to the surprise of everyone, it finished second overall in a race that it wasn’t intended for. This was the perfect testing ground for the new 250 GTO and started its dominance in the GT class. Ferrari won the Tour de France with the 250 GTO in 1963 and 1964 which marked their nine-year dominance in that race. Other race wins included:
The Targa Florio in 1962, 1963 and 1964
Tourist Trophy at Goodwood in 1962 and 1963
Le Mans in 1962 and 1963
Nurburgring 1000 km in 1963 and 1964.
Only a few GT cars were competitive with the 250 GTO and they were the Jaguar E-types, Aston Martin DB4s, and AC Cobras. Many independent teams also raced the 250 GTO, so it was common to see a lot of 250 GTO drivers competing against each other. The AC Cobras were the only cars that caught up with Ferrari but their dominance was certain as long as the 250 GTO was involved.
1964 was the final year of racing for Ferrari with this car and it had racked up many race wins in its career which fulfilled it’s intended purpose. Independent teams still raced it until 1967 before it was finally retired from the racing scene. The 250 GTO was the last front-engine car to remain competitive at this high level of racing which was very impressive. Surviving race cars are still being driven as vintage race cars today while others have been converted to road cars.
Road Cars Were Only Built Because Of The Race Cars
Ferrari
Win on Sunday sell on Monday, at least that was the reason most high-volume manufacturers tried to win races. Winning races meant recognition for the brand which would in turn lead to car sales, but not for Ferrari. The intent of the 250 GTO was for racing only, the road cars were only built to satisfy regulatory laws which would allow them to go racing.
In 1962, the FIA regulations required a minimum of 100 examples to be built to be homologated for Group 3 GT racing. Ferrari only made 36 examples of the Ferrari 250 GTOs which was a long way off from the minimum requirement of the FIA. There were conspiracies that Ferrari somehow cheated or bribed their way in, but in reality, the 250 GTO was based on an already existing chassis which was the 250 SWB. Since the 250 SWB was already homologated, Ferrari could simply design a new body on the existing chassis which was allowed according to the rules.
This rule was not unique to Ferrari as other manufacturers could take advantage of this which they did. It allowed Ferrari to also make mechanical changes that were different from the 250 SWB to fit the requirements of the 250 GTO. For 1964, the 250 GTO received an updated body style of which three were produced, four earlier GTO’s were also retrofitted with this new body by the factory. Ferrari also made three 330 GTO road cars which used a four-liter version of the Tipo V-12 making between 390–400 horsepower.
In 2023, a limited edition Ferrari would be around 500 units which appreciates instantly if you can get an allocation from Ferrari. Unlike other brands, Ferrari hand-picks those who are eligible to purchase their cars. For the most special cars, you had to be invited by Ferrari to buy one and they’re all sold out before the rest of the world knows they exist.
This process is not new as it was done with the Ferrari 250 GTO and buyers were approved by Enzo Ferrari himself. It was well known by everyone that if Enzo Ferrari didn’t like you, you couldn’t purchase any of his cars and it didn’t matter who you were or how much money you had. This practice still exists today, it doesn’t matter how much money you have, if you don’t have a good relationship with them you can’t just buy their cars.
If you want a brand new 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, it would cost you $18,000 when new which is equivalent to $183,000 in 2023. Originally these cars were seen as regular sports/race cars and were treated as such but people also knew they were special. The lowest recorded sale in history was in 1969 when a 250 GTO sold for $2,500 which was well below the market value of around $6000-$8000 at the time. Prices started to take off in the late ’70s with record prices being reached every year.
Short Summary Of The 250 GTO Price History
Year
Price
1962
$18,500
1969
$2,500
1977
$71,000
1986
$1,000,000
1989
$10,000,000
2007
$22,000,000
2016
$56,800,000
2018
$70,000,000
All 36 Ferrari 250 GTOs are accounted for and have attracted some of the most influential owners which include Ralph Lauren, who has one of the most valuable car collections in the world. Every valuable car collection would want to include a Ferrari 250 GTO but most owners aren’t willing to sell. When they do it trades for huge money which the buyers are willing to pay. The most recent sale in 2018 was for $49,405,000 million dollars which is an ungodly amount of money for a car but not the most expensive one sold.
