Kicking off a weekend of celebration of everything Chrysler and Mopar, hundreds of industry insiders will join Project Six Pack creator Ted Struse, former Super Stock Magazine editor Jim McCraw, part three of the three-man Struse, Smith, Welsh trio Terry Welsh, other original members of the Project Six Pack team and Carlisle Senior Manager Lance Miller to unveil Best of Show Automotive’s freshly restored “Project Six Pack,” on Thursday, July 9th at 8:00PM at Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have three of the individuals instrumental in the creation and success of Project Six Pack in one room, and is a tangible tribute to the unwavering passion, hard work and commitment of Mopar enthusiasts,” said Best of Show Automotive President Joe Carroll. “Our goal is to be the driving force in the resurrection, promotion and appreciation of Chrysler Corporation’s products. Too often we lose sight of how great the American automobile industry is, was and can be again, and we are thrilled to stake our claim on that greatness.”

Aimed at celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1969 A12 package 440 Six Pack cars, Best of Show Automotive engaged Ted Struse (Project Six Pack’s original and only owner) in 2008 to assist in the meticulous restoration of the record-setting and industry-making Project Six Pack to the high point of its racing career.

“Over the course of my life, I have been honored to be the father of Project Six Pack and to have an opportunity to leave my mark on Mopar racers and the racing industry overall,” said Ted Struse. “I’ve spent most of my life in and around this wonderful industry and I am flattered to be a part of this great new era of this car. I hope the Mopar community takes a moment this weekend to express their appreciation for quality American cars from bygone eras.”

Project Six Pack and the car that started it all, the 1969 ½ Plymouth Road Runner A12 #1, will be on display all weekend at the Best of Show Automotive exhibit in the A12 Reunion located in building T at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. This exciting exhibit will provide in-depth insight into the restoration process of both cars and will lead guests through their long and storied histories.

About Best of Show Automotive:
Best of Show Automotive, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, boasts one of the finest classic, muscle and high performance car facilities in the world. Stocked with world-class, show-winning vehicles, their classic and muscle car inventory is also known as a premier classic car, high performance store for restorations, sales, meticulous quality and discriminating offerings.

Contact:
Ray Davies, Director of Marketing
Ray.davies@bestofshowautomotive.com
(440) 350-1480 or (216) 410-3378

Due to the turmoil in the real estate market, a Florida couple is raffling off their luxury home in Fort Lauderdale for only $10 a ticket. After the drawing is held, the deed and title to the home will be transferred to the lucky winner (with no mortgage), and a portion of the proceeds raised will go to benefit a local charity.

Moving from their dream home is something the Brannans never thought would happen, but the economic crisis has caused them to make many tough decisions. They came to the conclusion that raffling off their 6,000 sq. ft. home was the only reasonable solution.
www.floridaluxuryauctions.com.

In addition to offering people an opportunity to win this home for just $10, the couple states that a portion of the proceeds from the drawing will benefit The Mission of St. Francis, a charitable organization in Ft. Lauderdale. According to Miles Brannan, “The Mission of St. Francis is a wonderful organization that helps individuals suffering from addictions by providing them housing and helping them find jobs to get back on their feet. We’ve all been hit hard by the poor economy lately, and I feel the mission is really making a difference in people’s lives. So a portion of the proceeds will go to the Mission to aid in their efforts.”

The Florida home’s spacious open floor plan includes 6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths. The master suite is 1,000 square feet and has a second story balcony overlooking the waterway. The estate also has a theater room with a 120″ screen, 4 car garage, and beautiful winding staircase. Information on other amenities and photos can be found at www.floridaluxuryauctions.com.

Only 300,000 tickets will be sold for this raffle, and the drawing will take place once all tickets have been sold. Once the drawing has taken place the winner will be notified within 24 hours by phone, e-mail or certified mail. Winners do not need to be present to win. All monies collected will be held by Chicago Title Insurance Agency, Inc.

For additional information please contact Miles Brannan at 954-561-7564 or visit www.floridaluxuryauctions.com.

The Society continues to provide its partners with the most attractive opportunities to target market to the affluent consumer, It would like to introduce you to The duPont REGISTRY, one of the select vendors affiliated with its Global Bundle.

The duPont Registry is unique in its targeted demographics which they suggest is the next generation of wealth. The average age of the reader/viewer of The DuPont Registry is 36 with an annual household income of $345,000 and average household net-worth exceeding $2,000,000 USD.  Unlike other publications concentrating on real-estate as a niche, the duPont REGISTRY is considered a “lifestyle publication” with a wide-range of editorial features and opportunities embracing the many facets of the affluent lifestyle.

