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Bugazzi, Fronty Ford, headed to RM’s Hershey auction

Bugazzi

Hmm. Two doesn’t make a trend, but this will the second Barris-built car to cross a major auction block in the month of October, after the Banacek AMX at Mecum. This one, a 1972 Bugazzi, will head to RM’s Vintage Motorcars of Hershey auction October 8-9. The Bugazzi started out as a Harry Bentley Bradley concept atop a Lincoln Mark IV platform as Paul Rimmer’s idea of an American Rolls Royce. Barris took over production from Rimmer and built about 12, one of which headed to Joe Comforte, proprietor of the Mustang Ranch. Being sold without reserve, RM estimates it’ll go for $30,000 to $60,000.

Fronty Ford

Bugazzi a bit too, umm, rococo for you? At the same event, RM’s also auctioning off this 1915 Ford Model T “Fronty Ford” speedster, equipped with a Peugeot-style Bub Wasp body, a Frontenac overhead-valve conversion on the Model T four-cylinder and Ford wide-track axles. It’ll also go for no reserve, estimated to sell for $40,000 to $60,000.

2008 Lotus Exige S 240

2008 Lotus Exige S 240: Nice Ascots

If a $65,000 car can be thought of as a bargain, surely the Lotus Exige S 240 is it. I have yet to come across an ultimately unfavorable review of the Exige or it’s slightly less peppy sibling, the Elise. How can something that is small, cramped, mostly without creature comforts and generally a pretty frivolous vehicle that costs 65 grand be a bargain? Because all of those things are forgotten when you are sitting behind the wheel of what is essentially the most balanced and affordable street-legal racecar on the road.

The “240″ that accompanies the new nameplate of the Exige is in reference to the 240 horsepower that Lotus has coaxed out of the supercharged 1.8 liter, 4-cylinder engine; 20 more than the lower model Exige. A measely 20 horses does not sound like much difference, but this car only ways 2077 pounds, the same as the regular Exige. Also there are other changes that accompany this extra boost that make the Exige S 240 a monster on the track. The Toyota 2ZZ engine (engineered by Yamaha) that Lotus has adopted and supercharged to be the powerplant for this car also has high-flow fuel injectors and is managed by sophisticated engine control software that feeds more air to the powerplant via a revised and fully functional roof scoop. If you need further proof that this vehicle has legitimate race credentials Lotus has added a set of three Formula 1-style shift lights to the gauge cluster. Adaptive software controls the lights, so the point at which they light up varies with the amount of aggressiveness displayed by the driver. Lotus claims the changes should deliver a 0-60-mph time of 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. For competition-style standing starts, electronic launch control has been fitted. With the engine off, you engage the system by pressing a button and flooring the throttle. At this point a knob on the left side of the steering column is used to set the desired launch rpm via the tach needle. At the starting line, simply select 1st gear, floor the throttle and, as the engine furiously bounces off your preset launch rpm, release the clutch and hang on.

A perfect frame for your license plate

There is also an optional Track Pack suspension, featuring 10-way adjustable Bilstein monotube shocks with adjustable spring perches and an adjustable front stabilizer bar for an additional cost of $1,650, and larger, 12.1 inch brake rotors with uprated pads and hoses, an uprated clutch, and traction control that can be varied with a knob on the steering column.

With all of this performance, the rated fuel economy of the 2008 Lotus Exige S 240 is the same as the Exige S: 20 mpg city and 26 highway, though that is sure to fall slightly due to new EPA ratings. (I’m sure if you are launching from every stoplight it will also be much lower) But if you show restraint this car is not beyond the realm of affordability. Ok. I don’t have 65 grand, but unlike many high performance cars, it isn’t SO expensive that I can’t at least dream!

Leaked Images of the Scuderia Bizzarrini P538 Super Car

“Leaked images” from SeriousWheels [suspiciously good lighting lends us a heavy dose of skepticism concerning exactly how "clandestine" the photos really are] caught the Scuderia Bizzarrini P538 behind closed doors the other day with its clothes off. Paying homage to the original P538S created by legendary designer Giotto Bizzarrini, the new Scuderia Bizzarrini P538 is on schedule to being production by the end of this year. Described as “true to heritage”, the Bizzarrini P538 will feature a mid-mounted Corvette LS7 V8 engine and is expected to house anywhere from 500[standard models] to 1000 horses.

View Gallery After Jump

[Photo Source: Seriouswheels.com]

Interview With GT5 Producer Kazunori Yamauchi

When GTChannel interviewed Gran Turismo 5 Producer Kazunori Yamauchi, he couldn’t give much info about the forthcoming game. But he did say that the designers deliberately included NASCAR because of it’s massive popularity stateside, and that he enjoyed going to a race in Texas. The interview is cool of course, but the sexy parts of this clip are the new teaser shots from GT5, which look completely insane. Yamauchi wouldn’t give a definite release date for the game, but damn, it looks like it’ll be worth the wait.

GreenGT: The Future Of Racing

GreenGT: The Future Of Racing
Good news has been showering the world of the Le Mans GT Racing. With the apparent misunderstandings between several Formula 1 owners and the sport’s governing body, the FIA, some teams are threatening to move to Le Mans, including F1’s oldest citizen, Ferrari. While the racing gene will still be in man’s blood, the type of cars he’ll be racing with is still in doubt. The GreenGT electric racer, however, keeps the future of racing safe. This EV has been certified by the FIA and will sport a carbon fiber chassis with a composite body. It will be powered by a pair of water-cooled 100 kW electric motors delivering up to 450 horsepower. Jolting the electric motors are lithium-ion batteries that could be recharged by the solar cells on the body. The car will weigh just under 1900 lbs and is touted to reach a top speed of 171 mph. News that 22 units will be available to the eco-conscious public with a racing heart just made the GreenGT an even sweeter car.