On Aug. 15, the championship-winning 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe CSX2601 was sold at Mecum Auction Company’s Monterey Auction for $7.25 million, the highest price ever paid for an American car at a public auction.

The 1965 CSX2601 made history when legendary race car driver Bob Bondurant drove it to victory at the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship and the Shelby American. And on the day of the auction Bondurant drove it across the auction block.

The car was hand built to compete against the one of the fastest cars in the world at the time, the Ferrari, at the F.I.A. (Federation International de l’Automobile) World Manufacturers Championship.

More than 200 cars were offered at Mecum’s Monterey Auction including a 1931 Rolls-Royce to a 2007 Saleen S7.

Green is the new black in Hollywood. In an effort to preserve the environment, many celebrities are trading in the gas guzzling SUVs and sports cars for eco-friendly vehicles that emit less harmful chemicals and are much more fuel efficient. Shortly after Leonardo DiCarpio, a leader of the celebrity green movement, purchased his Toyota Prius in 2001, other celebrities began jumping on the green bandwagon and embracing new environmentally friendly technology such as hydrogen energy and biodiesel fuel.

Although the Toyota Prius, seen driven by celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts and others, is the clear celeb favorite, other popular green cars include the GMC Yukon, the exclusive BMW Hydrogen 7 and the hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe. In addition to driving greener, many celebrities have gotten involved in other environmental issues like deforestation, global warming and endangered animals.

Celebrity Green Car Trivia

Leonardo DiCaprio
Car: Tesla
Did You Know?: DiCaprio helped popularize the green movement in Hollywood and has been leading the celebrity fight for green technology since 2001. He recently traded in his Toyota Prius for a Tesla, the first high-performance electric sports car valued at over $200,000.

Barack Obama
Car: Ford Escape Hybrid
Did You Know?: During the Presidential primaries, President Barack Obama traded his gas guzzling Chrysler 300C for a eco-friendly Ford Escape Hybrid. And according to the Auto Blog (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/13/obama-swaps-300c-for-escape-hybrid/ ), Hilary Clinton, Mitt Romney and John Edwards are also owners of the Escape Hybrid.

Edward Norton
Car: BMW Hydrogen 7
Did You Know?: In early 2008, Edward Norton joined a small group of celebrities who were given exclusive access to the BMW Hydrogen 7, a luxury sedan which runs on both gasoline and hydrogen. Although Norton is best known for movies such as Primal Fear and Fight Club, he is also an advocate for the Solar Neighbors Program, which installs a BP Solar electric system in a low-income home in L.A. when a celebrity purchases the same system.

Will Ferrell
Car: BMW Hydrogen 7
Did You Know?: In 2007, Will Ferrell, best known for his laugh-out-loud comedies, became the first American to drive the new eco-friendly BMW. Ferrell also recently purchased a BP solar system for his home to benefit the St. George Hotel, a permanent supportive housing facility for the chronically homeless.

George Clooney
Car: Tango 600
Did You Know?: As an strong advocate for many social issues, Clooney purchased a Tango 600 in 2004, a two-seat electric car with a top speed of 150mph. The Tango is six inches narrower than many motorcycles!

Danny DeVito
Car: Black Toyota Prius
Did You Know?: After his EV1, GM’s limited edition electric car, was recalled, DeVito purchased a Toyota Prius. DeVito’s eco-friendly car has even made a cameo appearance in 10 Items or Less.

Woody Harrelson
Car: 2000 Volkswagen Beetle TDI
Did You Know?: You may remember Harrelson as Woody Boyd on Cheers. Now an environmental activist, Harrelson runs his Volkswagen on biodiesel fuel, a clean burning alternative fuel for diesel engines made from 100% renewable resources such as soybean oil.

Remember that beautiful car from a movie that just made your heart melt? Well, AutoWeek just came out with their List of Top 10 Movie Cars. Is your favorite movie car on the list?

While I agree with most of their list, I was surprised that neither the Batmobile or any of the Bond Cars did make it on to the list.

What do you think of their list of top 10 movie cars? What is your all time favorite car from a movie?

1. Bullitt’s Mustang from Bullitt
2. Milner’s Coupe from American Graffiti
3. The Bluesmobile from The Blues Brothers
4. The Minis from The Italian Job
5. The Deathmobile from Animal House
6. Lightning McQueen from Cars
7. Harry’s Dog Grooming Van from Dumb and Dumber
8. Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds
9. Porsche 917 from Le Mans
10. The DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future

On Sunday June 7th, 4 famous classic cars, previously driven by celebrities, were auctioned at the annual Bonhams Auction held at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. These four cars were among more than 80 classic vintage cars available for sale at the auction.

Clark Gable’s 1938 Packard Eight Convertible Victoria
Gable’s classic car sold for $282,000 to a private U.S. collector who outbid four other bidders for the celebrity’s car. According to legend, Gable sold this convertible because every time he drove it, a mob of crazed women would run after him so he opted for a less conspicuous black coupe instead.

Robert Redford’s 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Dual Cowl Sports Phaeton
Redford’s classic car from the 1947 Great Gatsby movie sold for $238,000.

President Woodrow Wilson’s 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Oxford Touring
Given to the president after he left office, this famous car sold for $161,000.

Racing Legend, John Fitch’s 1952 Fitch-Whitmore Le Mans Special
Sold for an astounding $403,000.

I’m amazed by these beautiful cars. They are quite majestic and extremely expensive. It seems our economy has had a minimal effect on some wealthy car collectors.

The movie “Swordfish” may only be memorable to people who like movies, cars and Halle Berry. So pretty much every guy! However, if John Travolta’s convertible in the movie caught your eye, don’t expect to see it on the road in the states anytime soon. The Tuscan TVR he was driving is only available in Europe,

A lot of celebrities like to be seen in their new cars, but nobody makes a bigger scene than Jay Leno. The late night comic’s car collection is so massive that he has his own 17,000 square foot garage to house and service all of them. Oh yeah, it also has a kitchen where Jay practices his culinary techniques and prepares food for his staff.

While performing at Live Earth, Black Eyed Peas’ vocalist Fergie realized the negative impact her car had on the environment and did something about it. Fergie sold it on EBay, and Global Green USA in turn donated carbon emission credits for 10 years to offset the car’s impact on the environment.

Learn about celebrity finances, but don’t worry. It’s fun! See if you know which star wishes they had Allstate Financial Services!

It costs a lot to be a celebrity: the houses, the cars, the parties and the insurance policies. See if you know which celebrity insured what parts of their body for how much. It makes you wonder how much their cars are insured for!

One of the most famous scenes in movie history, the epic mall chase from “The Blues Brothers,” took place at the abandoned Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, Illinois, using a 1974 Mount Prospect Dodge Monaco Sedan.