As with many storied print publications, the duPont REGISTRY has embraced the web and has exceeded their conservative projections concerning viewers due to the younger demographic associated with their publication. The following statistics should impress:

• Average 350,000 unique monthly visitors
• Average 6,000,000 page views monthly
• 151 countries visit the site monthly

We are very proud to be working with the duPont REGISTRY, one of the truly storied entities in the luxury real estate and lifestyle industry and poised to be dominant with the next generation of wealth within the United States and worldwide. By affiliating with The Society’s Global Bundle, you the homeowner, property/estate manager will have immediate access to this most in-demand demographic of younger wealth and be able to present and influence their future vacation and purchasing decisions.

For additional demographic and editorial information concerning the duPont REGISTRY,  please click here: media kit.

Read more here.

Comparisons between Porsche’s turbocharged 997 and Nissan’s newest GT-R have kept the automotive press pretty busy in recent months—with the general consensus being that the GT-R stacks up against Stuttgart’s performance icon pretty well, thank you very much. Now, however—a year after the GT-R’s debut—the first tuner GTRs are starting to reach customers … which seems to beg the question: how do these tuned GT-Rs stack up against tuned Porsches?

Switzer's P700 GTR

Back in January, the thousand-horsepower SLEDGEHAMMER 997 introduced the world to Tym Switzer and his Oberlin, Ohio-based tuning firm. With more than 15 years’ experience tuning high-performance cars from Europe and Japan, Switzer is uniquely qualified to answer that question: Compared to the Porsches, Nissan’s Godzilla is a different animal altogether.

As an all-weather, four-passenger supercar, the GT-R seems like it could appeal to the same kind of audience as the 997, but the GT-R is much more of a digital type of experience. It’s really amazing how close these cars are, in terms of ultimate performance.

Switzer would know: for the last few months, Switzer has been carefully studying the GT-R, developing a series of sensible, high-performance bolt-ons aimed at producing a streetable GT-R performance package that didn’t force GT-R owners to sacrifice reliability or drivability.

Called the P700, Switzer’s new package promises more than 700 bulletproof crank horsepower on 93-octane pump gas.

“I was always impressed with Nissan’s application of certain technologies. One thing I was not impressed with was the amount of fluff parts I was seeing being distributed for the cars or the banzai sort of crank-the-boost with 100+ octane racing fuel antics I was seeing in the aftermarket. I knew that it was important to take a look at what the car was reliably capable of, and what was really going on within the platform.”

Under the hood of the P700

Switzer’s first step was extensive data-logging and analysis.

“We checked for pressure drops, temperature variations, everything. After replacing the stock turbos with application-specific custom units and our own unique MONSTER intercooler package, we slowly dialed up the boost, checking all the data again and again.” said Switzer. ”Eventually, we ended up going beyond the limits of the standard ECU calibrations and hardware, so we built the necessary components and the data-gathering started again.” 

With more than 626 hp and 583 lbs.-ft. of torque on tap, the Switzer P700 GTR is certainly set to deliver a driving experience that is many steps above Nissan’s standard Godzilla GT-R, without putting unnecessary stress on the GT-R’s driveline.

MSRP for Switzer’s P700 GT-R performance package is $16,650. Contact your Switzer Performance dealer for more information and compatibility with your current aftermarket hardware. P600 and P800 kits also available.

High performance collector car specialists Mecum Auction will offer collectors a chance to own a piece of American race history when they auction the 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601 at the 22^nd Dana Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction taking place May 13-17, 2009, in Indianapolis, Ind.

And when this Crown Jewel of American Racing powers across the auction block, Mecum anticipates the championship race car to garner the highest bid ever paid at public auction for an American automobile – eight figures and counting. The Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe will be sold on live national TV Friday, May 15, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. during the company’s series, “Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More,” on Discovery Communications’ popular HD Theater.

Mecum Auction's Shelby Cobra Daytona

The 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra was one of six cars built by Carroll Shelby to compete against the dominating Ferrari in the F.I.A. (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) World Manufacturers Championship for GT race class. An experimental coupe body designed by Pete Brock was built on an existing Cobra chassis, immediately increasing the top speed by 25 mph. That car won its first race, the 1964 Daytona Continental (prompting Shelby to adopt the name), and five more coupes were built, including CSX2601.

