This original, never restored 1956 Porsche 550RS Spyder could bring up to $8.2 million at the 2016 Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale on September 10. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Hot rod pioneer and car show promoter Michael “Blackie” Gejeian, who founded the the Fresno Autorama and won the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award in 1955, has passed away at 90. More at The Fresno Bee.
+ Fiat Chrysler Chairman John Elkann confirmed the carmaker is holding talks with several potential partners, including Samsung Electronics, for its auto parts unit Magneti Marelli. More at The Detroit News.
+ Harley-Davidson announced plans to cut 200 jobs in the fourth quarter as the motorcycle maker lowered its production and sales estimates for 2016. More at CNBC.
+ Reports say Daimler AG will introduce at least six and as many as nine new electric models in a push to compete with Tesla and Volkswagen’s Audi unit. More at Reuters.
+ Formula 1 czar Bernie Ecclestone says the pending buyout of the sport’s commercial holdings by a U.S.-based media group will not affect his role in the business. More at Racer.
+ Former Volkswagen Group executive and Bentley CEO Wolfgang Schreiber is suing VW for hundreds of millions of euros for his role in developing a dual clutch gearbox, Der Spiegel reports. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Southfield, Michigan-based powertrain parts supplier Metaldyne Performance Group has acquired Brillion Iron Works, a Wisconsin castings maker. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.
+ An original, unrestored 1956 Porsche 550RS Spyder will be among the headliners at the 2016 Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale on September 10. More at Sports Car Digest.
+ Still recovering from concussion-related symptoms, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is now out for the rest of the 2016 season, with his seat to be shared by Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman. More at Fox Sports.
+ French automaker PSA Group will open a seventh factory in China with partner Dongfeng in an effort to revive Citroen and Peugeot sales there. More at Bloomberg.com.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from September 2 here.
Photo courtesy of Bonhams.
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While I understand those cars are collectable that money is rediculous for what is really little more than VW Sports Car. 8.2m,,, $80k would be closer!
Dale Jr’s injury must be worse than is being reported. Sounds a lot like the injury that ended Bobby Allison’s career years ago. He described it as your memories being on a deck of cards, and that deck of cards thrown on the floor and jumbled up so nothing made sense. Hope JR gets better, but we may have seen the last of him in a racecar.
Working in NASCAR, I saw multiple drivers return after head injuries who weren’t healed and had no business on the track. Their faculties were clearly diminished. I’m glad these are more enlightened times and Dale can walk away as a whole person. The most frightening thing to lose is one’s own personality.