Aston Martin bills its new DB12 grand tourer as a “super tourer” because, the British automaker says, “grand is not enough” to describe the DB11’s successor. Marketing fluff aside, the new DB12 appears to be a super new entry into a segment where its closest rival is the Ferrari Roma. The overall look will be familiar to Aston fans, and the interior steps up to a “super” level of grand touring luxury and tech. The Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V8 gets a boost to a very super 671 horsepower, easily exceeding the DB11’s V8 and V12. Customer deliveries start in fall.
It’s good to be king, because then you can order yourself a custom-built car like the Maserati made for the Shah of Iran in 1959. The monarch and budding car collector requested that Maserati build a special car by installing the V-8 engine from its 450S racecar into the 3500 GT production coupe. The result was the 170-mph 5000 GT. Maserati made 34 with bodies by various coachbuilders. At its Amelia Island auction, Bonhams is offering one of the 22 with bodies by Allemano, a restoration candidate with a pre-sale estimate of $500K-$800K
With a carefully selected docket of vintage collectibles and modern exotics, Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island Auction has earned its reputation as one of the East Coast’s premier auto auctions.
Though many have their attentions turned to the Monterey peninsula for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, there’s another world-class automotive event taking place in America’s Motor City. Formerly the Meadow Brook Concours, a move to the Inn at St. John’s brought with it the new title Concours d’Elegance of America.
