It paid the price before, thus making it worthy of its price now.

A witness to CNN journalists’ faithfulness to their duty during a war coverage in Iraq last 2003, the CNN Hummer leveled with the Carrol Shelby’s 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra worth $5,500,000 during the 36th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Arizona held last January 15-21.

At CNN.com, it was revealed that real estate company Re/Max International Incorporated Founder David Liniger got the $1 million-worth winning bid of the "Warrior One" Hummer that toured military bases and medical centers across the nation before the said event. Its $1.25 million net will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation, an organization that temporarily accommodates families of patients with major medical care in military hospitals and Veterans Affairs facilities.

"The guy that put the $250,000 in was bidding against me to the last minute," Liniger said in awe as he narrated how that same man turned around, placed his arms around him and said, "Hey, you buy the car, you get the car. I’ll add 250 to it." Liniger, a car collector and a consistent visitor of the Barret-Jackson Co. auction sales, was also a Vietnam war veteran and founder of Sentinels of Freedom, a foundation that aims to reach out to disabled soldiers.

He said that "Warrior One" is such a beautiful vehicle saying, "The military tries to take care of them, but once they leave Walter Reed, they’re on their own. Some of them don’t want to go anyplace. Some are highly motivated and just want to keep trying, and so for us, this is a beautiful symbol."

In November 2006, three years after the Iraq war coverage, The Learning Channel "Overhaulin" show renovated the CNN Hummer. Who would know whether it now has a new vent visor.

Facts gathered by octane-magazine.com showed that collectors must have spent an estimated US $112,000,000 during the said auction which featured about 1,271 cars sold at No Reserve. Nearly, 250,000 visitors came for the event.

"The collector car hobby continues to grow and demand was exceptionally strong for a variety of vehicles ranging from vintage Shelbys to superb customs, top notch muscle bars, obscure makes and even timeless Woodies," Craig Jackson, Barret-Jackson Auction Company chief executive officer said.

Have you heard about the Prince of Cars? Aha, it’s the Plymouth Valiant! This awesome ride is among the most admired sedans in the United States for almost two decades. It was initially launched as a 1960 model - the period when Detroit was reviving the small car segment. The Valiant received various efficient slant-six engines and striking stylings. Oh yeah, the Valiant is absolutely a sweet little ride that offers not just clean floor mats, but the best overall convenience, styling and performance.

The Valiant endured four generations, whipping famous alternates such as the Barracuda and the Duster and soon it was substituted in 1976 by the Plymouth Volare. The Valiant was also a big hit in foreign countries. Plymouth was actually a component of Chrysler during the early 60s. And here’s another trivia for all of you - the Plymouth Valiant starred in various Hollywood films! Yes it’s a fact! Check out the films below that featured the Prince of Cars:

    * Carry On Again Doctor (1967 Barracuda)
    * Duel (1970 Valiant)
    * Vanishing Point (1970 Dodge Challenger R/T)
    * Marathon Man (1970’s Valiants)
    * Christine (1968 Valiant)
    * L’homme aux yeux d’argent (1967 Valiant Signet)
    * D.A.R.Y.L. (1967 Valiant Signet)
    * Born on 4th July (1966 Valiant 200 Wagon)
    * Batman (1970’s Valiants, also Volare)
    * Jack the Bear (1962 Valiant)
    * Matilda (1961/62 Valiant)
    * Private Parts (1968/69 Valiant)
    * My Favorite Martian (1961 Valiant)
    * Cry Freedom (1967/68 South African Valiant)

                                             

The Jaguar XJ coupe is among the world’s most magnificent luxury cars. According to Wikipedia.com, 8,378-car run of 2-door XJ coupes along with a pillarless hardtop body called the XJ-C was manufactured between 1975 and 1978.

The coupé was apparently inspired from the short wheelbase edition of the XJ. The coupé’s extended doors were built out of a stretched regular XJ front door and flare fenders with a clearly noticeable weld seams below the interior section in which two front door shells were fixed jointly. It also goes along with a single outer skin. A small number of XJ-Cs was customized by Avon into convertibles with a pull back canvas top. However, it was not considered as factory merchandise. The six and twelve-cylinder models were both available.

The company had planned to launch the model in the early period of 1973. On the other hand, problems occurred with the window sealing that delayed its production. These cars endured water leaks and wind noise even though production was postponed.

 

                              

The ‘50s initiated the revolution of vehicles. It’s a new dawn for the auto industry during this period and several representations had surfaced, and one of them is the 1957 Pontiac Safari.   

According to Conzept Cars, the Pontiac Safari was first unveiled in 1955. It was introduced as a 2-door hardtop and showcased sport-coupe front doors with chrome beautifying the sliding rear-seat windows and tailgate and interior. In 1956, Pontiac restricted the Safari’s design with an exceptional body style that was only one year old. Powertrain components like fuel tanks and carburetors remained the same though.

Pontiac used the Safari tag to all of its station wagons in all of its product lineup that includes the Chieftain, Super Chief and Star Chief Custom in 1957.

Specifications:

• Engine Configuration: V
• Cylinders: 8
• Aspiration/Induction: Normal
• Displacement 347.00 CU IN.: | 5687.3 cc. | 5.7 L.
• Valves: 16 valves.
• 2 valves per cylinder.
• Valvetrain: OHV
• Horsepower: 270.00 HP (198.7 KW) @ 4800.00 RPM
• P / Liter: 47.4 BHP / Liter
• Compression Ratio 10.0:1
• Main Bearings: 5
• Fuel Type: Gasoline - Petrol
• Fuel Feed: Carburetor