John Cena’s former 2017 Ford GT heads to auction at Monterey

The now-infamous 647-horsepower Liquid Blue 2017 Ford GT formerly owned (and then flipped) by actor and wrestling star John Cena is once again for sale, this time destined for the auction block this weekend at Monterey Car Week. And in a twist, Jalopnikreports it’s being auctioned by the same dealer Ford also sued for flipping it.

Chico, Calif.-based New Autos Inc. is sending the car to the Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction Saturday night in downtown Monterey, advertising it as one of just 138 produced for 2017, the first model year, and with the VIN number 77, a nod to Cena’s birth year.

Ford late last year sued Cena for flipping his GT for a profit shortly after he acquired it for $466,376.50, citing a clause barring a sale of any of the first 500 models for 24 months. The two sides later settled for an undisclosed amount that reportedly was to go to charity.

New Autos is apparently eager to trumpet the car’s clean legal bill of health. “This is the only 2017 Ford GT for sale that is unencumbered by past, present or future lawsuits from Ford,” Bernie Knaus, the president of New Autos Inc., said in a release. He added, “Whoever buys it will get an incredible car with no legal issues attached, since it was already settled.”

Jalopnik spoke with Knaus, who told them Cena sold the GT to a 78-year-old wealthy farmer in California who wanted one last great supercar and is reportedly a big Ford fan, with a large collection of F-Series pickups doing duty on his farm. He’s apparently no longer able to use the car and decided to sell it with a scant 625 miles on the odometer.

“He says, ‘Bernie, I don’t need to sell the car. But it’s getting to the point where I can’t get in the car, and it’s too difficult to drive,'” Knaus told the site. “He has some back issues, (but) he got the dream of owning it.

“This was gong to be his last great car for himself, and he wanted it to be an American car. That was critical. And not only an American car, but he wanted it to be a Ford.”

Ford recently decided to re-open the application process for the 2019 Ford GT in the fourth quarter of this year but remains committed to the quota of 1,000 examples over four build years through 2020.

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August 23, 2018 / Comments Off on John Cena’s former 2017 Ford GT heads to auction at Monterey

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Bugatti Divo teased again ahead of Monterey reveal

There are four days to go until Bugatti unveils the track-focused Divo this Friday at The Quail – A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week. Until then, we have this last teaser of the complete vehicle under a blue veil to try and draw out details. Bugatti once used the Vision Gran Turismo to tease aspects of the Chiron, and here it appears as though the French carmaker has returned to some elements of that concept while, at the same time, clearly evolving Chiron design language.

The rear wing is clearly toned down from the Vision GT concept, but a fin runs from the back of the greenhouse to the wing. The wheel arches stand out under the sheet, much punchier than the arches on the Chiron, and the rear fender contains a sharp edge. A clear departure from both the Vision GT and the Chiron, though, is the side line. The relaxed arc around the roof to the back of the cabin and down to the sills, a feature we’ve known since the Veyron, has been redone. On the Divo it looks like the roof line takes a shallow dip to a point, then makes a hard reverse to form a shoulder line that intersects the front wheel arch. Above that, a milder shoulder line descends from the cowl to underline the greenhouse.

“We’ve kept and further developed our Bugatti design DNA features, but on top of that have also taken the opportunity to exercise our freedom and create a completely new form language,” said Frank Heyl, the exterior design chief. Bugatti obviously wanted us to notice all of this, because the Divo example under the silk doesn’t have a side mirror.

Built by the company’s just-revived coachbuilding department and advancing the capabilities of the Chiron Sport, the Divo will bring “enormous downforce and G-forces.” Other than the top stabilizer fin and large rear wing, the additional feature we’ve seen to support its track mission is a vertical fin ahead of the front wheels. Cosmetically, it looks like the taillights will be LED or OLED with highly contoured shapes. We’ll have to wait until Friday for word on whether the 8.0-liter, quad-turbo W16 has undergone any changes.

Bugatti will make just 40 Divos, each with a price starting at 5 million euros, about $5.8 million in U.S. dollars, and nearly double the price of the Chiron Sport. Those numbers might be moot if every Divo is already spoken for. After brand CEO Stephan Winkelmann said “the Divo is made for corners,” and that it represents brand DNA “in terms of agile, nimble handling,” the number we’d really like to see is a Nürburgring lap time.

