The Mecum Glendale 2021 collector car auction saw some 1,200 vehicles cross the block, with key lots attracting major bids.
As one of the flagship selections for the Arizona sale, the 20-strong Steve Todhunter Collection did not disappoint.
After the hammer had fallen for the final time, the collection had amassed sales totalling more than $5.38 million.
Italian stallions lead the pack
Ex-Roger Penske Ferrari F12tdf from the Steve Todhunter Collection
Leading the bids from the Steve Todhunter Collection was a 2016 Ferrari F12tdf. Originally owned by motorsport legend Roger Penske, the Rosso Corsa supercar was predicted to achieve between $900,000 and $1 million on the block.
A price of $880,000 for the 739 horsepower machine came close to the target, and made it the second most-expensive car sold in Glendale.
Other highlights from the Todhunter Collection included a rare Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, which sold for $605,000.
One of five Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series cars made in Fire Opal Red achieved $451,000.
Classic Corvette takes the top sale
Top-selling 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
While much of the Todhunter Collection was focussed on modern Ferraris, classic muscle cars also made an appearance. One of two 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429s sold for $385,000, with another hitting $225,000.
American metal would account for the overall top-selling vehicle from the Mecum Glendale auction. Not part of a collection, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette fitted with an L88 427-cubic inch V-8 engine, saw a winning bid of $2,695,000.
Being one 20 L88 Corvettes produced in 1967, and the only known Sunfire Yellow L88 Corvette in existence, helped the bids.
A ten-year restoration, retaining original components, have seen this Corvette receive numerous awards. These include the coveted Duntov Mark of Excellence from the NCRS, and Triple Diamond Certification at the 2018 Corvette Nationals.
Learner drivers face a wait of up to five months to take driving tests, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) must clear a backlog of 420,000 cancelled tests following a year of restrictions and lockdown measures.
Driving lessons will restart in England on 12 April 2021 at the earliest, although the government points out that this is subject to change. Driving tests are scheduled to restart on 22 April 2021.
Emergency driving tests are available for critical workers in England and Wales. To qualify, you must work for the NHS in health or social care, the emergency services or a local council.
DVSA hires new staff
To help clear the backlog of driving tests, the DVSA has hired 300 extra examiners to join the existing 1,675. A spokesperson for the DVSA told the Daily Mirror: “Candidates affected by the suspension are automatically being booked on to the next available test at their chosen centre.
“As soon as it is safe DVSA will increase the number of driving and theory tests available.”
Carly Brookfield of the Driving Instructor Association said: “What these numbers don’t tell you is how many driving tests have been cancelled time and time again. There’s a huge worry among pupils that if they fail a test, how long will it be before they get a retest?
“The DVSA will argue that people will try to cheat. But so many testing bodies are going online using technology that monitors individuals.”
A theory test costs £23 for cars, and the driving test costs £62 on weekdays or £75 on evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.
Driving tests in England, Wales and Scotland
There are regional variations in England, Wales and Scotland.
England: car driving tests will restart on 22 April 2021
Scotland: driving tests will restart in areas as they move back into protection level three or lower
Wales: car driving tests will restart on 22 April 2021
Visit the government website to check the latest information, what to do when you take your driving test and how to book online.
The Vantage will this year serve as an official Safety Car in Formula 1 and the new Vantage F1 Edition has been created to capitalise on this.
The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has been given an extra 25hp, taking it to 535hp, and there is a full package of chassis and aerodynamic upgrades.
Aston Martin says the project’s aim has been to “significantly improve lap time performance”.
Deliveries of the car, which will be offered both as a coupe and roadster, begin in May 2021 with prices from £142,000.
“Performance is at the heart of every Aston Martin, but when it wears an F1 badge, it has to be a truly exceptional car,” said CEO Tobias Moers.
“I set the engineering team a tough target, as I was insistent that gains in performance came via genuine improvements in the car’s dynamics, and not by fitting track-optimised tyres.
“The results speak for themselves.”
This car, adds Aston Martin, is the first model to benefit directly from new boss Moers’ input.
Vantage F1 Edition
As well as more power, the eight-speed automatic gearbox has been optimised to speed up shift times and make it feel more direct.
This “allows for finer control when the driver is balancing the car at its limit of traction”.
The front structure has been stiffened to improve steering feel, dampers have been reworked and the spring rate has been increased.
