David Cooper, part-sleuth, part-mechanic, restores Millicent Rogers' Delage

David Cooper instructed the tall, elegant gentleman with a white beard to close his eyes and imagine he was behind the wheel of his mother's car in the 1940s. Pretend it's raining, Cooper said. You need to turn on your wipers. What do you do? Arturo Peralta-Ramos reached above his head. Melissa Harris' Chicago Confidential Bio | E-mail | Recent columns Related David Cooper adopts creative business model for car collecting Restoring vintage automobiles 1937 Delage D8-120 Aerosport Coupe Maps 401 N May St, Chicago, IL 60642, USA Ads by Google Car Repair Specialists in Middlesbrough. Car Service Mechanic Near You. acornvehiclerepairs-ts5.co.uk Repair Garage Flawless Car Repair Work. We're The Experts. Call Us Now. platinummotors-middlesbrough.co.uk It was the first of many clues that helped Cooper confirm he had just purchased a rare find: A 1937 Delage D8-120 Aerosport Coupe, one of only 12 made. This particular Delage was one of the last of its kind built with windshield wipers activated by an overhead switch. Cooper has spent five years collecting stories and records about this car in an effort to prove it was originally purchased by Peralta-Ramos' mother, the Standard Oil heiress Millicent Rogers. By tracing the car's history, Cooper would substantially increase its value. That is, once his team of artisans put it back together. Cooper's journey would take him from an Austrian ski town to Peralta-Ramos' smoke-filled private office in his adobe-style hacienda in Taos, N.M. "Did I think I'd have to spend this much effort to trace down its history? No," Cooper said. "But it's also something that makes our shop unique. I've had people doing research for me at archives in Washington, London, even Copenhagen. Auto shops don't normally do that." Cooper is a vintage car restorer, whose life has become wrapped around Rogers'. A fashion icon, she had three husbands and a long string of lovers, from Clark Gable to Roald Dahl to Ian Fleming. She died in 1953 at age 50 after surgery for an aneurysm. As a young child, she contracted rheumatic fever and was told she wouldn't live past age 10. She suffered heart attacks, contracted pneumonia and had a weak arm. Her tastes were so eccentric (and extravagant) that she owned a 24-karat toothpick. According to The New York Times, she wrote "an anguished" Gable before sprinting away to New Mexico in 1947, "I have always found life so short, so terrifyingly uncertain." According to the newspaper, not long before Rogers "installed herself in New Mexico," she was frequently spotted jetting through New York in a chauffeured, custom Delage coupe that interior designer Billy Baldwin described as being so stuffed with throws and other furs that he could barely squeeze in. Cooper, 55, raced vintage cars in the 1980s. The son of a manufacturing executive and a college professor, he grew up in Evanston and majored in political philosophy at the University of Michigan. After graduation, he joined his father's sewing-equipment company. When his father sold the firm, Cooper decided to turn his car hobby into a business and opened a garage. The West Loop operation, called Cooper Technica, specializes in very old and very high-end European luxury cars. One shop wall is lined with cabinets of books. In 2006, he began looking for investment opportunities. He told his contacts he wanted to buy a car that was French, built before World War II, touring, streamlined, had a famous owner and was in boxes. "That was the only way I could afford it," he said. Cooper got a hit on Rogers' rare Delage. There were two problems: The car broker had no proof of the Rogers connection, and the car's parts were spread across three countries. The body was being worked on outside London; the mechanicals were being restored in Lyon, France; and a few parts were in boxes in a garage near Geneva, Switzerland. "I had already done some homework on Delages, and I didn't think they were doing the restoration right," Cooper said. "It turned out to be that there is quite a bit of difference between a Series 1 and a Series 2 Aerosport. They knew this car was a Series 2, but they hadn't done enough homework to figure out all of the differences." Cooper made three trips to Europe in three months to arrange the purchase. He later decided to open a garage in Lyon, where craftsmen familiar with Delages would restore the car. There are five key features to a classic car: The chassis, engine, drive train, transmission and body. To be deemed an "original," Cooper said, a car must retain three of those features, and one of those must be the chassis. The art world calls this provenance. Cooper had the Delage's chassis, engine, drive train and less than one-quarter of the body. But he had no records linking his Delage's badge or engine number to the one Rogers purchased for her third husband, Ronald Balcom, at the 1937 Paris salon. Cooper wrote letters to all of Rogers' relatives. Her granddaughter replied that her uncle and Rogers' only surviving child, Arturo Peralta-Ramos, would meet with him. Peralta-Ramos told Cooper about traveling from his family's home in Austria to Paris in the spring of 1938 to visit the workshop of the car's designer, Letourneur & Marchand. There he remembered watching his mother use her lipstick to draw a new shape on the car's rear fender. The new lines gave the rear a longer and sleeker look that better matched its streamlined front.

