Words About Things

A one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce looks set to become the world’s most expensive car when it goes up for auction next month. The Roller, which belongs to private collector Hans-Gunther Zach, is expected to sell for up to £8.5 million when it gos on sale alongside 24 rare Rolls-Royce’s and three Bentleys.

The previous record holder was a 957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which sold or £7.2 million in May of this year.

The car was built for the Maharaja and was named the Star of India when it was built in 1934. It was well ahead of its time and even features headlights which track the movements of the steering wheel.It was previously displayed in Zach’s Rolls-Royce museum in Muhlheim, Germany.

I’m tempted to put in a bid, you could make a lot of money renting this out as a hire car for weddings if only it wasn’t worth more than the GDP of a small country…

Usain Bolt set a new world record for the 100 meters in Berlin yesterday, leaving his competitors behind after an uncharacteristically good start. Bolt once again shocked the world by beating his former 100 meter world record by a record amount, he cruised over the line in 9.58 seconds shaving 0.16 seconds off the time set at last years Olympics in Beijing.

Nobody has ever beaten the record by such a large amount in one race and even Bolt seemed surprised at what he had achieved. His nearest rival Tyson Gay put in a personal best record at 9.71 seconds making him the fastest American ever and yet he seemed to finish two steps behind Usain.

Bolt did not celebrate until after crossing the finishing line this time but seemed relaxed before the race, playing to the cameras and working the crowd. Even after two false starts he remained calm and started well.

Bolt has said that he believes he could go as quick as 9.4 seconds although he says that might be the limit. “I could go 9.4 but I think the world stops at 9.4.” The 200 meter final takes place today Thursday and it seems unlikely that anyone could beat Usain Bolt.

See the race in HD here.

A 56 year old Volkswagen Transporter van has broken the world record by reaching a top speed of 102.84 mph. The Transporter achieved this feat during a quarter mile sprint at the Santa Pod racetrack. It completed the quarter mile in 12.65 seconds.

The record is for non-turbo charged vans but the owners from Frankfurt believe they can beat the record for any VW van which is currently set at 12.5 seconds. They are going to attempt this at the anual ‘Bug Jam’ held at Santa Pod between 17-19 July.

The Transporter is Volkswagen’s best-selling van, and one of the most popular vans ever with over 10 million being produced since production started almost 60 years ago in March 1950. They have a reputation for longevity as those with an interest in used vans will know.