A Very Special Vehicle

by Chris Raymond | Sep 6, 2021

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.

Say Hello to My Little Friend

by Chris Raymond | Feb 17, 2021

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.

Article by Chris Raymond

Photos by Chris Raymond

Audrain’s Museum Acquires Collection

by Chris Raymond | May 21, 2020

The Audrain Automobile Museum Acquires

Nicholas Begovich Collection For Future Display

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.

Photo Courtesy of Audrain Automobile Museum

Most Beautiful Cars: The Citroen DS

by Chris Raymond | Jul 7, 2018

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.

Article Courtesy of Chris Raymond

Photos Courtesy of ukadapta.blogspot.com, sv.wikipedia.org, carpr0n.tumblr.com, mannamaker.com, barcelonaphotoblog.com, carprestige.pl, conceptcarz.com, ebay.com

Reference: The Citroen DS, Design Icon by Malcolm Bobbit from Veloce Publishing

Most Beautiful Cars: Lamborghini Countach

by Chris Raymond | Jul 7, 2018

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.

Article Courtesy of Chris Raymond

Photos Courtesy of netcarshow.com, autowallpapers.net, conceptcarz.com, finallyhip.com, covercars.com, boldride.com, militarytuners.com, Jamie Wynder

Most Beautiful Cars: Jaguar E-Type

by Chris Raymond | Jul 7, 2018

The most beautiful car ever made – Enzo Ferrari

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.

Most Beautiful Cars: Lamborghini Miura

by Chris Raymond | Jul 7, 2018

‘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.”

Article Courtesy of Chris Raymond

Photos Courtesy of: carart.us, lotusspiritturbo.com, netcarshow.com, caranddriver.com, boldride.com

Most Beautiful Cars: Jaguar XK120

by Chris Raymond | Jul 7, 2018

“The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive.” – Sir William Lyons

Very few cars are appreciated as classics in their own time.  From the moment Jaguar unveiled the XK120 at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1948, the press and the public understood that it was a milestone.  The XK120 was the fastest and the most beautiful car offered by any manufacturer at any price.

The XK120 was more about the engine than the body.  Jaguar was a new company, having just one production car under its belt, the SS100.  The company had just survived WWII, and had changed its name from SS Cars (for Swallow Sidecar) to Jaguar due to the connotations of the German SS.  During the war the order was given by head Sir William Lyons to create an engine on their own, something they could use to power a new line of sedans the company was developing.  Prior to this, they had purchased engines from outside suppliers, and the need to develop in-house was critical to the company’s future.

Jaguar and Sir William were intent on producing a sport saloon with 100mph performance with a price of less than 1,000 pounds.  This was a very tall order at a time where the average car could barely crack 75mph, and just reaching 60 would take 30 seconds or more.  Lyons also required the car to be fuel efficient, at a time when gas rationing was common.  Work began on a new engine, dubbed the XK.  It was designed as a cross flow head, dual overhead cam layout with four cylinders, but was eventually upgraded to a six cylinder for better performance.  The end result was a seven bearing straight six, displacing 3,442 cc (210 cu in.) with a long stroke that provided good low end torque and high RPM power cast with aluminum heads.  This engine would continue to be used in Jaguar models straight through to the 1980’s.

The new engine was to be mated to the new sport sedan, but Lyons decided it needed more “field experience” before large scale production.  His solution was to develop a limited production sports car with an entirely new body.  The design called for a wood and metal frame with hand formed aluminum body panels.

Based on the BMW 328 Mille Miglia, the car was to be a low slung sports roadster.  Sir William himself, though not an engineer, had a heavy hand in the styling.  Taking the shape of the BMW, Lyons made the form longer, lower and more curvaceous, with a dramatic beltline dip below the doors.  Lyons would shape the car in the garden of his home and study how the light reflected off the curves, all while local children would watch from atop the garden walls.  Lyons had a masterful understanding of light and curves, and the new sports car was a testament to his abilities as both an artist and designer.

The new design was named XK for the engine, and 120 for its top speed.  It was basically the Bugatti Veyron of its day.  On its debut, the car astounded the audience.  It upstaged every other car at the show, including Jaguar’s own Mark V sedan.  In fact, the other manufacturers were so put off, they were openly skeptical that Sir William could really offer such a car for such a low price.

The critics of the time were ecstatic, and so amazed at the 120mph top speed that they were willing to overlook its faults, one of which that anyone over 5’9” would not be able to fit comfortably behind the wheel, and the others being a sad excuse for brakes and a tragic Moss transmission.  Jaguar performed many demonstrations of the cars speed, achieving 126mph and higher.  At a time when only a V12 Ferrari could reach such speeds, the 1,000 pound XK120 was more than a bargain.

