At the young age of fourteen, Christopher Hoffman helped convince his mother to buy a '77 Honda Civic wagon. That was just a small, first step in what would become a life-long infatuation with Hondas.

They went on to take over their local Honda club (they wanted the club to include more driving events) and ten years later, Christopher bought his first new car ever, this 1987 Honda Civic CRX Si. He fell in love with the car on the drive home and vowed to keep it forever. And although he's owned the car for 27 years now, it's never broken down and Christopher can count on one hand how many repairs he's had to make (two of them are bulb replacements, it is a Honda after all).

Being a Honda, the CRX is also blessed with a very light, short shift that Christopher loves in addition to its sound and how freely the 1.5L four-cylinder revs. It may only have 91hp but in car that weighs about 1900 pounds, it's enough to leave Christopher smiling through the twisties.

For many, the "golden age" of motoring began in the late '60s and concluded in the very early '70s. It is easy to get caught up in the cars of that time period and overlook significant cars that came both earlier and later than this sweet spot of time that produced cars we all love. From time to time, we step outside of this realm to the explore the cars which stretch into as far as the early '90s—cars that will be talked about for years to come, like the Nissan Skyline and the BMW E30 M3. The MR2 is one of these cars.
Starting in 1984, Toyota, created a recipe for success by building a two-seater, mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car that offered performance well beyond its affordable price tag. With the first generation and its hard angular lines, Toyota continued the success into the second generation starting in 1989. The second-generation MR2 morphed into a more rounded and sculpted body and drew many comparisons in publications of the time as the "poor-man's Ferrari".
Many MR2 owners have a strong connection to their cars; for them, the MR2 isn't just a car to enjoy, it is a way of life. For the Texas MR2 Owners Club and especially for club member Masruque Murtoza Ali these words ring true. In this very active car community devoted to the MR2, it isn't unusual to see owners go out of their way to help each other in the repair of their cars or to promote their love for the MR2.

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT IN A DATSUN 240Z
by Petrolicious Productions / 8 Oct 2013


Owner, Dave Scholz, shares his connection with a Japanese cult classic that could easily be regarded as the 911 of Japan. Its iconic beauty, modular mechanics, and desirability inspired Dave to heed to Datsun’s famous racing campaign of the ‘70s, “Dare to be different.”
American heads spun when the 1970s ultimately snuffed out their beloved horsepower-drunk muscle cars. As the world watched them squirm for performance, Japan was busy developing the 240Z to bring a new thrill to American roads using balance, harmony, and technology.
“Datsun didn't invent the overhead cam engine, or disc brakes, or independent suspension but it has a habit of incorporating these sophisticated systems into brilliantly conceived and easily affordable cars.” (Car and Driver; June, 1970)

Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 15th – 19th, 2014 at Russo and Steele's 14th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction. Please contact us for more information.

This ultra-rare, 1 of 58 and righteous 1971 Hemi Challenger was born in Long Beach Califorina, and California is where it lived for the first 30 years of its life, so it has an original body that has never been apart or rusty, retaining the all-original interior, vinyl top, and some original paint, plus the original motor and tranny. It comes with two mint build sheets and 3 original fender tags. How many 4-speed 1971 Hemi Challengers have all that going for them - maybe 5-10 - and in super bad Triple Black, with only 24,000 actual miles. This Hemi car has no issues!

Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 15th – 19th, 2014 at Russo and Steele's 14th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction. Please contact us for more information.

The evolution of the Porsche 356 was swift, inspired not only by Porsche’s drive for technical improvement, but also for commercial success. Sales outstripped even Porsche’s most optimistic forecasts and with growing sales, came opportunities to build increasing numbers of the 356’s in-house as well as to expand the model range. After a decade of international appeal and successful sales, the 356B, successor to the pioneer generation of production Porsches was introduced in Frankfurt in late 1959.

The 356B (T6 body) for the 1962 model year was introduced in September of 1961 with significant changes. It displayed twin air-intake grilles in the rear lid, an outside spring-loaded gas filler cap in the right front fender, a new cowl vent, and a flattened lower edge of the front lid. The battery was repositioned and an optional gasoline heater nestled in its place. Among other changes, a new fresh air system was incorporated for occupants and the Porsche transmissions were available in numerous gear rations. By 1963, the “Super” variant benefited from an additional 20 horsepower over its standard 1,600 cc engine and was available in both coupe and cabriolet form. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox while four-wheel hydraulic drums provided stopping power.

This stunning, three-owner 1600 Super 356B Cabriolet was completed on August 8, 1962. During the late 1970s, it was sold to the original owner’s sister, under whom a no-expense-spared restoration was performed in 1979. In 1988, she sold the car to its third owner, who cared for it faithfully until recently deciding to sell it. In the last year, it received a full cosmetic restoration, including a complete strip and repaint, as well as a complete mechanical service. Finished in its correct and original “701” Raven Black, the 356B remains faithful to its original factory specifications, boasting the numbers correct original engine, drivetrain, and body panels. Offered complete with period correct optional Leitz chrome-plated luggage rack, this outstanding Porsche is further accompanied by the Certificate of Authenticity issued by Porsche Cars North America. The Porsche 356 has been climbing dramatically in price over the past few years, and it would be difficult to find another example with the provenance and attention to detail that this excellent 356B possesses.