After competing at Daytona, Monza, Spa and Nurburgring, CSX2601 made history when it clinched the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship for the United States and Shelby American on July 4 in Reims, France.

“Many vintage race cars have a strong American racing history to share – including this vehicle’s sister car CSX 2299 – but no car can claim a finer race hour than the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601,” said Dana Mecum, president, Mecum Auction. “The legacy of its World Manufacturer’s Championship win stays with us more than four decades later, reminding us of one the proudest moments in U.S. race history and a competitive spirit of victory against all odds.”

Driving the car – and America – to victory on that fateful July afternoon was legendary driver Bob Bondurant.

“I won a lot of races with this Daytona Cobra Coupe, but when I crossed the finish line at the Reims race track I yelled ‘Yes!’ It was a fantastic feeling,” Bondurant shared. “I always wanted to race in Europe against the world’s best drivers. Winning that World Championship was the crowning achievement of my career. I think it’s wonderful that the car is being showcased 40 years later.”

The Daytona Cobra Coupe didn’t just race, however. At one point, a North Dakota businessman with six gas stations owned the car, and each day, he’d drive the 300-mile round trip to collect station receipts in this race-trimmed Cobra.

“This car is a true slice of Americana, representing a different time in America’s past when driving a full-blown race car on the roads didn’t turn heads,” added Mecum. “The Daytona was also leased to Paramount Pictures for use in the Howard Hawks cult classic ‘Redline 7000’.”

Now fully restored and wearing its famous Reims livery, the Shelby Daytona Cobra CSX2601 headlines the Original Spring Classis Auction, which is expected to feature 1,250 vehicles.

Held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the auction is open to the general public with tickets are available at the door for $10. It will be broadcast live on Mecum’s popular television series, “Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More” on HD Theater – Discovery Communications’ first 24-hour high-definition cable network, offering compelling real-world and motorized content.

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars, muscle cars and Corvettes for more than 20 years. In spring 2008, the company sold its 50,000^th car. Consignment, Bidder, event and accommodation information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.

Schedule:

Original Spring Classic Auction

Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Ind.
May 13-17, 2009

Price: $10

Vehicle check-in: Monday & Tuesday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Wednesday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Preview: Gates open Wednesday through Sunday at 9 a.m.

Vehicle Auction: Wednesday – 2 p.m.

Thursday through Sunday – 10 a.m.

* Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe to be auctioned live on national TV May 15 at 8 p.m.

Neon Auction: Saturday – 7:30 p.m.

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“It seems like just yesterday we were cutting up images of luxury and collectible cars with razor knives and scissors. A lot has changed since then, but one thing remains the same,” said Publisher, Thomas L. duPont. “The marketplace for classic, luxury and exotic automobiles is an active, vibrant arena for auto enthusiasts and we, the duPont REGISTRY, are the center of it.”

Livorsi Marine is proud to introduce a new feature to allow you to build your own color scheme for your dash panel, rightfully named the – “Livorsi Marine DashDesigner”. This amazing new tool lets you custom create your new dash in a flash. Choose your dial, rim, bezel and panel color to create over 1000 extreme color combinations with just a few clicks of the mouse.

From boat builders to boat dealerships to a DIY (do it yourself) boat owner, everyone can benefit from using the DashDesigner in planning their next boat build or restoration. Livorsi’s collection of powdercoated colors lets you achieve the desired look and attitude of your boat. The Mega & Race series gives you 5 dial colors and 10 rim colors and the Waterproof series gives you the choice of 3 dial colors and 10 rim colors. Optional gauge bezels give infuse even more color and detail into your dash. Livorsi Marine DashDesigner eliminates the guess work out of designing your new dash and best of all its free!

And, when you are ready to break the mold and go bold, ask about custom powder coated dials and private labeling, available in all our vibrant colors.

Before and after photos

The third annual 2009 Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance gala raised more than one million dollars for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County during the live auction that featured the first in the United States 2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro, which sold for $500,000 and one of the first 2010 Ferrari California which sold for $350,000.  Additionally automotive icon, Bobby Rahal, was honored with the Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award during the gala on February 21st at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, FL.

The live and silent auctions at the Gala always feature amazing items,” said James E. McDonnell IV, Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance Event Chairman. “But this year we have truly topped the charts. In fact, the auction line-up has made a mark in history by offering one of the most sought after vehicles in the country to guests.” Rick Case, Auto Dealer and Founder of the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance adds, “This was an opportunity to be crowned the first owner in the United States of a stunning Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro. The winning bidder even received an official certificate of authenticity verifying that this particular 2010 Audi R8 V10 is the first in the country.”

The Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro is first of the series in the United States, and will be built this year, during the 100th anniversary of the Audi brand itself. The R8 V8 already has an established reputation at the forefront of high-end sports cars, winning two “World Car of the Year Awards” in 2008, and now Audi presents the more powerful R8 V10 5.2 FSI with a 5.2 liter, ten-cylinder engine and 525 horsepower. With superior technologies such as quattro all-wheel drive and a lightweight aluminum body, the Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI promises a breathtaking performance. With an MSRP estimated to be about $180,000 the engine in the new Audi R8 V10 is so impressive, that guests can expect to see it on racetracks around the world, as Audi is developing a new racing car with similar mechanics for customer teams. In fact, the Audi R8 V10 features the same engine as the GT3 racecar. On the non-race roadways, the Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI proves itself going from zero to 62.14mph in 3.9 seconds. The Audi R8 V10 delivers not only in performance, but in style as well.

Equally impressive, is that Chas Murphy from Audi of America, the R8 Product Manager, was at the Concours d’ Elegance to auction off the R8 – a true treat for guests. In fact, Audi of America was so impressed with the bidding that the car provoked, they offered a second Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro which also sold that evening. Also auctioned off that evening was the first of an all new 2010 Ferrari California. While the new Ferrari California has an estimated MSRP of $225,000 it was sold to a lucky bidder for $350,000. The new owner can attribute this once in a lifetime chance to bid on the Ferrari California to Stuart Hayim, owner of Ferrari-Maserati of Fort Lauderdale, who made the arrangement with Ferrari to provide the all new California for the Boys & Girls Clubs. The owner can expect a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission which lends itself to quick, optimum shifting in either automatic or manual modes – which can be switched by a push of a button. The California does zero to 60mph in less than 4 seconds. Aside from astonishing mechanics such as a 4.3 liter V8, the California also offers comfortable seating and a stunning interior featuring fine Italian leatherwork.

The California is a direct-injection V8 convertible sports car, with a retractable, aluminum-paneled hard top. It was designed for coastal roads rather than the speed way, but when put to the test the California still earns its Ferrari title with a 454 horsepower engine that is beyond sufficient to the car’s 3,857 lb. curb weight. Designed for leisure, but built for speed – the 2010 Ferrari California sure pleased the bidders at the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance.
Another highlight of the evening included the Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award being presented to one of America’s automotive legends, Bobby Rahal. Rahal, known for his sterling auto racing reputation as team owner and former driver, and his success with 16 automobile dealerships, was honored for his dedication to the automobile world, relentless enthusiasm to auto racing, and his automotive business endeavors. If the sight of Bobby Rahal and the excitement behind Audi and Ferrari weren’t enough to rev guests’ engines, they also had the opportunity to bid on several other luxurious auction items such as a private dinner for four with David Letterman and Bobby Rahal, which raised $100,000. In addition there was a Roger Penske Race Package which included dinner with Roger Penske, his family and drivers of the Penske Team at the 2009 Indianapolis 500. Guests also bid on a chance for eight people to travel with Drag Racing team owner Roger Burgess on his Legacy 600 jet to the 10th Annual Summit Racing.com NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the weekend.

The Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance festivities began Friday, February 20th with the duPont Registry Live! welcome reception at Boca Raton Airport Hangar, where guests viewed a fine selection of exotic and classic airplanes, boats, motorcycles and automobiles. The gala followed on Saturday, February 21st presented by Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, Attorneys at Law (RRA), one of the fastest growing law firms in the country, with more than 60 attorneys and 22 practice groups, which also featured a live performance by Howie Mandel.

The Concours d’ Elegance Automobile and Motorcycle exhibition took place on Sunday, February 22nd. Car enthusiasts from around the world experienced an automobile exposition that spanned all eras. An expert panel of judges selected the finest vintage, antique, classic and exotic automobiles based on period, presentation and cleanliness. The Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance also featured antique motorcycles and vendors tents including the J.R. Dunn Jewelers display.

Boca Raton’s Concours d’ Elegance brings together car enthusiasts from around the world to experience an automobile exposition that spans all eras.  In the years to come, the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance will take its rightful place along with Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook as one of the top four Concours’ in the country.  For more information on the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance please visit www.bocaratonconcours.com.