Wheels grow by an inch to 21-inch (for the first time on a Vantage), with bespoke Pirelli tyres, promising greater driver feedback in on-limit handling.
There’s also a full aero kit that delivers positive front and rear downforce – and a total of 200kg more downforce at top speed.
And colours? Choose from the Aston Martin Racing Green as featured on the F1 Safety Car – in either satin or gloss – or Jet Black or Lunar White.
Inside, black leather and grey Alcantara can be offset with a contrast stripe and stitching in black, grey red or… of course, Aston Martin Lime Green.
Eager British people are reportedly stepping up internet searches for driving trip ideas now the government has announced its roadmap out of lockdown.
Searches for ‘UK drives’ are up 92 percent, ‘Sunday drives’ are up 46 percent and ‘best driving routes’ are up 44 percent since the planned lifting of restrictions was announced.
Experts believe the trend reflects British motorists’ eagerness to escape and explore the country without having to spend a night away from home.
Indeed, BMW says it may herald a full-on revival of the Sunday drive, as people have taken stock during the pandemic and started to appreciate the smaller things.
The company commissioned fashion designer Patrick Grant to create an entertaining series of videos on how to plan the perfect stylish Sunday drive: getting out, how to dress and the simple art of it.
“We’re lucky in this country that most people live 30 minutes from somewhere spectacularly beautiful that makes our soul feel better,” said Mr Grant.
“The Sunday drive is the perfect opportunity, to get dressed up, plan a route, make a beautiful picnic and spend time out on the road in nature.”
It seems ever-growing numbers of motorists are thinking exactly the same and planning Sunday drives of their own to look forward to.
Six Sunday driving route ideas
Helpfully, the company has also come up with six Sunday driving routes of its own, to help motorists start to plan their day trips as lockdown restrictions ease:
The Forest of Bowland: 107 miles, 4 hours 7 minutes
Starting at Marshaw, travel east across Dunsop Bridge towards Slaidburn, taking in the sights of the Forest of Bowland. From Slaidburn, head north towards Bentham before heading east through Settle and Malham, where you can enjoy vistas up to Malham Cove. From Malham, head west through Langcliffe before driving to Reedby’s Lane and then back south, finishing your drive at Whitewell.
From the circuit, head east towards Colwyn Bay then south past Adventure Parc Snowdonia (home to the world’s first inland surfing pool and longest zip wire in Europe) to Betws-y-Coed; then left onto the A453 which is start of the infamous ‘Evo triangle’, then a drive into Snowdonia and back up towards Anglesey.
Gleneagles Hotel and Perthshire: 90 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes
Head north from the hotel towards Comrie then enjoy a big loop around two lochs – Loch Earn and Loch Tay – on beautiful open roads then south across the glens towards Crieff and then the hotel.
Oxford and the south Cotswolds: 75 miles, 2 hours 15 minutes
From St Giles in Oxford, head north to Woodstock and Blenheim Palace, then take a west route towards Charlbury and a fantastic open road towards Bourton on the Water, then head south towards Lechlade and Farringdon before returning to Oxford.
North Wessex Downs AONB: 44 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes
From Wantage, head south on the sweeping B494, before heading west towards Lambourn and Ashbury and some fantastic twisty roads (with views of the Uffington White Horse), then back towards Wantage.
West Cornwall – north coast: 38 miles, 1 hour 40 minutes
From St Ives, along the beautiful B336 coastal road towards Zennor and then Sennen, Land’s End, then looping back along the south coast via The Minnack Theatre at Porthcurno, Lamorna, Mousehole and Penzance (St Michael’s Mount) before heading back up to St Ives.
A scarce and desirable Aston Martin V12 Zagato has failed to sell on Bring a Trailer, missing out on its auction reserve price.
With only 61 examples of the sports car made between 2012 and 2013, they are truly hard-to-find vehicles.
Adding to the V12 Zagato’s rarity is the fact it had to be imported into the United States under ‘show or display’ rules. The prospect of being limited to just 2,500 miles a year may have put some bidders off.
British power meets Italian style
Aston Martin has maintained a long-running partnership with the Italian Zagato design house. The relationship began in 1960, with the creation of the DB4 GT Zagato, seeing 20 examples produced.
