A 'labor of love' carefully amassed over many years by prominent collector Michael Dingman, a former Ford Motor Company director for over 21 years, will be going on the block at RM's eagerly awaited Dingman Collection sale scheduled June 9 - 10, 2012, in Hampton, New Hampshire. The distinguished collection features a remarkable series of automobiles along with one of the world's most impressive automotive sign collections. In total, the upcoming sale will feature nearly 50 vehicles and more than 1,400 signs from the Collection, all offered 'without reserve'.

"Michael Dingman is one of the most dedicated and passionate collectors I've ever known," says Mike Fairbairn, Director and Co-founder, RM Auctions. "In addition, his incredibly high standards have resulted in the finest Ford restorations ever seen!"

Some of the featured cars in the sale include a 1936 Ford Model 48 Gläser Cabriolet, a Dearborn award-winning 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman Convertible, and a limited production 1986 AC Autokraft MkIV Cobra, one of a select few specially hand built by Roush Racing's top technicians for a handful of top Ford Motor Company automotive executives.

As Mr. Dingman prepares to share his collection at auction, he recently recounted his 'love affair' with the automobile, specifically the Ford marque, and the 'thrill of the hunt' in a short video, online here.

A preview reception for the Dingman Collection 2012 sale will be held on June 8, followed by the auction on June 9 and 10. Additional event details, including a frequently updated lot list, is available online at www.rmauctions.com.

The Velocity Channel on HD Theater will honor the passing of Carroll Shelby with a three part mini-series, King of the Road: Carroll Shelby and the world premier will debut on Sunday May 20th at 8:00 PM (ET/PT).

The series will follow Shelby's exploits as a hard-working Texas farmer all the way to the victory lane at Lemans, where he became the first American to take home the cup. After his racing career came to an abrupt halt, Shelby would partner with Ford to create two of the most iconic muscle cars to date. Velocity takes you on an exclusive journey, unveiling Shelby's irreplaceable legacy on car culture.

Part I -  Sunday May 20^th at 8:00 PM
The exploits of the hard charging Texas farmer turned racer are explored. From his humble early stages, Carroll Shelby takes on and conquers the world of international sports car racing at Le Mans and builds the most iconic American sports car, the Cobra.

Part II -  Sunday May 20^th at 9:00 PM
Carroll Shelby teams with Ford Motor Company in 1965 and transforms the Mustang into a true race car; the GT 350. Four decades after the original GT 350, Shelby builds a new GT 350 with Ford's latest Mustang.

Part III -  Sunday May 20^th at 10:00 PM
Borrowing the concept from his original Shelby Mustang GT 500 of the 1960's, Shelby and Ford build a boulevard brute with Ford's new big block Mustang. Shelby American transforms the new Shelby Mustang GT 500 into the world's fastest production Mustang.

Other hit series currently on Velocity include Inside West Coast Customs, Mecum Auto Auctions, and ChasingClassic Cars.

For more information go to www.velocitu.discovery.com

Carroll Shelby International announced on May 11, 2012, that Carroll Hall Shelby, a man whose vision for performance transformed the automobile industry, has died at age 89. Mr. Shelby passed away at Baylor Hospital in Dallas and the cause of death was not disclosed.

The legendary auto racer and car designer who built the fabled Shelby Cobra sports car and injected testosterone into Ford's Mustang and Chrysler's Viper, will not only leave behind family and friends, but a multitude of grateful enthusiasts who lives he touched, and will continue to touch for many generations to come.

One Shelby fan in particular sent us this note shortly after Carroll's passing and we would like to share it as he pretty much sums up what most us are feeling. He writes: What Carroll Shelby Meant to Me - by Rick Yates

Photo - Michele Hamer

More Carroll Shelby Tributes:
Carroll Shelby Remembered
The Iconic Man: Carroll Hall Shelby, 1923-2012
Automotive Legend Carroll Shelby Dies at the Age of 89
Carroll Shelby (1923-2012)

At a car show last week we noticed two optional factory accessories on a car that you don't see that often, if fact we needed to do some extensive internet research to make sure they were factory options for that make/model.

So now we're going to put you to the test to see if you know what these are.  Here's accessory number one located on the dash:

Here's Accessory number two located on the grill:

Need a hint?  You'll find the answers hidden here.