This is a heartwarming video in the spirit of the holidays. The owner of Fstoppers.com surprises his dad with his ultimate dream car, a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, on Christmas morning.
Enjoy the video.
-Nick
Tag Archives: Classic Cars
1957 Ford at the New Hope Car Show
This past August, I was busy taking pictures with Nick at the New Hope Car Show, an event which, although not billed as a Concours, has cars that would certainly look at home in one. Day One, August 10, is reserved for American cars. This year, during the awards, we were taking detail shots when my eardrums on both sides of my head got a big jolt. I turned around, and there was this rather ordinary-looking 1957 Ford two-door sedan sitting in traffic idling behind me. However, the dog-dish hubcaps and rather loud shade of red spoke to something sinister–if there’s one thing I learned over my years, it was that this Ford, with its fetching red paint and rumbling exhaust, was hiding something wicked under the hood. After a quick chat with the owner, I was delighted to hear that this ’57 was packing some serious punch–in fact, this thing was running a supercharged 292 cubic inch V8 with 300 brake horsepower–a huge sum at that time, and even though I wasn’t sure if it was original, I certainly enjoyed the soundtrack and the straightness of the bodywork. I had not seen a ’57 Ford as clean as this one until that point, and I haven’t seen one as good cosmetically since then. Enjoy the photos.
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Trans-Am Mustangs and Camaros at Laguna Seca
Before seeing these classic American beasts roar their way around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Nick and I traipsed around the paddock and surveyed the potential field. While we were walking around, I took some snaps of some of my favorite Trans-Am racers, unsure if I would be able to see them on the track later. Luckily, I not only got these shots, but was able to see these beasts battle it out on the tarmac later in the afternoon in the blinding sun. After hearing these old muscle cars run, I was deaf for a few glorious hours. Searing color, searing sounds, and a thumping exhaust note–just about everything needed to enjoy an afternoon on the track. Enjoy the photos, and Happy Holidays. Continue reading Trans-Am Mustangs and Camaros at Laguna Seca
Ford GT40s at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
The 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance featured a tribute to the legendary Ford GT40. I always say that many of the legendary cars we know and love today were originally created because Enzo Ferrari pissed someone off, and the GT40 is one such car.
Back in 1963 Ford went well into the process to purchase Ferrari, but Enzo pulled out of the deal at the last minute, after a lot of money had been spent by Ford to audit his company, because Ford would not allow Enzo continued total control over Ferrari’s racing division. Henry Ford II was infuriated by Enzo, and decided to get his revenge where it would hurt Enzo most, on the racetrack. With the help of Carroll Shelby, and many others, the Ford GT40 was born, and it unleashed a firestorm upon the Ferrari’s racing efforts, most notably winning the 24 hrs of LeMans four years in a row (1966-1969).
Seeing so many Ford GT40s in the same place was nothing short of an epic experience, and it made quite a good impression on my first trip to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. We look forward to returning this year, and can only hope for another display as spectacular as this one was. Enjoy the photos.
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Spotted! 1972 Chevrolet K-5 Blazer, Carmel, CA
While walking around Carmel during the Concours weekend, I am always excited to see what turns up on the street. I’ll usually expect to see plenty of the newest and best of all exotics, along with a solid smattering of the greatest hits of most historic segments. Trucks, however, don’t usually cross my mind. However, when an example as good as this one was turned up right on Ocean Avenue, I stopped and took it in. It’s a ’72 Blazer, by indication of the main points (grille, body style, location of the rearview mirror) and although it’s not exactly stock with its ride height, I haven’t seen one this straight in my life. Therefore, I felt like it deserved some attention amongst the Ferraris, Lambos, and other exotics that pepper this very landscape in the third weekend of August. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Spotted! 1972 Chevrolet K-5 Blazer, Carmel, CA
Fiat Dino Spider by Petrolicious
I swear that the folks at Petrolicious could inspire a deep sense of passion about the most boring, inconsequential car imaginable. The Fiat Dino Spider, of course, is about as far from boring or inconsequential as can be, so naturally I found myself with a warm fuzzy feeling after watching this video about the car.
Basically this is one of just a handful of Fiat Spiders made with Dino Ferrari’s epic Formula 2 V6 in them. In the video the owner says that there are twenty Ferrari Dinos for every Fiat Dino that was built, so a very special car this is indeed.
Enjoy, and prepare to want a Fiat Dino Spider of your own more than you want to take your next breath.
