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2009 News Archive

All of our Classic Cars news stories from 2009 can be found here.

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The Editor’s Top 5 stories of 2009

There have been thousands of stories on the website this year – here I highlight my favourites

Posted: 1 January 2010
Happy Hogmanay!

Happy Silvester, Reveillon and Nochevieja for our overseas readers

Posted: 31 December 2009
90,000 classic car lovers to descend on Retromobile

A $1.5m Ferrari and a $650k 1929 Mercedes-Benz will star at the highly-anticipated Paris event

Posted: 30 December 2009
A classic 1960s Lamborghini, yours for £355k

You don't need to go to Paris or Arizona this January to find a sought-after classic motor...

Posted: 29 December 2009
The 'ultimate Packard' to sell for $300k

The 1934 Super Eight Sport Phaeton is a Depression-era classic, and a sale not to be missed

Posted: 27 December 2009
Merry Christmas!

Don't forget your free gift from Paul Fraser Collectibles...

Posted: 25 December 2009
€1m Ferrari Superamerica to sell in Paris

Driven by Emperors, Shahs and Peter Sellers, the 400 Superamerica is an unmissable sale

Posted: 23 December 2009
€260k vintage Bugatti graces Paris auction

The 1929 Type 44 from the Molsheim factory's early golden era will sell at Retromobile

Posted: 23 December 2009
For sale: the only Ford GT90 ever made

Ford's 1995 concept car, the only one of its kind in existence, hits the auction block in January

Posted: 22 December 2009
Paul Fraser Collectibles: one of the 100 best things about Bristol

With Banksy and Wallace and Gromit, we've been named among the Top 100 things to love about our home city

Posted: 22 December 2009
Salvaged from the depths... a 1925 Bugatti Brescia

The Type 22 Roadster has been fished out of Lago Maggiore after 73 years - and now it's up for sale

Posted: 21 December 2009
$12.4m Ferrari leads a record-breaking year for classic cars

From a $2.5m Jaguar to a $0.9m Aston Martin, the collectors' market remains stronger than ever

Posted: 18 December 2009
1930 Duesenberg sale could bring $650k

Here are some of the other star cars set to appear at RM's hotly-anticipated Arizona auction...

Posted: 17 December 2009
The Story of... the 1965 Shelby Daytona

Shelby vs Ferrari in the 1960s is perhaps the most bitter rivalry in racing history. This video shows how the enmity led to the creation of America's greatest race car

Posted: 15 December 2009
'Most significant' 1941 concept Chrysler for sale

After major success as a show car at Concours d'Elegance, the Thunderbolt will sell in Arizona

Posted: 13 December 2009
One-of-a-kind Shelby Cobra to sell in Arizona

The 'Flip-top' Prototype is sure to send anticipation for RM's January car sale through the roof

Posted: 11 December 2009
Paul Fraser welcomes James Bly to the Expert Panel

Antique Expert and Fund Manager

Posted: 9 December 2009
£442k Rolls Royce races ahead at auction

The £3.7m London sale also included a 1963 Cobra Roadster and motorcycles from the BBC's Top Gear

Posted: 8 December 2009
For sale: an ultra-rare Aston Martin DB4 GT

One of only six lightweight Superleggeras built, it will be a major star at RM's January auction

Posted: 8 December 2009
Vintage Rolls-Royce could bring over £600k

Bonhams sold a 1904 Rolls for a record £3.5m, so the 1906 Light 20hp Tourer will be one to watch

Posted: 7 December 2009
'Rarest and most beautiful' aircraft in the world to sell in Arizona

The only fully-restored 1929 Hamilton Metalplane H-47 in existence will auction with no reserve

Posted: 3 December 2009
Fancy commissioning your own Ferrari design?

That’s what a wealthy Swiss car collector has done, employing coachbuilder Franco Sbarro

Posted: 1 December 2009
Moscow Museum buys Hitler's Mercedes

'Buying a Nazi car is like sticking one finger up to Hitler' says the exhibition's curator

Posted: 1 December 2009
€109k sale leads BMW bike auction

The largest single manufacturer bike collection ever has gone under the hammer in Germany

Posted: 30 November 2009
The Collections of Malcolm Forbes

The cheerful multi-millionaire businessman, philanthropist and enthusiastic collector...

