Marque1

HONEST TED'S SPRING SALE OFFERS TEMPTING DISCOUNTS TO CLASSIC CAR FANS

Every year at this time Wilkinson's Automobilia shop in Vancouver, BC, features "Honest Ted's Spring Sale," with massive discounts on model cars, books, brochures, clothing and a vast range of automobilia, until May 04. A few examples of in-store purchases offered from 20% to 60% off include: 1:43 scale models - 25% off; 1:43 Porsche models - 40% off; books - 25% off; 1:18 scale models 30% - 50% off; 1:24 scale models - 25% off; 2012 Formula 1 clothing up to 30% off; sales brochures - 20% off. And as they say, much, much more.

Having an empathy with mass-produced cars as well as rare classics I found myself attracted to a circa 1963 Peugeot 404 diecast model in 1:18 Scale by Norev. Just a humble sedan, you might say, but in French automobile history it enjoyed a role as a well-liked and highly successful family car. Appropriately, it is available for an equally humble $69.95 CDN. You can find this and many other unique models by visiting the store at 2531 Ontario Street in Vancouver, B.C. Or you can call (604) 873-6242.

Buy online, however, and enjoy 20% off any orders placed between Saturday April 27th and Saturday May 4th. As most of Marque1's viewers reside hundreds to thousands of miles from Vancouver, this is an easy way to take advantage of these great deals. Just click on eautomobila.com to see everything that's available.

NOW IN BOOK FORM, PORSCHE SHOWROOM POSTERS FROM THE FIRST 25 YEARS

Some of the most beautiful automotive art appears on posters, especially in the car industry's earlier years. European artists were masters at this, including those who did their work for Porsche. And now a book of Porsche factory-sponsored posters that originally appeared between 1949 and 1974 has been published for all to enjoy. Porsche Showroom Posters ~ The First 25 Years is the work of two of the best known and most active Porsche poster dealers in the world. In addition it provides access to the collections of several very focused owners, including Prescott Kelly, Jim Moran Jr., Jim Perrin, and the comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

Every poster is shown in large size with reference to the actual size and type on the border. You can also view it online, free, but having done so I can assure you it will definitely make you want one. Unfortunately the hard-cover edition, printed in very limited numbers, is sold out but the regular soft bound edition, printed on heavy stock, is still available. But listen up, Porsche fans... the soft-cover print was limited to 911 copies (wonder where they got that number?) so it will soon be gone. The very reasonable price is just $39.95 plus $8.00 for shipping/handling. Taxes, if applicable, are extra. For more information and to order contact Everett Anton "Tony" Singer at Tony@vintageautoposters.com.

TIN CANS PLUS BOTTLES PLUS TALENT COMBINE TO CREATE AMAZING MODELS

Nigel Matthews sent me the following photos, which I believe Marque1 viewers will enjoy very much. There's little I can add to Nigel's comments. These pictures speak for themselves:

"He used to go to all the public functions...especially the movie theaters. And he always carried a sugar bag to collect empty bottles and cans. His name was Albert (Tapper) Torney. Everyone thought he was a bit eccentric and kids would tease and hassle him. But eventually they learned that he was very talented and only sold the empty bottles and a few of the cans.

After Torney died in 1998, at the age of 86, the wonderful collection of model cars that he made from the aluminum cans was discovered. Which goes to prove...'You Shouldn't Judge A Book by its Cover,' or a sculptor by his sugar bag. A very talented man was Tapper."

Nigel Matthews is Director of Sales and Marketing for Hagerty Canada.

NEW LIMITED EDITION STAMPS FEATURE FAMOUS MUSCLE CARS

With muscle cars currently the hot item among collectors the United States Postal Service has chosen to honour the American automotive icons with a stamp series, adding five muscle car stamps to its America on the Move series. The limited edition stamps feature the ’66 Pontiac GTO, the ’67 Shelby GT-500, the ’69 Dodge Charger Daytona, the ’70 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda and the ’70 Chevelle SS.

I can imagine that selecting the cars must have required considerable research and discussion among the USPS creative team, for these five were not the only great muscle cars; perhaps, however, they were the most representative. The artwork was created by Tom Fritz of Newbury Park, CA, under the art direction of Carl T. Herrman of North Las Vegas, NV. Other issuances in the series — ’50s Sporty Cars (2005), followed by ’50s Fins and Chrome (2008) — were the work of artist Art Fitzpatrick of Carlsbad, CA.

