This one-off Cadillac was built by Pinin Farina for Norman Granz, founder of Verve Records. Granz admired the Italian designs of the day, and wanted such a car for himself, so he had Pinin Farina work their magic on his Cadillac Series 62. The result was this distinctly Italian masterpiece that surely turned many-a-head around Hollywood.
Enjoy!
-Nick Walker
The prettier cousin of the Ferrari Enzo, just 50 Maserati MC12s were built in total. I remember the first time I laid eyes on one, at the New York Auto Show, and I was absolutely floored by the car’s beauty. It’s a very elegant machine, but in a definitively racecar sort of way.
Given the choice, I’d have one of these over an Enzo. It’s always a pleasure seeing an MC12 in person, and I’ve been lucky enough to have that pleasure a few times. Now I just need to find a way to drive one…
Enjoy!
-Nick
I saw a white flash out of the corner of my eye, and the next thing I knew I was facing sideways and had taken the impact of an airbag to my face. It took a moment, but then it hit me, I had just crashed.
That realization made me spring into action. I looked over at the woman in the other car, who was freaking the hell out, but thankfully awake. I lifted myself right up out of my seat and hopped out over the passenger door (perks of a convertible). I ran over, opened the door and helped the woman out of her car. We were both seemingly uninjured, thank God.
At that point, though, I realized she was pregnant, like very pregnant, and the concern for both of us turned to her baby. Luckily the paramedics cleared her when they arrived.
After I knew we were all okay, I looked back over at my gleaming read Miata. I had just signed the papers on it 4 days prior, and now here it was, smashed up good in the middle of the street. I didn’t have time for emotions, though, I knew I had to take document the scene, and take photos from every angle.
As I did so, I called my parents to come pick me up, my boss to let him know I wouldn’t be in today, and my girlfriend to let her know what had happened and that I was alright.
I was riding the massive wave adrenaline, but I was feeling very cloudy in my head. There was just so much I had to do, so many bases I knew I had to cover. I never took even a second to stop and catch my breath, I never allowed myself a brief moment to calm myself down after taking a hard hit to the head. Finally it caught up with me. As we were all exchanging our insurance information, I realized I had been doing way too much, and I turned and vomited all over the ground.
At that point, the officers at the scene told me I should really get to the hospital. I knew vomiting wasn’t a good sign, and luckily my parents were almost there by then. I gave my statement to the police, watched my buddy, Ace (the Miata) get dragged onto a flatbed, and went off to the hospital.
Continue reading A Day I Hoped Would Never Happen: Reacting To My First Accident
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
To celebrate, we bring you a very rare Pontiac GTO Judge from the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. It’s one of only 108 total examples, and take note of the license plate.
Enjoy, and have a great holiday!
-Nick Walker
It’s 1946, and in the wake of the catastrophic Second World War, France had spitefully banned cars from former Axis countries from the Salon de l’Automobile. However, Battista “Pinin” Farina, founder of Pininfarna, had worked too hard preparing his 1942 chassis for the 1946 show to miss it. He went to Paris in this Alfa, and he parked it right in front of the show for all to see. I’d imagine it drew more than a little attention.
Seventy years later, Mr. Farina’s bespoke Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 dropped my jaw at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. It’s the detail work that really sets it apart. I mean, just look at that interior, or the chrome portholes on the side, or that steering wheel, my God!
This Alfa is awesome, a spectacular car with a great story. Enjoy the gallery.
Continue reading 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Pininfarina Speciale at Amelia Island
It absolutely poured for much of the second day at this year’s Greenwich Concours, but the show field was still pretty decent. As the skies were leaking, we passed the time stuffing our faces with delicious and complementary lobster sandwiches, while also taking royal advantage of the wine tasting tent.
When the rain let up we we were able to get our photos of the cars dripping wet. This Lancia 037 is the homologated road version of the legendary Lancia rally car, and it immediately caught our eye when we first walked into the show.
Enjoy the gallery of this trail-rated Italian Stallion!
This is the Cadillac ATS-V. The master form of the highly acclaimed, yet highly criticized ATS sedan. It was born to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG, and it looks like a pretty damn good bet in that fight.
You know what’s weird, though? After driving it, I feel the exact same way about the ATS-V that I did about each other Cadillac ATS I’ve driven. Sure, the ATS-V exists at a much higher level, but it’s relative strengths and shortcomings all fall in the same areas.
I’m amazed at how consistent the ATS lineup is, with some areas near perfection and others, well, not.
Continue reading Cadillac ATS-V Review: Still GM, for better and worse
We’ve managed to cross paths with the Corvette Rondine a few times now, but it’s always worth a mention. An elegant integration of Italian style and American power, the Rondine is the only one of its kind.
I believe the car actually resides in the Greenwich area, which would explain why we caught it on the road a few years back.
Always a pleasure to lay eyes on.
-Nick
We caught the current Team Salamone bull at the CF Charities Supercar Show, a Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster with a chrome finish.
It takes flash to a whole new level!
Continue reading Team Salamone’s Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster at CF Charities
Out on the show field at Hershey, this deep purple 1919 Pierce Arrow seemed to come from its own planet. Almost blue, but clearly purple in person, it was a crowd favorite at the show this year.
Its wooden wheel spokes and white tires only added to its striking appearance. This is the sort of car I go to Concours events to see, something old and crazy that will absolutely blow my mind. This Pierce did not disappoint!
Enjoy the gallery.
Continue reading Purple Pierce Arrow at the Hershey Elegance
We’ve seen a bunch of Porsche 918 Spyders around, but none have been in this striking white until now. It shows off the curves of the car quite nicely and definitely adds to the car’s jaw-dropping appeal.
The 918 Spyder remains my favorite of the hybrid hypercar trio. Now, having seen it in this white, my lust for it will be that much more excruciating.
-Nick
As far as I’m concerned, whoever is selling a LaFerrari or an Enzo can keep it. If I’m going to spend that kind of money on one of the super Ferraris, it’s going to be an F40. It was the ultimate Ferrari experience in its day, and it has managed to hold onto that designation in modern times.
We were pleased to catch this F40 at Bonhams auction at the Greenwich Concours. It’s always nice when you’re able to catch a tangible glimpse of such a wild dream.
-Nick
Mind Over Motor 