I wanted to include an update into a new project I recently purchased. The vehicle is technically a 1978 MGB, but in reality it is something completely different. Labeled as a 1965 Lambert MGB, the car is a customized 1978 MGB, with almost every nut and bolt touched by a team of father and son builders. Everything on this car was repaired, replaced, modified, improved, cleaned or just checked. Areas like the interior, dashboard, grill and gas cap were highly modified. The engine was completely torn down and modified, then repainted in the correct MGB/Abingdon maroon, with the correct head plates. The amount of work done on this one car is astounding.
The gallery below will show a massive 8+ year effort to build one amazing roadster. It shows work on the transmission, clutch, bumpers, grill, metalwork, floor pans, body work, rot repair, brakes, rotors, interior, floors, inner sill repair, fender repair, removal of the MG bump from the hood, brake booster and pedal assembly, dashboard, windshield, installation of the new Moss Motors roof with zip out rear window, addition of the knock off wire wheels, custom body work for the rear fenders, removal of the side chrome trim, moving of the gas fill to the side, removal of small back up lights, fitting the new chrome bumpers and filler pieces, removal of the front
side marker lights, fitting of 65 rear lights, fitting of 65 doors, adding cowl vent, new distributor with points, a new custom made machine turned aluminum dashboard that looks like it’s out of a Duesenberg, a new custom made Bakelite Banjo style steering wheel which makes it feel like a Mercedes 300 SL, A new center steering wheel cap with the Lambert Motor Company logo, custom switches and pulls made from bakelight etched by hand, a custom directional indicator on dash with hand etched “L”, new tires, new custom made interior, new custom made door panels and rear tonneau, a heater control from a 1940’s Ford, a custom made speaker, addition of Bluetooth and charging, addition of a temperature gauge, stereo from a 1970’s Ford pickup, custom door handles to resemble 1965 version, addition of a Weber downdraft side carb, rear wheel cylinders, shoes and parking break, port and polishing the head, intakes, pistons, valves, camshaft, springs, new gas tank, new tie rods, adjust the rack, u joint. And this is the short list.
As you can see, this car was a spectacular deal, and a project that desperately needs to be finished to a very high standard.
NEWPORT, RI, March 2, 2021 – One of the top 50 greatest car events in the world is back, the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week, September 30 — October 3. Tickets for the four-day event are now available for purchase online. Click HERE to purchase and HERE for the full schedule of events.
The Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week is about cars and even more about the people. The people who know they are car people and those who will discover they are. The Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week features a Tour d’Elegance, cars on display, spectacular Newport locations, exclusive bespoke events and all in Newport, RI, the home of history, luxury and sport. There will be free events open to the public and something for every member of the family. Click HERE for the full schedule of events.
“This will be a must attend automotive gathering of the year,” said Donald Osborne. “There will be visitors from around the world and there will be memorable cars in legendary settings.”
What an ordeal this has been. As always, I am looking around to buy another classic car, another hooptie, or another lump of iron. This time I may have outdone myself.
Recently, I purchased a 1972 FIAT 500 F that was recently imported from Sicily. I found the car online, and thought the price was excellent, so I made the call. The car was 75 miles from home, in the possession of a very nice Italian man named John. John was a former racecar driver, with a collection of over 40 vehicles, ranging from Ferrari to Maserati, to Alfa Romeo to about 10 FIAT’s in all colors and sizes. Not knowing a thing about the cars, and as excited as a school kid, I chose the first car I came across. It was an orange 500 with black interior.
John made the offer to trailer the car back for me, but I decided to drive it home, not knowing that a Sicilian squirrel had been using the intake as storage for acorns for the past few years. Needless to say, the trip was a short one. Several months later, and with a mechanic bill that was physically painful to pay, the car is finally in tiptop shape. Ready to drive. The Massachusetts Registry had other ideas. Since the importer of the vehicle never titled the car, I would have to ask him (the seller) to title it, and then transfer the title in my name. It was a bridge too far for me, and a process that would have taken months. Instead, with some quick thinking, I was able to have the car registered by the importer in New Hampshire, and the use a bill of sale to title in MA. This took three days, and finally I was on the road.
The FIAT is unlike any other car I have ever driven. First, to say the car is small is an understatement. Fitting two people in the car at the same time qualifies as sex. The car is so small that one of the two people in the car my shift his/her shoulders, since the car is not wide enough for two. The car is noisy. Once it gets warmed up, the choke can be pushed in and it becomes quieter, but it is still loud overall. Driving is a little like driving something that was built by schoolchildren, in a shed, with no tools. It shakes, it seems to bend and flex, the doors and windows vibrate, of course the roof is fabric and the tiny 12 inch tires seem like they will roll off the rims. With 13 horses, the joke is there are so few that I have named them all…until you find out that one actual horse equals 13 horsepower…so my horse is named buttercup.
The car is miniscule, and everywhere you go people start to laugh and make comments. But the car is just a blast to drive. Being so small, every single lane road is like a racetrack, since there is enough room in the 8’ wide lane to hit apexes and the like. 20mph seems like 200, and winding through the gears is just a blast. Despite all its faults, the car is amazing. It makes me laugh and has me thinking up places to go every day. Would I recommend it? Not in a million years, and I am sure I already regret owning it, but I love every minute of that regret.
Below is an updated gallery showing the car as it is today (Sept 2021). These photos show just how perfect my little Palmina is.
NEWPORT, R.I., November 18, 2020 – The Audrain Automobile Museum is too proud to announce the opening of its latest exhibition, “Small Wonders: Mini, Micro, Pedal, & Toy Cars” opening on Saturday November 21st and running through February 14, 2021. Audrain’s will launch the exhibit with a Virtual Opening on Friday 11/20/20 at 7pm on Audrain’s YouTube channel.
The Small Wonders exhibit will feature mini cars like the Fiat 600 Jolly (pictured below left) and micro cars such as the Peel P50 (pictured below right) and showcase post WWII pedal and tin & toy cars made by Meccano Dinky Toys.
Please join Audrain Automobile Museum CEO, Donald Osborne, as he celebrates and walks you live through the new exhibit on Friday, November 20, 2020 at 7:00pm EST. To be a part of the virtual exhibition opening reception please tune in live to the Museum’s YouTube Channel at 7:00pm EST on Friday, Nov. 20th.
About the Audrain Automobile Museum
The Audrain Automobile Museum has 7,500 square feet of gallery space at 222 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. The Museum annually produces four (4) curated exhibits, typically displaying 12-16 vehicles cars of a particular period, genre or theme in a non-touch, self-guided experience. These exhibits attract more than 30,000 visitors per year. The Museum’s current exhibition “From the Racetrack to the Opera: Marques That Did It All” presented by Reliable Carriers, Inc. and Independent Insurance Advisors Rampart, LLC curates sixteen (16) cars ranging from the 1909 Isotta Fraschini Tipo FENC through the 1997 Ferrari F310B. The exhibit explores and celebrates the achievement of the remarkable manufacturers that created significant and memorable vehicles for the most demanding needs of both the racetrack
Article and photographs courtesy of Gibson Communications.
