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Mar 112010
Lotus Elise, The Budget Supercar
Every car person wants to own a supercar, but few can afford one. Even in the $50,000 dollar range there’s nothing that even comes close to super, except the Lotus Elise.
April 17th is the birthday of the Ford Mustang. Introduced on this date in 1964, the Pony Car has a long and varied history. To some, the car is an icon. To many others, the car is a reminder of what corporate America can do with a good idea.
One day last week, a Challenger appeared at my door to stake its claim as king of the garage. In an instant, my tiny Mazda Miata became an outcast, losing its prime garage spot and being forever banished to the elements.
Lamborghini Miura, The First Supercar
Supercar. That one word describes the ultimate in a motor vehicle, a car that combines the absolute epitome of style, technology, and power into one beautiful piece of rolling sculpture.
Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear once said of driving the Pagoda, “I look at everybody else going around in their air conditioned Euro boxes, and I just feel…better off.”
It was Henry Ford who said that “Auto Racing began 5 minutes after the second car was built,” and since the very late 1800’s we have been in awe of the brave and somewhat crazy men who risk their lives for competition.
The Art Deco Era: Cars of the 1940’s
The 1940’s were a time of great hardship and glory in the world. Within the automotive industry, it marked the end of an era, the spirit of patriotic duty, and the beginning of the jet age.
Supercars are designed to mess with G-forces. Hypercars are designed to mess with G-strings. – Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear
Supercars are that, in whatever way, are exaggerated and surpass by far the requirements necessary for a car to be useful in its respective category. – Iceman from Brazil
One of the most important rules in selling any car is to include great photos. In fact, the better the photo, the more money you will get when it’s time for the cash to change hands.
Can you name the one, rare, meticulously crafted concept car that traded hands during a high stakes poker game between the sitting U.S. president Lyndon Johnson and future president Ronald Reagan? This same car was so seductive that Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford of the “rat pack” had to own one.
The Most Intelligent Car Ever Built
What type of car would James Bond buy for himself? The answer, if you have read the novels, is a Saab 900 called the Silver Beast.
In the world of Ferrari, only one man can be called the creator of its most iconic cars. That man was not Enzo Ferrari, but the designer and coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti.
Only fashion fades, style remains the same – Coco Chanel
Recently I was looking at one of those celebrity car sites, and was struck by the fact that none of the people listed were famous.
Car Design as Art, Figoni & Falaschi
I have always considered the “Golden Age” of car design to be the period of the 1920’s and 30’s. Sure, the 1950’s were great, but true custom car design was at its peak during the time of the great coachbuilders, and the most flamboyant of the lot were the French.
Every few weeks or so, someone with a rich uncle decides to create a new car. Some of them make it to full fledged brands, and some come and go with the tide. The ones listed here are obscure cars from the last few years. Some are street legal, some sold only oversees and some are strictly race cars. Take a look and see what names you recognize.
The Woodie is the favorite car of California Surfers, the Beach Boys, and the Griswold’s. This beautiful car has become an icon for southern California and is featured here.
For those that have no idea why Bullitt is established as the best car chase in a movie, here are some clips to watch
Ford SVT Raptor, Designed for Men
Look at this truck and tell me what you see? Wrong. It’s the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Revolutionary, Nazi Killer, Hitler’s other People’s Car
Adolph Hitler and Dr. Ferdinand Porsche are usually credited with the development of the Volkswagen Beetle. But there is another designer who shares in the credit, one who is not only forgotten, but was only recognized for his achievement after he sued Porsche, and one.
Toad Hall Sports Car Collection
At one point Bill Putman had 58 cars in his collection. All but one of them is red and all trimmed with “Minuteman Racing” decals, it’s come down to about 40 or so now though. He calls it the “Toad Hall Sports Car Collection”
My friend at Just A Car Guy posted this great article that he found on another great site called Dean’s Garage. They describe some of the dumbest, strangest, and most tragic stories in the car world that I have ever read, and had to republish them here.
