Category Archives: Random Cool Stuff

This stuff isn’t our own work, but we found it cool so we wanted to share it with you

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda at the 2014 River Edge Car Show

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1970 Plymouth 'Cuda AAR Front

When it comes to homologation specials, Plymouth is not the first name that should pop into anyone’s head. However, when all three major American automakers, plus American Motors, were participants in the Trans-Am racing circuit, they all had to produce something to homologate the engine and the body of the car they chose to race. In the case of the Plymouth ‘Cuda, the AAR ended up being the car to take that burden. Unfortunately, not that many were sold in this era of big engines, big personalities, and bigger insurance policies. Only 2,724 were produced and sold in 1970, and they all had a few things in common. All of them sported a flat-black finished hood, black strobe stripes (white was available) down the sides, chrome in the grille, and a set of mean looking side pipes. Side spoilers on the front bumper and a duck tail spoiler rounded out the trim. The look was loud and mean–just the right look for the Plymouth “Rapid Transit System.”

What wasn’t visible to the naked eye, however, was a screaming Chrysler L.A. small block V8 sporting 340 cubic inches of anger, topped off with three deuces–that’s three Holley two-barrel carburetors, for those of you that are not initiated. A four-speed manual was standard, while the three-speed A727 TorqueFlite automatic was an extra-cost option. With better handling than the standard ‘Cuda, the AAR was a corner-carver in a time of straight-line performance–a true rarity coming from an American automaker of the time. This particular car sports a bright paint job (appropriately deemed Vitamin C Orange) with a black interior and the all-important four-speed manual transmission. Everyone knows about the Hemi ‘Cuda. More people need to know about its wild sister. Enjoy the photos from River Edge. Continue reading 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda at the 2014 River Edge Car Show →

Auto Idolatry

The Ferrari Testarossa Story on /DRIVEN

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Drive takes an amazing look at the story of the Ferrari Testarossa, the most iconic car of the wild 1980’s. If you were a successful drug runner in some lavish location back then, then this was the car to have!

-Nick

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours

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1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible Front

The Tri-Five Chevrolets are icons of the 1950s. In 1955, Chevrolet finally gave their lineup the shot in the arm it deserved via a flurry of bright color options, great new styling, and a new set of engines. 1955 would be the first year for the V8 option in Chevrolet’s passenger car line, and it set the precedent for the next few years. While the 1955 and 1957 models are the most iconic and valuable–for being the original, and the most outlandish (respectively), the 1956 model sometimes gets left out of the mix. This particular ’56 is a Bel Air convertible, possibly the most expensive way to buy your Chevrolet in 1956. It sports the 283 cubic inch V8 with a Powerglide automatic, but the appearance is straight as an arrow. The chrome, along with the neat two-tone blue exterior and interior, stood with the clear blue sky and almost seem to blend into the daytime light. The 1956 models were the middle child–with none of the middle child drawbacks. Enjoy the photos from Radnor. Continue reading 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours →

Auto Idolatry

Drive’s Dodge Charger Hellcat Road Trip

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Join Mike Musto for an 800 mile road trip in America’s fastest sedan, the Dodge Charger Hellcat. Nothing like 707hp and the scent of roasted rubber to wake you up in the morning!

-Nick

Auto Idolatry

Motor Trend Tests the Porsche 991 GT3

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In terms of value for money, the Porsche 911 GT3 is unquestionably the car to buy among the 911 range. It offers Enzo-like acceleration yet still maintains an overall propensity for handling. See for yourselves!

Enjoy

-Nick

Auto Idolatry

Chris Harris Drives The Ultimate ‘Ute, The Holden HSV Maloo GTS

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America’s two biggest contributions to the automotive world are the pickup truck and the muscle car. In Australia, GM makes a vehicle, called a ‘Ute, that is a perfect mix of the two, a muscle car with a pickup bed. The Holden HSV Maloo GTS is the ultimate ‘Ute, equipped with a 570hp supercharged LSA V8 under the hood.

Frankly, the HSV Maloo GTS is the most American car I can possibly imagine, but thanks to GM’s bean counters, it and all of the other ‘Utes have never been sold stateside. Idiocy, I know, and it’s extremely frustrating.

The HSV Maloo GTS marks the end of the current model, so hopefully GM may reconsider bringing the ‘Ute back to America with the next generation. We need a new Chevrolet El Camino. And if GM’s people cannot see the demand for such a car, then they clearly don’t understand the American market very well.

