Happy 4th of July, everyone!
To celebrate, we bring you a very rare Pontiac GTO Judge from the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. It’s one of only 108 total examples, and take note of the license plate.
Enjoy, and have a great holiday!
-Nick Walker
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Car Magazine Pits the Ferrari 488 GTB against the McLaren 570S and Audi R8 V10 Plus
The Ferrari 488 GTB is one of the supercars to beat at the moment, taking everything awesome about the 458 and turbocharging it (quite literally). The question is, is it worth the price premium you pay over more “entry-level” supercars? (I really don’t feel right about saying it that way)
I mean, let’s face it, a Ferrari 488 GTB is going to run you over $300,000 when options and dealer premiums are added. Meanwhile you can have the McLaren 570S and Audi R8 V10 Plus, and keep around $100 grand in your pocket. Maybe buy something cheap, like an Audi A8, as a daily driver.
Is the 488 really worth it in context?
-Nick
1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Pininfarina Speciale at Amelia Island
It’s 1946, and in the wake of the catastrophic Second World War, France had spitefully banned cars from former Axis countries from the Salon de l’Automobile. However, Battista “Pinin” Farina, founder of Pininfarna, had worked too hard preparing his 1942 chassis for the 1946 show to miss it. He went to Paris in this Alfa, and he parked it right in front of the show for all to see. I’d imagine it drew more than a little attention.
Seventy years later, Mr. Farina’s bespoke Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 dropped my jaw at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. It’s the detail work that really sets it apart. I mean, just look at that interior, or the chrome portholes on the side, or that steering wheel, my God!
This Alfa is awesome, a spectacular car with a great story. Enjoy the gallery.
Continue reading 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Pininfarina Speciale at Amelia Island
Motor Trend pits the new Audi TT-S against the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
In this unlikely, but actually relevant, comparison, we see German logic go up against raw Italian emotion. I’ve driven the Alfa 4C, and it still has my heart. That’s all I’ll say…
-Nick
Lancia 037 at a rainy Greenwich Concours
It absolutely poured for much of the second day at this year’s Greenwich Concours, but the show field was still pretty decent. As the skies were leaking, we passed the time stuffing our faces with delicious and complementary lobster sandwiches, while also taking royal advantage of the wine tasting tent.
When the rain let up we we were able to get our photos of the cars dripping wet. This Lancia 037 is the homologated road version of the legendary Lancia rally car, and it immediately caught our eye when we first walked into the show.
Enjoy the gallery of this trail-rated Italian Stallion!
Cadillac ATS-V Review: Still GM, for better and worse
This is the Cadillac ATS-V. The master form of the highly acclaimed, yet highly criticized ATS sedan. It was born to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG, and it looks like a pretty damn good bet in that fight.
You know what’s weird, though? After driving it, I feel the exact same way about the ATS-V that I did about each other Cadillac ATS I’ve driven. Sure, the ATS-V exists at a much higher level, but it’s relative strengths and shortcomings all fall in the same areas.
I’m amazed at how consistent the ATS lineup is, with some areas near perfection and others, well, not.
Continue reading Cadillac ATS-V Review: Still GM, for better and worse
The one, and only, Chevrolet Corvette Rondine at the Greenwich Concours
We’ve managed to cross paths with the Corvette Rondine a few times now, but it’s always worth a mention. An elegant integration of Italian style and American power, the Rondine is the only one of its kind.
I believe the car actually resides in the Greenwich area, which would explain why we caught it on the road a few years back.
Always a pleasure to lay eyes on.
-Nick
Team Salamone’s Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster at CF Charities
We caught the current Team Salamone bull at the CF Charities Supercar Show, a Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster with a chrome finish.
It takes flash to a whole new level!
Continue reading Team Salamone’s Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster at CF Charities
Purple Pierce Arrow at the Hershey Elegance
Out on the show field at Hershey, this deep purple 1919 Pierce Arrow seemed to come from its own planet. Almost blue, but clearly purple in person, it was a crowd favorite at the show this year.
Its wooden wheel spokes and white tires only added to its striking appearance. This is the sort of car I go to Concours events to see, something old and crazy that will absolutely blow my mind. This Pierce did not disappoint!
Enjoy the gallery.
Continue reading Purple Pierce Arrow at the Hershey Elegance
White Porsche 918 Spyder at the CF Charities Supercar Show
We’ve seen a bunch of Porsche 918 Spyders around, but none have been in this striking white until now. It shows off the curves of the car quite nicely and definitely adds to the car’s jaw-dropping appeal.
The 918 Spyder remains my favorite of the hybrid hypercar trio. Now, having seen it in this white, my lust for it will be that much more excruciating.
-Nick
Cadillac XT5 Review: The Cadillac of Toasters
The market for luxury crossovers is a heated contest between slightly different flavors of vanilla. I mean, for all intents and purposes they are all pretty much the same exact car with an inch of difference here and there. They each look a little different, but really just a little, and they all seem to have the same general checklist of features.
So how does one go about reviewing the newest crossover offering from GM’s flagship luxury brand, the Cadillac XT5?
I’m not going to waste much time blowing smoke up your ass nit-picking this and that about this car. The bottom line is its very good at being very acceptable. It’s not going to reinvent the Cadillac brand, but then again, it isn’t the car that is supposed to do that. The XT5 is a volume seller for a large market segment, one that is targeted at people who don’t really care about their cars much past their basic functionality.
Let’s be real here, crossovers aren’t cars so much as they are “transportation appliances” for people who just want to get from A to B safely and comfortably. Crossovers are exceedingly practical for all of the needs of the average person, and their larger size and higher stance makes people feel safer behind the wheel. These vehicles are tailor made for the average driver, who will be very happy with all they get from a car like this.
Naturally, social class does come into play, and that’s why the Cadillac XT5 exists for middle-upper class people who feel they’ve managed to claw their way above a plebeian Chevy Equinox.
Continue reading Cadillac XT5 Review: The Cadillac of Toasters
Ferrari F40 at Bonhams, Greenwich
As far as I’m concerned, whoever is selling a LaFerrari or an Enzo can keep it. If I’m going to spend that kind of money on one of the super Ferraris, it’s going to be an F40. It was the ultimate Ferrari experience in its day, and it has managed to hold onto that designation in modern times.
We were pleased to catch this F40 at Bonhams auction at the Greenwich Concours. It’s always nice when you’re able to catch a tangible glimpse of such a wild dream.
-Nick
Mind Over Motor 