Even in sophisticated London, passers-by were wowed by the sight of this pre-war Auto Union race car, valued at several million dollars. The occasion was a launch party for this year's Debrett's Championships at Christie's in St James's, which includes a rallye along with golf, skiiing, polo and shooting. Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage, first published in 1769, is the who's-who of British society, currently listing, on merit, 25,000 high achievers, a mere 600 of whom were invited to the launch party.

The 2007 Debretts' Classic Car Rally will run from London to Paris via Reims from the 4th to the 7th of May and to help create awareness, the organisers arranged for the Auto Union V-12 Type D Grand Prix car to be parked outside Christie's King Street salerooms; Christie's will be auctioning the car at Paris Rétromobile on February 16-17. In case you're unaware, the Auto Union is a unique survivor of one of the greatest eras in motor racing, the late 1930's, when it battled with Mercedes for dominance. Its 3-liter engine produced 485 hp, delivered through a 5-speed transmission. More on this great car at the Classic Driver magazine Website.