Organizing a successful car show is no small feat. Typically it involves a few dedicated individuals coordinating hundreds of owners, potentially thousands of attendees, and garnering support of sponsors. Many of the most popular events do this year after year and were more than ready to go in 2020. As we all now know, the world had slightly different plans for us and almost every public gathering has been either cancelled or postponed until at least next year.
Some show organizers weren’t willing to go out without a fight though and managed to come up with some creative ways of bringing their community together, albeit virtually. While every car enthusiast is waiting for the day that in-person gatherings are allowed again, the traction these events have garnered among their audiences may lead them to become more widespread.
The St. Ignace car show, a small event in Michigan, was cancelled and replaced with a virtual effort where participants could come take pictures of their car – while socially distancing – in front of a specific landmark and then post it on Facebook and their website. At the end, all entries will be collected and the winners get a free 2 night stay at the hotel. This is an especially creative solution as it gets people out and about safely, and is driving traffic to the hotel!
Radwood, an 80’s themed auto club, also took a stab at a virtual event by allowing contestants to post their cars to certain hashtags on Instagram. Once the participants contributed, the sponsors went through and voted for the best. The tough part with Instagram is unless you search for the specific tag, it leaves all the entries in disparate profiles across the app. That makes it incredibly unlikely general users would ever see the lineup of cars or know the results.
Cruising Bob’s Classic Car Show managed to still raise $5000 for charity by promoting an online option where fans could go and upload a single photo of their car. This was facilitated through a local bank website that hosted the images. This was a valiant effort to coordinate with a local bank and manage to raise so much for charity in the process.
These examples are just a few of many others across the country trying to adapt to the current situation by continuing to engage and entertain their automotive communities remotely. They should all be commended for the swift decision making and ability to put something together quickly, but the experience thus far tends to leave a lot to be desired. The tough part is that a computer automatically removes parts of the visceral emotions you can get from listening to and looking at a car. As such, a virtual option requires more focus on the quality of the images involved as well as any available background information to attempt to make up for that loss.
Concours Village
One show that did this quite well was the Concours Virtual Presented By Hagerty. This presentation involved some incredible vehicles from years that spanned the existence of automobiles over the last two centuries. Each entry had a hand crafted back story and interesting information, along with plenty of high quality photos. Thousands of people visited this virtual event and it likely raised a lot of money for it’s cause, UNICEF. Unfortunately, most car shows don’t have access to the capital, connections and engineering resources to build out their own web platform to host their events.
Topmarq is a software platform working to fill that gap by making it easy for car show organizers to host their own interactive virtual events. Rather than try to retrofit an old website or hire an expensive agency, organizations can just create their own car show and share the lobby with their community. Participants can contribute photos, videos and background stories to customizable classes, while attendees vote for their favorites and chat with the owners.
The turnout for these creative virtual solutions might indicate that there will be continued demand for them in the future and Topmarq seems to think so too. Perhaps the two types will eventually be mixed so that each show could be in-person for those who can attend, and virtual for those who can’t. Either way, we can be sure that car fans will be back at the shows as soon as they open back up.
THE AUDRAIN AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM TO RE-OPEN ON MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, USA – After having the museum gallery closed for over two months due to the COVID-19 outbreak, The Audrain Automobile Museum will open its doors to the public on Monday, June 8th. While the museum has continued to share their exhibits and initiatives virtually through a very comprehensive digital program, re-opening the gallery will allow the public to get back to the up-close and personal experience the museum is known for.
“We are grateful that our program of digital initiatives such as our YouTube channel videos and livestreamed opening event have brought the Museum to thousands while we have been closed. We will continue those programs as we re-open to continue to grow our reach as much as we can” said Audrain CEO Donald Osborne.
Osborne went on by saying, “With a carefully prepared and well-executed plan to bring our visitor guests safely back into our museum, we can bring our core mission of ‘Preserving, Celebrating and Sharing Automotive History’ more immediately to our community”. “It’s fitting that our current exhibition is titled ‘Shining Bright’, as we feel this re-opening can be another sign of brighter times ahead for us all.”
David de Muzio, Executive Director of the Museum said “I’m thrilled- and relieved- that we can finally share our new exhibition with visitors. It’s why we do our work, to be able to more fully spread our story.”
The museum has in place strict safety guidelines that must be followed by all staff and guests to ensure proper social distancing and sanitation. (A full list of safety guidelines can be found at www.AudrainAutoMuseum.org/COVID-19)
– The Museum is only permitting 20 people into the gallery at one time.
– All staff and guests will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms upon entering the museum and are required to wear a facemask for the duration of their visit.
– As part of their digital initiatives, the Museum will utilize QR codes to make it easier for guests to learn more about the exhibit without having to come in contact with any public surface.
– The museum will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized every morning and evening as well as multiple times throughout the day. All cleanings will be documented.
Starting Monday, June 8, 2020, the Museum will be back to their original operating hours of 10am to 4pm, daily. Though the circumstances may be different, the Audrain Automobile Museum team is eager to have their valued guests and members back in the gallery!
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, USA – As part of its mission to “Preserve, Celebrate and Share Automotive History”, the Audrain Automobile Museum announced today that the Nicholas Begovich Collection has been acquired for future display with the Museum’s collection in Newport.
Comprising fourteen post-war sports and grand touring cars, the collection represents the vision, fascination and lifetime passion of Nick Begovich, a brilliant and accomplished electrical engineer and physicist whose professional accomplishments and success allowed him to realize his love of engineering and design excellence in cars. Begovich, who recently passed away earlier this month at the age of 98, donated the collection to California State University, Fullerton from which the cars were acquired for display in Newport.
“I am thrilled and we are so grateful to be able to share Nick Begovich’s wonderful and historic cars with our visitors here in Newport, and through our digital initiatives with the world.” said Audrain CEO, Donald Osborne. He continued, “The collection includes some of the most important, rare and desirable cars in the world and together with other cars which our Museum exhibits, including the 1907 Renault 35/45 ‘Vanderbilt’ racer, the Schumacher/Irvine 1997 Ferrari F310B F1 car, the 1927 Isotta Fraschini 8AS Fleetwood Roadster, 1901 Winton Runabout, 1948 Tucker to name a few, allows us to make the stories tell in our exhibitions and events even more compelling.”
