This is a classic Datsun Sunny 1200 pickup and it is a JDM wet dream.
It has a custom front clip, made to look like an original Skyline GT-R, and it has an SR20DET engine under the hood with a big ass turbo on it. In terms of “cool,” this Datsun is just dripping with it, and once again, Jay Leno proves he’s probably the luckiest guy on Earth.
Enjoy!
-Nick
Batman was always my favorite superhero, and it was because he always had an awesome car, the Batmobile. This custom-built, totally functional Tumbler Batmobile stole the show at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island.
The owner said the best part of having a functional Tumbler was being able to show up anywhere, and just drop jaws like nothing lesser ever could. “Oh, you’ve got a Lambo, that’s cool. Me? I drive the Batmobile.” I don’t car what kind of supercars are present, when the Batmobile rolls up, they’re all invisible.
Now, that jet exhaust at the rear isn’t actually functional, as that would most definitely not be street legal. This Tumbler is powered by a tried and true Ford V8. I know, not quite as epic as the Jet-powered Tumbler in the movies, but it’s worth being able to really use the car.
I just couldn’t get over the level work that went into making this Tumbler so legit, and it really paid off because the owner can drive it in the real world.
Enjoy the pics of this badass Batmobile!
Continue reading Functional Tumbler Batmobile at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island
This image has been circulating around social media for months now. Despite the reveal of the actual production 2017 Lincoln Continental, which looks nothing at all like the car in the picture (see below), people continue to share it.
In truth, I, and most Lincoln fans, cannot help but wish that the new Continental actually did look exactly like the car in the top picture. That Continental is unmistakably a Lincoln in a sense that is true to the brand’s history. The production 2017 Continental, while nice in many ways, is really just another interchangeable luxury sedan. It could easily be mistaken for an Audi, a Mercedes, or a Jag. The car at the top, though? Not a chance.
Every time I’ve seen that top photo shared on social media, it’s always been with a sense of excitement. That’s because the car in the picture is the modern Lincoln Continental that people actually wanted- A distinctive retro-nod shape, unmistakable Lincoln flavor, and, of course, suicide doors! That’s all what made the Continental “The Continental” back in the day.
I think Ford has missed a huge opportunity here to really inject some much needed enthusiasm back into the Lincoln brand. Lincolns used to be some of the most stylish cars on the road in the 1960s and earlier. Lincoln desperately needs to bring that sort of flavor back into their brand identity if they want to succeed these days. A bland approach, merely running with the pack, is not going to cut it. Lincolns are supposed to be bold. They’re supposed to class up the joint whenever they roll up, not merely blend into the woodwork.
Continue reading This Isn’t The Real Lincoln Continental, But People Seem to Think It Should Be
Some things just need to be built. Even without a practical purpose, some things must exist because they will make the world a better place. Inspiration is a powerful force in our world, and things that are born out of passion serve to inspire further passion in others. If that isn’t a worthy cause, then I don’t know what is.
This is the Thunderbolt, a custom built Rolls Royce Boat Tail Speedster with a fire-breathing WWII tank engine under its massive hood. It is the embodiment of childhood dreams, and an homage to a more elegant time, when cars were truly works of art and craftsmanship.
The Thunderbolt’s mighty engine is a 27 liter Rolls Royce Meteor V12. It produces 600-700hp and over 1,600 ft/lbs of torque. The Meteor engine was the tank derivative of the famous Merlin engine used in the Spitfire fighter plane. And when the owner says to be careful when starting the car, he means because it literally shoots 5 foot flames out the side exhausts (See the video).
Continue reading The Thunderbolt, a Custom Rolls Royce with a WWII Tank Engine
And so it begins! The reviews of the Ford Focus RS have begun!
And what a nasty color!
Enjoy!
-Nick
This Mitsubishi Evo was clean as hell. It looked a lot like that ridiculous Time Attack Evo from Forza Motorsport 3 that may have been the cause of a broken controller.
I’m not sure exactly what mods were done to this car, but it looks like one of those deadly Evos that might just be able to embarrass some pompous fool in a Ferrari.
