Category Archives: Cars We’ve Seen

Cool and interesting cars that caught our eye either at shows or on the street.

Car Shows

Lamborghini Murcielago LP-670 SV at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island

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Lamborghini LP-670 SV FOS 1

One of the stars of the Festivals Of Speed, Amelia Island this year was this bright orange Lamborghini Murcielago LP-670 SV. There were a number of flashy Lambos vying for attention on the show field, but somehow this “Super Veloce” edition of the Murcielago always seemed to stop people in their tracks.

This bull is a beast. With a 661hp 6.5L V12 under its hood, it can hit 60mph in 3 seconds flat, blast through the 1/4 mile in 11.2 seconds, and go on to a v-max of 209-213mph (depending on the aero settings). In addition to its incredible performance, the SV is a proper Lambo with all of the “machine guns” fitted, as Clarkson likes to say. It has that silly-awesomeness that seems to give it a strong gravitational pull on everyone’s attention. The SV is also an extremely rare bird with just 350 units produced, however there are rumors that as few as 186 units were actually produced before the factory had to be revised for Aventador production.

It is always awesome to be in the presence of a Lamborghini of this caliber. Bella Machina!

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Car Shows

Chevrolet Nova SS-396 at the Hollywood Car Auction, Amelia Island

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Chevrolet Nova SS396 Front

At the same auction where the Hudsons were sold, this very clean 1969 Chevrolet Nova SS396 eagerly awaited a new buyer.  It looked smart and professionally restored, with a 396ci V8, manual transmission, gorgeous black interior, and a black vinyl roof, topped off with redline tires and Rally wheels.  Unfortunately, this Nova didn’t sell at the auction and at this time I am still unaware if the car has changed hands.  That said, this is one of the straightest, cleanest late-Sixties Novas I have seen in a very long period of time.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Chevrolet Nova SS-396 at the Hollywood Car Auction, Amelia Island →

Cars We've Seen

Alfa Romeo 2600 Coupe spotted in Englishtown, NJ

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Alfa Romeo 2600 Coupe

There’s something special about the allure of this classic Alfa Romeo that made me put a halt to my busy day for a few minutes so I could snap a few photos of it. I cannot pretend to be an expert on every nuance of the Alfa Romeo brand of this era, but my online research has told me that this car is a 1960’s (1963?) Alfa Romeo 2600 Coupe.

I spotted it just sitting there on my way from Waterfest last summer to another car show later that evening. I don’t know if the owner intentionally left it out for car show attendees to enjoy, or if it was there for some other reason, but it managed to captivate me in the setting of that day. The car had a wonderful patina to it that made it seem that much more special. I had to capture it.

Enjoy!

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Car Shows

Ferrari 212 Export Berlinetta by Touring at Amelia Island

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While I was waiting to sign up to drive a Porsche, and while Nick was busy driving the bewitching new SRT Viper, I spent most of my brisk Florida morning at Amelia Island chasing after cars that were entering the hotel grounds.  While I was running around, I found myself chasing down this gorgeous little number.  This marks only the second time I’ve found myself close to a 212, one of the first well-known cars Ferrari produced.  This particular car is a 212 Export Berlinetta wearing its original Touring coachwork in a deep, rich burgundy hue with a rather Spartan tan interior, wire wheels, and details that kept my attention for a solid amount of time.  It may have been parked among a Lamborghini Aventador, Porsche 918, and a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, but the little 212 had absolutely no problem drawing a crowd to itself in front of the Ritz-Carlton. Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Three Hudsons, Auctioned Off at the Hollywood Car Auction Amelia Island

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Hudson Commodore Convertible Front
1949 Hudson Commodore Convertible (Front)

I’m a sucker for Hudson’s “Step Down” styling and engineering of 1949-1954.  These were some of the first American cars to utilize advanced body and chassis manufacturing techniques after the war was over and the effort paid off on the track.  In NASCAR’s early days, the Hudsons were almost utterly unstoppable thanks to their design.  The body and chassis were a semi-single unit and the floor was placed lower than the frame rails, which enabled passengers to “step down” into the interior (hence the phrase).  This saved weight and also lowered the vehicle, improving handling.  When paired up with the later “Twin-H-Power” straight-six engine, the later Hornets were unbeatable on the track in their day, dominating the field in the early Fifties, with 27 of 34 Grand National wins in 1952, 22 of 37 in 1953, and 17 of 37 in 1954.  Three of these Hudsons were up for auction at the Hollywood Car Auction at Amelia Island, and all three of them sold.  The yellow 1949 Commodore convertible sold for $73,000 before buyer’s premium.  The two Hornet sedans up for sale were later models (the burgundy is a 1953 model, while the black one was a ’52).  The black 1952 sedan sold for $62,000 and the burgundy 1953 sedan sold for $87,500.  Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

1935 Duesenberg SJ553 at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

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Duesenberg SJ553 2

Lifestyles of the rich and the famous indeed. Back in 1935 this one-off Duesenberg SJ553 cost a hefty $20,000 at a time when the average car cost $625 and the average house cost around $3,400. Proportionally, something like this Duesenberg would cost nearly $1 million today, however luxury cars of this magnitude are a thing of the past. The closest thing still around would be a Rolls Royce Phantom, but even that costs about half as much as this Duesie would.

This SJ553 was commissioned by Mars Candy Company heiress, Ethel Mars, and served as the ultimate status symbol of its day. It was even featured in Time Magazine in 1936 being hailed as the costliest car in the United States. Similar to a Bugatti Veyron today, supercharged Duesenbergs were some of the most powerful cars of their era. This SJ553 is one of only 36 factory supercharged Duesenbergs built, with an impressive 320hp being produced by its 420ci (6.9L) dual overhead cam Straight 8 engine.