Many of the cars in the collection were purchased by him new and lightly used, making them outstanding original examples. They include a 1969 Lamborghini Miura which he picked up at the factory in Italy and drove only 3,758km; a 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster, bought new in Los Angeles and showing 10,441 mi; one of six extant ATS 2500 GTS coupes, and even rarer, one of the competition models; two early ‘50s Pegaso coupes, an ultra-exotic Spanish sports car of which only 84 were made; and what is well known to be the most original example of Porsche’s iconic 904 sports racing coupe- in Nick Begovich’s hands from new in 1964 and having been driven only 2,837km.
In the future, a special exhibition is planned featuring the cars of the Begovich Collection together to show how his spirit and personality was so vividly expressed in the cars he gathered and so lovingly cared for over decades.
Our friend, Casey Putsch from Genius Garage is at it again. This time he is at the National Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio with his lovely wife driving a beautiful 1936 Packard 120b. Casey gets the rare opportunity to spend the day with the car, and even was able to fix a small issue when a pin fell out of the throttle linkage. Casey shows us what it was like to live with a car like the Packard, as well as giving us a detailed history of the Packard Motor Company and Warren, Ohio.
The drive ends with a period correct date with this wife at a Speakeasy Lounge, complete with a secret door. This video is why I love many of Casey’s videos. It is entertaining and informative, plus he does such great work with his Genius Garage, helping the younger generation learn and work on all types of vehicles. Check out and subscribe to Casey Putsch’s videos, and please support the National Packard Museum.
APPLICATIONS FOR AUDRAIN NEWPORT CONCOURS GOES ONLINE
Newport, RI – February 20, 2020 – The Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week today opened registration online for cars looking to compete October 4th on the lawn of the historic and breathtaking Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Cars built prior to 1970 that exemplify the Concours core theme of “History, Luxury & Sport will all be considered. Automotive aficionados who feel their car has what it takes to compete can submit their applications by clicking HERE.
Joseph & Margie Cassini’s 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Fleetwood receiving the ‘Most Elegant’ award
The brainchild of Jay Leno, Chairman of the Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week, the 30 Under 30 class will be returning to the Concours field in 2020. The 30 Under 30 class features car owners under thirty years old who have spent less than $30,000 on a “Domestic” or “Import” car up to 1999. Owners looking to compete can do so by clicking HERE.
Carter Kramer’s 1976 BMW 2002 took home 1st in 30 Under 30 Class in 2019
“The Audrain Concours & Motor Week is unlike any other car event in the world,” said Donald Osborne, CEO of Audrain, LLC. “We are a one-of-a-kind automotive celebration with a wide-ranging menu of activities for varied interests in a unique historical setting of fascinating interest and charm.”
“Wet Ass” would seem like a strange name for a new car accessory business, but when the owner of Wet Okole became frustrated with what his wet dogs were doing to his car interior, he thought Okole, the Hawaiian translation would be perfect. With that out of the way, he set out to create the best seat covers available on the market. The result is Wet Okole, a custom fitted neoprene cover designed to be waterproof, durable and stylish.
Established in Hawaii, before expanding into the mainland, Wet Okole seats are made from the same material used in wetsuits.
Seat Covers arrive
According to the manufacturer: Wet Okole covers bottom and back are bonded to half inch thick foam for added comfort and protection. Our boxing neoprene is laminated with nylon on both sides, making it twice as strong. No rubber touches your seat material which is especially important with leather or vinyl seats.
We offer color combinations to match virtually all car interiors. They are easy to install and use high quality quick connect fasteners and Velcro.
Before installation, the seats were destroyed
Our car seat covers are 100% waterproof and fit your seats like a glove. They are hand tailored to fit the seats on each make and model, so you can expect a perfect fit. You will not see wrinkling, looseness or bunching. They will accommodate to the specific features of your seats including head rests, arm rests, switches for power adjustment and lumbar support, and seat-mounted air bags. We manufacture all of our products in the USA using the finest materials.
DO NOT risk yourself or your family with flammable, un-safe, imitation, copycat neoprene seat covers. For the ultimate in protection; while driving in comfort. There is no substitute! From optional rear pockets, seat heaters, sunglasses pouches, Gun Totes, lumbar support to euro-style piping and sewn in dog leashes. Made for you, for your vehicle in the colors of your choice.
Installed – What a difference!
We are so confident in the quality of our car seat covers that we will repair our products for you and even offer free installation (SoCal/Hawaii). Ask the competition if they will do that! There is a reason Wet Okole continues to be the leader in the industry.
A little aloha, with A LOT of Protection
The extras included with the kit – to keep the seats looking new
I was offered a set of Wet Okole seat covers for my 2007 Mazda Miata. After checking the website, I ordered a set of front seats, trimmed in black and burnt orange neoprene. I was offered a selection of options, like map and glasses pouches, rear pockets and even a sewn in dog leash (a great idea), but selected only the base two color without the contrasting trim. After a short wait, they were in my hands waiting to be installed.
My first impression of the seats was that they were of superior quality. Everything from the boxing, packaging, directions, marketing material and extras, to the covers themselves was impressive. The seats are padded, something I did not expect. The neoprene was different from what I anticipated, and did not have the plastic feeling, instead the feel was softer, much richer than I expected. These were not the standard covers you put on as a last ditch effort to hide bad upholstery…these were as good as the original upholstery, and I can see people choosing this material over the original in many cases. They looked more expensive and more factory than many factory seats. Included in the box was a tool to assist with installation, and bottles of concentrated shampoo, odor eliminator and UV protectant. It had everything I needed to enjoy these seat covers for the full life of the car.
Another example on a Mazda Miata NC
Installation was slightly more complicated than I expected, but it was by choice. My Miata is a small car, and I wanted to take extra care to perform a professional install. I decided to loosen the seats, basically by loosening 4 bolts. This allowed me enough room to reach into the back, and underneath to install the seats as professionally as I could. In a matter of minutes, the seats were in, and looked amazing. It does take some pulling of the material to fit properly, but the web straps provided pulled the covers tight over the originals. In less than 15 minutes, both sides were done.
The result was really amazing. Not only are these the best quality seat covers I have ever owned, the fit on the factory seats is excellent. My Miata has a strange head rest as part of the seat, yet the covers fit perfectly. In fact, the seats have side impact air bags, which I was not aware of, and the seat covers have an open seam down the side hidden by Velcro to accommodate. Even the area around the seat belt at the top of the seat is accommodated. In all, the covers are perfectly measured. There is no wrinkling, no bunching up of the material, no sliding around when you sit on them. They are almost as if I had the originals reupholstered.
My overall impression of the seats is that they are absolutely the best covers on the market. On a scale of 1 to 5, they get a full 5 stars. Over the period of a week, sitting on them was more comfortable than the originals due in part to the padding, and the look has transformed my car. In addition, where the leather original seats would scrape and become ripped due to my dog, these seats show no sign of wear after she gets out. For my convertible, they are the perfect solution.
