Tag Archives: Sports Cars

1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupula Coupe, 2016 Amelia Island Winner

1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupula Coupe Amelia Island 6

During the 1950’s Spanish auto manufacturer, Pegaso, built a line of world-class sports cars, the Z-102. With powerful engines, a racing-derived chassis, and cutting edge technology for the time, the Pegaso Z-102 was a serious contender. Top Z-102 models, equipped with a 360hp supercharged V8, were capable of 155 mph, making them the fastest sports cars in the world for a time. A bonafide supercar, top-spec Pegaso could out-run the Ferraris of the era, and even the mighty Mercedes 300SL.

Just 86 Pegaso Z-102 sports cars were produced between 1951 and 1958. The cars were built on a “cost no object basis” alongside the larger Pegaso production of other types of vehicles. As you might expect, the sports car program quickly became a financial drag, and had to be shut down at a certain point.

The jaw-dropping 1952 Pegaso Z-102 “Cupula Coupe” featured here is one of just two examples built, and the only one known to survive. It won Best in Show, Concours de Sport at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and it absolutely stunned the crowds.

The color scheme seems inspired by the condiments at a hot dog stand, a mustard yellow exterior, a relish green interior, and ketchup red-wall tires. Yes, I said red-wall tires. IT HAS RED-WALL TIRES!!!!

Continue reading 1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupula Coupe, 2016 Amelia Island Winner

2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Gallery 1

Amelia Island Concours Hans-Joachim Stuck Porsche 962

Here is our first round of highlights from the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. There were so many incredible cars, of various eras, present that it’ll take a few of these galleries and numerous individual features to cover them all.

Racing legend, Hans-Joachim Stuck (pictured above), was the guest of honor. He rolled up during the award ceremony at the wheel of the Porsche 962 in which he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was epic!

Best in show awards went to a 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Town Car with some fancy coachwork (see below), and also to a 1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupula Coupe, which was my personal favorite car at the show, as well. The Pegaso had a unique color scheme of bright yellow with red-wall tires and a pea green interior, and it’s striking curves and crafted details definitely made it the sight to be seen.

Enjoy this first highlight reel, and stay tuned for much more to come!

Continue reading 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Gallery 1

Janis Joplin’s Porsche 356 at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

Janis Joplin Porsche 356C Rear

Of all cars at the Amelia Island Concours, celebrity-owned cars get a good share of attention. However, a hippie-themed old Porsche was grabbing more attention than other cars it sat among. This 1964 356C was custom-painted and themed by Joplin over the years to describe better her artistic style within her own life as well as within her music. After her death due to a heroin overdose in 1970, the car was passed between a few different individuals, before ending up in the posession of her manager. The car spent a period of time at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in recent years, and was sold to a private collection late last year. Out on the show field, this particular 356 had onlookers gaing at its incredible detailing and one-of-a-kind finish. I don’t expect to ever see anything like this car again for some time, and people asked questions about it non-stop. Enjoy the photos of this timeless legend. Continue reading Janis Joplin’s Porsche 356 at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

Stanced Porsche 996 at First Class Fitment

Stanced Porsche 911 Carrera 996

I must admit, I’ve always liked this style of aftermarket facia on the Porsche 996. This one we saw at First Class Fitment was nice and clean.

-Nick

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato at Amelia Island

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Amelia Island 4

The DB4 GT Zagato is one of the most beautiful Aston Martins of all time. Swooping Italian lines over a capable British GT racing-developed chassis, it is a sublime combination!

With its 314hp straight-6, the DB4 GT Zagato was one hell of a performer in the early 1960’s. It was capable of 0-60 in around 6 seconds, and could top 150 mph. It also had a lightweight design and a capable chassis, so it was very much an all-round performer. Even today, it would still roast many respectable cars.

The big draw, on top of this Aston’s styling and performance, is its rarity. Only 19 of these DB4 GT Zagatos were produced, and they are worth many millions of dollars today.

Amelia Island was actually the second time I’ve seen this one. I saw it a few years ago, where it was the star at a local cruise night in Hopewell, NJ, where it was being worked on.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato is one of my favorite classic cars, period, let alone Aston Martins. I was so privileged to have some quality shooting time with the car after most of the show cleared out. It even had it’s own design plans on display in the trunk this time.

I hope you all enjoy the gallery!