The reaction to the car was so great that Sir William was forced to increase production plans.  Originally intended for 200 cars, the body was hastily redesigned for large scale production in steel.  Much of the production (85%) was bound for the United States, going to upscale wealthy owners like Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart.  The popularity of the car, enhanced by a favorable exchange rate, eventually created a demand for a fixed head coupe (FHC) version in 1951.  The coupe, with its sweeping circle of a roofline was dramatic, and included many more niceties required in a luxury car.

The XK120 eventually evolved into the XK140, which addressed some of the concerns with comfort and functionality.  This eventually morphed into the XK150, which lost some of its stunning curves but improved performance.  Finally the line was replaced by the equally stunning E-Type.  Overall production numbers for the XK120 was 12,061 including 240 of the original roadsters, which was far more than the original 200 planned by Sir William Lyons.

The Jaguar XK120 remains one of the most beautiful cars of all time.  The styling is still unique and instantly recognizable.  It possessed the beauty of the classic pre-war European coach built era cars with the speed of the fastest race cars of the time.  The XK120 was the epitome of grace…simple elegance and the refinement of movement.

Article Courtesy of Chris Raymond

Photos Courtesy of ambientlife.net, automobilewiki.com, boldrides.com, Bridgetownblog.wordpress.com, dreamgarage.com, supercars.net

10 Of the Most Beautiful Supercars

by Chris Raymond | Jul 7, 2018

10 Of the Most Beautiful Supercars

Being the envy of your peers is standard issue if you can manage to get hold of a supercar.  With supercharged engines, luxury interiors, striking bodywork and incredible engine power, these big boys’ toys only exist in most drivers’ dreams. The kind of money you’d need to splash out on one of these beauties is eye-watering.  Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti – they’re all car companies which are synonymous with high-quality, flashy vehicles. And according to this list by Autoweb, they don’t disappoint with their top-of-the-range rides.  Some of the more unusual looking supercars include the Koenigsegg Agera R, a ridiculously powerful ride with 1099 break horse power.  With a top speed of 260mph and powered by a twin-turbo 5.0 litre V8 engine, the Agera R means business.  It’s also one of the most expensive cars on the market.  For most of us, the most attainable supercar would be the cheapest – the Lamborghini Aventador. At £253,000, it’s still a pretty cool price for an amazing car.

Most Beautiful Cars: Ferrari 250

by Chris Raymond | Jul 7, 2018

Most Beautiful Cars:  Ferrari 250

“Aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines”  “I don’t sell cars; I sell engines.  The cars I throw in for free since something has to hold the engines in.” – Enzo Ferrari

When I decided to create this list, I started with some simple rules.  First was to disqualify all pre-war cars, as most were custom built boutique examples created by specialty coachbuilders.  I wanted prêt-à-porter, or off the rack designs.   Second was to group together certain body styles, showcasing only the best design of the group.  Cars like the Gordon Keeble, which looks like a Lancia Flaminia GT would be judged as a set, with the best one winning.  Finally, the car design had to be more than beautiful; it also needed to be something of a revolution in the automotive world.  The Panhard 24CT is pretty, but not special and therefore would not make the cut.

Today’s selection is very special.  It is a model that encompassed no less than 22 different body styles during its lifetime, some of which are universally acclaimed as the most beautiful designs ever.  Each of these bodies was built for one purpose; to be a jewelry box for an exquisite 12 cylinder engine called the Colombo Tipo 125 V12.  Nearly every variant of the 250 carried this engine, whose lightness and amazing power brought Ferrari a staggering amount of racing victories.  All of this amazing beauty was delivered in less of a span than cars like the Citroen DS.

Designed by Gioacchino Colombo, a former Alfa Romeo designer, the span of the 125 engine would start with the first Ferrari road car in 1947 and continue until 1966.  It was Ferrari’s first “home grown” engine, and was originally inspired by the American Packard V12 engine.  During its lifetime, variants of the Colombo engine were used in the 250 series, as well as Ferrari icons like the 365 California, 365 Daytona, 375MM Ingrid Bergman, 400 Superamerica, the 512 Berlinetta Boxer and the 512 Testarossa.

250 S – The 250 series actually began with the series 225, with race cars preceding the road cars by three years.  Most 250 road cars share two wheelbases, either the 94.5 inch short, or the 102.4 long wheel base.  The first in the series was the 250S, an experimental Berlinetta prototype, which won Ferrari the 1952 Mille Miglia, was used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana.

