Category Archives: Cars We’ve Seen

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

Festivals Of Speed: 1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible

1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible

The Caribbean was Packard’s halo car back in the day, and this stunning example was present for the recent Festivals Of Speed event on Amelia Island. This 1956 Caribbean Convertible was very high-end, costing more than the equivalent Cadillac. Unfortunately, this was also one of the last Packard Carribeans to be made because the company was going bust, and 1956 was the last year of production for this car. During that year just 276 Caribbean Convertibles were produced, making this quite a rare car. I cannot get enough of the tri-tone color scheme. The hot pink between the white and black  really sets the car off. The interior details also are quite immaculate, with an interesting pattern on the dash. It is a beautiful car all around.

Seeing this Caribbean up close made me really wish that our modern American cars still had this sort of style. Just look at all that chrome trim, so much style for style sake. I know we can’t build cars exactly like this anymore, but things have gotten far too boring. If memory serves me correctly, I don’t even think there is a single American car that you can still factory order with a two tone color scheme, let alone something like this Caribbean. There is no reason for our cars to have lost their sense of style, so while looking through these photos, just think about then versus now. Our car industry has lost all of its flavor, and we need to demand it back. I would love to see the Packard name re-emerge too, but now I’m really just hoping blindly. Enjoy the pics. Continue reading Festivals Of Speed: 1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible

Spotted! Bentley Brooklands, Amelia Island, FL

Bentley Brooklands

On our way into the Concours event on Sunday, we came across this fantastic looking Brooklands sitting all alone in a bank parking lot. There is something special about seeing a car worth more money than most homes just sitting all alone in the real world, covered in morning dew like it were any other object. The Brooklands is a Bentley among Bentleys, the flagship model from 2008-2011, and just 550 examples in existence. Its 6.75L V8 packs 530hp, and a mighty 773ft/lbs of torque. This particular car was immaculately appointed, with a two tone, black and gray, color scheme, a red leather interior, and a red pinstripe along the side.

This is a very Bilderberg type of car, the sort that makes back door arrangements with other big-wigs, and pretends to adopt orphans for fun, just to see the desperate looks on their faces as they drive away without them at the last second. If the “Top 1%” had a team mascot, the Brooklands could certainly be it. The Continental GT is surely the Bentley for sensible money, whereas the Brooklands is for the “just because I can” types. So, if you are seeing this, and you are sad because you don’t have a Brooklands, just take solace in knowing that at least everyone won’t automatically hate you at first sight.

That said, I do love this car, just not the stigma that comes with it. It is the ultimate in “baller status”, which is both a good and bad thing. Enjoy the pics.

Continue reading Spotted! Bentley Brooklands, Amelia Island, FL

Woodward Dream Cruise: Shelby Mustangs

Shelby Mustang GT350

We had a request for some classic Mustangs, so I went through my photos from the Woodward Dream Cruise and found some. There wer many beautiful Mustangs running around during the event, but I tended to focus more on the Shelbys. The cars here range from original 60’s models to the GT500 Eleanor, which was created for the film Gone in 60 Seconds. Enjoy.

Continue reading Woodward Dream Cruise: Shelby Mustangs

Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance: 1976 BMW 3.0 CSL Art Car

BMW 3.0 CSL Art Car

The BMW 3.0 CSL is always a special car to see in person, but at last weekend’s Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance, they had one of the Art Cars on display. This one was created by Frank Stella. It was the second of the BMW Art Cars, as well as the final 3.0 CSL Art Car.  The car was roped off in its tent, so these were the best angles I could get, but I think the shots do the car enough justice. Enjoy.

Continue reading Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance: 1976 BMW 3.0 CSL Art Car

Spotted! Ferrari 458 Spiders, Zurich, Switzerland

These were my first encounters with 458 Spiders while in Switzerland last summer. They had just hit the streets, and I’d assume Switzerland is one of the first places in the world to see its orders filled, given its proximity to Italy, and their immense wealth. Enjoy.