Continue reading Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato at Amelia Island

Friendly’s Old Bridge Meet, March 5 2016

1966 Chrysler Newport
I don’t go to nighttime car meets that often, only because I’m not a big part of the scene in my local area. Luckily, it seems that the scene is more noticable south of my area than it is near where I live, and the Old Bridge car guys organized a great meet right by a good friend’s house. This meet had a little bit of everything, from a restored 1966 Chrysler Newport to a Buick Grand National, to a Hellcat, to a pair of very loud (and rather fun) old ex-police Crown Vics. Much fun was had, even though I couldn’t get dinner at Friendly’s due to the line and the fact that the Old Bridge PD shut it down after about 3 hours. I’ll definitely show up to the next event, and hopefully the Miata’s top will be replaced after the rear window exploded. Enjoy the short selection of photos from the event.

Continue reading Friendly’s Old Bridge Meet, March 5 2016

Perfect Purist Porsche, The 911R is a big step in the right direction

The new Porsche 911R just dropped at Geneva, and  it’s about as perfect as a modern 911 can be. It’s got the biggest motor, the 493hp 4.0L flat six from the GT3 RS. It’s the lightest 911 model by a fair margin, weighing just over 3,000lbs. But most importantly it succeeds where the 991 GT3 and GT3 RS have failed miserably – IT HAS A MANUAL GEARBOX!

Yes, the 911R immediately became my favorite modern Porsche when it was revealed, and you might expect this article to just go on and on singing its praises. But that’s not why I’m writing this piece. No, as good as perfect as the 911R  may be, Porsche has not solved their larger problem yet.

Continue reading Perfect Purist Porsche, The 911R is a big step in the right direction

New Fiat 124 Spider at the L.A. Auto Show, 2015

Fiat 124 Rear White//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

When Fiat launched the new 124 in Los Angeles last fall, I was excited. In fact, I can say I was more excited for this launch than the new Miata. Though I own an old NA, when I was a little kid, one of my good friends growing up had a little silver roadster under a tarp at the end of his driveway. Under the tarp was his dad’s little Fiat Spider. I never saw the car run and I never really knew a lot about the car but I always felt a bit of a connection to it. To this day I have a soft spot for old Italian roadsters, and I think it started with Mr. Gunnell’s old Spider sitting behind his old van. Continue reading New Fiat 124 Spider at the L.A. Auto Show, 2015

2015 Ford Focus ST Review, Al’s Take (Grade: A)

Ford Focus ST Front 1

The Ford Focus has been on my radar for longer than we’ve been running this website.  Back in 2011, the first car I drove to review for the website was a 2011 Focus SE sedan and I thought it was a massive step in the right direction for Ford’s compact entry.  A few short years later, the ST launched–and we all rejoiced that Ford had thrown its hat into the hot-hatch ring, creating yet another choice for less than 30 grand. It’s taken some time for me to get around to it, but a few weeks ago, I took this 2015 model for a spin around Old Bridge–and learned a lot about what Ford’s doing to stay relevant in this super-competitive market. Continue reading 2015 Ford Focus ST Review, Al’s Take (Grade: A)

Highlights from the 2016 Philadelphia Auto Show

Philly Auto Show 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

The Philadelphia Auto Show was lively this year, with many of the newest releases on display.

I must admit that I am completely in love with the blue Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio you see above (it’s stick too). I also got my first look at the new Fiata (124 Spider), Cadillac XT5, Honda Ridgeline, and the oh-so-sleek Volvo S90. I also got a good look at the new Toyota Prius, which was regrettable on the eyes.

There are a lot of great new cars to be excited about!

Enjoy the gallery.

-Nick

Continue reading Highlights from the 2016 Philadelphia Auto Show

Motor Trend pits the Mercedes AMG GT S against the Jaguar F-Type

Which six-figure sports coupe is better, the Mercedes AMG GT S or the Jaguar F-Type R?

Motor Trend finds out which is the winner, but honestly I’d recommend each of them to anyone.

Enjoy!

-Nick

Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo spotted in Malvern, PA

Lotus Esprit Turbo//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

In the parking lot, Nick and I spotted a clean example of one of the more obscure sports cars from the early 1980s–the Lotus Esprit Turbo S3. This car looked like it had been taken right out of the Bond film For Your Eyes Only, except not blown to pieces. Any Esprit from before the 1990s is a rare sight in the Northeast today, so this was quite a cool little cap-off to our coverage at Radnor Hunt, until we tried to get Nick’s Volkswagen to slide down the hill (which failed hilariously). Enjoy the image of this svelte, old-school British wedge.

-Albert S. Davis