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Petrolicious documents the motorsport-changing Ferrari 512M

Petrolicious has had plenty of beautiful cars and big-time personalities in its videos, but today's interview is sees one of the series' most well known subjects - US Formula 1 commentator David Hobbs.
Hobbs is an accomplished racer, capturing a number of podiums and a pair of class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in addition to short stints in F1 and at the Indianapolis 500. One of his Le Mans runs was behind the wheel of this, the Ferrari 512M, a car that's notable for two things - running a 1971 season that included the 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring and Watkins Glen 6 Hour races. The other thing it's known for? Failing to win a single one of those enduros.
Still, the Ferrari 512 is one of the Italian marques most iconic 1970s racers and Hobbs' example is a proud member of that breed, delivering a delicious 5.0-liter V12 exhaust note that makes this an easy video to sit through.

Sergio Marchionne wants Alfa Romeo back in F1

It's been decades since Alfa Romeo has competed in Formula One. But if Sergio Marchionne gets his way, it could make a comeback soon. Now we know what you might be thinking: Alfa Romeo and Ferrari are both part of the same Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, so why would Marchionne want two brands competing against each other in such a costly racing series? Because technically speaking, Ferrari is no longer part of FCA, that's why. They share mostly the same owners and are run by the same person (Marchionne), but the Prancing Horse marque recently split off from its former parent company and floated its own shares on the stock market. That makes it a separate entity, and also means that FCA no longer has a direct link to F1. But its chief executive clearly thinks the investment is worthwhile. Marchionne has been known to state grandiose plans, but he's also been known to carry through on many of them. So the next question is, if the plan goes through, just how Alfa Romeo might participate in F1? Some automakers (like Mercedes) field their own teams, others (like Honda) compete as engine suppliers, and still others (like Infiniti) as branding partners. Alfa could go either route, but Marchionne told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport that "Alfa Romeo is able to make itself a chassis, and it is able to make engines." Of course, that doesn't mean that it necessarily will. It could outsource a chassis from a constructor like Dallara, which is located near the same Varano circuit that Alfa uses regularly. It could also source an engine from its former sister company: Marchionne floated the possibility of starting a separate engine program in Maranello for Red Bull when it was hunting for a new engine partner, and could ostensibly do the same for Alfa Romeo. "In order to re-establish itself as a sport brand, Alfa Romeo can and must consider the possibility of return to race in Formula 1," said Marchionne. "How? Probably in a collaboration with Ferrari." Alfa Romeo first competed in F1 in the early 1950s, winning the world championship two years running in 1950 with Giuseppe Farina (scion of Pininfarina) and 1951 with Juan Manuel Fangio. It then dropped out, only to resurface as a full constructor team between 1979 and 1985, with limited results. It also supplied engines to an array of teams in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s.

Why this 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO will sell for at least $45 million

A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti will be up for auction by RM Sotheby's in Monterey next month. Actually, perhaps "the" 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO would be more appropriate, because the list of its accomplishments, claims to fame and reasons for being extremely expensive are probably more than the rest. And by "rest," we mean 36. And by "extremely expensive" we mean an expected sale price of between $45 million and $60 million. View 47 Photos If you want to read in vivid detail about the car in question, RM Sotheby's provides a lengthy tale of "the world's most important, desirable, and legendary motor car." Trying to regurgitate it here really wouldn't do it justice. Instead, here are some of the bullet points. No. 3 of 36 Ferrari GTOs built. Known as 3413. Considered by experts to be one of the most authentic and original of those 36, all of which survive One of only 4 of those 36 to receive upgraded at the time with Series II GTO/64 body work by Scaglietti. It is more aggressive in appearance, more aerodynamic and many say attractive Won the 1962 Italian GT Championship First in class at the 1963 Targa Florio in its original body work First in class at the 1964 Targa Florio in the Series II body work you see today, as detailed in the Sotheby's story Won its class in the 1964 Targa Florio, helping Ferrari win the 1964 International Championship for GT Manufacturers More than 15 class and overall wins from 1962 to 1965 Last purchased in 2000 for $7 million – There's a reason German banks are suggesting adding a classic car to your investment mix. 3413 has actually been driven during that time, making appearances at countless classic events and vintage races Purchase includes exclusive access to some of the world's most prestigious events and rallies, including the GTO club and tours – Value! Currently fitted with a 250 GT engine block built to GTO specification to allow the car to be driven to those countless classic events and vintages races – The original block has been removed for preservation and comes with the car. This Ferrari's expected price of between $45 million and $60 million would make it the most valuable car ever put up for auction. A 1963 250 GTO sold for $70 million in a private sale. Another sold at auction in 2013 for $52 million, so the upper level of 3413's sale estimate definitely seems feasible. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.