It was March 1969, and Bunkie Knudsen and Larry Shinoda's "killer" fastback was ready and out to even the score with anything Mustang's pony car competition could offer, at least on the street. They were going to call it "Trans-Am" until Pontiac grabbed the name for its hottest '69 Firebird, so they settled on Boss 302. Trans-Am rules required 1000 copies be built for sale to qualify as "production," but Ford ended up turning out 1934 of the '69s. Despite even that low number, the Boss brought people into Ford showrooms like no Mustang since the original.

When Mecum Auctions celebrates its Silver anniversary at Dana Mecum's 25th Original Spring Classic Auction on May 15-20, 2012, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, one of its "Star Cars" will be the only 1969 Boss 302 ever awarded the coveted Authenticity Award from the Mustang Club of America.

With only 13,000 miles on the odometer, this Mustang has won 5 Thoroughbred Gold awards along with numerous best of the best awards both in indoor and outdoor shows including the ISCA.  Bottom line - this Boss 302 is the most award winning Mustang in the Country.  It has appeared in magazines since 1981 and was also used as the prototype for the first Fat Head produced.  It may even be the most sought after Mustangs in the world.

Discovery's Velocity Network will broadcast 32 hours of live coverage of the auction from the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Presented as Lot S234, this Ford is scheduled to cross the block on national television at 5:00PM on Saturday, May 19.

For more information go to http://www.mecum.com

Photo - Mecum

A 1959 Austin Mini Se7en De Luxe Saloon, believed to be the oldest surviving unrestored Mini, sold for an impressive £40,250 (about $65,000 USD) this week at Bonhams Sale of Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia at the RAF Museum, near Cambridge, UK. Having attracted the attention of press worldwide, this amazing survivor sold for over three times its estimate of £12,000 - 15,000.

Accompanying the Mini is correspondence from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust states that it is the 8th of its type to come off the production line at Longbridge in May 1959, some three months before the launch of this legendary model on 26th August...read more.

Photo - Bonhams

While taking the 1936 Ford Phaeton out for a joy ride on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Prescott, Arizona, it failed to stop when approaching a red light no matter how much I pumped the brakes. Thankfully we were close to home and the hand brake got us home safely.

Upon inspection, we determined that it was the right rear wheel cylinder seal that blew, and since the old Ford has a single pass system, it caused a total system braking failure. As I was ordering new wheel cylinders for the Ford online, I noticed a link to One Man Brake, Clutch, or any Hydraulic Fluid Bleeder Kit for under $10.00 including shipping. So for ten bucks we thought we would give the One Man Fluid Bleeder Kit a try and see if it could indeed make this a one person job and here's how the job went: One Man Brake, Clutch, or any Hydraulic Fluid Bleeder Kit Product Review.

On Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, a piece of racing history will cross RM's auction block that coincides with the 8th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique - racing legend Piero Taruffi's record-breaking 1951 Italcorsa/Tarf II.

Piero Taruffi is rightly considered one of the greatest drivers and most innovative engineers of his era, and his  car, alternately known as "Italcorsa" and "Tarf II", designed by Taruffi, set six 500 cc and two 1,500 cc speed records.  Its radical "bisiluro", or twin-boom design was built in 1951 for the 2,000 cc class. Power was by a 1,720 cc Maserati four-cylinder engine with two-stage supercharging developing 290 bhp.  A chain drove the rear axle, and steering was via simple control sticks. Adjustable rudders compensated for prevailing winds.

After 1952, Italcorsa spent most of its life in museums and was refitted fitted with the present Ferrari 246 Dino V-6 engine. The car was re-commissioned for racing in anticipation of the 2007 Lake Gardiner Speed Week and has been maintained in running order ever since.

Overall, we just think it's a fabulous design even though it never really caught on in the racing world.  Check out this YouTube video of 3 film clips of the Italcorsa breaking speed records in 1952 and 1953: Terracina - il bisiluro di Taruffi.