Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars, Luxury Cars

Porsche 911 Carrera S Review, Al’s Take (Grade: B)

June 5, 2014 Albert S. Davis Leave a comment

Porsche is one of those brands that hasn’t changed much, despite their appearances. The company may have a lot of great fans, but there are a lot of traditionalists too. This mix of fans is pretty eclectic, ranging from autocross nuts (who love their 944s), Sunday drivers (who could be driving anything from a 914 to a fire-breathing Turbo S), executives (to some, a 911 Carrera is a real symbol of success), to wealthy soccer moms (Cayennes). The traditionalists fume when you bring up the Cayenne or the Panamera and I know what they are all about–Porsche should be about sports cars, not everyday “boring” vehicles. Well, it doesn’t matter what Porsche makes, because they are a company that wants all of their product to have the same message. That message hasn’t changed since the birth of the company, which is that Porsches aren’t ever supposed to feel like a normal car. They should touch the soul, and reward the owner with dynamics and driving feel that excite the senses. I took out this 911 Carrera S around Amelia Island to find out how the flavor tastes in Porsche’s most familiar formula: RWD, a flat-six engine, and a rear axle with that engine hanging out behind it. I wasn’t disappointed.

Continue reading Porsche 911 Carrera S Review, Al’s Take (Grade: B) →

Car Shows

Classic American Muscle and Majesty at the Greenwich Concours

June 4, 2014 ndubs77 2 Comments

These are the American classics and muscle cars that stood out for us at last weekend’s Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.

The rumble of many V8 engines ran thickly through the air as the award ceremony began. First the rare Shelby GT350 R came to life, then the furious Roadrunner fired its 440 six pack, all as they prepared to parade in front of excited show-goers. Muscle cars sure have a mighty amount of presence, you can feel it in your bones.

After the Muscles were flexed, we were treated to some 50’s metal in lively colors. Everything from the cliché pink Cadillac to a turquoise Chevy Impala paraded through the show, and I felt a sudden urge for a burger and a nice big milkshake.

Enjoy the photos of all this classic iron!

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Car Shows, Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE

1982 VAZ 21033 at the 2014 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

June 3, 2014 Albert S. Davis Leave a comment

In 1982, the vast majority of the USSR’s general population didn’t own a car. An automobile was considered a genuine luxury thanks to the high cost and the waiting lists. I’m not talking about waiting lists for something like a Mercedes, Porsche, or perhaps even a Cadillac. I’m talking about a waiting list for just a car that one could drive to work every day.

Into this void steps this 1982 VAZ 21033. This is a car that cost almost 5 times an average factory worker’s salary in 1982. It can count among its features a radio (optional and very expensive to buy), an overhead valve engine, thick metal in the fenders, and even a hand starter to make sure the car would start up during Russia’s genuinely fearful winters. The VAZ wasn’t a particularly glamorous car, but this particular one has a great history. It was originally won for 1 ruble in a lottery in 1982, then spent the next thirty years under wraps, until the owner’s grandmother purchased it and helped ship it to the United States, where it lives today.

The owner, Roman, is very proud of his work (he restored this car himself) and his hard work paid off on Concours Sunday at Greenwich, when the little VAZ-21033 won the Best Special Interest Car award, beating out a Russian Volga, a rather straight Volvo 262C, and a very clean 1984 Toyota Supra. Congratulations on your award, Roman–the VAZ looked excellent in the strong June sun. Enjoy the photos.
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Cars We've Seen

Lamborghini Countach spotted in Greenwich, CT

June 2, 2014 ndubs77 2 Comments

We were up in Greenwich, CT this weekend for their annual Concours d’Elegance. There were incredible cars running around everywhere, both in the show and on the streets, so we have a lot of material coming for you soon. For today, here is an always-stunning Lamborghini Countach that we saw out and about to wet your appetite. There’s a Ferrari in there too, somewhere.

-Nick

Cars We've Driven, Cheap Fun Cars

2014 Ford Fiesta ST Reviewed (9.5/10)

May 30, 2014 ndubs77 2 Comments

There is a reason why cereal companies put toys in their cereal boxes. They know that kids don’t care what they eat, but they also know that little Jimmy won’t be leaving Wegman’s quietly until he gets his Iron Man action figure, and if his mom knows what’s good for her, she will pony up the cash for the cereal while her basic human dignity is still intact.

Of course, the kid will rip open the cereal box and dig out the action figure right away, but in the days after, he or she will be exposed to the cereal itself, the real product, and that will leave an impression that lasts long after Iron Man gets chewed up by the dog, and left in scattered bits around the yard.

The same fundamental factor is of paramount importance in the world of hot hatchbacks. Let’s call it “tangible excitement,” something you can point to and say, “Wow that’s really cool! I want one of those!”

Look at this Ford Fiesta ST and you will see what I mean. The basic Fiesta is a very good, but very boring economy car. Ford couldn’t just put a better engine and suspension in it and expect the ST version to sell. No, they knew it was important to put on a show. Give it an aggressive body kit, bright-colored paint with sweet Recaro racing seats, and put it out in front of the dealership for all to see. People will be pulling U-turns to come find out what it is, and if they can afford one.