Man being hard on BMW for 20-month erection

You can't buy publicity like this. USA Today reports a California man is suing both BMW and motorcycle seat manufacturer Corbin after a four-hour motorcycle ride left him with a severe case of priapism. Henry Wolf claims he's had an erection since stepping off his 1993 BMW after a ride in September 2010, or some 20 months ago, if we're counting. According to the suit filed in California Superior Court, the seat's "ridge-like" design caused the painful condition. Wolf's lawyer says the man is unable to engage in sexual activity, and as a result, has endured "substantial emotional and mental anguish." Wolf is suing for compensation from both BMW and Corbin for lost wages, medical expenses, emotional distress and general damage. Neither company has commented on the case.

Australian billionaire to build Titanic II

One of Australia's richest men, Clive Palmer, on Monday unveiled plans to build a 21st century version of the doomed Titanic in China, with its first voyage from England to New York set for 2016. Palmer, a self-made mining billionaire, said he had commissioned state-owned Chinese company CSC Jinling Shipyard to construct Titanic II with the same dimensions as its predecessor. "It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic but of course it will have state-of-the-art 21st century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems," Palmer said in a statement. "Titanic II will sail in the northern hemisphere and her maiden voyage from England to North America is scheduled for late 2016." He added that he had invited the Chinese navy to escort the Titanic II to New York. The announcement comes just weeks after the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, which went down on April 15, 1912 after striking an iceberg on its first voyage, from Southampton to New York. Palmer said the new ship would be a tribute to the spirit of the men and women who worked on the original, which sank with the loss of 1,514 passengers and crew. "These people produced work that is still marvelled at more than 100 years later and we want that spirit to go on for another 100 years," he said. Titanic was commissioned by White Star Line and was the largest liner in the world at the time. Palmer said he has established his own shipping company, Blue Star Line, with the new vessel having the same specifications as its predecessor -- 270 metres long (885 feet), 53 metres high and weighing some 40,000 tonnes. It will have 840 rooms and nine decks with design work in conjunction with an historical research team underway. No figure was given on how much it would cost. The only changes to the original would be below the water line including welding and not riveting, a bulbous bow for greater fuel efficiency, diesel generation and enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for increased manoeuvrability. "Titanic II will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury with on-board gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high class restaurants and luxury cabins," Palmer said. The ship would also include an exhibition room which will be located in the space of the original's coal boilers which will showcase his home state of Queensland. Palmer is estimated to be Australia's fifth richest person, worth more than Aus$5 billion (US$5.2 billion), thanks to his vast coal and other mining assets in Queensland and Western Australia. He has also branched out into tourism and owns the luxury Coolum resort on the Sunshine Coast, while recently saying he wants to move into the media industry, a sector dominated by Fairfax and Rupert Murdoch's News Limited. His decision to commission a Chinese shipbuilding yard, which will also construct other luxury liners for the tycoon, reinforces his ties to the country, which is a key buyer of his coal and iron ore. "The Chinese are renowned for building commercial cargo and container ships," he said. "China currently produces around two to three percent of the world's luxury ships but is looking to challenge the Europeans who have around 75 percent of this market. "The Chinese ship building industry with our assistance wants to be a major player in this market." The original Titanic was built in Belfast.

Hundreds of new car shows have sprung up across Britain in the wake of the British Motor Show’s demise. Here are the country’s best.

