This stunning 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C2500 has a dark side: It was once owned by the mistress of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Experts say it could fetch up to $2.7 million at the RM Auctions Paris sale. Get all the latest car biz news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Yet another airbag recall: More than 2.3 million vehicles from Honda, General Motors, Chrysler, and Toyota are being recalled to correct a defect that could cause inadvertent airbag deployment. More at The Detroit News.
+ General Motors and Chinese partner SAIC Motor are launching an ambitious joint effort in Indonesia to produce no-frills vans under the Wuling brand. More at Reuters.
+ Rita & Peter Heydon have donated their rare 1927 Duesenberg Model X Speedster to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana. More at Old Cars Weekly.
+ In his Ferrari debut, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel set the pace on the opening day of Formula One pre-season testing in Jerez, Spain. More at BBC Sport.
+ The German Transportation Ministry is planning a pilot project to test driverless automobiles on the A9 Autobahn connecting Munich and Berlin. More at Bloomberg.
+ A former contractor at Ford Motor Co. has filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, charging he was fired for expressing anti-gay religious views. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ A 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C2500 Sport Berlinetta once owned by Claretta Petacci, the mistress of Benito Mussolini, will be among the star attractions at the RM Auctions Paris sale on Feb. 4. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Three-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Fame member David Pearson has suffered a mild stroke but is expected to make a full recovery, his family reports. More at the Charlotte Observer.
Photo by Tom Wood, courtesy RM Auctions. For the previous Executive Briefing from January 30, click here.
The Heydons are well known for their generosity. Peter is both a gentleman and an enthusiast of the first order. It’s wonderful to see this donation.
We’ve enjoyed seeing the Duesenberg X at the ACD Festival for many years and look forward to viewing it in the museum. It’s the perfect place for this wonderful car. Many thanks to the Heydons for their generous donation.