All posts by Albert S. Davis

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1957 Ford at the New Hope Car Show

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This past August, I was busy taking pictures with Nick at the New Hope Car Show, an event which, although not billed as a Concours, has cars that would certainly look at home in one.  Day One, August 10, is reserved for American cars.  This year, during the awards, we were taking detail shots when my eardrums on both sides of my head got a big jolt.  I turned around, and there was this rather ordinary-looking 1957 Ford two-door sedan sitting in traffic idling behind me.  However, the dog-dish hubcaps and rather loud shade of red spoke to something sinister–if there’s one thing I learned over my years, it was that this Ford, with its fetching red paint and rumbling exhaust, was hiding something wicked under the hood.  After a quick chat with the owner, I was delighted to hear that this ’57 was packing some serious punch–in fact, this thing was running a supercharged 292 cubic inch V8 with 300 brake horsepower–a huge sum at that time, and even though I wasn’t sure if it was original, I certainly enjoyed the soundtrack and the straightness of the bodywork.  I had not seen a ’57 Ford as clean as this one until that point, and I haven’t seen one as good cosmetically since then.  Enjoy the photos.
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Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Trans-Am Mustangs and Camaros at Laguna Seca

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Before seeing these classic American beasts roar their way around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Nick and I traipsed around the paddock and surveyed the potential field.  While we were walking around, I took some snaps of some of my favorite Trans-Am racers, unsure if I would be able to see them on the track later.  Luckily, I not only got these shots, but was able to see these beasts battle it out on the tarmac later in the afternoon in the blinding sun.  After hearing these old muscle cars run, I was deaf for a few glorious hours.  Searing color, searing sounds, and a thumping exhaust note–just about everything needed to enjoy an afternoon on the track.  Enjoy the photos, and Happy Holidays. Continue reading Trans-Am Mustangs and Camaros at Laguna Seca →

Cars We've Seen

Spotted! 1972 Chevrolet K-5 Blazer, Carmel, CA

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While walking around Carmel during the Concours weekend, I am always excited to see what turns up on the street.  I’ll usually expect to see plenty of the newest and best of all exotics, along with a solid smattering of the greatest hits of most historic segments.  Trucks, however, don’t usually cross my mind.  However, when an example as good as this one was turned up right on Ocean Avenue, I stopped and took it in.  It’s a ’72 Blazer, by indication of the main points (grille, body style, location of the rearview mirror) and although it’s not exactly stock with its ride height, I haven’t seen one this straight in my life.  Therefore, I felt like it deserved some attention amongst the Ferraris, Lambos, and other exotics that pepper this very landscape in the third weekend of August.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Spotted! 1972 Chevrolet K-5 Blazer, Carmel, CA →

Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars, Luxury Cars, SUVs and Crossovers

Test Driven: 2014 Range Rover Supercharged (Grade: B)

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The Range Rover is a hard vehicle for me to place sometimes.  It has the trappings and the appeal of a luxury car, but can tackle off-road trails like nobody’s business.  This year, Land Rover did a ground-up redesign of the old girl and at Pebble Beach, I took a chance on this big black beast after taking a Rolls-Royce out for a spin.  Now, I drove an older one on a short off-road course last year and it was a rather eye-opening experience, where I learned just how capable the old one was.  This time, though, there was no rock-crawling or dune-smashing.  It was just me, a representative, and the 17-Mile Drive.  After I shut the door, I had some interesting things to ponder. Continue reading Test Driven: 2014 Range Rover Supercharged (Grade: B) →

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Chris Harris takes a Porsche 911 Turbo S to fight against a McLaren 12C

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In this installment of Chris Harris on Cars, Chris Harris takes it upon himself to find out how good the Porsche 911 Turbo S is when pitted against a McLaren 12C.  Watch to find out which one takes the win.  Will the Porsche top the McLaren? Or will the McLaren prove its supercar pedigree and knock the Porsche out?  Turn up your speakers (or put in headphones).  This one’s a treat for the eyes, and it’s also a treat for the ears.

-Albert S. Davis

Opinions

The new Mustang is a true step in the right direction.

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Image via USA Today

In the pantheon of American cars, the Ford Mustang is one of the legends.  It has consistently represented a way for the common man to get something powerful for not a lot of cash.  For most enthusiasts, though, the Mustang through the years has always been a bit behind.  The previous generation, no matter how good of a car it was, was still held back a bit.  I think, however, with the new model on its way, that there’s a big change in the winds. Continue reading The new Mustang is a true step in the right direction. →

Cars We've Seen

Spotted! Ferrari 246 GTS, Carmel, CA

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Carmel is a very busy little village during Concours Weekend, but it’s probably at its absolute busiest on the Thursday before the show itself.  That day is the Tour d’Elegance, when a selection of the cars participating in the Concours take a drive around the local area and finish their run on Ocean Avenue, Carmel’s main drag.  Nick and I drove into town so that we could witness the event, and were quickly outmatched in finding any resemblance of “street parking.”  Luckily for this Ferrari 246 GTS owner, there was a spot available at just the right moment, and he got himself a spot.  Luckily for me, I happened to get a good picture of this pretty little blue 246 GTS.  I don’t see them often, and in a color like this shade of blue, it’s a dark-horse favorite of mine when it comes to old school Ferraris.  I was lucky to have grabbed this shot when I did, as I don’t think I saw this car again except in passing.