The last “proper” British Motor Show – once the undoubted and much-loved highlight of the UK motoring calendar – is now just a fading memory.

For years it thrilled enthusiasts at London’s Olympia, then Earls Court and Birmingham’s NEC, before moving to ExCeL in the capital in 2008, where it attracted nearly half a million show-goers.

But when the economic downturn hit the industry and major manufacturers began opting for bigger international shows instead, it was reluctantly killed off by the organisers.

Its demise was mourned by sections of the motor industry and car enthusiasts alike, but what few foresaw was that its passing would kick-start an exciting new era with hundreds of alternative new shows bursting onto the scene, and existing ones vying to fill the vacuum.

Today, the best-known is Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show on June 28, the day before the Telegraph-partnered Festival of Speed. But hundreds of others, large and small, have sprung up across the UK, each attracting a loyal following and allowing enthusiasts to cherry-pick their favourites throughout the year.

Shows range from thoroughbred classic car events to those showing new – or even “clean green” cars – and those that feature commercial and passenger vehicles and motorcycles.

Here are some of our favourites so that you can start planning your own motoring summer.

 

Footman James Bristol Classic Car Show

When: April 21-22

Where: The Bath and West Showground, Somerset

Timed to coincide with the popular Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs’ Drive it Day – when owners are encouraged to drive their classics on the roads – this lively show attracts enthusiasts from all over the UK, and no wonder. Seventy clubs will mount displays indoors, with more than 900 classic cars on view outside.

There’s an eclectic mix of new and second-hand parts, tools, books and memorabilia. There’s a car boot jumble on both days and a classic cars and automobilia auction on the Sunday, with viewing on the Saturday.

 

 

Ecovelocity

When: May 10-13

Where: ExCeL London

Now a stand-alone part of the Grand Designs Live show (based on the Channel 4 series), this event lets you drive the latest crop of ultra-frugal eco cars including electric, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other CO2-busting vehicles. Visitors to both shows will be able to pass freely from one to the other.

 

 

Enfield Pageant of Motoring

When: May 25-27

Where: The Playing Fields, Great Cambridge Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Extensive displays including 2,000 trucks, motorcycles and cars, with entries from the Whitewebbs Museum of Transport. Expect an unlikely mix of American and British classics alongside historic commercial – and even beautifully restored passenger – vehicles, and live music. There’s also more than 400 autojumble stalls to choose from.

 

 

Classic Car Spectacular

When: June 2-4

Where: Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire

Celebrating the “golden age of motoring”, this event is a three-day Jubilee special with 2,000 cars on display from 80 car clubs, a two-day autojumble and a wide range of general trade stalls. Organisers are also looking for owners who want to take part in a classic car mart. They are promising family attractions and an “Italian supercar feature”.

 

 

Motorexpo

When: June 11-17

Where: Canary Wharf, London

A free-to-visit show that transforms this London business district with displays of more than 250 vehicles from the world’s leading manufacturers. Names confirmed so far include Bentley, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Kia and Volvo, and this year’s event is expected to be the biggest yet, drawing an anticipated audience of 425,000.

Best of all, the vehicles are unlocked, with show-goers invited to get in and look around. Organisers are even offering test-drives on the Canary Wharf estate.

 

 

Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival

When: June 16-17

Where: Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey

Expected to be the biggest motoring competition held at Brooklands since 1939, this event, organised in conjunction with the Vintage Sports Car Club, will see 144 classic and vintage cars taking part in exciting driving challenges and a concours d’élégance, as well as up to 100 pre-war cars competing in the Double Twelve Speed Trials. There will be a sprint on the adjoining Mercedes-Benz World circuit on the Saturday, with everything from Sinclair C5s to bicycles and pre-war racing cars tackling the Test Hill Challenge on the Sunday.

 

 

Croft Nostalgia Weekend

When: August 4-5

Where: Croft Circuit, Dalton on Tees, North Yorkshire

Described as a “magical trip down memory lane”, this event not only features on-track single-seater, saloon, GT and sportscar races for cars from the Forties to the Seventies, but also boasts Second World War attractions including tanks, jeeps and buses, and fashion. There’s also an aerial display and – as at the Goodwood Revival – show-goers are encouraged to dress in period style to help the party go with a swing.