Posted: 26 November 2009
US TV star Reyne Haines joins Paul Fraser Collectibles expert panel

Here Reyne shows us that valuable collections aren't just confined to rare stamps or coins, classic cars, or wine cellars

Posted: 26 November 2009
$3.5m Ferrari to sell in Monaco

One of the car sales of the year, the 1962 Pininfarina, will be at RM's hotly-anticipated event

Posted: 25 November 2009
The Collections of Jay Leno

The comedian, TV show presenter and classic car enthusiast

Posted: 25 November 2009
Historic Shelby racers to auction in Arizona

A 1963 Shelby Cobra and first production 1966 GT350 will go under the hammer at no reserve

Posted: 24 November 2009
Museum buys Michael Jackson's Mercedes for $104.5k

When have you ever seen the King of Pop driving a car? Now you need look no further...

Posted: 23 November 2009
Ol' Blue Eyes' Cadillac sells for $122k

Frank Sinatra's 1950s car was the second-biggest seller at Bonhams' important cars auction

Posted: 20 November 2009
Warren Buffett v Luxury Collectibles

You'd think there could only be one winner... right?

Posted: 20 November 2009
11 cars wrecked by pensioner

Floridian businessman is careless with classic Ferraris

Posted: 19 November 2009
Steve McQueen motorbike to star at auction

Three pieces connected to the Great Escape actor are on sale

Posted: 13 November 2009
100 classic cars to appear in Tokyo

Toyota is hosting the 20th anniversary Classic Cars event, with 19-20th century models on display

Posted: 9 November 2009
$300k 'experimental' Cadillacs lead RM sale

A wide selection of historic 1950s concept cars will be among the autos at 2010's Arizona auction

Posted: 7 November 2009
One-off 'Chinese' Ferrari sells for $1.77m

Designed by China's leading artist Lu Hao, the auction celebrated Ferrari's five years in China

Posted: 6 November 2009
Classic Cars: Pleasure, Passion and Profit

Here's a video report looking at opportunities and pitfalls for investors in the classic cars market

Posted: 5 November 2009
The story of...

Aston Martin - designing the V8 Vantage

Posted: 4 November 2009
Classic auction cars unveiled at SEMA

Stars of the world's best industry show will include the 24-limited Chevrolet Camaro LS9

Posted: 3 November 2009
Paul Fraser welcomes John Bly to the expert panel

John Bly is an antiques dealer, author, after-dinner speaker and broadcaster who is best known from the BBC Antiques Roadshow

Posted: 3 November 2009
1933 Rolls-Royce wins Concours d'Elegance

The distinguished automobile won Best Of Show, while People's Choice was a 1932 Packard Coupe

Posted: 2 November 2009
The London to Brighton veteran car run

This Sunday: A celebration of legally driving at over 4 miles per hour...

Posted: 31 October 2009
Aston Martin chairman’s DB2 sells for record £550k

'The collector car market is still remarkably strong' says auction house after a fantastic year

Posted: 30 October 2009
$66k 1950s Packard shines at car auction

And Enzo Ferrari's favourite, the Jaguar E-type, brought over $56k at the Canadian auto sale

Posted: 29 October 2009
€600k legendary 1920s Grand Prix racer to sell in Paris

'Legendary is a too often used term, but in this case it's entirely appropriate,' says Bonhams

Posted: 28 October 2009
Historic £450k Aston Martin DB2 for sale

This legendary racer was once owned by 'DB' himself, Aston Martin chairman David Brown

Posted: 27 October 2009
£150k Panhard-Levassor leads vintage car auction

A 1901 Argyll, famed for for 'its ghost-like silence and responsiveness', will also appear for £110k

Posted: 26 October 2009
Michael Jackson items to appear at O2

The singer's Rolls Royce and a number of oil paintings will feature in the huge London expo

Posted: 26 October 2009
RM Vintage Motor Cars auction nets $9.1m

A $517k 1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe was the leading sale, with 94% of lots sold

Posted: 24 October 2009
Tramontana's $2.95m chameleon supercar

A renowned artist has redesigned the exotic V12 to change colour according to movement and light

Posted: 23 October 2009
400 classic cars to appear in Canada

A pristine 1967 Jaguar E-type will be among the Hot Rods, roadsters and convertibles at the sale

