Weekend Roundup: 8/18/17-8/20/17
1929 Mercedes-Benz Wins Top Honors at 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
The 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show trophy is one of the—if not the—highest awards in the classic-car world, and this year a 1929 Mercedes-Benz S Barker Tourer has won the bragging rights that come with it. Owned by collector Bruce McCaw of Bellevue, Washington, the roadster has seen a lot of history, as well as having a bit of racing connection from the pre-war era. The 8th Mercedes-Benz to win, this car is a sporty example of a late 20’s Benz, which started life off as a Mercedes-Benz Model S roadster. Francis Curzon, the 5th Earl Howe—a racing driver who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1931 and co-founded the storied British Racing Drivers’ Club—was the original owner of the car, and he couldn’t leave the car very well alone. He upgraded the car Super Sports (SS) specification with a larger engine, a supercharged 7.0-liter inline-six, before a full outfitting by Barker of London, a noted British coachbuilder.
This example is painted blue, and is said retain its original lights and chrome wheels, and its unusually shaped running boards and low-cut doors are among its most distinctive design features. The long wheelbase roadster-look is very distinctively-pre-war, and this is a perfect example of that look.
Acura Showcases New Race Car in Monterey: ARX-05 Prototype
Acura unveiled the new Acura ARX-05 prototype race car at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, while also announcing that two of the vehicles would be fielded by the Team Penske organization in the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The ARX-05—which stands for Acura Racing eXperimental, generation 5—will be built to Daytona Prototype International (DPi) specifications, where rules require manufacturers to use one of four approved prototype chassis, fitted with IMSA-homologated, manufacturer-designed and branded bodywork and engines. The engine will be the Acura AR35TT, a proven race engine based on the road-going J35 family of V6 engines found in mainstream Acura’s.
The first competition running of the cars will take place at the season-opening Rolex 24 in January 2018, with Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron piloting one car. The second car’s lineup will be announced at a later date.
Purple McLaren is so Purple it’s a Headline
While less of a news story and more of a news oddity, McLaren’s Special Operations (MSO) revealed a specially-painted customer 720S, to show off the unlimited customization of offer for customers. Produced for collector Michael Fux, the color is named ‘Fux Fuchsia’ and was actually created for Mr. Fux by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited and subsequently redeveloped by MSO. To ensure exclusivity, Mr. Fux will retain exclusive rights to its use on any other McLaren vehicle.
The Bespoke division of McLaren Special Operations can craft you anything you want on your McLaren, for the right price; except Targa tops. They won’t build you Targa tops.
Bugatti Delivers First U.S. Chiron at 2017 Pebble Beach
By now, everyone knows about the offerings from Bugatti, the now-old Veyron, and the brand-new Chiron. While ordering took place years ago, deliveries are finally beginning, with the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance acting as the perfect venue for Bugatti to deliver the first U.S. bound car. Painted yellow and black, the car features the “Classique” wheels, with the color scheme continuing on the inside. Limited to 500 vehicles, the U.S. price is US$2.998 million including shipping, duties, taxes and charges.
More than half of the total series has already been sold throughout the world, meaning less than 250 remain open for ordering.
Volkswagen Confirms I.D. BUZZ Concept Van for Production
At the Detroit Show in early 2017, Volkswagen showed the I.D. BUZZ concept, a fully electric van that emulates the Microbus in most of the right ways. At the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Chairmen of the Boards of Management of the Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands, Dr. Herbert Diess and Dr. Eckhard Scholz, announced the to put the Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ into production. Slated for introduction in 2022, the decision should come as no surprise following the diesel engine scandal surrounding the company in the US. As the government of the US has mandated the company make a larger percentage of EV’s, they will introduce more and more in the immediate future.
The bus itself will be able to carry people, and in CARGO variant, goods as well. The company is aiming for Level 3 autonomous capability—think Tesla’s Autopilot—to ensure the BUZZ is as attractive to city buyers as possible. Look for more news in the coming years.
The Speed Trap 