The series launch took place at Sunday's Daytona 500, an appropriate venue, with seven-time NASCAR National Champion Richard Petty helping dedicate the America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever stamps. Petty joined his son Kyle and Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe at the dedication.

"The Muscle Cars stamps celebrate an exciting era in American automotive history," said Petty. "These examples of raw power bring back fond memories for me and my family, a testament to how aerodynamics transformed racing. I’ve been around racing and muscle cars all my life. These stamps bring back the memories of our racing heritage in the ‘60s and ‘70s. This is a great way to share our stories, old and new, about the Petty history in racing."

"The muscle cars gave everyday Americans the opportunity to experience the rush of driving a fast, powerful car," said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. "Just looking at the stamps evokes a feeling of speed. As Forever stamps, they’ll always be good for mailing a First-Class letter anytime in the future. And when you think about it, that’s fitting. Because these stamps — just like the great cars they represent — are timeless."

The Muscle Cars stamps are being issued as Forever stamps in self-adhesive sheets of 20 (four of each design). Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. Well done, USPS!

[Photo:  © 2013 United States Postal Service]

IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT YOU GET BORED WITH LOOKING AT CLASSIC CAR BODIES...

When I was a kid we used to sneak a peek at the nude and semi-nude girls in Esquire magazine and from them we formed our opinions of what the female body should look like. This was long before the days of Playboy so the girls were illustrations, not photos. Two very talented artists made themselves famous for their work, which had a unique yet similar style. The girls were named after the artists, hence we had both the Petty Girls and the Varga Girls.

I'd almost forgotten about those impossibly perfect ladies until I saw the photos of two vintage illustrations that Nigel Matthews sent from Barrett-Jackson's automobilia auction in Scottsdale, where he was attending auction week. What amused me, though, is that they were being sold at a classic car event. On the other hand, why not? Pretty girls have always been used to sell cars in advertising, right back to the turn of the century, and they still do in today's TV commercials.

But if the appearance of these ladies on Marque1.com startled you, wait until you see the other surprise in today's blog. As Nigel said, he would have bought it on his credit card: A 1976 Datsun 280Z coupe in superb condition, sold at the Russo & Steele Sports and Muscle Car Auction for just $9800!

This is a BRE Tribute car, painted like the #3 BRE team car which won the 1970 and 1971 SCCA championship. It features a rebuilt 2.8 liter engine, 5-speed transmission, rebuilt suspension with a custom exterior, a completely restored interior, factory air, plus a set of new Falken tires. Receipts for all the work came with the car. And get this folks; its after-restoration mileage was a mere 2000! How the potential buyers could have overlooked this stretches my imagination but I'll bet the seller regrets offering it at no reserve.

So yes, Nigel, you should have put it on your credit card. You and I could have had great fun driving it in retro-rallies in California and Nevada. Instead I'll go to sleep dreaming of Petty Girls and Varga Girls. And being twelve again.

[Photos: Nigel Matthews]

SPORTS CARS ETCHED IN THE SNOW

Just when you think you've seen every technique for rendering automobile art, another one comes along to amaze and admire. Richard Wade, an English artist, not only has a passion for vintage cars, he's enthusiastic about etching, a very difficult and time consuming method. The results are enchanting, amusing, and very different.

Wade, who lives and works in England, must also have a thing about winter, for many of his whimsical illustrations feature snowy backgrounds. With the benefit of artistic license, Wade packs his etchings with top-down classics, many of which would probably never be allowed outside in such weather conditions. On the other hand, to drive an open vintage car in winter can be fun if you keep away from roads that have been salted or covered with sand.

Fortunately Richard Wade also sells his work as prints, cards, and even mugs. Etchings are mailed flat, limited edition prints in tubes. The artist is seen at vintage events, particularly hillclimbs, and has been commissioned to create designs for the XK Club and Morgan Three-Wheeler Club, thus he can do the same for your group as well. But you'll have to travel to England to catch one of his shows.

