The Steeple Times

Tag: auto

  • A BIG Bugatti

    A BIG Bugatti

    Theodora Ong lusts after a £1.55 million 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport that currently sports the registration plate ‘BIG 3’ – but could become ‘BUG 8’

    The Steeples Times’ classic cars columnist Theodora Ong is back on the road after the pandemic lockdowns and is all set for essential-journey test drives – or, in this case, is still dreaming of them.

     

    So, you didn’t get out much during 2020 and you’ve saved a fair bit.  Staycation country jaunts sound like the safest plan for no-hassle cruising, so, today, I share with you something a little more modern than my normal automobile offerings.

     

    Ready for you to drive away is this rare Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. One of only 58 produced, it’s a UK-registered supermobile, but you are unlikely to have spotted it running around as it’s clocked up just 2,220 miles (3,574 kms).

     

    Right now, this gleaming pearly white Grand Sport is in a secret location in the custody of classic & supercars specialists Graeme Hunt Ltd. They say it’s definitely for driving now rather than to be swaddled up in storage. Well, who wouldn’t want to get some sunshine bouncing off its curvy armour-like shell, designed to profile its muscle structure and ferocious 7993cc – with pano roof down right now?

     

    When the Bugatti Veyron was launched, it redefined sports motoring on the road, in the way that only every decade or so, a new contender explodes on the scene. This is a hypercar of extreme concept fully realised. Its 0 to 60 in just over 2 seconds is too simplistic a way to describe its abilities. It’s a car you can feel; the dealer describes the noise you hear when firing it up as “utterly charming, the oils and fluids pulsing around the engine warming up the 16 cylinders make you just sizzle with excitement,” though I am still waiting to share the flutter of elation from an ever-hopeful outing.

     

    With the heritage of Italian-born industrial designer Ettore Bugatti and memorable Grand Prix victories, the 21st century Bugatti is a brand of our Euro-age, as a French subsidiary of Volkswagen AG. After some six years in concept, the Veyron was launched in 2005, and models of increasing refinement rolled off for nearly a decade after. Four turbochargers produced 1001 horsepower offering a top speed of 253 mph (407 km/h) and the price was announced at £880,000 ($1.2 million, €1 million or درهم4.5 million). It sealed its iconic status when the BBC’s Top Gear compared it to Concorde.

     

    And who are amongst the greatest who have sought the greatest? Tom Cruise set the pace of the Mission Impossible III premiere by arriving in a Bugatti Veyron. Beyoncé gifted one to Jay-Z, and the Veyron’s speed and slick looks lured sportsmen Cristiano Ronaldo and Floyd Mayweather Jr and lifestyle designer Ralph Lauren, plus a sizeable clutch of big-time rappers and R&B dukes.  

     

    Jazzy customisations and two-tone body paint on Veyrons have been plenty, so it’s soothing to see our pearly king sporting a restrained black interior. It’s currently number plated as ‘BIG 3.’ Does that give a clue as to its current owner? 

     

    Just hope we don’t have any more lockdown travel restrictions. You’re almost guaranteed to be tracked if you’re driving this. And don’t even think about emulating the infamous 2014 insurance scam when an owner drove his Veyron into a lake, claiming ‘to avoid a low flying pelican’, then tried to claim £1.6 million ($2.2 million, €1.8 million or درهم8.1 million). His antics were crisply caught on film by an admiring nearby driver and are well worth a watch.

     

    The market at this ultimate top end has stayed unswervingly buoyant in these troubled times, so this Grand Sport looks an investment you can indulge your passion in for decades to come. 

     

    Graeme Hunt have the 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport listed at a price of £1.55 million ($2.14 million, €1.79 million or درهم7.88 million). They share that the cherished number plate ‘BIG 3’ “does not form part of the sale,” but add: “We do have ‘BUG 8’ on retention should anyone wish to discuss it.”

     

    A BIG Bugatti – £1.55m for 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport – Theodora Ong lusts after a 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport that currently sports the registration plate ‘BIG 3’ – For sale through Graeme Hunt for £1.55 million ($2.14 million, €1.79 million or درهم7.88 million).
    A BIG Bugatti – £1.55m for 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport – Theodora Ong lusts after a 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport that currently sports the registration plate ‘BIG 3’ – For sale through Graeme Hunt for £1.55 million ($2.14 million, €1.79 million or درهم7.88 million).
    A BIG Bugatti – £1.55m for 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport – Theodora Ong lusts after a 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport that currently sports the registration plate ‘BIG 3’ – For sale through Graeme Hunt for £1.55 million ($2.14 million, €1.79 million or درهم7.88 million).
    A BIG Bugatti – £1.55m for 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport – Theodora Ong lusts after a 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport that currently sports the registration plate ‘BIG 3’ – For sale through Graeme Hunt for £1.55 million ($2.14 million, €1.79 million or درهم7.88 million).
  • Oliver Ouboter – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Oliver Ouboter – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with Oliver Ouboter; the co-founder of the imminently launching innovative Swiss ‘bubble car’ – the Microlino

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

    Passion.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    Just do it! (Thanks Nike).

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2018?

