Tag Archives: Italian Cars

Highlights from the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

August 20, 2013 ndubs77 2 Comments

Best in Show Winner, the 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria

We have just had a mighty few days in the midst of the automotive Valhalla that is Monterey Car week, but the capstone event is surely the most grand of all, and that is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

This is an event where champions compete against champions. At any other event, every participant in the Pebble Beach Concours would likely win best of show. The field of automobiles is just plain unbelievable — the second you think you’ve seen everything, something incredible catches your eye. This is a place where a Lamborghini Miura may go overlooked, a place where everywhere you look, there is something astonishing to take in. This is la creme de la creme de la creme of automobiles.

Pebble Beach was once again kind enough to grant us media passes for this event, for which we are extremely grateful. I definitely feel like we put it all to good use this year, capturing tons of material to be used over the coming months. This is a highlight gallery of the event that aims to wet your appetite for what’s to come. Enjoy the photo gallery, and check back for much more from the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

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Cars We've Seen

Spotted! Pagani Huayra, Monterey, CA

August 19, 2013 ndubs77 3 Comments

The last few days have been pretty unbelievable. We have had a fantastic time at the Monterey Car Week, and are now in the process of returning, and recovering, from the festivities. We have amassed many months of material after seeing scores of incredible automobiles at the many events, as well as on the street as you see here.

This is the first Pagani Huayra I have laid eyes on in person, and what a magnificent sight it was. This is the first US-spec Huayra, and its exposed carbon fiber finish over red leather interior is nothing short of immaculate. This is just a short gallery from when we spotted the car on the streets of Monterey, CA on Thursday. We saw the car again the next day at the Quail, and I got a much better set of photos.

The story of this spot is kind of a funny one. Al and I had both seen the car separately earlier in the day, but it was while we were behind the wheel of Jaguar F-Types, so we couldn’t really get pictures. So now, out on the streets, the hunt for the Huayra was on!

We did some spotting in Carmel, CA for much of the evening. We saw some unbelievable cars there, but no Pagani Huayra. With the light fading we decided to take a swoop through Monterey’s Cannery Row to see what cars we could find there. As we turned past the Plaza Hotel, I started saying “Come on Huayra. Come on Huayra!” Then, right up the road, I recognized a certain shape, a wide car sticking out between normal cars. It was unmistakable, it was the Huayra!

Then, low and behold, as we slow down and approach the car, the door pops up and out steps none other than Horacio Pagani himself. We pull up along side, yelling in excitement, and Mr. Pagani happily thanked his adoring fans. We then found a parking spot and went back to grab these photos, some in front of the restaurant, and some at the Plaza Hotel. This was the cherry on top of our first day, and there was much more to come. Enjoy the photos, and stay tuned for much more!

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Car Shows

2013 New Hope Auto Show Day 2

August 13, 2013 ndubs77 Leave a comment

After day two, I am convinced that 2013 has to be the best New Hope Auto Show I have ever attended. The first day had many fantastic American cars, and the second day had a barrage of phenomenal foreign cars. The field ranged from modern exotics to classics, and I was thrilled with the sheer variety of cars; not just a bunch of the same types of Ferraris lined up.

Highlights included some truly breathtaking pre-war Rolls Royces, a variety of special Porsches, and one of the prettiest Mercedes 300 SLs I have ever laid eyes on. There is much more, including a few cars not often seen in the US, so check out the gallery (below) to see. Enjoy the photos.

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Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, SHOWCASE

The Petersen Automotive Museum

August 6, 2013 Albert S. Davis 4 Comments

On June 30, I flew to California to meet with my brother, Matt. He was kind enough, after a gut-busting BBQ lunch in Hollywood, to take me over to the Petersen Automotive Museum. Here’s some highlights from the floor. Some of the notable cars in the building include a selection of cars that have become legendary in their own right, including a Bugatti EB110, Steven McQueen’s Jaguar XK-SS, and many other unique and gorgeous cars. Enjoy the gallery.

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Car Shows

2013 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance: 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy

August 5, 2013 ndubs77 2 Comments

The Ferrari 275 GTB is my favorite variant of classic Ferrari road car. the 250 cars were obviously fantastic, but with the 275 I feel like Ferrari road cars were starting to truly come into their own. Keep in mind that Enzo Ferrari didn’t really care for road cars, and only saw them as a means to fund his racing efforts. In my opinion, the 275 GTB stands as the true precursor to the Ferrari Grand Touring cars we know and love today. The likes of the current F12 Berlinetta, all the way back through the 599, Maranello and 365 Daytona can all trace their lineage as road-specific GT cars back to the 275.

The car you see here is a series two coupe with a two-cam V12. The four-cam version of Ferrari’s 3.3L Colombo V12 would come out in 1966 in the 275 GTB/4. The two-cam V12 made around 280hp compared to the four-cam’s 300hp, but either 275’s performance is still impressive today, capable of speeds in excess of 160mph.

This particular car, fitted with an alloy body, caught my eye among the three or four other 275 GTBs at this year’s 2013 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. The reason was its stunning and uncommon color scheme. The stereotypical Ferrari is red with a tan interior, whereas this 275 was a gorgeous teal-green with red leather inside. It just took my breath away.

