Tag Archives: American Cars

Cars We've Driven, Luxury Cars, Uncategorized

Cadillac ATS-V Review: Still GM, for better and worse

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Cadillac ATS-V Review 1

This is the Cadillac ATS-V. The master form of the highly acclaimed, yet highly criticized ATS sedan. It was born to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG, and it looks like a pretty damn good bet in that fight.

You know what’s weird, though? After driving it, I feel the exact same way about the ATS-V that I did about each other Cadillac ATS I’ve driven. Sure, the ATS-V exists at a much higher level, but it’s relative strengths and shortcomings all fall in the same areas.

I’m amazed at how consistent the ATS lineup is, with some areas near perfection and others, well, not.

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Car Shows, Uncategorized

The one, and only, Chevrolet Corvette Rondine at the Greenwich Concours

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Corvette Rondine Greenwich Concours 2016

We’ve managed to cross paths with the Corvette Rondine a few times now, but it’s always worth a mention. An elegant integration of Italian style and American power, the Rondine is the only one of its kind.

I believe the car actually resides in the Greenwich area, which would explain why we caught it on the road a few years back.

Always a pleasure to lay eyes on.

-Nick

Car Shows, Uncategorized

Purple Pierce Arrow at the Hershey Elegance

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Purple Pierce Arrow Hershey 4

Out on the show field at Hershey, this deep purple 1919 Pierce Arrow seemed to come from its own planet. Almost blue, but clearly purple in person, it was a crowd favorite at the show this year.

Its wooden wheel spokes and white tires only added to its striking appearance. This is the sort of car I go to Concours events to see, something old and crazy that will absolutely blow my mind. This Pierce did not disappoint!

Enjoy the gallery.

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Cars We've Driven, Dynamic Duels

Ford Taurus SHO vs Chevrolet SS, Head To Head

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2015 Ford Taurus SHO Front

A couple of months ago, I had way too much time on my hands, a stomach full of Mexican omelet, and a full tank of fuel.  Central NJ, where I happen to live, has a lot of car dealerships within a 20 mile radius, but the selection can be a bit thin for some reason. Luckily, I had a fifty dollar gift card to redeem from Ford for the LA Auto Show, and a local dealer down the street had a new Taurus SHO in stock. Then, my buddy Chris, who was accompanying me around town (and was my taller stand-in for interior room, for once), suggested I find something to compare it to. Not wanting to haul myself to the local Dodge dealers, we then descended on one of the local Chevrolet dealers, where a lightly used SS was sitting out front. I drove them both–and the results turned into a bare-fisted, old fashioned American street fight. May the best flag-flying American machine win. Continue reading Ford Taurus SHO vs Chevrolet SS, Head To Head →

Car Shows

Highlights from the 2016 Greenwich Concours Day 1

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Greenwich Concours 16 Pink Ford T-Bird

We had a fun, but rainy, weekend at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, especially on Sunday. Saturday was quite nice, though, and there was a spectacular array of cars on the field. This is our highlight gallery from Day 1.

Enjoy!

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Automotive Lifestyle, Car Shows

Elks Lodge 2016 Car Show General Gallery

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1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Last year, I brought a Miata to this show, and I somehow managed to win 3rd place in the Import class (well, there were 3 of us). This year, the Lincoln may not have won anything, but my favorite car at the show won Best in Show, and the rest of the field wasn’t half-bad either. I spent the entire afternoon taking photos, talking to participants, and generally having a ball at the fact that the show was just steps away from my residence. This is the third year the show’s been running and the Elks Lodge in Piscataway does a beautiful job of getting the word out and getting some beautiful classic cars to turn up and show off their best. Enjoy the photos.

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Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Motor Trend SUV Shootout: Bentley Bentayga vs. Tesla Model X P90D

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These two SUVs are insanely fast by road car standards. But which one is best?

Car Shows, Uncategorized

1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton at the Concours of America

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1929 Duesenberg Model J Concours of America

A nice blue on different blue Duesenberg for your Wednesday! Don’t we wish America still made a car with this much class? We may be heading in the right direction, though.

-Nick

Cars We've Seen

1930 Ford Model A spotted in Boca Raton, FL

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1930 Ford Model A

My aunt saw this in Boca Raton, FL while buying groceries for the house she and my uncle have recently purchased there. If this is just a preview of what they’re seeing in Boca in May, then the rest of the year should be just fine. Nice spot, Aunt Randi!

Spotted by: Randi Paul-Heskins

-Albert S. Davis

Car Shows

1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser at the 2016 Hollywood Wheels Auction, Amelia Island

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1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Front

It’s not often that I feature a Mercury here, but the Turnpike Cruiser might be one of the brand’s best-kept secrets. Covered in chrome, good cheer, and lashings of paint, this was a car to be seen in during the late Fifties. Mercury made less than five thousand Cruisers that year and these are among the most sought-after Mercuries of the 1950s, with the early Fifties coupes usually bringing crazy money thanks to their custom heritage. Continue reading 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser at the 2016 Hollywood Wheels Auction, Amelia Island →

Car Shows

Cadillac Sixteen Concept at Amelia Island

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Cadillac Sixteen Amelia Island 1

Remember that time Cadillac made the most epic luxury car in the world, and then left us all hot and bothered with our hopes crushed? This is the Cadillac Sixteen Concept, and it would have crushed the Rolls Royce Phantom back in 2003… if it had been real, but it wasn’t.

A nod to top-of-the-line Cadillacs of old, the Sixteen Concept was a functional prototype complete with a bespoke V-16 engine. That’s sixteen cylinders, displacing a massive 13.2L (830ci), that produce 1,000hp and and 1,000 ft/lbs of torque, all without the aid of any forced induction. There hasn’t been another modern production engine like it, and the probably won’t ever be.

Sure, this thing definitely looks a bit GM 2000’s-tastic when you look at it now, especially the interior, but it would’ve been a true Cadillac’s Cadillac at a time when the brand really needed such a flagship. Now, 13 years later, Cadillac is still in need of such a flagship for the brand to rally behind.

The Sixteen Concept is a wonderful embodiment of both the best and the worst of General Motors. They can make a wonderful, cutting edge car, but then their management all too often winds up getting in the way, and ruining all the fun.

Enjoy the photos of what could’ve been the most proper of Cadillacs.

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