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September 21, 2013 zoomvroom Car Culture, Car Reviews

The Top Twenty-Five Future Collector Cars!

I have always wanted to do a blog post on this. I know that it’s kind of generic, but everybody has their own impressions of what cars should be future collectibles, right? Enjoy my list, and tell me what you would like to see as a future collectible in the comments section.

2013 SRT Viper/GTS/TA: The SRT Viper is one of the best American cars on the road. It’s loud, brash, fast, and it will scare the living daylights out of you and make you a better driver at the same time. It’s a rare combination that won’t live long. It’s got an iconic design that will still look downright diabolical 50 years down the road. It’s also got one of the biggest engines in the world, with a massive 8.4-liter V10 wedged under the hood. It pumps out 640 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. For the Viper, there is no replacement for displacement.
2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Corvette Convertible: Essentially a 2013 Corvette ZO6 with a convertible top, the Corvette 427 Convertible is the last iteration of the C6 Corvette. It’s also one of the best Corvettes. Ever.
Audi RS5: The 2013 Audi RS5 is a homage to the wailing, stylish DTM racers of the late 20th century. It’s powered by a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 that pumps out 414 horsepower at 8000 RPM. As Motor Trend described it, it’s an R8 with a slightly detuned engine for those who need more space. It’s a beautiful car, too, with big, blacked-out wheels, fender flares, and a grille that pays tribute to the Auto Union racers of the 1930’s.
2014 Porsche Cayman/S: The second-generation Porsche Cayman is sure to win awards, praises, and thumbs-ups from everybody. It is the car that the 911 should be. The engine is in the right place, it behaves like a race car, it can go just as fast around the hallowed Nurburgring as the 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. What could possibly be better? Nothing, as far as I’m concerned!
2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible: The Chevrolet Camaro is a good car. The ZL1 takes it to a completely different level. It’s fast, loud, fun to drive, and it looks spectacular. The ZL1 convertible takes away the bunker-like visibility of the coupe, and lets the NASCAR-like engine note pierce the cabin. It also happens to be Chevrolet’s most powerful production convertible ever. It will most likely be bought by hardcore enthusiasts and it will command a premium over the ZL1 coupe when it shows up at auctions in about 10 years.
2013 Tesla Model S: Not only did it win Motor Trend’s 2013 Car of the Year award, but it recently set electric car records at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. It gets to 60 mph in five seconds, so this car is a sleeper in a efficient, silent way. I want one.
Mazda Miata: The Mazda Miata helped turn around the definition of sports cars when it was introduced in 1990. It took the idea of classic British roadsters, mixed it with reliability, a cheap buying price, and charm. Hundreds of thousands have been sold since then. It also happens to be the most popular car for racing.
2009 Cadillac CTS-V: Ten years ago, you would have been laughed off of the face of the planet for telling people that Cadillac would build a high-performance car. There might never be another. If you want a true unicorn of a car, get the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. It’s got 556 horsepower, thanks to a detuned Corvette LS9 engine, mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed slushbox. It tops out at 193 mph, yet it is a refined street car, thanks to a special Magnetic Ride Control suspension system that was developed by Delphi Suspension Systems.
2007 Dodge Magnum SRT8: The merger of Chrysler Motor Co. and Daimler Motor Co. was short-lived and unsuccessful. However, some interesting cars were built in that time. Take the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Magnum, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. They’re all kissing cousins. The Dodge Magnum is the coolest and baddest bruiser on the block. The Magnum SRT8 is rare and awesome. It’s got clear hot rod DNA, yet it wasn’t a sales hit. Just 4,219 were sold in two years.
2008 Honda S2000 CR: Honda redefined supercar in the early 1990’s with the mid-engine, all-aluminum NSX. The chief engineer’s retirement present to the world was the 2008 Honda S2000 CR. The S2000 was already a great track car, but the S2000 CR took it to a whole new level. It made 260 horsepower at a wailing 8300 RPM, and sent those shrieking ponies to the ground via one of the world’s best six-speed manuals ever made.
Porsche Carrera GT: It’s a rare time when Porsche’s engineers make a supercar. The Porsche Carrera GT is an amazing car that showcases Le Mans technology, high speeds, prices, and looks. The thing’s a bloody unicorn. Using a chassis and bodywork from a failed Le Mans prototype that never made it to racing, a F1-style V10 that made 612 horsepower at 8000 rpm. It put it’s power down with a six-speed manual with a carbon composite clutch.
Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca: Ford summed it up best, with their description of the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. “It’s a race car with a license plate.” It was an affordable one at that, costing buyers $48,100 in 2011 and 2012. Mustang lovers and just about anybody who appreciates cars will want one in their collection, whether it’s now or 50 years from now.
BMW M3: The E92 BMW M3 is the last car of a dying breed. It’s 4.0-liter flat-plane V8 makes 414 horsepower at a rev-happy 8400 RPM. Because the future of BMW’s M cars lie with turbocharging, the E92 M3 is sure to become a collectible with many enthusiasts.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: The 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the first Mustang with a top speed of 200 mph. Randy Pobst and Motor Trend reached 197 mph, but I have no doubt that the GT500 would reach 200 or more with enough road. It’s also the last car to have direct influence by Carroll Shelby himself.
HUMMER H2: Even though it was just a butched-up Chevrolet Tahoe, the HUMMER H2 represented the peak of an era when off-roading was at it;s peak. A massive tax loophole at the time made it popular with everybody from hip-hop stars, lawyers, contractors, and just about anybody with their own business.
2004 Toyota Prius: The second-generation Toyota Prius redefined the way the world thought about hybrids. It may be an egg-shaped nerdmobile, but it sure as heck is a benchmark for many automakers today. It’s an engineering marvel, and sales of the Prius peaked in 2008, when the economy crashed and fuel prices went through the roof.
Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S: The sports car market as we knew it from around 2000-2012 was focused on big, powerful engines that made cars go fast and handle badly. The joint venture between Toyota/Scion and Subaru turned out to be a success. The cars weigh under 3000 pounds, they have rev-happy engines mated to crisp transmissions that redefine the definition of affordable sports car. They can zip around a track just as fast as a Porsche 911 Turbo. Look for them to command high premiums in 30 years or so at auctions.
1987 Buick GNX: One of the most desirable cars of all time is the Buick GNX. Based off of the already diabolical Buick Regal Grand National coupe with one sweet engine. A big turbo and a new intercooler bumped horsepower to 276 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque.
Ford F150 SVT Raptor: At a time when automakers were just starting to redesign trucks because of increasing demand, Ford came out with a true unicorn of a car. It now comes with a big, rip-snorting 6.2-liter V8, but it was plenty fast before that. It is a Baja-racing style truck that performs well enough on the pavement to outperform those guys in their hopped-up fartcan Honda Civic’s, yet will leave a HUMVEE eating it’s dust anywhere. It’s a rare combination of engineering, pure fun, and years of experience that make this truck so collectible.
2002 Ford F150 SVT Lightning: This was the time of massive horsepower, fast trucks. Ford’s F150 SVT Lightning deserves a spot on this list. It came with a supercharged version of the 5.4-liter V8 found in the F250 that put out an impressive 450 lb-ft of torque and an equally impressive 380 horsepower. The tires helped keep the truck going in a straight line – mostly. It’s also a menacing track vehicle.
McLaren MP4-12C: The McLaren MP4-12C won’t outdo the legendary McLaren F1 of the 1990s. However, it is called one of the best-handling cars of all time. It’s got looks, speed, handling, power, and technology that would make any car proud.
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI: Volkswagen realized that their bad-selling 2006-2011 Passat was a loser. They redesigned the Passat, and made it into an American car. It’s been softened, enlarged, and Americanized. It’s still a great car. It won Motor Trend’s 2012 Car of the Year award, so it should be destined to be a future collectible. Keep your eyes peeled.
2012 Fiat 500/Abarth: You’ve seen the raving reviews. After a hiatus of well over 30 years, Fiat has made a successful return to the States. Their tiny Fiat 500 has proved popular, thanks to the plethora of options, color choices, and price range. It appeals to many. For those who don’t want something lacking in power, get the Abarth model. Yeah, the one with the scorpion ads.
Audi R8: While it “only” shares a name, some design cues, and some technology from one of the winningest Le Mans prototypes, the beautifully styled Audi R8 is a car that pleases. It shares a V10 engine with the Lamborghini Gallardo, so you know that it will certainly play the part of a super car. It has the styling, handling, power, and speed to become a classic for many years to come. I want one. Make that need one!
2011 Ford Mustang GT: After 13 years of having modular V8’s in the iconic Mustang pony car, Ford decided it was time to bring back the iconic 5.0-liter V8 to the Mustang. While the old 5.0 used to displace 4942 cubic inches, or 4.9215 liters, the new 5.0 displaces 4951 cubic inches, or 5.016 liters. It’s got a sound at full throttle that sounds like a NASCAR engine from the 1960s, yet a docile growl at idle. This pony begs to be flogged. It’s also got performance to help it keep up with BMW M3’s at the track, thanks to an optional Track Package or a Brembo Brake package. Either package is well worth the money. Plus, the interior is as nice as a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. You can’t ask for much more out of a Ford. It’s a job well done.