250 MM – With the 1952 win, the next in the series was aptly named the MM, or Mille Miglia.  With coupe bodywork created by Pinin Farina, and the open Barchetta version created by Carrozzeria Vignale, the designs featured recessed headlamps and side vents that became a staple of Ferrari for the 1950’s.

250 Monza – The series continued with the 250 Monza built in 1954.  This car was a hybrid between the 750 Monza and the 250 chassis, with coachwork by Pininfarina for the Barchetta, and Carrozzeria Scaglietti for the coupes, including a one-off 500 Mondial.

250 Testa Rossa – The next car would be the unforgettable 250 Testa Rossa, or the “red head.”  The Testa Rossa was one of the most successful racing cars in Ferrari history, winning Le Mans three times, Sebring 4 times and Buenos Aires twice. Named for the red valve covers, the original had bodywork by Scaglietti.  It was called the “Pontoon” TR, due to the front fender shape which allowed air ducting across the front brakes and out through the open area behind the wheels.   In all, 34 Testa Rossas were built from 1956 to 1961.  One example of this car recently sold at auction for 16.4 million dollars.

250 TR – This was a more aerodynamic version of the Test Rossa, designed by Pininfarina.  Only two factory cars and 19 customer cars were built.  With a more powerful engine, this model inspired the F430 road car.

250 GTO – In 1962 Ferrari created the “Gran Turismo Omologata” which means Grand Touring Homologated…sexy eh?  This is the car that summed up the philosophy of Ferrari best, the ultimate of performance and styling.  It was the first Ferrari to use wind tunnel technology, with a voluptuous body capable of speeds in excess of 180mph.  With an original $18,000 US price, buyers had to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari himself.  39 cars were created, all of which are still accounted for today.  Recently, a pastel green GTO built for Sir Stirling Moss sold for a record $35 US million, making it one of the most expensive cars in the world.  Not bad for a car that never included a heater, speedometer or odometer.

250 P – In 1963 Ferrari unleashed the 250 P, essentially a 250 LM minus a roof.  With styling designed in the wind tunnel, it followed the same lines as the Ford GT, its main competitor.  This mid-engine supercar eventually evolved into the 330 P and the 412 P, and was meant to be a track car for the super wealthy.

250 LM – This Le Mans racer was designed by Pininfarina, to be used in FIA racing.  Enzo had promised to build 100 copies, so it would qualify as a production car, but only 35 were made.  Only one was never raced, a luxury model that even had electric windows.  Beaten by the Ford GT, the LM marked the end of Ferrari participation in the GT class of 1965 World Sports Car Championship.

250 Export/Europa – These models were the only member of the series to use the Lampredi engine that replaces the Colombo.  Ferrari never created a standard body design for the car, and models were styled by Vignale, Pininfarina, and Scaglietti.  The Export/Europa was not the prettiest Ferrari in the stable, but was a solid grand tourer.

250 Boano/Ellena – With tail fins and styling by Pininfarina, this was the first real production car with standardized body design.  Mario Boano started the production of the car, but demand grew quickly.  When he moved to Fiat, it was handed over to his son Ezio Ellena who revised the design as a separate model.  A total of 65 Boano cars were built, followed by 40 Ellenas.

250 GT Berlinetta “Tour de France” – Created after Ferrari GT cars took the top three places in the 1957 Tour De France automobile race (not the bicycle race), this car sported a modified Tipo engine.  It was so successful that Ferrari continued to win the event an unprecedented nine years in a row.  Bodied by Scaglietti, Pininfarina and Zagato, no two cars were the same.

250 GT Cabriolet Pininfarina Series I – Ferrari’s first production cabriolet was designed in a special workshop at Pininfarina.  Though the standard body was never really standard, the all shared similar details, and all sported the Colombo Tipo V12.  This model is generally considered the 9^th Greatest Ferrari of all Time.

250 GT California Spyder LWB – Motivated by an American to create an open top model that pays homage to Ferrari’s best market, the Scaglietti designed California Spyder is generally considered one of the Greatest Ferraris of all Time.

250 GT Coupe Pininfarina – This was a car designed to stabilize Ferrari finances.  With 335 examples created, it was a simple GT coupe with clean lines, a notchback roofline and a panoramic rear window.  Though it had a standard body design, each model was still bespoke for each customer by Batista “Pinin” Farina himself.

250 GT Cabriolet Pininfarina Series II – The most expensive car in the GT range, it was a high volume car with 212 examples produced.

