BMW Museum: 507 and Z8
Posted: January 15, 2013 Filed under: EVENTS / PLACES | Tags: 507, BMW, design, factory, Germany, Mind over motor, Munich, Museum, Sports Car, Z8 Leave a comment »
Two great BMW sports cars of the same lineage. The 507 came about in the mid 1950s, and its legendary status was achieved in hindsight, after its short production run had ended. The Z8, a halo sports car for the millenium, was a retro throwback to the 507, designed by Henrik Fisker. It is always interesting to see a classic design that has been modernized, and both of these cars are quite sexy. BMW had them displayed together at their factory museum, so visitors to compare for themselves. Enjoy the pics. Read the rest of this entry »
Test Driven: 2013 Scion FRS, Manual
Posted: December 27, 2012 Filed under: Cheap Fun!, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 2.0L, Automatic comparison, Boxer 4, FRS, manual, Mind over motor, Porsche Cayman, review, Scion, Sports Car, Subaru BRZ, Test Drive, Toyota GT86, under 30k 3 Comments »
Nirvana is a state of absolute peace. A realm of balance where one is content with who they are, and what they have. Thoughts of the future and past are to be cast aside in favor of finding joy in what the current moment has to offer. It is this concept that I feel defines the character of the Scion FRS. It is a car that forgoes excess in any one aspect in order to focus on pure driving enjoyment alone. Yes I realize the paradox of comparing a material item to the Buddhist concept of absolute tranquility, one that is supposed to be free of worldly desires. However, if you look at the FRS as a car amongst other cars, then I think you will see what I mean.
Test Driven: 1991 Mazda RX-7 FC Convertible
Posted: November 9, 2012 Filed under: Road Review, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 13B, 1991, Convertible, Drive, FC, manual, Mazda, Miata, Mind over motor, review, Rotary, RX7, Sports Car, Used, wankel 1 Comment »
A Wankel, or rotary, engine is a bit of an automotive conundrum these days. It is a technology with some very distinctive pros and cons, making it very controversial amongst car people. In fact, Mazda is the only company that has dabbled with it in modern production cars, and the RX8 just recently went out of production. The rotary is the trademark feature of their RX line of sports cars, in the same way that a rear engine design is the hallmark of the Porsche 911. I got my first taste of a rotary when I reviewed the RX8, and I thought it was quite fun. So when my friend Shane told me I could borrow his ’91 RX7 convertible for the afternoon, while he was at work, I jumped at the opportunity. Sunny day, convertible sports car, rev happy Wankel motor, it sounded like a great time to me.
Obscure Auto: Delorean DMC-12
Posted: December 19, 2011 Filed under: Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE | Tags: Car, CIA, Cocaine, DeLorean, DMC, DMC-12, Drugs, Dunmurry, Entrapment, Exotic, Failure, GM, Gullwing, Ireland, John Z. Delorean, Mind over motor, Northern Ireland, Obscure Auto, Sports Car, Stainless Steel, UK, USA, V6 7 Comments »
The man with the car that made him famous (and brought him down). John Z. DeLorean.
Back in the Sixties, John Z. Delorean was one of the greatest men working at General Motors. But, by the middle of the Eighties, that all came to a crashing end in a federal courthouse. Most of us know what happened. But, what about the car he badly wanted to put on the market? The DeLorean DMC-12 is still known by most of the public as a time machine, but its own story is a look back at one of the most famous storylines of all time in the small-manufacturer books. Read the rest of this entry »
Toyota and the FT-86: The Wait Goes On
Posted: October 7, 2011 Filed under: AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: Automotive Insights, Celica, Concept Car, Confusion, FR-S, FT-86, Mind over motor, Scion, Shenanigans, Sports Car, Sports Coupe, supra, Tokyo, Toyota, Wait Leave a comment »
Scion FR-S concept. Although each concept car looks different from the previous one, they share a shape.
While the rest of the world makes sports cars, Toyota is seemingly pretending to make one. The FT-86 has been on the mind of every gearhead in the world since at least 2008, but since then, Toyota has been constantly tossing the concept into a microwave and pressing Reheat for every car show since. Not many specifications have hit the press, and although a tie-up with Subaru has been announced, not a whole lot is really known for sure about it. What is going on here? Is Toyota afraid to release this car? Or will they ever release it? Or is this just a hoax (Just kidding.)? Read the rest of this entry »
Alfa Romeo, please return quickly. We miss you.
Posted: July 6, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 159, 4C, 8C, Alfa Romeo, beauty, Brera, Cars, Chrysler, Dealers, driving, Fiat, Future Products, Industry Talk, Mind over motor, MiTo, Sports Car 2 Comments »
The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept. Resembles the 8C, but far more obtainable. And I can't help but stare longingly at it.
Almost every car nut in the United States wept the loss of Alfa Romeo in 1995. Alfa was supposed to have returned to America just four years ago with the 8C, but it didn’t happen due to the impending recession and a spotty dealer network (The 8C was sold through Ferrari showrooms, which are, admittedly, few and far between). However, the 4C was recently given the green light, and Alfa (and Fiat’s) top brass have announced that this car will be the car to bring Alfa Romeo back to the U.S. This time, I think it will work. Read the rest of this entry »
Toyota, a Prius does not make a good sports car.
Posted: June 6, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: Alternative Energy Vehicles, Controversy, Hybrid, Mind over motor, Prius, Sports Car, Toyota 3 Comments »
2012 Toyota Prius V
Oh dear Lord. Toyota, please stop the madness. Read the rest of this entry »