The reason American cars don’t sell anymore is that they have forgotten how to design the American Dream…That’s why the American auto industry is in trouble: no design, no desire. – Karl Lagerfeld
Collecting seems to bring out that primitive instinct for the hunt in some of its devotees, who stalk their prey with skill. – Alicia Craig Faxon
Who is the Best Car Photographer?
Car Photography is work. Taking a simple photograph of your car is much more difficult than you think, and getting the perfect shot seems to be as much about chance as it is skill.
This week, I found something more incredible than anything I have ever seen. It is called PreWarCar, and it is a classified listing of some of the rarest, most astonishing cars ever made.
My beautiful 1994 Jaguar XJS 4.0L Coupe is finally for sale. She went on eBay today, and I hope she will find a good family to take care of her.
I have always hated Toyotas. When I see them on the road, there is an instant feeling of disgust that wells up inside of me, which is inevitably combined with feelings of pity and anger at the people behind the wheel.
Like all relationships, my love affair with my 1994 Jaguar XJS started out beautiful, but is now turning into something like the “War of the Roses.”
I thought it would be a great time to highlight some of the car sites that I am a fan of, and that I read almost every day. Sure, there are a ton of car sites out there, but these are unique.
It’s July 4th holiday weekend, and I hope everyone makes a point to get outside and enjoy family, friends and fireworks!
My first article for the Good Hands Community website is about the 2011 Summer Car Show Season. Please check it out, join the discussion, and get involved.
I once tried to describe a local car show as a place where everyone is a friend, where car people gather to share their latest projects, and where history and beauty is literally “at your fingertips.”
Newport Concours D’ Elegance 2011
Scantily clad models parade in front of the Cadillac display, but our group is busy cruising along Ocean Drive and Bellevue Ave gawking at the surreal mansions.
Volkswagen CC, Borrowed Design
Every designers’ dirty little secret is that they copy other designers’ work. They see work they like, and they imitate it. Rather cheekily, they call this inspiration. — Aaron Russell
When a soldier travels to a place like Iraq and Afghanistan, he or she leaves behind all of the same things you and I take for granted. Families, friends, jobs, hobbies, pets…everything that makes our life good is left behind waiting for their return. Tragically, many will never come home, and some that do will never be the same.
Taking Aim at the Shooting Brake
An estate car is what your grandmother drove to the store, and a shooting brake is a sporty car, used to carry sporty guns, and driven by sporty people.
Personal Luxury Cars: The Continental Mark
Stylishly beautiful, subtle and understated, a car that epitomizes excellence. The Continental Mark II is Audrey Hepburn in a world of Paris Hiltons.
Personal Luxury Cars: The Cadillac Eldorado
The Cadillac Eldorado remains the ultimate example of a “personal luxury car,” and the automotive equivalent of the Newport, Rhode Island “Gilded Age” mansion.
One of my favorite cars of the “future” was the Chrysler Turbine car, produced in 1963. 55 units were built as a test of gas turbine engines, and now only two remain in private hands.
We are entering a time where globalization is turning the automotive world into an automotive neighborhood. A place where everyone lives together, knows each other, and is deafened by the sound of some idiot in a Bathurst with a supercharger.
Today we will take a look at some of the most obscure sport sedans of the past. You may recognize some, but I bet a few will be new.
Tata, the parent company of Jaguar has brought Christmas to the sober old marque, showering it in cash and making everyone as giddy as schoolgirls hyped up on a chocolate Justin Bieber.
The simpletons of the automotive blogosphere are in a tizzy. It seems that Ferrari has “stunned” the automotive world with the new replacement for the 612 Scaglietti.
DeTomaso is a name that at one time was spoken in the same hushed and respectful tones as Maserati and Ferrari.
It is a small, cuddly pet mouse that can be also used for killing burglars – Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear
Mazda recently announced another automotive milestone for everyone’s favorite little roadster. The “Best selling two-seat sports car in the world” is again the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Pagani, the pantomime horse of supercar manufacturers has done it again. It has built a machine that pushes the boundaries of what a supercar can be.
