If you’re a Beatles fan who dreams of driving a Ferrari, you were probably pretty excited about reports that John Lennon’s first car would be hitting the auction block.  Unfortunately, the New York Times Wheels blog is now reporting that the car has been withdrawn from the auction.

John Lennon's delicious ferrari Not for Sale (Hat tip Wheels Blog NYT. Photo credit Bonhams Auctions).

The 1965 Ferrari 330 GT was scheduled to go up for auction this month in Paris.  However, Bonhams, the British auction company supervising the sale, says that the vehicle is no longer on the market.

“We’ve really been inundated with calls and responses to the sale of this automobile,” said Rupert Banner of Bonhams.

The auction house estimated that the car was worth between $155,000 and $220,000, which is twice the value of other 1965 Ferrari 330 GTs.  Much of the car’s value is due to its celebrity owner.

Lennon purchased the car after passing his driving test at age 24.  Experts say that he did not spend much time behind the wheel of the vehicle and sold it about a year later.

No one knows the exact details about why Lennon’s Ferrari was withdrawn from the auction, but Bonhams spokeswoman Leonora Oldfield said that the seller had a change of heart.

“The vendor unfortunately decided at the last minute that he could not bear to part with it,” she said.

If you’re a Lennon fan, you’d probably love a chance to get behind the wheel of this car.  Unfortunately, even if it was still for sale, most people don’t have a couple hundred thousand dollars to buy an exotic car.

Beatles Fans Still Can Get Ticket to Ride in Fort Worth, TX

Luckily, there’s another option.  For less than the cost of a plane ticket to Paris for the auction, you can spend an hour driving a ferrari.  The DFW Drive Your Dream One-Hour Ferrari Driving Experience starts at only $379.

Grab a Ferrari Ride in Fort Worth on GROUPON. Wow.

For one incredible hour, you get to experience the thrill of driving a ferrari F430 over some of the most beautiful roads in the Fort Worth area.  This car has a 4.3-liter V8 engine and cranks out an impressive 483 horsepower.  And it retails for almost $400,000.

While the F430 isn’t Lennon’s Ferrari, driving it will still make you feel like a rock star.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content and editing.  She also writes about Texas car insurance.

Drive sweet rides from ferrari and maserati as part of a 2000HP drive your dream Tour!

Crashing financial markets, surging unemployment, and record drops in the real estate market all combined to make 2008 and 2009 some of the hardest years for car consumers.  When you add in the high fuel prices and credit crunch, it’s no wonder than many automakers posted losses.

By many accounts, exotic and luxury car manufacturers may have been among the hardest hit.  In a rocky economic situation, consumers simply couldn’t see spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for these high-end vehicles.

However, the top six luxury car brands are posting moderate gains for the first part of 2010.  Those top six exotic carmakers are Bentley, ferrari, Rolls-Royce, lamborghini, Maybach, and maserati.  Collectively, the sector has seen a 16% jump in sales over the same period last year.

This beautiful Bentley GT has been featured as part of dfw drive your dream!

The president of ferrari-maserati of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Garret Hayim is cautiously optimistic.  He says Ferrari sales slowed for a time, but there is now a waiting list for new models.

“Sales are definitely stronger this year,” Hayim said.

It’s a trend that may be holding true nationwide.  Ron Sturgeon, owner of an exotic car storage facility in Fort Worth, Texas, says that he’s also seeing an uptick in interest in exotic vehicles.

“People are gradually seeing their lives go back to normal,” says Sturgeon. “As that happens, they can resume some of the spending habits they used to enjoy.  We’re seeing a lot of high-end exotic cars being stored at our facility.”

There are several reasons exotic cars are more expensive than their work-day counterparts.  These pricey vehicles are often assembled by hand, using the finest parts and craftsmanship.  They are also highly customizable and feature many performance-boosting enhancements.

However, the retail price is only part of the picture when it comes to the cost of owning an exotic car.  There’s also the hassle of finding a good deal on discount auto insurance for a high-end vehicle, plus the expense of maintenance and repairs.  Consumers are once again becoming confident enough in the economy to take on this kind of financial responsibility.

In fact, some figures indicate that Americans are buying more exotic cars than they did before the recession.  According to Edmunds.com, about 4.6 percent of 2001 new vehicle sales were classified as exotic or luxury automobiles.  In 2010, it’s estimated that exotic car sales will be about 9 percent.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specialized in web content, editing, and technical writing.

