SDJC Member Ken Smith Takes Best of Show
at The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering

1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Disappearing Top Convertible Wins Quail Concours Best of Show in Carmel, California USA.

This 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Disappearing Top Convertible (46864), owned by Club Delahaye members Ken & Ann Smith of La Jolla, California in the USA, captured the Rolex Circle of Champions Best of Show Award at the August 13, 2010 Quail Motorsport Gathering in Carmel Valley, California, adding to an impressive array of Best of Show, Most Elegant and People's Choice awards already achieved by this Figoni et Falschi masterpiece.

The annual Quail Motorsports Gathering is one of the most important shows in the United States. It's a very elegant show where gourmet food and drinks are served continuously and which was sold out again this year to more than 3000 guests who admired more than 150 rare sports, racing and classic cars. Showing a car at the event is by invitation only. This year's show featured racing icon and legendary designer Carroll Shelby and a collection of Shelby Cobras. The official unveiling of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport that reached a new land speed record of 431.072 km/h took place at the show, and a large number of vintage Bugattis also competed.

The Smiths were presented with the Quail Best of Show Trophy, a large bottle of Cristal Louis Roederer champagne and a Rolex Cosomograph Daytona wristwatch. The event was witnessed by press from all over the world. The win also qualifies the Delahaye for the annual Louis Vuitton Classic Award which considers only Best of Show cars for the year from the major concours events throughout the world.

 FALL ISSUE OF MOTOR TREND CLASSIC CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF JAGUAR

  The Magazine that Brought About the Rebirth of Cool

Test Drives a One-of-a-Kind National Treasure Just Before Monterey Auto Week

El Segundo, Calif. (2010) – Just in time for Jaguar’s 75th Anniversary celebration at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Motor Trend Classic honors the British brand with a cover story on the legendary Jaguar XJ13, the one-of-a-kind mechanical jewel that never made it to Le Mans.

Originally suggested as prototype by Jaguar to race at the Le Mans 24 Hour Races in 1965, the 500-HP, V-12 racer is considered one of the most enigmatic and valuable cars in Jaguar history. It is the only example of Jaguar’s first-ever mid-engine car, initially completed in 1966, but made obsolete by a change to the Le Mans rules before its development and testing could be completed.

“The XJ13 is a beautiful and fascinating vehicle; naturally, it was an honor to be offered the opportunity to drive it,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend and Motor Trend Classic. “Though it never raced, the XJ13 perfectly captures the last glorious gasp of an era when aerodynamics was an elegant art rather than a cold science. The XJ13 may have not fulfilled its destiny, but it’s a car that lived.”

The fall issue of Motor Trend Classic will also include several additional features such as: a comparison test between a 428 Ford Country Squire and a 427 Chevy Kingswood Estate, a tribute to the Alfa Romeo Duetto, and a piece on the Buick Grand National, viewed by many as the last American muscle car.

The magazine will be available on newsstands beginning August 2, as well as at various auto events in Monterey, leading up to the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

 About Motor Trend Automotive Group

The Motor Trend Automotive Group (MTAG) is comprised of flagship automotive brands including Motor Trend, Automobile Magazine, Motor Trend Classic, IntelliChoice, Truck Trend and Automotive.com. Delivering a significant reach across both automotive enthusiast and various in-market consumer audiences, the Motor Trend Automotive Group produces news, features, road tests, data, cost of ownership, analysis, photography and video, and is responsible for some of the industry’s most coveted awards, including the Car of the Year, Automobile of the Year, Best Overall Value, Truck of the Year and more. In addition to print products with a combined audience in excess of 11 million readers a month, the Motor Trend Automotive Group’s websites attract more than 10 million unique visitors and generate more than 50 million page views a month.

The Motor Trend Automotive Group is part of Source Interlink Media, LLC the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 publications, 90 Web sites, 400 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities.

Jaguar XKR175: 510 horsepower and $104,500

Mark Maynard

Friday, June 25, 2010 at 10:57 a.m.

Free from the restrictions of past parent Ford Motor Co., Jaguar can at last cut loose and roar a little with some over-the-top projects. And that is just what it has done to celebrate 75 years in business.

The Brits have baked themselves a couple of special coupe cakes – the XKR175 for North America and the XKR75 for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium.

The Yank’s version gets the XKR’s supercharged, 510-horsepower, 5.0 liter V-8 with six-speed automatic. The Brit’s XKR75 is rated for 530-hp. Top speeds on both are raised to an electronically limited 174mph.

To maintain stability, the engineers devised a special aerodynamic package that includes a revised front air dam, new side sills, rear diffuser and a larger rear spoiler.

Dressed in Ultimate Black paint, the stance is set by new 20-inch Kasuga 10-spoke alloy wheels and red brake calipers.

The interior is set off by Warm Charcoal leather with Cranberry stitching and Piano Black wood veneer. Door-sill plates are stamped “XKR175 – 1 of 175.” (Or XKR 75 – 1 of 75.)

Limited to 175 cars, the XKR175 has an MSRP of $104,500, including the freight charge from Coventry, England. (The standard XKR coupe has a starting price of $96,000.)

The XKR 75, limited to 75, starts at 85,500 UK pounds (or about $127,652 in dollars.

The XKR 75 steps out first with a debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2. The XKR175 will take a bow the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August.

Taken with permission from Maynard's Garage blog site (see Links page for a link).