Woodward Dream Cruise: Dodge Challenger “Superbird”
Posted: November 14, 2012 Filed under: EVENTS / PLACES | Tags: Car, Challenger, Dodge, generation, kit, Mind, motor, new, Over, Superbird, version 7 Comments »
This an interesting, albeit love/hate sort of car. I have to admit that when I first saw this thing roll past, a few days before I shot these photos, I thought to myself, “Are you kidding me?”. However, up close the car is really well done and it kind of grew on me after I was able to look at it for a while. I can certainly appreciate where this car is coming from, and I give the owner credit for doing a great job on it. I still find it a little forced, and a little too short compared to the real Plymouth Superbird, which I saw in traffic at the same time as this car. This new Superbird certainly turns heads though, it will get you noticed for better or worse. I can’t fault someone for making their idea happen though, so I’m glad this exists. Read the rest of this entry »
Angelina’s 2012: Le Fiat Cinquecento
Posted: October 29, 2012 Filed under: EVENTS / PLACES | Tags: 500, Abarth, Angelina's, body, Car, Cinquecento, Classic, Fiat, Island, Italian, Mind, Momo, motor, Nick, NY, Over, show, Staten, vintage, Walker, wide Leave a comment »
Italian car shows are always full of interesting things. Often the first things to come to mind are exotics like Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Maseratis, which were all well accounted for at this year’s event. However, if you go to a lot of car events like I do, then your typical Ferrari 430s and Lambo Gallardos get a bit mundane after a while. Luckily things at this year’s Angelina’s Italian Car Show in Staten Island, NY got spiced up with the arrival of an eclectic bunch of Fiat Ciquecentos. Each one was unique with its own appeal, from the modified Abarth model to the yellow standard 500. I cannot emphasize enough how these cars stole the show from the Ferraris when they arrived. There is just so much personality in each one that they are irresistible, even when compared to cars that cost as much as a house. Regardless of whether you share my enthusiasm for these classic Fiats or not, one thing is certain; the Italians sure know how to make some appealing cars. Enjoy.
When a supercar goes rallying: Porsche 959
Posted: October 17, 2012 Filed under: EVENTS / PLACES | Tags: 959, B, Car, Germany, Group, Mind, motor, Museum, Over, Paris-Dakar, Porsche, race, Rally, Road, Stuttgart 1 Comment »
In the 1980s Porsche decided to take the most advanced supercar they had ever made and go rallying with it. While original designs were for Group B, the car never actually partook. The 959 did win the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1986 though, coming in with a 1-2 victory. There were a few 959s at the Porsche Museum, in Stuttgart, the day I was there, including one of these rally monsters. Check out the comparison between the road car and the rally car, and just imagine seeing a monster-truck 959 barreling up behind you on a dirt road….. you’d move.
2012 Lime Rock Historic Festival: 1936 Delahaye 135S
Posted: October 3, 2012 Filed under: EVENTS / PLACES | Tags: 135, 2012, Art, Automobile, Car, Deco, Delahaye, Festival, French, Historic, Lime, Mind, motor, Over, Rock, S Leave a comment »
Delahaye sare true works of art, quintessential examples of French Art Deco era automobiles. This sinister black and red car was present for the Concours d’ Elegance during the Lime Rock Historic Festival. I’m not sure how it did in judging, but it sure stole my eye. The owner had just restored it and had a sale pending for somewhere in the seven figure range. This car was absolutely stunning, enjoy the photos.
Car and Driver’s first impressions of the new Viper
Posted: September 14, 2012 Filed under: Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE | Tags: and, Car, Driver, Mind, motor, Over, SRT, Viper 1 Comment »Car and Driver take the new SRT Viper out for a spin and share their thoughts on Chrysler’s reborn beast.
-Nick
Test Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Spark
Posted: September 6, 2012 Filed under: Green & Economical, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 1.2, 2013, 500, Car, Chevrolet, Chevy, Fiat, Fortwo, GM, iQ, Mind, Mini, motor, Nick, Over, Scion, smart, space, Spark, Walker 2 Comments »
The Chevy Spark has had a successful reception around the world since it came out in 2010. Now GM has brought it to the US market in hopes to peak the interest of younger buyers living in urban areas. It is a city car that competes with the Smart Fortwo, Scion iQ, and Fiat 500. The Spark is on the same chassis as the Chevy Sonic, but features notably smaller proportions that allow it to fit in with the city car segment. The Spark I drove was one of the first cars to hit showrooms, and given the buzz around these things right now I wanted to go try it out.
Spotted! Ferrari F40, Detroit, Michigan
Posted: September 5, 2012 Filed under: Exotics, SPOTTED! | Tags: 2012, Belle, Car, Detroit, F40, Ferrari, GP, grand, Indy, Island, lot, MI, Michigan, Mind, motor, Over, Park, Prix, spotted 1 Comment »
I found this legendary Ferrari in the parking lot of the Belle Island Grand Prix. There were lots of Ferraris lined up in the VIP car park. It is always a pleasure to see one of these turbocharged monsters in person. Enjoy.