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August 20, 2018 / Comments Off on Bugatti Divo teased again ahead of Monterey reveal

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Rimac C_Two California Edition gets drunk on its power at Monterey Car Week

The Rimac C_Two made landfall in the United States last week, popping in for a guest appearance at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It left the building at the close of business on August 19, but electric supercar supporters will get a chance to see it again during Monterey Car Week. Going the extra EV mile, instead of merely shipping the silver Geneva Motor Show reveal model to various viewings on the West Coast, Rimac created a vogue California Edition to rejoice in the “vibrant atmosphere” of the imminent week-long automotive celebration.

The “captivating color” goes with a name in Rimac’s press release, but we’d call it Grabber Blue if that weren’t already taken. A new wheel design gets center caps in the same hue. Rimac plans to host private events in the lead-up to the big weekend, and attendees will want to hang out around the California Edition’s trunk: Rimac tailored the cargo hold to fit two six-liter champagne bottles, and crystal flutes. Our only question is how many flutes Rimac thinks one would need for the equivalent of 16 traditional bottles of champagne.

Rimac’s trip to Monterey seems like a brand enjoying its own success and making new friends, since it doesn’t have a car to sell at the moment. The C_Two, which costs $2.1 million and will be limited to 150 units, sold out three weeks after its Geneva launch. Buyers who managed to make the list will get a coupe using a 120-kWh to power four electric motors worthy of 1,888 horsepower and 1,696 pound-feet of torque. Getting from zero to 60 miles per hour takes 1.85 seconds, practically teleportation, while 100 mph comes in 4.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 258 miles per hour. The 404 miles of claimed range comes on the European cycle, but that should still convert to plenty of U.S. range to get to the corner office, the club, the heliport and back. Private preview invitees will get a chance to make sure they don’t miss out on the next Rimac offering.

At the end of the week, the California Edition C_Two will go on show at The Quail — A Motorsport Gathering on Friday, then at Exotics on Cannery Row the following day.

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August 20, 2018 / Comments Off on Rimac C_Two California Edition gets drunk on its power at Monterey Car Week

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SSC Tuatara’s twin-turbo V8 showed off ahead of Pebble Beach

The SSC Tuatara has been a slow burn for seven years, after the concept debuted in 2011 and racked up $13 million in sales that same year. We got smoke at the beginning of the year when the Washington-state company showed a teaser. Now we get heat and smoke thanks to SSC teasing the twin-turbo V8 that will power the production model. The sneak peak comes about a week before SSC plans to reveal the Tuatara during Monterey Car Week – as it did in 2011.

Seven years ago we were told the entire coupe would weigh about 2,800 pounds, that low weight achieved with copious use of carbon fiber for the chassis, subframes, and wheels. Grunt would come from a 7.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 developed in collaboration with Nelson racing engines, putting out 1,350 horsepower and 1,280 pound-feet of torque and spinning up to 9,200 rpm. The engine in the automaker’s previous car, the record-breaking Ultimate Aero, was based on a General Motors small block and there’s a good chance that’s the case here, too.The company predicted a 0-60 mph time of around 2.5 seconds and a 276-mph top speed.

We’ll have to wait until next week for all of the details about what’s merely changed and what’s been improved. Years ago, production was meant to be limited to 12 examples, and those dozen Tuatara buyers would have had the choice of either a traditional manual transmission or a sequential gearbox with paddles; who knows if the manual survived. And in breaking its silence to announce these new images, SSC said the Tuatara would have “a top speed that is projected to easily surpass the current world record.” That would mean the 276 mph number’s been eclipsed, since the a Koenigsegg Agera RS holds the title after having done 277.9 mph.

Peter Hay Hill at 5 pm PST on August 24 will be the scene of the reveal, at The Quail. After that, the Tuatara — the name refers to a small, nocturnal lizard that SSC says is “known for evolving its molecular structure” — will go on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Concept Lawn, and make appearances at Concorso Italiano and Exotics on Cannery Row in between. Stay tuned.

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August 18, 2018 / Comments Off on SSC Tuatara’s twin-turbo V8 showed off ahead of Pebble Beach

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2017 Monterey Car Week | Visual feast of ravishing cars

It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. We criss-crossed the Monterey Peninsula, going from Pebble Beach to Carmel-on-the-Sea and places in between, seeking out the most beautiful, the most significant and occasionally, the wildest cars on display. Here are the highlights in all their photographic glory.