 

 

Pentillie Festival of Speed

When: August 25-26

Where: Pentillie Castle and Estate, St Mellion, Saltash, Cornwall

A colourful, lively new event aimed at celebrating “all that’s good about motorsport” and based around an exciting, twisting hillclimb that starts at a private quay on the banks of the beautiful Tamar, before taking in hairpin bends and exhilarating straights and passing within metres of the castle. As well as extensive displays of classic cars, there will be laser clay-pigeon shooting, racing simulators, off-roading and giant Scalextric.

 

 

Donington Kit Car Show

When: September 1-2

Where: Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derbyshire

Not everybody likes their cars straight out of the showroom in one piece; some prefer the DIY approach. This show will include 40 kit car manufacturers and 60 owners’ clubs as well as interactive events such as “how to build your car” demonstrations and Q & A sessions with experts. There will also be racing on the circuit.

 

 

Beaulieu Autojumble

When: September 8-9

Where: Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire

The best-known autojumble of them all. In fact, it is claimed to be the biggest outdoor autojumble this side of the Atlantic, and all within the inspiring grounds of the National Motor Museum. Complete with more than 2,000 stands groaning with all kinds of vintage and classic bits and bobs. Includes a 200-vehicle “automart” sale and Bonhams’ collectors cars sale.

2013 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost officially rated at 23/33 MPG

When we drove the all-new Escape recently, Ford was still awaiting official EPA certification for fuel economy. Now, though, the numbers are in, and the Blue Oval can confidently state that it offers the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the small crossover segment... with an automatic transmission, that is.

The hero engine for the new Escape is Ford's new 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four, offering up 178 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, this engine is good for 23 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg highway, besting the highway numbers of the Chevrolet Equinox,Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and others. At 33 mpg, this means the new Escape is not only more efficient than the outgoing four-cylinder model, but it bests the numbers of the old Escape Hybrid, too.

But again, this only pertains to automatic transmission-equipped vehicles (the Escape does not offer a manual transmission with any of its powertrains). The 2013 Mazda CX-5 with its 2.0-liter Skyactiv inline-four and six-speed manual 'box is rated at 35 mpg highway, but opting for the six-speed auto drops that number to 32 mpg.

The other powertrains offered in the Escape are returning some pretty impressive fuel economy numbers, too. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter base engine is rated at 22/31 mpg, and the range-topping 2.0-liter EcoBoost with 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque is good for 22/30 mpg. Scroll down for the full details in Ford's press release.

Nissan's luxury Infiniti car brand will expand its partnership with Formula One champions Red Bull next year

Nissan's luxury Infiniti car brand will expand its partnership with Formula One champions Red Bull next year, both sides announced at the Korean Grand Prix on Sunday.

The deal will feature more prominent branding on the Renault-powered cars as well as new areas of technical and product collaboration.

Nissan executive vice-president Andy Palmer told reporters that brand awareness in the first year of the association with Red Bull, who won both titles last season and have again taken the constructors' championship and the drivers' crown with Sebastian Vettel, had been "tremendously successful".

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Germany's Vettel has won ten of the 16 races so far, while Red Bull had, until Saturday, racked up 16 pole positions in a row dating back to last year.

"We use a system of measuring seconds of TV time...and by that measure we are the most visible car manufacturer on the grid," said Palmer, who recognised that 24-year-old Vettel was about 11 years younger than the target customer.

"It looks like Infiniti will have a record year for sales so there is obviously some correlation between one and the other."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the relationship with Infiniti - under the Renault-Nissan alliance - would make available more technology and know-how for future developments, particularly from 2014 when the engines change.

"It opens avenues of technology that previously as an independent team wouldn't have been available to us and that obviously would to the likes of Ferrari or Mercedes or even McLaren," he said.

Horner did not rule out the engine one day being 're-badged' from Renault to Infiniti.

"Obviously in 2014, nothing is decided yet in terms of whether it will be a Renault or even an Infiniti engine," he said.