This week, I have decided to post some photos from around the net showing the snowpocalypse that is making life difficult for most of the country.
This list is “The Worst Cars Sold in the US during the 1970’s,” a time of muscle cars, “Nimitz” class family sedans, and quick rusting steel.
Genesis and Ferrari, Design in 7 Days
According to the bible, it took God just seven days to create the world as we know it. Unfortunately, God doesn’t design cars, because the average time to develop a new car can be as long as four years.
Aston Martin is a venerable British marque known equally for its great cars and its greatest enthusiast, James Bond.
The holiday season has me frazzled already…and I don’t seem to have the energy to write anything. So, instead I decided to put a few pictures of my favorite muscle cars up, in the hopes that someone will enjoy them.
I dislike BMW’s. They are cars driven mostly by yuppies and people without the burden of a soul.
Die Another Day – Jensen Interceptor
The Jensen Interceptor is a classic GT automobile, one that reeked of style, performance and luxury. It has always been one of my favorite cars, and I consider it an icon. In Britain, It is to the 1970’s as Twiggy is to the 1960’s.
eBay constantly surprises me by the type of cars listed, whether it is a Kaiser Darrin convertible, a beautiful Facel Vega, or a 1.9 million dollar Chevrolet Corvette…there is always something interesting. Here are four cars that I thought were very cool, and pretty affordable. Enjoy!
Arrivederci e grazie: Murcielago
Bullfighting has been described as tragedy, art, brutality, savagery and as a rite of sublime expression, all rolled into a neat little package of splendor. It is also the perfect description of Lamborghini.
Someone at Polyphony is a car lover, and one look at the new Gran Turismo 5 list will confirm it. This is Part II of my highlights from the GT5 cars, and it includes some amazing automobiles.
Gran Turismo 5 Dream Car Garage
Ever wish you could create your own dream car garage? Most of us do, but very few of us have the money to make it a reality. Now, there is an alternative that will allow you to buy the cars of your dreams, and drive them on the best tracks in the world, all for around 50 bucks.
Famous supercars include the Lamborghini Miura, and Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona. Among the infamous and forgotten supercars, are these 10 cars:
Experts were gathered from all parts of the globe, sequestered into a small cabin in northern Minnesota, without food or water, with only one task – List the “Top Ten Ugliest Cars from 2010.”
Previously, I have written about bad drivers, calling them boils on the face of humanity. Today, I want to say a few things about an epic driver named Ken Block.
If you know anything about strange British cars, then you have probably already heard of the Morgan. It is the only car built with ash frame rails, used right up to the 21th century…yes, real wood! Morgan has always been different.
One thing I have learned from my little heart problem, is the importance of exercise. Personally, I don’t exercise at all, but I did learn about its importance from my doctor. I believe that alone is the first step.
Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to own a Rolls-Royce. There was always something about the grill and mascot that made me nuts, and one day soon, I plan to make good on my promise and finally become a Rolls-Royce owner.
These photographs are part of the website and collection of Troy Paiva. His site, called “Lost America” is full of abandoned places, junk machines, and moonlit landscapes all photographed in striking colors. The effect is haunting, beautiful, and very eerie. I absolutely love it.
This is going to be a long weekend for me, so I decided to put up some pictures of cars that I like. Some are from local shows, and two are just cool cars. Look for another “normal” update next week, but in the interim, enjoy the pictures.
There is a race to the bottom of the price pyramid that will affect the business every bit as much as Henry Ford’s Model T did a century ago.
Today, I decided to add some pictures I found while cruising the web. Some of these are from new sites, so if you have the chance, I recommend checking them out.
“A car designer left to his own devices will produce a 1966 GTO. A car designer under the control of a committee will produce a 2006 GTO.”
Just so you know…I have changed the comment settings so that you do not have to sign in with your name and email. This means that anyone can comment, and anyone can respond to someone else’s comments. This also means you can have discussions between yourselves on this site. Since I get hundreds, if not [...]
“I will give you one car, free of charge, as long as its value is less than one million dollars, and you can’t sell it.” Which one would you choose?
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