Ferrari 70th Anniversary at Pebble Beach: We hope you like red

2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Details: Taking a closer look at the best of the best

2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion: It’s like stepping through time over and over again

2017 Quail Motorsports Gathering: Another opportunity to see new and classic exotics

2017 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn: The latest concepts on a lawn (plus a few non-concepts)

BMW Concept Z4 at Pebble Beach: We get our first look at the next-generation roadster

First U.S. Bugatti Chiron Delivery: The first Chiron is delivered to a U.S. customer

Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta: Mr. Pagani gets his very own Zonda and it’s really cool

Infiniti Prototype 9 at Pebble Beach: What if Infiniti had a race team in the 1950s?

Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet at Pebble Beach: The Maybach 6 is back, now without less roof

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante at Pebble Beach: Some Astons are better than other Astons

1956 Aston Martin DBR1 at RM Sotheby’s: The most-expensive British car sold at auction

1995 McLaren F1 at Bonhams Quail Auction: The first F1 sold in the U.S. was also on the block

Gunther Werks 400R Reveal: The ultimate air-cooled 993

Ken Okuyama Cars Kode 0: Bringing to the 1970s to the Lamborghini Aventador

Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype Reveal: Acura and Penske reveal endurance car prototype

McLaren 720S by McLaren Special Operations: It sure is purple

2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition in Monterey: Because the GT can in fact get even cooler

McCall’s Motorworks Revival 2017: A great way to kick off the weekend

August 23, 2017 / Comments Off on 2017 Monterey Car Week | Visual feast of ravishing cars

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First U.S. Bugatti Chiron delivered to customer at Pebble Beach

This would be the first Bugatti Chiron delivered to a U.S. customer and it seems appropriate that the delivery took place this weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Such “first” cars tend to be just the sort that end up on the illustrious fairway every August.

As you can obviously see, this particular owner went for a yellow and black color scheme, which can be seen on classic Bugattis as well. The yellow extends to the wheels, the grille surround and the trademark C-shaped trim along each side. The colors carry into the cabin with yellow leather on the inside of the seats, the center console armrest, doors and the interior’s C-shaped dividing line. Everything else is black leather.

Bugatti says that the Chiron will be limited to 500 units, with more than half already sold and 30 percent of those destined for the United States. The asking price is essentially $3 million. We’ll have to wait and see what it’ll be worth in 60 years or so when U.S. Chiron no. 1 makes its almost-inevitable return to Pebble Beach.

August 20, 2017 / Comments Off on First U.S. Bugatti Chiron delivered to customer at Pebble Beach

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Witness the only Fux Fuchsia McLaren 720S in existence

Need proof that McLaren is willing to build literally anything a customer could possibly want, regardless of how outlandish it may seem? Witness this 720S, which was just delivered to noted McLaren enthusiast Michael Fux on the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Concept Lawn. As you can see, it’s pink. Or purple. Somewhere in between, really.

Actually, it’s Fux Fuchsia, a color originally created by Rolls-Royce for Mr. Fux and held back as an exclusive shade by McLaren Special Operations for future vehicles. And, considering the car collector already owns three McLaren models, we’re thinking this won’t be the last of Fux Fuchsia you’ll see on one of these British supercars.

Besides the retina-searing shade of exterior paint, the inside door appliqués, a pinstripe on the steering wheel, and the rear-view mirror are all finished in in Fux Fuchsia. The rest of the interior is done up in white leather with white stitching. The floormats are also white, but finished in Alcantara.

Want a custom McLaren of your own? Jolyon Nash, McLaren Automotive Executive Director, Global Sales and Marketing, commented, “MSO provides McLaren owners with virtually limitless possibilities to tailor a car exactly to their needs and tastes. … Beyond this there are opportunities all the way up to complete vehicles designed to individual specification.” All you need, we imagine, is a suitably large bank account.

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August 19, 2017 / Comments Off on Witness the only Fux Fuchsia McLaren 720S in existence

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McLaren F1 sells for $15.62 million at Bonhams auction

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. – The first McLaren F1 imported to the United States sold for an eye-popping $15.62 million Friday at the Bonhams auction here. Offered by its original owner, the legendary supercar is in impeccable condition and has all of its service records, including one from just last month.

The F1 gaveled for $14.2 million and the price included a 10-percent buyer’s fee. The sale was held at the Quail Lodge as part of vintage car week in the run-up to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

The car, designated a 1995 model, has a 627-bhp DOHC V12 teamed with a six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel drilled and vented disc brakes, according to the Bonhams listing.