In addition to its staggering price and performance, the SJ553 was one of the most elegantly styled Duesenbergs around. Its sinister Art Deco bodywork appears to have been draped gently over the underpinnings of its massive frame. The SJ553 was a sight to be seen, even surrounded by other stunning Duesenbergs at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Let it serve as a glimpse into the wonders of a bygone era of the automobile.

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Cars We've Seen

Morgan 3 Wheeler spotted at Amelia Island

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Morgan 3 Wheeler at Amelia Island 5

We went out to grab some things from the car during the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and we found this stunning Morgan 3 Wheeler sitting in the media parking lot. I’ve seen a few of these things around now, but this orange 3 Wheeler has to be the most striking one yet. I just love the fighter plane inspired bits. It gives the car a fun and exciting character that is irresistible. I had to snap a few pics of it, and I think they came out well. Enjoy!

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Car Shows

1965 Chevrolet Corvette at the Radnor Hunt Concours, 2013

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American muscle cars were certainly well represented at the Radnor Hunt Concours late last summer, and this 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray coupe was a straight, well-kept example.  Despite packing the base 327ci V8, this black-on-red stunner featured a great assortment of options not often seen on mid-Sixties Corvettes, such as a power antenna, power windows, power brakes, and power steering.  The 1965 model also featured four-wheel disc brakes, a first on the Corvette as a standard item.  Purchased by a wife for her husband as a 65th birthday present, this gorgeous ‘Vette still looked a million bucks on the grass at Radnor.  Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

Porsche 918 Spyder at Amelia Island

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Porsche 918 Spyder 1

During the festivities of the Amelia Island Concours weekend, Porsche had their new 918 Spyder hypercar  shown off prominently in the VIP parking section at the Ritz Carlton resort. Naturally it drew tons of attention from drooling spectators, as most of us Americans have yet to lay eyes on a 918 in person.

For those unfamiliar with the Porsche 918 Spyder, it is Porsche’s new flagship model. It utilizes a hybrid powertrain that nets 887hp at 8500rpm and will do 214mph, but get this, Porsche also claims it is capable of up to 78mpg if driven gently (not that anyone will ever want to do that). If, somehow, this is news to you, and you find your interest has been piqued, a 918 Spyder can be yours for the low, low price of just $845,000!!!

The more I learn about the 918 Spyder, the more I consider it my favorite among the current crop of hybrid hypercars, at least for road use anyway. We still don’t know which of the three is the “fastest,” but we do know that a 918 Spyder Weissach Edition made it around the Nurburgring in 6 minutes and 57 seconds, which certainly makes the 918 fast enough to get to work on time…. not that people who are buying this car have a boss to answer to. Until McLaren decides to just spill the beans on the P1’s Ring time, and until Ferrari stops hiding the LaFerrari from any form of objective scrutiny whatsoever, we will have to wait to see which one is “best.”

The Porsche is an incredible machine, though, and I think the fact that they haven’t held anything back about the 918 says everything that needs to be said.

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Car Shows

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 at Cars and Coffee Amelia Island

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1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Front
1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Front

The day before the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the Ritz Carlton on the island opened up their golf course for anyone with an interesting classic to show up and park among their peers across the fairway.  While talking to a few people and enjoying the sun-kissed weather, I found a car bathed in enough sunlight to make the world shine.  Enter this eye-catching yellow 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396.  This happens to be done up exactly how I’d want it on the outside.  The sunflower yellow paint was free of faults, and the whole package (with the Magnum 500 wheels and white-letter tires, along with the black stripe and shined up chrome) looked just as smart now as it probably did back in the days of Richard Nixon, Woodstock, and free love.  Of course, this car would be happier leaving tire tracks all over Main Street, USA than ferrying drugged up hippies to and from an enormous rock concert, but I bet it would be fun for anyone in the era.  I was glad to see one this nice that morning, and my eyes are still stinging from that yellow.  Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Custom Pickup Truck at the Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island

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Nick was far too busy photographing a nifty Volkswagen parked at the back of the show to take fair notice of something that was even cooler just next to it.  This custom pickup truck is too insane for words.  The frame is out of  Toyota Pickup, the engine is a Chevrolet LT-1 V8 from the early Nineties, and the interior is completely custom-made, with a No Smoking sign forming the backdrop panel for the radio and a custom instrument panel.  Meanwhile, the body is a cream-and-brown 1954 Dodge stepside regular cab, and the entire thing is fitted with an adjustable air suspension.  I spoke to some buddies of the owner who said that some passerby snickered and said “What’s this doing here?”, smirking the entire time.  In my opinion, the joke is on them–this is one of the coolest customs I’ve ever seen and absolutely belonged in the show.  Note some of the more quirky touches, such as the set of ratchet wrenches standing in for a gas pedal and a sculptured middle finger in place of a rear view mirror.  All in all, this custom pickup truck at the Festivals of Speed is one of the coolest customs I’ve ever seen.  Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

Fiat Dino Spider at Amelia Island

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Fiat Dino Spider at Amelia Island

We caught this blue Fiat Dino Spider at the cars and coffee event during the Amelia Island car weekend. This is a rare car with the same Ferrari V6 under its hood as found in the Dino 206, and Dino 246 for later models. We did a post featuring Petrolicious’ video on the Fiat Dino a few months ago, and it was awesome to get to see one up close in person.

-Nick