The first installment of our new Vlog segment. Let us know what you think!
-Nick
All posts by ndubs77
Mercedes Benz Museum: The Beginning of the Automobile
I stopped at the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart during my trip to Germany this year. It is a fascinating facility in every respect, but the display of early automobiles is truly something to savor. Daimler (Mercedes Benz today) invented the motor car, so the museum is able to show the progression of the automobile quite actually from Genesis. These cars set the stage for every car we know and love today. In this feature you will see Daimler and Benz cars, the Mercedes name was added later on for added appeal. You will see the development from the crude origins of the automobile to where Daimler-Benz cars began to resemble the luxury objects that they are today. Enjoy. Continue reading Mercedes Benz Museum: The Beginning of the Automobile
Radnor Hunt CDE: 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
When it comes to Ferraris things do not get much better than this. The 250 Testa Rossa is one of the most legendary cars of all time, and this was the first one sold in the United States. Owned by the Simone Museum in Philadelphia, we were fortunate enough to be able to see this car up close at this year’s Radnor Hunt Concours d’ Elegance. The design of the Testa Rossa is nothing short of breathtaking, with its voluptuous Italian curves. It is a work of functional art rivaled by few other objects on Earth. While visually beautiful, it remains a race car in purpose, so it was built to be as light and simple as possible. Under the hood there is a V12 engine, which is beautiful enough in its own right. Even going to car events all the time, I don’t get to see too many of these, so I ate up my time with this rare Ferrari (likely worth around $20M) by taking tons of photos. I hope you enjoy them; if this isn’t “Art”, then I don’t know what is.
Continue reading Radnor Hunt CDE: 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Obscure Auto: Toyota Prius
Yes, the Prius. A different sort of car than we normally feature in this section, yet a car that has had a resounding impact on the automotive world in recent years. Everyone knows a Prius when they see one, and most people know that the car has become as much a political statement as a mode of transportation. Whether you buy into the whole Green movement or not, there is no denying that the Prius has been an incredible marketing success. It paved the way for an entirely new sort of car in the world, one that puts priority on efficiency and cleanliness over all else. We all know the car, but behind every car there is a story to tell. This is that story.
Woodward Dream Cruise: Dodge Challenger “Superbird”
This an interesting, albeit love/hate sort of car. I have to admit that when I first saw this thing roll past, a few days before I shot these photos, I thought to myself, “Are you kidding me?”. However, up close the car is really well done and it kind of grew on me after I was able to look at it for a while. I can certainly appreciate where this car is coming from, and I give the owner credit for doing a great job on it. I still find it a little forced, and a little too short compared to the real Plymouth Superbird, which I saw in traffic at the same time as this car. This new Superbird certainly turns heads though, it will get you noticed for better or worse. I can’t fault someone for making their idea happen though, so I’m glad this exists. Continue reading Woodward Dream Cruise: Dodge Challenger “Superbird”
Spotted! Jaguar E-Type Series 1, Woodward Ave, MI
This absolutely pristine Jaguar E-Type was out for one of the cruise nights this summer in Detroit, MI. The E-type was deemed “the most beautiful car in the world” by many in its day, and you can really see why when looking at this car. I was also thrilled to have the chance to shoot it with the hood open. There is a mechanic elegance about how it sits with the hood up that is nothing short of seductive for a gear head. This is basically as close as cars get to pornography folks, any more than this and I would have to flag this post as NSFW. Enjoy the gallery of this Jag among Jaaags.
Continue reading Spotted! Jaguar E-Type Series 1, Woodward Ave, MI
Lamborghini Aventador Roadster released… all that waiting for a predictable result
Yea this is an incredible car, yea I can’t wait to see one on the road, and yea I really can’t wait to drive one. It is awesome, as is any drop top Lambo. But after all the hype and build up after the last few years of spy shots, and Lamborghini test drivers chasing paparazzi, I look at this and find my self saying, “Okay, next”. Everything about it is just so predictable, the car looks fantastic but it also looks exactly how everyone knew it would look. I am thrilled this car is finally out, but for me it is hardly a showstopper when other cars, like the Mclaren P1, have come out and really dropped people’s jaws. They should’ve made the Jota instead of this, then I would really be excited.
-Nick
Test Driven: 1991 Mazda RX-7 FC Convertible (8.5/10)
A Wankel, or rotary, engine is a bit of an automotive conundrum these days. It is a technology with some very distinctive pros and cons, making it very controversial amongst car people. In fact, Mazda is the only company that has dabbled with it in modern production cars, and the RX8 just recently went out of production. The rotary is the trademark feature of their RX line of sports cars, in the same way that a rear engine design is the hallmark of the Porsche 911. I got my first taste of a rotary when I reviewed the RX8, and I thought it was quite fun. So when my friend Shane told me I could borrow his ’91 RX7 convertible for the afternoon, while he was at work, I jumped at the opportunity. Sunny day, convertible sports car, rev happy Wankel motor, it sounded like a great time to me.
Continue reading Test Driven: 1991 Mazda RX-7 FC Convertible (8.5/10)
Jay Leno’s twin turbo 1924 Bentley, if you are a gearhead you will love this
This is nothing short of an epic car, and Jay is more than happy to show us every detail. Enjoy.
-Nick
Jay Leno drives the Bugatti Veyron GS Vitesse
Jay drives a very orange Bugatti.
-Nick
Lime Rock Historic Festival: Sir Stirling Moss’ Maserati 250F
This is from the glory days of Maserati, back before they had fallen victim to corporate structuring. They now exist in the shadow of Ferrari, but back then Maserati was a real contender. In 1956, Sir Stirling Moss drove this very car to victory at both the Italian Gran Prix and the Monaco Gran Prix. It was a real treat to see this car in person, both up close and racing on the track at Lime Rock Park. Enjoy.
Continue reading Lime Rock Historic Festival: Sir Stirling Moss’ Maserati 250F
Woodward Dream Cruise: Mercury Custom Street Rod
It takes a special sort of car to pull off the color purple, and this does it as well as any of them. This beautiful Mercury custom was sitting at the Burger King on Woodward Ave during the Dream Cruise this summer. I am a huge fan of this type of car, so I am happy to add this to the features we have done on Sh’Boom and others. I wasn’t able to talk to the owner of this car so I really don’t know anything about it. I sure enjoyed seeing it though. Enjoy.
Continue reading Woodward Dream Cruise: Mercury Custom Street Rod
Mind Over Motor 