Tag Archives: American Cars

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours

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1959 Cadillac Series 62 Front

We’ve said this a few times here on Mind Over Motor that the 1959 Cadillac is an incredibly handsome machine, in so many words. Of course, we’re going to say more every time we see one. The convertible might be the best way to show off the ’59’s enormous features, such as the too-tall tailfins, ostentatious chrome, and sharp (both to the eye and to the skin) taillights. The Series 62, unlike the Eldorado Seville we featured a few months ago from Greenwich, is the base series of the Cadillac lineup for 1959 and continued in that role until 1965. This car has the tallest tailfins ever made, coupled with the perfect body style, a noticeable color combination, and a set of gorgeous wire wheels to go with the look. In 1959, no other car would do for an executive that wanted to buy American and get noticed at all times. A red Series 62 Convertible is not a car for those with low self-esteem, and that’s perfect for standing out at a Concours event. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours →

Cars We've Seen

Ford GT Spotted in Carmel, CA

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Red Ford GT in Carmel Ford GT in Carmel California

Even amongst other exotic machines, the Ford GT is special. Ford did a fantastic job bringing the classic lines of the GT40 into the 21st century, and it really sets it apart on the street, even amongst droves of Ferraris and Lambos. Such is the epic automotive extravaganza that is Monterey Car Week!

-Nick

Auto Idolatry

Chris Harris Shows Us Ken Block’s Insane AWD ’65 Mustang

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Ken Block is a racing driver, but he admits he’s rubbish at explaining his car. So for that job, Mr. Block has enlisted the help of none other than Chris Harris, of /DRIVE YouTube fame.

The “1965 Mustang” used for Ken Block’s Gymkhana 7 is really a totally custom machine with only a few bits remaining from the actual Mustang itself. In a nutshell, it is a custom built all wheel drive rally car fitted with a NASCAR engine. Sound fun? Then enjoy the video!

-Nick

Auto Idolatry

Ken Block’s Gymkhana 7: Wild In The Streets Of LA

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The whole car world eagerly awaits every new stunt-tastic video from Ken Block, and Gymkhana 7 is finally here! This time, Ken attacks the streets of Los Angeles with a custom all wheel drive Ford Mustang, probably his most badass car yet. Have you ever seen anyone drift a car under a bouncing Low Rider? Well feast your eyes!

-Nick

Automotive Lifestyle, Car Games

Our Picks, the $40,000 question

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In today’s market, $40,000 marks a sort of barrier between “normal” cars and “luxury” cars. You can basically find any sort of car for under $40 grand, so it can be argued that nobody needs to spend more than that unless they’re interested in fluff. It is a realistic budget for many middle class Americans, and that is why we have chosen to kick off our new “Our Picks” segment with it.

We will give our picks for two $40,000 budget scenarios, one as an only car, and the other as a second car. We will also give our second choices for each. Keep in mind, this is how we would spend our own money, with our rather discerning tastes in cars, and not necessarily our recommendations for more average buyers.

Continue reading Our Picks, the $40,000 question →

Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Rockefeller’s Imperial Limo at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours

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Rockefeller Limo Front

When it comes to the Rockefeller family, it’s hard not to think of money, prestige, fame, politics, and limousines. This particularly extravagant limo is a 1960 Imperial with a body by Ghia and an interior to die for. 17 of these Ghia-bodied limos left the factory in 1960 and this is the only one ordered without the third set of rear-side windows (making this a 5-window model as opposed to a 7-window). Nelson D. Rockefeller ordered this car when he was elected Governor of New York back in 1960 and outfitted it with emergency lights, a fabric rear seat, and vinyl half-roof. Governor Rockefeller rode in genuine style from his inauguration in 1960 (in this car) and until the end of his time in Albany, and had a penchant for Imperials, using this and another later model in the late Sixties. To make this an even more exclusive type of vehicle, there was actually a sister Ghia-bodied limo like this one, but it was owned by the one and only Jacqueline Kennedy. Rarefied air, indeed. It’s fit for a Rockefeller, it’s fit for a Kennedy, it’s probably even fit for royalty. Enjoy the photos of this regal official car. Continue reading Rockefeller’s Imperial Limo at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours →

Auto Idolatry

How does the new Ford Mustang stand up against the Chevy Camaro?

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It’s an age-old American civil war that continues to be fought on the asphalt. Mustang vs Camaro, who will win?