I really love when cars are adorned in uncommon colors because it makes them more interesting to look at. Seeing my favorite type of classic Ferrari in such an uncommon specification really made this year’s Greenwich Concours that much more special. I hope you all enjoy this car as much as I do.

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Cars We've Driven, Exotic Supercars

Test Driven: Ferrari 458 Italia (10/10)

August 2, 2013 ndubs77 5 Comments

The pursuit of perfection is a perilous road, but it is a way of life at Ferrari. Some of the greatest cars of all time have come through that famous red gate at Maranello, each new model a further refinement from the last. There have, of course, been mistakes over the years, but all are lessons well learned. No matter what sort of cars you may prefer, there is no denying that it is Ferrari who sets the bar for the supercar standard. That is why every time a new car comes out of Maranello, everyone else is immediately gunning for it, adjusting their own lineups as needed.

The 458 Italia may in fact be the most challenged Ferrari model in recent memory. Porsche, Lamborghini, Mercedes, and, of course, McLaren all seemed to respond immediately to the Italia’s launch with new models, all aimed to take some of the wind out of its sails. While their efforts have certainly yielded some fantastic cars, the 458 still wound up being “the car to have” among the world’s elite — most of whom can afford multiple such cars anyway.

So what is it about the 458 that is so enticing? There are plenty of awesome cars out there to choose from, why is it that the prancing horse always seems to be galloping ahead?

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Car Shows

2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance: Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale

July 29, 2013 ndubs77 3 Comments

This Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale is one of just nine in the world. It is based on the Dodge Viper ACR-X, and shares the same 640hp 8.4L V10 engine. The TZ3 was built to commemorate Fiat Group’s purchase of Chrysler after the onset of the recent economic crisis.

In attendance for the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, this is the second TZ3 Stradale that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing in person. It’s appearance is beyond striking, especially in this sky blue color. A Viper is a phenomenal performance machine, and now, with the addition of some Italian bodywork, it may well be one of the sweetest cars on Earth in the form of this Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale.

Enjoy the photos.

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Auto Idolatry, Car Shows, SHOWCASE

The Elegance at Hershey: 1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Pinin Farina

July 24, 2013 Albert S. Davis 5 Comments

Ferraris produced before the 250 are not something I’m very well-versed in, because for some reason, they aren’t as prevalent as the later models. Yet, here was one, a 212 Inter, in a stunning sea-blue color at the Elegance at Hershey last month. While Nick got busy shooting the Bizzarrini Spyder a few yards behind, I got busy shooting this and took a few steps back to admire its classy styling and stunning condition. I’ve only seen one other 212, during Concours Weekend in 2011 over in Monterey. Suffice it to say, I think I like this one more thanks to its 1950s-esque colors and the backdrop that accompanied the car. Enjoy the photos.

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Car Shows

Newtown Classic Car Show: Alfa Romeo Montreal

July 24, 2013 ndubs77 3 Comments

This is meant to be a simple post. I saw this beautiful Alfa Romeo Montreal at the Newtown Classic Car Show this past weekend. Just take in its beauty.

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Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE

Shmee150 goes for an insane ride in a Pagani Zonda 760

July 8, 2013 ndubs77 Leave a comment

Shmee150 (Tim) goes for a ride in Pagani’s development mule Zonda, which is currently in 760 RS spec. The man doing the insane driving is Pagani’s test driver Davide Testi. Italy is a wonderful place, and if you are in a supercar, the world is your racetrack. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this epic video.

-Nick

Cars We've Seen

Spotted! Pagani Huayra, Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA

July 3, 2013 Albert S. Davis 4 Comments

I’m currently on vacation visiting my brother Matt, who lives in Pasadena and submitted this Cadillac Series 62 for a Spotted article back in January. Nick sent me a tip for this particular car in Beverly Hills, so my other brother and I got out to the swankiest area in LA County. Our efforts were rewarded as Seth and I stepped out to the drop-off zone of the hotel inside the building.

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Car Shows

CF Charities Supercar Show: Lamborghini LM002

July 2, 2013 ndubs77 3 Comments

The LM002 is what happened when Lamborghini decided they wanted to go off-roading. Built from 1986 to 1993, the LM002 featured the same 5.2L V12 as the Lamborghini Countach supercar, only it was mounted up front for better off road handling characteristics.

Inside you will find a luxuriously appointed interior, a sign of who actually purchased a vehicle like this. Despite looking like a Humvee, the LM002 was not some rugged military vehicle (although there were originally hopes of selling a military version). It was instead an offroad exotic, with a similar relative appeal to Lamborghini’s supercars of the time. Many crazy people, like Uday Hussein, bought them, helping to cement the LM002’s image as the “Rambo Lambo.” (Uday’s LM002 was blown up by the US Army in a bomb test)

Only around 300 LM002s were produced during its 9 year production run, making it extremely rare. It was an interesting exercise for sure, but not one that yielded much commercial success. The LM002 is unbelievably cool when you see it in person. This one, at the recent CF Charities Supercar Show, was only the second or third LM002 I’ve seen up close, so it was a special sight. Enjoy the pics.

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