    SUVs.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    Having the curiosity of a child.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    My family’s health.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank.” What’s your view on the state of the financial system?

    It’s as fucked up as the Donald himself.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    ‘Trivial’ as in German nobody uses it and most people don’t understand it. I loathe ‘trivial’ for being a ‘non-trivial’ word to describe something ‘trivial.’

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    I support mainly environmental causes. It is not that I think that humans deserve it less, I just think sending money to developing countries won’t solve the problem and is just an easy fix for many people to feel good about themselves.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    Try to use it less, fail miserably in doing so and then tell yourself you’re gonna do better next year.

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    My family and Barack Obama and Steve Jobs and Nelson Mandela if they were still alive.

     

    Microlino co-founder Oliver Ouboter – What’s on your mantelpiece? A 20-question interview with Oliver Ouboter; the co-founder of the imminently launching innovative Swiss ‘bubble car’ – the Microlino.
    Oliver Ouboter pictured with a Microlino (as featured in ‘The Steeple Times’ earlier this month) and his brother Merlin and father Wim.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    A special home-made roast.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    It depends on the situation.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A Negroni of course.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    Parties of friends that I don’t spend too much time with. There are always new people to get to know.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My dad.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Chocolate of course. I’m Swiss.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    It would be a Kickscooter, of course.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    What a question: I’d be a Microlino!

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I cannot operate a washing machine but that’s not surprising though.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Big companies and governments. They are slow and inefficient in dealing with global warming.

     

    Oliver Ouboter is the co-founder of a start-up alongside his father and brother that has developed a small electric city-car named Microlino. He is considered one of the best guinea pigs as his dad invented the world-famous Kickscooter in 1999.

     

    Follow Microlino on Twitter at @microlinoworld, on Facebook at @Microlino.car and on Instagram at @microlino_official

     

    Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes

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    Twitter: @SteepleTimes

     

  • Five of the Best – Auctions America Auburn Spring

    Five of the Best – Auctions America Auburn Spring

    Five of the best lots on offer at the Auctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale of classic and modern cars and military lots

     

    From 11th to 13th May at the Auburn Auction Park in Auburn Spring in Indiana, USA, Auctions America will sell a vast range of cars and military lots. Here, we choose our five favourite lots on offer:

     

    1920 Ford Model T Coupé – £6,500 to £8,100 ($8,000 to $10,000, €7,600 to €9,400 or درهم29,400 to درهم36,700)

    Auctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale – 11th to 13th May 2017 – Classic and modern cars and military lots – Five of the best lots on offer including a 1920 Ford Model T Coupé, a 1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse, a 1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé and a 1992 AM General M998 HumveeWith over 16.5 million built between 1908 and 1927, the Ford Model T stands at the eighth most sold cars of all time. Undoubtedly the first affordable car produced, an example from 1920 provides an affordable way to start a classic car collection. The example offered also reflects the sentiments of Henry Ford (1863 – 1947), whom once said: “Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black”.

     

    1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse – £64,600 to £80,700 ($80,000 to $100,000, €75,600 to €94,500 or درهم293,800 to درهم367,300)

    Auctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale – 11th to 13th May 2017 – Classic and modern cars and military lots – Five of the best lots on offer including a 1920 Ford Model T Coupé, a 1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse, a 1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé and a 1992 AM General M998 Humvee Auctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale – 11th to 13th May 2017 – Classic and modern cars and military lots – Five of the best lots on offer including a 1920 Ford Model T Coupé, a 1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse, a 1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé and a 1992 AM General M998 HumveeA perfect mode of conveyance for the Addams Family or Ozzy Osbourne, this hearse was built by the James Cunningham & Sons Company of Rochester, New York. It has a cathedral like coffin compartment featuring carved wood and has been owned by three generations of the Peterson family, owners of the Howe-Peterson Funeral Home business of Dearborn, Michigan. The firm was established in 1873 but is about to close down.

     

    1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin – £302,800 to £343,200 ($375,000 to $425,000, €354,300 to €401,500 or درهم1.4 million to درهم1.6 million)

    Auctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale – 11th to 13th May 2017 – Classic and modern cars and military lots – Five of the best lots on offer including a 1920 Ford Model T Coupé, a 1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse, a 1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé and a 1992 AM General M998 Humvee Auctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale – 11th to 13th May 2017 – Classic and modern cars and military lots – Five of the best lots on offer including a 1920 Ford Model T Coupé, a 1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse, a 1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé and a 1992 AM General M998 HumveeFinished in cream over saddle leather with a dark chocolate canvas top and period-appropriate wide whitewall tyres, this striking convertible is described as being in “excellent driving condition”. It was delivered new to Houston, Texas and was the creation of Howard ‘Dutch’ Darrin (1897 – 1982), a polo playing airline owner turned automotive designer.

