AutoVino Brings World-Class Automobiles to Connoisseurs’ Marketplace
Every so often a motor car is introduced that is so special, so completely out of the ordinary, so supremely competent and so instantly desirable that it sets a reputation by which a manufacturer can live for decades.
300SL Mercedes Benz |
None more so than the 300SL Mercedes Benz, an icon in motoring history and one of the rare, world-class automobiles that will be showcased this year at the AutoVino Collector Car Showcase at Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, Menlo Park‘s annual festival of the arts, July 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue.
Festivalgoers are in for a real treat, as they will be able to view gorgeous collector cars from various decades.
Among the prized possessions will be a a 1957 Citroen Delivery Van — as recognizable a French icon as the Eiffel Tower, a 1951 MG TD2 Competition Model, the king of sports cars from its era, and a "Miami Vice" Ferrari Daytona Spyder, the same model actor Don Johnson drove in the hit 1980s TV show and for many years the fastest production car sold in the USA.
1957 Citroen Delivery Van (above), 1951 MG TD2 (below) and Ferrari Daytona Spyder (bottom)
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"We’ll be showing a wide range of cars stored at AutoVino," said Buff Giurlani, owner of Menlo Park-based AutoVino. "This is a perfect opportunity for us to share these collector cars with the community. We are a local business and we serve a niche in the area."
"AutoVino is a place for people who enjoy fine wine, collector cars and cigars to be able to sit back, relax and share their passions," said Giurlani.
The AutoVino facility can store up to 65 cars and about 6,000 cases of wine. It is located at 205 Constitution Drive in Menlo Park. The facility also is the new home of Woodside Vineyards, which was the 120th winery established in California. Today, there are 3,000-plus wineries in California.
"We make wine and take care of 26 local vineyards in Woodside and Portola Valley," Giurlani noted. "Wine, cigars and cars are my passions."
"Connoisseurs’ Marketplace is going to be a wonderful day for people of all ages and we’re delighted to be a part of the festivities," said Giurlani.
For information on AutoVino, A Preserve for Fine Cars and Wine, visit www.auto-vino.org.
ABOUT THE FEATURED DISPLAY VEHICLES
1957 Citroen Delivery H-Van
The bull bulldog-faced, multi-talented H-van was manufactured by Citroen from 1947 to 1981. It served a thousand and one commercial uses and, like the Traction Avant, 2CV and DS, is as recognizable a French icon as the Eiffell Tower. Most of the H-vans in North America have been imported by private Citroen enthusiasts. Importing them can be done without too much hassle as any H-van titled prior to 1969 can be imported without any DOT and EPA modifications. Although the H-van uses the 3-main-bearing drivetrain (as used in the Traction Avant and pre-1965 DS/ID), most parts will probably have to be imported from Europe.
Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster
Perhaps the first ever supercar produced in numbers, top speed varied from 145 to 160 mph, depending on axle ratio. Some 1,400 prohibitively expensive and advanced multi-tubular spaceframe 300SL Gullwings were built from 1954, the 300SL Roadster replacing it in May 1957 with conventional doors, and improvements to the swing-axle rear suspension via low-pivot suspension. The stylish new Roadster proved to be a far more attractive purchase in America, the car's best market. Owners included a youthful King Hussein, Stirling Moss, Oscar Peterson, British comedian Tony Hancock and numerous film stars such as Tony Curtis and Sophia Loren. Offered from 1961 with the long awaited all-round disc brakes, and from mid-1962 (as of chassis '3049') with a lighter alloy engine, the 300SL Roadster was now complete.
Miami Vice Faux Ferrari 365 GTB/4 (1969-72)
When you think of the world's most beautiful Ferrari, many choose the 1969 365 GTB/4 (Daytona). The car was for many years the fastest production car sold in the USA. In 1971, motor journalist Brock Yates of Car and Driver magazine started the Cannonball Sea To Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. The first race was held on April 1, 1971, and first prize was a Gumball dispenser. Yates and Dan Gurney, former race driver for Formula One and Le Mans won in a 365 GTB/4 Ferrari. They needed about 35 hours from New York to L.A.
Think white suit, pink shirt, and loafers without socks. Ring a bell? Of course it does. Miami Vice first aired in 1984 and immediately became one of TV's hottest shows. Everyone was copying Don Johnson's five o'clock shadow, wearing pastels, and aspiring to drive a Ferrari Daytona Spyder like the one you see here. Only 165 real Daytona Spyders were made, and selling prices at one time topped $1,000,000.
1951 MGTD2 Competition Model
As brought to market in January 1950, the MG TD2 joined the Jaguar XK120 series as the icon of sports cars. Many were brought back after WW II by GI’s eager to enjoy the agile small sports cars they discovered in the UK. The fledgling Sports Car Club of America started sponsoring road races and the MGTD defined the concept of the sports car and the roadster. This made the marque a household word synonymous with Sports Car. Inexpensive compared to the big Jags the MG TD2 became the definition of Sports Car and set the standard of expectation of what motoring should be for US Generations to come. This example has spent its entire life in California. On the road from 1951 to 1963 then parked before being completely restored in 2001 and recently refreshed for its third life at AutoVino in Menlo Park this year
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