Forbes reveals 10 most expensive cars

Forbes.com ^ | March 15, 2006 | Dan Lienert

[libstripper]

THE world's ten most expensive cars include such dreams-come-true as a street-legal, ten-cylinder Porsche race car, the Carrera GT, and cars with over 1000 horse power (HP) each.

These kinds of cars make Ferraris and Aston Martins look like relative bargains; despite their fame, they are much cheaper than the cars on the Forbes list. Of the ten most expensive cars, only two are made by brands with household names, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, although that depends on what your household is like.

[capt. norm]

I'll stick with my 49 DeSoto.

I had one when I was growing up in the late 50's. It had fluid drive and the pilot light on the radio dial changed colors as you adjust the bass-treble control.

There were many below zero mornings in Iowa when the DeSoto was the only thing that would start in our neighborhood. The mechanic said it could be due to the long-stroke low compression (by today's standards) engine.

[oceanview]

the maybachs are not selling. and very quietly, Porsche is ditching the GT as sustained sales for it just were not there.

[-YYZ-]

Yeah, big surprise, eh? Million-dollar plus toys just aren't volume sellers.

[rightinthemiddle]

Very cool. I'm building a '67 Mustang custom.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

For us non-Montanans, the question remains "how fast can you go 55 mph?"

Is the 55 mph limit still in effect in some states? In California, most freeways are 65, the I-5 is 75. Actual unjammed speed on every freeway is around 80 mph, interrupted by a few left-lane hogs doing 60.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

the maybachs are not selling. and very quietly, Porsche is ditching the GT as sustained sales for it just were not there.

I think these cars are intended to be technology showcases and corporate flagships, not money makers. The Veyron certainly won't turn a profit, for that matter.

[mkjessup]

I was not blessed with owning an OEM 49 DeSoto but heard stories about that low compression engine from my GrandDad, and it would certainly perform to Timex standards (take a licking, keep on ticking). The one in the pic was upgraded to a 392 early hemi, w/Torqueflite and Dana 60 axle (narrowed of course). Unfortunately the original radio was long gone by the time I acquired 'Da Bomb'.

[mkjessup]

Very cool. I'm building a '67 Mustang custom.

If you don't mind a couple ideas from an aging gearhead, if you're so inclined to build something along the lines of the '67 Steve McQueen "Bullitt" Mustang, when it comes time to bolt together the 390 V-8, IF you can find the internal parts (and you might be able to), don't forget that the 410 Mercury/428 Mustang crankshaft with the longer 3.98" stroke will drop right in to the 390 block, and if you can find a set of factory 410 Merc pistons, they too will work without any machining required. Adds 20 extra cubic inches and gobs of torque.

On the other hand, if you wanted to stay with a physically smaller engine block, consider the 351 Windsor with a 427 stroker kit, Coast High Performance has quite a deal on it:

http://www.coasthigh.com/Assemblies/Ford/ford_427w.htm

Gives me warm fuzzies all over! LOL

[rightinthemiddle]

Thanks for the input. The original A-code 289 is being replaced. Here's the engine:

331 Stroker, forged rods, crank and flat top pistons
Performer RPM heads with 2.02/1.60 valves, roller rockers
Performer RPM roller cam, intake, Thunder Series 650 CFM carb
Main stud girdle

3.50 gears, 9-inch rear with T-Loc, C-4 auto with manual shift kit and 2500 stall converter.

[Kenny Bunk]

Fluid Drive, I hope.

Passing (anything) in my '49 Chrysler Convertible was one of the great adventures of my wasted ute.

[mkjessup]

That machine is going to scream, NICE configuration! I hope you'll post some pictures when everything is completed.

While I've not been real active in tearing engines apart lately, if the Holley 650 doesn't already have what is called the 'Reo 50cc pump' (accelerator pump), definitely get that and install it, I would never have believed the difference it could make, and as I recall the Reo pump comes with a whole pile of various shaped accelerator pump cams which produce different duration pump squirts, etc., you can spend a lot of time tuning that thing...and it's all worth it. ;)

[US admirer]

my god- that is one fine automobile!

[mkjessup]

My only real experience with fluid drive was my Dad's '51 Buick Super, with a straight-8 and "DynaFlow" automatic, he either blessed it or cursed it depending on whether or not it was due for an overhaul, LOL - I asked him how fast it could go, and he told me he had seen 110 mph, and that was as fast as he cared to go. ;)

I have a lot of fond memories of sitting in the back seat of that car when I was a little kid, my butt parked on top of a milk crate which my Dad upholstered so I would have a "softer ride", that way I could see what was coming, of course back then nobody worried about seat belts, or what could happen in a collision.

I'm here to tell the tale, so I guess it turned out ok.

[Cyclone59]

Cool. I have heard that the Saleen creates enough downforce that it can drive upside down - I don't care who you are that's cool.

[rightinthemiddle]

It's on the rotisserie right now...it will take a while.

[capt. norm]

upgraded to a 392 early hemi, w/Torqueflite and Dana 60 axle (narrowed of course).

Whoaa! I'll bet you surprised more than a few people when the traffic light turned green.

The thing I remember most about mine was the fluid drive which 'softened' up enough while driving on ice and snow pack to avoid slipping.

[Cobra64]

the maybachs are not selling.

I understand that Rush drives a Maybach. If he mentioned that on his show, sales would soar.

[Cobra64]

Seven years ago, I built a 1964 AC Shelby Cobra replica. Sold it last year for $45k.

[ExSoldier]

You can keep 'em all. I'd take THIS and never look back!

[Cobra64]

consider the 351 Windsor

I know a gearhead guy who just loves that mill.