We found a few brand new Lamborghini Huracáns sitting around the Quail Lodge during our time at Monterey Car Week this year. I took a special liking to this red one!
-Nick
Category Archives: Cars We’ve Seen
Cool and interesting cars that caught our eye either at shows or on the street.
Rockefeller’s Imperial Limo at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours
When it comes to the Rockefeller family, it’s hard not to think of money, prestige, fame, politics, and limousines. This particularly extravagant limo is a 1960 Imperial with a body by Ghia and an interior to die for. 17 of these Ghia-bodied limos left the factory in 1960 and this is the only one ordered without the third set of rear-side windows (making this a 5-window model as opposed to a 7-window). Nelson D. Rockefeller ordered this car when he was elected Governor of New York back in 1960 and outfitted it with emergency lights, a fabric rear seat, and vinyl half-roof. Governor Rockefeller rode in genuine style from his inauguration in 1960 (in this car) and until the end of his time in Albany, and had a penchant for Imperials, using this and another later model in the late Sixties. To make this an even more exclusive type of vehicle, there was actually a sister Ghia-bodied limo like this one, but it was owned by the one and only Jacqueline Kennedy. Rarefied air, indeed. It’s fit for a Rockefeller, it’s fit for a Kennedy, it’s probably even fit for royalty. Enjoy the photos of this regal official car. Continue reading Rockefeller’s Imperial Limo at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours
1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Scaglietti Spyder at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
When it comes to the low and lithe 250 Testa Rossa, few other Ferraris have the same combination of sex appeal, speed, and freakish good looks. Paint one yellow and red, and a Concours judge will pay attention for quite a while. It got my attention too, considering I had to fight people tooth and nail just to get a few good snaps of this one. Pebble Beach was happy to feature the 250 Testa Rossa this past year and dedicated the end of the 17th fairway to a fleet of them for all to see and adore. This yellow and red example owned by Harry Yeaggy and Willis Murphy, Jr won 2nd in class and had ownership of an incredible history–this was a customer car, raced for an extensive period of time. It lost its engine and had to race with a Chevy V8, but 19 years ago was reunited with its original engine, which is now back in the car for the first time since this Testa Rossa was delivered in 1958. “Stunning” isn’t the right word. “Terrific” better covers it. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Scaglietti Spyder at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
1973 Volkswagen Beetle #69 Spotted in Carmel, CA
When it comes to the VW Beetle, I’m not the biggest fan in the world, but I tolerate them. Of course, one that’s been modified in some amusing way will keep my attention for a good amount longer. This little white Beetle had some turquoise tape stripes (clearly made of tape), cool Minilite-style wheels, and some writing on the back window. It’s nowhere near the caliber of any other car that I saw running around Carmel that evening, but this unique little Beetle (which has a “turbo” and “1000 Horsepower” according to the written notes on the back end) has a draw and a charm all its own. Continue reading 1973 Volkswagen Beetle #69 Spotted in Carmel, CA
1993 Ferrari F40 LM at Bonhams Auction
We toured the Bonhams auction at the Quail Lodge during Monterey Car Week, and we found this monstrous Ferrari F40 LM sitting in all of its red glory. One of just 19 F40 LMs produced, this example was basically untouched with delivery miles and no track use to date. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but someone wound up forking out $2.2 million for it.
The Ferrari F40 is an all-time favorite among most car enthusiasts, and getting to see a rare LM up close is always spectacular. Enjoy the photos!
1980 Ford Mustang GT Enduro at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours
When it comes to Fox Body Mustangs, most people think of the notchback Mustangs from the later era, along with stripped-out hatchbacks packing huge V8s (often with superchargers added in) screaming down the drag strip. They’re interesting cars for the era and are slowly becoming more appreciated in the Mustang community for plenty of reasons. However, this is no ordinary Fox. This Fox has been drinking steroids through an IV bag. Thanks to the McLaren body and success Ford had in racing the Mustang in the IMSA-GTO endurance class in the early Eighties, three street display cars resulted to advertise the new 5.0L V8 engine and a new set of Firestone tires. This is the second of just three built, and the only one remaining at this time. Although it’s not a normal car to see at a Concours event, it looked quite fitting on the bottom row of cars at Radnor last month, especially against the crystal-blue sky. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1980 Ford Mustang GT Enduro at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti spotted in Carmel, CA
We saw this blacked-out Ferrari 612 Scaglietti looking seriously sinister in Carmel, California during the festivities of Monterey Car Week. Ferrari GT cars are always classy, but those wheels made this one look especially sharp. Enjoy!
-Nick
1929 Ruxton C Baker-Raulang Roadster at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Ruxtons were a featured marque this year at the Pebble Beach Concours, and what a great brand to feature at a show like this. These cars were built-to-order in a shop in Philadelphia and were incredibly expensive to buy. As the first front-wheel-drive American automobile for sale, these were exclusive in their era and very innovative for the late Twenties. The brand would sadly fail in 1931, but interest in the cars has been high in the recent past as orphan marques become more noticeable at Concours events. This particular Ruxton is the fifth Roadster built and features a truly breathtaking pink paint finish, something unique and stunning on a car from the Roaring Twenties. This car now resides in the Petersen collection and was right at the front of the line of Ruxtons in the middle row at Pebble Beach–a fitting location for such an eye-catching automobile. In terms of striving for attention, it does not get any better than this Ruxton for 1929. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1929 Ruxton C Baker-Raulang Roadster at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Ford Rat Rod outside the New Hope Auto Show
This sweet Ford Rat Rod rolled up to the New Hope Auto Show but for some reason was denied entry… how anyone could say turn a car like this way when there were plenty of empty spots in the show is completely beyond me.
I decided to make it a point to do a feature on this Rat Rod because it was so well done and had loads of character. Just look at that microphone shifter, those crafted metal seats, and even the Sailor Jerry bottle being used as a coolant reservoir — This thing is BAD ASS.
Enjoy the photos of this beast!
Continue reading Ford Rat Rod outside the New Hope Auto Show
Epic Road Cars at Laguna Seca
There are always some extremely tasty cars in and around the paddock at Laguna Seca during the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. In addition to some of the most legendary racing cars of all time (see that Porsche 917 above), you are also likely to find many awesome road cars, everything from classic gems to the most current hypercars.
The action in the Paddock was especially good this year. We’ll show you the racing cars later on, but we wanted to start with the road cars, which were quite a spectacle. Enjoy!
Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser spotted in Carmel, CA
While Nick was busy walking to the rental car after we got done taking photos at Bonhams, I was busy trying to line up a shot of a rather humorous “YOLO” style plate on a Lamborghini Gallardo when one of my all-time favorite early-Seventies pieces of Americana rolled into view. These guys were a cool bunch, and when I asked them the most important question of “What’s under the hood?” they simply said it was running a 455 cubic inch big block V8. Frankly, when it comes to an early Seventies Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, a 455 is the most acceptable engine in a most classy way to transport your groovy Seventies clan. Combine that with a good looking light blue, wood simulation on the sides, and the great sunlight of Central California in August, and the recipe for fun is nearly complete. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser spotted in Carmel, CA
Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale spotted in Carmel, CA
This track-ready Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale was sighted amongst the craziness of Carmel during Monterey Car Week. Still one of the best sounding V8 Ferraris out there.
-Nick
Mind Over Motor 