Original 'Panthermobile' and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica up for auction

The rare original ‘Pink Panther' car, one of the most iconic vehicles in movie and television history, will be put up for auction for only the second time alongside a replica of the widely-recognizable Chitty Chitty Bang Bang vehicle. The one-off ‘Panthermobile' was created in 1969 for the 'Pink Panther' show, which NBC ran from 1969 until 1976. Jay Ohrberg, who is renowned for producing a number of other iconic Hollywood vehicles, created the unique vehicle, which was originally designed by Bob Resiner. Ohrberg's other creations include the Knight Rider K.I.T.T., Back To The Future's DeLorean, the 1966 Batman Batmobile, the 1989 Batman Batmobile, the Dukes of Hazzard General Lee, Starsky & Hutch's Ford Gran Torino and even the Flintstones cars.

No Ferrari Viper, Dodge brand chief says

Despite allusions to cooperation on the Viper with Chrysler's new Italian owners, there will be no Viper Ferrari. Hey, it was a natural question, especially since Dodge opened that door in a press release on Tuesday about a lap record set by a production Viper ACR at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (1:33.915; more on that in a minute). "When we have partners across the ocean who are known as the best sports-car makers in the world, the future opportunities are huge," Dodge brand chief Ralph Gilles said in a release.

SCARCITY OF ECO CARS KEEPS VALUES HIGH

ACCORDING to the latest AA Fuel Price Index, petrol prices rose in January by the biggest amount in recent times. Although there is considerable Government lobbying to slow down fuel price rises, there appears to be no immediate respite for private motorists. With this continued pressure on family finances, leading vehicle auction company, British Car Auctions (BCA) is seeing a significant increase in buyers seeking the most fuel efficient vehicles which, in turn, is pushing up prices at auction.