Posted: 22 October 2009
First time at auction for rare £1m historic sports car

Only eight 1963 ATS 2500s were produced, and this is the first time one has ever gone under the hammer

Posted: 21 October 2009
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupé

This unmistakeable and beautifully-designed 1950s classic was the world's first supercar

Posted: 19 October 2009
1953 Cadillac and other rare roadsters to auction in Canada

Renowned car collector Al Webster is putting his vintage collection up for sale in Ontario

Posted: 16 October 2009
Mini's homage to a '50s racing legend

The limited "John Cooper" honours the car maker's championship win, and Mini's own iconic past

Posted: 16 October 2009
A luxury watch for Mercedes-Benz SLR drivers

TAG Heuer's incredible new timepiece is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 200mph sports car

Posted: 15 October 2009
$440k Cobra leads Las Vegas car sale

A $352k limited-edition Mustang, Bruce Willis's Chevy and the Batmobile also starred at the auction

Posted: 13 October 2009
Drag and concept racers net almost $7m

'Drag racing's first full-time exhibition act' sells for $550k and an unusual '65 Dodge brings $324k

Posted: 12 October 2009
'One of a kind' Chinese Ferrari goes to auction

Only one 599 GTB Fiorano like this will ever be made, and its going under the hammer in November

Posted: 9 October 2009
Car thief crashes rare $59k Lotus

The only 1968 41C in the UK is now back with its owner, thanks to a joyrider's bad driving

Posted: 7 October 2009
The 10 best Japanese classic cars?

These vintage Asian automobiles could be the best future investments for collectors

Posted: 6 October 2009
Bonham's sells legendary collector's motorbikes

The late Willy Neutken assembled the greatest collection of BMW bikes in the world

Posted: 5 October 2009
Bruce Willis's cars to auction in Vegas

A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 and 1988 Lincoln Limousine will sell at no reserve

Posted: 3 October 2009
A world-beating GT Racer for £430k

The 1999 Grand Touring Championship was cancelled because no-one could challenge this Mercedes - and now it's up for sale

Posted: 2 October 2009
Collectibles investments are booming, says The Times

'High net worth individuals are increasingly turning to alternative investments,' reports the respected UK newspaper

Posted: 24 September 2009
Lennon Mercedes bought after decade-long hunt

A UK businessman has finally tracked down John Lennon's iconic white Mercedes, more than 10 years after he fell in love with it

Posted: 18 September 2009
€2.7m spent at car auction

French traders grab Ferraris and Mercedes, but a classic Bugatti goes begging

Posted: 1 October 2009
Japanese cars - an untapped field of collectibles?

Grassroots Motorsports magazine picks 10 classic cars from the East

Posted: 28 September 2009
The Movie Car Museum

Warner Bros showcase movie and TV show cars...

Posted: 25 September 2009
The classic car choice of US Presidents

The story of the Lincoln Limousine...

Posted: 24 September 2009
Rolls Royce to star at one of UK’s largest country house auctions

£200k sale includes memorabilia and antiques worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, Dutch furniture and continental paintings

Posted: 22 September 2009
Chelmsford to host Aviva MSA Classic

Excitement for one of Britain's most popular car events

Posted: 18 September 2009
Collector Leno adds 'car segment' to his new show

The host also reveals that he was tried to buy the US State of Utah's most famous car...

Posted: 15 September 2009
Heaven for motorcycle collectors at Bohham's

Over 150 motorcycles and memorabilia, including a rare £50k Vincent Rapide, KAR 223 ridden by Arthur Merrett, will appear at the sale

Posted: 15 September 2009
'Largest no-reserve car auction' to be held in US

Renowned British auction house Coys is bringing its 500 lot, first-ever US car show to Houston, Dallas

Posted: 14 September 2009
Top Gear - Kevin McCloud's fantastic lap

A celebrity exceeds expectations on the world famous British TV show

Posted: 14 September 2009
Good news: collectibles improve your mental health

They can reduce stress, add years to your life and 'people with hobbies are healthier and happier,' says a new study

Posted: 11 September 2009
Mercedes 300SL's 'spiritual successor' is revealed, priced $0.5m

After 50 years, a sleek and retro new 'Gullwing' has arrived in the form of the SLS AMG

Posted: 10 September 2009
Vintage motorcycles make a stir at 'world's largest' car sale

An $187k Munch sale and other vintage motorcycles caused lively bidding among collectors

Posted: 10 September 2009
Legendary car innovator to sign autographs

Autograph and memorabilia collectors can meet the man who put the ‘super’ in Super Mustang...

