Tag Archives: British Cars

Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars

Rolls Royce Phantom II, The Chauffeured Review (7.5/10)

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Rolls Royce Phantom 1

Having a nice dinner with a good bottle of wine is a good thing, but having a nice dinner with a well-aged bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an occasion to be savored. 

But what is really the difference? If you just gave most people a glass of nameless wine, even if it were something like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, then it either tastes good or it doesn’t. But knowing that you have something very special changes the experience entirely. The focus of the aforementioned dinner becomes all about appreciating the wine, with the food as a secondary concern. In reality, it may well be somewhat of a placebo effect, but it makes you feel special, and that is something people crave. This is precisely the appeal of the Rolls Royce Phantom. 

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Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Motor Trend snags some numbers from the McLaren P1

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Motor Trend got some brief quality time with the McLaren P1 hypercar at the Top Gear Test Track recently, and they managed to get some performance numbers that we’ve all been eagerly awaiting. Watch the video for the full effect, but they measured 0-60mph in 2.6 sec, 0-100mph in 4.7 sec, and the 1/4 mile in 9.8 sec @ 148.9mph.

So basically, to put things in perspective,  the McLaren P1 does 0 to 100mph in the same amount of time it takes for a Subaru STI to reach 60mph, and it reaches the STI’s claimed top speed in around 10 seconds. There are fast cars, and there are hypercars. DAMN!

-Nick

Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars, Luxury Cars

2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, The Driver’s Review (Grade: B+)

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Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II Front Angle Left

Rolls-Royce has every reason to act pompous about their cars.  The Phantom, their current flagship, has been on the market since 2003, and just this year, has been restyled as the Series II, which includes a large number of under-the-skin changes and a new front fascia. While at Pebble Beach, Nick and I had just enough time to review this classy chariot, but not enough time to take turns driving it. As a result, this review will concern what the big Phantom II is like from the driver’s point of view. Continue reading 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, The Driver’s Review (Grade: B+) →

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Rolls-Royce Silver Spur IV Mulliner Park Ward at Festivals of Speed Amelia Island, 2014

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It’s not often that I see a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur in a color as noticeable as this one.  Most of them are muted grays, blues, or black, or a nice off-white.  Not this one, though.  This rather rare Mulliner Park Ward model is a crisp Carmine Red with a gorgeous magnolia white interior featuring offset piping.  I spoke to the owners, who had on display their red daily driver, a St. James Red Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed.   Red chairs, red Bentley, red Rolls, red shirts, red shorts.  I’m not sure what their favorite color was, but I’m sure it’s not British Racing Green.  Among the few Spurs I have seen in my years, this Silver Spur V looked fantastic and the red paint shined brightly in the blue, sun-kissed Florida sky.  With blinding chrome, classic whitewall tires, and gorgeous solid wood trim on the inside, this Spur looks ready for the spotlight.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Rolls-Royce Silver Spur IV Mulliner Park Ward at Festivals of Speed Amelia Island, 2014 →

Car Shows

Highlights from the 2014 New York International Auto Show

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Lamborghini, Lotus, and Bugatti
Lamborghini Aventador, Lotus Evora S, and the obligatory Bugatti Veyron, of course.

We made it out to the New York International Auto Show to see some of the new cars that have come out recently. The industry has been very exciting in the last few years, as we move out of the global recession, with many great ideas taking shape, as well as a few that leave us scratching our heads.

Check out the gallery below, and let us know what you think of the new style we are trying out with some of our photos. Enjoy.

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Cars We've Seen

Morgan 3 Wheeler spotted at Amelia Island

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Morgan 3 Wheeler at Amelia Island 5

We went out to grab some things from the car during the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and we found this stunning Morgan 3 Wheeler sitting in the media parking lot. I’ve seen a few of these things around now, but this orange 3 Wheeler has to be the most striking one yet. I just love the fighter plane inspired bits. It gives the car a fun and exciting character that is irresistible. I had to snap a few pics of it, and I think they came out well. Enjoy!

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Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE

1958 Scarab: Best of Show, Concours d’Sport, 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

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The other Best of Show award at Amelia this year was designated as the Concours d’Sport, an award to go to the best racing car on the field that day.  I wasn’t sure what had the chops to sway the judges this year.  While I was taking pictures along a wall during the awards ceremony, this blue 1958 Scarab destroyed my eardrums and stole my attention for a little while.  Little did I know until I saw it waiting on the side that it was to recieve a Best of Show.  My eardrums were again destroyed, but this time, I was fine with it.  This little Scarab deserved its win and looked head and shoulders above much of the other racers in the field this year.  Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows, MoM Vlog

Watch how they set up the McLaren P1 on its stage

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Many cars at auto shows are displayed on a stage, high off the ground. Most folks don’t give a second thought to the logistics of it, but if you think about it, something as low as a McLaren P1 can hardly be “wished” into perfect position. We caught the McLaren team in action setting up the mighty P1 hypercar at their stand at Amelia Island. I love the garbage bag trick!

Stay tuned for more fun from this weekend!

-Nick

Car Shows

Glimpse From Amelia Island: McLaren P1

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McLaren P1 at Amelia Island

 

Our first day at Amelia Island has been great. Here is a quick glimpse of the McLaren P1 hypercar that will be on display. Check back for more!

-Nick

Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars

Jaguar F-Type V8 S, Nick’s Review (9.5/10)

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Jaguar F-Type V8 S

What is the Jaguar F-Type V8 S?

This is Jaguar’s return to building a true sports car. For a long time, under Ford, Jaguar really only built luxury sedans and coupes. You could maybe get away with calling the early 2000s XKR a grand touring car, but it wasn’t even remotely close to being a proper, driver-focused sports car. Much of Jaguar’s brand image has been built on racing success, and building iconic sports cars, such as the E-Type, so the new F-Type is a much needed return to form.

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Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Everything you want to know about the McLaren P1

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Capitalizing off of their immensely successful video review of the McLaren P1 last week, now over 750,000 views, Drive has released the full conversation between the always entertaining Chris Harris and McLaren Chief Test Driver, and extremely lucky bastard, Chris Goodwin. This is some hearty car nerd stuff for sure, but definitely worth the watch if you are into this stuff.

-Nick

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost at the New Hope Classic Car Show

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Early Rolls-Royces were out in full force on the second day of the New Hope Car Show, which is normally reserved for European classics.  Behind the high school that the show uses as its venue, there were Rolls and Bentley classics parked as far as the eye could see.  Luckily for my bad right ankle, this Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, in a very fetching eggshell-white paintjob with wire wheels, was parked right next to the wall of the school, making for some great backdrops.  Of course, my camera packed up on me at this very moment, and the zoom stopped working while I was taking shots of this Ghost.  Luckily, the photos survived for your viewing pleasure.  Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost at the New Hope Classic Car Show →