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

Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Trans-Am Mustangs and Camaros at Laguna Seca

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Before seeing these classic American beasts roar their way around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Nick and I traipsed around the paddock and surveyed the potential field.  While we were walking around, I took some snaps of some of my favorite Trans-Am racers, unsure if I would be able to see them on the track later.  Luckily, I not only got these shots, but was able to see these beasts battle it out on the tarmac later in the afternoon in the blinding sun.  After hearing these old muscle cars run, I was deaf for a few glorious hours.  Searing color, searing sounds, and a thumping exhaust note–just about everything needed to enjoy an afternoon on the track.  Enjoy the photos, and Happy Holidays. Continue reading Trans-Am Mustangs and Camaros at Laguna Seca →

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Because we need another Porsche 918 video, here is Chris Harris

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Yes, I know that this is the third Porsche 918 video we’ve posted, but it is also the best one yet. Drive’s Chris Harris just has a special way of reviewing cars that sets him apart from other journalists….. maybe it’s the huge drifts in cars that cost more than a house? But, drifting aside, I think this is the best look yet into what the Porsche 918 Spyder is really like.

-Nick

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Fiat Dino Spider by Petrolicious

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I swear that the folks at Petrolicious could inspire a deep sense of passion about the most boring, inconsequential car imaginable. The Fiat Dino Spider, of course, is about as far from boring or inconsequential as can be, so naturally I found myself with a warm fuzzy feeling after watching this video about the car.

Basically this is one of just a handful of Fiat Spiders made with Dino Ferrari’s epic Formula 2 V6 in them. In the video the owner says that there are twenty Ferrari Dinos for every Fiat Dino that was built, so a very special car this is indeed.

Enjoy, and prepare to want a Fiat Dino Spider of your own more than you want to take your next breath.

-Nick

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

EVO tests the new Porsche 918 Spyder

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Evo Magazine’s take on the new Porsche 918 Spyder from the race track press launch. This video does a great job of highlighting the different modes of the 918 Spyder, and how much technology really does play a part in the whole package. Enjoy.

-Nick

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Chris Harris takes a Porsche 911 Turbo S to fight against a McLaren 12C

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In this installment of Chris Harris on Cars, Chris Harris takes it upon himself to find out how good the Porsche 911 Turbo S is when pitted against a McLaren 12C.  Watch to find out which one takes the win.  Will the Porsche top the McLaren? Or will the McLaren prove its supercar pedigree and knock the Porsche out?  Turn up your speakers (or put in headphones).  This one’s a treat for the eyes, and it’s also a treat for the ears.

-Albert S. Davis

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Chris Harris drives a BMW M3 DTM

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BMW lets Chris Harris behind the wheel of their M3 DTM race car. It may look a bit like the M3 we all know on the surface, but really it is a unique race car from the ground up. Enjoy!

-Nick

Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, Cars We've Driven, SHOWCASE

Fun from Mach 5 Cars’ Exotic Rally Tour

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I recently visited Mach 5 Cars to take part in one of their Exotic Rally Tours. Two of my friends work for Mach 5, an exotic car rental company in the Tri-State Area, and this is something I had been meaning to do for a while now. I took a few pictures, and shot some video of the fun we had on the tour. I was partnered up with my friend, Pete, who works for Mach 5, so when he was driving things got a little crazier.

Porsche 997 Turbo S at Mach 5 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder at Mach 5

So check out the video and the photos. Enjoy the sights and sounds of what was surely one of the more exciting days I have had in a while. We look forward to more collaborations with Mach 5 Cars in the future. Check out their website, and give them a call if you want to get yourself behind the wheel… their Exotic Rally Tours are one of the best values in the business. Enjoy.