Wet Okole seat covers custom fit for Jeep
Wet Okole has been amazing during this whole process. They provided me with outstanding quality seats, custom fit to my specific car, that will last years and provide me with protection and style. I highly recommend you get a set.
Photos Courtesy of Chris Raymond and Wet Okole. Article courtesy of Chris Raymond
World’s Only Jet Powered Street-Legal Batmobile For Sale on eBay!
Bowling Green, OH – October 29, 2019 – Just in time for Halloween, the world’s only jet powered street-legal Batmobile replica created by Genius Garage founder Casey Putsch is up for sale on ebay. This vehicle is widely accepted as the best representation of the fictitious Gotham city crime fighter’s vehicle and is not merely a functioning prop.
Casey Putsch’s library of opinionated and insightful automotive commentary on YouTube can be found HERE and on Instagram @caseyputsch HERE
This vehicle was created as a one-off functioning machine and authentically represents what was depicted in fiction; a fully-functioning vehicle powered by a military surplus turbo shaft engine that idles at 20,000 rpm. The power plant drives the rear wheels through a semi-automatic 4 speed transmission with reverse and makes approximately 400 shaft horsepower. The vehicle weighs similar to a Corvette and features fully independent suspension on air bags. The vehicle has the same basic controls as a conventional automobile, with the difference simply being in the operation of the turbine engine. Acceptable fuel is Jet A or Kerosene with an adjustment being possible for Diesel. The chassis is a semi monocoque and tubular space frame made out of steel with a composite body and canopy.
Accessories include replica Browning .30 caliber machine guns set up with oxy-propane powered sim-fire blanks, rear and side view cameras with monitor, centrally mounted iPad information center, digital and analog gauges. Flamethrower tank and plumbing is installed, but actuator, ignition, and nozzle have been removed.
This vehicle has functioned perfectly since it was built with no issues of any kind relating to the engine or hot start conditions. One failure of the original weak igniter box occurred and was promptly remedied with updated dual igniter boxes that have functioned perfectly since.
Currently the vehicle is titled and registered for street usage as a modified vehicle. It is sold AS-IS with no warranties or guarantees of any kind. This vehicle IS NOT available for display, events, rental, or public visitation.
About the Genius Garage:
Founded in 2014 by automotive designer and race car driver Casey Putsch, the Genius Garage was established as a college internship program to bridge the gap from academia to industry. The Genius Garage’s goal is to provide college engineering students with their “dream shot” to careers in the automotive and aerospace industries. The programs are set up to best cultivate and develop the student’s real-world hands on experience and problem solving by restoring and racing vintage race cars and building a BD5 microjet, restoring a Long EZ aircraft and a full-scale (38-foot) flying replica of a Pterosaur. The Genius Garage race cars currently include an IMSA GTO tube frame Corvette, a C3 widebody Greenwood Corvette IMSA racer and a ‘90’s carbon fiber monocoque Nissan prototype race car, all of which are the complete responsibility of students in their engineering and preparation. Click HERE for the Genius Garage Web site and HERE for several videos on the garage and student overviews.
Article Courtesy of Gibson Communications LLC. Video and photo courtesy of Casey Putsch.
Looking for a new pickup truck? You’ll undoubtedly consider buying a Ford. Their F-Series continues to dominate the market, currently the most popular pickup on the road—but Ford isn’t and shouldn’t be your only option when it comes to buying a new truck.
GMC is a formidable contender in the battle of the pickup trucks, offering all kinds of features that might make you rethink buying a Ford. Even though the Ford F-Series continues to be a favorite with consumers, it doesn’t mean GMC isn’t giving them a run for their money. Watch these two manufacturers go head-to-head in our Battle of the Pickup Trucks.
Style
Choosing your next pickup truck often comes down the style over substance. Some people prefer their truck to have a certain look rather than certain features. When it comes to style, both Ford and GMC can get by on their looks. The Ford F-Series features a minimal, no-fuss exterior that doesn’t bring too much attention to itself, but a GMC pickup truck likely walks away as the winner. Their trucks feature hard, bold lines that really catch the eye, suggesting a more rugged, outdoorsy look. If you compare the two side-by-side, you’ll notice the difference right away.
As we mentioned earlier, the Ford F-Series is booming in popularity, so you’re bound to see plenty of F-150s and F-250s on the road. If you want to stand out amid the crowd, go with a GMC.
Safety Features
Of course, safety should also play a role in the decision-making process. Both trucks get stellar safety ratings, and they come with all the latest features like a backup camera, brake assist, and electronic stability control, but the GMC might just have the Ford F-Series beat. GMC trucks are known as some of the safest on the road, earning raves from customers and industry pros alike. That doesn’t mean the Ford F-Series isn’t safe, but if you’re really a stickler for safety, GMC is the safer bet.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is always top-of-mind when choosing a new vehicle. You don’t want to get stuck paying a fortune at the pump for the next 10 years because you chose the wrong make/model. While both manufacturers get decent fuel economy ratings, Ford tends to come out on top. The Ford F-Series clocks in at around 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, while GMC comes in at 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. While this might seem negligible at first, you will save a pretty penny at the pump if you get behind the wheel of a Ford.
Going Off-Road and Towing Power
They don’t call it “Built Ford Tough” for nothing. Ford easily beats GMC when it comes to hauling and towing power. The Ford F-Series can tow around 13,200 pounds, while GMC trucks usually haul around 12,500 pounds. That’s a difference of nearly a thousand pounds, so the choice is clear if you want to be able to tow as much as physically possible. However, if you’re like most drivers on the road, you probably won’t find yourself hauling items that weigh over ten thousand pounds anytime soon.
If you’re not too serious about towing, you can get by with the GMC without regretting your decision, but choosing a pickup truck usually means you like to haul, or at least like to have the option. In that case, go with a Ford. This will also come in handy if you like towing equipment off-road. Just get a lift kit, and you’ll be ready to tow like there’s no tomorrow. You can find Ford lift kits online to make all your towing dreams come true.
Interior
Lots of truck owners tend to overlook the interior, but that’s where you’re going to spend all your time, so finding a truck with a polished interior will be more than worth it. The GMC interior is more spacious than Ford’s. It features a clean, comfortable environment that will make you feel right at home. You’ll love being on the road for hours, days, or even weeks at a time. It might even start to feel more like a living room than a driver’s seat.
While Ford has a fine interior as well, you can really spread out and relax behind the wheel of a GMC. If you love going off-road, you’ll feel more comfortable in a GMC. There tends to be less of a shake, and the seats give you lasting support, so you can handle all those bumps and turns with ease. You’ll just need to buy a lift kit for your new off-road truck, and you’ll be good to go.