Posted: 8 September 2009
Car driven and designed by a King to sell for £35k

There are few Royal cars of this significance outside the Queen's own collection

Posted: 6 September 2009
Jacko's Rollers roll into storage...

Michael Jacksons now priceless Rolls-Royce's are safely stored away...

Posted: 3 September 2009
Pizza mogul reunited with his beloved Chevy for $250k

'I never gave up hope that someday I would get that car back,' says Papa John's founder after a nationwide search to find the car he sold at age 22

Posted: 3 September 2009
Ferrari owner makes £100k profit in one year

‘It was safer than putting his cash in a bank,’ says UK supercar dealer

Posted: 1 September 2009
Howard Hughes car to sell for $1m-plus record price

'This is one of the world's most unusual cars and I believe it's a great investment opportunity,' says its current owner

Posted: 1 September 2009
Racing classic at New Zealand auction

30 classic and collectible cars of all kinds are available for auction this Saturday

Posted: 27 August 2009
Your yearly chance to see a world-class car collection

The famed LeMay family open their home grounds to the public this weekend

Posted: 27 August 2009
Rarest automobile signs for sale

Over 1,000 vintage signs, parts and automotive collectibles will feature in Ohio, US auction

Posted: 26 August 2009
First Jaguar C-Type in North America sells for $2.5m

Car driven by the legendary Phil Hill sets a new auction world record

Posted: 25 August 2009
Footballers and their cars...

Footballers and cars are as inseparable as Mercedes and Benz. And, apparently, it all started with George Best...

Posted: 25 August 2009
Three new World Records and a $2.75m Ferrari at premier car event

Aston Martin, Jaguar and Buick all sold for record amounts at this year's Concours d'Elegance

Posted: 20 August 2009
World record price for US car at auction

$7.25m for a Shelby Cobra...

Posted: 17 August 2009
Le Mans Bugatti can be yours for $3.4m...

Snr Ettore Bugatti's personal car is up for auction...

Posted: 13 August 2009
Car lover's dreamland

The biggest and best celebration of cars revs up for the 59th year running

Posted: 11 August 2009
Classic cars recession proof

Summer event shifts cars without difficulty

Posted: 11 August 2009
Ferrari sale breaks record at auction (video)

The 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa has set a new world record in Italy

Posted: 10 August 2009
Tributes to British car lover

Businessman who owned cars and raced in a classic has died, aged 55

Posted: 10 August 2009
Cars featured in films and TV on sale

A Los Angeles auction will be selling a variety of cars seen in famous shows on Saturday

Posted: 7 August 2009
Celebrity classic car collectors

With a need to look good, and the bank balances to achieve it, a number of famous faces invest in cars

Posted: 7 August 2009
Stars cars up for auction

Two classic cars are to go under the hammer and their links to famous owners are expected to result in big prices

Posted: 6 August 2009
Classic Car show in Michigan

200 classic cars are appearing at the Concours d'Elegance in Rochester, Michigan this Sunday after an RM auction

Posted: 31 July 2009
Friday night car shows in Escalon, California

The Escalon Lions Club, a group of car buffs, meet every Friday to show off their favourite automobiles

Posted: 31 July 2009
Texas drug gangster's loot to go under hammer

Convicted drug dealer's belongings will be auctioned with 700 other illegal items seized by the FBI, this Saturday

Posted: 31 July 2009
St. Petersburg opens 'one of largest' classic car museums

Cars owned by Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and astronaut Yuri Gagarin will appear in new Vyborg collection

Posted: 28 July 2009
Billionaire wants a massive car showroom at his home

But his plans to build a 6,600 sq ft personal museum could face opposition

Posted: 27 July 2009
US television star buys $2m supercar...

Only ten are going to be built, making it among the rarest and most powerful of its kind

Posted: 24 July 2009
Classic car museum up for sale

Cars collected over two decades, including one of the most famous in the world

Posted: 22 July 2009