Porsche GT3 raffle to benefit low-income families in need of home repair and construction

A Friend Indeed is a non profit organization which serves individuals, families, and entities in low to moderate economic communities through repair and construction assistance.  As much as feasibly possible, A Friend Indeed utilizes volunteers and contractors who contribute their time, products, and services to those less fortunate.   Many projects require funding beyond what is donated to the cause.  Our organization helps secure the funding and work force to help complete these tasks.  A Friend Indeed at times will partner with other relief organizations to accomplish these goals.

Roger Penske, CEO of Penske Automotive Group, has kindly helped secure a 2010 Porsche GT3 for raffle to aid in our organization’s funding.  This car is being built in Germany especially for A Friend Indeed.  Raffle tickets are being sold for $85 each.  This is a great car for a great cause!  Please visit our website at www.afriendindeed.cc where you can see examples of our how our organization has lent a helping hand making lives more livable with home repair and construction services to many around the country.  The current economy is a challenge for all of us, however, those in crisis are in dire need of our help.  On our website you can obtain the rules and regulations for the raffle as well as purchase your tickets through a secure site.

An example of the raffle's postcard

Dancing with the Stars, Tampa style

Ann Poonkasem has sung the national anthem in front of thousands of Tampa Bay Lightning fans and strutted across a beauty pageant stage in sky-high heels. She’s appeared on national TV trying to be a Hilton and has a few movie credits to her name.

But dance in a super skimpy outfit before a live audience?

“Never!” she said.

Poonkasem, a.k.a. Ann P., takes to the parquet Saturday in Tampa Bay’s version of Dancing with the Stars. Fresh off the heels of the reality show’s Season 9 premiere, a dozen local celebrities and businesspeople will show off their moves for the sake of charity and title of best dancer.

Also dancing are: Lynne Austin, the original Hooters girl; Enrique Crespo, a Tampa designer; Sally Dee, former golf pro; Tom duPont, publisher of the duPont Registry; Susan Guidi, president of Advanced Ultrasound Services; Jim Henning, real estate consultant; Brandi Kamenar, CEO of Icon B. Marketing and Publicity Group; Melissa McGhee, former American Idol contestant; Chad Nelson, mixed martial arts fighter; Shilen Patel, health care entrepreneur; and Roxanne Wilder of Bay News 9.

The event is from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Tampa Marriott Waterside, 700 S Florida Ave. Tickets are $150 online in advance but were expected to sell out. Online votes for your favorite dancer are available for purchase until 11:59 p.m. Friday. Go to dwtstb.com.

Read more at the St. Petersburg Times’ web site.

1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe sells for $7.25 million

The championship-winning 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601 has made history again, selling for a record-breaking $7.25 million at Mecum’s inaugural Monterey Auction on August 15, 2009.

That price tag sets the record for the highest price paid for an American car at public auction.

High performance collector car specialists Mecum Auction promoted the Daytona Cobra Coupe – American racing’s Crown Jewel – for months leading up to the auction.  “Selling this amazing piece of American race history at our first Monterey auction has been the crowning achievement of my career and Mecum Auction’s 22 years of selling collector cars,” said Dana Mecum, president of Mecum Auction.

“This hand-built car beat the fastest cars in the world and has now added another ‘win’ to its list of accomplishments.  It certainly finished in record form again.”

The 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra was one of six cars built by Carroll Shelby to compete against the dominating Ferrari in the F.I.A. (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) World Manufacturers Championship for GT race class.  An experimental coupe body designed by Peter Brock was built on an existing Cobra chassis, immediately increasing the top speed by 25 mph.  That car won its first race, the 1964 Daytona Continental (prompting Shelby to adopt the name), and five more coupes were built, including CSX2601.

After competing at Daytona, Monza, Spa and Nurburgring, CSX2601 made history when it clinched the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship for the United States and Shelby American on July 4 in Reims, France.  Driving the car – and America – to victory was legendary race car driver Bob Bondurant.

Bondurant drove the Daytona Cobra Coupe across the Mecum auction block as it set the new high-bid record.

“Truly the best part about auctioning the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe has been sharing the stories of its amazing history with millions of people across the country,” Mecum said.  “This race car’s greatest moments and its legacy as America’s world champion will be cherished for generations to come.”

Mecum’s Monterey Auction took place on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa on the Del Monte Golf Course.  In addition to the Shelby Daytona, Mecum offered an eclectic mix of more than 200 cars ranging from a 1931 Rolls-Royce to a 2007 Saleen S7.

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 22 years, offering more than 5,000 collector cars per year – more than any collector car auction company in the world.  Auction information and results are available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.