When Wade travels, however, he does so in style, using a vintage Bristol 403 about which he says, "I love driving it and it's very practical. With its passenger seat out I can carry all my boxes and a small press." I wonder if he drives that lovely 403 in the snow?

MEET ME ON THE CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES FOR THIS FABULOUS AUCTION

Seekers of the unusual, which is yours truly as I can't afford to buy any of this stuff anyway, should be delighted with the offerings at Bonham's Paris auction on February 07. The event is called "Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais." That's French for "The Great Marques of the World at the Grand Palais." The Grand Palais is certainly a palatial location; it's an historic Beaux-Arts exhibition structure located on the Champs-Élysées.

The offerings include more than 600 lots, among them hood ornaments, books, posters, cars and motorcycles. Many of the cars are French, of course, creating an opportunity for international buyers to bring back something truly unique. The 1922 Amilcar Type 4C Skiff in our feature photo is a superb example, with its body clearly inspired by powerboats of the period, as were the boattail examples of the 1930s, Auburn in particular.

And now for something really different, folks. It's an aircraft... but not just any aircraft. This exquisite deHavilland Gypsy Moth is the very plane that Robert Redford (or at least his stand-in) flew in the 1985 movie Out of Africa. If you've never seen the film you should. Not only did it win seven Academy Awards but the flying sequences were among the best I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Flying high and fast in a jet may be fun but flying low and slow in an open aircraft is a romantic adventure.

As a Canadian I suppose I should be aware of all the cars that were named after my home country but the only one I knew of until now was a Volvo. In 1963 the company opened an assembly plant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to build cars for the North American market from factory kits. The 122S sedans were called Amazon in Europe and Volvo Canadians here. I've no idea how or why the 1948 Peugeot 202 came to be called Canadienne, or why the French spelling was used. On the other hand, the French like to do things their own way, which probably explains why Peugeot wouldn't name it a Peugeot Woodie. Only 3,000 1948 Peugeot 202 Canadiennes were produced, making this one a rare find.

Your visit to the Bonhams auction should tie in nicely with the Salon Retromobile at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, February 6-10. The world's largest indoor classic car show, Retromobile is one of those "must see in my lifetime" events. I'm still hoping and if I make it I'll meet you for coffee on the Champs-Élysées.

[Photos: Bonhams]

RIVIERA GLAMOUR CAPTURED IN ALFA ROMEO ARTWORK

As my friend Peter Aylett of CarArt.us quite rightly says, female car artists are rare and portrait artists that paint cars are rare, too. Which makes Chris Osborne extra rare. And no I'm not talking about how you like your steak. Chris is the newest addition to CarArt's stable of renowned automobile artists and judging from her introductory series portraying music and movie stars with cars they owned or are associated with, we can look forward to seeing more of this talented lady's work in the future.

The stars and cars featured in this series are a diverse group. James Dean (Porsche), Jimi Hendrix (Corvette), Steve McQueen (Mustang), Paul Newman (240Z) and Marilyn Monroe (Thunderbird) are among them. I found all of those works enticing and would have had difficulty choosing one for my living room but finally selected Chris Osborne's rendering of Rita Hayworth with her 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport. The car was a gift from Prince Aly Khan on the eve of their 1949 wedding.

What made this painting irresistable is its combination of Hollywood glamour, Italian automotive styling, and the magnificent Riviera setting. The stuff of dreams. Which, incidentally, I once lived (for a week). Beautiful woman, the use of a Ferrari, guest in a luxury villa, reserved waterfront seats for the Monaco Grand Prix. Well, that was then and those days are long gone but some 250 of you can enjoy your own Riviera dreams by way of a limited edition Giclée on paper, 17" x 23", for $200.00, simply by clicking here.

Incidentally the Alfa Romeo still exists, restored, in Scotland. The original painting was commissioned by the owner.

THE ART OF CHRISTMAS IN CLASSIC CARS

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! But please, not on my driveway! These days I do everything I can to stay away from snow, which is why I live in Canada's Pacific Southwest. And yet I absolutely love automobile art that features a classic car against a snowy background. Railroad art, too. Reminds me of my childhood, of Christmas past, even of a time when driving in the snow could be fun.

