BMW, Vintage Planes, Catalina Yachts, Classic Car Auction (105)BMW is known as "The Ultimate Driving Machine"—one of the most memorable and accurate company trademarks. Many say that BMW spoils drivers by completely surpassing all comparably priced cars with its performance. You'll see how when you take a look at the newest Z8, the famous Bond car, as well as its predecessor, the 507. We'll also go for a spin in some cool, affordable 2002s from the 1960s and 1970s.
Next, take to the skies with vintage plane enthusiast and collector Steve Maiman. Soar over Santa Monica in his 1943 Stearman and 1955 Beechcraft T-34 Mentor. Once used for military training purposes, these planes carry special significance for Maiman and other vintage collectors.
Then, it's off to the high seas, where we'll go sailing on the newest and coolest Catalina Yacht with Frank Butler, the company's founder.
Our last stop is Phoenix for the Third Annual Arizona Classic Car Auction, produced by RM Auctions. Admire pristine collectible autos, including a Mercedes Roadster that fetched a record $3.6 million.
BMW Facts:
- The Z8 travels from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds.
- James Bond's relationship with BMW began with the movie GoldenEye (1995).
- GoldenEye introduced a new James Bond (Pierce Brosnan), a new, non-British luxury car (BMW), and a new BMW (Z3 roadster).
- In 1956 with a base price of $9,000, the first 507s were considered extremely pricey. This restricted sales of the stylish car to a mere 252 units. Today, it is one of BMW's most sought-after collector cars.
- Celebrity 507 owners included World Driving Champion John Surtees and Elvis Presley.
- The 1973 BMW 2002tii sold for $5,300 and had a maximum speed of 118 miles per hour.
Resources:
BMW North America
800-334-4BMW
www.bmw.com
BMW Car Club of America
www.bmwcca.org
BMW CCA's Oktoberfest
Annual BMW festival
http://bmwofest2002.com
Vintage Plane Facts:
- The Cessna 310R holds six passengers and has a range of 1,000 nautical miles.
- The first Stearman was a C-3MB mailplane delivered to Varney Airlines.
- The stock Stearman has a 220-horsepower nine-cylinder "radial" engine. Maiman's modified engine produces 450 horsepower.
- Military pilots nicknamed the Stearman planes "washing machines" because cadets were constantly being washed out of training in the planes.
- The Stearman's nine-cylinder engine rumbles with a loud, choking noise similar to that of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
- After WWII, the T-34 Mentor was developed by Walter Beech, who hoped to sell it to the military as a cheaper alternative to the North American T-6/NJ trainer.
- Beech didn't live to see his plane go into production—he died of a heart attack in 1950; the T-34 went into service with the Air Force in 1953 and with the Navy in 1955.
Resources:
Stearman : A Pictorial History
by Jim Avis (Contributor), Martin W. Bowman
Stearman Restorers Association
www.stearman.net
National Stearman Fly-In
Galesburg Municipal Airport
www.stearmanflyin.com
Catalina Facts:
- The Catalina's list price is $280,000 with standard equipment.
- Catalina brands include Catalina, Capri, Morgan sailboats, Prindle catamarans, and a 34-foot powerboat sold as the Islander 34.
- The Catalina 470 uses 1,010 square feet of sails and has a theoretical hull speed of 8.75 knots.
- The Catalina 310, unveiled in January 2000 as the ultimate sailboat for cruising couples, won "Best Pocket Cruiser" in Cruising World magazine's "Boat of the Year" awards.
- Frank Butler founded Catalina Yachts in 1970.
- The company has a policy of never discontinuing a model as long as there is demand for it.
Contact Information:
Catalina Yachts
21200 Victory Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818-884-7700
www.catalinayachts.com
Resources:
The Hinckley Guide to Yacht Care: How to Keep Your Boat the Hinckley Way
by Henry R. Hinckley
Yachting Club of America
http://ycaol.com
6th Pacific Sail Expo
Jack London Marina
www.catalinayachts.com
Classic Car Auction Facts:
- RM Auctions Inc. is the leader in the North American investment-grade collector car auction market.
- In 2000, the company's sales exceeded $50 million.
- The 540K originally sold for $14,000—about 40 percent more than the most expensive American car, the V-16 Cadillac.
- Jack Warner (1892-1978) was the production chief at Warner Bros., the studio he established with his three siblings. His 1937 Mercedes 540K Special Roadster was the most expensive Mercedes-Benz ever offered at auction.
- The Special Roadster was one of only six cars created in the long tail style.
Contact Information:
RM Auctions Inc.
9300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 550
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310-246-9880
www.rmauctions.com
Resources:
NADA Consumer Antique, Classic, and Special Interest Motorcycle Appraisal Guide 2002
Mercedes-Benz
by Dennis Adler, Stirling Moss
Mercedes-Benz Club of America
www.mbca.org
