Justacargal found a most unusual prototype rim and tire replacement made of springs

from http://justacargal-s.blogspot.com/

and reminded me of the next photo that I've never learned exactly what is was originally.. .but they look similar

Shelby Comet. Never heard of that, have you? Did you hear of the Shelby Europa? 14 made

Shelby Europa were just getting started by Claude Dubois, who raced a Ford of Antwerp Shelby Gt 350 in Spa in 1967. They came directly from Ford as semi-finished and completed by Dubois. Now it was not very many, 1971 and 72 made a total of just 14 pieces, including two convertibles.

There are eight survivors, three of were in Sweden, then Norway, then to Finland.

Well, so was there a special European-Shelby prototype, GT250, a 1971 Mercury Comet that Claude supplied with a GT40 289 block and heads, that gave the car more than 350 horsepower. It was a couple of years as Claude's own daily driver before being resold.

info from http://svammelsurium.blogg.se/2008/december/de-forgatna-del-36-shelby-europa.html

Claude was in Dearborn when Ford announced the cessation of the Shelby Fords, and so bought the last 34 or 36. He sold them in Belgium, Paris, Istanbul, Geneva and Germany

Read his 2002 interview here: http://www.ponysite.de/sheleur_dubois3.htm

After 1970 Claude proposed a licensing deal, and bought Mustangs from Bob Ford in Detroit, the first was completed in January 1971 and went to the Brussels Motor show. The Shelby parts came from Shelby American. Some had 351's and at least one was a drag pack 429 http://www.ponysite.de/sheleur.htm

Learn about the Mexico Shelby Mustangs here: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/shelby-de-mexico-i-finally-learned-of.html

I didn't know that the Detroit Historic Museum had an extensive car collection, the historic society has been collecting for 90 years

news story and video that is worth watching here: http://detnews.com/article/20110219/METRO01/102190368/Part-of-Detroit%E2%80%99s-history-kept-under-wraps

Part of the approximately 60 car collection are:

an 1870 Phaeton Carriage made for the worlds fair,
a 1963 Chrysler Turbine that would run on diesel fuel, unleaded gasoline, kerosene, vegetable oil and even tequila
a 1911 Ford Model T keeps company
a 1963 pre-production Ford Mustang and John Dodge's 1919 coupe.
A 1963 Cougar II concept car by Ford
A 1956 Packard Patrician: an aristocratic sedan, this was the last year for Packard. A 1947 Kaiser
A 1949 Buick Super 8:
a rare one of 7 built 1959 Chrysler Crown Imperial, with a 413 and a stainless steel top. When sold it was the most expensive American car, it went for about $7,500 when most houses sold for about $4,500

The society started collecting items in the early 1920s and obtained its first car in 1954 — a 1905 Cadillac Osceola donated by Henry M. Leland, who founded Cadillac and Lincoln.

Thanks to Marc for letting me know about this story!

The rare and one of a kind Corvettes

1957 Vette

1960 Vette

found on http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428585&page=3

The Rebel Machine is in San Diego! Ebay score out of Tennessee

Ralph Lauren garage was just photographed by Vanity Fair

See the whole gallery at http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2011/01/ralph-lauren-garage-slide-show-201101#slide=1 or read about it http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2011/01/ralph-lauren-garage-201101 via: http://stipistop.com/

A tour of Ralph Lauren’s car collection is up for auction for charity, and the estimated tour is $150,000. That’s right, $150,000 to look at–not to own–the vintage Ferraris, Porsches and a 1936 Bugatti Atlantic, which is valued at north of $30 million. As the bidding description states, “You and a friend will receive a tour of this extraordinary private collection of classic cars given by Ralph Lauren himself.” The day ends with a ride in the 1936 Bugatti. The winner also get a signed copy of “Speed, Style, and Beauty: Cars from the Ralph Lauren Collection.”

Having some quality car-talk time with Ralph would be an experience to remember. But for $150,000? For that amount, I think I would rather buy my own Porsche or Ferrari. This is, however, for a cause, and someone may well hit the estimate. Even if they don’t, the tour is likely to raise a large chunk of change. So far there have been four bidders and the top bid is $42,500
For more about it http://ultimate-luxury-community.com/category/luxury-addict/luxury-cars
and http://justacargal-s.blogspot.com/2011/02/ralph-lauren-car-collection.html

Coolest damn thing you'll see all week. 1913 Harley, heavily optioned,TANDEM !, unrestored, with a quick history and instructions how to start it. WOW

the bike's options are discussed for the first 5 minutes, then the bike is started up and the procedure is wonderfully demonstrated, step by step. (starts at minute 5:30)
Thanks Mike! This is great!

Porsche tractor gallery

see the whole gallery at http://zelastchancegaragedu78.blogspot.com/2010/11/porsche-tractors.html

1 of 3 existing BMW R51 RS factory race bikes in unrestored condition getting auctioned

Read about the sad true story of how the first owner was ruined by the US Govt because he was German immigrant businessman at the beginning of WW2, just like many Japanese Americans were. He was the BMW importer in New York, and managed to finagle one of these seventeen R51RS racers from the factory.

In truth, BMW sold very few motorcycles in the US in the 1920s and 30s, as protectionist trade policies introduced in the mid-20s levied a huge tax (up to 100%) on 'heavy' imported goods. Thus BMWs were rare and very expensive in the US

The 'RS' was a pushrod 500cc ohv flat-twin

Emil Recke's troubles began when AMA track officials ignored the bike making the fastest qulaifying lap at a race in Langhorne Pennsylvania, and when the US finally entered the War in Dec. 1941, Recke, as a German national and 'enemy alien', had his bank accounts seized by the US government.

Suddenly broke, he was forced to sell his BMW dealership, parts stock, tooling, and motorcycles to survive, for which he was paid pennies on the dollar given the ramping-up of the propaganda machine against anything, and anyone, German (or Japanese). After selling nearly everything he owned, all he had left in the world was his most precious possession, the R51RS which had been entrusted to him by the BMW factory. When it became clear that this, too, must be sold, he did what he had to, and sold the bike. He then took his own life.
Via: http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2010/12/amazing-unrestored-bmw-racer-at-auction.html