Articles by Mike Ryan

For many, Rod Hadfield's 'Final Objective' 1955 Chevrolet 2-door hardtop is the "final word" in hot rodding and customisation. When it was new, it wowed Australian audiences. When it was taken to the US, it did the same. Recently, the latest chapter in the Final Objective story was written when it was auctioned at the 41st Annual Barrett-Jackson auction in the USA this past January.

Once the dust and noise settled following the cessation of the war in Europe in May 1945, the Austin Motor Company was very quick to get back to automobile production. Admittedly, the first offerings were warmed-over 1939 models, but by 1947 the company had released the A40 Devon, the first post-war Austin and the first of what have become known as the 'Counties' Austins.

The Bricklin SV-1 is a very rare vehicle, and a car few Aussies would have heard of, let alone seen. So when not one, but two Bricklins were advertised with JUST CARS, we were intrigued to find out more about this rare 'safety sports car' and its controversial creator, Malcolm Bricklin.

America's January auction season once again saw Gooding & Co top the sales, with a Mercedes 300 SL 'Gullwing' selling for US$4.62 million.

Daihatsu no longer markets its products in Australia_ passenger cars or light commercials_ despite having had quite a following. By the early 1960s Daihatsu made the decision to enter the so-called family car market after years of successfully building their business up from micro cars and a wide range of light commercials.

The Dakar 2012 proved to be the 'Year of the Mini', with the X-Raid All4 Raing Minis finishing first and second in the event. The only real challenge to the X-Raid Minis came from the Hummer H3s of Robby Gordon and last year's winner (in a VW Touareg) Nasser Al-Attiyah.

Lee Roy Hartung's enthusiasm for all things auto related, his eclectic taste, and his commitment to 'never sell anything' resulted in one of the most extensive and intriguing collections of all time. Over five decades, Hartung acquired some truly rare and unique items, from automobiles to motorcycles, related memorabilia, bicycles, number plates, toys and more. When the 86-year-old from Illinois, USA died, his entire collection was put up for auction this past November through Auctions America by RM.

After losing more than an hour on Stage 11, Robby Gordon's hopes of a podium finish, let alone a Dakar win, were gone. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, the American set his sights on Stage wins for the remainder of the 2012 Dakar, and started off in brilliant style on Stage 12.

Auction season has kicked off in the US, and one of the more intruiguing lots from the upcoming RM Auctions Phoenix sale, to be held on January 19 & 20, is the F150 'Lightning Rod' concept pickup.

Early and rare Ferraris have been among the top sellers at auctions around the world in 2011. With the US auction season about to kick off, RM Auctions are no doubt hoping the trend continues in 2012, with a number of exceptional Ferraris consigned for their Phoenix sale on January 20.

Most car manufacturers are in a slump, but not so Rolls-Royce. The BMW-owned prestige marque enjoyed its best ever sales result in 2011, selling 3,538 vehicles globally during the year.

Held in the lead up to the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Bonhams' annual New Bond Street, London auction of Veteran Cars and related Memorabilia was another success. The 147 lots on offer included eight London to Brighton eligible vehicles, seven of which sold, giving them a clearance rate of 91 percent.