Beating the Tamburo!

The opportunity to take more than one friend or member of the family in a Lamborghini has not been possible since the demise of the fabled LM in 1993. Until now that is, with the launch of the new Lamborghini Urus. Whilst the LM was more of a truck (the ‘Rambo-Lambo’ conspicuous by lack of even a mention at the launch at Barangaroo in Sydney), the new Urus is a luxury super suv. At its Oceania premiere I was able to sample the new Lamborghini experience, which combines the DNA and qualities of the current Lamborghini offering. Take the very best bits of the Huracán and the Aventador super sports cars, such as four-wheel steering and carbon ceramic brakes, throw in air suspension and lots of other high-tech stuff including torque vectoring, and Lamborghini has created an SUV capable of 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 305 km/h. Despite its increased centre of gravity and the fact that it is much higher and heavier than the other models from Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Urus is capable of stopping from 100 km/h to a stand-still in just 33.7 metres

This is a sports car on steroids that is capable of running on sand, snow, gravel, race-track or tarmac, with breathtaking performance and amazing all round capability. This is in no small part due to its exciting new V8 4.0 litre twin-turbo engine, the first occasion that Lamborghini has utilised turbo power. All controlled from the Tamburo, or Drum at the centre of the ultra-modern interior which comfortably seats four. And the name, well, as has been the tradition at Lamborghini, the name Urus is derived from the world of bulls. The Urus, also known as Aurochs, is a wild ancestor of domestic cattle. The Spanish fighting bull, as bred for the past half-millennia, is still close to the Urus in its appearance.

 

Arte Navale

Posted by on Dec 1, 2014 in News | 0 comments

2014 has been a good year for my work being used in various magazines around the world. As well as my written and photographic work being seen on a very  regular basis in Rewind Magazine from Singapore, Invictus in the USA and Motor in Australia, in the last few months alone I have also had articles featured in Octane, Classic & Sports Car, and Motorsport in the UK, New Zealand Classic Car, and much to my pleasure the front cover of Arte Navale in Italy. I took the front cover image for the Ottobre/Novembre issue of this prestigious motor...

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Tiger Economies

Posted by on Nov 11, 2014 in News | 0 comments

      There is no doubt about it, there is a massive interest in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong (all of which are right hand drive incidentally) for classic cars, once again proving that the appeal of beautiful things is universal. I regularly contribute to two magazines in the region Rewind (www.rewindmagazine.com) and Jetgala (www.jetgala.com) which are both doing a fantastic job. If you do not already subscribe I suggest you take a look, and as a little taster please see two of my articles from the...

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Falling in love again…

Posted by on Nov 11, 2014 in News | 0 comments

The Australian newspaper carried a nice story in early November. I thought I would share the link with you as it has some interesting comments (including some from me) regarding the interest that so many people, young and old, have in classic cars.   http://www.theaustralian.com.au/executive-living/falling-in-love-again-australia-is-firmly-on-the-car-collectors-map/story-e6frg9zo-1227113870535

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Man with a microphone

Posted by on Nov 7, 2014 in News | 0 comments

Whilst at Motorclassica, the Australian International Concours d’Elegance & Classic Motor Show, at which I ran the successful auction (see post dated 6th November), I was also asked to take part in an onstage panel discussion concerning the state of the  market, investment opportunities and upcoming trends in classic cars. Never shy to offer an opinion or grab a microphone (as shown in the image above), I was more than happy to take part in this forum, and join the other members of the panel on the chesterfield sofa.

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Unique Double

Posted by on Nov 6, 2014 in News | 0 comments

Donald Campbell is the only person ever to achieve  new World Land and Water Speed Records in the same calendar year. He did it in Australia 50 years ago in 1964. Having traced his tracks to Lake Eyre I recently followed in his wake to Lake Dumbleyung. It is a great spot in the West Australian wheat belt and Ian,the landlord at the Dumbleyung Tavern is a fine host who tells a great story about when he was a seven year old and Donald came to town. Look out for my articles in various publications as we approach the anniversary on December 31st...

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The Hippopotamus Song

Posted by on Nov 6, 2014 in News | 0 comments

Back in October I was bragging about the opportunity of driving ‘Samson’, the car that held the World Land Speed Record in 1905.  Well off I went to Lake Perkolilli near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, but unfortunately I was unable to get behind the wheel. The weather gods intervened and the rock hard clay pan lake turned into a quagmire more reminiscent of the lyrics of one of Flanders and Swann’s hits, “Mud, mud, glorious mud”.  Still, undeterred, the Lake Perkolilli 1914 – 2014 Centenary of Speed still...

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Over a million reasons to work with me…

Posted by on Nov 6, 2014 in News | 0 comments

UNIQUE FASTBACK TOPS MOTORCLASSICA AUCTION  Theodore Bruce Auctioneers and Valuers, Australia’s oldest house established in 1878, and for whom I work as the consultant classic vehicle specialist, achieved record sales at its classic car auction held at Motorclassica in Melbourne on October 25th. Topping the bill was a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental, the only one of its kind delivered new to Australia and held in single ownership for the last 37 years, which sold for Aus$1.15 million after spirited telephone bidding. This is believed to be...

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Way out West

Posted by on Oct 5, 2014 in News | 0 comments

As you read this I will be driving the first British car to break the 100 mph barrier. The Napier L48, known as ‘Samson’, set a World Land Speed Record of 104.651 mph, driven by Arthur E Macdonald, on the 24th January 1905 on Daytona Beach in the USA. I am really looking forward to taking part in the Lake Perkolilli 1914 – 2014 Centenary of Speed and having the opportunity to drive this legendary vehicle. I have never driven anything quite as old before. My previous ‘oldest’ is the very rare 1913 Nazzaro Tipo 2,...

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The Lake District

Posted by on Oct 5, 2014 in News | 0 comments

As well as heading off to Lake Dumbleyung in Western Australia this month following in the large footprints made by Donald Campbell, I am also hoping to make it back to South Australia in November. Campbell achieved the unique double of the World Land Speed Record (Lake Eyre, SA ,17th July 1964) and World Water Speed Record (Lake Dumbleyung, WA, 31st December 1964) in the same year. In between he also broke the Australian Water Speed Record on Lake Bonney at Barmera in South Australia on 23rd November 1964. It should make for a nice little...

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Going once…!

Posted by on Oct 5, 2014 in News | 0 comments

Later this month, on October 25th at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, Victoria, will be my major classic car auction of the year. I am rather pleased with the contingent of consigned cars that I have gathered together. Please take a look at the full catalogue on line via the following link: http://arts.theodorebruceauctions.com.au/asp/searchresults.asp?st=D&pg=1&ps=25&sale_no=AS0146. There is also some lovely memorabilia to be had at the auction which can be viewed on line at:...

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