Ferrari 288 GTO at RM Sotheby’s Auction, Amelia Island

May 2, 2016 ndubs77 Leave a comment

That time Ferrari took their 308 super sports car, and strapped two turbos to it because they wanted to go rally racing. They never actually went rally racing, but they did help lay the foundations for the royal epic-ness that is the modern hypercar.

The idea of taking a supercar and making it more “super” was in many ways born with the Ferrari 288 GTO. It is the first in the lineup of, currently five, super Ferraris, the F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari in addition. They’re all fine and great, and the F40 in many ways gets most of the lime light, but the 288 GTO is genesis, and it will always be tremendously special.

Just how special? Well, early this March it was about $2,585,000 worth of special.

Not bad, eh?

-Nick Walker

Car Shows

A Prohibition-tastic Cord L-29 at Amelia Island

April 29, 2016 ndubs77 Leave a comment

1931 was an interesting time. People were still riding the wave of craziness from the roaring 20’s in many ways, but there were more and more symptoms of the Great Depression popping up all over. It was a trying time, to be sure, and people weren’t even allowed to drink to cope with it all. That wouldn’t do at all, especially not if you were wealthy and flamboyant.

This flashy orange and yellow Cord came with just the solution, a full cocktail bar hidden away in a secret compartment in the passenger door. I mean, laws are for the working class, they shouldn’t be drinking because they have to be working. But when you’re rich and set for life, you play by a different set of rules. You should be able to have a drink while you’re out driving your sports car.

This 1931 Cord L-29 is actually a replica of a show car that Cord featured during the era to promote their brand. Needless to say, it’s quite striking, and getting these photos took lots of patience because people were swarming the car.

Enjoy the gallery!

Continue reading A Prohibition-tastic Cord L-29 at Amelia Island →

Automotive Lifestyle

1991 Lamborghini Diablo at the Amelia Island Festivals of Speed

April 28, 2016 Albert S. Davis 1 Comment

For a brief moment in time, the Lamborghini Diablo was on top of its world. With a top speed of 202 MPH, this was, for a short period of time, the fastest production car money could buy. It was also the replacement for the radical, groundbreaking Countach, which had been in production since the cocaine-addled 1970s. This would also be the last Lambo built before the company was taken over by Volkswagen AG, so it’s a completely ridiculous, insane, fire breathing supercar with plenty of risk of breaking down at any time. Continue reading 1991 Lamborghini Diablo at the Amelia Island Festivals of Speed →

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Motor Trend drives the swanky Lagonda Taraf by Aston Martin

April 27, 2016 ndubs77 Leave a comment

The Logonda Taraf is a million dollar cherry on top of the Aston Martin pie. It’s a Rapide underneath, but they’ve done a lot to make it more “special.”

I think it’s pretty sharp, definitely a head turner for the handful of owners to show off to their friends.

-Nick

Car Shows

1928 Mercedes-Benz S Cabriolet at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours

April 26, 2016 Albert S. Davis 1 Comment

When it comes to the late Twenties and German cars, Mercedes-Benz is usually the first car someone thinks of, thanks to their classic lines and supreme pedigree. The color, however, is not usually this scorching, eye-searing yellow paint. I’m not about to complain, however. This 1928 S model is quite a rare bird, carrying a gorgeous custom body and the same owner since 1964. Continue reading 1928 Mercedes-Benz S Cabriolet at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours →

Car Shows

Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 at Amelia Island

April 25, 2016 ndubs77 1 Comment

This is the Mercedes G63 AMG 6×6, a car for hardcore people who live hardcore lives filled with all manner of hardcoreness, as well as grotesque amounts of money (maybe legal, but probably not). It’s 6-wheel drive, and that means that even after the apocalypse, you’ll be able to get to the mall so you can still be the first one to get the new iPhone.

That’s what the modern luxury SUV is about, and the Mercedes 6×6 is the undisputed king. You don’t even have to worry about arriving early to get a good parking spot when you have one of these. If it’s crowded, just park on top some car in a handicapped spot. You’ve already paid for your privilege, they can get their own.

The 6×6 is definitely a Bond villains car if I’ve ever seen one. It’s for people who don conflict diamonds proudly and wear clothing made from the pelts of endangered animals. Someone with henchmen and offshore bank accounts with a good evil laugh, and a cat which they stroke constantly.

If this fits you, then you need a Mercedes 6×6. Sure they may be all sold out, but just assassinate someone who has one and pick it up cheap at the estate sale. Heck, with a few well-placed put options, you might even make money along the way.

-Nick

Automotive Lifestyle

Nick bought my Miata. So I bought a piece of American history. Say hello to the U.S.S. Lincoln.

April 22, 2016 Albert S. Davis 1 Comment

I sold the Miata to Nick because I had started looking at American cars with a muscle flavor that were in my price range, since I was always into old-school power. This car wants to run for President, and it was made right here in the United States. Continue reading Nick bought my Miata. So I bought a piece of American history. Say hello to the U.S.S. Lincoln. →

Automotive Lifestyle

New beginnings, I bought Al’s Miata

April 20, 2016 ndubs77 6 Comments

Over the last few months, Al has been constantly talking about the idea of selling his Mazda Miata and buying some cool old American car. He’s been on craigslist like crazy, and has been continually messaging me and many of his other friends asking our thoughts on the possibilities.

I recently got a great new job, which brought with it a nice little pay increase, so naturally I’d been thinking of getting some new wheels. I’ve been missing my old Miata like crazy since I sold it a few years back. It’s like there’s been a hole in my soul that can only be filled by one thing. I needed to get myself another Miata!

So, a week or so ago, when Al sent me some links of cars he was looking at, I floated the idea. I said, “You keep talking about selling your Miata to get something else, and now I’m looking to buy a Miata. Let’s make something happen here.”

Al brought the car by on Saturday morning. I took it for a quick drive, looked it over, and I was sold. We went to the DMV and did all the paperwork.

I paid Al with cash money, but he wasn’t about to go to the bank. No, we were going to check out a car right away. I’ll let him tell the rest tomorrow.

I’m going to live with my new Miata for a few weeks before I do a proper article on it, but so far, so fun. It sure as hell isn’t perfect, but it isn’t trying to be, and that’s the whole point.

It is a delightful little machine!

-Nick Walker

Automotive Lifestyle

Not a bad way to spend an evening

April 20, 2016 ndubs77 1 Comment

Many times the best drives come completely unplanned. There are no cameras rolling, nothing even remotely contrived. Often times the reason for the drive is even purely functional.

Last night was one of those awesome spur of the moment car experiences for me and my buddy Shane. That’s why the pics are crap, and this article, written in immediate hindsight, may be a little wonky. But it was one of those great drives I know I’ll remember long into the future.

Continue reading Not a bad way to spend an evening →

Automotive Lifestyle, Cars We've Driven, Road Review

My 1993 Mazda Miata: Saying Goodbye To “Sara”

April 19, 2016 Albert S. Davis 3 Comments

Dear Grandma,

As you know, I took home a 1993 Mazda Miata on January 14, 2015. Everyone in the family loved the car, and I was a happy man, learning the tricks to the trade of owning an older car and learning how to some small work on a car instead of relying on the dealers and mechanics around the area. On April 16, 2016, that came to an end when I sold it to Nick, who you never met but knew as someone who was a mirror image of your car-addicted grandson. But this is not the end of my letter. It is merely the beginning. Continue reading My 1993 Mazda Miata: Saying Goodbye To “Sara” →

Car Shows, Uncategorized

Classic Ford F-100 at Amelia Island

April 18, 2016 ndubs77 Leave a comment

This might be the cleanest custom Ford F-100 I’ve ever seen. The detail work on it is truly immaculate, right down to the rich wooden bed. It was featured in Classic Trucks Magazine, and the owner had the issue displayed proudly on the seat.

This is a spectacular work of automotive art. Enjoy the gallery!

Continue reading Classic Ford F-100 at Amelia Island →