     

    1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé – £80,700 to £100,900 ($100,000 to $125,000, €75,600 to €118,100 or درهم293,800 to درهم459,100)

    Auctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale – 11th to 13th May 2017 – Classic and modern cars and military lots – Five of the best lots on offer including a 1920 Ford Model T Coupé, a 1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse, a 1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé and a 1992 AM General M998 HumveeAuctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale – 11th to 13th May 2017 – Classic and modern cars and military lots – Five of the best lots on offer including a 1920 Ford Model T Coupé, a 1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse, a 1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé and a 1992 AM General M998 Humvee“One of the most special Corvettes ever made”, this Marlboro Red coupé is presented in original and unrestored condition. It has only had two owners from new and has covered just 27,000 miles in its fifty year life.

     

    1992 AM General M998 Humvee – £12,100 to £16,200 ($15,000 to $20,000, €14,200 to €18,900 or درهم55,100 to درهم73,500)

    Auctions America Auburn Spring, Indiana sale – 11th to 13th May 2017 – Classic and modern cars and military lots – Five of the best lots on offer including a 1920 Ford Model T Coupé, a 1930 Cunningham V8 33286 Hearse, a 1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Coupé and a 1992 AM General M998 HumveeFeaturing a 6.5-litre engine and definitely something Arnold Schwarzenegger would love, this cargo-troop carrier has a gross vehicle weight rating of 3.9-tonnes. It certainly could go anywhere and requires “no further demilitarization”.

     

  • Red Rollers

    Red Rollers

    Pair of striking red Rolls-Royces with Scottish connections to be auctioned at the Imperial War Museum Duxford

     

    Rolls-Royces tend to be noticed wherever they go but a pair to be auctioned later this month are especially stand-out examples in that they both come in especially bold shades of red.

     

    The first car, a 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche III convertible, is offered with an estimate of £50,000 to £60,000 ($62,000 to $74,000, €58,000 to €69,000 or درهم228,000 to درهم273,000). It was built to special order for a Scottish laird and features one-of-a-kind red paintwork said to match the colour of his family’s tartan. The 27-year old automatic, 6.75-litre vehicle comes with an original set of cut glass decanters and matching glasses and has covered just 64,900 miles.

     

    The second comes in the form of a 1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 limousine with coachwork by Hooper & Company of Westminster, London. It is presented in maroon and black with black upholstery up front and red to the rear. Originally owned by a Mrs Margaret Abercrombie of Castlehead, Paisley, the 3.7-litre long-wheelbase car subsequently spent 39 years in the USA before returning to the UK in 2003. It is offered with an estimate of £24,000 to £26,000 ($30,000 to $32,000, €28,000 to €30,000 or درهم109,000 to درهم118,000).

     

    The cars will be sold by H&H Classics at the Imperial War Museum Duxford in Cambridgeshire on 29th March.

     

    Red Rollers – H&H Classics Imperial War Museum Duxford sale on 29th March 2017 – 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche III convertible estimated at £50,000 to £60,000 ($62,000 to $74,000, €58,000 to €69,000 or درهم228,000 to درهم273,000) – 1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 limousine estimated at £24,000 to £26,000 ($30,000 to $32,000, €28,000 to €30,000 or درهم109,000 to درهم118,000) Red Rollers – H&H Classics Imperial War Museum Duxford sale on 29th March 2017 – 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche III convertible estimated at £50,000 to £60,000 ($62,000 to $74,000, €58,000 to €69,000 or درهم228,000 to درهم273,000) – 1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 limousine estimated at £24,000 to £26,000 ($30,000 to $32,000, €28,000 to €30,000 or درهم109,000 to درهم118,000)Red Rollers – H&H Classics Imperial War Museum Duxford sale on 29th March 2017 – 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche III convertible estimated at £50,000 to £60,000 ($62,000 to $74,000, €58,000 to €69,000 or درهم228,000 to درهم273,000) – 1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 limousine estimated at £24,000 to £26,000 ($30,000 to $32,000, €28,000 to €30,000 or درهم109,000 to درهم118,000)Red Rollers – H&H Classics Imperial War Museum Duxford sale on 29th March 2017 – 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche III convertible estimated at £50,000 to £60,000 ($62,000 to $74,000, €58,000 to €69,000 or درهم228,000 to درهم273,000) – 1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 limousine estimated at £24,000 to £26,000 ($30,000 to $32,000, €28,000 to €30,000 or درهم109,000 to درهم118,000)

  • An XJS Celebration

    An XJS Celebration

    Future classic Jaguar XJS Celebration convertible offered for sale (more…)

  • A rich man’s Fiat

    A rich man’s Fiat

    Quirky Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile to be auctioned (more…)

  • The Pamborghini

    The Pamborghini

    Pink Lamborghini owned by 32-year old multi-millionaire appears in South Kensington (complete with images of Pamela Anderson) (more…)

  • A Monarch’s Mulsanne

    A Monarch’s Mulsanne

    Bentley Mulsanne used by the Queen between 2012 and 2014 offered for sale for £70,000 more than a similar car without royal heritage (more…)

  • Rock’s Terraplane

    Rock’s Terraplane

    Kid Rock to sell 1935 Hudson Terraplane featured in 2009 film ‘Public Enemies’ (more…)

  • A bargain Bentley

    A bargain Bentley

    1997 Bentley Turbo R long wheelbase offered for sale for just £5,000 (more…)