The highlight lot from Bonhams this year in Scottsdale. Estimate $2.4-2.7M.

The 6C 1750 was sold to the current owner in 2010, an East Coast collector with a discerning interest in only the most original and authentic sports and racing cars extant. 10814356 was carefully transported to New Jersey, where renowned restoration specialist Steven Babinsky and his outfit, Automotive Restorations, set out to complete the restoration of this hugely important pre-war Alfa Romeo. Here the entirely original and complete Zagato Spider bodywork, still showing its hand painted and stamped 987 body number throughout, was carefully fitted to the frame, and refinished in black. All remaining components of the car were restored as needed during this painstaking process, with close attention paid at all times to ensure that the car's myriad original components remained intact. Four large binders with photos and receipts of the restoration are available for viewing, carefully documenting this $600,000 restoration in exhaustive detail.

10814356 was completed in the summer of 2012, and was promptly invited to participate in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Zagato and Alfa Romeo aficionados were delighted for the chance to admire the well-known ex-Baron Philippe de Gunzbourg 6C 1750 once more. In March 2013, 10814356 was shown at the Amelia Island Concours, where it was awarded Best in Class in the highly competitive pre-war Sports and GT class.

The prize-winning Alfa was shortly thereafter shipped back to its native Italy, where it successfully completed the 2013 Mille Miglia. The car performed faultlessly on the legendary thousand-mile rally, and as the co-driving Bonhams specialist can attest, the excitement of the locals when they saw this very car, a symbol of Italian national pride and engineering excellence, was just fantastic. It was, in fact, like the 1930 and 1931 editions of the original Mille Miglia, when Nuvolari and Guidotti and later Campari and Marinoni piloted similar 6C 1750 Gran Sport Zagato Spiders to victory. After the 2013 Mille Miglia, 10814356 returned to the Concours circuit once more, where it was displayed among 49 other hand-selected motorcars on the banks of Lake Como at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

Bonhams are exceptionally proud to offer here an opportunity to buy something truly magnificent, historic, and authentic. Considering its fascinating, well-understood and documented provenance, an ownership history including notable automotive figures of the 20th century, all carefully documented in the substantial history file accompanying the car, 10814356 as presented today offers unparalleled historic value, authenticity and originality. It is a rare occurrence today for a motorcar of such paramount significance to come to auction; among them, 10814356 stands out at the top.

Everything is getting set up. It began in Scottsdale, Arizona -- a Wild-West town that had yet to spread its wings and create its own identity. Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett were drawn together by a car advertised for sale. Mr. Barrett was selling his 1933 Cadillac V16 Town Car, and it appeared Mr. Jackson was interested. "Appeared" may be the operative word, as a deal was never struck. However, the beginning of a lifelong friendship and partnership was firmly cemented between these two car guys.

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
Estimate: $200,000 - $250,000. The Last Hand-Built Mercedes-Benz Model
One of Just 1,232 Built. Restored by Paul Russell and Company and the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. Offered with Extensive Documentation and Tool Kit

Each year, Sports Car Market prepares what has become the definitive guide to the Arizona auctions. Check out the digital version here.

Party like its 1993: In 1993, this car was called "The worlds most powerful front wheel drive roadster". Only 56,000 actual miles. That is less than 3,000 miles a year. A California and Arizona car all of it`s life and owned by the original buyer for over 20 years. It comes with maintenance records from new, manuals and original set of gold keys. Early Allantes had 200hp and only the 1993`s were equipped with the legendary dual overhead cam Northstar engine that is rated at 295hp. Almost a 50 percent increase and yet it gets almost 25 mpg on the road. In 1993, the Allante was chosen as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 and driven by Bobby Unser. The body was designed and built in Italy by Pininfarina, designer of Ferrari`s and other exotic cars. Stunning pearl white paint, a $700 option, power auto-down windows, power pull down trunk, 4 wheel anti lock disc brakes, traction control, memory seats, CD player, automatic climate control converted to R-134 and the more reliable analog dash. Matching numbers and as original as it can be. The original price on this car was almost $62,000 yet it was ranked by Car and Driver above the Jaguar and Mercedes convertibles that year.

This is a new three year build that has never been shown. Countless hours of craftsmanship have been put into this custom roadster. All handmade windshield and custom radiator shroud. All steal body sitting on a custom steel tube chassis with 4-link suspension. Bagged rear, Chevy 350 with 4-speed transmission. Custom features: chopped removable hardtop, wood bed and black interior.

The iconic Buick Grand National turned out to be an American Muscle Car. The Buick Grand National represents Buick's glorious mid '80s return to late '60s muscle. Buick's all black street rod dubbed "Darth Vader" with a ferocious turbocharged engine. This Buick is original with the exception of one repaint. This beauty is a two owner car, owned currently since 1992 with original interior. Car has been kept in a climate controled garage. Starts, runs and drives fast with a 231.4cid, 3.8 Liter, V6 turbocharged port fuel injected engine. A 4-speed automatic, RWD transmission with front vented disc and rear drum brakes. Performance is amazing with 245hp at 4400 rpm. The '87 Grand National will do 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 95.1 mph and 60-0 mph in 149 feet.