Continue reading Fun from Mach 5 Cars’ Exotic Rally Tour →

Car Shows, Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE

“Old No. 4” at Laguna Seca

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At Laguna Seca, don’t go in with an expectation.  That’s not me being negative, that’s me being honest.  I only say this because you might come across a 550 Spyder, but then stumble on a piece of ancient automotive history like this racing Ford.  When I was photographing it, the entire area around it stank like spent old brakes.  Of course, that’s because someone had the guts (and the crazy) to drive this on Laguna Seca.  This happens to be a 1915 Ford race car, utilizing a 1915 Model T engine with 50 hp.  The list of tech pieces reads like something out of a horror film for racing, including a 12-speed transmission (via the use of a 2 speed planetary gearbox hooked up to a 3 speed Muncie transmission, then out to a 2 speed rear axle), a 2 wheel rear drum used as a service brake, and a pressure fed fuel system.  According to the owners, this bright yellow Ford can break 100 mph.  Judging by its minimal use of anything regarding bodywork, I’m not shocked at all about that.  What I was shocked about was that the driver got out, said hello, and was in one piece.  To the man who drove this car that day: I salute you, sir.  Enjoy the photos of this incredible little car. Continue reading “Old No. 4” at Laguna Seca →

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Jay Leno Shows Us A 1956 Maserati A6G-2000 Allemano Coupe

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Jay Leno takes us through the details and history of this 1956 Maserati A6G-2000 Allemano Coupe. Enjoy the video!

-Nick

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance: 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

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Back in 2011, this Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster didn’t start when it was supposed to arrive at the podium to recieve an award.  I’d forgotten about this until Nick reminded me of it upon seeing it in Maryland at the end of September.  Looking clean as ever, this 300SL is even more special than it normally should be.  It is, in fact, one of the last crop of first-generation Mercedes SLs to roll off the line.  According to the official record, this car was made on the very last day of production and is one of the last six 300SLs made.  At this point, Mercedes-Benz was desperate to clear out the lots of this outdated model (at the time) in favor of the new Pagoda series.  Its interior is completely original, as are the mechanical components.  The paint is new after a fender-bender damaged the rear of the car.  Other than that, though, the car’s original.  The white paint looked beautiful against the clear Maryland sky, and the red interior, combined with this car’s optional hardtop, looked very professional.  All of the original paperwork and luggage was on display too–even the toolkit was there.  This is among the most complete of any 300SL I have seen at a show, and I was elated to have seen it at the St. Michael’s Concours this fall.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance: 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster →

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Radnor Hunt CDE: 1955 Porsche 356 Continental Cabriolet, owned by Barry Wolk.

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I’ve talked about Barry Wolk here on Mind Over Motor before.  He brought a stunning 1956 Continental Mark II convertible to the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours, and a month later, I ran into him again with this Porsche at Radnor.  He collects exclusively automobiles which carry the Continental name.  The story of the Continental series is quite unusual.  Max Hoffman, Porsche’s USA importer at the time, convinced the top brass in Germany that the 356 would sell better if it used a series name rather than an alphanumeric one.  Porsche obliged and attached the Continental nameplate to the 356 series.  However, Ford intervened and complained that the Continental name was theirs and theirs alone, forcing Porsche to cease using it.  As a result, the Continental name was only used on any Porsche products in 1955.  This pretty little Turkish Red Cabriolet brought Barry the Porsche Radnor Award by the end of the day.  Congratulations to you Barry–it’s a striking and rather rare Porshe 356.  Enjoy the photographs. Continue reading Radnor Hunt CDE: 1955 Porsche 356 Continental Cabriolet, owned by Barry Wolk. →

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

2013 Radnor Hunt Concours: 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan

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When people think of a Chrysler with wood paneling, of course the Town and Country comes to mind.  However, this particular body style rarely is brought up.  Loren J. Hulber, however, bucks this trend and was happy to bring this pristine 1948 Sedan to the 2013 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance.  Only 1,175 wood-bodied sedans were produced for 1948 and this was the final year for that body style, making this Chrysler quite rare today.  These cars needed hand assembly after the panels were fitted due to the difficulty of the curved frames of the wood.  This Sumac Red example features a Highlander plaid finish interior, and won the American Classic Postwar class.  Nick and I saw it yet again at the St. Michael’s Concours, where it also won its class.  I was happy to see not only two different Town and Country models in the same place, but joyful that the rarer (and very striking) sedan was the award winner instead of the more often-seen convertible variant at this show.  Note the unique wood roof rack as well.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 2013 Radnor Hunt Concours: 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan →