Category Archives: Car Shows

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

Car Shows

2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance: 1929 duPont Model G Merrimac Speedster

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1929 du Pont G

The duPont family had amassed a vast fortune by the turn of the 20th century, and members of the family were beginning to try their hands at other ventures. For E. Paul duPont the venture was into the realm of luxury automobiles. His aim was to make the most luxurious car in the world, a hefty task with competition from the likes of Duesenberg, Stutz, and Cadillac at the time.

The duPont Model G was brought out as a response to the mighty Duesenberg J, which completely reset the standards of the day. The Model G featured a new Continental 5.3L inline eight cylinder engine that made anywhere from 114hp to 140hp. The Speedster you see here was constructed by the coach-builder Merrimac. Around 200 duPont Model Gs were built in total, making it the most popular duPont model built before the company stopped production in 1931.

I haven’t seen too many of these around, and this Model G really caught my eye at this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. I’ve always been a sucker for black and red color schemes, and with its white-wall tires, this car was just gorgeous. Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

CF Charities Supercar Show: Lamborghini LM002

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Lamborghini LM002 SUV

The LM002 is what happened when Lamborghini decided they wanted to go off-roading. Built from 1986 to 1993, the LM002 featured the same 5.2L V12 as the Lamborghini Countach supercar, only it was mounted up front for better off road handling characteristics.

Inside you will find a luxuriously appointed interior, a sign of who actually purchased a vehicle like this. Despite looking like a Humvee, the LM002 was not some rugged military vehicle (although there were originally hopes of selling a military version). It was instead an offroad exotic, with a similar relative appeal to Lamborghini’s supercars of the time. Many crazy people, like Uday Hussein, bought them, helping to cement the LM002’s image as the “Rambo Lambo.” (Uday’s LM002 was blown up by the US Army in a bomb test)

Only around 300 LM002s were produced during its 9 year production run, making it extremely rare. It was an interesting exercise for sure, but not one that yielded much commercial success. The LM002 is unbelievably cool when you see it in person. This one, at the recent CF Charities Supercar Show, was only the second or third LM002 I’ve seen up close, so it was a special sight. Enjoy the pics.

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Car Shows

The Elegance At Hershey: 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C-2900B Spider

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1938 Alfa Romeo 8C-2900B Spider

This 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C-2900B Spider won “Best In Show” at The Elegance at Hershey 2013. The awards were handed out very hastily as there was a rain storm moving in, but this Alfa deserved to win. This is an unrestored car, just maintained over the years, and it was a magnificent sight in person. It is one of just 22 8C-2900Bs ever produced, and of those it is one of only five short wheelbase versions. Under the hood it shares the same supercharged 2.9L inline-eight cylinder engine with other 8C variants of the time, producing 180hp in 2900B specification. It featured a super lightweight body from Touring in Milan, Italy that gave it a solid power-to-weight ratio. Alfa 8Cs dominated racing during their day, and it isn’t hard to see why.

Today this car resides in the Bahre Collection, and has won awards at other events, including Pebble Beach in 2002. Pre-war Alfas are always a treat to see, and this 8C-2900B was no exception. Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

CF Charities Supercar Show: SSC Ultimate Aero #15

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SSC Ultimate Aero number 15

This is the car that stole the “Fastest Production Car” title from the original Bugatti Veyron. While the Germans have since reclaimed that title with the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, SSC hopes their car will one day even oust that car too. The Ultimate Aero you see here is the car to do it, redesigned for better aerodynamics, and now with 1,287hp on tap from its twin turbocharged 6.3L V8. While the official SSC record stands at 256mph, this updated version is said to be capable of 270mph (hence the license plate). We’ll see if they are able to pull off that speed when they get around to actually testing it, but the fact that it’s even possible is mind blowing.

As for SSC themselves, their name stands for “Shelby Super Cars”, and no, they do not have any relation to Carroll Shelby….. and that is always the first question you have to answer whenever telling someone about this car. The car you see here is car number 15. With SSC being such a small car maker, I assume that means 15 total production and not just the 15th of the updated Ultimate Aero models. Either way, this is an extremely rare car, and surely the only one around in my area. The owner of this car put on a supercar event to benefit his charity, and his Ultimate Aero stood proud as the centerpiece for the event. It was also the first SSC I have ever laid eyes on in person, so it was a pretty special occasion for me personally. Stunning car, and a great color for it. Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance: 1930 Stutz SV-16 Monte Carlo Weymann Body

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1930 Stutz SV-16 Monte Carlo Weymann Body

This Stutz was the first car that caught my eye at the 2013 Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance. Its body, entirely wrapped in fabric, is the work of renown French coach builder Charles Weymann. The SV-16 Monte Carlo was the top of line model offered by Stutz at the time, and only three Weymann bodied examples exist. Thankfully, all three Weymann Monte Carlos are present, accounted for, and in top notch condition. This particular car sold for $550,000 at RM Auctions in 2000, and was restored to its original condition by RM Restoration.

Under the hood there is a 322ci (5.3L) inline 8 cylinder engine producing 113hp. It sends power through a three speed manual transmission, and has solid axles front and rear supported by leaf springs. The Monte Carlo featured some very European styling for the time, despite being built in Indiana, because Stutz wanted it to appeal to clientele on both sides of the Atlantic. This car was high end back in its day, and it may be even more high end now. Certainly, no American company makes a car of this caliber today.

Enjoy the gallery.