That’s all for today! Remember, add your thoughts about the cars and/or put additions in the comments section.

September 17, 2013 zoomvroom Car Culture, World News

The Most Expensive Car Ever Sold At Auction!

A 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB NART Spider set new world records this weekend at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The amount of money that bought the car shows that vintage sports cars, especially those with a prancing horse attached to the grille will build at a fever pitch. At the RM Auctions Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Annual Auction, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB NART Spider sold for an impressive $27.5 Million USD. What makes that even more amazing is that all of the proceeds of this auction went to auction. It is estimated that well over $200 Million USD went to charity.

Some quick information on the car: Just one of ten built, was purchased by civic causes leader and industry giant Eddie Smith, Sr. in 1968. he bought it from one of the original Ferrari importers, Luigi Chinetti in April, 1968. It has remained in his family since the day he bought it. But, the car was put in storage after Smith’s passing in 2007. In those five years, it has appeared three times to the public. His family decided to sell the car so a new owner can appreciate the car for what it is and show it.

The preauction estimate is enough to blow your head off. It did for me. The world’s foremost classic Ferrari appraiser estimated it’s worth to be $14-17 Million USD. However, furious bidding raised the price to an astronomical $27.5 Million USD. The buyer of the car is believed to be Canadian fashion giant Lawrence Stroll.

Under the beautifully sculpted hood is a 300 horsepower V12. It gets to the wheels through a five-speed manual. It is a number’s matching car, with chassis number #10709. It has been restored once, and was originally painted Azzurro Metallizzato, a metallic blue.

Whoever the new owner is, he/she will enjoy one of the most expensive cars in the world. It will take them to a whole new level of prestige and power. I hope that they embrace the car as a glove that will fly down the road. May they use it well.

September 10, 2013 zoomvroom Car Culture, Humor

The Top Nine Cars That Come With a Guarantee to Get You Mad!

I know what you’d love to see. You’d love to see a Lamborghini Aventador warp by you at full throttle. The engine note alone will set your car alarm off, and force you to get hearing aids. I hope they work well. It can make your day to know that somebody is enjoying their supercar.

