On Jan. 22 a 1963 Pontiac ambulance sold for $132,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. The price is notable because the gray Bonneville was expected to sell for much more than that–it was said to have carried President John F. Kennedy from Air Force One to the capitol after he was killed.
But a series of questions about the car’s authenticity meant that an estimated $1 million price tag was greatly reduced.
Ray Wert, editor-in-chief of the car blog Jalopnik, which first reported the inquiry, says that while JFK’s mysterious ambulance not a case of fraud per se, it does raise questions about due diligence in the classic car world.Â
Indeed, just like in the art world, authenticating a classic car is essential for establishing its value. The ambulance didn’t meet its pricing expectations, but many other cars last year did … Details & Pictures
SATIRE —
Last season’s Nationwide season received a lot of attention from those outside of NASCAR when it was announced Danica Patrick would drive in a limited amount of races in the series.
We found out just how different open wheel driving is from stock cars while listening to her press conferences, but has she learned enough in the off season to be successful in stock cars this year?Â
Here are ten bold and totally fake predictions I am making about her 2011 NASCAR season  … More
(January 31, 2011) Subaru Rally Team USA driver Dave Mirra achieved a rally career best 2nd Overall finish at the season opening Sno*Drift Rally via a comeback late in the rally. Mirra, at the wheel of his 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car, patiently moved up the leaderboard after a tire puncture early in the rally dropped him down to 5th Overall.
Driving smooth and mistake free Mirra, with co-driver Marshall Clarke, caught and overhauled 2nd overall position on the penultimate stage of the rally. The 2011 Sno*Drift Rally, held in snowy northern Michigan was round one of the six round 2011 Rally America National Championship.
Mirra’s new teammate, multi-time British and American Rally champion David Higgins, co-driven by Craig Drew, made his competition debut with Subaru Rally Team USA at the 2011 Sno*Drift Rally. Higgins led the rally briefly before an engine issue forced him to retire from the event late on day one.
The Sno*Drift Rally featured nearly 130 miles of snow and ice-covered roads in northern Michigan with nearly one third of the miles run at night. Constantly changing weather and road conditions historically make this rally one of the most difficult in the Rally America Championship. The event is made even more challenging due to Rally America rules that prohibit the use of spiked or studded ice tires, placing a premium on traction.
Ashley Force Hood altered the NHRA Funny Car landscape last week with the revelation that impending motherhood will sideline her for at least the 2011 drag racing season.
Instead of trying to overhaul father/team-owner John Force as reigning world champion – or battling the expanded four-car lineup at Don Schumacher Racing – Force Hood and husband Dan will be preparing for the birth of their first child.
“We felt that if God wanted it to happen, it would happen,†said Force Hood, who broke the news to the crew of her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang and the media during separate news conferences. “Dan and I know there is always a risk at the beginning of a pregnancy, so we waited as long as possible to say anything to make sure everything was all right and there were no problems.â€Â   … More