Deal or No Deal host Howie Mandel was present to auction off the Audi R8 5.2 and Ferrari California

The first U.S.-bound R8 5.2 V-10 was auctioned off during one of the weekend's charity events

Moviegoers who fell in love with Paramount Picture Acadamy Award nominated The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons were able to get intimately familiar with the beautiful mansion located at 2707 Coliseum in New Orleans. Now, all they need is a cool $2,850,000… and they can move in.

The home was a primary part of the entire movie as actor Brad Pitt grew up in reverse in this curious yet stunningly brilliant movie plot adapted from a short story by heralded writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is graced with beautiful décor throughout. Fluted columns, spacious galleries, ornate sconces, and beautiful porches. It is a pure example of New Orleans architecture.

Even in this economy, the property may not last long given it’s newly found Hollywood status and the spending power of duPont REGISTRY’s readers.

“What an opportunity to live in not only a gorgeous Garden District home, but also to own what is now a permanent piece of Hollywood history,” said Dorian Bennett of Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty. Bennett specializes in listing and selling exclusive properties.

View the home’s listing here.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons' home/set for sale at duPont REGISTRY

The third annual 2009 Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance will present the Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award to one of the industry’s most recognized icons, Bobby Rahal on February 21 at the black-tie optional gala held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, in Boca Raton.

“Each year, the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance honors an Automotive Industry leader for their dedication to the automobile world, relentless enthusiasm to auto racing, and automotive business endeavors,” said Rick Case, of the Rick Case Automotive Group. “Fittingly this year, Bobby Rahal, known for his sterling auto racing reputation as a driver and team owner, and his numerous automobile dealerships, has been chosen.”

Rahal is a pillar of success on the track and in the showroom. As the son of an amateur sport car racer, Rahal’s enthusiasm for cars began when he was child and has parlayed into a stellar racing career beginning at age 17. As a driver, Rahal won three CART championships in 1986, 1987 and 1992, and the Indianapolis 500 in 1986. Among other highly noteworthy accomplishments, Rahal was also twice named Driver of the Year in 1986 and 1992, won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1981 and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1987. His love for racing and success in the sport led to a co-ownership of a multi-car, multi-discipline race team – Rahal Letterman Racing, previously Team Rahal.

Partnered with CBS Late Show host and racing enthusiast David Letterman in 1996, Rahal developed an astonishing career as a team owner. He again won the Indianapolis 500 in 2004, this time as an owner, making him only the third man in history to win the prestigious race as both driver and owner. As the team evolved, so did the stature of the drivers. Today, Rahal Letterman Racing is known for cultivating talents such as Jeff Simmons, 2004 Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice, Danica Patrick, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Vitor Meira.

Rahal also has served the sport on the executive level, when he served as the President and CEO of CART in 2000, and in 2001 as the President and Team Principal of Jaguar Formula 1 Racing. In addition, Rahal established a name in the automotive industry as a leading car dealer. Rahal Automotive Group provides quality vehicles from manufactures such as Acura, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Jaguar and Aston-Martin.

Racing certainly runs in the family, as Rahal’s son, Graham Rahal, finished second in the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship season. Currently, Graham Rahal races for the Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team.

With extensive knowledge and profound experience in the automotive industry, Rahal was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2004 and later inducted into the 12 Hours of Sebring Hall of Fame. Now the guests of the 2009 Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance will have the privilege of witnessing Rahal as he is honored with the Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award.

At the gala, guests will also have the chance to experience a live performance by comedian and renowned host of the hit TV show Deal or No Deal, Howie Mandel, at 9 p.m. The gala – presented by Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, Attorneys at Law (RRA), kicks-off at 6 p.m. And at the gala’s auction, guests will also have a chance to be the first-ever owner of the 2010 Ferrari California and the 2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI Quattro.

The weekend’s festivities will also include the “DuPont Registry Friday Night Live!” reception at Boca Raton Airport Hangar, featuring exotic cars and corporate jets on February 20 from 6 to 8 p.m; a celebrity golf tournament on the private course at the Boca Raton Resort & Club on February 21 at 8 a.m.; and the Concours d’ Elegance Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition on February 22 at 10 am.

Visit the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance website at www.bocaratonconcours.com to register for the Automobile and Motorcycle exhibition. All events are open to the public with tickets sold separately. Tickets can be purchased for the Friday Night Live party for $50 per person; the Saturday gala dinner for $500 per person and up; and the Sunday Concours exhibit for $50 per person.

For more information or to purchase your ticket, call 954-537-1010 or visit http://www.bocaratonconcours.com/