-Nick

Car Shows

1980 Ford Mustang GT Enduro at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours

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IMSA Mustang Front Angle

When it comes to Fox Body Mustangs, most people think of the notchback Mustangs from the later era, along with stripped-out hatchbacks packing huge V8s (often with superchargers added in) screaming down the drag strip. They’re interesting cars for the era and are slowly becoming more appreciated in the Mustang community for plenty of reasons. However, this is no ordinary Fox. This Fox has been drinking steroids through an IV bag. Thanks to the McLaren body and success Ford had in racing the Mustang in the IMSA-GTO endurance class in the early Eighties, three street display cars resulted to advertise the new 5.0L V8 engine and a new set of Firestone tires. This is the second of just three built, and the only one remaining at this time. Although it’s not a normal car to see at a Concours event, it looked quite fitting on the bottom row of cars at Radnor last month, especially against the crystal-blue sky. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1980 Ford Mustang GT Enduro at the 2014 Radnor Hunt Concours →

Car Shows, Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE

1929 Ruxton C Baker-Raulang Roadster at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

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1929 Ruxton Front Angle

Ruxtons were a featured marque this year at the Pebble Beach Concours, and what a great brand to feature at a show like this. These cars were built-to-order in a shop in Philadelphia and were incredibly expensive to buy. As the first front-wheel-drive American automobile for sale, these were exclusive in their era and very innovative for the late Twenties. The brand would sadly fail in 1931, but interest in the cars has been high in the recent past as orphan marques become more noticeable at Concours events. This particular Ruxton is the fifth Roadster built and features a truly breathtaking pink paint finish, something unique and stunning on a car from the Roaring Twenties. This car now resides in the Petersen collection and was right at the front of the line of Ruxtons in the middle row at Pebble Beach–a fitting location for such an eye-catching automobile. In terms of striving for attention, it does not get any better than this Ruxton for 1929. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1929 Ruxton C Baker-Raulang Roadster at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance →

Car Shows

Ford Rat Rod outside the New Hope Auto Show

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Ford Rat Rod in New Hope PA 1

This sweet Ford Rat Rod rolled up to the New Hope Auto Show but for some reason was denied entry… how anyone could say turn a car like this way when there were plenty of empty spots in the show is completely beyond me.

I decided to make it a point to do a feature on this Rat Rod because it was so well done and had loads of character. Just look at that microphone shifter, those crafted metal seats, and even the Sailor Jerry bottle being used as a coolant reservoir — This thing is BAD ASS.

Enjoy the photos of this beast!

Continue reading Ford Rat Rod outside the New Hope Auto Show →

SHOWCASE

Subaru gives Roadkill some money…chaos ensues.

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When it comes to making lemons out of rotten lemons, Roadkill does quite a job. From supercharging a Chevy-powered Jaguar early on, to doing an engine swap on a ’68 El Camino in a parts-store parking lot in Reno, to dumping a motorhome-worn 440 Chrysler V8 into a rusted-out Dodge Charger shell, David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan work for Hot Rod Magazine and Subaru brought them a few Legacy sedans to compete against in three separate contests–a barrel race vs a beat-up Ford Ranchero, a rallycross race between a Legacy 3.6R and the “General Mayhem” (a beat-up 1968 Dodge Charger with a smog-choked 440 and worn-out axles), and a road race through an abandoned neighborhood against a turbocharged, Chevy V6-powered Datsun 240Z with more rust than sheet metal. I don’t want to reveal the ending–the video is worth watching. Go ahead, take an hour, and watch the video, it’s worth the time spent.

-Albert S. Davis

Cars We've Seen

Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser spotted in Carmel, CA

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1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Front

While Nick was busy walking to the rental car after we got done taking photos at Bonhams, I was busy trying to line up a shot of a rather humorous “YOLO” style plate on a Lamborghini Gallardo when one of my all-time favorite early-Seventies pieces of Americana rolled into view. These guys were a cool bunch, and when I asked them the most important question of “What’s under the hood?” they simply said it was running a 455 cubic inch big block V8. Frankly, when it comes to an early Seventies Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, a 455 is the most acceptable engine in a most classy way to transport your groovy Seventies clan. Combine that with a good looking light blue, wood simulation on the sides, and the great sunlight of Central California in August, and the recipe for fun is nearly complete. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser spotted in Carmel, CA →