Foreign Collector Cars at the Cincinnati Concours

 

While no automobile is entirely made in one country anymore, there was a time when they were. Following World War II, foreign countries, mostly in Europe, began selling their cars in the United States. Some found them exotic or even more practical to own than an American counterpart. The number of foreign based cars has increased over the years. To recognize this, the Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance has, for years, run a class for Foreign Collector cars. This year saw a 1953 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn Saloon. Only 760 of these cars were made and this one has been in the same family since 1968. 

Back in 1956, this BMW 502 was the fastest production passenger sedan in all of Germany. The car has a 2580 cc V 8 engine that puts out 100 horsepower. This particular car raced and rallied across Europe and won the Frankfort Gordon Bennett Race in 1959.

This 1998 Bentley Continental T RSE is one of only 14 that were commissioned for the United States. To signify its rarity, it cost a staggering $370,000 when new. It has a 6.75-liter V 8 engine that churns out 420 horsepower, allowing it to go from zero to 60 in 5.6 seconds.

This is a completely original and unrestored 1987 BMW 635 CSI. Running on a 3.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine, the car generates 215 horsepower. It's little wonder that BMW have won numerous races throughout Europe.

This 1994 Ferrari 456 GT is a rather unique model for the Italian firm. Not only is it a return to the front engine placement, in this case a 5.5-liter V 12 punching out 442 horsepower, but it is also an actual 2+2 with a rear seat that can actually accommodate adults. This car was assembled by Pininfarina. 

This Volvo 1800S belongs to a rather impressive family. The 1800 first rose to fame as the car driven by Simon Templar, played by Roger Moore, on the TV show The Saint. More recently, an 1800S model holds the Guinness world record of traveling 3.2 million miles. These cars have a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that puts out 108 horsepower.