Test Driven: 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Posted: August 30, 2012 Filed under: Cheap Fun!, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 2.3, 240, 263, 3, 4, 5, back, Car, compare, cylinder, door, Drive, driving, dynamics, Evo, Fast, four, front, fun, FWD, Hatch, hp, Japanese, Liter, manual, Mazda, MazdaSpeed, Mazdaspeed3, Mind, moded, Modified, motor, new, Nick, Over, pleasure, practical, Ralliart, space, speed, Sport, STi, stock, Transmission, tune, tuning, turbo, Used, vs, Walker, wheel, whp, WRX 1 Comment »
I have yet to meet an owner of a Mazdaspeed3 (MS3) who didn’t legitimately love their car. Something about the car seems to inspire people, they always have that “I know something you don’t” smirk on their face. Mazdas have always had a good sporting dynamic to them, but the enthusiasm that owners seem to have about this car goes beyond that. I have always known about the MS3, but somehow, while I’ve been out driving all sorts of fun cars over the years, it has eluded me. So recently, I decided it was time I take one out for a spin to see what these owners are so smug about. Read the rest of this entry »
The 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise: General Highlights
Posted: August 20, 2012 Filed under: EVENTS / PLACES | Tags: 2012, American, Auto, Birmingham, Cadillac, Car, Chevrolet, Chevy, Chrysler, Coverage, Cruise, Detroit, Dodge, Dream, Ferrari, Ford, gallery, Highlights, Hot, Jam, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Mercury, MI, Michigan, Mind, motor, Muscle, Oak, Over, photos, pictures, Plymouth, Porsche, Rod, Royal, show, Subaru, Toyota, Traffic, Truck, Woodward 2 Comments »
I was in attendance for this year’s Woodward Dream Cruise. This was my first time at the event, and it is by far the most epic traffic jam I have ever witnessed. The scale of the event is mind-boggling, with around a million people flocking to the Detroit area to see and show off cars of all types. I have a lot more material from the event, but this is a good overview of what was happening. Keep checking back for features on specific cars not shown here. Enjoy the gallery.
Car & Driver: Lotus Elan vs. Mazda MX5
Posted: August 10, 2012 Filed under: Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE | Tags: &, 20, and, Car, Comparison, Driver, driving, Elan, fun, History, Laguna, Lotus, Mazda, Miata, Mind, motor, MX5, Over, pleasure, Raceway, Roadster, Seca, Super, vs Leave a comment »This is a great video showcasing two of the best roadsters in history. The Elan was the inspiration for the MX5 in a different era, and both cars have lessons to teach other carmakers today. This is pure driving and pure fun, the hell with 0-60 times and 1/4 mile runs. I can only hope that one day I get to drive a Lotus Elan like this, it is pretty high up there on my list. Enjoy the vid.
-Nick
Test Driven: 2013 Dodge Dart SXT Multiair Turbo
Posted: August 9, 2012 Filed under: Green & Economical, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 1.4, 2013, 2014, 6, Abarth, Alfa, American, backfire, burble, Car, Chrysler, crackle, cubby, Dart, Dodge, Drive, economy, exhaust, Fiat, front, Fuel, fun, Giulietta, Italian, manual, Mind, motor, Multiair, Nick, Over, overrun, review, Romeo, seat, Sedan, speed, Sport, storage, Test, tune, turbo, under, Walker, wheel 6 Comments »
The new Dart is the first car to market that is truly a joint effort between Fiat and Chrysler. The chassis and mechanicals come straight from the European Alfa Romeo Giulietta, while the exterior, interior, and Tigershark engines are all American. This is a critical product for Chrysler, one that will serve as a first impression for their alliance with Fiat, and the things to come. I went in to find out for myself if this new car marked a positive beginning for “Second Half America”, or a fumbled, Frankenstein-like creation from two companies caught in their own financial struggles. In many ways I felt a lot was riding on this drive when I stepped into this hot blue Dart. Read the rest of this entry »
Spotted! Ferrari FF vs Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Detroit, MI
Posted: August 8, 2012 Filed under: Exotics, SPOTTED! | Tags: 532, 612, 650, Belle, brake, Car, Comparison, design, Detroit, Ferrari, FF, four, Gran, grand, hp, Island, lot, MI, Michigan, paddle, Park, Prix, Scaglietti, seat, shift, shooting, Tourer, Turismo, V12, vs 1 Comment »
These two Ferraris were in the car park at the 2012 Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Island. This is the first FF I have gotten up close with, and it just happened to be parked next to the 612 that it replaced. The owner was very cool and was happy to open the car up and let people sit in it for a few minutes. It was cool to see the FF right next to the 612 Scaglietti because it really let me appreciate the leap in design that Ferrari has taken with the FF. See for yourself, and enjoy.