Further Aston and Zagato collaborations followed, with a distinctive-looking version of the V8 Vantage in 1986. More followed in the early 2000s, with the DB7 and original Vanquish also gaining the Zagato treatment.
Unveiled at the 2011 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the V12 Zagato was intended to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the two companies.
One of just 61 examples made
A brand-new aluminum body was created for the V12 Zagato, with carbon fiber panels used for the front splitter, and rear diffuser. Zagato trademarks included the double-bubble roof, along with a larger front grille wearing a Z-shaped pattern.
Other details included the dramatic tail lights, plus the substantial rear wing made from carbon fiber. Aston Martin had initially only planned to build the V12 Zagato as a race car, but customer pressure led to road-going versions being produced.
Initial plans would see 150 examples made, with European-only sales planned. However, interest was lower than expected, with just 61 road cars eventually produced.
This particular car is said to be the only one painted in special-order three-stage paint Fiamma Red.
Twelve-cylinder symphony
The V12 Zagato retained the 5.9-liter V-12 engine as used in the regular Aston Martin Vantage, which formed the base for the special edition. Output remained the same, with 510 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque on offer.
A six-speed manual transmission reinforced the idea that the V12 Zagato was aimed at true enthusiasts, with a limited-slip differential also fitted.
Carbon ceramic brakes, and double-wishbone suspension with adjustable dampers, are part of this car’s specification. The exclusive 19-inch Zagato-designed wheels are fitted with Pirelli P Zero rubber.
Ready to show or display
Unlike the dramatic exterior transformation, much of the standard V12 Vantage interior can be found inside. Carbon fiber bucket seats, with the Zagato logo embroidered onto them, are the biggest change.
Black leather features throughout the cabin, with red stitching to match the exterior paintwork. Alcantara is used for the steering wheel and gear shifter. Standard equipment includes climate control, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, plus a reversing camera.
The Zagato was imported into the United States in 2014, making use of NHTSA ‘show or display’ legislation. This limits use of the car to 2,500 miles each year.
The V12 Zagato has covered 3,200 miles from new, meaning this example has hardly been used. Servicing was last performed in 2020, with all records and literature to be included with the car.
Digging deep
Having to import a V12 Zagato via the ‘show or display’ route means they are a scarce commodity, even by Aston Martin standards, in the United States. The seller believes that only four are known to have headed across the Atlantic.
When new, Aston Martin charged £330,000 (equivalent to $450,000) for a V12 Zagato. Limited supply has seen examples reach almost double the original price at auction.
However, this time bidding stalled at $518,000, despite plenty of initial interest and bids. It meant the V12 Zagato also achieves the rare status of failing to sell on Bring a Trailer.
As several Bring a Trailer users have noted, ‘show or display’ would mean treating the Zagato as a moving museum piece for many years.
To help celebrate World Sleep Day on 19 March, Citroen has undertaken a survey of British motorists and snoozy passengers.
From 2,000 respondents, some 37 percent stated that they struggle to fall asleep whilst being a passenger in a moving car. A further 14 percent said they were never able to nap on the move.
For those driving, 66 percent had no objection to travel companions falling asleep on a journey.
Activate Snooze Control
Motorways and dual carriageways were reported to be the best roads for passengers taking a snooze. More than two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents said they would fall asleep on these roads.
In terms of what helps in-car sleeps, more than half of those surveyed (55 percent) said that comfortable seats are a major factor. A smooth ride from the suspension was noted as a key element for 49 percent of respondents.
Having ample leg room mattered for more than one-quarter (26 percent), with optimum interior temperature highlighted by 24 percent.
The science of sleeping
Citroen has collaborated with sleep expert James Wilson to find a formula for the OIC (Optimum In-Car Sleep) scenario.
OIC = C (SP, T, A, L, S) – R
Although not quite the catchiest of formulae, Citroen has at least provided its working out.
Comfort (C) is a product of:
Seating Position (SP),
Time (T),
Internal Ambience (A),
Legroom (L), and
Suspension (S).
The effect of external distractions (R), such as rough road surfaces, are then subtracted.
Advice for wannabe nappers
To help those struggling to sleep as a passenger, Citroen has provided top napping tips from James Wilson:
The timing of naps is important, and is best done before 2:00pm,
Naps should not last longer than 30 minutes. Exceeding this duration is likely to affect ‘proper’ sleeping at night,
Seat comfort is critical, so ensuring the correct seating position is vital to an effective snooze,
Making use of all available legroom
A drop in heart rate aids sleeping, so listening to a podcast or spoken book can help. Using headphones will also block out external sounds.
