World's largest treasure trove of small car goes to auction

Robert Frank, CNBC - 3 days

How many of the wealthy, Bruce Weiner likes to collect things.

The candy business, the assets of double bubble, Razzles chewing gum, wax lips and other sweets collects radios, watches, historic motorcycles and Volkswagen.

But his real passion lay in recent years since small cars. Very small cars. Over 11 years, Weiner, built, the world's largest collection of "Microcars" - three - and four wheels cars made after World War II, the early predecessors of the modern MINI Cooper and Fiat 500 are always popular smart cars.

Today and tomorrow will sell Weiner and RM auctions of the collection of more than 200 cars and 300 car-related collectibles. The collection is expected to be more than $6 million to pick up.

Weiner said he is selling the collection as part of a wider reduction of his lifestyle and desire to share the cars after years of hunting them down.

"I'm 54 and I am starting to make it easier," he said. "I want not my stuff to possess me."

He said that it took 11 years to build the collection. Microcars the poor cousin, muscle classic cars and exotics have always been, they have a cult following among collectors. Many Microcars were built after the second world war in Europe and Asia, money, fuel and raw materials were scarce. In many countries cars with three wheels does not require a driver's license, to make more attractive.

"they are very rare," said Weiner. "And they are part of the story."

Weiner said, was much of the joy of building the collection "the thrill of the hunt."

Take for example his ordeal with the purchase of the 1955 Kroboth all weather Scooter, a tricycle Convertible car design legend Gustav Korboth designed. Weiner is one that was a prime example of the car by an older man in Bavaria. Weiner went to the man's House all three months for three years, but the seller rigorously rejected.

He said "He me everytime chased from the property,". "He hit me with a shot gun or German shepherds either."

Eventually died of the owner and Weiner was friend of brother and sister of the husband, and convinced them to sell. The car was able to sell (there are no reserves in the sale) for $40,000 to $50,000.

Among the most valuable cars in the auction to be sold, is a 1958 F.M.R. TG 500 "Tiger", which could sell for more than $150,000. A modified 1959 BMW Isetta, called "Whatta drag," was $100,000 collected. The car was commissioned by Weiner look a famous hot wheels Gegenkraftracer. It is only one of four hot wheels are converted in real cars.

The smallest production car that ever built, will also be sold. The 1964 Peel P50 could for $35,000 to $40,000 sale. The sale of used slogan for the tricycle, "Almost cheaper than walking!" Apparently, no longer.

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World's largest auto callback for 16 years keep Toyota

David McNew

Toyota is to recall more than 7 million vehicles over a faulty window switch.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, NBC News Aikens
Updated 13: 43 UTC: Toyota Motor Co., still in recovery mode after a series of problems that plagued its global activities in the past three years announced on Wednesday it is sold with reference to 2.5 million vehicles in the United States because of a potential risk of fire.

The recall affects 7.43 million vehicles worldwide sold under the Toyota and Scion brands. This is the largest safety technical service action that the manufacturer has announced since it is a series of recalls with regard to the risk of unintended acceleration began at the end of 2009. Toyota led this and other security issues to recall 14 million vehicles in 2009 and 2010.

It is the largest single recall because Ford Motor Co 7.9 million vehicles in 1996 withdrew.

Many of the vehicles, which also involved the new Toyota recall were problems again one or more times by unintended acceleration.

The latest recall is the result of a problem with a possibly defective power Windows switch on the driver's side of the affected vehicles, which the manufacturer says, "a ' notchy' or sticky feeling can occur during operation." "If commercial lubricants to the switch in an attempt that 'notchy' or sticky feeling address be applied, could the switch Assembly or smoke melt and cause that a fire under certain circumstances."

Toyota previously announced recalls for various models, in which similar window switch and in February the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it would open an investigation of the issue. But at that time only 830,000 Camry and RAV-4 models were, while the model year 2007 sold.

Risks manufacturers like Toyota to face underline the massive size of the new callback, if they share basic components on a variety of vehicles, the hope to improve production economies of scale.

The vehicles of the latest recall involved in the United States:

2007-2010 Camry sedans, about 938.100 vehicles 2007-2009 Camry hybrids, about 116.800 vehicles; 2007-2009 RAV4 frequency switches, about 336.400 vehicles; 2007-2009 Tundra pickup about 337.100 vehicles; 2007-2008 Yaris small car, about 110.300 vehicles; 2008 Highlander SUV, about 135.400 vehicles; 2008 Highlander Hybrid, approximately 23,200 vehicles; 2008-2009 Scion xD models, approx. 34.400 vehicles; 2008-2009 Scion xA models, approximately 77,500 vehicles; 2008-2009 Sequoia SUVs, approx. 38,500 vehicles; 2009 Corolla compacts, about 270.900 vehicles; and2009 matrix crossover; about 53.800 vehicles.
To determine whether your call is involved in, go to Toyota recall website. The manufacturer estimates the inspection and repair process takes a little longer than an hour and includes the dismantling of the main switch and, if necessary, the application of a special fluorine grease.

NHTSA received more than none are 200 reports of problems in connection with the defective switch including fire, but it known crashes or injuries. At least 39 similar problems reported in Japan, where Toyota 460,000 were recalled vehicles.

A further 1.39 million vehicles are subject to the new recall in Europe, while the massive security campaign covers also Australia, China and other parts of Asia and the Mideast.

In the US market the Toyota announcement is the largest recall of the year and could revive concerns about quality control at a manufacturer, usually at the top of the charts. Such concerns plagued the manufacturer during much of 2009 and 2010 and officials including President Akio Toyoda have been hauled before Congress to explain the massive recalls, in connection with the issue of unintended acceleration.

Toyoda has repeatedly promised since this scandal began, is to note the ramp up the quality control of the manufacturer, and it, that all the vehicles produced by the latest recall affected during or before the model year 2009. However, will the new service action put back an unwanted spotlight on the maker.

Toyota had recalls more vehicles than any other manufacturer in the United States involved in the year 2010 and came just before that dubious award to achieve again in 2011. Late in the year, however, a large recall put Honda at the top of the list. In fact reminded Honda 1.7 million vehicles in three separate service actions last week - although NHTSA an investigation over possible problems relating to another 600,000 vehicles started.

While there are scores of recalls this year yet, with every brand of Chevrolet, Ferrari, with today's announcement, it seems that Toyota and Honda again in an unwanted race to lead the callback list for 2012 are.

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