The Aptera 2e, for instance, has attracted national attention by winning the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize.  The coveted prize will be awarded on September 16 in Washington, D.C.

The X Prize is a $5 million award for the most innovative new green car.  In order to win, the car had to get more than 100 miles per gallon of gasoline or be fueled by another efficient source.  It also had to be capable of being produced on a large scale.

For the Aptera team, winning this prize is a dream come true.  111 vehicles were initially in competition for the award.

The body of the Aptera 2e is said to be three times as strong as traditional steel, and its sleek three-wheeled design has a pod-like, futuristic appearance.

With a top speed of 90 miles per hour and the ability to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds, the 2e is no slouch in the performance department.  The 2e is an all-electric vehicle.

Testing for the X Prize included a combination of lab trials and real-world track experience. The car underwent two months of testing at the Michigan International Speedway, where it was driven on the track to test its performance and handling.

For the lab testing, the Aptera 2e was tested at the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago.  There, its energy consumption and emissions were measured using a device called a “dynamometer.”

The Aptera team was unsure of how the car would perform in the lab testing.  Apterra Chief Engineer Tom Reichenbach was hopeful from the start, but even he was pleasantly surprised by the results.

“We expected the results to be better than what we got at the track, but it was significantly better. We were very pleased,” he said. “We came to the X PRIZE to validate this vehicle as one of the most efficient in the world, and we’ve done just that. It’s been an awesome experience.”

As of right now, the Aptera 2e is only available for purchase in California.  However, the company is working to expand its sales range.  The X Prize may make that possible.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, editing, and technical writing.  She also writes about Texas business insurance.

O’Brien has been making news headlines recently with the announcement of his new late-night show on TBS.  After his short-lived stint as host of The Tonight Show, the TV personality will be back in the host’s chair as early as November.

From 1993 to 2009, O’Brien hosted Late Night with Conan O’Brien on NBC.  When The Tonight Show’s host, Jay Leno, decided to try a prime time show, O’Brian stepped in to host the iconic American late-night variety show.

However, Leno’s prime time show did not go over well with viewers, and in January, NBC announced that it would be moving Leno back to the position of Tonight Show host.  That meant that O’Brien was out of a job.

Even with his uncertain employment situation, O’Brien has reportedly been living an affluent life.  He has listed his Central Park West apartment for $35 million, and he reached an agreement with NBC that gave him $45 million.

With all this disposable income, you’d think O’Brien would be driving an exotic car.  However, according to Celebs and Cars, he drives a 1998 Ford Taurus.

Perhaps O’Brian’s choice of car reflects a lack of interest in exotic vehicles.  However, it may also be a practical choice.

These days, many Americans are choosing to drive the car they’ve already paid off, rather than taking out a loan for a new vehicle.

Luckily, driving an older car doesn’t mean you have to give up that dream car.  These days, options like automotive dream tours make it possible for regular people to drive several exotic cars in the space of a single day.

You can experience the thrill of getting behind the wheel of a ferrari, a Bentley, a Porsche, and an audi r8, all for far less than a single exotic car payment.  Half-day dream tours cost less than $700. Visit dfw drive your dream to learn more.

What’s more, you can actually win a dream tour for free when you get a free Aledo insurance quote.  What could be better than saving on car insurance while driving an exotic vehicle? No quote request is required to enter for a chance to win the Dallas Fort Worth dream car driving experience.

Even someone as frugal as Conan O’Brien would appreciate such a deal!

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, editing, and technical writing

A press release issued today by the company claims that some wealthy car enthusiasts are downsizing their horsepower and opting for the ultralight Caterhams. The company claims to have taken a F430 and Porsche 911 in on trade for Caterham models last month.

(Caterham photo courtesy of Caterham media library.)

The attraction isn’t creature comforts. After all, Caterhams lack doors, roof, trunk, backseat, and fine hand-stitched Italian leather… They aren’t meant to be daily drivers, but rather rollickingly fun track cars.

Caterham claims that its most popular model is the SCR260, a lightweight version of the Caterham 7. Part of the attraction, according to Motor Trend, is the price — even new the Caterham SCR260 starts at a paltry $46,125.

I sure hope the cat trading the ferrari got at least two Caterhams and some cash back. The F430 F1 is still the top exotic car driving experience on my list but, I have to admit, that Caterhams look like a boatload of fun. If you live in Dallas Fort Worth and want to drive an F430 without owning one, check out the bevy of Dallas sports car rentals from DFW’s PlatinumExotics.com.