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Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1956 Ferrari Superamerica at the Amelia Island Concours, 2014

May 29, 2014 Albert S. Davis 1 Comment

Blue and white is a fetching color combination. On a Ferrari, it’s usually a great combination no matter what. The Superamerica series was a fantastic piece of artwork, with lines by Pininfarina, a Colombo V12 engine, and even a set of tail fins on this show car. This one has been featured at numerous Concours events over the past few years or so and is the show car from the 1956 Paris Motor Show. The distinctive blue and white two-tone finish has been painstakingly well-kept and in the bright sunlight of Amelia Island, this Ferrari Superamerica caught my eye over the course of the entire day. It didn’t hurt that this car stayed on the course until it was time for Nick and I to leave the show for the day. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1956 Ferrari Superamerica at the Amelia Island Concours, 2014 →

Car Shows

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona in Clinton, NJ

May 28, 2014 ndubs77 4 Comments

There were many nice supercars at Ladies and Lamborghinis in Clinton, NJ, however, this gem, a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona stood out. Thought by many to be one of the most beautiful Ferrari road cars of all time, the Daytona’s curved stature will turn heads in any sort of company.

The 365 GTB/4 succeeded the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 as Ferrari’s flagship V12 GT model in the late 1960s. It was then replaced by the 365 GT4 BB in 1973, which drastically changed form into a mid-engined supercar in order to rival the likes of Lamborghini’s Miura. The 365 GTB/4 was the last traditional two seat Ferrari GT car for two decades, until the 550 Maranello came out in 1996. Small wonder why it remained extremely sought after over the years.

Enjoy the photos!

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Car Shows, Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE

1949 Chrysler Town and Country at the New Hope Auto Show

May 27, 2014 Albert S. Davis Leave a comment

In 1949, Chrysler redesigned their entire lineup for the first time since the end of World War II. The postwar era was officially in full swing, but the Town and Country would continue to sell for a few more years despite its existence as one of the last wood-bodied cars that the Big Three would sell. This was the second to last year for the Town and Country, and the sales proved that buyers weren’t swayed by its attractive wood panels since the price tag was rather high. In fact, only 993 convertibles were built last year.

List price for this car was $3,765 in 1949, which translates to a new price of just about 40 grand today. They’re worth far more than that–in fact, one sold at a Christie’s auction a few years ago for over $150,000. Someone was kind enough to bring one of these 1949 models to the New Hope Car Show last summer and I took some time out at the end of the show to photograph this green one, which is still the only 1949 model I’ve ever seen. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1949 Chrysler Town and Country at the New Hope Auto Show →

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

BMW M4 vs Mercedes C63 AMG by Autocar

May 26, 2014 ndubs77 Leave a comment

Happy Memorial Day to all of our readers in the US. For you to enjoy on your day off, here is a battle between the new BMW M4 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG from Autocar in the UK. Can the old V8 Merc still play ball against BMW’s new, turbocharged poster-child?

Enjoy.

-Nick

Car Shows

Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 at Hopewell Cruise Night

May 23, 2014 ndubs77 Leave a comment

We caught this vibrant orange Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 at the recent cruise night in Hopewell, NJ. The 6.0 was the last hurrah for the Diablo, and the first refinement of a Lamborghini model by Audi. Its V12 produced a robust 550hp, before the era where horsepower figures went nuts, and as the license plate says, it could scrape the 207mph mark flat-out.

This Diablo was kind of the show for a short time, until the Saleen S7 showed up and stole its thunder. It’s always great to see any of the crazy V12 Lambos with the scissor doors, though. The theatre of the original Countach lives on with an un-dulled effect to this very day. Enjoy the photos.

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Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE

1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

May 22, 2014 Albert S. Davis Leave a comment

Cadillac was pretty bold back in the 1950s. They started the craze with tail fins in 1947 and didn’t eliminate them until 1964, years after the competition. They had the mainstream luxury car market in the palm of their hands, with only Lincoln as a volume competitor (Imperial was there but sold in far fewer numbers at the time). Even though the glory days were to fade in the future, they were still the “Standard of the World.”

They were also fully intent on capturing the ultra-luxury market in that decade by making an ultra-sumptuous sedan based off of the new Eldorado. The Eldorado Brougham was only produced until 1960 and was a genuinely expensive car when new–in fact, it cost over $13,000, more than twice the price of the Eldorado hardtop coupe and more than the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud at the time. It had a number of never-before-seen features at the time for a General Motors product. They came fully loaded, with superb paint, interior equipment like a full set of shot glasses, tissue and cigarette dispenser (try finding one of those on a Rolls-Royce today), perfume, air conditioning, memory seats (ahead of its time in 1957), a stainless-steel finished roof, a choice of 40-plus interior colors, and a twin-quad V8. These were all hand-built–General Motors, unsurprisingly, lost money on every single one sold.

Despite the fact that it’s a Cadillac, the high price, rarity, and over-the-top equipment standard reminds me of the recently-departed Maybach. Only 400 of these were built in 1957 and they are a very rare sight today. Seeing one is a thrill for a Fifties Cadillac nut like myself and I was not expecting to see one at a Concours, no less Amelia Island. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance →

Car Shows

Ladies and Lamborghinis in Clinton, NJ

May 21, 2014 ndubs77 1 Comment

This event was a bit of a last minute thing for us. I was beginning to feel the 2 o’clock drowsiness in the office when I got a text from Al informing me of an event called Ladies and Lamborghinis going on that night in Clinton, NJ. It was like a shot of espresso for me, and I couldn’t wait to get up there for the festivities.

This was the inaugural Ladies and Lamborghinis event, and it was basically similar to other cruise night events hosted by towns that we’ve been to. Ironically, only one Lamborghini showed up — they should’ve called it Foxes and Ferraris instead.

There was a very nice crop of cars, though, including a very enticing classic Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, and two Porsche 911 RS models. For an inaugural event, it was quite good, so hopefully they will get the word out more next time and build the attendance rate further because Clinton, NJ is a great venue.

Until then, enjoy our photo gallery from Ladies an Lamborghinis!

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