250 GT Berlinetta SWB – Sergio Pininfarina called this car “The first of our three quantum leaps in design with Ferrari.”  Originally designed for the 24 hours of Le Mans, it was the natural continuation of the Tour de France model.  The wheelbase was shortened for better handling and less weight, and the car became an integral part of the Ferrari legend.  This is also the model that Count Giovanni Volpi and Giotto Bizzarrini used to create the Kammback styled “Breadvan.”   This car is generally accepted as the 5^th Greatest Ferrari of all Time.

250 GT Spider California SWB – One of the most famous of all Ferraris, it is known to no car people as the “Ferris Bueller” car, and to gearheads as the “James Coburn California Spider.”  Rated as one of the Greatest Ferraris of all time, the Coburn car recently sold for a record $11 million US dollars.

250 GT/E – In 1963 you could walk into a Ferrari showroom and choose between a GT California, a Pininfarina Cabriolet, a SWB Berlinetta or a GT/E all for the same price.  For about $1,000 dollars more you could even get a 250 GTO.  With this in mind, more people chose the GT/E than all the others, due to its 4-seat configuration, and its engineering simplicity.  This was the car Enzo himself drove, and it marked the transfer of power from Batista Pininfarina to his son Sergio.

250 GT Lusso – Beauty and elegance personified.  This is the ultimate Pininfarina design with expert Scaglietti coachwork.  Unparalleled in the automotive world, this voluptuous design was the choice of Eric Clapton, Steve McQueen, James Garner and James Coburn.  It also was my favorite Lesney “Matchbox” model of all time.  Introduced in 1962 as the GTL, it personified the fastback shape of 1960’s grand touring cars, and was the last of the 250 line for Ferrari.  Of all the beautiful Ferraris, this will always be my favorite.

Article Courtesy of Chris Raymond

Photos Courtesy of Uk.cars.yahoo.com, supercars.net, archdezart.com, autoblog.com, bestautophoto.com, bewall.com.

Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget

by Chris Raymond | Feb 15, 2018

Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget

Style and luxury are usually sold at a premium.  In the world of classic cars, that doesn’t always need to be the case.  A simple search on sites like Hemmings and eBay will unearth a wealth of cars that will make heads turn, but also not put you in the poor house…if you are lucky.

To find the right car, you should avoid cars that are too obvious.  An old Rolls Royce or Bentley can be found for cheap money, but buying one means you will end up dirt broke and depressed.  Plus, unless you get the exact “correct” example, you will look like a fool who blew his life savings on a desperate attempt to get attention.   What you want is something a little more subtle.  You want a car that you would see pulling up to a Kennedy family picnic, or something driven by a lesser known DuPont.   I recommend a nice Mercedes Benz sedan.

Mercedes Benz has a reputation much like Porsche.  It is the chosen car of the well heeled, as well as the douche.  For this reason, you have to be careful about which car you choose as your own.  First, since most of us are not Rockefellers, I recommend you avoid the expensive models.  Second, unless you are a cast member of “The Jersey Shore” I recommend staying away from almost all late 1980’s and 90’s models as well as any flashy coupes.  That brings me to what I think could be the best value on the classic car market, the 200/300-series.

The 200/300-series cars are a collection of mid-range sedans offered by Mercedes.  I would be more specific, but it takes a PhD to figure out the Mercedes model line.  For this discussion, I am speaking of the sedans carrying the 200, 230, 250 280, and 300 badges…sometimes including the 330.  These are also known as the W108, 109, 114, 115, 123, and who knows what else.  Never mind…anything cheap and boxy with a Mercedes badge is good enough.

For less than $6,000.00 you can find some amazing examples of Mercedes style and class.  Given the right condition and color, and you could have the perfect classic luxury car.  These models never seem to age, probably because the basic design and style was already pre-aged from new.  They were boxy, clean and carried just the right amount of chrome.  Interiors are well appointed, usually leather and seem modern even by today’s standards.  It is a car you can drive to the country club, or the supermarket with the same sense of satisfaction and dignity.  These are the cars driven by professors, lecturers, judges and the wives of wealthy industrialists.  Their natural habitat is that huge house in that beautiful neighborhood that you always dream of moving into.

To most, a classic car is a pastel colored, chrome speckled, fin encrusted monstrosity.  Muscle cars and Chevy Bel Airs need not be the only choices.  There is not a single car show in my area that is not home to hundreds of cheap little Corvettes and ugly “rods.”  The true aficionado looks for something different, something with a little culture.  A nicely preserved Mercedes sedan is a car that would look great at a local show, but also not seem ridiculous as an everyday driver.  However, before you buy, make sure you do your homework.