Eurig Druce, MD of Citroen UK, said: “With more than a third of passengers struggling to fall asleep in a car, comfort plays a key role in creating an environment where passengers can doze off for a quick power nap.
“Our research shows some of the optimal conditions to achieve a comfortable sleep environment, with our cars designed for maximum comfort and well-being.”
Formula 1 fans may find themselves preoccupied as season 3 of the hit Drive to Survive is released.
Available to stream on Netflix, the latest series covers the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship.
As a collaboration between Netflix and Formula 1’s organisers, the documentary programme has become renowned for covering the important off-track action.
Raw speed and raw emotions
Instead of simply covering the story of racing action chronologically, Drive to Survive has placed attention on the human side of the sport.
Interviews with drivers, team managers, and F1 officials have formed the backbone of the programme. The first season gained attention for the expletive-laden rants from Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner.
Last year’s second season delved into the struggles of Red Bull drivers Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly, showing the harsh realities of meeting the team’s expectations.
Given the challenges of the past twelve months, there is little to suspect season 3 of Drive to Survive will be short on content.
Driving changes on and off the track
Netflix does not release details of the teams and drivers covered each year, or the particular storylines to be followed.
However, the impact of COVID-19, which affected filming of Drive to Survive itself, will surely take a major role. The strong social justice stance taken by Sir Lewis Hamilton during 2020 is also a strong contender for being featured.
Expect to see Romain Grosjean’s terrifying high-speed crash in Bahrain included, too.
Although the Formula 1 season was shortened during 2020, Netflix has still committed to ten episodes of Drive to Survive. A perfect amount to pass the time until the start of the 2021 F1 season on Friday, 26 March.
If you can avoid binge-watching them all first, that is.
Currently, there are no plans to offer the Spring in right-hand-drive markets.
But, revealed Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot to Motoring Research today, UK sales are still actively being considered.
“There is potential, yes. We will take a decision in the next few months.
“The Sandero has already been named What Car? Car of the Year, and we care about our presence in the UK. We know Dacia is a very popular brand in the UK.” The clear message was to ‘watch this space’.
“We have seen the hashtag #BringtheSpring on social media,” added product marketing boss Xavier Martinet. “This does not go unnoticed.”
Dacia’s decision could even be influenced by recent changes to the Plug-in Car Grant, which focuses funds on more affordable car models.
Industry watchers have noted there are few pure electric cars on sale for less than £20,000, despite the government’s eagerness to drive the switch to electric with its 2030 target in mind.
Offering a pure electric car for a post-grant price of well under £15,000 could be a real marketing coup for Dacia, underlining the brand’s strong reputation in the UK for value.
Springing a surprise
The Dacia Spring is a city car-sized EV, with SUV styling, measuring just over 3.7 metres long – smaller than the current Dacia Sandero supermini.
It has a battery offering 27.4kWh of usable capacity and, thanks to a kerb weight that impressively dips below one tonne, a WLTP range of 141 miles.
When restricted to city driving – where Dacia expects most will be used – this range grows to 190 miles. The firm expects most Spring owners will only charge their car once a week.
The four-seat EV has a voluminous 290-litre boot, much bigger than the city car norm, and even the entry-level model will offer air-con, six airbags and autonomous emergency braking.
Pre-orders in France begin this weekend, Mr Martinet told an exclusive group of AUTOBEST jurors – and, unlike with the Tesla Model 3, prospective owners won’t have to actually pay anything.
Instead, they submit a scan of their credit card, “like with hiring a car”, and a Dacia dealer then contacts them to confirm the order and deposit later.
“If demand is high, it’s first come, first served: the preorder is not about charging cash, but about allowing serious prospects to book their place in the queue.”
For Brits, the message seems to be clear: if you want to see the Dacia Spring on sale here, let the firm know and signal your intention to join the queue…
More significantly, it has also lowered the price ceiling, from £50,000 to £35,000.
The car industry was quick to respond. “The wrong move at the wrong time,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. “Extremely disappointing” said car dealer trade body the NFDA.
But now the shock has subsided, here’s why, on reflection, it could actually be positive for British car buyers.
