All posts by ndubs77

Automotive Lifestyle, Cars We've Driven, Sports Cars, Used Car Gems

A Farewell Ride in My Dad’s Porsche 996

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Porsche 996 Carrera Arena Red 1

My parents are moving down to their place at the shore full time soon, and of course they’re taking their cars with them. They’re only going to be 2 hours away, but driving-wise the shore doesn’t hold a candle to the back roads of Bucks County, PA. The topography at the shore is all flat, the back roads barely curve at all, and the main roads are so crowded, and so heavily patrolled by cops, that there’s nowhere to really let the car run free. I may get to drive the 996 a few times when I visit, but it will never be like it was up here, with old our colonial roads that snake their way endlessly through the forest.

I had to take the Porsche for one more solid drive up here to say my goodbye, of sorts. So one night, after work, I spent 2 blissful hours in it out driving a greatest hits tour of my favorite roads.

Continue reading A Farewell Ride in My Dad’s Porsche 996 →

Opinions

The Range Rover Velar Looks Incredible!

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land_rover-range_rover_velar-2018-1280-03

I think this is the best-looking SUV on sale, and by a decent margin. BMW and Mercedes need to take notes, this is how you make an SUV look properly sleek. You don’t need some awkward “Coupe SUV” thing like the X6 or GLE Coupe. Instead of chopping off the rearward roof section, Land Rover’s designers chose to give the teardrop treatment to the entire SUV shape. It’s absolutely beautiful.

Even better, underneath, the Range Rover Velar shares its platform with the lovely-to-drive Jaguar F-Pace. The Jag handles great, and is a ton of fun on back roads, and I hope this Range Rover will retain that trait. Engine-wise buyers can choose between a turbo gas 4 cylinder, a diesel 4 cylinder, or the fun model with the 380hp supercharged V6.

The Range Rover Velar slots between the Range Rover Evoque and Ranger Rover Sport, competing with the Mercedes GLC, Audi Q5, and BMW X3/X4. It’s up against some decent competition, but with looks to kill, the Velar may have a leg up on the Germans. I was blown away by the style of the Evoque when it came out, but this takes the design past the next level.

I can’t wait to see the Velar in person because it will probably look even better than in photos.

-Nick Walker

Automotive Lifestyle, SHOWCASE

Is the Range Rover Evoque Convertible cool?

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Johnny and Carlos from Motor Trend take us for a spin in this topless off-roader to debate if it might just be cool.

I saw an orange one go by a few weeks ago, and I’ll be honest, I was digging it.

-Nick

Cars We've Seen

This Fiat Jolly is the bluest of blues!

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Blue Fiat Jolly 1 Blue Fiat Jolly 2

Is there a more Italian car than the Fiat Jolly? I mean, yea, there are the Ferraris and Maseratis of the world, but they take themselves a little too seriously. The Fiat Jolly, on the other hand, is all about taking the day off and going for a picnic at the beach in style. Now what’s more quintessentially Italian than that?

Unfortunately, while it may seem like one of life’s simple pleasures, Fiat Jollys are quite expensive nowadays. This one sold for $88,000 at Bonhams auction, and that’s a pretty pricy picnic.

-Nick

 

Cars We've Seen

Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 at the Scarsdale Concours

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Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1

We caught this crisp blue Camaro on our way out from the Scarsdale Concours. Gotta love the Z/28!

-Nick

Cars We've Seen

Some alone time with a Bugatti Type 57 Atalante

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Bugatti Type 57 Atlante St. Michaels 20

There are moments where circumstances align to create unbelievable opportunities, things that aren’t “supposed to happen,” but do anyway. Being prepared, in the right place at the right time is everything. So when I found myself on the Maryland shore on a picture perfect day, all alone with a 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante, I knew I had to seize the moment.

I spent well over an hour pouring over this magnificent machine. A few other people strolled over to check it out, but for most of the time it was just me and this rolling French masterpiece. How often does anyone get to shoot a car worth well north of $10 million all alone in such a scenic location?

I mean, a shoot like this, with a car of this caliber, likely isn’t something I could even organize at this point. But in the situation as it played out, the opportunity presented itself at the St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance.

Enjoy the contrast between the stark, and dark, Art Deco lines of this Bugatti in the lush landscape of the Eastern Maryland shore.

Continue reading Some alone time with a Bugatti Type 57 Atalante →

Auto Idolatry, Automotive Lifestyle, SHOWCASE

The Smoking Tire gives us a first look at the new Lexus LC

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The Lexus LC seems like quite an elegant machine, but it also sounds the absolute business. Matt Farah takes us through it.

-Nick

 

Cars We've Seen

This gorgeous old Alfa could do 152mph back in 1933

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Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Amelia 4

Most cars on the road today can’t even get near 150mph, but back in 1933 this supercharged Afla Romeo 8C 2900B could go faster. Originally a racing car, it took third place in the Mille Miglia before it was re-bodied into the beautiful GT car you see here.

As a road car based on a racing car, this is the pre-war precursor to what we now know as the hypercar. The Alfa Romeo 8C was among the fastest racecars of the era, and here was one you could drive to the shops. It was literally a Formula One car for the road.

Enjoy!

Continue reading This gorgeous old Alfa could do 152mph back in 1933 →

Automotive Lifestyle, SHOWCASE, Uncategorized

Jay Leno takes the Pagani Huayra 730S for a spin

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Used to be owned by Salomondrin, now owned by David Lee. Small world…

-Nick

Automotive Lifestyle, CARS 101, Opinions

Ford Focus RS Power Modifications and Tuning

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2016-ford-focus-rs-41

The Ford Focus RS is the hottest $40,000 car around right now. A new addition to the rally car segment in the US, it takes on the STI, the Golf R, and the echoes of Evos past. All things stock, the Focus RS seems to have them all beat, outgunning them by around 40 or 50hp, but what happens when aftermarket mods and tuning come into play?

The simple fact is the Focus RS’s stock turbo is out of breath around 380-400 crank horsepower on pump gas. Ford doesn’t use way oversized turbos in their cars, and as a result its basic tuning potential may seem a little lacking compared to, say, the Golf R or the Evo.

Having said that, fear not, because peak horsepower numbers are only a small portion of the story, especially for a street-driven car. So let’s have a look…

Continue reading Ford Focus RS Power Modifications and Tuning →

Uncategorized

Ferrari F40 at Radnor Hunt

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Ferrari F40 Radnor 16

I don’t care if it has half the horsepower of the LaFerrari, the F40 is still my favorite Ferrari hypercar.

-Nick

Cars We've Seen

The Sun Gleams Down Upon Richard Petty’s #43 Plymouth Superbird

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1970 Plymouth Superbird Richard Petty Racing #43

This is the 200mph 1970 Plymouth Superbird raced by Richard Petty Racing, back from when NASCAR was cool. I managed to capture it, just as the sun was peeking through the trees. That’s no Photoshop flare there, people, that’s the star we orbit gently bathing this Dinoco Blue racecar in the full spectrum of light. Enjoy!

-Nick Walker