The most expensive purchase was reported to be at $70,000,000 which was a private deal made by a US citizen David MacNeil of Chicago who is the founder of WeatherTech. The 250 GTO is no longer the most valuable car in the world as it has been surpassed by the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé which sold for a whopping $142 million. But this is a unique car as it is one of just two prototypes ever made which makes it a grand prize for whoever owns it. But the Ferrari 250 GTO still remains the most valuable production car in existence which can be driven on the road.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport had a successful weekend at MotorLand Aragón in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), as they gained valuable experience for the further development of the BMW M 1000 RR. Garrett Gerloff consistently finished in the top ten, despite the circuit not being ideal for the bike in the past. Scott Redding battled through the pain from an accident and twice finished eleventh, while his teammate Michael van der Mark showed improvement. Loris Baz had a technical issue but managed to finish in the points in both main races.
In the Superpole qualifying, Gerloff was the best BMW rider in tenth place, followed by Baz in eleventh, Redding in 13th, and van der Mark in 14th.
In the opening race, Gerloff dropped back to 15th at the start but gradually worked his way through the field to finish in eighth. Redding also struggled at the start but crossed the finish line in eleventh. Van der Mark climbed into the top ten but ended the race in 13th, just ahead of Baz in 14th. Gerloff finished ninth in the Superpole race on Sunday morning and improved his grid position for the second main race. Redding finished eleventh, van der Mark 14th, and Baz was unable to start due to a technical issue.
In the second main race, Gerloff finished in tenth place after regaining positions in the second half of the race. Van der Mark crossed the line just behind Gerloff in eleventh, while Baz came home 13th and Redding in 14th.
The next round of the 2023 WorldSBK season will take place at Portimão from September 29th to October 1st.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, Marc Bongers, expressed disappointment with the team’s performance at MotorLand Aragón. He commended Scott Redding for continuing to race despite an injury and praised Michael van der Mark for his outstanding start in race two. Bongers also acknowledged the challenges faced by Garrett Gerloff and Loris Baz and expressed confidence in the team’s performance at Portimão.
Garrett Gerloff felt that the team could have performed better but gave his best effort. He expressed satisfaction with his performance in the Superpole race but struggled with the bike in race two. He is looking forward to the next round at Portimão, which he believes will suit him better.
Scott Redding found the weekend to be an improvement compared to last year. He enjoyed the Superpole race and fought for a top ten finish. However, he struggled with grip in race two and was disappointed with his performance. He hopes to understand the issues and perform better at Portimão.
Michael van der Mark made a change to the bike and felt comfortable with it. He had a challenging Superpole race and lacked confidence to overtake, but he had a good start and pace in race two. He struggled towards the end but made progress and is happy with his performance.
Loris Baz had a difficult day with technical issues and changes to the bike’s setup. He experienced tire issues similar to the previous race and made a mistake in the last turn, apologizing to the team. Despite the challenges, he appreciates the team’s effort and hopes for better results at Portimão.
The Porsche 356 is a famous sports car known for its agility and enjoyable driving experience. Today, these cars are highly valuable and sought after, making it incredibly rare to stumble upon one tucked away in an old garage. However, there are occasional discoveries, and one that has recently come to light is particularly intriguing, as revealed by Carchaeology.
Hidden away in a garage in Orange County, California, this 1959 Porsche 356 has sat undisturbed for many years. Despite being surrounded by boxes and covered in layers of dust, the car remains in excellent condition with minimal rust, thanks to the favorable climate. Although the garage lacks adequate lighting and the dust obscures the view, a quick glance reveals the orange interior is still intact and well-preserved.
GPS trackers are an excellent way to enhance the security of your valuable vehicle. However, with so many options available, from OBD trackers to keyring trackers, it can be challenging to determine which one offers the most comprehensive protection for your beloved car.
