When push comes to shove, most people pay little notice to full-size Pontiacs from the early Sixties. I think that’s a criminal shame, because they’re not as common as the Impalas, DeVilles, and Electras that everyone tends to gravitate to. Pontiac hadn’t yet figured out the big engine/small car formula that would kick off the muscle car era some short years later. This red Ventura is a great example of the clean, effective styling Pontiacs sported in 1961. Couple the gorgeous red paint with the classic 8-lug wheels (introduced in 1960 and a staple of full-size Pontiacs of the era), a sharp character line, and a bubble top that resembled Chevrolet but felt more mature and restrained, and it’s kind of a shock that no one really chases after these. The wide white wall tires finish off a chiseled, transitional look that yearns for the Fifties, but looks forward to the future. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1961 Pontiac Ventura at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance→
There aren’t many good Cars and Coffee events in Central Jersey, so when something great shows up, I’ll pay attention. I’ve seen this blue and white Viper at a previous event, but when it’s a GTS in the classic combination, and as well-kept as any, it’s hard to walk by. Twenty years old? Sure doesn’t look twenty years old–looks much newer than that. Enjoy the photos of the original American Widowmaker.
What do we have here? Oh nothing, just a dark-red Mercedes 600 Grosser, one of the most famous and (thanks to its owner list) infamous cars ever built. Mercedes sold these incredible machines to the likes of Coco Chanel, Pol Pot, Elvis, Idi Amin, and George Harrison, among many others. This example was used in the famous movie The Witches of Eastwick and was driven by Jack Nicholson’s character, who was quite literally the Devil Incarnate. I have to say, that color suits it incredibly well.
Rolls-Royce held on to its ideals hard and fast in the end of the Nineties. BMW was finishing up the Silver Seraph, and the Spur and its ilk were fast on their way out. However, here in America, the new Seraph, with its newfangled V12 engine and swoopy styling, god a tepid reception. Rolls Royce luckily had some Spur parts left, and cobbled up the final series of the Silver Spur, known as the Series V. Very few were made, and very few are left. In fact, this white Silver Spur IV is one of a scant 70 made in 1999, the final model year of the Spur. While it’s certainly not the finest car they ever made, or the most elegant, or the fastest, this is the end of an era for Rolls–the last car they ever built with the traditional 6.75L V8, and one of a select few sold with the twin turbo setup. It’s cool, calm, collected, and definitely my sort of car. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1999 Rolls Royce Silver Spur IV at Scarsdale→
I regret that I showed up late for this event. In fact, I showed up so late that I managed to miss most of the show. While I ate plenty of crow for that, I got to see most of the show leave along the exit road, and learned that at the AACA meet, always expect the unexpected. Among these Mopars featured today include the usual suspects, such as Superbirds and a Hemi car or two. However, take a good look at that 1942 DeSoto–one of the rarest years of the brand and a car almost never seen even by keen-eyed enthusiasts. My personal favorite? Take a good look at the cover photo. I have not seen many two-door late C-Body New Yorker coupes, and a black over tan example caught my eye and never gave it back. Enjoy the photos of these classic Chrysler products, and byproducts. Continue reading Classic Mopars at the AACA Fall Meet, Hershey, PA→
Here’s a rare bird that most of you have likely never seen before. I know I can count myself in that category. Here is a 1985 Cadillac Eldorado with the Touring Package installed, a very rare option for this car. Cadillac would delete some of the chrome, add black accents, and fit upgraded suspension and better tires for this package. Few exist today, and I’m glad I finally got to see one, even if for just a moment. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1985 Cadillac Eldorado Touring at the AACA Fall Meet in Hershey→
Sometimes, a big red wagon takes me back to my younger days, when I used to ride my Radio Flyer down Chestnut Hill Road at breakneck speeds (yes, I was kind of dumb with those things) for no apparent reason. Seeing this wagon, though, makes me wish I had this Big Red Wagon instead of the Little Red Wagon. But, then again, doesn’t any kid want that?
Sometimes, a car shows up at a Concours and no one notices. When that happens and it’s a run of the mill sort of car, that’s one thing. But it’s a total and utter turnaround when that car happens to be this absolutely stunning yellow Singer, parked all by itself in the back of the show next to the brand-new Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. Everyone stares at the Turbo S, leaving the Singer to be left alone, and prime for me to take some great photos of it in the rain. There is not a single angle that this car is ugly at–Singer takes resto-mods to a completely higher level, a level that no single company can match. Enjoy the photos of this gorgeous modern classic. Continue reading Goldenrod Yellow Singer at the 2017 Americana Manhasset Concours→
Nick posted a lot of fantastic cars from the Cars and Caffe that took place this weekend up at the Garden State Plaza. But, in the words of Monty Python, “Now, for something completely different”. Indeed. Feast your eyes on one of the more ill-fated Honda joint ventures right here, a Sterling 827. This is somehow an Acura Legend but with British build quality and interior trimmings. Few were sold, and fewer are left around. I’m glad, however, that I can now say I’ve seen one and can chalk it off of the bucket list.
People always say that the Pontiac GTO was the first muscle car to hit the streets. They’d be right, and they are right. However, it would be unfair to say it came out of nowhere. Pontiac was making some serious performance strides in the years prior to the GTO hitting the market, and it started to grow some teeth very well with the 421 big block V8 in the early Sixties. This black ’62 Grand Prix ticks all the boxes for an early full-size American land yacht running a racing engine. The obligatory “triple deuces” 3x2bbl carburetor configuration is present and accounted for, along with the four speed manual transmission, positive traction rear end, and very unusual 8-lug wheels (which were designed for better brake cooling). Top it off with some black paint and red leather, and you have a recipe for a handsome and stupid-fast cruise liner. Continue reading 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix “Super Duty” at the Haskell Car Show→
The Chevrolet Bel Air is as American as baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie. It’s also, especially in the flashy 1957 trim, one of the most recognizable stars of the 1950s. Chevy started their action by putting out their first OHV V8 in 1955, then made waves with the chrome-slathered styling just two years later. Augmenting that with the Dagmar front bumper points, classy knockoff style wheel covers, and dual antennas, they got plenty of attention from critics, and from the American public. Sales were fantastic, and Chevy hasn’t gotten their mainstream cars to be as stylish since then. GM hit the ground running in 1957–just like the Detroit Lions, who won their final (to date) championship that year. One could say that GM styling peaked the same year their football team did (although there are plenty of examples that prove otherwise). Enjoy the photos of this true American classic. Continue reading 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible at the Radnor Hunt Concours→
A year ago, while waiting to drive the Alfa Romeo 4C, a pale green silent shape caught my eye. Simple, elegant, and utterly stunning, this prewar Packard drew all eyes to its lines as it silently slithered up the lane, strutting its best stuff amongst the noveau riche. Success was had on my end, as I ignored the Jaguar I had finished shooting and the Alfa I was about to go bombing around in, and chased down this sweet Packard. I was glad I did, as it turned into the garage, never to be seen by my keen eye again for the weekend. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1934 Packard Coupe spotted at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island→
Mind Over Motor 