Overall Value
While Ford will save you some money at the pump thanks to its fuel efficiency rating, a GMC pickup truck costs less to begin with. For example, you can get a GMC Sierra for around $566 a month for 60 months, while a Ford will cost around $596 per month for 60 months. Of course, these prices tend to fluctuate, especially if you’re buying used. If you really want to save money, GMC is the winner, even if it means paying a little extra for gas.
A basic Ford model is also pretty bare bones. So, if you’re hoping to add all kinds of sweet features and upgrades to your Ford, you’ll likely have to pay more than $600 a month, while the GMC basic model tends to be a better value.
Choosing Between the Two
Both Ford and GMC deliver quality trucks. Most of these differences are fairly minor, so you’ll be in great hands either way. If you want to save money and feel safe behind the wheel, GMC is the better choice, but if you’re passionate about hauling and you want more fuel efficiency, Ford is the way to go. Choosing between the two all depends on how you plan on using your truck. Do your research and grab one of these beauties today!
Article courtesy of superliftsuspensions. Photographs courtesy of shutterstock.
Last Sunday marked the end of the weeklong Motor Show in Newport, Rhode Island. Audrain’s Car Museum, and the Concours team put on a massive series of spectacular events, highlighted by a special concert by musician John Legend, gala dinners at Doris Duke’s Rough Point, and the final day Coucours on the lawn at the Vanderbilt “cottage” The Breakers.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
If you are unfamiliar with the location, Newport is home to some of the most impressive “Gilded Age” mansions in the US, if not the world. The best of the group is said to be The Breakers, which has a massive lawn leading to the ocean. On Sunday, that lawn was lined with classic, antique and specialty vehicles from the likes of Bugatti to BMW.
This was the first time Audrain’s put on the weeklong event, and I believe the first time since 2012 that any Concours was held in the area. “Our expectations for this debut event were high, but the reception exceeded them in almost every way”, said Concours Chairman Donald Osborne. “The cars, the people, the stories and the setting all came together to become the living expression of the event’s theme, ‘History, Luxury, Sport’- the essence of Newport. We are thrilled with the outcome.”
With 40 prominent judges from four countries and 98 cars from across the USA, the inaugural Concours featured 13 classes of vehicles from 1899 to 1970 plus the first of its kind ‘30 Under 30’ class. The brainchild of Jay Leno, Chairman of the Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week, the 30 Under 30 class featured car owners under thirty years old who have spent less than $30,000 on their car. Carter Kramer’s 1976 BMW 2002 took home 1st in Class
On to the rest of the winners: In the top spot, winning both the “Best in Show” and “Most Elegant” awards was Joseph & Margie Cassini’s 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Fleetwood. Shown at the 1926 New York Auto Salon, the Tipo 8A S Roadster was commissioned by film star, Rudolph Valentino, and adds the Audrain’s Best of Show trophy to its extensive collection which includes two Best of Class trophies from the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Other class winners included a 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost owned by Rick Brown carrying a body built for Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a rare 1931 Ballot RH3 sports car owned by Michael Howe, a charismatic 1968 Oldsmobile 442 convertible owned by Robert Fisette and James Utaski’s spectacular 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, which also won the coveted ‘Excellence in Design’ trophy, chosen and presented by Michael Simcoe, VP of Global Design GM.
Among the other special awards given were the ‘Chairman’s Choice’ prize to Stephen and Kim Bruno’s 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Pinin Farina cabriolet, an elegant Paris Show car and Nürburgring racer, The ‘Sporting Choice’ award given to the dramatic 1939 Type 57 Aravis Roadster of Peter and Merle Mullin and the ‘Founder’s Choice’ trophy won by Rob Kauffman’s 1901 Panhard et Levassor Type B1, which was a participant in the 1902 Vanderbilt Cup race. The ‘People’s Choice’, chosen by the nearly 2,000 attendees, was a very original 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ owned by Robert and Renee Torre. A true time capsule, it captivated the enthusiastic crowd.
The next Audrain’s Newport Concours d’Elegance will be held on Sunday, October 4th as a part of the 2020 Concours & Motor Week running beginning October 1st.
Today was the first day of Audrain’s Concours and Motor Week in Newport RI. What a beautiful day…and what an amazing event. When I arrived, Bellevue Ave was completely blocked off and jammed with ultra collectible classic cars…from Mercedes to Bugatti to Duesenberg…everything was there. There were so many venues, and so many activities it was hard to get to all of them. Chateau sur-Mer had a Porsche concours…Lamborghini, Bentley and Rolls Royce were at the Redwood Library and Anthanaeum and a gathering of GM Concept cars on loan from the GM Museum at Audrain’s Car Museum. Finally, at the international Tennis Hall of Fame, called “Concours Village” was a selection of Aston Martin, Koeniggsig and classic Maserati’s. This week is amazing.
Love of Beauty is taste; the creation of beauty is art – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The waning days of summer in Newport, Rhode Island are a special time for any automotive enthusiast. They are a time when beauty and art combine into a single glorious event: The Newport Concours d’Elegance. This year, the event has been reborn as the Inaugural Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week 2019.
The Inaugural Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week 2019, a four-day car extravaganza hosted by Newport, Rhode Island’s Audrain Automobile Museum is set to be the East Coast’s first true motor week. The event, set for October 3 -6, 2019, will be a celebration of all-things automotive, luxury, sport and history. The chairman of this year’s Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week 2019 is entertainment super star and automotive enthusiast Jay Leno, while Concours d’Elegance Chairman for 2019 is one of the premier automotive experts in the world and TV personality, Donald Osborne.
Featuring a world-class collection of over a billion dollars-worth of vintage and modern cars, the event offers ticket holders unparalleled access to some of the rarest automobiles in existence, including 12 vehicles on loan from General Motors’ Heritage Division, from a ’38 Buick Y-Job to a ’54 Corsair Concept to a 2003 Cadillac Sixteen. VIP ticketholders will get a closer look at Koenigsegg’s newest hypercar, the Jesko, a Bugatti Chiron Sport Glass Roof and a Porsche 356 Outlaw, customized by Rod Emory of Emory Motorsports. On Sunday, the Concours d’Elegance will also feature a first-ever 30 Under 30 category to give enthusiasts age 30 years and younger the opportunity to showcase cars that have been built with $30,000 or less. Jay Leno and other car experts will serve as the judges.
Event sponsors Aston Martin, Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Richard Mille and Porsche, among others, will also be on site throughout the 4-day celebration.
Vehicles participating in the Oct. 6 Concours d’Elegance will also have the opportunity to participate in the Tour d’Elegance. The Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, will be an integral part of the celebration. The Tour will start on the west end of the Pell Bridge and feature a staged participant photo on the bridge with a vintage aircraft fly-over. The Tour d’Elegance will then make its way along the scenic and historic Ocean Drive, making a stop for coffee and photos at Ft. Adams and conclude with a display of the participating cars on Bellevue Avenue.
Fine automobiles may be the focus, but Audrain’s Newport Concours and Motor Week will have it all. From fine dining pop-ups and exhibitions; to shopping, tennis, golf and sailing; to exclusive parties hosted in the Gatsbyesque mansions that populate America’s original luxury capital. Audrain’s Newport Concours and Motor Week will be held October 3rd – 6th 2019 and tickets are on sale now! For more information, check out the Audrain’s Newport Concours website.
Article and photographs courtesy of Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week 2019
Accidents. Some are minor, and some are deadly but all of them are expensive. In the US, nearly one third of all motor accidents are the result of rear-end collisions according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…the safety guys. Most of those accidents were caused by distracted driving (texting, reading, eating) and most of the rest are due to speeding. Texting alone causes 3,000 teens to die each year in car crashes, and rear end collisions happen about 1.7 million times a year on US roadways.
Enter Braking Bar. Braking Bar was created by a Stanford graduate named Roland Hence. Hence developed an ingenious and elegant solution based on some very important data. Mercedes-Benz had been doing studies on rear-end crashes, and concluded that 90% could be avoided if the following driver simply had 1 more second to react. In other words, drivers do not react quickly enough to normal brake lights. Think about that for a moment.
What is Braking Bar and how is it a solution to the problem of rear-end crashes? Braking Bar calls itself an adaptive brake light, designed to get distracted drivers’ attentions faster under urgent braking. Normally, during braking, your brake lights illuminate normally, but in cases where you brake forcefully Braking Bar adapts by either illuminating very brightly or flashing. Extensive studies show that this technology causes following vehicles to stop up to 19 ft shorter, and thus reduces collision-speeds by up to 22 mph. Though some vehicles offer adaptive brake lights on their cars, most aftermarket products are expensive and require wiring during installation. Braking Bar uses an accelerometer, an adhesive, and a battery pack. There are no wires to connect.
Braking Bar is 3x as visible as your ordinary brake lights, and makes drivers react up to 50% faster…especially when they’re distracted. As you drive, the built-in motion sensor checks your braking force over 100 times per second. Then, the next time it senses that you’re braking hard – approximately 70% of your maximum braking force depending on your car – it activates the LEDs. The LEDs have two operating modes: STEADY and PULSE. In STEADY mode, the LEDs output the maximum legal illumination. In PULSE mode, the LEDs also pulsate. Both modes are designed to get maximum attention. The system also has a brightness setting to accommodate window tints as dark as 35% VLT. The battery has a 4 year lifespan.
I wanted to try Braking Bar, and Frontlane, Inc. was nice enough to send me one. It arrived quickly, and was ready to use right out of the box. I was immediately impressed with the design. Braking Bar looks sleek; almost factory installed and would be perfect for any type of vehicle. The back opens up to a series of switches that can select intensity, and mode, and the entire unit simply sticks to the rear window with a strong adhesive tape. It is ingenious. When I tested the lights, I was shocked to see how bright they really are. A few minutes for installation on the glass, and I was done. I have had it on my vehicle for two weeks, and I am truly impressed with the quality and design. In fact, I can see myself purchasing another for my other cars. I strongly recommend they create a motorcycle version, as this product can really save lives.
Perfect for any vehicle, but especially SUV’s and trucks. With its non-permanent installation, it would also be perfect for older cars without a third brake light and classic cars with smaller tail lights. Since it is adhesive, there is no risk to the long term value of the car. Braking Bar is an elegant solution to a serious problem. I highly recommend it.
It is not sufficient to see and to know the beauty of a work. We must feel and be affected by it. – Voltaire
It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Lately, I’ve been reading some lists of “Beautiful Cars” that force me to believe the beholder was blind. One website, Edmunds lists the 1973 Pontiac Grand Am and the 1985 Chevrolet Camaro in the 100 Most Beautiful Cars of All Time. Voting in those plastic nightmares tells me they have no clue about design or beauty, and just had too many cars in the list. It is just silly. So, I have decided to take a stab at my own list, and showcase what I feel are the “Most Beautiful Cars Ever Made.” Each post will highlight one car, in no particular order.
First in my list is the incomparable Citroen DS, a car that took the world by storm in 1955. In a time where France was still rebuilding from the disaster of WWII, and a time of sever austerity in Europe, this space ship was a complete shock to the automotive world. Built in secret over a period of 18 years as a replacement to the Citroen Traction Avant, the new DS was so amazing a design that it sold 743 copies in the first 15 minutes of its debut. Imagine the frenzy. By the end of the day a record breaking 12,000 examples were sold.
The DS, pronounced “Day-ess,” French for Goddess, was styled by Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre. Its futuristic aerodynamic body design and innovative technology was so shocking and revolutionary to the public, that some were even scared of the car. Contemplate this for a moment. The year was 1955, and most of the cars were pre-war designs, with upright radiator shells, pontoon fenders, crank starters, hardwood dashboards, and in America: tail fins. Along came the DS with a shape that was aerodynamic, beautiful, and appeared to float over through the streets like a time traveler from another dimension. This was a car whose scarab, teardrop shape was like nothing else on the roads. The bright colors, and open airy interior was so different from the dark, heavy, industrial cars of the day that it changed the definition of what a motorcar could be.
The DS was literally a space ship for the masses. Not only did it change the way cars were perceived; it changed the way cars were built. The technology included a hydro pneumatic self-leveling suspension, front power disc brakes, variable ground clearance, and a semi-automatic transmission with no clutch pedal. The hydraulic assisted brakes were operated not by a pedal, but by a small mushroom shaped button, with which the slightest of pressure could bring the massive car to a very abrupt halt.
The list of innovations continues with a fiberglass roof, inboard front brakes along with independent suspension, different front and rear track widths to reduce the under steer typical of front engine, front wheel drive cars. The DS has an engine designed to slide under the floor in a crash, headlights that swivel when you steer, space frame construction, tolerances within microns, the first plastic dashboard, use of aluminum in the bonnet and fenders, crumple zones, rollover protection, and a even a collapsible steering wheel.
The DS used a suspension system of compressed nitrogen gas, was auto self leveling, and even had a self centering one spoke steering wheel. The engine was a hemispherical head engine, though with only about 100hp due to French Tax Horsepower system. It was a car that could drive on three wheels, climb a wall of ice, start in 40 below weather, and provide the best “magic carpet” ride quality ever built into a car. The suspension and quality of ride made the DS unique in the automotive world. The driver could travel from asphalt to gravel to snow, and only identify the changes by the different color of the surface. Nothing was allowed to disrupt the perfection of the ride comfort.
