Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1950 Chrysler Town and Country Newport Coupe at the St. Michaels Concours

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Anyone who knows me well will understand that I’m a sucker for Chrysler woodies.  They’re very pretty and are often worth a lot more money than one might think.  This particular 1950 model is the first one I’ve ever seen in public.  It’s a Town and Country Newport, in the final year of production for the wood-body model.  This was the only hardtop woodie ever built by Chrysler–only 698 were produced, making it a rarely-seen car with an exorbitant $4,000+ price tag in its day.  Those factors make this quite the intriguing car.  The black paint looked smooth as silk and the chrome was blindingly bright in the unimpeded sun.  The backdrop of the alluring clouds and gorgeous hotel, along with the smoothness of the Chesapeake Bay, made shooting this car, at least for me, an utter no-brainer.  It didn’t win any awards that day, but it stood proudly next to its rival wood-paneled cars.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1950 Chrysler Town and Country Newport Coupe at the St. Michaels Concours →

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Obligatory Bugatti vs Koenigsegg Race Video

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Bugatti Veyron Super Sport vs Koenigsegg Agera R. Even though we’re sure you have already seen this video, as a car blog, we are obligated to post it. Here, ladies and gentleman, are two of the fastest cars in the world going head-to-head on an open runway. It also happens to be one of the best lessons in Power-To-Weight-Ratio ever caught on camera. Enjoy.

-Nick

Car Shows

Bucks County Exotics Meet 10/5/2013

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Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster

I attended the Bucks County Exotics meet this past weekend with my friend, Rich. It is a “cars and coffee” style event, and often times there is a cruise afterward for those who wish to partake. This time around, the route took us through many of the scenic covered bridges in Bucks County, PA. The turnout at the meet was phenomenal, and the cruise was a great time (and no speeding tickets to boot). Surely this is one of the better ways to spend a Saturday morning. Enjoy the photos.

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Cars We've Driven, Dynamic Duels, Exotic Supercars

Test Driven: BMW 760Li vs. Alpina B7, Nick’s Take

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BMW Alpina B7 BMW 760Li

The 7 Series is the flagship model in the BMW lineup. A far cry from a zippy little M3, the 7 Series has always had its focus on being a luxury cruiser. It competes in the top of the line limousine class against the likes of Mercedes’ legendary S Class, a car which has set the standard of automotive luxury for sometime now. In order to take on such formidable opposition, BMW has had to use some clever ingenuity to make the 7 Series appealing, and it doesn’t get more appealing than the top two models we have here.

In one corner we have the Alpina B7, an upgraded vehicle that has been factory sanctioned. Alpina has had a long relationship with BMW as a third party tuner, similar to AMG and Mercedes before they were officially brought together in 1990. Alpina models are usually marketed as alternatives to cars from BMW’s M Division, but in this case, there is no BMW “M7”, so the Alpina B7 is as close as you can get.

Of course, you might instead fancy having the ultimate 7 Series that BMW makes themselves. That would be our other contender, the BMW 760Li. It is a more traditional take on a top-end luxury limousine with a proper V12 under its hood.

Continue reading Test Driven: BMW 760Li vs. Alpina B7, Nick’s Take →

Car Shows

1938 Talbot Lago T150C SS Teardrop Coupe at Radnor Hunt 2013

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If there’s one thing the French knew how to do in the 1930s, it was elegance in automobiles.  Figoni et Falaschi was a design powerhouse at this time and this Talbot-Lago was a true jaw-dropper at the 100 Cars of Radnor Hunt.  While Nick got busy snapping the Delahaye (itself a beautiful car) my college buddy Chris Azarko and I admired this piece of French automotive artwork.  Even among these beautiful classic cars the swoopy Talbot caught everyone’s attention.  Only 14 of these were made during its short production run and this one was hidden from the Nazis during WWII.  I’m glad it’s been restored and I’m even happier to see it here at Radnor.  Enjoy the photos.
Continue reading 1938 Talbot Lago T150C SS Teardrop Coupe at Radnor Hunt 2013 →

Car Shows

Rehoboth Beach Straight-Eights

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Cadillac Fins

My parents were in attendance for this year’s Straight-Eights car show in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I had other plans that weekend, but my Dad got some solid photos of the event. Get ready for spiffy cars from the 1950’s galore! Enjoy.