Either way, it’s level of stance was on point for me. It’s low and flush enough to look great, but there’s still a little bit of room for the suspension to move.
The one question I really want to know, though, is:
Is that wing really functional for the car’s performance?
Enjoy the photos!
Continue reading Stanced Mitsubishi Lancer Evo at First Class Fitment
It may be unsafe at any speed, but this Chevy Corvair looks damn good just sitting still. Fully customized with some rustic treatment on the body panels and a set of contrasting clean wheels, this Corvair had a unique flavor about it. Among the sea of spotless show cars at First Class Fitment this year, it definitely stood out as an island unto itself.
Well done!
Continue reading Slammed Chevy Corvair at First Class Fitment
These are the only three Bizzarrini 5300 S.I. Spyders built, the entire production run by Stile Italia, and they all belong to the same family. Now that’s fun, ain’t it?
They decided to bring them all out together for the Concours of America this year, and my, what a spectacle they were. Stunning, curvaceous Italian metal draped over what is essentially a racing chassis with a built 350ci Chevy V8 that makes 420hp. Yes, back in the mid-late 1960s, these Bizzarrini supercars were about as serious as a road car could be. American muscle powering Italian handling, and beauty, it is a perfect combination!
Giotto Bizzarrini was an ex-Ferrari engineer, one of the heads of the 250 GTO program. One day, Enzo Ferrari pissed him, and a bunch of other engineers off, and they all left the Ferrari in spite. Giotto Bizzarrini went on to design the V12 used by Lamborghini from the 1960s until just recently. He then founded a company under his own name, and started building the gorgeous cars you see here.
Obviously, Bizzarrini’s company didn’t last; they went bankrupt in 1969. But that left their machines a rarity among sports and racing cars, and they are highly treasured today.
I had seen the silver prototype and the blue Spyder before on different occasions, but never the red one. What a treat to see all three 5300 Spyders together! They are a beautiful and impressive nook in the lineage of Italian Sports Cars.
Enjoy the gallery!
Continue reading The Bizzarrini 5300 S.I. Spyder Trio at the Concours of America
Yes, folks, this is a real production car, not a concept car. Lexus dropped a bomb on the North American International Auto Show, and they call it the LC 500.
What is it?
The Lexus LC looks to be a luxury sports car somewhere between the small Porsche 911 and the huge BMW M6. It appears Lexus has taken the inspiration behind their mighty LFA supercar, and has distilled it into a more approachable, more affordable, sports car.
The price for the LC 500 will be around $100,000 when it goes on sale, right on par with the Porsche and Bimmer.
A lot of you may think the mighty McLaren P1 is the ultimate McLaren to have, if money were no object. Maybe you’d be right, but maybe you’d be wrong. You see, driver satisfaction goes a lot deeper than just raw speed and lap times. Is it possible that the “baby” McLaren 570S may be more fun than it’s faster siblings?
See what you think after watching this video from Motor Trend. For my money, an afternoon out driving is usually more fun in a more playful car.
-Nick
The original Mazda Miata brought driving enjoyment to the masses. Like the great British and Italian roadsters before it, the Miata offered the full wind-in-your-hair experience, but it did so without all of the reliability problems suffered by the european cars. It was a simple, affordable, enjoyable machine. They basically materialized fun, and gave it four wheels.
Some have criticized the Miata for being soft as a sports car, though, even saying that it isn’t really a sports car at all. For the original NA Miata in stock form, I have to I agree. It’s a lot of fun, and is surely a great roadster, but a stock NA Miata lacks the handling composure that really defines a true sports car.
As the Miata has grown and evolved over the years, Mazda has worked to make it more of a sports car, while keeping it a great roadster as well. When I took the new ND Miata out for a spin, it became clear that Mazda has finally found the right balance for the total Miata experience.
In some regards Mazda has taken the Miata back to its roots. In other ways it has benefitted from many modern technological improvements. All in all, I am confident in saying that it is the best Miata they’ve ever made. Here’s why…
Continue reading 2016 Mazda ND Miata Club Review: Joy On Four Wheels
Gotta love a Hot Rodded Herbie!
-Nick
Mind Over Motor 