(Dallas sports car rentals – Dallas Ferrari F430 F1 rental from PlatinumExotics.com)

The key is that the Caterham SCR260 weights only 1270 pounds and so the Cosworth modified 2.3L Ford Duratec that powers this glorified go cart can push it from zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds. Sounds like snap your head clean off territory… See the MT post by Carlos Lago here.

More on Caterhams on the official Caterham website. More on finding a sports car rental agency in your neighborhood at rentexoticcars.net.

Post written by feelance web content writer Eric Anderson. Eric’s recent projects include content for a Dallas sports car storage website.

You should do what a senior at Richland High School in North Richand Hills, TX, did: Add an exotic dream car to your senior yearbook portrait.

Why not grace the pages of your yearbook looking like the guy who is ready to be “the most likely to succeed”?

For a small fee, cars like a Ferrari F430 F1 or lamborghini Gallardo can be made available for photo shoots in DFW Elite Auto Rental’s on site studio or even delivered to a shoot location.

If you don’t already have a professional photographer willing to add flash to your DFW yearbook photo, consider hiring exotic car photographer Josh Davis. He has done extensive car photography for Dallas Fort Worth’s premier exotic car driving experience.

Read a little more about featuring an exotic car in your yearbook photo.

Well, there is another kind of problem that women can encounter on Valentine’s Day.  That is, not lacking a male companion, but deciding on what to get said male companion.

Of course, a proud member of the male gender who has been married for 10 years myself, I find this question ridiculously simple to answer.  But because I need to milk another 90 words and I have to keep this thing rated PG, I’ll take a little less predictable route.

It is truly a sign of desperation that so many will seek advice from the cold wasteland of the Internet and Google such terms as “valentines day quotes” and “valentines day ecards.”  I mean, really, men are such simple animals that it shouldn’t be that hard to figure us out.

So let’s look at some options.

First, there is the fool proof sporting event option.  It is pretty hard to go wrong with giving guys tickets to sporting events.  First of all, you know that they’ll have fun and women can earn major points by going with them.  The one drawback is that you better be prepared to have fun, or at least do a good job of faking it because if you drag down the good times, you’ll end up looking terrible in the guy’s eyes.  There’s also the practical problem that basketball is the only major sport going during the middle of February, so this can limit your options.

There’s also the couple’s spa package.  One the one hand, this is a no-brainer for the woman.  But on the other hand, some guys dig having strange people manhandle them and some are violently opposed to it.  Approach this option with some trepidation.

Finally, you can go for a truly unique experience that no other women will think of.  For this category I present the exotic car tour.  Now, I understand that many women will balk at the idea of day spent driving around (without some stops at Neiman’s or Saks along the way).  But consider the words of Dallas luxury car rental agency GM Tom Warren, who states “Many women have come doubting and left completely wowed by how much fun it is to drive a Ferrari, lamborghini and three other supercars on the open roads of Dallas-Fort Worth.”

Tom Warren manages the day-to-day operations at dfw drive your dream (www.dfwdriveyourdream.com), a company dedicated to providing the ultimate driving experience for car lovers.  These tours can last all day or for a half day and both include drive time with five exotic cars.

Plus, keep in mind that these aren’t just mindless loops taken around some track.  There are several different tour routes that are specifically designed for maximum driving enjoyment.

Additionally, the full day tour includes lunch and all tours include group and individual photos.

So, if you’re tired of scouring the internet for something better than a box of candy, get out there and enjoy some heart-pounding driving.

Written by G.D. Gregory. If you are interested in having me write search engine friendly web content for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

The 53rd Greater Tarrant Country Auto Show got underway January 29, and the automotive fun continues all weekend, wrapping up on February 1.  The auto show is sponsored by the New Car Dealer’s Association of Tarrant County.

“The auto show is going to be a lot of fun,” says Tom Warren, general manager of a Dallas exotic car rental business.  “It’s always a good weekend when looking at the newest luxury and     performance cars is involved.”

(Image of 2010 Ford Focus courtesy of Cenas on Flickr and licensed for use under Creative Commons Attribution Only.)

As visitors stroll through one of the largest new car showrooms in North Texas, they can check out the latest advances in car technology and automotive luxury.  There will be several concept cars available for viewing, giving gearheads a chance to see what is coming down the pike.