Mecum’s first-ever Monterey Auction tops $14 million in sales

The inaugural Mecum Monterey Auction was a great success as the company claimed the highest single vehicle sale in its history – $7.25 million for the 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe – and reached total gross sales for the one-day auction of $14.3 million (including buyer’s premium).

“Our first Monterey auction was a wonderful milestone for Mecum.  Our company made history by selling the legendary Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe, which set a new record for the highest price paid for an American car at public auction,” said President Dana Mecum.  “In addition, we had an amazing array of high-end classic and exotic cars cross the auction block, from early ’30s Ford street rods to late-model Bentleys.  It was exciting to bring both serious car collectors and enthusiasts to the Hyatt Regency Monterey, which is just minutes from downtown and gave us ample room to display cars on the beautiful Del Monte golf course.  We look forward to returning to Monterey with even more cars to offer.”

Mecum’s Top 10 Sales from the Monterey Auction (all sales reflect hammer prices) were:

1. 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe (Lot S104) at $7,250,000
2. 1940 Packard Darrin Super 8 (Lot S87) at $330,000
3. 1973 Ferrari Daytona 365 GTB/4 (Lot S80) at $300,000
4. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette (Lot S86) at $205,000
5. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC (Lot S214) at $190,000
6. 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental (Lot S79) at $161,000
7. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe (Lot S208) at $150,000
8. 1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible (Lot S113) at $150,000
9. 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta Convertible (Lot S94) at $150,000
10. 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible (Lot S63) at $137,500

Complete Monterey Auction results are available to Mecum InfoNet members, which is free to join at www.mecum.com/infonet.  InfoNet members can log in to see car-by-car results.

Mecum’s next auction, the McDorman Sign Collection, takes place Sept. 11-12, 2009, at Bob McDorman Chevrolet in Canal Winchester, Ohio, and will feature more than 1,000 neon signs, memorabilia and automotive parts.

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 22 years, offering more than 5,000 collector cars per year – more than any collector car auction company in the world.  Auction information and results are available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.

NAV-TV RELEASES THE M.O.S.T. HEAD UNIT REPLACEMENT MODULE FOR THE PORSCHE 997

Nav-TV™, an international leader in OEM vehicle network integration technology for infotainment and telematics device optimization, announced the release of the MOSTHUR-997 M.O.S.T. fiber optic head unit replacement module for 2004 to 2009 Porsche 997 vehicles with amplified sound systems.

The MOSTHUR-997 allows full integration into the stock amplified sound system, allowing the end-user to replace their factory radio with an aftermarket navigation/DVD head unit while retaining the factory amplifier and speakers. Installing into the vehicle with just 4 connections and the included antenna adapter and M.O.S.T. fiber optic extension, the MOSTHUR-997 supplies accessory power, illumination, reverse, VSS (vehicle speed pulse), vehicle brake and parking brake to the aftermarket radio.

Retail pricing for the MOSTHUR is $649.00 USD. Please call NAV-TV at 1.866.477.3336 for further details.

MECUM AUCTION PROUDLY PRESENTS AMERICAN RACING’S CROWN JEWEL

High performance collector car specialists Mecum Auction will offer collectors a chance to own a piece of American race history when they auction the 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601 at the 22^nd Dana Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction taking place May 13-17, 2009, in Indianapolis, Ind.

And when this Crown Jewel of American Racing powers across the auction block, Mecum anticipates the championship race car to garner the highest bid ever paid at public auction for an American automobile – eight figures and counting. The Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe will be sold on live national TV Friday, May 15, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. during the company’s series, “Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More,” on Discovery Communications’ popular HD Theater.

Mecum Auction's Shelby Cobra Daytona

The 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra was one of six cars built by Carroll Shelby to compete against the dominating Ferrari in the F.I.A. (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) World Manufacturers Championship for GT race class. An experimental coupe body designed by Pete Brock was built on an existing Cobra chassis, immediately increasing the top speed by 25 mph. That car won its first race, the 1964 Daytona Continental (prompting Shelby to adopt the name), and five more coupes were built, including CSX2601.

After competing at Daytona, Monza, Spa and Nurburgring, CSX2601 made history when it clinched the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship for the United States and Shelby American on July 4 in Reims, France.

“Many vintage race cars have a strong American racing history to share – including this vehicle’s sister car CSX 2299 – but no car can claim a finer race hour than the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601,” said Dana Mecum, president, Mecum Auction. “The legacy of its World Manufacturer’s Championship win stays with us more than four decades later, reminding us of one the proudest moments in U.S. race history and a competitive spirit of victory against all odds.”

Driving the car – and America – to victory on that fateful July afternoon was legendary driver Bob Bondurant.

“I won a lot of races with this Daytona Cobra Coupe, but when I crossed the finish line at the Reims race track I yelled ‘Yes!’ It was a fantastic feeling,” Bondurant shared. “I always wanted to race in Europe against the world’s best drivers. Winning that World Championship was the crowning achievement of my career. I think it’s wonderful that the car is being showcased 40 years later.”

The Daytona Cobra Coupe didn’t just race, however. At one point, a North Dakota businessman with six gas stations owned the car, and each day, he’d drive the 300-mile round trip to collect station receipts in this race-trimmed Cobra.

“This car is a true slice of Americana, representing a different time in America’s past when driving a full-blown race car on the roads didn’t turn heads,” added Mecum. “The Daytona was also leased to Paramount Pictures for use in the Howard Hawks cult classic ‘Redline 7000’.”

Now fully restored and wearing its famous Reims livery, the Shelby Daytona Cobra CSX2601 headlines the Original Spring Classis Auction, which is expected to feature 1,250 vehicles.

Held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the auction is open to the general public with tickets are available at the door for $10. It will be broadcast live on Mecum’s popular television series, “Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More” on HD Theater – Discovery Communications’ first 24-hour high-definition cable network, offering compelling real-world and motorized content.

The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars, muscle cars and Corvettes for more than 20 years. In spring 2008, the company sold its 50,000^th car. Consignment, Bidder, event and accommodation information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.

Schedule:

Original Spring Classic Auction

Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Ind.
May 13-17, 2009

Price: $10

Vehicle check-in: Monday & Tuesday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Wednesday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Preview: Gates open Wednesday through Sunday at 9 a.m.

Vehicle Auction: Wednesday – 2 p.m.

Thursday through Sunday – 10 a.m.

* Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe to be auctioned live on national TV May 15 at 8 p.m.

Neon Auction: Saturday – 7:30 p.m.

Tom duPont comments on Rolls-Royce for USA Today

Mr. Tom duPont was quoted for USA Today’s article about the steady rise of Rolls-Royce sales this year:

“One of the things that Rolls-Royce has been particularly good at is not corrupting its brand in the name of growth or profit,” says Tom duPont, publisher of the duPont Registry, a publication for car connoisseurs. Read the full story here.

Mr. Jeerapaet, president of duPont REGISTRY online, comments on his trip to New York and ABC NYC Limo service

As president of duPont REGISTRY online, Kit Jeerapaet is a busy man that is always on the move. When he had to make a business trip to New York City there was only one man and one company he trusted for his limousine needs: Russell Figaredo of A Better Chauffeured (ABC) NYC Limo. Mr. Jeerapaet was not going to be in the city long so he wanted his driver to not only be courteous but to know the quickest routes around town.

“My driver James Anees was excellent. I was on a tight schedule and had a lot of clients to meet with in a short period of time.” said Mr. Jeerapaet regarding the driver’s rapidity, “I highly recommend ABC NYC (Limo) for all your limousine service needs; whether in New York or throughout the country, due to their extensive network.”

ABC NYC Limo offers a premium limousine or Town Car service at a reasonable price. Unlike other comparable services, ABC NYC limo provides a well appointed vehicle complete with snacks, drinks and treats for the kids as well as an experienced driver that knows the streets of the city they are in. ABC NYC Limo pampers it occupants with one of the most prompt, dependable, affordable and first rate services in the chauffeur business.

National Post uses duPont REGISTRY Magazine for an Automotive Market Prediction

 

An article in the National Post is titled “Crazy Prices Sign of the Apocalypse” and describes the author’s belief that the high prices of exotic cars in the duPont REGISTRY magazine is a sign that a market bubble may be on the verge of bursting.  The author, David Booth, says the inflated prices he saw in the duPont REGISTRY magazine are a symptom of harder times that might come for the automotive industry.  Mr. Booth believes people with a lot of wealth may be trying to regroup some of their holdings and assets.  The duPont REGISTRY magazine and the various cars he found in it are referenced throughout the article.  Read the story here.

duPont REGISTRY magazine’s Iconic GTR advertisement garnishes attention

duPont REGISTRY magazine advertisement draws attention to Iconic GTR.  The Iconic GTR closely resembles what a Shelby Cobra would look like if it were produced today.  The car’s overall shape, body and features, like the side exhaust pipes, pay homage to the original roadster while the lights of the car look like the might have been taken off the TVR Tuscan Speed Six.  Iconic has gone to great means to save weight and hopes to push the performance envelope with a massive 6.9 L V-8 producing 800+ horsepower. Read more of the story at Autoblog.