Like any old car, a Mercedes can be a handful.  Though pre-1986 models seem to be the best quality, there were still issues to watch out for.  A check of Mercedes forums will keep you updated on what to look for, like electrical harness issues and transmission problems.  Finding a good example is worth the effort because trying to restore one can be a sentence to automotive hell.  The saying “There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes” is something to remember at all costs.  If there are problems, then there is a 50/50 shot that it will be cheap and easily repairable.  Of course, on the other hand, it could mean you bought a disposable car.  That is the risk with classics, and a Mercedes is no different.  Treated well, a Mercedes can be as reliable as a purebred Shepherd…treated badly, and it can rip your face off.  Look for a dealer-maintained no rust, documented history car.  Start with super wealthy Greenwich Ct families with large heated garages that were anal about maintenance.  Otherwise, look on eBay and Hemmings, roll the dice and live dangerously.

With some luck, you will end up with a car that represents quality, culture, style, and discriminating taste for all to see.  It can be a car that you can enjoy for years and re-sell without depreciation if it is maintained, or even make a profit if the value raises.  Classic Mercedes Benz sedans are becoming more collectable as the years pass, and finding the right one could be an excellent investment.  For the price of a used Buick Century you can have all the best that Stuttgart can offer.

Article Courtesy of Chris Raymond

Photos Courtesy of eBay, benztuning.com

Dodge Caravan: A Car That Changed The World

by Chris Raymond | Jul 13, 2017

Today I went to a local car show to check out some beautiful cars.  There were about 20 vehicles on the lot, mostly from the 60’s on up with an occasional old hot rod thrown in the mix.  Lots of people were milling around, looking at all the shiny paint and the chromed out engines while taking pictures of the more elaborate custom jobs.  About halfway through, I noticed a small sad looking little van sitting in the corner.  As I got closer I realized that someone had brought a 1984 Dodge Caravan to the show with the intent of showing it off.  The minivan was in very good original condition and the owner had cleaned the interior and opened the side door.  There was nothing special, and no chrome engine on this car, it was just a plain, basic mild mannered car was quietly sitting in a corner of the lot waiting to be discovered.

I almost walked by without noticing, but it just drew me in with its serenity.  I was struck by how a car that was universally acclaimed as changing the automotive industry could be so invisible.  Forbes magazine had named the Caravan as one of the “Ten Cars That Changed the World” and yet here it was sitting like a wallflower at a high school prom.  This Dodge Caravan was a piece of history but it couldn’t draw more that a handful of polite visitors.  I couldn’t help but go over and speak to the owner, who had bought the car new and said that it still drove well.  He wasn’t surprised that it didn’t get a lot of attention, especially sitting next to lime green imports and orange muscle cars, but he was glad he had brought the car, stating that “It was important in its day”.  To me, that was a huge understatement, since “its day” was now and since minivans of all types are still huge hits in the marketplace.

The Dodge Caravan and its siblings were introduced in 1984 just months ahead of the Renault Espace, making it the first of its kind.  It was the brainchild of Lee Iaccoca and Hal Sperlich and has since outsold every other type of minivan.  The first Caravan produced is sitting in the Henry Ford Museum, and another is at the National Museum of American History.  Combining all the aspects of both a car and a truck it offered seating for seven, easy entry and lots of space thanks to removable seats.  Built on the Chrysler S platform, the same platform used for everything from the Aries and Reliant K to a stretch limousine a few years later; the Caravan was a simple family wagon that was safe, economical and small enough to fit into a garage.

At this car show were collections of tuner cars and muscle cars in almost every color, with a few nice antiques thrown in the mix.  The little Caravan was like the housewife at a party of supermodels.  The difference was that this particular housewife had changed the world.

Photos courtesy of Chrysler, netcarshow.com and autoindex.com

Article courtesy of Chris Raymond

20 Greatest Movie Car Chases

by Chris Raymond | Mar 26, 2017

I thought that every red-blooded male American would be familiar with great movie car chases.  I knew that in order to be an accepted gearhead, you had to know and have seen each of these movies.  I discovered I was wrong, especially when I spoke to a few of my friends.  So, for those that have no idea why Bullitt is established as the best car chase in a movie, here are some clips to watch.  WARNING – THESE CLIPS ARE UNEDITED AND MAY CONTAIN ADULT LANGUAGE.

Bad Boys II – This is my favorite, not only because of the absolute madness of the highway scene, but because the tension continues to build through the entire sequence.  Watch for some spectacular crashes, and some of the best CGI flips in any movie.  It is Michael Bay at his best.

