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A 1985 Ford Escort for $915,000? If it was owned by Princess Diana

What makes a used car worth more than the car itself? If it was owned by John Lennon. Or Muhammad Ali. Michael Schumacher, perhaps, or Stirling Moss. This year’s edition from the Hagerty organization of its “Power List” makes for amusing reading even if youÂ’re not on it. But you can make believe that you are. Essentially, the list, which was launched only last year, tracks the impact of celebrity ownership of a vehicle on its value, as measured by its worth at auction. Nearly 400 sales of celebrity cars and bikes have been analyzed from around the world by Hagerty using market data and “expert” analytics. Hagerty is aware, certainly, that famous folks — from royalty, sports, movies and music — grab gobs of attention from ordinary people. ThatÂ’s why the 2023 Power List comprises these categories: Art Cars, Racing Drivers, Movies and TV, Musicians, Royalty, Screen Stars, Sporting Icons. But you don't have to be a rock star or a F1 pilot to get listed: Princess Diana, besides an Escort Turbo RS that she owned between 1985 and 1988, numbered a convertible 1994 Audi 80 Cabriolet and a Jaguar XJS Cabriolet among her rides. HereÂ’s a look at some of the more notable entries: Racing driver category: In pole position was an unlikely titleholder, a 1976 Ford Bronco. This was the car bought new by legendary Canadian Formula 1 driver Gilles Villeneuve and untouched since his death; it sold at the Aguttes auction in Paris last December for $148,000, a huge 210% increase over the $47,800 that Hagerty would value a regular example in the same condition. Just a note: The list doesnÂ’t include race cars, only vehicles kept privately by the drivers. Musicians: A 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow had been Freddie MercuryÂ’s personal chauffeur-driven transport from 1979 until his death in 1991. Without celebrity ownership, Hagerty would value the Silver Shadow at a lowly $9,500, a car that would take a lot of time, effort and money to restore properly. But add in MercuryÂ’s aura and bids ended at $362,500. “ItÂ’s no surprise that MercuryÂ’s car dominated our Musicians list on the 2023 Hagerty Power List,” the company said. Movies and TV: For those readers now emerging from hibernation since 1968, the news is that the historic Highland Green Mustang from “Bullitt” remains at the top of the Power List for the second year running.

NHTSA closes probe into 2011 Porsche 911 coolant leaks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that it will end its investigation into rapid coolant loss in 24,635 Porsche 911s built between 2001 and 2011. The models affected included the standard 911, GT2, GT3 and Turbo, as well as their variants (GT2 RS, GT3 RS and Turbo S).
NHTSA was investigating for "rapid coolant loss caused by coolant pipe-fitting failure, allegedly resulting in vehicle disablement and/or loss of vehicle control due to reduced traction for the affected vehicle or following traffic," according to the regulators website. "Most of the leak complaints did not appear to involve complete separation of the fittings and many were detected when the vehicle was parked," said NHTSA's statement.
There were 63 complaints and 336 warranty claims, although the investigation was initiated after ten complaints from customers. There have been no reports of crashes or injuries attributed to rapid coolant loss.

Jerry Seinfeld is selling three rare and valuable Porsches

Jerry Seinfeld, whose car guy status has come to the fore in the post-Seinfeld universe with Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, is selling a few of his Porsches. If you're expecting half-completed restoration candidates or tired old 930s, you're mistaken. What Seinfeld considers excess, most Porsche museums would jump up and down for ... and they might. But they'll have to bid. The three-lot Seinfeld Collection will be the highlight of the Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company on March 11th. At the top of the pre-auction estimate heap is a 1955 550 Spyder, one of the most coveted road cars the company made. It could go for $6m or more, and it's an interesting and lovely shade of blue. A seafoam green 1958 356 A GS/GT Carrera Speedster could bring $2.5m, and appears to still be stripped-down and set up for racing, as it would have been originally. And at the bottom of the heap is the 1974 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR once driven by Peter Revson in the famous Roger Penske International Race of Champions. It should bring something north of $1m. Why is Seinfeld selling these rare and desirable Porsches? According to the comedian, it's simply time to send some of his collection "back into the world, for someone else to enjoy, as I have." Fair enough, although with the celebrity name attached to the auction, that enjoyment isn't going to come cheaply. Related Video: Gooding & Company Announces an Unprecedented Offering From the Esteemed Jerry Seinfeld Collection to Headline Amelia Island Auction Three highlights from the collection will be on display at the company's Scottsdale Auctions – the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster and 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR SANTA MONICA, Calif. (January 19, 2015) – Gooding & Company, the auction house acclaimed for selling the world's most significant and valuable collector cars with the tradition of presenting some of the greatest collections to ever come to market, is honored to announce a selection of consignments from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection to be sold at the Amelia Island Auction on March 11, 2016. A sampling of this exceptional collection will feature three historic Porsches at Gooding & Company's annual Scottsdale Auctions marquee beginning January 27, 2016.