The Greater Tarrant County Car Show will feature a variety of vehicles, including exotic sports cars, luxury automobiles, and the even the latest in flex fuel and hybrid vehicles.  There will also be crossover vehicles and new trucks.  Leading car manufacturers will be presenting many of their newest models.

Some of the new car models featured at this year’s Greater Tarrant County Auto Show include the following:

• 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
• Infinity G
• BMW M2
• Smart Car
• Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
• Chrysler Imperial Concept Car
• Nissan Cube
• Audi Q5 SUV
• Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
• Lincoln Mercury MKR Concept Car

These vehicles and many others will provide hours of entertainment to Dallas exotic car fans.  The show will also feature the new 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT 500, a car that is of special interest to the members of one Dallas-area exotic car sharing club, DFW Elite Car Club.

“A lot of our Tarrant County exotic car sharing club members are planning to attend the car show,” says Warren.  “I’m excited about getting a close up look at the Shelby Cobra GT 500.”

Many of these new exotic cars have never been seen here in North Texas, and area automobile enthusiasts are excited to catch a glimpse.

Tickets for the 53rd Greater Tarrant County Auto Show are $9 per adult and $4 per child (6-12 years).  Children under 6 get in free.  There is a $1 off car show admission coupon available at the New Car Dealer’s Association of Tarrant County website or at new car dealerships in the Dallas area.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

Rather than simply release the car with the usual fanfare, Ferrari has chosen to tease sports car aficionados by slowly revealing the new model in a series of sound clips, still photos, and video clips.

The official F149 website, which launched last Friday, currently features the sound of the car’s engine. On Tuesday, more will be revealed. Rumor has it that Ferrari will be releasing pictures of the new F149.

“It’s a really great marketing campaign,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental company. “Slowly releasing information about the car really builds excitement among the Ferrari faithful. I can’t wait to see it.” It will be interesting to see how close the artists conception above is to the car as it is released.

The car, which was originally called “Dino,” has had a few names over the course of its development. For some time, the name was “Piccolina,” which means “little one.” The official name of the vehicle will likely appear sometime soon on the F149 website.

No matter what it’s called, the Ferrari F149 will be an impressive car. It is expected to feature a folding hardtop, the first from the Italian carmaker, and a direct-injection 4.3 liter V8 engine, also a first. The car will have a front-engine/rear-drive configuration, and is likely to use Ferrari’s six-speed automated manual transmission. Thanks to Chris Poole for a great article on the F149.

“I think the hardtop is going to be a great feature,” says Sturgeon, who also owns a business that specializes in fantasy car driving tours. “I will be interested to see how a V8 Ferrari compares to the F430 F1 that is one of our most popular Ferrari rentals in Dallas.”

The Ferrari F149 is reportedly being developed as competition for the Aston Martin DB9 and Bentley Continental GT, although it is likely to be offered at a price point well below these other exotic cars.

Sturgeon hasn’t said whether his Dallas sports car rental firm plans to acquire a Ferrari F149, but he insists, “The new F149 is exactly the kind of exotic car our customers love to drive.”

The Ferrari F149 will be revealed at the Paris Auto Salon in October, and US auto enthusiasts can expect to see the 2010 model on the streets of Dallas, TX by late 2009.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer in the Twin Cities. Visit her website for information about her freelance writing services.

These modifications have led to a significant increase in the weight of the car, in the region of just under ten kilogrammes.The F2007 chassis has been significantly modified when compared to the 248 F1. The design was revised to accommodate a new front suspension that represents a major conceptual innovation, mainly in terms of aerodynamics. The shape of the side-pods and their openings are also revised, based on modifications to the cooling system, which also implies exits for the radiators on the upper part of the bodywork, while the engine air intake is also substantially different. The car has a longer wheelbase than its predecessor. The rear of the car is much narrower, taking advantage of the more sculpted shape of the gearbox housing, which again this year is made from carbon fibre. The gearbox itself, which is still mounted longitudinally, is fitted with an innovative quick-shift system (seven plus reverse). The rear suspension is similar to that on the 248 F1, but a significant development programme is planned in this area, in order to get the most out of the system, based on making progress in understanding the behaviour of the 2007 tyres. The front and rear aerodynamic configuration is also expected to change considerably before the start of the World Championship. The position of the rear view mirrors seen on the 2006 car remains unchanged and the same goes for the exhaust system.