This car is the 37th F1 produced and still wears its original silver exterior and black/grey leather interior. The unnamed owner bought it new from the factory in Woking, England, in 1996. This F1 has 9,600 miles on its odometer – half of them from a European roadtrip its owner took after buying the car.

This F1 was converted to be road legal in the US shortly after purchase, but has been returned to its original form for the auction. All of the conversion pieces, however, were saved. Only seven of the 64 F1s produced were federalized for US roads.

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August 18, 2017 / Comments Off on McLaren F1 sells for $15.62 million at Bonhams auction

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Kode 0 is a new one-off supercar from Ferrari Enzo designer Ken Okuyama

Ken Okuyama is famous for his time as lead designer at Pininfarina, and specifically known for penning the Ferrari Enzo. He now has his own design house in Japan. Last year, he wowed the world with a one-off supercar, called the Kode57, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. That car will return to The Quail this year, but will be joined by a new stablemate, a wedge-shaped supercar called Kode 0.

We don’t have a lot of details about the car yet, but what we do know is enough to excite us. The Kode 0 is powered by a V12 situated amidships. We’re not sure what the output is, but the 6.0-liter V12 in the Kode57 produces about 600 horsepower, if that’s any indication. The Kode 0 features a carbon fiber monocoque, which helps the car save weight and provides structural rigidity. The photo of the car in a magazine ad posted to Okyuama’s Facebook page says the Kode 0 is inspired by Italian supercars from the 70s, like the Lancia Stratos Zero and Lamborghini Countach.

In addition to the magazine photo, Okuyama has posted the following teaser shots of the car:

KEN OKUYAMA CARSは、8月18日(金)、カリフォルニア “The Quail, Motorsports Gathering” においてOne-off新型車「Kode 0-zero-」を発表！ #奥山清行https://t.co/uyu6W3vkBU pic.twitter.com/ADdS0tgFdq

— KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN (@KenODesign) August 12, 2017

According the Ken Okuyama Design website, the Kode 0 will be unveiled at The Quail on Friday. We can expect to learn more details then.

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August 16, 2017 / Comments Off on Kode 0 is a new one-off supercar from Ferrari Enzo designer Ken Okuyama

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2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition honors Le Mans legacy at Pebble Beach

In 1967, the all-American team of Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt claimed victory at Le Mans in a Ford GT40 Mark IV. Both drivers went on to become racing legends, and the GT40 has been continually celebrated, inspiring the Ford GT that the company sells today. As a tribute to that famous victory 50 years ago, Ford will honor the 1967 Le Mans car with the 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition, which will be on display at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

The limited-edition GT boasts glossy Race Red paint with white stripes, as well as the same No. 1 that the winning car wore at Le Mans half a century ago. It also features an exposed carbon package, silver 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, red brake calipers, and silver mirror caps. Inside, the car’s carbon fiber seats are trimmed with leather with red accent stitching. Steering wheel stitching and seat belt webbing are also red, and the paddle shifters are anodized gray. The door sills, air vents, and center console all sport matte carbon fiber. A serialized identification highlights the car’s rarity.

The ’67 Heritage Edition follows the ’66 edition of the GT that Ford debuted last year. That black and silver car honors the GT40 Mark II driven to Le Mans victory by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. We wouldn’t be surprised if Ford continues to make special editions in 2018 and 2019 as well, to honor the GT40’s 1968 and 1969 Le Mans victories.

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August 15, 2017 / Comments Off on 2018 Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition honors Le Mans legacy at Pebble Beach

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GALLERY: Special Edition Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse At Pebble Beach

Bugatti showed off a very special Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse at Quail Motorsports Gathering over the weekend. The Bianco and Light Blue Livery paint scheme is a tribute to the 1928 Type 37A, a legend in its own time and on loan for the weekend from Jay Leno’s garage.

The Vitesse is able to go from 0-62 mph in a double-taking 2.6 seconds. Check out the press release below for the full specs.

Press release

August 21, 2012 / Comments Off on GALLERY: Special Edition Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse At Pebble Beach

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GALLERY: 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn Recap

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance showcases an introduction to some of the years best revealed production and concept cars.

If concepts and exotics are your thing, like they are ours, the Concept Car Lawn is the place to be and see the latest concepts.

Check out the gallery of this years Concept Car Lawn below.

