While driving around Pebble Beach during our first day of Monterey Car Week we decided to stop by The Inn at Spanish Bay. We were greeted by numerous exotics parked out front, but this bright purple Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe and bright red Ferrari F12 Berlinetta definitely stole to show. Enjoy the pics.
Continue reading Spotted! Rolls Royce Phantom DHC and Ferrari F12, Pebble Beach, CA
This Ferrari 333 SP was at the Festivals Of Speed event at Amelia Island last March. In the 1990s the 333 SP marked Ferrari’s return to sports car racing after around two decades absence. It competed in the prototype class, and while it never did too well at the 24hrs of Le Mans, it did see some decent success racing in America.
The 333 SP utilized a 4.0L V12 that was an enlarged version of the engine from Ferrari’s F92A Formula One car. It produced around 600hp in the 333 SP. Interestingly enough, Ferrari actually outsourced the chassis of this car to a manufacturer called Dallara, so you could say it is a sort of joint effort.
This is the first 333 SP I’ve seen in person. What an incredible machine it is!
Continue reading Amelia Island Festivals Of Speed: Ferrari 333 SP
Hyundai has transformed itself over the last decade, going from the stereotype maker of cheap jalopies to a company that is now taking on the biggest names in the luxury market. The Equus you see here is the culmination of those efforts, a car that claims to strike directly at the standard of the world, the Mercedes S class.
It is really crazy to think that the same company which makes the economy-minded Elantra can also produce this posh luxury bruiser. Other companies, like Honda and Toyota, created whole new brands (Acura and Lexus) for their upmarket efforts in the US, but Hyundai has decided to keep everything under one flag.
This does beg some questions: Can the Equus really work as a Hyundai in a country where people are obsessed purely with their own self image? And furthermore, if we put the Equus up against its claimed competitors, will it stand up to the challenge?
Continue reading Test Driven: Hyundai Equus, Nick’s Take (6.5/10)
Drive’s Chris Harris gets his slide-happy paws on Jaguar’s very limited XKR-S GT. Evidently, it is much more than just a standard XKR-S with a big wing strapped to the back. Enjoy the video.
-Nick
While out at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion we were treated to a fabulous display of Porsche racing cars, one 911 GT1 and two 935s, including the famous 935 Moby Dick. Just seeing these race cars sitting in the paddock is incredible, but getting to see them in action out on the track was beyond any describable form of excitement. Enjoy the photos and the video.
Continue reading Porsche 911 GT1 and Two 935s at Laguna Seca
We saw this very rare Ferrari 599 SA Aperta on our walk into the Quail from the parking lot. For those who don’t know, the SA Aperta is basically a convertible version of the Ferrari 599 GTO of which they built just 80 examples. Enjoy.
-Nick
It would seem that Chris Harris’ popularity has made Ferrari rethink his blacklisted status as a journalist. Not only did they give him an F12 Berlinetta for this video, but they also threw in five sets of tires for him to shred. This is a fantastic review of the F12 Berlinetta, as we expect from Mr. Harris, as well as a healthy dosage of slidewayz car porn to drool over. The Drive Network does it again! Enjoy.
-Nick
We attended the Scarsdale Concours d’Elegance last weekend. As always it was a wonderful event with a fantastic turnout, and the Fall leaves beginning to turn just made the pictures that much better. I’ll let the photos from the event do the talking from here. Enjoy.
Evidently, Darth Vader was at this year’s Scarsdale Concours d’Elegance because his car was parked prominently at the event. This Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series certainly is evil-looking enough for the Dark Lord of the Sith, and its twin turbo V12 certainly packs enough punch to suit his needs — to the tune of 661hp and a planet-moving 738ft/lbs of torque. Any challengers beware, go up against this monster and you may share the same fate as the doomed planet of Alderaan.
Ok, Star Wars themes aside, this was the first chance I’ve really had to shoot an SL65 Black Series in a good setting. It was a beautiful day in Scarsdale, New York, and this demonic machine was just sitting there, ripe for the picking. I’ve always said that black is the only appropriate color on any “Black Series” AMG Mercedes, and this car definitely reinforced my opinion on the matter. This is one of just 175 in the USA, and made the SLS AMG, parked in front of it for much of the day, look mundane. Enjoy the photos.
Continue reading Scarsdale Concours d’Elegance: Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series
Waves crash into the rocks of the shore. There is a thick wall of fog that lingers out over the water, but the sun beams down brightly at the coast. A sustained sea breeze rustles the branches of crooked Cyprus trees, and a ribbon of asphalt winds gracefully along the perimeter of the rocky cliffs that overlook the sea. There is no traffic to speak of, only me at the helm of this bright-orange Jaguar F-Type.
The wind plows through my hair, as I rush through the glamorous scenery, as if in some sort of hurry to leave this oasis of Heaven I’ve found on Earth. Loud barks and crackles emanate from the high-strung V6 engine, echoing back to my ears off of the trees as I fly by. The high-pitched whine of a supercharger joins in as the revs charge toward redline, and the speed piles on at an exhilarating rate. I touch the brakes for an upcoming bend, and turn in at what should be highway speed. The F-Type clings to the road as if with mighty claws, completely at home with the rapid pace I have set. Getting back on the gas, I shoot out of the corner with haste, now staring right into the face of the massive expanse of ocean and fog. It feels as if I am about to charge into the abyss when the road turns me back toward the sun and the trees. As I continue forth, I just can’t help thinking “what an unbelievable experience this is.”
Continue reading Test Driven: 2014 Jaguar F-Type V6 S (9/10)
It’s like that quote from The Godfather, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me right back in!” GM has shown a lot of promise recently, Cadillac in particular with the new CTS and its turbocharged V6. Of course, in true GM fashion, such applaudable brilliance must be subsequently balanced out by some action of unfathomable idiocy. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the $76,000 Chevy Volt, which Cadillac refers to as the ELR.
Lets get this straight, the whole entire reason that the Chevy Volt hasn’t sold well is because it is too damn expensive. Like $40,000 in a world where its competition cost $25,000. So naturally GM’s brilliant marketing people had a meeting and said, “I know what will really sell well. Let’s make a Volt with a Cadillac body on it and make it double the price!”
Continue reading The Cadillac ELR Proves That GM Hasn’t Quite Lost It’s Stupid
This comes on a similar note to the Lincoln Indianapolis Boano Coupe we featured a few weeks ago. This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Rondine was created by, Italian design house, Pinninfarina for the 1963 Paris Auto Show. Those of you who know Corvettes know that 1963 was the first year of the iconic C2 Sting Ray. While I personally believe the Stingray is the best looking Vette of all time, especially the ’63 split window coupe, the Rondine’s Italian style is breathtaking.
The Corvette Rondine was the top-spec Sting Ray underneath, with the fuel injected 327ci V8 under its hood making 360hp. There is one key difference, though, and that is the body of the car. The Rondine had a steel body whereas the Sting Ray’s was made of fiberglass. This resulted in the Rondine being a bit heavier than the standard Corvette, however I’d say it is worth it for those beautiful curves.
The Corvette Rondine marks another fantastic example of an American car being fitted with Italian styling. Whether the Rondine looks better than the Sting Ray is entirely subjective, but it certainly is a unique and interesting automobile. The Corvette Rondine recently sold for a hefty $1.6 million back at the 2008 Barret Jackson Auction, and its value is certain to keep appreciating. It is always a pleasure to see such a stunning car as this, and the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance was the second time I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this car in person. Enjoy the photos.
Continue reading Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Rondine
Mind Over Motor 