Tag Archives: German Cars

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

1955 Porsche 356 Speedster at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours

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1955 Porsche 356 Speedster Front 1

The Porsche 356 might be one of the most well-regarded early German sports cars ever. Since I was a little kid, I’ve wanted to have one in my driveway, simply because of their honest styling and fantastic sense of adventure. This little white Speedster is the last of the pre-A series cars, making it an early model combined with the most desirable body style. The Speedsters are extremely valuable–and this one, being an early one, is a prime example of how Porsche got popular in the States. Max Hoffman hit the market perfectly and the Speedster, which was a cheaper convertible 356 aimed at competition markets, was a massive home run at the time. Continue reading 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours →

Car Shows

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series at Amelia Island

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Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series Amelia Island

This is the ultimate badass Mercedes in my mind. The SL65 AMG Black Series is a twin turbo V12 beast that will haunt your nightmares.

-Nick

Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars

Porsche 991.2 Carrera S Review: Do Turbos Make a Better 911?

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Porsche 991.2 Carrera S Turbo Review 7

Everyone sharpen your pitchforks and light your torches! Porsche has gone and changed the 911 again, and this time we’re gonna burn Stuttgart to the ground! They won’t get a way with it this time!

Wait, what? What’s that you say? Porsche has turbocharged all of the 911 Carrera models, and now they’re actually improved? You say Porsche has secretly answered our purist prayers and we don’t even know it? How can that be?!!!!

Well it’s true, folks, all of it. Porsche has made all of their 911s into 911 Turbos, although they’ll surely hate me for saying it that way. The way Porsche would want me to say it is, “911 Carrera and Targa models all now have a 3.0L Twin Turbocharged Flat-Six engine, but they are not “911 Turbos” because the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S each have a 3.8L Twin Turbocharged Flat-Six engine.” See what I mean?

There are a few ways to look at this new 991.2 generation Porsche 911. I’m going to go through the way I see the car now, after taking it for a spin recently.

I’m not going to waste our time talking much about the aspects of the 911 that haven’t changed much. Just know that it’s still a wonderful handling car, it still has the best electric power steering in the business, it’s still of top-notch build quality, and PDK is still among the best dual-clutch trannies around.

Alright, now let’s talk about that new turbocharged engine, and what it does for the 911 as a car…

Continue reading Porsche 991.2 Carrera S Review: Do Turbos Make a Better 911? →

Cars We've Seen

RUF BTR Slantnose spotted in Fernadina Beach, FL

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RUF BTR Front

While waiting for the shuttle to check out the auction at the Omni at Amelia Island, Nick and I caught a somewhat familiar sight of a slantnose Porsche rolling through the quiet streets. However, this was not a Porsche. This is a RUF BTR, the first of the line for the RUF series of modified Porsches. This is one of less than 35 made and it looked pristine. The paint simply stuck out like a sore thumb among the endless sea of beige and silver trucks and rental cars scattering the landscape. Plus, how often is it that anyone sees a RUF, of any kind, running around? This is pretty much like seeing Keith Richards or Mick Jagger in person at a grocery store for Porschephiles. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading RUF BTR Slantnose spotted in Fernadina Beach, FL →

Car Shows

1928 Mercedes-Benz S Cabriolet at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours

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1928 Mercedes-Benz S Front

When it comes to the late Twenties and German cars, Mercedes-Benz is usually the first car someone thinks of, thanks to their classic lines and supreme pedigree. The color, however, is not usually this scorching, eye-searing yellow paint. I’m not about to complain, however. This 1928 S model is quite a rare bird, carrying a gorgeous custom body and the same owner since 1964. Continue reading 1928 Mercedes-Benz S Cabriolet at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours →

Car Shows

Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 at Amelia Island

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Mercedes G63 AMG 6x6 Amelia Island 1

This is the Mercedes G63 AMG 6×6, a car for hardcore people who live hardcore lives filled with all manner of hardcoreness, as well as grotesque amounts of money (maybe legal, but probably not). It’s 6-wheel drive, and that means that even after the apocalypse, you’ll be able to get to the mall so you can still be the first one to get the new iPhone.

That’s what the modern luxury SUV is about, and the Mercedes 6×6 is the undisputed king. You don’t even have to worry about arriving early to get a good parking spot when you have one of these. If it’s crowded, just park on top some car in a handicapped spot. You’ve already paid for your privilege, they can get their own.

The 6×6 is definitely a Bond villains car if I’ve ever seen one. It’s for people who don conflict diamonds proudly and wear clothing made from the pelts of endangered animals. Someone with henchmen and offshore bank accounts with a good evil laugh, and a cat which they stroke constantly.