The DS was also utterly French, and a symbol of French ingenuity and design. It was beautifully sculpted with an aerodynamic body that still looks fresh in 2012. The car is sheik and stylish, yet strangely conservative, wildly eccentric yet also very practical. It is quirky and beautiful in every way. The complete devotion to aerodynamics is evident in the teardrop shape. The wheelbase was extended on the design mock up to make the car more appealing to the eye. In fact, it exactly matches the wheelbase of a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, a length of 10’ 3 inches.
To appreciate the aerodynamic shape of the DS, one only has to look at the Saab 96. Both have the same teardrop shape, but the Saab is not executed in the same clean, sculptured lines. The Citroen seems light and airy compared to the bulkiness of the Saab. Even in the 1960’s with the Jaguar MkII Saloons, the effect of the wind cheating aerodynamic shape remained heavy and complicated. In fact, the shape of the DS defines the car. One important point that is often unnoticed deals with the front of the vehicle. Most cars use the front face to identify and reinforce the brand. Grilles, badges, hood ornament, and names are plastered all over. The DS is blank and clean. It survived in the market place purely by virtue of its shape.
The Citroen DS has been chosen as one of the most beautiful cars ever made by many critics, generally is recognized as one of the most influential of all auto designs, and was voted THE most beautiful car of all time by Classic & Sports Car magazine. The DS was awarded “Product of the Century” ahead of the Boeing 747, lunar landing module, and even the Apple Macintosh computer. For me, the scarab shaped car is still relevant almost 60 years since its introduction, and one of my top ten cars of all time.
When all think alike, then no one is thinking – Walter Lippman
Every vehicle that made my list of Most Beautiful Cars was a milestone in the development of the automobile. Each of them changed the way cars were designed, and advanced automotive technology in a way that no other cars had done before. In the process they became icons of the automotive world, cars that shook the public’s concept of what a car could be. Today’s selection took that to a whole new level, and was essentially a paradigm shift for automotive designers. Some believe the Bugatti Veyron is a “Concorde” moment, where car design took a quantum leap forward. Today’s car is just as important. It is an SR71 Spy Plane in a world of Cessnas. It is the Lamborghini Countach.
At first sight, the natural reaction is to catch your breath and just try to comprehend the angles and wedge shape. The Countach is a collection of trapezoidal panels and air scoops, squatting so low to the ground that it is almost unrecognizable as an automobile. If someone told you it was a grounded stealth drone, you could accept its shape more readily. Even the name is astonishment. Countach roughly translates to “holy shit!”
The Countach was such a radical and fundamental shift that it remained an icon from 1974 until its demise in 1990. This is an amazing feat in a world where supercar fashion changed almost daily. Born as a violent slash across the drawing pad of Marcello Gandini for Bertone, it was the successor to his other creation, the legendary Miura. In fact, Gandini penned not only the Miura, but also the iconic wedge shape of the Lancia Stratos, as well as the Pantera, the Dino, the Lamborghini Diablo and what we know in the US as the Renault Le Car.
The original design was as clean and subtle as it was radical and angular. The LP400 originally had a coke-bottle shape, and was devoid of the scoops and vents of later models. Almost immediately the car morphed into a jet fighter, with a huge stabilizer wing sprouting from the rear deck, and more ducts and air boxes than a F117. US models also developed a “moustache” front wing, which allowed it to comply with the height restrictions of the new federal mandates.
By the time the Countach was retired from service, it looked more like a Transformer than a motorcar, with obscene bulges and deep cuts in the duct work. What began as an icon, ended life as a synonym for cocaine.
The Countach was THE car to own for those that could afford it, and for every boy who had a poster on his bedroom wall. There was nothing that epitomized the excess, the power or the avant garde nature of the supercar better than the Lamborghini Countach. Its shape and overall zeitgeist will never be improved upon. Just as important was the sound bellowing from the Lamborghini V12, which only improved with age.
How was the Countach when compared to other cars? In a word, it was atrocious. The Countach was great at being an icon, but rather dismal at being a car. The interior was cramped and hot, with no ventilation and a roll down window barely big enough for your hand. The clutch was unbearably heavy, there was no place for your feet, no rearward visibility, and the US front wing meant the car would gain flight at high speeds. It was fast in a straight line, but otherwise drove like one of Ferruccio’s tractors. The car was so abysmal; the only way to reverse a Countach properly is to leave the car by sitting on the sill with the door up. To drive a Lamborghini Countach is to kill a dream.
Fortunately, most of us never get the chance to truly experience a Lamborghini Countach. We will never have our dreams crushed. The first time I saw one in person was in Boston. I was crossing the street near the Copley Plaza hotel, and heard this evil V12 screaming. When I turned, I saw lime green fog lights, and then a second later it passed by my knees. It was a black 5000QV, and I remember the huge wing passing me like a shark fin. That experience stayed with me to this day.
My next encounter was with a LP400S, owed by a dealer in Weymouth. Through a friend I was able to take a ride, and snap some photos. My memory is mainly of the sound of the V12, the fact that I literally could not move inside the cockpit, and that it seemed like everything in the world stopped when you drove by.
The Lamborghini Countach is still an icon. Sure, it lost some of its luster by being associated with the 1980’s, yuppies and power ties, but not even the new Reventon can compare with its radical design. The Lamborghini Countach is still the ultimate supercar.
There you have it, from the man whose company has created more incredibly beautiful car designs than anyone on the planet. The Jaguar E-Type (XKE in the US) is probably THE most beautiful design ever for a production car. It is a car so striking that it was included as a permanent part of the collection at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Almost without exception, every list of great and beautiful cars includes an E-Type. More text and photographs have been devoted to this car than any other in history.
Dubbed “The Greatest Crumpet Catcher Known to Man” by Henry Manney, the E-Type remains an icon of the swinging sixties, the British invasion, and the domination Britain had over the sports car market. Styled by Malcolm Sayer, a newcomer to the Jaguar team and a self-proclaimed aerodynamicist, in partner with Sir William Lyons, the chief at Jaguar, it was the first design not created by Sir William himself. Lyons was known to style the cars in the garden of his home, spending hours watching the how the light reflected off the curves, all while local children watched from atop the garden walls. The E-type was the perfect blend of Sayers understanding of aerodynamics and Lyons’ mastery of light and shape.
When the E-Type was introduced at the 1961 Geneva Auto Show, it was an instant hit, and well on its way as an icon of a generation. It was the choice of celebrities, royalty, and the ultra rich, who combined style and class with a penchant for caddish behavior. The super chic of the time, Bridgette Bardot, Steve McQueen, Mick and Bianca, and George Best all chose the E-Type, and even Frank Sinatra barked “I want that car, and I want it now” the moment he saw it.
When it was introduced at the Geneva Auto Show in 1961, Jaguar took 500 orders. It looked like nothing else on the display floor, and at £2097 for the roadster and £2196 for the fixed head coupe, the car was considerably cheaper than its competitors Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche. In fact, it was priced lower than the car it replaced, the XK150.