Choosing a tracker can be complicated due to the various features they offer, ranging from basic to advanced historic and real-time tracking data. Additionally, there are different types of hardware to consider, such as magnetic devices, OBD port trackers, and battery-connected trackers.
In order to provide guidance, we have selected a range of trackers and tested their ease of installation, as well as assessing their app or device functionality and interface. The cost of purchase and monthly subscriptions are naturally important factors to consider as well. So, which trackers did we try and how do we rate them?
The TruTrak FMT100 is incredibly easy to install on a 12V battery and setup is a breeze. A unique feature is the availability of a direct phone number to a real person who can remotely set it up for you within minutes. Since it runs on the 12V, you don’t have to worry about charging it, and you can rest assured that it is always functioning. Unlike other trackers, there’s no need to purchase a separate SIM card. The accompanying phone app provides live location tracking, detailed tracking history, and customizable alerts, such as for erratic driving or leaving designated areas. If you have multiple vehicles, you can monitor them all on one app. The TruTrak FMT100 offers simplicity, affordability, and impressive effectiveness, making it our top choice.
These optional RSA covers can come in handy in times of emergency
Roadside assistance is a valuable service that provides support and peace of mind to drivers when their vehicles encounter unexpected breakdowns or accidents on the road. Including roadside assistance coverage, also known as RSA (Roadside Assistance), in your car insurance policy can be highly beneficial. In this article, we will explore what roadside assistance entails and highlight a few optional RSA covers that you should consider including in your car insurance policy.
Understanding Roadside Assistance:
When drivers’ vehicles have mechanical difficulties, tire punctures, lockouts, battery problems, or other emergencies while on the road, roadside assistance is a service offered by insurance companies or specialized suppliers to assist them. To guarantee that drivers and their vehicles get back on the road promptly and safely, it provides rapid help.
Optional RSA Covers to Include in Your Car Insurance Policy:
Towing Service:
Roadside assistance must include a towing service. In the event of a breakdown that cannot be fixed on the spot, it offers coverage for the cost of towing your car to the closest authorized garage or repair facility. With this insurance, you may have your car transported without worrying about paying a lot out of cash.
Flat Tire Assistance:
The price of buying a spare tire to replace a flat or damaged tire is covered under flat tire assistance. Roadside assistance can send a professional to help you if you don’t have a spare tire or are unable to change it yourself. You may avoid the headache of looking for a nearby repair shop or changing a tire on your own by using this service.
Battery Jump-Start:
You may become stranded if you experience battery-related problems, including a dead battery. To get your car operating again, roadside assistance might offer a battery jump-start service. The service provider will jump-start your battery using the necessary tools, allowing you to continue traveling or get to a service facility for additional inspection.
Fuel Delivery:
It might be uncomfortable and frustrating to run out of fuel. To help you get to the closest petrol station, roadside assistance can arrange for the supply of a limited amount of fuel (usually up to a specific maximum). You won’t have to travel far or look for a petrol station if you use this service when your fuel runs out suddenly.
Lockout Assistance:
A frequent error that can be upsetting is locking your keys inside your car. Roadside assistance companies that offer lockout assistance can dispatch a locksmith to aid you in getting into your locked car. With the help of this service, you can immediately get your keys back and get on with your day without having to damage your automobile or find another solution.
On-site Repairs:
Some roadside assistance plans include on-site repairs for small problems that don’t require towing your car. Expert mechanics can identify and fix typical issues like a dead battery, a loose connection, or a little mechanical problem so you can keep going without getting towed.
Conclusion:
Your auto insurance policy should include roadside assistance coverage since it gives you peace of mind and support in case of emergencies or unforeseen problems. You may improve your coverage and make sure you get help right away when you need it by adding optional RSA covers like towing service, flat tire assistance, battery jump-start, fuel delivery, lockout assistance, and on-site repairs. Choose the best roadside assistance alternatives before finalizing your auto insurance policy by taking into account your driving style, the state of your automobile, and the coverage provided by various insurers.”
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