Continue reading Spotted! Ferrari 458 Spiders, Zurich, Switzerland

Woodward Dream Cruise: Sh’Boom’s flamethrowers in action

Sh’Boom is definitely the coolest Hot Rod I’ve ever seen, and that is largely because of its flamethrowers you see here. I posted a whole gallery of photos I took of the car during a cruise night, but during the Woodward Dream Cruise it put on a real show for the crowd. It was cruising along slowly, with flames continuously spewing from the tailpipes for at least 3/4 of a mile. The streets were lined with thousands of people, and I could hear loud cheers erupt from the crowds as the car drove down the road. It was an incredible moment to behold. The effect Sh’boom has on people is astounding, definitely a car that will make your day. I just found these photos while digging through the albums from my summer in Detroit, MI, and I needed to share them. I am also going to add them to the previous Sh’boom gallery, so if you haven’t see those pics yet, check them out. Enjoy

Continue reading Woodward Dream Cruise: Sh’Boom’s flamethrowers in action

Hopewell Cruise Night: Blown 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Dragster

This monster of a Camaro was at the cruise night in Hopewell, NJ last spring. It is a ’69 model car, but has obviously been heavily modified. Under the hood there is a supercharged 540ci V8…. thats 8.85L for those of you who use metric. I spoke with the owner’s father and he said it was putting down around 800rwhp, and with those enormous rear tires it will probably hook up fine at the drag strip. This is American Muscle at its finest. Enjoy.

Continue reading Hopewell Cruise Night: Blown 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Dragster

Lime Rock Historic Festival: Bugatti Type 57S and Type 57C

Two gorgeous pre-war Bugatti Type 57’s, one Type 57S and one Type 57C. It is very interesting to see both sides of Bugatti during this era. The Type 57S is very much a racing car, and the Type 57C is an elegant touring car. Back then there was a more obvious direct line between race cars and road cars than their is today. Enjoy the pics.

Continue reading Lime Rock Historic Festival: Bugatti Type 57S and Type 57C

Lime Rock Historic Festival: Some words from Sir Stirling Moss

Sir Stirling Moss was the guest of honor at this year’s Lime Rock Historic Festival, and we were fortunate enough to be in attendance for one of the evening events where he was a speaker. Sir Moss is famous for his sharp wit, and it’s clear he’s still got it despite being in his 80’s now. It was fascinating to hear a firsthand account of some of the great races of history from one of the most legendary drivers of all time. Put plainly, Sir Moss is a man among men, and any racing enthusiast will enjoy hearing what he has to say. The video is a little long, but it is totally worth the watch. I’m just sorry I didn’t have enough memory left in my camera to record the whole talk, however, I did catch most of the best moments. Enjoy.

-Nick Walker

Spotted! Porsche 718 RSK Spyder, Zurich, Switzerland

Not sure if this is a genuine RSK Spyder, but I saw it in Switzerland, so it is very possible that it is legit. If it is real the car is quite, quite valuable. It was cool seeing this car on the street, and even among Zurich’s unusually high population of supercars, this classic Porsche stood out.

-Nick

Radnor Hunt CDE: 1964 Ferrari 250 LM

This pristine Ferrari 250 LM was in attendance for the 2012 Radnor Hunt Concours d’ Elegance. It is owned by the Simone Foundation Museum in Philadelphia, PA. The 250 LM came about when Ferrari finally decided to give up on front-engined GT racing cars. The 250P was the first mid-engined Ferrari that saw major success, and was a contemporary of the legendary 250 GTO in the early 1960s. Seeing the success of their rivals with mid-engined racing cars, Ferrari decided to end the 250 GT cars, and carry on competition with a development of the 250P. And with that, the 250 LM was born.

The 250 LM was very similar to the 250P, except it had a roof and was built from a higher gauge of steel. The LM used an enlarged version of the 250 GTO’s 3.0L V12. At 3.3L the LM’s V12 produced 320hp, and it only had to propel a car which weighed under 1900lbs, lighter than the GTO. The result was a car that was very fast, and despite being denied homologation as a GT class, it still saw success in the Prototype class. 250LMs won 10 out of the 35 races they competed in, and in 1965 the NART team won the Le Mans 24 Hours. This would be the final outright Le Mans victory for Ferrari to this day, ending an era of Ferrari dominance in the late 50’s, early 60’s.

A total of 32 250 LMs were produced, making it on par in rarity with the GTO, and certainly worth a solid fortune in its own right. Seeing a car like this up close, with no barriers to keep people away is a rare treat indeed. I stuck around after most people had left the show, and had the privilege of some quality, un cluttered photo time with this epic car. Enjoy the gallery below.

Continue reading Radnor Hunt CDE: 1964 Ferrari 250 LM

Lime Rock Historic Festival: Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0

This isn’t exactly historic… well at least not yet anyway…. but it was present for the Lime Rock Historic Festival this past September. This is the most extreme GT3 Porsche has yet built. It may well go on to be one of the most valuable Porsches in the future, if Porsche does indeed make all future GT3s as PDK only. The RS 4.0 is an incredible car, and I had the distinct pleasure of hearing one go past me at full throttle while I was in Switzerland last summer. This one managed to stay stationary for me, so I was able to get some solid pics. Enjoy.

Continue reading Lime Rock Historic Festival: Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0