Tag Archives: American Cars

Cars We've Seen

1966 Chevrolet Biscayne spotted in Royal Oak, MI

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1966 Chevy Biscayne Front 1//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

While Shane, Nick, and I were illegally crossing Woodward Avenue (note to anyone in the area: Find a crosswalk, Woodward’s one of the busiest streets I’ve ever seen, more so even than Route 4 in Bergen County), I saw this 1966 Chevrolet rumbling up the road, only to pull into the car meet we were attending. I’m a sucker for 1966 full size Chevrolets, as this was the last year before GM went to a “fuselage” look wiht a smoother set of fenders and a much wider stance. The bulldog stance of the ’66, especially this one finished in Tuxedo Black with dog-dish hubcaps and little to no chrome garnish to be found, looks absolutely mean. The wide tires out back and evil exhaust note did little to keep me from thinking only “If I end up in Hell, this car will be my chariot.” Enjoy.

Car Shows

Functional Tumbler Batmobile at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island

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Tumbler Batmobile Festivals of Speed Amelia Island 3

Batman was always my favorite superhero, and it was because he always had an awesome car, the Batmobile. This custom-built, totally functional Tumbler Batmobile stole the show at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island.

The owner said the best part of having a functional Tumbler was being able to show up anywhere, and just drop jaws like nothing lesser ever could. “Oh, you’ve got a Lambo, that’s cool. Me? I drive the Batmobile.” I don’t car what kind of supercars are present, when the Batmobile rolls up, they’re all invisible.

Now, that jet exhaust at the rear isn’t actually functional, as that would most definitely not be street legal. This Tumbler is powered by a tried and true Ford V8. I know, not quite as epic as the Jet-powered Tumbler in the movies, but it’s worth being able to really use the car.

I just couldn’t get over the level work that went into making this Tumbler so legit, and it really paid off because the owner can drive it in the real world.

Enjoy the pics of this badass Batmobile!

Continue reading Functional Tumbler Batmobile at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island →

Opinions

This Isn’t The Real Lincoln Continental, But People Seem to Think It Should Be

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photo Fake Lincoln Continental.jpg

This image has been circulating around social media for months now. Despite the reveal of the actual production 2017 Lincoln Continental, which looks nothing at all like the car in the picture (see below), people continue to share it.

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In truth, I, and most Lincoln fans, cannot help but wish that the new Continental actually did look exactly like the car in the top picture. That Continental is unmistakably a Lincoln in a sense that is true to the brand’s history. The production 2017 Continental, while nice in many ways, is really just another interchangeable luxury sedan. It could easily be mistaken for an Audi, a Mercedes, or a Jag. The car at the top, though? Not a chance.

Every time I’ve seen that top photo shared on social media, it’s always been with a sense of excitement. That’s because the car in the picture is the modern Lincoln Continental that people actually wanted- A distinctive retro-nod shape, unmistakable Lincoln flavor, and, of course, suicide doors! That’s all what made the Continental “The Continental” back in the day.

I think Ford has missed a huge opportunity here to really inject some much needed enthusiasm back into the Lincoln brand. Lincolns used to be some of the most stylish cars on the road in the 1960s and earlier. Lincoln desperately needs to bring that sort of flavor back into their brand identity if they want to succeed these days. A bland approach, merely running with the pack, is not going to cut it. Lincolns are supposed to be bold. They’re supposed to class up the joint whenever they roll up, not merely blend into the woodwork.

Continue reading This Isn’t The Real Lincoln Continental, But People Seem to Think It Should Be →

Car Shows

1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air Nomad at the 2015 Concours of America at St. John’s

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1955 Chevrolet Nomad Front//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Two-door station wagons are among the black sheep of the automotive world here in America. Europe has produced them on and off for decades, but our region of the industry really never produced this unique body style. Luckily, the most famous one we ever pushed out of the factory gates happens to be quite a striking piece. Most people remember the first-generation of the Chevrolet Nomad as the 1957 model, complete with tri-tone paint, spinner hubcaps, a 283-cubic inch Small Block Chevy, and chrome almost everywhere. While it’s a fantastic-looking piece of American history, the ’55 “Box Chevy” probably works best of all the Tri-Fives in the Nomad’s two-door-wagon configuration. Continue reading 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air Nomad at the 2015 Concours of America at St. John’s →

Auto Idolatry

Autocar Drives the New Ford Focus RS

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And so it begins! The reviews of the Ford Focus RS have begun!

And what a nasty color!

Enjoy!

-Nick

Opinions

The Buick Avista–That’s definitely not a Buick!

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So, Buick has this great advertising line with some doddering old ladies, where one of them says to the other, “That’s not a Buick!” and the other retorts with simply “That’s what I told him!” Well, let’s be honest here–that’s a comment which hasn’t held water well in the past three years, as the current lineup still has a resemblance to teh products on the market as late as 2007-2008, which weren’t any good. The design was stale, the platforms were outdated, and, other than the new (at the time) Enclave SUV, the appeal was rather limited. Luckily, I think now that advertisement has finally come to fruition, and the new Avista proves that the new design language is here to stay. Continue reading The Buick Avista–That’s definitely not a Buick! →

Car Shows

Slammed Chevy Corvair at First Class Fitment

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Slammed Chevrolet Corvair at First Class Fitment 3

It may be unsafe at any speed, but this Chevy Corvair looks damn good just sitting still. Fully customized with some rustic treatment on the body panels and a set of contrasting clean wheels, this Corvair had a unique flavor about it. Among the sea of spotless show cars at First Class Fitment this year, it definitely stood out as an island unto itself.

Well done!