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Opinions

Top Gear was wrong. The Lexus SC430 was by far not the worst car ever.

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Lexus SC430 - Front Angle, 2002, 800x600, 10 of 27

Top Gear has, over the years, been very good at explaining why they have their opinions.  However, this is one time where they may not be right in my eyes.  The Lexus SC430 has a lot of reasons behind it for being underwhelming.  But, crucially, it never really ruined a nameplate.   Lexus may have made a mess of the SC nameplate, but people are still buying everything else they make.  The SC was bad, but it wasn’t a car that actually sent a brand into a tailspin.  That, friends, represents far greater levels of failure–a level of failure that, in my opinion, has only been seen once or twice.  However, I’m looking for a car that was bad for the same reasons as the sacrilegious Lexus, but did the job of destroying a reputation. Continue reading Top Gear was wrong. The Lexus SC430 was by far not the worst car ever. →

Car Shows

Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance: McLaren MP4-12C Spider

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McLaren MP4-12C Spider

McLaren had this MP4-12C Spider on display at the Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance. I really liked these photos I got of it as things were being packed up after the show. I’m a huge sucker for Papaya Orange, and it was looking so good as the light got lower in the late afternoon.  Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

2013 Radnor Hunt Concours: 1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster Figoni et Falaschi

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1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster Figoni et Falaschi
1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster Figoni et Falaschi

Those of you who’ve been following this blog will know that I LOVE Delahayes. I am generally a fan of all French Art Deco cars, but Delahayes have a flamboyance and a craftsmanship to their designs that make them unique.

While many Delahayes come in bright, flashy colors, this 135 M Roadster Figoni et Falaschi took a different approach. It is a rich black, and looks very sinister with its swooping lines, almost like a bat. Inside the interior is fitted with red leather, and finely crafted wood. Black and red is one of my favorite color schemes on a car, so this really hit the spot for me that much more.

The car itself is currently owned by J.W. Marriott Jr. (Yes, of Mariott Hotel fame), and it was fully restored in 1991. One detail that I particularly loved on this Delahaye was its hood ornament. At first glance it is a dragonfly, which would be great on its own, but looking closer, it becomes apparent that the dragonfly is actually a glider stretched over a beautiful, naked woman — Oh how French!

It was wonderful to see this stunning Delahaye 135M Roadster at this year’s Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance, and it wound up winning the “Best Open Art Deco Car” award. Enjoy the photos.

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Cars We've Driven, Luxury Cars

Test Driven: 2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate (GRADE: B)

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Hyundai has no secrets in its intentions. Since 2009, this company has managed to make itself look leagues better than almost everyone. When one company screws up in the news, Hyundai has a positive headline on the same page of the local newspaper. Somehow, they can make the entry-level Accent and Elantra and sell them in the same dealers as the high-end Genesis sedan, as well as the subject of this review, the flagship Equus. No other car company can sell a range as diverse as this under the same franchise roof. Hyundai bills the big Equus as a car to fight the S-Class for a much lower price. On paper, that’s quite a clear truth, but I had to drive it to see if that advertising line lives up to its billing.

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Auto Idolatry

Chris Harris Drives the Alfa Romeo 4C

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Drive’s Chris Harris gets his hands on the new Alfa Romeo 4C. Americans should be excited because we are FINALLY getting a new Alfa!!!

-Nick

Cars We've Seen

Spotted! Lamborghini Aventadors, Carmel, California

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Black Lamborghini Aventador in Carmel

We caught these two nasty Lamborghini Aventadors running around Carmel during Monterey Car Week. I maintain that the Aventador is the best looking Lambo since the Miura, and definitely one of the coolest looking cars on the market today. Bruce Wayne has arrived!

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