When we think of high priced auctions, we usually see expected price tags of $4 million or even $8 million, but a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa shattered all the previous expectations with a record setting price of $16.4 million at Monterey. Ferrari racers in general sell for a lot of money, but lately Testa Rossas have been doing quite well and have been fetching very high price tags and breaking auction records. This 1957 Testa Rossa stands out because it is a prototype, which it makes it even more special.

A selection of cars owned by fashion legend Ralph Lauren will go on display in Paris this week, in a unique exhibition of one of the world’s most distinctive collections.

The collection extends to around 60 cars, kept inside a deliberately non-descript structure that keeps its secrets closely guarded. Inside, thanks to design input from the Polo Ralph Lauren interiors team, the collection is displayed in a truly reverent fashion, part Zen garden, part Rothko Room, with every car placed on a carefully lit pedestal, yet kept maintained and primed for instant use.

Ralph Lauren, who famously described cars as “moving art” in his 2004 book Speed, Style and Beauty, owns an extensive collection of vehicles which is rarely seen by the public – until now.

Seventeen of the most striking models, selected from the 1930s until the present day, will be on display in Paris at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs from April 28 until August 28, offering a unique glimpse at the tastes of a major name in the fashion world.

Among the exhibits will be the Bentley Blower of 1929, immortalised in Ian Fleming’s early James Bond novels, a Mercedes-Benz SSK from 1930 owned by racing driver Count Carlo Felice Trossie and A Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupe, one of only four ever made (and only two that remain).

For its first presentation in Europe, the Ralph Lauren collection will be put on display by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who has opted for an intimate visual approach as these vehicles stand out both for their overall design and detail, as well as for bodywork, chassis and engines.

Among the cars on display for the Ralph Lauren Car Collection Exhibition:

Bentley Blower, 1929 – This car was designed by W.O. Bentley, but it was Sir Hilary Birkin, one of the “Bentley Boys” (a group of British gentlemen, all of them drivers and lovers of fast cars) which led Bentley to equip it with a compressor, hence its nickname “Blower.” With massive bodywork embellished with the English flag, the Bentley Blower was created for a single purpose: to win races. This is the car Ian Fleming chose for James Bond 007 in his first novels.

Mercedes-Benz SSK Count Trossi, 1930 – With its shark profile, the design of this Mercedes-Benz can be attributed to the talent of its owner, Italian aristocrat Count Carlo Felice Trossi, also a racing driver. The SSK is the archetype of the Mercedes of the 1920s, dominated by its colossal bonnet encompassing more than half of its length, with the radiator projecting out front as a windbreaker and exhaust pipes stemming from the sides.

Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe, 1938 – This is one of only four models ever built, and today only two are left. This fantastic car has visible seams and round-headed rivets running the length of its spine and mudguards. Power and speed are suggested by its doors cut out of the roof and ellipsoidal windows taken from the aeronautics register.

Ferrari 375 Plus, 1954 – Like all the Ferraris of the time, there were no specific plans for this design. Highly qualified and talented craftsmen created this magnificently rounded shape following the verbal instructions of Ferrari’s official car designer, Pinin Farina. Thus they were able to produce a magnificent spyder which won Le Mans 24 Hours in 1954.

Jaguar XKD, 1955 – No car from the ’50s embodies speed better than the XKD Jaguar, with three consecutive victories between 1955 and 1957 at Le Mans 24 Hours, and another at Nürburgring in 1956. It’s this car that enabled the driver Patricia Coundley to become the fastest woman in Europe in 1964. From the aileron at its tip to the elegantly rounded bonnet, its shape harks back to that of a fighter plane.

Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe, 1955 – The Gullwing owes its name to the doors which open upward, like wings. It was the darling of many celebrities including Sophia Loren, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Glen Ford and musician Skitch Henderson.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, 1958 – This car bears the mark of Sergio Scaglietti, one of Ferrari’s most talented coachbuilders. The Testa Rossa (red head), which takes its name from the red camshaft covers of its V12 engine, bears Scaglietti’s characteristic signature – a long chassis with a torpedo-like body, a headrest emerging from the bodywork and streamlined headlamps.

“Strangely enough, I really don’t like to drive the cars when people are around,” Lauren says. “As it turns out, I don’t really want to be seen in the cars. There’s a part of me that likes the privacy, so the more garish the car, the less I want to drive it. On weekends, depending on the weather, I love the Jaguars, the XK120 or XK140. I love the Mercedes Gullwing and roadster and the Porsches.”

