1929 Ford Model A 1929 Ford Model A Sports Coupe/restored on 2040-cars

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First-edition Detroit muscle raises millions for charity at Barrett-Jackson

Amidst all the classic metal crossing the auction block each year in Scottsdale, AZ, Detroit automakers have a tradition of donating the first examples of their most enticing new muscle cars, with the proceeds of their sales going towards worthwhile charities. This year, Barrett-Jackson handled three noteworthy examples. The highest price among them was the first Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang with the VIN #001, which raised $1 million for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. General Motors donated the first new Chevy Corvette Z06 Convertible, the first retail example of the droptop supercar garnering $800,000 for the United Way. Along with the Z06, GM also donated the first new 2016 Cadillac CTS-V sedan, which brought in $170,000 for Detroit's College for Creative Studies. Although these were the headline Motown muscle machines furnished by the automakers themselves, they weren't the only vehicles auctioned off for worthy causes. A 1950 GM Futurliner bus donated by collector Ron Pratte led the charge when it brought in $4.65 million for the Armed Forces Foundation. Other lots included a custom Jeep Wrangler donated by SEMA ($85k), a new M5 donated by BMW ($800k), a '79 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst ($140k), '39 Cadillac LaSalle C-Hawk ($410k), Jeff Gordon's 1999 NASCAR-spec Chevy Monte Carlo ($500k) and a Victory Cross Country 8-Ball motorcycle ($180k). All told, the charity lots raised over $8.7 million for local and national charities. BARRETT-JACKSON REACHES HISTORIC HIGHS FOR SALES, CROWDS AND CELEBRITY APPEARANCES IN SCOTTSDALE • Barrett-Jackson sold 1,611 vehicles, which went for more than $130 million (unaudited), smashing records in the company's 44-year history during the 10-day auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale • Automobilia sales nearly tripled world records, with 2,000 pieces selling for more than $6.55 million • Celebrity attendance and crowds, along with ratings on Discovery and Velocity, spike SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jan. 18, 2015 – Barrett-Jackson, The World's Greatest Collector Car AuctionsTM, reached historic highs during the Scottsdale auction at WestWorld from Jan. 10-18, 2015. During the 10-day auction, Barrett-Jackson recorded more than $130 million in vehicle sales (unaudited) and a world record $6.55 million in automobilia sales (unaudited), making it the highest auction in sales to date. The Ron Pratte Collection alone brought in over $40.44 million in vehicle and automobilia sales.

Ford and OMS bring military ride-and-drive program to Hockenheimring

This post is appearing on Autoblog Military, Autoblog's sub-site dedicated to the vehicles, aircraft and ships of the world's armed forces. It kind of goes without saying, but joining the military means you won't be enjoying quite as much leisure time as members of the civilian world. That said, when a chance to let your hair down does come along, servicemembers usually enjoy some very unique opportunities... like driving a new Ford Mustang and F-150 around Germany's Hockenheimring. Ford and the Overseas Military Sales Corporation, the on-base retailer for the Blue Oval and the same outfit that worked out a raffle program for servicemembers to purchase the limited-edition 50th Anniversary Mustang, put together the ride-and-drive program at Germany's second most famous circuit. The OMS allows military men and women to purchase vehicles for both on-base use and for pickup when they arrive back in the United States. "The Ford Driving Freedom ride-and-drive event is designed to introduce the new 2015 Ford Mustang and F-150 to military personnel who are stationed on US bases across Europe," Ford fleet sales manager Doug Walczak said in the attached statement. "It's the first time such an event has been held overseas." According to Ford, over 300 servicemen and women applied to take part in this pilot program, which was more than double what Ford and OMS had room for. With such an impressive response rate, it's no surprise that similar events could come to other US bases. Scroll down for the official press release from Ford. U.S. Military Personnel Take Ford Mustang, F-150 for a Ride at Hockenheimring Racetrack · Ford and the Overseas Military Sales Corporation host first-ever Ford Driving Freedom ride-and-drive event for U.S. military personnel stationed on bases across Europe · U.S. military personnel got the unique opportunity to drive the Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang on Hockenheimring racetrack in Germany · Ford has worked with Overseas Military Sales Corporation since 1995 to offer Ford and Lincoln vehicles for sale throughout the Americas, as well as in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as on select Navy ships HOCKENHEIMRING, Germany, June 9, 2015 – Members of the U.S. military got the unique opportunity to take a test drive of the Ford F-150 and Mustangtoday at Germany's famed Hockenheimring racetrack.

Ford Focus RS will go global, come to US

"We are transforming our approach to performance." – Mark Fields Ford will launch a new high-performance Focus RS around the world, including the United States, company CEO Mark Fields confirmed at a press conference Thursday morning. It is expected to debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show, though launch timing is unclear. "We are transforming our approach to performance," Fields said. The RS will serve as a hotter variant of the Focus, which will be redesigned next year as part of Ford's 16 product launches. Our spy photographers have already captured images of a purported RS, which you can see above. Ford last sold a Focus RS in Europe in 2009, and it continues the long lineage of RS-badged performance cars, which dates to 1968. "The RS has a significant heritage and pedigree," Ford product chief Raj Nair said. The Focus RS will slot above the Focus ST, which will continue, a spokesman said. The ST runs a turbocharged, 252-horsepower four-cylinder that's paired with a six-speed manual transmission. It also has chassis and design upgrades to reinforce its athletic dynamics. The most recent intel suggests that the new RS could use Ford's 2.3-liter turbo-four, tuned to anywhere from 325 to 350 hp. All-wheel drive is also rumored to be part of the new RS formula. Meanwhile, Ford announced it is putting all of its sporty units under the umbrella name of "Ford Performance," which will be led by Mustang chief engineer Dave Pericak. Ford Performance will include Ford Racing, SVT (which is responsible for the Raptor and Shelby GT350) and RS. "We're changing Ford's performance business," Nair said. Ford is placing a renewed emphasis on performance, as the customers tend to be younger, wealthier and better educated, Nair said. In other news, Nair said the company is working on a Raptor version of the new, aluminum-bodied F-150, which launched this year. "I want to get it out as quickly as we can," he said.