Bullitt – This is the first modern car chase ever filmed, and it includes some icons of movie history.  First, there is Steve McQueen who is the coolest guy in the world.  He is driving a ‘68 Highland Green Mustang GT  which was the coolest car in the world.  Add to that the hills of San Francisco, and Bill Hickman in a black Dodge Charger, and you have some of the best footage ever filmed.

French Connection – This has to be the greatest car chase on film, even better than Bullitt.  Not because the sequence was better, or that the realism was better, but because it WAS real.  The entire scene was shot in one take, and preparation only included a siren mounted on the car.  No one in the neighborhood was notified, or prepared, and all those close calls are real people… not movie stuntman.  They expected to get arrested at some point in the filming, so they did it once, and went all out.  Again, this is the same producer of Bullitt and The Seven Ups, and again Bill Hickman is the driver.  Gene Hackman came back and did some second unit shots of him driving the car, and again never notified anyone.  The scene where he hits the Ford and spins off is real, and the other driver was just leaving his house for the day.  Nowhere else, and at no time again can this stuff happen, and that’s what makes this sequence so spectacular.  One secret is that this entire chase scene is timed to Santana’s Black Magic Woman.

Gone in 60 Seconds  (1974) – The original version is the one to watch.  The movie is horrible, and the acting is even worse, but the car chases make it worthwhile.  The car chase is over 40 minutes, and still ranks as the longest in movie history.  If you are a fan of cars from the 60’s and 70’s, then you will love this…especially the chase scene performed inside a Cadillac dealership.  Check out the original Eleanor in clip one below, then follow the YouTube links to clips 2 through 5.

Ronin – There are a few chase scenes in this movie, and each one is fantastic.  The driving is done on the streets of Paris, and in the tunnels, and the action is in real time.  From start to finish the BMW vs. Peugeot scenes are pretty scary, which is why I posted it below.  Also great is the Audi S8 vs. Mercedes 450SL on the back roads in France, which can be found at this link.

Matrix Reloaded – A truly great car chase.  From the Cadillac to the motorcycle, it has some of the best crash and fight sequences in a movie.  Yes, its CGI, but the stunts are amazing. At last count, this took over from the last Blues Brothers movie as having the most cars wrecked (300).

Blues Brothers – This held the title for most destroyed cars in a movie, a title that was taken over by its own sequel.  The Blues Brothers has one of the best, most fun, and light hearted chase sequences ever filmed, and one that still is legendary.  The speeds are real, and the famous Bluesmobile can be seen doing over 118 mph.  The complete destruction of the shopping mall is awesome, and has to be seen.  The drop of the Pinto wagon is from over a mile, and everything else in between is just hilarious.  A great classic.

The Seven Ups – This is a somewhat forgettable movie starring Roy Scheider.  More notable is the great chase sequence, that uses two Pontiacs, and the same Bill Hickman from Bullitt and the French Connection.  Listen for the engine noise, that is dubbed straight from Bullitt, and look for the overpass which was where Cameron Diaz crashed in Vanilla Sky.

Quantum of Solace – What more can you say…James Bond, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, and the cliffs of Italy.  Perfect, exciting, and totally awesome.

Bourne Trilogy – Each of these movies has a chase scene or two, but the best is the second movie, the Bourne Supremacy.  The fight between the Russian Lada taxi and the Mercedes Gelandewagen is amazing.  While you are there on YouTube, search for the Mini chase scene in the first movie, and the New York police car versus the Volkswagen Touareg in the last.

The Italian Job – The original version with Michael Caine is the better of the two.  It features a Lamborghini Miura being tossed off a cliff, two beautiful Jaguar E-Types, and an Aston Martin DB4.  When the Aston is destroyed, they actually used a Lancia Flaminia, so don’t get teary eyed.  It also features some great old Mini’s in a chase scene that goes everywhere, including the roof of a stadium, and the rooftop FIAT test track.  The newer version includes some great CGI work, more speed, and a good helicopter scene, but it can’t compete with the original.

Le Coup/Le Casse – This movie, translated to mean “The Burglars” includes a great chase scene.  It is scripted and performed by the legendary stuntman Remy Julienne, and is a must see for stunt fans.

Duel – I first saw this as a kid, and thought it was the best movie ever made.  Even today, it stands the test of time.  This is the first feature film by Steven Spielberg and it stars Dennis Weaver.  The entire movie is a chase, where a mystery trucker tries to kill Weaver, who is driving a red Plymouth Valiant.  I remember how much of a nightmare those Valiants were, and I can’t imagine trying to get away from a Peterbilt in one.  Every moment is epic, and tense.  It is a must watch for car chase enthusiasts, and movie buffs.  Look for the links to Part 2-8 in YouTube.