Below is an exclusive look behind the doors at Ralph Lauren’s luxurious private estate where the designer takes us on a personal tour of his spectacular machines.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia! Blu Scozia (dark blue) with Tan Leather Interior! Only 3,500 miles! Showroom condition! This low mileage, in-door kept Ferrari 458 Italia is loaded with upgrades such as: F-1 Transmission, 20″ sport wheels, Xenon Headlamps, AFS System, Carbon Fiber Driver Zone and LED’s, Central Tunnel in Leather, Front Suspension Lift, Ipod, Ferrari Yellow Brake Calipers, Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Power Daytona Leather Seats with Diamond Stitching, Front and Rear Parking sensors, Blue Stitching / Piping, and more!

This Ferrari 458 Italia signals the arrival of a brand new generation of V8-engined Ferrari berlinettas. Every Ferrari is the result of an uncompromising design approach that integrates styling and aerodynamic requirements. The Pininfarina design features compact, aerodynamic lines, underscoring the concepts of performance-oriented efficiency that inspired the project. The nose features a single opening for the front grille and side air intakes, with aerodynamic sections and profiles designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and the new flat underbody. The nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets which generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator intake and cut drag. The result is a highly innovative design, characterized by cutting-edge technologies perfected for use on a road-going car. Two of these innovations for production cars: the electronic differential (E-Diff) initially developed by Ferrari for its F1 single-seaters and designed to make the most of the engine’s torque to optimize traction, and the handily placed steering wheel-mounted rotary switch (better known to the Formula 1 drivers as the manettino) which directly controls the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics. On the track, the E-Diff guarantees maximum grip out of bends, eliminating wheel spin. On the road it is a formidable technological refinement that improves roadholding. This 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia is equipped with Ferrari’s all-new 274.5 cubic inch V8 motor which produces 570hp and goes 0-60Mph in less than 4 seconds! It is also capable of speeds over 196Mph. The Ferrari 458’s engine’s improvement in terms of performance, weight and reduction of overall dimensions is the result of applying Ferrari’s wealth of F1 experience to this fine sportscar. The F1 transmission in this beautiful exotic is state of the art, introducing a number of important modifications. Thanks to inputs from the engineers on the Gestione Sportiva racing side, the F1 Dual-Clutch gearbox management incorporates a new control strategy which further perfects gearchange speed and smoothness under hard use.

For serious inquiries contact: Jason Torres
More photos available

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Jaguar XC75 Concept

Ferrari California

Renault Dezir Concept

Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta

Porsche 911 GT2RS

click on images to view in detail

The core part of the overall makeover is the entirely re-engineered aerodynamics concept by GEMBALLA. Without any exception, the manufacturer produces all components in real carbon in order to combine lowest weight with highest material strength.

Active aerodynamics for the maximum driving experience

Owing to the active aerodynamics conception, the front spoiler lip generates an additional downthrust of up to 35 kilograms at the front axle, according to the individual position. Analogically, the flap on the newly designed rear spoiler generates even up to 85 kilograms more downthrust on the rear wheels. For optimal handling results, the flap lowers, as soon as the car reaches a speed of 120 km/h. In this way, the GEMBALLA-aerodynamics concept adjusts to the outer conditions and always ensures perfect road holding characteristics. All components of the aerodynamics kit attribute to this: starting from the new front skirt with spoiler lip, over the door extensions to the diffuser and rear spoiler.

The air duct system of the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 does not only help bringing the power of the twelve-cylinder car onto the road. At the same time, the engineers from Leonberg (Baden-Württemberg) develop an extensive ventilation- and cooling concept. Here, both the front and the back wheel-houses are supplied with cooling air and this guarantees an optimal use of the high performance braking system. The outlets behind the wheels ensure that the heated air does not pile up. Moreover, the air inlets behind the doors and on the roof supply fresh air into engine compartment behind the passenger cabin. The newly designed air exhaust ducts end in and on top of the rear skirt. Their dimensions also allow the supply of an additional radiator.

The GEMBALLA car body components therefore guarantee the functionality of the new super sports car and provide the car with a unique look at the same time. Following the design of Formula-1 racing cars, the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 has an extended front and an edged rear spoiler. Formerly rounded edges were replaced in order to provide the car with an aggressive look with greedy air inlets and outlets.

Even the rear lights do not remain openly on the back, but are cased and equipped with air ducts. The MIG-U1 grows broader by 80 millimetres at the front- and 100 millimetres at the back axle.