The polar opposite of that is the dark spot. That’s where you’ll find Captain Clueless, Corporal Crazy, and just about anything and anybody in between. It’s not your fault. My great-grandfather used to say, “Drive like everybody else on the road is an idiot.” some are. I say this with all the authority that I, as a new driver, can muster. A lot of authority, then…

Any person in a slow, smelly, tin can-mobile of a car, can ruin a perfectly good Sunday morning drive, or a high-speed freeway strafing run in your Corvette. The first trick is to know how to spot them a mile ahead. I’m still working on that. Just be safe in the knowledge that you’ll never, ever drive one of these cars as your personal whip:

Toyota Prius: If the SUV was the status symbol of Captain Clueless in the 1990’s, guess what: He still is. But, his friends bought Toyota Prii, and are now doing their very best to get you pissed. I feel for you. Those who drive a Prius don’t care that they are going 45 in the fast lane. They want 60 mpg, and nothing is gonna get in their way. Try to be nice. Please – the Prius allows awesome Toyota products like the Tundra and the Land Cruiser to still be in production.
Mercury Sable: The overly cautious type. Most don’t drive freeways. Those who still do make you swear up, down, and sideways, that you’ll never, ever, even THINK of exiting at that exit again. Seniors flocked to the badge-engineered Mercury Sable because they were too thrifty to step up to something like the more expensive Grand Marquis or Lincoln Town Car. A tip for those of you who have thrifty, cool, slightly nerdy parents: Put them into a Scion xB, or a 2014 Toyota Corolla. You’ll thank me later.
Pontiac Firebird: Just like Burt Reynolds, the man who made the Firebird famous, the Firebird will never, ever go quietly away from a stoplight. It can’t do anything at a level quieter than a NASCAR engine at full throttle when it’s in gear. For those of you who drive one take this advice as the word of God. Dude, engineers worked overtime to keep everybody else’s ears from getting killed. USE IT! The neighborhood needs some sleep!
Any White Windowless Cargo Van: Nothing, except for a Semi truck will completely and totally eclipse your view of the road. Common sense and nature tell you to approach with caution. Pass it normally, and you’ll need a sniffer dog to pull your body parts out of the wreckage. Just make sure that you pass this rolling Amber Alert with caution. Also, don’t look at the driver.
Honda Insight: You could use some Insight when getting up on this hypermilermobile’s tail. These drivers will do anything in their power to get 60 mpg and beat their hippie buddies on bigfueleconomynumbers.com. They will do absolutely anything to get the most mpgs out of their tiny little car. They ignore all traffic laws in the quest for yet another tenth of a mile per gallon, and they don’t care if they caused a 10-car pileup in the middle of the intersection. Distractions cause their fuel economy to decrease. Wake up and smell the premium, Honda Insight drivers! It might save you a few bucks. Oh, and the worst part? It’s considered politically incorrect to laugh at their fender skirts. It’s true!
Acura NSX: This car is spectacular, and so is it’s driver. Really, just ask him! His ego will always be sated by the car’s unspoiled aluminum beauty, and his bank account is happy because of the legendary Acura reliability. The VTEC is awesome! Yet, every single NSX that we see is being nursed along at a leisurely rate to avoid buying new $1,000-each tires every 3,000 miles, and coming to a complete and sudden stop every 700 feet because that snowplow of a front bumper will make a bulldozer run for mommy. The most practical supercar yet is so impractical that you’ll be doling out the finger and honks like you’ve never done before.
HUMMER H2 SUT: Is it a Governatormobile, a military project ripoff, or a product planner joke? All of the above. It’s like it was never intended to be practical, useful, or even subtle. I will admit to a mancrush on the original H1, but then again, most guys do. All of that just adds up to making you pissed.
Any Car That Has a Fartcan Muffler: If it makes a sound like a cow farting, put your air on recirculate, and get into the next lane, drop a gear, and floor it. These cars are typically driven by some poor guy who thinks that giving people headaches and getting bad looks in return is a good idea. Buddy, it’s not. Spare yourself the misery of getting the finger and put a flowmaster system on. The rest of the world will thank you.
Pricey Minivans: Any minivan that costs over $40,000 should have the same amount of features as a Mercedes-Benz S550. Many don’t. If it doesn’t have an easy-clean interior, then that gets just about any clean freak mad. I’ve been asked multiple times, “Who takes a $100,000 Land Rover off road?” Auto journalists. My favorite retort? “Who puts the baseball team into a $40,000 minivan with a luxurious interior after a game?” That’s a serious case of irony right there. Honda had a $20,000 wipe-down-able vehicle called the Element which was cancelled because it didn’t sell well. Go figure. Yet, the Honda Odyssey costs almost $50,000 in it’s top level, and the top-of-the-line Odyssey comes with a vacuum.

