Tag Archives: Oddball Cars

Automotive Lifestyle, Everyday Normal Cars

The Lincoln Mark VII LSC Chronicles, Part 2: June, July, and August -The Plot Thickens

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Mark VII Front

This is Part 2 in a series.

Where we last left this story, I had taken a few interviews and the Lincoln had barfed coolant all over South Jersey. By the beginning of June, I’d parked the poor thing and taken back to driving the Legacy nearly full-time. I’d hit off on a few good interviews in the beginning of June, and while walking out to take the Lincoln to the center of town to pick up election results with my friend Damon, I got the offer as I started the engine. What started out as another day in the pack, had become a blessing. A blessing that turned into a curse, within due time. Continue reading The Lincoln Mark VII LSC Chronicles, Part 2: June, July, and August -The Plot Thickens →

Automotive Lifestyle, Everyday Normal Cars, Luxury Cars, Used Car Gems

The Lincoln Mark VII LSC Chronicles, Part 1: April and May – Continuing The Story.

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Mark VII Front Angle 3

This is Part 1 of an occasional series.

On April 16, as most of you dear readers know, I purchased this big gray Lincoln Mark VII LSC to replace my Miata, which I’d sold to Nick. What most of you don’t know, is the rest of the story. Through this occasional series, I will work to chronicle the past six months of what I’ve done with this gigantic piece of American history, and how it has fit into the other parts of my life in that time. Continue reading The Lincoln Mark VII LSC Chronicles, Part 1: April and May – Continuing The Story. →

Car Shows, Obscure Autos

1991 Dodge Spirit R/T at the Radnor Hunt Car Corral

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1991 Dodge Spirit R:T Front

A Dodge Spirit does not belong in a Concours. It belongs in a Cars and Coffee if and only if Grandma Mildred or Grandpa Irving need to make a morning run to the local Pathmark to get fresh bread before the grandchildren show up. However, what you’re staring at today is not a normal Dodge Spirit. Carroll Shelby (may he rest in peace) got ahold of this one, and managed to turn a pereniall snore-mobile into one of Chrysler’s more eclectic fast sedans. Continue reading 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T at the Radnor Hunt Car Corral →

Car Shows

Classic American Iron at the CF Charities Supercar Show

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Ford Model A

Sometimes, old American cars creep into a supercar show. Sometimes, one of them is a Cotillion White Cadillac Eldorado with massive whitewalls, color-key hubcaps, and a vinyl roof. Other times, it’s an old Delta 88, or maybe a Mercury Custom. This time, it was all three of those classy rides, plus a prewar Ford Model A to round out things before we hit the healthy array of supercars steps behind the other riff-raff. Enjoy the photos of these American machines. Continue reading Classic American Iron at the CF Charities Supercar Show →

Car Shows, Obscure Autos, SHOWCASE

1990 Toyota Century at the 2016 Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island

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Toyota Century Front Doors Closed

At Amelia, there’s quite a lot going on and if you blink, you will miss a lot. The show over at one of the other large hotels, the Festivals of Speed, was in full swing on Saturday afternoon in the ultra-strong Florida sun, and I discovered a few cars at the show which I’m unlikely to ever see again. One of them was a 6×6 Mercedes-Benz, which I will cover at a later date. This car, however, is one that almost no one has ever heard of, unless they’ve lived in Japan and had some obscenely wealthy friends (or friends in the Yakuza). Meet the Toyota Century–or the Japanese equivalent of a Maybach, from the Eighties. Continue reading 1990 Toyota Century at the 2016 Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island →

Car Shows

Functional Tumbler Batmobile at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island

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Tumbler Batmobile Festivals of Speed Amelia Island 3

Batman was always my favorite superhero, and it was because he always had an awesome car, the Batmobile. This custom-built, totally functional Tumbler Batmobile stole the show at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island.

The owner said the best part of having a functional Tumbler was being able to show up anywhere, and just drop jaws like nothing lesser ever could. “Oh, you’ve got a Lambo, that’s cool. Me? I drive the Batmobile.” I don’t car what kind of supercars are present, when the Batmobile rolls up, they’re all invisible.

Now, that jet exhaust at the rear isn’t actually functional, as that would most definitely not be street legal. This Tumbler is powered by a tried and true Ford V8. I know, not quite as epic as the Jet-powered Tumbler in the movies, but it’s worth being able to really use the car.

I just couldn’t get over the level work that went into making this Tumbler so legit, and it really paid off because the owner can drive it in the real world.

Enjoy the pics of this badass Batmobile!

Continue reading Functional Tumbler Batmobile at Festivals of Speed, Amelia Island →

Car Shows, Uncategorized

Baby Blue Fiat Jolly at Radnor Hunt

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Blue Fiat Jolley Radnor Hunt 1

It’s Italian, it’s stylish, and it’s downright adorable!