The E-Type was beautiful and exciting, but was far from perfect. The claimed 150mph top speed was basically a myth until 1963, the car drank enough oil to fill a supertanker and the ungodly Moss gearbox lacked synchromesh on the first gear, and originally intended for use in pre-war trucks. Add to that the lack of space, the poor braking, the wicked Lucas electrics dubbed “The Prince of Darkness” and you end up with something like a first wife…pretty, but impossible to live with. One of the few good items on the car was the independent rear suspension which was designed by Bob Knight in only 27 days on a bet with founder Sir William Lyons, which endured until the 1990’s. Even the engine had faults, being a carryover from 1949 and a testament to Sir William’s frugality.
The original Series I was the purest of the line. It was surprisingly rare, with only 2160 cars produced in 1961, another 6266 in 1962, and 4065 in 1963. Over the years the car evolved to have a more powerful engine, better seating, and better electrics. In 1966 the introduction of the 2+2 radically changed the E-Type body. While the roadster stayed the same, the FHC featured a longer wheelbase by 9 inches, longer doors and a taller windscreen, designed to accommodate two children in the additional rear seats. It was offered with an automatic gearbox for the first time and sold surprisingly well, though it was criticized by many for its odd proportions.
In 1967 the E-Type was reworked, this time to comply with the growing US regulations for cars. The new Series 1 ½ meant the headlamps were moved forward 2.5 inches, and the Perspex headlamp cover were gone. Minor changes continued though the Series II and up into the 1970’s. Jaguar had intended on replacing the E-Type with the XJ27, or as we know it, the XJ-S. However, due to financial difficulties, it was decided to rework the E-Type, extending its life with the addition of a new V12 engine. This new E-Type, dubbed the XJ25 was finally launched as the Series III.
The new Series III featured a wider stance with 1 inch flared wheel arches, a larger air intake and chrome XJ6 grille, better brakes and steering and a commitment to the 2+2 wheelbase length. The 2-seater Jaguar Coupe was dead.
By 1972 the end was near for the beloved E-Type. By this time Malcolm Sayer had suffered a fatal heart attack, and Sir William Lyons finally retired. Strikes and US mandates on safety had turned the car into an aging icon, a once beautiful actress who had finally lost her looks. By 1974, production had basically ceased, but unsold Jaguars in dealerships prevented Jaguar from announcing the official end of the line until February 1975. It was replaced by the XJ-S, the final car to be designed by Malcolm Sayer in cooperation with Sir William. The end of an era had come to Jaguar.
The Jaguar E-Type, in all her forms was a breakthrough in automotive design. It possessed a shape that was instantly recognizable, even among non-car people. Its curvaceous body was unlike any production car before or since, and remains an icon of an era. Coveted as a work of art, the E-Type is a true symbol of what put the “Great” into Great Britain.
Article Courtesy of Chris Raymond
Photos Courtesy of profeng.com, carbase.com, nextcar.com.au, netcarshow.com, tomorrowstarted.com, pinterest.com, seriouswheels.com, deviantart.com, diamondcars.de, classicandperformancecar.com, and Google Images.
‘Every impatient, rich man wanted one’ – Giampaolo Dallara
No list of the most beautiful cars can be complete without the first to be called a “Supercar,” The Lamborghini Miura.
Created at night, in secret and against the orders of the boss; the Miura is exactly what she was envisioned to be, the perfect anti-Ferrari “race car for the road.” Three young employees, GianPaolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani, and Bob Wallace wanted to show the “old man” that the future of the company was not large grand touring cars, but instead cutting edge sports cars. It was the Miura that truly gave birth to “The House of the Raging Bull.”
Inspired by the Ford GT40, the car was designed around a transversely mounted mid engine layout, which was a departure for Lamborghini. The Bizzarrini designed V12 engine produced 385 horses, and was merged with the transmission and differential. When the rolling chassis was introduced at the 1966 Turin Salon, it caused such a sensation that people actually placed orders despite it having no body.
The design for the missing body was given to Bertone, who promptly assigned 25 year old newcomer Marcello Gandini to the project. Gandini had been brought in to replace Giorgetto Giugiaro who was leaving for Ghia. Giugiaro, who was only 19 days older than the young Gandini had actually had prevented him from being hired earlier, and refused to work with the new stylist. Once he was gone, it cleared the road for Gandini and the Miura became his first project.
The prototype for the car was called the P400. The actual body design was finished just days before it was debuted at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. So late, in fact that the engine could not be installed, and the front clamshell had to remain locked throughout the entire show. That lack of planning continued, when it was discovered after the debut that no one had bothered to check if the new V12 could even fit in the new body.
The Miura was essentially a clamshell front and rear aluminum body built around a compact passenger cell. The shape created by Gandini is impossibly beautiful. Low and incredibly wide, a look where every bulge, line and curve is absolute perfection. The effect is stunning, right down to the eyelashes; a design cue that hid small vents for the brakes. In the front, the long expanse of hood is broken by two sets of grillwork that allows air to pass through the radiators. The right grill also served to hide the fuel filler.
The pop up headlamps were rumored to be inspired by the Bertone Corvair Testudo concept car. In the back, a set of six louvers over the engine bay were inspired by the 1963 Corvair Monza GT. These “industry first” louvers were the only thing between the world and that magnificent sounding V12, and would remain a design cue for years to come, gracing cars from Modena to Detroit.
Attention to detail in the design was paramount. When it was decided that car would be named for a fighting bull, the Miura was given horns; small functional side louvers were added to the doors, in an upward sweep. When the doors were opened, the horns were exposed.
The fighting bull theme is the inspiration and logo for Lamborghini. Named for the Spanish fighting bulls of Don Eduardo Miura of Seville, the car and the company have a strong bullfighting connection. After the birth of the Miura, almost every Lamborghini car name is bull related. The Miura bulls remain the fiercest breed in bullfighting and were the subject of many stories, including Earnest Hemingway’s 1932 book “Death in the Afternoon.”
Long before pictures of the Countach graced every boy’s bedroom, this car was the sexiest thing in the decade of free love and bohemian hipness. In its day, it was as radical as a spaceship, and even today a sighting will create an instant crowd. Owned by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Shah of Iran and Elton John, the car was excruciatingly expensive, incredibly rare and nearly impossible to maintain. It is, as one writer said: “Ultimately great at being iconic, but not very good at being a car.” For me, it is beyond “bellissimo.”
Seat Covers arrive
Before installation, the seats were destroyed
Installed – What a difference!
The extras included with the kit – to keep the seats looking new
Another example on a Mazda Miata NC
Wet Okole seat covers custom fit for Jeep