No one captures these memories better than Ken Eberts, whose works can be purchased from CarArt.US. Fortunately for us Ken has painted a special series that he calls Cars and Christmas. They're available as prints at a modest price, more for giclées. All the paintings shown in this blog are conventional prints and therefore very reasonable.

The painting up top is titled "Town and Country Christmas" and features a 1949 Chrysler Town and Country. Signed and numbered, the 18"x24" print is one of a limited edition of 850 and can be purchased for $105.

You needn't be a Mustang enthusiast to appreciate Ken Ebert's "A Christmas Pony." (Makes me feel good just to look at it.) An open edition, signed copy will only set you back $50, a Christmas gift almost anyone can afford. This beautiful 1966 Mustang print is a generous 24"x32".

As I mentioned in the beginning I also admire railroad art. Here Ken has cleverly combined railroading with a 1955 Chevrolet pickup but look closely, my friend. The truck may be full scale whereas the trains and tracks represent a scale model Lionel Train Set. Remember them? Countless children awakened to find one under the tree, and you can awaken someone's memories all over again with "A Christmas Dream." Signed and numbered, 18"x24" for $115.

This is one of my favorites, for I once owned a coupe similar to the 1936 Ford, though never a classic like the 1941 Packard. "Junior's Red Convertible" is the focus of Ken's painting and no, I didn't get one of those, either. Got a sleigh, instead. The charming print, also a signed limited edition, is 18"x24" in size, and sells for $105.

You can purchase any of the above as a gift or for yourself, simply by clicking on this link. Or you can reach CarArt's Peter Aylett by e-mail at info@CarArt.US or call direct to 1-949-443-0500. Let it Snow!

CARS OF DREAMS AUCTION, MORE THAN GREAT AUTOMOBILES

Personal classic car collections can often be more interesting than what we find in normal museums, in part because they represent the owner's vision, but also because they include more than great automobiles. And that's why the upcoming "John Staluppi’s Cars of Dreams Museum" auction offers some wonderful buying opportunities. For example, when was the last time you saw a large-scale model railway in a classic car auction list?

The fantastic Lionel train layout represents the cooperative effort of numerous craftsmen and technicians, combining more than 2,500 man-hours of labor. Built largely by noted technician and engineer Rich Roman of East Coast Enterprises, it's an original design combining action displays, buildings, scenes, and individual dioramas. Impressive detailing includes the engine roundhouse, dual layers of track and trains, animated street scenes, a waterfall, mountain pass, and trestle track.

The layout measures approximately 30 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 9 feet tall to the top of the custom-made mountain. Surrounded by a metal platform and viewing area, it comes complete with custom-built attached plexiglass side panels for a near 360 degree view. All pieces are included in the sale, as are the electronic controls and related items. (Note: Special arrangements must be made for removal, packing, and transport. A room large enough to hold the assembled miniature railway would be handy, too.)

Perhap even more remarkable is the 1918 Herschell-Spillman 32’ Carousel. This outstanding collectible is fully operational, complete and accurately restored. The carousel’s enthusiastic reception by those who've seen it or had a colorful ride (oh, to be a kid again!) is only matched by those who also had the opportunity to enjoy an ice cream delight... served out of the fully functional freezer boxes of John Staluppi’s authentic, fully restored 1965 Ford Good Humor Truck.

But we're all car fans at heart and the Cars of Dreams Museum won't disappoint, with more than 120 outstanding vehicles going on the block. Among them is an extraordinary group of the dynamic Chrysler letter cars (Chrysler 300E shown). Mr. Staluppi has collected an example of every year of production from 1955 through 1963. Yet those desireable luxury machines merely hint at the quality of this sale. Far too many cars to describe here but if you click on this link you can view all the wonderful autos on offer plus the remarkable range of automobilia.

This is a virtual time capsule of Americana, where nostalgic collectibles from the 1950s and 1960s complement the magical street scenes that showcase some of the finest and most desirable American automobiles ever produced, with a strong emphasis on convertibles and performance cars. And if I haven't tempted you sufficiently here, be aware that all the cars are being offered at no reserve. So ride the carousel, watch the Lionel trains in action, and come home with the Car of Your Dreams.

The Cars of Dreams Museum auction by RM takes place December 1st at North Palm Beach, Florida.