For everyday use, the optional electro-hydraulic height-adjustment (HLS) is extremely innovative and enormously helpful. By pushing a button in the passenger compartment, it is possible to lift the body by 45 millimetres at the front- and rear axle and therefore allows driving over obstacles such as underground car park entrances and traffic ramps. Also by pushing a button or by reaching 80 km/h, the MIG-U1 lowers itself to its original level. Additionally, the multiple adjustable sports suspension which is equipped with ball bearing bushes significantly improves the handling and driving comfort of the MIG-U1.

The forged wheels GEMBALLA GTR RACING forged by our development partner “Advanced Structural Alloys” contribute both to the appearance and the performance of the car. The wheels which are made from a massive light alloy block combined highest stability with an extremely light weight. The elaborate forging process reduces the unsprung masses of one wheel set by 16 kilograms. Therefore, the wheels respond in an even more agile way and precisely follow every steering command even under highest strains. At the front, the 10×19 inch rims hold high-performance wheels in the dimension 265/35, while the back axle transfers the power of the engine through 13×20 inch rims with 335/30 wheels.

The twelve cylinder engine of the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 works with an optimised motor management and an especially adjusted exhaust system. This combination allows a performance output of 700 hp (515 kW). The four-pipe system with pneumatic flap control is added to the sports catalyser. The end-pipes are equipped with the typical GEMBALLA heat shield and share the exit into the rear skirt with the exhaust ducts of the rear wheel houses.

High-End for the Interior

In the interior, GEMBALLA devises a control centre which perfectly combines functionality and comfort. The especially for the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 designed seats, the custom-made centre console and the sports steering wheel with its leather-ultra suede combination guarantee full control over the car. At the same time, the interior of this super sports car reflects pure luxury. All interior components are lined with leather and ultra suede. The integrated high-end multimedia system offers a seven-inch touch screen, navigation, DVD changer and an iPod connection. The 950-Watt amplifier operates the high frequency ranges in the cockpit front, the 165 millimetre large membrane on the door linings and the subwoofer between the seats. GEMBALLA-logos on the seats, the floor mats and the safety belts perfect the refinement.

With the GEMBALLA MIG-U1, the automobile manufacturer once again proves that its know-how is not only limited to Porsche cars. On the basis of the already exhilarating Ferrari Enzo, the engineers developed a unique car. But even the limited edition with only 25 cars is not exclusive enough for GEMBALLA. Therefore, every single GEMBALLA MIG-U1 is individually adjusted. This ensures that there will not be any identical cars. Therefore, the specialist with its reputation for unique high-end refinement once again meets the requirements for highest individuality.

Privé International is always on the lookout for the latest destination spots for our members. Many of our members are automobile enthusiast which is why we thought Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was well worth looking into.

Currently under construction in the UAE capital’s Yas Island entertainment district, also home to the new Formula 1 race track and Yas Hotel, is Ferrari World – the world’s largest indoor theme park with an enclosed footprint of 100,000 sq m. To give you perspective from tip to tip it stretches seven football fields. The building itself is tri form encompassing two roller coasters which will push the limits at 200kph and a 60metre high G-Force Tower which is designed be the most extreme free-fall ride in the world.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi boast many impressive figures. The 201,000 sq m roof, which will show Ferrari World as the centrepiece of Yas Island, contains enough aluminium to cover 16,750 Ferrari’s or, alternatively, the Vatican City in Rome. And if the building was put on end, it would be the world’s tallest building with 300 stories.

Ferrari and Aldar Properties employed the well-established design talents of international firm Benoy to design the ground-breaking Ferrari World development which has now reached an advanced stage of construction in line with its expected opening next year 2010.

Releasing these extraordinary images, which show the true scale of the project as the exterior body is complete, Benoy talked of a clear inspiration for the project: “Externally the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi building expresses the language and values of the Ferrari brand itself. Benoy’s vision – to create a building that reflects Ferrari’s sinuous form, is directly inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT chassis. The double curve was proportionately applied in elevation to set the structure’s length and height. This proportion gave rise to the dynamic scale of the building at 700 metres from tip to tip of the tri-forms.”

As expected, the spectacle is not limited to the project’s exterior and the ‘Grand Funnel’ which acts as the adjunction point for the three spokes, also functions as the main point of architectural interest. The fully glazed funnel is latticed with a spider system that floats over the Mero space frame within, creating a floor to ceiling light well of over 100 m in diameter. The building has capacity for 15,000 people to experience the Ferrari-themed rides which surround the centerpiece.

When Ferrari World completes next year, it will mark a four year transformation of Yas Island from an untouched ‘featureless wilderness’ into a landmark entertainment district to rival the extreme development of Dubai.