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Car Shows

CF Charities Supercar Show: Porsche, Rossion and Mclaren

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Porsche Carrera GT and Rossion Q1

We attended the CF Charities Supercar Show in Warminster, PA last weekend. There were some really nice cars there, but the grand entrance made by a Porsche Carrera GT accompanied by a Rossion Q1 was a moment that stuck out. I’m told both cars are owned by the same person… must be wonderful. There was also an artist at the show who was doing paintings of cars for owners who had donated money at a benefit held the night before. While I was there he was doing a nice job with a Mclaren MP4-12C. Great event. Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

Hopewell Cruise Night: The Beatles’ Beetle

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The Beetles’ VW Beetle

This sweet VW Beetle, all decked out with The Beatles, was at a recent cruise night in Hopewell, NJ. Gotta love when people make an otherwise common car into a work of art. Enjoy.

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Car Shows

CF Charities Supercar Show: Campagna T-Rex

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Campagna T-Rex

 

I always love seeing a Campagna T-Rex, so I was ecstatic when this thing rolled in to the CF Charities Supercar Show this past weekend. Great color too. Enjoy the pics.  Continue reading CF Charities Supercar Show: Campagna T-Rex →

Car Shows

The Elegance at Hershey 2013

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1938 Talbot-Lago T-150 CSS
1938 Talbot-Lago T-150 CSS

We attended the The Elegance at Hershey this past weekend. It was actually our second show of the day, so time was precious to begin with, but the rain wound up cutting the event even shorter. It actually turned out to be favorable for us because most people left the show, leaving the cars largely unobstructed for photographs. The clouds also made the lighting fantastic for shooting classic cars, by both reducing glare and making to colors more striking. Our time in Hershey was a bit rushed, but I like how the pics came out. There were some really fantastic cars there too. This is an overview gallery of the event. There will be specific features to follow. Enjoy. Continue reading The Elegance at Hershey 2013 →

Car Shows

Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance: 1947 Ferrari 159S Spyder Corsa

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1947 Ferrari 159S Spyder Corsa owned by James Glickenhaus
James Glickenhaus at the wheel of his Ferrari 159S Spyder Corsa at the 2013 Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance

This 1947 Ferrari 159S Spyder Corsa, chassis number 002C, is believed to be the single oldest Ferrari automobile existence. It also happens to be owned by James Glickenhaus, who is well known for his one-off Ferrari P4/5 and his P4/5 Competizione privateer racing program. I had a chance to talk to Mr.  Glickenhaus briefly and he’s a very nice guy, happy to talk cars with any curious enthusiast who passes by.

With a car like this, he was definitely getting a lot of attention at the Concours this year. It certainly isn’t hard to see how this thing took “Best In Show”, being the oldest Ferrari left. This 159S is also in truly immaculate condition, and that’s a good thing because from what I’ve found, it was the only 159 ever produced. You need to remember that Ferrari only built racing cars in their early years, and the 159 turned out to be a stopgap model between the Ferrari 125 and the Ferrari 166. The racing life of this car was short-lived, but that may well be the reason for its survival.

Under the hood lies an enlarged version of Gioacchino Colombo’s V12, at 1.9L. It makes around 125hp, but keep in mind how featherlight the car is. Back in its day, this thing was quite rapid. I just love looking at old racing cars because they show how the design of the automobile has evolved over the years. Racing cars of this era are so simple and functional, and that often makes them beautiful in a very pure way. Just look at the details of this 159 and you will see that it as much a work of art as it is a mechanical tool for speed.

It was such a treat to see this car in person and be able to take these photos of it. Congratulations to Mr. Glickenhaus on the “Best In Show” win. Enjoy the gallery.

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Car Shows

2013 Amelia Island CDE: 1965 Lamborghini 3500 GT Zagato

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1965 Lamborghini 3500 GT Zagato

This is one of two Lamborghini 3500 GTs to be fitted with a Zagato body. The 3500 GT was the first automobile Ferruccio Lamborghini made after his storied dispute with Enzo Ferrari. Underneath, this 3500 GTZ has the same 320hp 4.0L V12 as the standard car, but that gorgeous body it wears is nearly one of a kind. This white car, chassis 0310, is the only one of the two that is currently accounted for. The other car, a red one, has all sorts of rumors swirling around its whereabouts, and state of condition. I’ve heard some people say it is just fine, safely locked away in a private collection. But I’ve also heard the story of someone who claims they saw it sitting in sorry shape in a barn in Arizona, and that he even saw bullet holes in it. The thought of the latter just kills me, so I will hope for the former. Either way, though, the owner of the white GTZ has done well to keep his car in immaculate condition, and I was privileged enough to happen upon it at this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance. I had heard about this car, and of course had seen pictures of it online, but seeing it in person was truly breathtaking. I have yet to see anything from Zagato that I don’t like, and this 3500 GTZ is among my favorites. The standard Lamborghini 3500 GT was a great looking car to begin with, but Zagato turned it into something even more elegant. Classic Italian curves galore. Enjoy the gallery.

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Car Shows

The 2013 Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance

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James Glickenhaus in his 1947 Ferrari 159S Spyder Corsa
James Glickenhaus taking “Best in In Show” in his 1947 Ferrari 159S Spyder Corsa…. believed to be the oldest Ferrari automobile in existence.

We were in attendance for the 2013 Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance this past weekend in Connecticut. It was a fantastic event, and we saw, and drove, many awesome cars. Like most Concours events we go to, we have come back with months of material that we will be sharing with you over time, but this is a highlight reel to wet your appetite. Enjoy.

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