August 20, 2012 / Comments Off on GALLERY: 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn Recap

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OFFICIAL: McLaren Special Operations Shows X-1 Supercar At Pebble Beach

McLaren’s Special Operations (MSO) program has come up with something extra special to show at this years Pebble Beach. MSO will unveil the McLaren X-1 in an exclusive event held at the Quail Lodge today.

It may be billed as a one-off-supercar, but the X-1 is so much more than a concept and it’s rumored that may be hinting at elements of the upcoming ‘P12’ F1 successor.

The X-1 was brought into fruition some three years ago for an unnamed buyer, before the MP4-12C was launched. Said unnamed buyer requested a car with the capabilities of the MP4-12C, but with a unique body reflecting the buyer’s style and personality – specifying a “timeless and classically elegant” design inspired by the likes of the 1961 Facel Vega, the 1959 Buick Electra, the 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K and the 1971 Citroen SM.

Designers spent months creating sketches before clay models were approved and 18 months later the process was completed.

The result was a rear drive automobile, with benefits from the MP4-12Cs mid-engine, rear drive layout for improved handling.

Specs:
Carbon fiber body panels
Piano black finish
Natural carbon fiber body sides – oversprayed with lacquer for a unique finish.
Headlights and taillights inspired by the McLaren Speed Marque logo
Brightwork made of machined aluminum – nickel-plated for durability and consistency in appearance
Enclosed rear wheels via carbon fiber panels
Interior is based on the MP4-12C
McLaren Red Nappa leather
Nickel-plated switchgear
Carbon fiber trim – incorporates a titanium weave for added dimensionality
3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 rated at 617 horsepower

Acceleration and top speed have not been released yet.

Following its Pebble Beach debut, the X-1 will be returned to MSO for final pre-delivery inspection and then delivered into the hands of its new owner.

August 17, 2012 / Comments Off on OFFICIAL: McLaren Special Operations Shows X-1 Supercar At Pebble Beach

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OFFICIAL: BMW Teases New Zagato Concept At Pebble Beach

The glorious automotive heaven of Pebble Beach is underway and among the many debuts, BMW will be unveiling the new BMW Zagato concept that’s pictured above. The Zagato Coupe was first revealed earlier this year at Villa d’Este, seen in the gallery below, however, this time around we’ll get to see a new BMW-Zagato collaboration – in roadster form!

August 17, 2012 / Comments Off on OFFICIAL: BMW Teases New Zagato Concept At Pebble Beach

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Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Making U.S. Debut At Pebble Beach

It’s almost here, the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance! Ferrari has announced that the new F12 Berlinetta will be finally making its U.S. debut at the Pebble Beach event on August 19.

The F12 Berlinetta is the fastest and most powerful production car in Ferrari’s fleet.

To refresh your memory, here are the F12 Berlinetta’s specs:
6.3-liter V-12 engine
Peak output of 730 horsepower
508 pound-feet of torque
Seven-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission
Magnetorheological adjustable suspension
An electronic differential
F1-Trac stability and traction control
0-60 mph time of just 3.1 seconds
Top speed of 211 mph

On top of all that, the F12 Berlinetta has a lap time of the Fiorano in just 1:23 – that’s a whole second faster than the Ferrari 599 GTO and two seconds faster than the 458 Italia and Enzo – Yowza!

Deliveries to the U.S. of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta will begin the first half of 2013.

View more images in the gallery and the official video.

August 15, 2012 / Comments Off on Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Making U.S. Debut At Pebble Beach

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OFFICIAL: Vintech Unveiling P550 Tribute at Pebble Beach

Do you love classic and expensive Porsches and/or you’re a fan of the gorgeous Porsche 550 but don’t have $3.685 million to spend? No worries, the French company, Vintech, has created a solution to owning the Porsche 550. Vintech has designed the P550 Tribute; a full carbon fiber body boasting classic lines with a modern chassis and a 3.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. The five-speed manual P550 has an engine that is expected to produce between 260 and 270 horsepower and a curb weight of 1,212 pounds.

The P550 Tribute makes its debut this Friday, August 17 at “The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering,” one of the events taking place at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Delegance.

Pricing and production numbers have not been announced yet. Follow the schematics, build, finished product and news/updates at the Vintech P550 Tribute blog.

August 14, 2012 / Comments Off on OFFICIAL: Vintech Unveiling P550 Tribute at Pebble Beach

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