-Albert S. Davis

Cars We've Seen, Obscure Autos

Spotted! Toyota 2000GT, Carmel, CA

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After a day of walking around the Quail, driving Porsches, Jags, and a bunch of other great things, the day was not yet over.  As we drove into Carmel for some spotting on Ocean Ave, I caught this little Toyota 2000GT out of the corner of my eye sitting in a side street.  I scampered out of the rental car and after finishing with taking pictures of it, I later caught up with Nick on Ocean Avenue and continued spotting cars.  I’ve never seen one before on US roads, and it looks just as fantastic in person as it does in any publication.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Spotted! Toyota 2000GT, Carmel, CA →

Car Shows, Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE

“Old No. 4” at Laguna Seca

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At Laguna Seca, don’t go in with an expectation.  That’s not me being negative, that’s me being honest.  I only say this because you might come across a 550 Spyder, but then stumble on a piece of ancient automotive history like this racing Ford.  When I was photographing it, the entire area around it stank like spent old brakes.  Of course, that’s because someone had the guts (and the crazy) to drive this on Laguna Seca.  This happens to be a 1915 Ford race car, utilizing a 1915 Model T engine with 50 hp.  The list of tech pieces reads like something out of a horror film for racing, including a 12-speed transmission (via the use of a 2 speed planetary gearbox hooked up to a 3 speed Muncie transmission, then out to a 2 speed rear axle), a 2 wheel rear drum used as a service brake, and a pressure fed fuel system.  According to the owners, this bright yellow Ford can break 100 mph.  Judging by its minimal use of anything regarding bodywork, I’m not shocked at all about that.  What I was shocked about was that the driver got out, said hello, and was in one piece.  To the man who drove this car that day: I salute you, sir.  Enjoy the photos of this incredible little car. Continue reading “Old No. 4” at Laguna Seca →

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance: 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

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Back in 2011, this Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster didn’t start when it was supposed to arrive at the podium to recieve an award.  I’d forgotten about this until Nick reminded me of it upon seeing it in Maryland at the end of September.  Looking clean as ever, this 300SL is even more special than it normally should be.  It is, in fact, one of the last crop of first-generation Mercedes SLs to roll off the line.  According to the official record, this car was made on the very last day of production and is one of the last six 300SLs made.  At this point, Mercedes-Benz was desperate to clear out the lots of this outdated model (at the time) in favor of the new Pagoda series.  Its interior is completely original, as are the mechanical components.  The paint is new after a fender-bender damaged the rear of the car.  Other than that, though, the car’s original.  The white paint looked beautiful against the clear Maryland sky, and the red interior, combined with this car’s optional hardtop, looked very professional.  All of the original paperwork and luggage was on display too–even the toolkit was there.  This is among the most complete of any 300SL I have seen at a show, and I was elated to have seen it at the St. Michael’s Concours this fall.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance: 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster →

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Radnor Hunt CDE: 1955 Porsche 356 Continental Cabriolet, owned by Barry Wolk.

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I’ve talked about Barry Wolk here on Mind Over Motor before.  He brought a stunning 1956 Continental Mark II convertible to the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours, and a month later, I ran into him again with this Porsche at Radnor.  He collects exclusively automobiles which carry the Continental name.  The story of the Continental series is quite unusual.  Max Hoffman, Porsche’s USA importer at the time, convinced the top brass in Germany that the 356 would sell better if it used a series name rather than an alphanumeric one.  Porsche obliged and attached the Continental nameplate to the 356 series.  However, Ford intervened and complained that the Continental name was theirs and theirs alone, forcing Porsche to cease using it.  As a result, the Continental name was only used on any Porsche products in 1955.  This pretty little Turkish Red Cabriolet brought Barry the Porsche Radnor Award by the end of the day.  Congratulations to you Barry–it’s a striking and rather rare Porshe 356.  Enjoy the photographs. Continue reading Radnor Hunt CDE: 1955 Porsche 356 Continental Cabriolet, owned by Barry Wolk. →

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

2013 Radnor Hunt Concours: 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan

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When people think of a Chrysler with wood paneling, of course the Town and Country comes to mind.  However, this particular body style rarely is brought up.  Loren J. Hulber, however, bucks this trend and was happy to bring this pristine 1948 Sedan to the 2013 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance.  Only 1,175 wood-bodied sedans were produced for 1948 and this was the final year for that body style, making this Chrysler quite rare today.  These cars needed hand assembly after the panels were fitted due to the difficulty of the curved frames of the wood.  This Sumac Red example features a Highlander plaid finish interior, and won the American Classic Postwar class.  Nick and I saw it yet again at the St. Michael’s Concours, where it also won its class.  I was happy to see not only two different Town and Country models in the same place, but joyful that the rarer (and very striking) sedan was the award winner instead of the more often-seen convertible variant at this show.  Note the unique wood roof rack as well.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 2013 Radnor Hunt Concours: 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan →