This track-ready Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale was sighted amongst the craziness of Carmel during Monterey Car Week. Still one of the best sounding V8 Ferraris out there.
-Nick
Mk. 1 Mini Cooper S and 1973 Alfa Romeo 1600 Junior Zagato spotted in Carmel, CA
In Carmel during Monterey Car Week, one of the best things to do to unwind after a entire day of chasing race cars at Laguna Seca is to find a nice spot on Ocean Avenue and take pictures of all the unique and exotic machines that come out to play during the weekend. Sometimes, while taking pictures, I end up with a two-for-one special, and when it’s a 1970s Alfa Romeo with Zagato lines and a first-series Mini, it’s hard to avoid attempting to get them in one picture. While the colors aren’t quite as striking as they might have been in their day, these classics stood out really well against the rip-snorting Ferrari 458s and Lamborghini Gallardos that dominate the evenings out here during the third week in August. Enjoy the photos of this original Mini and Junior Zagato, and take a good look at that license plate frame: “Kiss French, Drive Italian.” I concur. Continue reading Mk. 1 Mini Cooper S and 1973 Alfa Romeo 1600 Junior Zagato spotted in Carmel, CA
Motor Trend tests the new Challenger Hellcat
Motor Trend’s Carlos Lago gets behind the wheel of the new Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. He also puts it on a chassis dyno where it puts down some very consistent numbers over multiple runs….. the magic number, around 670rwhp. So, either the folks at Dodge have found a way to break the laws of physics with a miniscule 5% drivetrain loss through an automatic gearbox, or the Hellcat may be a little underrated, even at 707hp. But hey, I don’t think anyone will complain.
The Hellcat seems an outstanding machine. Enjoy the video!
-Nick
Highlights from the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Part 2
Here is part 2 of our highlights from the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This was the first time a Ferrari has ever won best in show (see above), as well as a very uncommon occurrence where a post-war car takes the top honor.
Enjoy the photos of these incredible cars!
Continue reading Highlights from the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Part 2
The Jaguar XE might be one of the most important launches from the brand in decades.
Jaguar has been, over the past five years, transformed dramatically. What was once a struggling, traditional English luxury car company with limited cash from a cash-strapped Ford Motor Company has been injected with fresh funding from Tata Motors and fresh talent from all over the industry. This half-decade has turned the brand into a styling powerhouse, with more than just a few great models on their stage. The XJ has been turned into a sleek animal of a flagship sedan, where a stodgy and outdated sedan once stood. The rise of the F-Type coupe and roadster mark the end of the line for the XK series, which despite its best efforts was always rather second fiddle to the king of its segment (I think it begins with the letter P). Finally, the XF has exorcised the demons of the frumpy and unappealing S-Type, for better much than for worse. However, I’m here to talk about the car that I think is going to bring the Jaguar name from an afterthought to the front of our minds: the new XE. Continue reading The Jaguar XE might be one of the most important launches from the brand in decades.
Autocar tries out the new Lexus RC F
Autocar’s Steve Sutcliffe takes the new Lexus RC F for a spin. Looks like a lot of fun!
-Nick
Sam Posey’s 1970 Dodge Challenger at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2014
When it comes to a Dodge Challenger, it doesn’t take a lot to get my attention. This particular Sam Posey ex-Trans Am 1970 racer had all the right bits to make me keep my eyes peeled for it. The lime-green paint scorched more than the 80+ high temperature of the day, while the fantastic side pipes, hooked up to a sweet-sounding Mopar small-block V8 provided a thundering soundtrack that added plenty of depth to the bellow of Trans-Am race cars that dominate the track at the end of the Saturday racing sessions at Laguna Seca during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Although this car was here last year (and is apparently a regular visitor to the track during Monterey Car Week), it’s always a welcome sight, especially for a Mopar maniac like myself. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Sam Posey’s 1970 Dodge Challenger at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2014
Ferrari 550 Barchetta Spotted in Carmel, CA
We caught this very rare Ferrari 550 Barchetta roaming the streets of Carmel during Monterey Car Week 2014. The owner was very nice and was happy to answer some questions about the car while he sat in traffic. Yet another great spot from our trip to California!
-Nick
2015 Kia K900 Reviewed (7/10)
This is Kia’s new K900, and it costs $60,000… that’s right, $60,000… for a Kia. That sounds outrageous, I know, and it may even be enough to render any of the K900’s good attributes irrelevant. But I’ve always been a fan of giving the benefit of the doubt to anyone willing to try their best, so it was with that mindset that I took the wheel of this white Kia K900.
So what do you get for your $60 grand?
1936 Delage D6-70 Figoni et Falaschi Milord Cabriolet at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
A Delage at Pebble Beach, to the seasoned, is not a surprise, nor is anything bodied by Figoni et Falaschi. The design house mixed with that automobile manufacturer is a match truly made in heaven, like mixing the best Chardonnay with the perfect high-end French meal. Delage is a well-known brand among the prewar automotive cognoscenti and the D6-70 shown here has a rich history. This is a car that may have won a concours event when new in 1936 and its unique coachwork and body style, coupled with the fetching paint combination, convinced me to stay a bit and take some photos. I wasn’t the only one captivated, either–the judges awarded this D6-70 the French Cup award and a Second In Class trophy for the European Classic Early class. It’s not the enormously entertaining D8-120, but it’s pint-size charm still holds plenty of classic appeal. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1936 Delage D6-70 Figoni et Falaschi Milord Cabriolet at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Porsche 918 Spyder spotted in Carmel Valley, CA
Porsche was actually holding test drives of this 918 Spyder, for those who were invited because they had access to a credit line of at least $1,000,000. As you might imagine, Al and I couldn’t weasel our way into this one, but here are some consolation photos of the car. I just love the 918.
-Nick
Lamborghini Aventador 50th Anniversary Edition spotted in Carmel Valley, CA
We found this epic Lamborghini Aventador 50th Anniversary Edition parked at the Quail Lodge, where Lamborghini was setting up their drive event. I hadn’t seen a 50th Anniversary Aventador until this one, and I must say it seems turned up to eleven!
-Nick
Mind Over Motor 