Category Archives: Car Shows

Photo galleries from places we’ve been and events we’ve attended

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1957 Ford at the New Hope Car Show

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This past August, I was busy taking pictures with Nick at the New Hope Car Show, an event which, although not billed as a Concours, has cars that would certainly look at home in one.  Day One, August 10, is reserved for American cars.  This year, during the awards, we were taking detail shots when my eardrums on both sides of my head got a big jolt.  I turned around, and there was this rather ordinary-looking 1957 Ford two-door sedan sitting in traffic idling behind me.  However, the dog-dish hubcaps and rather loud shade of red spoke to something sinister–if there’s one thing I learned over my years, it was that this Ford, with its fetching red paint and rumbling exhaust, was hiding something wicked under the hood.  After a quick chat with the owner, I was delighted to hear that this ’57 was packing some serious punch–in fact, this thing was running a supercharged 292 cubic inch V8 with 300 brake horsepower–a huge sum at that time, and even though I wasn’t sure if it was original, I certainly enjoyed the soundtrack and the straightness of the bodywork.  I had not seen a ’57 Ford as clean as this one until that point, and I haven’t seen one as good cosmetically since then.  Enjoy the photos.
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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 →

Car Shows

Ford GT40s at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

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Ford GT40 MkII at Amelia Island
Ford GT40 MkII at Amelia Island

The 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance featured a tribute to the legendary Ford GT40. I always say that many of the legendary cars we know and love today were originally created because Enzo Ferrari pissed someone off, and the GT40 is one such car.

Back in 1963 Ford went well into the process to purchase Ferrari, but Enzo pulled out of the deal at the last minute, after a lot of money had been spent by Ford to audit his company, because Ford would not allow Enzo continued total control over Ferrari’s racing division. Henry Ford II was infuriated by Enzo, and decided to get his revenge where it would hurt Enzo most, on the racetrack. With the help of Carroll Shelby, and many others, the Ford GT40 was born, and it unleashed a firestorm upon the Ferrari’s racing efforts, most notably winning the 24 hrs of LeMans four years in a row (1966-1969).

Seeing so many Ford GT40s in the same place was nothing short of an epic experience, and it made quite a good impression on my first trip to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. We look forward to returning this year, and can only hope for another display as spectacular as this one was. Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows, Motorsport

Alfa Romeos from the paddock at Laguna Seca

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Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Race Car

There were a number of truly righteous Alfa Romeos occupying the paddock at Laguna Seca during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion this year. When it comes to vintage cars, Alfas are definitely among my personal favorite. They are some of the sexiest machines around, and back in the day, Alfa Romeo was a serious racing contender… before all of this Fiat Group hierarchy, everyone bow down to Ferrari, nonsense.

The Alfas in the pit lane were among the creme-de-la-creme of Alfa Romeos. We saw a Tipo 33/2 Race Car (pictured above), a TZ, a TZ2, and a very race-prepped Giulia Spider. For context, Alfa Romeo made just 112 TZs, and a scant 12 TZ2s. I’m not sure on the number of Tipo 33/2s that Alfa produced, but I’d bet it’s within the range of the TZ models.

Italian cars are able to make any setting look good. Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

Greenwich Concours d’Elegance: 1974 BMW E9 3.0CSL

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1974 BMW E9 3.0CSL

We saw this minty 1974 BMW E9 3.0CSL at the 2013 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance last Spring. E9s are some of my favorite BMWs of all time with their classy style and perfect proportions. The 3.0CSL you see here is a pristine example of the top-spec, road going version of the BMW E9. Those who know BMWs, of course, will know the racing, “Batmobile”, version of the 3.0CSL. The road version, like this one, was a lighter weight, more sporting version of the E9 rather than a detuned version of the racing car, similar to how the Subaru STi is to the standard Subaru Impreza today.

The 3.0CSL is one of the direct precursors to the range of BMW M cars that we all know and love today. It was a real treat seeing this immaculate example at Greenwhich this year. Enjoy the gallery.

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Car Shows

Beautiful Raspberry Bentley Continental GTC W12

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Raspberry Bentley Continental GTC W12

While passing the Bentley hospitality lodge at Pebble Beach, I noticed this stunning raspberry colored Continental GTC W12 on display. Normally Bentley Continentals are common fare in wealthy areas, especially Pebble Beach, but the color of this one, and the beautiful setting drew me in. Enjoy the photos.

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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.

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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 →

Car Shows

Pagani Huayra at The Quail

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Pagani Huayra at The Quail

I remember, back when I was like fifteen, when getting to sit in a supercar was an unbelievable thrill. It was before I had a driver’s license, so driving them still seemed so far off in the distance, and sitting in a car at an event was sort of the pinnacle experience among my friends and I. We always used to talk to owners with the hopes of buttering them up before popping the big question, “So, can I sit in it?”

It seems like a simple request, but with many owners, you might as well be saying, “I really love your wife’s breasts, mind if I have myself a feel?” Such cars many people can hold that dearly to themselves. There were always the “cool” owners who obliged us, and a few complete jerks who wouldn’t. Some of my favorite reactions actually came from company representatives, who had forgotten to lock the cars at events, like, “Excuse me, sir. Are you being…. helped?” (to a 15 year old kid), or “You think you can just sit in whatever cars you please?” Well yes, if the door is open I think I will.

Anyway, since starting this site, I have had the great fortune of getting to drive many “dream cars,” and I must say that simply sitting in a Lamborghini doesn’t quite do for me what it used to any more. However, this year we went to The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and there I was given the opportunity to sit in my (above all others) dream car, the Pagani Huayra. The excitement was back, and in force. I was now in the midst of everything I have seen online, all those immaculate details, and it was just awesome.

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Car Shows

New Hope Auto Show: Buick Super 8 Woody Wagon

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Buick Super 8 Woody Wagon

This Buick Super 8 is a woody among woodies. It rolled in a little later in the day at the New Hope Auto Show this summer, and it immediately ripped our eyes away from the corral of supercars. This is one of those cases where they literally just don’t make them like this anymore. With modern safety regulations and cost concerns, the woody is a thing of the past. While that is quite sad, it also makes spectacular examples, such as this Buick, that much more special.

The details on this Super 8 Wagon were nothing short of immaculate. It is from an era when American cars were at their peak, a level that modern American companies wish they could reach now. I’m sorry, but next to this Buick Super 8, a Verano or a Lacrosse might as well be invisible. GM, and other American companies, need to bring this sort of luscious flavor back into their products. They may not be able to use large wooden panels anymore, but how about some inspired design and a bold sense of style?

I’ll let the photos do the talking from here. Enjoy.

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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. →