Galocha Cultural

segunda-feira, 25 de janeiro de 2021

Mercedes Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet 2007, Alemanha

Fotografia

Looking to celebrate their victory in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) Championship in 2003, Mercedes-Benz produced a limited run of CLK DTM AMG coupes. Unveiled in 2004, just 100 coupes were produced, featuring a de-tuned version of the racing car’s 5.5-litre V-8 engine mated to a SpeedShift 5G-Tronic automatic transmission, racing inspired suspension, and a luxurious interior. Producing 582 bhp and with a top speed in excess of 320 km/h, it could reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just four seconds.
The CLK DTM AMG Coupe proved to be incredibly popular and was incredibly well received by some of the best racing drivers of the era. CLK DTM AMG owners included Juan Pablo Montoya, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen, and Jenson Button. Looking to capitalize on that popularity, Mercedes-Benz produce a run of CLK DTM AMG Cabriolets, offering the same performance with the added thrill of open top motoring. Only 100 CLK DTM AMG coupes were built, but the cabriolets were even rarer, with just 80 examples produced.
While vast majority of CLK DTM AMG Cabriolets were originally painted in subtle tones of black or silver, and it is believed that just five cars were finished in Fire Opal Red, including the car offered here. Built to European specifications, it was delivered new to its native Germany before being shipped to the United Arab Emirates, where it has remained for the majority of its life.
There, the car caught the eye of a member of the royal family in the emirate of Sharjah who became the car’s first private owner. It was delivered new through Gargash Enterprises, an official Mercedes-Benz dealership in Dubai. The CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet’s next owner would be a Sheikh in the city of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, before the car was sold to its third private owner in Bahrain, who was a member of the Bahraini royal family.
More recently, the car has returned to the United Arab Emirates, and it has been driven just under 15,200 km from new. Its last services was carried out by Mercedes-Benz in February of 2020, and it is important to note that the car has been regularly maintained by Mercedes-Benz dealerships throughout it life. As such, it presents in excellent condition throughout, no doubt thanks to its minimal use and diligent service history.
Undoubtedly one of the most fascinating automobiles built by Mercedes-Benz thus far into the 20th century, this car’s Fire Opal Red paintwork adds an extra splash of visual drama to an already wild car. It would be hard to imagine a more eye-catching or thrilling four-seater convertible to enjoy on the open road.

BMW 2002 Turbo 1974, Alemanha

Fotografia

In BMW circles, the 2002 Turbo is known as “the Holy Grail.” A powerful and visually arresting automobile, it was akin to a holiday firework that burst upon the automotive world and then vanished, a victim of the 1974 fuel crisis that all but killed demand for performance cars.
The 2002 itself, on which the Turbo was based, is widely regarded as the first true sports sedan; a light and modern two-door with seating for four. It was well-built, comfortable, and combined more-than-adequate power and with fully independent suspension and front disc brakes, giving excellent road manners. The early single-carb “Zero-two” of 1968 was succeeded by the twin-carbureted 2002 TI and then the even stronger fuel-injected TII. The new Turbo was unveiled at the 1973 Frankfurt Auto Show and hit rest-of-world markets in 1974. It was not offered in the US.
The Turbo boasted a 1,998-cubic-centimeter SOHC inline-four-cylinder engine with a single KKK turbocharger and Kugelfischer fuel injection. This engine produced 170 brake horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, enough to deliver 60 mph in under seven seconds, with a maximum of 130 mph. The Turbo stood out with a set of fender extensions, a large front air dam (there was no front bumper) and a rear deck spoiler, plus a dazzling graphics package that adorned the front spoiler and both flanks of the body. The “2002 Turbo” lettering on the air dam was applied in reverse, making it easier for drivers who glanced in their rear-view mirrors to identify what was closing in on them.
Benefitting from a three-year restoration, this stunning 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo has been refinished in its original shade of Chamonix with color-matched fender extensions. The exterior is accented nicely by Turbo graphics, a chrome beltline, and chrome rear bumper. The Turbo rides on a set of Alpina wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888 tires. The front air dam, rear spoiler, and center exhaust add to the car’s aggressive look. The interior is trimmed in a black leatherette and features Turbo-specific sport seats, a sunroof, VDO instrumentation and boost gauge, as well as a MotoMeter clock. This 2002 Turbo is one of 1,672 produced; it is offered with a BMW Classic Certificate and restoration invoices.