If this fits you, then you need a Mercedes 6×6. Sure they may be all sold out, but just assassinate someone who has one and pick it up cheap at the estate sale. Heck, with a few well-placed put options, you might even make money along the way.

-Nick

Mercedes G63 AMG 6x6 Amelia Island 2 Mercedes G63 AMG 6x6 Amelia Island 3

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE, Uncategorized

Motor Trend tests the new BMW M2

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Here’s Motor Trend’s test of the BMW M2, where they pit it against its bigger brother, the BMW M4.

Could the M2 possibly be better than the M4?

-Nick

Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Matt Farah drives the new Turbo Porsche 718 Boxster S

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Matt Farah shows us the new turbocharged Porsche 718 Boxster S in action. It seems very impressive, but it will also definitely be divisive.

To start with, it sounds like a Subaru. Whether that’s a good thing or not will be hotly debated. I, for one, kind of like it.

Regardless of your opinion on the new four-cylinder Boxster, there’s no denying that it has some serious performance. The base model 718 Boxster has 300hp now, and the S has 350hp. With tuning options soon to come, these things should be insane.

I like it.

-Nick

Car Shows, Uncategorized

Porsche 911R at NYIAS 2016

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Porsche 911R NYIAS 2016 Front Porsche 911R NYIAS 2016 Rear

We got our first, in-person look at the new Porsche 911R at the 2016 New York International Auto Show. With its 500hp 4.0L engine hooked to a manual gearbox, it’s definitely a proverbial golden calf for us Porsche enthusiasts.

Porsche is only building 991 examples of the 911R, so it won’t ever be a common sight. These cars are also so heavily sought after that those lucky 991 buyers will likely be able to flip their 911Rs (if they want to) for a healthy 6-figure profit.

The good news for everyone not getting a 911R is that Porsche has confirmed that the next 911 GT3 will come with the option of a manual gearbox. It would seem the clear demand in the secondhand market has gotten through to Porsche management, and they’ve realized the mistake they made with the first 991 GT3.

Despite the coming manual 991.2 GT3, the 911R will remain the only manual 991 equipped with the monstrous 4.0L flat-six, shared with the mighty GT3 RS.

There is no doubt that 911R values will be sitting up with the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 and GT2 RS on the secondhand market. This is a stratosphere Porsche to be sure.

-Nick Walker

Car Shows

New York International Auto Show General Gallery

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Bentley Bentayga

The New York Auto Show finished its run on Sunday evening and was home to a multitude of concept and full debuts, including Lincoln’s Navigator concept (complete with a massive gullwing door) and Mazda’s MX-5 Targa Retractable. This year, the show wasn’t nearly as glitzy as previous years, but I had an enjoyable day all the same. Although I wasn’t intent on taking as many photos (as I had spent a massive amount of time at L.A. a few months back), there was still plenty to see. Fiat showed off the new 124 Abarth, and Porsche had the 911R on display for all to see, just ahead of the new 718 Boxster roadster. Enjoy the brief gallery of what was on display this past week, with some more to follow. Continue reading New York International Auto Show General Gallery →

Opinions

Why I Hate Concept Cars: A Rant

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Lincoln Navigator Concept NYIAS 2016

Lincoln showed off their fancy new Navigator Concept at the 2016 New York International Auto Show to much acclaim. It was all over the news, and people were going mental over it. I mean, what’s not to love about a sparkly blue SUV with massive gullwing doors and fine wooden steps up to its luxurious cabin?

Yes, if it were real, the Navigator Concept would be a game-changer in the SUV market, but it isn’t real. People often miss the word “Concept,” and I must’ve had around ten people ask me if I had seen the incredible new Lincoln Navigator, as if it were actually the new production car. Sadly, I then had to break all of their hearts by telling them it was just a pipe dream that would never come true. An automotive strip-tease with no happy ending.

Continue reading Why I Hate Concept Cars: A Rant →

Cars We've Seen

Volkswagen T2 Mark I 21-Window Bus spotted in Fernadina Beach, FL

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Volkswagen Type 2 Mk1 21-Window

While awaiting my turn to take the new Alfa Romeo 4C for a spin around Amelia Island, Nick walked on ahead as I took in the scenery for a very brief second. Said scenery was very hippie-tastic, in the form of this stunning old VW Bus. The Volkswagen Type 2 has exploded in popularity over the past few years and the 21-window variant pictured here is the real showstopper of the entire line, with an airy cabin and groovy paint. While it certainly won’t keep up on the road with similar-era Porsches or Mercedes, it will certainly grab equal attention in the valet lot at dinner–and it can definitely be the life of the party, both when you arrive, and on the way home.

Spotted by: Albert S. Davis