The Master Touch – Voted by many to be the second best car chase ever, this features Kirk Douglas, some old Chrysler iron, and a long chase.  In one part they throw another car upside down on the chase cars roof, and in another they destroy a Citroen DS Estate.  Another classic chase.

The Island – Another Michael Bay masterpiece using high tech CGI.  Dodge Magnum Wagons, a very cool big rig, helicopters, and an armored truck are all featured.   Just like Bad Boys II, they start throwing stuff at cars, except here it’s railroad locomotive wheels.  I especially like when the Magnum is sheared in half by a steel plate.  Michael Bay also gets honorable mention for his other work, including Transformers series.

McQ – This is a “good” movie featuring John Wayne and the stunts of Hal Needham.  The chase scene involves a souped up Plymouth sedan, a Chevy Impala, and a Cadillac Sedan Deville racing down a beach in Oregon.  Notable is the fact that there is an amazing car flip, which seriously hurt Needham, and is the first use of an air cannon in a film.

Wanted – Angelina Jolie and a Dodge Viper…perfect.  There are only two scenes that make the movie worthwhile, and both are simply awesome.  The first is when she picks up a guy in the Viper by doing a 360, scooping him up in the process.  The next is when they flip a Mustang upside down over a limo, so they can shoot a guy in the backseat through the moon roof.

The Dead Pool – If you like Bullitt, then you will love Clint Eastwood’s homage to Bullitt that included a San Francisco chase scene with an Olds 98 and a miniature radio controlled car.

Terminator  – This franchise gives us some more great CGI work.  In the second Terminator, they use a Peterbilt tractor trailer in a jump from an overpass, and in the third movie, they use a monster crane and a fire truck.  For absolute destruction, these are great movies to watch.

To Live and Die in LA – This 1985 movie is usually rated as a good chase, but there seems to be a lot of sped up film, and dolly work that makes it look too fake for my taste.  The bad acting doesn’t help either.  It is one of the first movies to have a chase scene going the wrong way against traffic on a freeway.  The movie also got in trouble with the FBI and Secret Service.  It seems the counterfeit money they used in the movie was printed on both sides, which is illegal.  It was then “stolen” and used by set people at local stores.  There was actually an investigation.

Other Notable Movies – The Driver, Death Proof, Vanishing Point, The Dark Night, Short Time, Freebie and the Bean, Executive Target, and The Rock

From Concept to Showroom

by Chris Raymond | Feb 19, 2017

“The Future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt

With the coming of the New Year there is an excitement about what the future holds.  Two events inspired me to write today’s article.  The first was a book called “Concept Cars” that I had received as a gift from my sister.  The second was being caught behind a slow moving Mazda 5 mini-van on the way to a lunch appointment.

Buick Y-Job  – Harley Earl

The book is written by John Stroud, and is a coffee table style photo book.  It covers concept cars starting with Harley Earl and the 1938 Buick Y Job and follows through up to present day.  Of all the car books I have received, this one is probably the best.  One car that stood out to me was the Mazda Hakaze.  Besides being futuristic, it has a scallop effect along the lower wings that is utterly beautiful.  It made me wonder why styling cues like that never make it into production cars.

Mazda Hakaze – Laurens van den Acker

Later in the day, while sitting behind that Mazda minivan in traffic, I noticed something interesting.  Though much more subdued, the same scallop effect was on the side of the van.  Somehow the styling of the concept had made its way to the sides of a boring little minivan.  It got me thinking…how many other concept designs are slowly creeping into the mass market?

Cadillac ELR – General Motors Advanced Design

To answer that question, all I had to do was see the new Cadillac ELR.  The ELR was the darling of the NY auto show, and is about as close to a concept as you can get.  It is loosely based on the Cadillac Cien concept, and exaggerates the lines already held standard by cars like the CTS and XTS.  It is cutting edge, sharper than the others, and looks stunning.  Cadillac has really taken the idea of developing concepts into drivable production vehicles.  It is astounding that same company that brought us the tail fin and the Dagmar bumpers can be this cutting edge, but also reassuring that Cadillac, with its history of daring design still has what it takes to create something unique and beautiful.  Cadillac is far from dead.