It all hinges on that maximum price cap. The previous £50,000 level,reports the Times, irked government ministers. The “Tesla subsidy,” said one source. “Taxpayers should not be subsidising people to buy £50,000 cars.”
The $35,000 (£30,000) Tesla Model 3 famously never materialised, and the company has since abandoned this goal.
That means the cheapest Tesla Model 3 in the UK is currently £40,490, before savings. Previously, it was eligible for the Plug-in Car Grant, which would have reduced this to £37,490.
So that’s a £3,000 price hike, overnight. How can this be good news for EV buyers?
Well, because the focus will not be on getting EV list prices below £50,000, but getting them below £35,000.
In other words, the new goal won’t be on £47,000 EVs, but offering them to consumers for less than £32,500.
As analyst Matthias Schmidt pointed out, car firms in the UK now have to meet strict CO2 limits for this country on its own, rather than pooling them with other EU nations.
So, if brands are to avoid big fines for selling profitable, high-CO2 cars, they need to either put their hands in their pockets, or offset this with plentiful volumes of zero-CO2 EVs. And now the bar for volume buyers has effectively been lowered by a healthy £14,500.
Suddenly, manufacturers are being forced to focus on significantly cheaper EVs to keep that all-important sales volume high. The competition will now switch to a price point far more within reach for millions.
Who knows, maybe Tesla will even bring us a sub-£35,000 Model 3?
Yes, it’s a surprise move from a government committed to the very zero-emissions cars that it now appears to be disincentivising.
For the consumer, though, it may actually end up delivering more affordable EVs that far more people can consider. Surely that’s got to be a good thing?
The Plug-in Car Grant for pure electric cars has been reduced from £3,000 to £2,500, with the list price cap also reduced from £50,000 to £35,000.
The changes are effective immediately from today (18 March 2021).
These measures have been taken to ensure the funding lasts longer, says the government.
The £50,000 price cap has been lowered to £35,000 because higher-priced vehicles are ‘typically bought by drivers who can afford to switch without a subsidy from taxpayers’.
As the number of sub-£35,000 EVs has increased by almost 50 percent since 2019, argues the government, more than half the models currently on sale will still be eligible for the grant.
“While the level of funding remains as high as ever,” said transport minister Rachel Maclean, “given soaring demand, we are refocusing our vehicle grants on the more affordable zero emission vehicles – where most consumers will be looking and where taxpayers’ money will make more of a difference.
“We will continue to review the grant as the market grows.”
“The government argued at the time the move would “allow more drivers to benefit from making the switch for longer”.
The Plug-in Car Grant currently has £582m of funding allocated, which is ‘intended to last until 2022 or 2023’.
‘Wrong move at the wrong time’
The car industry has expressed its frustration over the sudden move. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes called it “the wrong move at the wrong time.
“New battery electric technology is more expensive than conventional engines and incentives are essential in making these vehicles affordable to the customer.
“Cutting the grant and eligibility moves the UK even further behind other markets, which are increasing their support, making it yet more difficult for the UK to get sufficient supply.
“This sends the wrong message to the consumer, especially private customers, and to an industry challenged to meet the government’s ambition to be a world leader in the transition to zero emission mobility.”
Ford of Britain Chairman Graham Hoare called the news “disappointing and is not conducive to supporting the zero emissions future we all desire.
“Robust incentives – both purchase and usage incentives – that are consistent over time are essential if we are to encourage consumers to adopt new technologies.”
The NFDA, which represents car dealers has called the move “extremely disappointing as it risks undermining the progress the UK has bene making towards a zero-emission market in line with the 2030/2035 deadline set by the government”.
Chief executive Sue Robinson says the NFDA has “repeatedly highlighted that we must avoid a situation where the least well-off drivers are deterred from buying a new, low-emission vehicle when the times comes to replace their old one.
“The cost of the electric cars currently available on the market remain higher than their petrol or diesel counterparts and it is vital that buyers continue to be incentivised.”
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said that although ministers talk-the-talk on encouraging people into cleaner vehicles, “cutting the Plug-in Car Grant certainly isn’t walking the walk.
“Even though more models are coming on to the market, our research suggests upfront cost remains a concern to drivers when comparing the cost of an electric vehicle with a similarly sized conventional vehicle.
“By cutting the grant, the Government may risk people holding on to their older, more polluting vehicles for longer.”