-Nick
Alfa Romeos from the paddock at Laguna Seca
There were a number of truly righteous Alfa Romeos occupying the paddock at Laguna Seca during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion this year. When it comes to vintage cars, Alfas are definitely among my personal favorite. They are some of the sexiest machines around, and back in the day, Alfa Romeo was a serious racing contender… before all of this Fiat Group hierarchy, everyone bow down to Ferrari, nonsense.
The Alfas in the pit lane were among the creme-de-la-creme of Alfa Romeos. We saw a Tipo 33/2 Race Car (pictured above), a TZ, a TZ2, and a very race-prepped Giulia Spider. For context, Alfa Romeo made just 112 TZs, and a scant 12 TZ2s. I’m not sure on the number of Tipo 33/2s that Alfa produced, but I’d bet it’s within the range of the TZ models.
Italian cars are able to make any setting look good. Enjoy the photos.
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Greenwich Concours d’Elegance: 1974 BMW E9 3.0CSL
We saw this minty 1974 BMW E9 3.0CSL at the 2013 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance last Spring. E9s are some of my favorite BMWs of all time with their classy style and perfect proportions. The 3.0CSL you see here is a pristine example of the top-spec, road going version of the BMW E9. Those who know BMWs, of course, will know the racing, “Batmobile”, version of the 3.0CSL. The road version, like this one, was a lighter weight, more sporting version of the E9 rather than a detuned version of the racing car, similar to how the Subaru STi is to the standard Subaru Impreza today.
The 3.0CSL is one of the direct precursors to the range of BMW M cars that we all know and love today. It was a real treat seeing this immaculate example at Greenwhich this year. Enjoy the gallery.
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Spotted! Ferrari 246 GTS, Carmel, CA
Carmel is a very busy little village during Concours Weekend, but it’s probably at its absolute busiest on the Thursday before the show itself. That day is the Tour d’Elegance, when a selection of the cars participating in the Concours take a drive around the local area and finish their run on Ocean Avenue, Carmel’s main drag. Nick and I drove into town so that we could witness the event, and were quickly outmatched in finding any resemblance of “street parking.” Luckily for this Ferrari 246 GTS owner, there was a spot available at just the right moment, and he got himself a spot. Luckily for me, I happened to get a good picture of this pretty little blue 246 GTS. I don’t see them often, and in a color like this shade of blue, it’s a dark-horse favorite of mine when it comes to old school Ferraris. I was lucky to have grabbed this shot when I did, as I don’t think I saw this car again except in passing.
-Albert S. Davis
Spotted! Toyota 2000GT, Carmel, CA
After a day of walking around the Quail, driving Porsches, Jags, and a bunch of other great things, the day was not yet over. As we drove into Carmel for some spotting on Ocean Ave, I caught this little Toyota 2000GT out of the corner of my eye sitting in a side street. I scampered out of the rental car and after finishing with taking pictures of it, I later caught up with Nick on Ocean Avenue and continued spotting cars. I’ve never seen one before on US roads, and it looks just as fantastic in person as it does in any publication. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Spotted! Toyota 2000GT, Carmel, CA
“Old No. 4” at Laguna Seca
At Laguna Seca, don’t go in with an expectation. That’s not me being negative, that’s me being honest. I only say this because you might come across a 550 Spyder, but then stumble on a piece of ancient automotive history like this racing Ford. When I was photographing it, the entire area around it stank like spent old brakes. Of course, that’s because someone had the guts (and the crazy) to drive this on Laguna Seca. This happens to be a 1915 Ford race car, utilizing a 1915 Model T engine with 50 hp. The list of tech pieces reads like something out of a horror film for racing, including a 12-speed transmission (via the use of a 2 speed planetary gearbox hooked up to a 3 speed Muncie transmission, then out to a 2 speed rear axle), a 2 wheel rear drum used as a service brake, and a pressure fed fuel system. According to the owners, this bright yellow Ford can break 100 mph. Judging by its minimal use of anything regarding bodywork, I’m not shocked at all about that. What I was shocked about was that the driver got out, said hello, and was in one piece. To the man who drove this car that day: I salute you, sir. Enjoy the photos of this incredible little car. Continue reading “Old No. 4” at Laguna Seca
Jay Leno Shows Us A 1956 Maserati A6G-2000 Allemano Coupe
Jay Leno takes us through the details and history of this 1956 Maserati A6G-2000 Allemano Coupe. Enjoy the video!
-Nick
Mind Over Motor 