Kia Optima – Peter Schreyer

Other car makers are following the lead set by Cadillac.  Kia has redesigned its entire lineup with cars based on the “Tiger Nose” developed by Peter Schreyer.  Ford has introduced designs that are both cutting edge and practical.  The new Ford grille, based on the Aston Martin has transformed cars like the Fiesta and Fusion from econo-boxes into quasi sports cars.  Though it is hard to predict the future, I hope many more automakers start to deliver on the promises made by concept cars.  The days of the boring blob needs to end.  Cars will sell better if they are designed to inspire as well as to transport.  Here then are some of my favorite concept cars:

Alfa Romeo Scighera – ItalDesign/Giugiaro

This fully functional concept car of the future is named after the Milanese word for Fog.  The hood is styled after the shield on the grille, and the rear area is a 2-piece glass unit designed to show off the engine bay.  Gull wing doors and a unique headlight treatment accent beautiful lines that can only belong on an Alfa.

Cadillac Sixteen – General Motors Advanced Design

The Cadillac Sixteen was astonishing when it was first introduced.  It sports a V16 engine with 1,000 horsepower and harkens back to the Cadillac’s of the 1930’s.  The car features a power operated dual hood opening, hinged at the center spine, as well as an all glass roof.

Ferrari P4/5 – Pininfarina

Originally created as a one-off design for American collector James Glickenhaus, it is said that three examples will be built by an American company.  Based on the Ferrari 330 P3/4 race car, it reportedly cost $4 million USD to build.  Considering he has already received an offer of $40 million from a member of the Saudi royal family, it seems like a good deal.  Glickenhaus is already planning a successor to this car, called the P33.

Mazda Nagare – Laurens van den Acker

Introduced in 2006, the Nagare is an exercise in natural and organic car design.  The name Nagare means “flow” and was the predecessor of the Hakaze concept car.  Besides the fluid seamless form of the body, the car features two double-length doors that open forward and spread from the cabin like the wings of a butterfly.

Acura 2+1 – Leon Paz

This concept car sports a multi-faceted design language described as “modern baroque-fashion” and was intended on being a gateway car for the new NSX.  The car features a glass roof, see-through engine bay, as well as a “predator” styled rear end.  Built using a new family of plastics designed to be better and stronger than fiberglass, it is a collection of cool and frightening ideas.  The hood is sealed, and cannot be opened by the owner.  It is scheduled to have a single yearly maintenance visit, which will include servicing the engine (protected with nanoil, or nanosized beads) as well as replacing the interior fabric with something more fashionable.  Weird, but I still want one.

Cadillac Aera – General Motors Advanced Design

Winner of the 2010 LA Design Challenge, this “Batmobile” is the strangest car on our list.  Basically, it is Cadillac’s version of the Ariel Atom on steroids.  The frame uses a 3-D lattice mono-formed design found in the grouping of bubbles in nature and is essentially “grown” into a single part lattice structure.  It uses compressed air to serve as an engine, and the same pressurized air cells found in the airbags of the NASA Mars Rover.  Batman should drive this car.

Lexus LF LC / LF NF – Calty Design Research, Ian Cartabiano/Edward Lee

Lexus is the company that brought us the “Worst Car Ever Made,” the SC 430.  To make up for it, they also created the LF, probably one of the best hypercars ever made.  The LF was a gizmo laden space ship capable of amazing speed and the absolute best sound ever produced by an exhaust system.  Styling was never its strong suit, looking more like a villain from “Mighty Morphing Power Rangers” than a car.  Now the new version is straight from the aliens of “Independence Day.”  The new spindle grille is awesome, and the intricate flowing form is almost alien.  The inspiration was the leaf of a tree, and the result is just mind blowing.  The same group created the LF NF concept, a hyper-SUV that is as stunning as it is strange.

Mercedes Benz AMG Vision Grand Turismo – Advanced Design, Daimler AG/Polyphony

This is what a car should be, and what every designer wants to create.  Stunning from every angle, this 1,000 horsepower monster was originally designed for the video game Grand Turismo 6.  It became a real-life concept for the Los Angeles International Auto show, and left the crowd and auto pundits breathless.  The Vision recalls the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow race cars of the 1930’s with a grill like the 1952 300SL race car.  That grille is one of the best parts, and should be on every car made.  It sports individual LED lights that can create shapes and effects.  Gull wing doors, full steel wheel covers, no rear windows, and a tail section composed of 7 exhaust pipes makes this the coolest car since the Citroen GT concept.  Why can’t we have cars like this in real life?

Article Courtesy of Chris Raymond

Photos Courtesy of Allcarcentral.com, gtaforums.com, Cadillac.com, thefabweb.com, nevseoboi.com.ua, carbodydesign.com, Houston-imports.com, cartype.com, topgear.com, autoevolution.com, lexus.com, forbes.com, diseno-art.com

BMW is Electric

by Chris Raymond | Feb 1, 2017

It is our collective and individual responsibility