The Fiat Jolly is Fun incarnate, a car that can turn a bad day into a great day, even if you just see it drive by. I love the whicker seats, the striped rag top, and the body colored steering wheel. You simply can’t avoid having a great time if you’re cruising around in one of these, and that makes it much more than “just a car.”

Of course the Italians would master the very essence of a beach car, and it’s hard to describe exactly how much I want to own a Fiat Jolly someday. I mean, just look at it.

Enjoy the pics!

-Nick Walker

Blue Fiat Jolley Radnor Hunt 4 Blue Fiat Jolley Radnor Hunt 2
Blue Fiat Jolley Radnor Hunt 5 Blue Fiat Jolley Radnor Hunt 3

CARS 101, Uncategorized

Vintage Electric Bicycles: One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen

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I know, I know, this isn’t cars, or even really motorcycles. But it’s damn cool!

Vintage Electric Bicycles makes exactly what their name says, and I was captivated by their creations when I saw this episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.

Essentially it’s an electric bicycle that goes 20-36 mph, but the company has given their products an unbelievable sense of style. Also, 36 mph is only do-able in “race mode” which “isn’t street legal”, but like all fun things, just get that option and run it on the road anyway.

I guarantee you’ll want one of these sweet bikes after you watch this video. And if you’ve got an extra $5,000 laying around, I’d say go for it.

Enjoy!

-Nick

Car Shows, SHOWCASE

Twin-Turbo DeLorean up for auction at Bonhams Greenwich, 2015

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Turbocharged Delorean Front//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

And here, I present the only DeLorean I’ve ever seen that might have a decent shot at making it to 88 miles per hour before slamming into the front of the Twin Pines Mall. This is no ordinary DeLorean that I laid eyes on at the auction tent in Greenwich this past summer. I’d read up on this before turning up and I gleefully discovered that this one’s got a twin turbocharger on it. It’s not a factory part, of course (all DeLorean DMC-12s came from the factory with a genuinely anemic PRV V6, good for a pathetic 109 MPH thanks to emissions regulations and low power output), but the swap was there. Continue reading Twin-Turbo DeLorean up for auction at Bonhams Greenwich, 2015 →

Cars We've Seen

Citroen Acadiane spotted in Malvern, PA

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Citroen Acadiane Front//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

As Nick and I were about to leave the Radnor Hunt Concours last month, I happened upon this old Citroen van and shot a few pictures of it. Not knowing what it was, I thought it was an old Mehari or 2-CV. Turns out, I’m wrong. This is a Citroen Acadiane panel van, and it’s about the size of a mail truck. They made over 200,000 of these, but I doubt many survive–it’s old and French, and like old Citroens, it probably does well at rotting in a field. Luckily, this one looked quite nice. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Citroen Acadiane spotted in Malvern, PA →

Car Shows

Highlights from the 2015 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance: Part 1

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Radnor Hunt Alfa Romeo 8Cs

We attended the 2015 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance last Sunday, and were stunned by the array of Alfa Romeos and Packards they were featuring this year, among other things. It was a phenomenal show, with awesome cars of all types and tastes present. This is the first highlight gallery, with much more to come.

Enjoy the photos!

-Nick

Continue reading Highlights from the 2015 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance: Part 1 →

Cars We've Driven

Frankenstein Volvo, A Hillbilly Hot Rod

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Sometimes fun isn’t pretty, it’s vile and blemished, with a crooked smile.

This hooptie-looking Volvo belongs to my buddy, Matt. He calls it his Frankestien Volvo, and it’s a sort of “Hillbilly Hot Rod.” With approaching a build like that, it’s hard to go wrong.

You see, perception is largely based on our expectations. If you expect a car to be flawless, then any scratch, any imperfection can ruin it. But if you go in expecting a car to be ghetto as hell, then that leaves you open to be pleasantly surprised by any redeeming qualities.

Frankenstein V8 Volvo 1

Matt’s Volvo is clearly a car who’s hair has been let down for the duration.There’s no room for high and mighty expectations to come along for the ride because the back seat has been thrown out. The interior is largely bare, with lots of open metal and wiring. The front seats are the stock volvo pieces, which are comfortable, but a little loose on their mounts. Oh, and there weren’t any seat belts either…

Maybe I was stupid for taking this deathtrap of a car out for a spin… surely from a mother’s perspective I was. But the character of the car, built by Matt (who is a mechanic, among other things), is that of care-free living, and it sort of captivated me in that moment. If it were a Nissan 350Z without seatbelts, I would’ve declined the drive… but not this.   Continue reading Frankenstein Volvo, A Hillbilly Hot Rod →