Mind Over Motor Podcast 7 – Thoughts on the Camaro Facelift, Performance SUVs, and Enthusiast Hybrids
Pre-War Elegance at NYIAS: A Bugatti and a Packard
It’s crazy to think that this Bugatti, worth $10 million (give or take), was worth more than a handful of the exhibits in the main hall put together. Like more than all of the Ford, Dodge, Hyundai, Nissan, Chevy, and Volkswagen exhibits put together.
-Nick
Witness the brown-est Lamborghini Diablo on Earth
Lamborghinis are usually seen in Skittles colors, but this Diablo VT 6.0 SE is pure chocolate. It has a stunning spec with a “Sunset Brown” exterior and a brown leather and carbon fiber interior.
It sold for $412,000 at the RM Auction at Amelia Island this year, delivered as new because it only had 14 miles on the clock.
Enjoy the gallery of this stunning brown bull!
Continue reading Witness the brown-est Lamborghini Diablo on Earth
Audi Delivers for America with the RS 5 Sportback
The US market often doesn’t get the most desirable Audi models, but the success of the A7, S7, and RS 7 made it clear that the 4-door-coupe is something the Americans love.
It’s no secret that the average, boring car market’s interest is shifting toward crossovers. Only more enthusiast-minded buyers still want a car, and the standard sedan design leaves a lot to be desired in our modern era. The 4-door-coupe offers the added style of the classic GT car people dream about, but with the practicality of a sedan. It’s a way to have your cake and eat it too, and now you can have it in the flavor of the new Audi RS 5 with its 450hp twin-turbo 2.9L V6.
Don’t get me wrong here, I’m still devastated that Audi chooses to continue to deny us Americans the Avant models we crave, but the Sportback is a compromise I’ve been willing to accept.
Also, how about this green? I love it!
Continue reading Audi Delivers for America with the RS 5 Sportback
Why I don’t think the Japanese “Get” the American Performance Market At All
Various media outlets have been reporting headlines along the lines of “Subaru Adds More Power to the STI!!!” But in reality, it’s just 5hp which changes absolutely nothing. It does, however, raise a larger issue I’ve had with Japanese automakers seeming to lack a basic understanding of the American market’s constant need for improvements.
Honestly, I say Subaru can go screw themselves until they make some real and meaningful improvements to the STI. They’re over a decade late on a real power bump for this car. My 04 STI was a Porsche 911 killer when it came out, and now an STI will lose to a V6 Camry on a highway pull. Even though the STI hasn’t changed much at all, somehow it’s nowhere near the same caliber of car it once was.
I don’t think the Japanese really understand the idea of growth in the performance market because they’ve made the exact same mistake with many other models over the years. They always seem to make a great product to start, but then they leave it the same for 10-15 years and finally kill it because it’s not selling and they wonder why…
Continue reading Why I don’t think the Japanese “Get” the American Performance Market At All
1956 Plymouth Plainsman at the 2018 Amelia Island Concours
Chrysler was known for its “ideas” cars on the show circuit in the Fifties. While Ford and Chevy raced on the track, Plymouth wanted to innovate. Enter this unusual station wagon. With flat-folding seats, a power-retractable third row seat, power tailgate with retracting rear window, and an incredibly luxurious interior, the Plainsman was very far ahead of its time as a concept. The car would eventually be sold to Chrysler’s Latin American sales president, who escaped Cuba with it during the Revolution. This car traveled the world before being restored nut-and-bolt in California very recently and looked truly incredible, despite being buried in the back of the field. Enjoy the photos of this incredibly unique station wagon. Continue reading 1956 Plymouth Plainsman at the 2018 Amelia Island Concours
Mind Over Motor Podcast 6 – NYIAS Recap, Brands You Wouldn’t Buy, and Autonomous Car Crashes
David Freiburger Talks Cooper Mud Terrains
Here’s some tire talk with David Freiburger of HOT ROD Magazine. Most people forget that DF is a massive off-roading guy and he’s quite knowledgeable about Jeeps and what to do with them for fun. This was an interesting watch and I happened to learn a lot from watching Dave talk about mud-terrain tires. I think you may find this informative as well. Enjoy the video.
Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer spotted at Amelia Island
It’s always an amazing sight when you see a Singer in person, out on the road.
-Nick
Ferrari’s only 3-Seater, the 1966 365 P Berlinetta Speciale, at Amelia Island
People know the 3-seater design from the McLaren F1, but Ferrari actually beat them to it by a few decades. Back in the late 1960s this 365 P Berlinetta Speciale, known as the “Tre Posti”, was built for Luigi Chinetti. It is a one-off roadcar that was built on a racecar chassis, believed to be that of a 365 P-2.
This was my second time laying eyes on the 365 P in person, and the first time in a decently photogenic location. It’s quite a car, and its owner was making full use of its three-seat design with his wife (presumably) and child. I have to wonder if he used the car’s “practicality” to justify his purchase…
Enjoy the gallery.
Continue reading Ferrari’s only 3-Seater, the 1966 365 P Berlinetta Speciale, at Amelia Island
1964 Pontiac GTO spotted on Highway A1A, Florida
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Nick and I had a free day instead of Concours Sunday at Amelia, as they moved the show up a day due to the fear of a rainstorm. Luckily, the weather stayed nice, so we just took a ride down the coast for no good reason (which is as good a reason as any). On our way back, we came across this nicely-preserved 1964 Pontiac GTO, proving as always that the originals are always the best.
Mind Over Motor Podcast 5 – Cadillac Vsport, Nick’s Car Shopping, and How Much Performance is Enough
Podcast 5 is here. Give it a listen.
-Nick
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