For now, though, just enjoy watching Chris Harris flog the Holden ‘Ute around on the track!

-Nick

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1936 Chrysler Imperial C-10 Airflow at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours

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Imperial Airflow Front

The Chrysler Airflow was the first time, and not the last time, that Chrysler Corporation would build something that was so ahead of its time aerodynamically that the design ended up being a sales failure despite its innovation. In the mid-1930s, automakers were not necessarily looking at aerodynamic styling outside of motorsports applications. Chrysler, however, decided that even without a big racing program in the Depression, that the theory of streamlining the panels on their new mainstream model, now called the Airflow, could be a success. They weren’t just wrong, they were far enough off the mark with the American public that the endeavor nearly killed the company by 1938, and the more traditionally-styled models were quickly pressed into service to bring sales back to normal levels. Not many Airflows sold thanks to the radical, streamlined styling (with influence by Orville Wright) and seeing one at a Concours event, while not unheard of, isn’t a common occurrence. This gold example at Radnor looked incredible, with only 60,000 miles since new. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1936 Chrysler Imperial C-10 Airflow at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours →

Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Porsche 959 at the 2014 Scarsdale Concours

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Porsche 959 Front Angle

When anyone wants to find the origin of where modern supercars came from, the Porsche 959 is not just a great place to start looking. It is the only place to start looking. In 1985, when Porsche put the 959 on the market, most of its technical equipment wouldn’t have been out of place 25 years later. All-wheel drive, traction control, adjustable ride height, and twin-turbocharged propulsion were all on the standard features list, and almost all of those features can be found on today’s 911 in some way, shape, or form. It was a groundbreaking car not only for Porsche, but for the entire automobile industry–and it was so good that Porsche didn’t lend the NHTSA examples for crash testing, so the Reagan administration disallowed its legal sale in the United States. Luckily for us, it’s been 25 years since then, and the 959 is now fully legal on our shores without having to go through the Show and Display Act proceedings of years prior. Only 337 of these were made, and I’ve seen 3 or 4 of them since 2011, although this was the first one I’ve seen in silver in some time. In the sunlight of Scarsdale, NY, this 959’s time had come to shine for the public. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Porsche 959 at the 2014 Scarsdale Concours →

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours

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1959 Cadillac Series 62 Front

We’ve said this a few times here on Mind Over Motor that the 1959 Cadillac is an incredibly handsome machine, in so many words. Of course, we’re going to say more every time we see one. The convertible might be the best way to show off the ’59’s enormous features, such as the too-tall tailfins, ostentatious chrome, and sharp (both to the eye and to the skin) taillights. The Series 62, unlike the Eldorado Seville we featured a few months ago from Greenwich, is the base series of the Cadillac lineup for 1959 and continued in that role until 1965. This car has the tallest tailfins ever made, coupled with the perfect body style, a noticeable color combination, and a set of gorgeous wire wheels to go with the look. In 1959, no other car would do for an executive that wanted to buy American and get noticed at all times. A red Series 62 Convertible is not a car for those with low self-esteem, and that’s perfect for standing out at a Concours event. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours →

Auto Idolatry

Come Take A Ride In A McLaren F1

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This is an exciting video that lets us all take a first-person ride in one of the most iconic supercars of all time, the McLaren F1. In addition to the glorious V12 melody, you will also hear the driver sharing some very interesting practical information about the car.

Enjoy!

-Nick

Auto Idolatry

Chris Harris Tests The Mercedes AMG GT-S

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Mercedes’ AMG GT looks like it’s going to be “the” car to have in its segment, yes, even over a Porsche 911, save maybe for a GT3.

Enjoy!

-Nick

Auto Idolatry

Chris Harris Shows Us Ken Block’s Insane AWD ’65 Mustang

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Ken Block is a racing driver, but he admits he’s rubbish at explaining his car. So for that job, Mr. Block has enlisted the help of none other than Chris Harris, of /DRIVE YouTube fame.

The “1965 Mustang” used for Ken Block’s Gymkhana 7 is really a totally custom machine with only a few bits remaining from the actual Mustang itself. In a nutshell, it is a custom built all wheel drive rally car fitted with a NASCAR engine. Sound fun? Then enjoy the video!

-Nick