Continue reading Slammed Chevy Corvair at First Class Fitment →

Car Shows, Opinions

2017 Buick Lacrosse at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show

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Buick LaCrosse//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Last year, Buick launched a concept car that my buddy Chris and I spent a long time staring at.  Its name was the Avenir, and we were convinced that we’d never see the company ever put its design language on the street.  Luckily for us, Buick put its money where its mouth is, and gave us the new LaCrosse this year. Continue reading 2017 Buick Lacrosse at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show →

Opinions

NAIAS 2016 Reactions: The 2017 Ford Fusion Sport

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photo Ford-Fusion_V6_Sport_2017_1280x960_wallpaper_01.jpg
If someone had asked me what I would have expected from a hypothetical Ford Fusion ST, I would have said over 300hp with All Wheel Drive. I would have also expected Ford to use the 2.3L Ecoboost from the Mustang and Focus RS, or an upgraded 2.0 Ecoboost.

Well, the 2017 Ford Fusion Sport isn’t “technically” a Ford Fusion ST, but it’s damn close. Most notably, Ford used their new 2.7L Twin Turbo V6 instead of a turbo 4, but 325hp is right where I had hoped the fast Fusion would be. I’m also thrilled they decided to give it AWD instead of asking way too much of the front wheels. That said, there is no manual option, just an 8 speed auto, but that’s just the world we live in, I guess. (Remember, it’s not “technically” an ST model)

The current Ford Fusion is a great handling car, and has been hurting badly for a high performance model. The Fusion Sport answers that call. It’s not a full-fledged ST or RS model, but it certainly has the horsepower, and Ford says it has had some nice handling tweaks as well.

I wouldn’t quite expect the Fusion Sport to be the full-on high performance machine that us purists want, but it will be one hell of a fun, and useful daily driver. Enthusiasts should expect to do further tire and suspension upgrades to get the high-speed cornering composure we desire (like most cars). But 325hp and AWD are a great combination, especially considering the tuning potential of that Twin Turbo EcoBoost V6. I’d guess 400hp will be quite achievable.

The new Fusion Sport joins an updated lineup of Ford Fusion models, and will run buyers around $34,o00, base price. Expect that number to reach or surpass $40,000 with options, but even so, the Fusion Sport is priced quite reasonably for the package it offers.

I see it as either a bargain Audi S4, or a slightly more civilized alternative to a Subaru WRX STI or a Ford Focus RS. Sometimes, when you have kids in the equation, you need a little more space than a little hatchback can offer. If it were me in that situation, this Fusion Sport would look like a splendid way to compromise over a Focus RS.

For non-enthusiasts, the Fusion Sport is just a really nice all-round sedan. It’s got AWD for bad weather, lots of nice features, and a little more punch than the av-er-age bear.

So well done Ford! The Fusion Sport looks like it may really be a solid competitor. Now let’s see if they’ll go ahead and bless us with an actual Fusion ST on top of this car – would a 400hp tune and a manual gearbox be too much to ask?

-Nick Walker

photo Ford-Fusion_V6_Sport_2017_1280x960_wallpaper_09.jpg photo Ford-Fusion_V6_Sport_2017_1280x960_wallpaper_07.jpg

Car Shows

1948 Tucker 48 “Torpedo” at The Concours of America

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1948 Tucker Torpedo Concours of America 1

The Tucker 48 was a car that would’ve stuck it to the Big Three in the years following WWII, so much so that they had to essentially sabotage and filibuster Preston Tucker to ruin his company before he could get too far off the ground. It was a great example of American anti-capitalism, and a shameful moment in the auto industry on the part of the Big Three.

Preston Tucker did manage to produce a few production Tucker 48s, or “Tucker Torpedos” as they were known. 50 cars were completed in total, and it’s always a wonderful occasion when you get to see one up close. We saw this beautifully kept example at the Concours of America, near Detroit, Michigan.

Just look at the car with its fantastic details, and consider what a shame it is that Tucker was never able to really get off the ground. In 1948 the Tucker was nothing short of revolutionary. It was fast, it was safe, and it was stylish. There was nothing even remotely like it, and that’s what scared the shit out of the Big Three so much that they felt the need to play dirty… if I sound vindictive, it’s because I am. The Tucker was a true masterpiece, and it would have shown them up big time.

The remaining Tuckers are heavily sought after today. At auction, they’ll easily fetch seven figures. For more info on the Tucker 48, check out the video at the bottom of this post.

Enjoy the gallery of this icon of the American Auto Industry, and for more info on the Tucker 48, check out the video at the bottom of this post.

Continue reading 1948 Tucker 48 “Torpedo” at The Concours of America →

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE, Uncategorized

TBT: Back to a time when cars were made with elbow grease, and a touch of class

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Pre War Lincoln Interior

Opinions, Uncategorized

Reaction: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

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$30,000 gets you 200 miles of electric driving. Well played, Chevy, well played.

It would seem the new Bolt EV is prepped to lead the way for the affordable AND viable electric car. The Nissan Leaf was a complete joke, people, this isn’t. Now let’s all hope there’s no “GM catch” to the Chevy Bolt down the line that will ruin it.

Likes: GM seems to have gotten the price and the range just right for what buyers have been yearning for in an electric car.

Dislikes: Marry Barra still seems to think it’s all about “beating Tesla”. Elon Musk wouldn’t have released Tesla’s patents to the whole industry if he didn’t want everyone to play his game. Her somewhat brawny attitude about beating Tesla makes me wonder if the mindset behind the Bolt is good GM or bad GM. Let’s hope they didn’t cut too many corners so they could be first to market in the $30K range, before the Tesla Model 3 hits.

-Nick Walker