A Race-Ready Alfa at Lime Rock
All posts by ndubs77
RUF RT12 S at Radnor Hunt
This is the second insane RUF I’ve seen for the first time this year. I caught a CTR3 at Greenwich, and then I found this RT12 S at Radnor Hunt.
The RUF RT12 S is based on the Porsche 997, but has been modified enough to be considered a new, non-Porsche car. It was available with a variety of options including various engine configurations, gearing, and a choice of RWD or AWD. Maximum power available was 685hp, and with the right gearing it’s capable of a staggering 225 mph.
We saw this thing accelerate hard as it left the show, and it was definitely tuned a bit rich because black smoke came out the tailpipes under full throttle. It’s a monster.
Enjoy the photos!
We saw this stylin’ blue Fiat Dino at Lime Rock
The Fiat Dino is one of my favorite classic Italian roadsters. It’s got Italian style, with a friendly Fiat badge on its hood, and a Ferrari engine underneath where it counts.
To say I want one is an understatement, and it’s always lovely seeing them in person at events.
-Nick
Polaris Slingshot Review: You’ll Be the Talk of the Town
Glued to the window. I mean this kid’s face must have literally become fused with the glass. There is something about the raw enthusiasm of a child that’s quite effective for judging certain things about a car. Let’s put it this way, we were stuck in traffic, surrounded by hundreds of other cars, but this kid’s attention was transfixed solely on mine, and for good reason. Just look at this thing, it’s the Polaris Slingshot, and it’s friggin’ awesome!
The kid would’ve never even bothered to notice if I were in any sort of normal car, whether it be a Toyota Camry, a BMW M5, or probably even a Porsche 911. There was something vastly entrancing to his young mind about my Polaris Slingshot, to the point where he was trying to push himself through the window to get a better look at it. You’d honestly need to be in a Lamborghini, or something that exotic, to draw the same kind of attention this outrageous reverse trike does.
I think, by all definitions, the Polaris Slingshot can be considered a genuine exotic car. It commands crazy amounts of attention, it’s exciting to drive, and it’s totally idiotic in most practical ways. What I found in my time driving the Slingshot, though, was just how exotic it really is in the most classic sense. You see, the exotic car experience consists of a grand mix of excitement and frustration. The great aspects are incredible, but they are balanced out by serious flaws, which are often infuriating, excruciating, or both at the same time.
The question is, are the Polaris Slingshot’s good aspects worth putting up with its bad aspects? Or, for that matter, is it even worth your time in a world full of other wonderful cars and bikes?
I’ve wanted to drive a Slingshot ever since I first saw one fly past me on the road, so I decided to rent one and find out during a recent vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Continue reading Polaris Slingshot Review: You’ll Be the Talk of the Town
How about a Porsche Cayman with a Ford Coyote V8 Swap?
Matt Farah shows us this crazy custom Porsche.
-Nick
I LOVE the Blue on this Lamborghini Aventador!
Caught at the Lamborghini stand at Amelia Island, those bright orange brake calipers really make the blue pop.
-Nick
Carrera GT vs. 997 GT3 RS 4.o, two of the ultimate Porsches compared
A great film by 888MF.
This 1939 Delage D6 3 Liter Gran Prix is from the last glory days of French racing
1939, we all know what was happening in Europe at that time, but on the brink of the second World War, this Delage was competing in the last races before the onset of mass destruction.
It was the end of an era for the automobile, and after the war things would be faster, but they sure wouldn’t look as good. I mean look at the swooping fenders on this thing, it was as much about style as it was about speed. Pre-war era racing was a unique time in automotive history, one that will never be equalled in many respects. Racing had a lot more charm back then, it was more dangerous for it, but that also added to the appeal.
Enjoy daydreaming about this French masterpiece!
Continue reading This 1939 Delage D6 3 Liter Gran Prix is from the last glory days of French racing
The VW Arteon Concept will be the CC part deux
As of right now, the Volkswagen CC replacement is only this sketch on a piece of paper, but my God, am I in love with it. As of now, they’re calling the concept the “Arteon”, but it may well be called the CC again by the time it hits showrooms.
I fell in love with the original Volkswagen CC concept when I saw it at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours, and I’ve had one as my daily driver since 2014. The sleek lines and style of the CC were what drew me in, and the Arteon concept looks like it will only improve on the CC.
Another part of me is also hoping that the Arteon may actually become the next Volkswagon Phaeton, adding the CC’s sleek style to the old Phaeton’s top-tier luxury. I think if they executed it right, such a car could do quite well.
Either way, I’m definitely loving what I’m seeing so far.
-Nick
The Elusive BMW E46 M3 GTR at Amelia Island
To most people, this looks like any other early 2000’s BMW M3 (if they even know what an M3 is), but for BMW enthusiasts, it’s actually one of the Holy Grails. This isn’t just an E46 BMW M3 with a body kit, this is an M3 GTR homologation road cars. It’s one of ten that were slated to be built, one just six that actually were built, and one of only three of those that still survive. All three M3 GTRs are owned by the BMW Group collection, and I don’t believe any of the GTRs ever made their way into private hands.
Unfortunately, the three remaining M3 GTRs seldom make it out in the world, so it was a rare treat to see this one at Amelia Island. Even when I was at the BMW Museum in Munich, Germany they didn’t have any of the GTRs on display at the time. This was my first time seeing an E46 M3 GTR in person, and I don’t expect to see one again anytime soon.
Continue reading The Elusive BMW E46 M3 GTR at Amelia Island
Buying Smart: Porsche 718 Boxster S
Porsche’s are easy to “buy stupid” because their options are so cool, but are also extremely expensive. If you don’t watch the price tag, and add everything you never knew your heart desired, you can quickly wind up spending six-figures on a Boxster that will be worth 1/4 of that in 5 or 6 years. My point is that most of those fabulous Porsche options add very little, if any residual value to your car. So, if you don’t like lighting your money on fire, it’s best to go about configuring your Porsche intelligently.
I’ve been greatly intrigued by the new Porsche 718. It’s a mid-engine roadster with Porsche driving dynamics, and a hefty 350hp to propel it’s relatively light 2,900-ish pounds. The 718 is also now turbocharged, so 400+hp should be an easy ask with some light tuning. It’s a very ideal sports car package, but what’s it really worth in today’s market?
One of the better color combos on the Porsche 997 GT3 RS
Colored wheels are often tacky, but this Porsche 911 GT3 RS wears them well.
-Nick
Mind Over Motor 