September 4, 2013 zoomvroom Car Culture, Car Reviews

No More Aston Martin V12 Vantage!

It will be sorely missed. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage was one of the cars that really helped Aston Martin get back on its feet after almost 10 years of toil, and bad, unloved cars. It’s certainly not a car for wimps. It’s got a 5.9-liter V12, tons of power, a manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive, and an exhaust note that sounds like it just came out of a Jaguar E-Type with the V12. All of this adds together to create the ultimate high-class hooning machine. Plus, it’s got stunningly good looks, and an interior that rivals a Bentley Mulsanne.

It will be sorely missed, but you can expect the next generation V12 Vantage to be incrementally better. It’s gotten four years of great reviews and racing success, so it should come as no surprise that the next generation should be much better. If the new Vanquish is any indication of what is to come, than I can’t wait to see the next generation V12 Vantage!

Note: for the uneducated auto linguist, hooning means to drive in a goofy, unsafe manner.

August 30, 2013 zoomvroom Uncategorized

Finally A Set of New Tires for the Porsche Carrera GT!

I need to get a few things straight before I actually delve into this post:

If you are a Porsche Carrera GT owner, you MUST take me for a spin in it!
If you are a Porsche Carrera GT owner, you a probably familiar with the words “OH NO!,” followed by some expletives, as your priceless supercar goes into a spin.
If you are a Porsche Carrera GT owner, you probably cannot wait to buy the new 918 Spyder coming on sale on September 18.

Now, I will give you some history on the Porsche Carrera GT. Way, way back in 1998, the FIA rules changed, outlawing certain designs that the factory-backed racing teams were designing. Porsche’s new design was originally intended to race at Le Mans in 1999, but the rules were changed. Porsche, understandably, was livid. The car was packed with technology – they had a twin-turbocharged flat-six borrowed from the 911, but decided it wasn’t powerful enough. So, they took the 5.5L V10 from a scrapped 1992 project, and pushed the planned competition season back to 2000. The V10 needed more power. So, they bored and stroked it out to 5.7 liters. After just two days of testing, Porsche cancelled the project. Mainly due to interest in the Cayenne SUV that was to be co-developed with Volkswagen, Porsche cancelled the program, due to the need of engineering expertise in the motorsports program.

Porsche did keep the project alive, but barely. They took the 5.5L V10 and shoved it into a concept car that was shown at the 2000 Paris Motor Show, but it was intended to be used as a display to attract people to their stand. Interest and a surprising influx of revenue allowed Porsche to make the decision to build the car. Development was started on a road-legal version that would be produced in small numbers at the new Leipzig, Germany plant.

Production was started in January, 2004. The cost: $448,000 USD. When production ended in May, 2006, 1,270 cars had been produced.

What I want to talk about is the new tires that Porsche has developed for the car. Porsche and Michelin developed a tire with NO on it. The tire will be used on the new 918 hypercar, as well as being a replacement for the Pirellis currently on many Carrera GT’s. The NO refers to the new tread compound, which promises higher stability at top speed, better lateral grip, and a longer life. Even while being thrashed at the track, tire life will be extended by up to 20%, and on the road, up to 10%. I’m assuming that also refers to your life, as well! Justin Bell, a revered race car driver, said that driving a Carrera GT at top speed will turn a 40-year-old into a 75-year-old. It’s that scary at speed!

August 27, 2013 zoomvroom Car Culture, Out N' About

A Beautiful Day of Classic Cars!

Are you ready for a picture heavy post? I do take pity on my readers, you know. Too much reading, and you might get goofy.

On a bright and sunny summer weekend, under blue skies, a local media company hosted a relatively small car show. Small, but mighty. Many of the cars were classic Chevys and Mopars. There were some Fords, but not nearly as many as the Mopars in attendance. There was a spectacular Massey-Fergusson tractor from 1947, as well. I wanted to share my photos of these beautiful cars with you. Enjoy my wonderful pictures.

I want you to know the definition of an automotive term. Pro-touring: Pro-touring is where a classic car is given the performance of a modern-day supercar. While the term, “sleeper” comes to mind, it really doesn’t apply to pro-touring. Pro-touring cars typically have stylish rims, flashy paint jobs, and LOTS of chrome. A lot of pro-touring cars were in attendance at this car show. I wish that you could have been there to see them with me. That’s what next year is for!

This 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe is truly the nicest C3 Corvette that I've ever seen. Very few 1965 Corvettes made it out with the L72 big-block engine. I want - make that need this Corvette! — This 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe is truly the nicest C3 Corvette that I’ve ever seen. Very few 1965 Corvettes made it out with the L72 big-block engine. I want – make that need this Corvette!

Mark Hoffman's wonderful 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray has won the Top Flight Award from N.C.R.S., the people who decide which car goes home with one of the most prestigious awards in the world! Lucky for Mark Hoffman - he's won it. Twice. — Mark Hoffman’s wonderful 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray has won the Top Flight Award from N.C.R.S., the people who decide which car goes home with one of the most prestigious awards in the world! Lucky for Mark Hoffman – he’s won it. Twice.

The interior is as nice, if not nicer than the exterior. I will apologize in advance for the photos of the exterior. I was as far away as possible from it, but there were a couple hundred cars there. I was almost sitting on one.

If you see a nicer Corvette than this, send me pictures. This is the nicest Corvette I've ever seen. — If you see a nicer Corvette than this, send me pictures. This is the nicest Corvette I’ve ever seen.

Here's the meticulous engine bay. It deserves to be mounted on a stand or something like that. It's perfect. — Here’s the meticulous engine bay. It deserves to be mounted on a stand or something like that. It’s perfect.

The wheels are alloy knock-offs. They look original, but they're not. They still do such a good job that it would take a molecular biologist (or me) to notice the difference... — The wheels are alloy knock-offs. They look original, but they’re not. They still do such a good job that it would take a molecular biologist (or me) to notice the difference…

Here’s the old Corvette logo. If you’re old enough, you’ll know that the Corvette logo has changed over the years.

Onto the next Chevrolet, which happens to be a banana-yellow 1967 Chevrolet El Camino SS396. Enjoy the stunning pictures of this El Camino.

If you look closely, you'll notice that there are disc brakes hiding behind that wheel. That's the rear wheel. The El Camino was so fast that it needed discs at all four corners to stop it. Barely. — If you look closely, you’ll notice that there are disc brakes hiding behind that wheel. That’s the rear wheel. The El Camino was so fast that it needed discs at all four corners to stop it. Barely.

The 396 cubic inch (6.5L) V8 was the big, bad engine from Chevy. That is, until the 454 cubic inch engine came out. But, the 396 is nearly as fast, just as fun, and easier to control, thanks to the lower horsepower and weight.

Like the logo? If you don’t, then you won’t like many logos from the 20th century.

In this picture, it is easy to notice how low the engine is. It's that way so it lowers the center of gravity. It also kills the suspension. — In this picture, it is easy to notice how low the engine is. It’s that way so it lowers the center of gravity. It also kills the suspension.

For those of you who aren’t fans of 1960’s Detroit muscle, maybe you’ll appreciate this 1938 Ford Model A from Dearborn. It even has a flathead V8! You can’t beat that, can you? You don’t see many old stock Ford’s in this condition…

This is what you did before you got into the car. You wiped your shoes. That way, the mud and grime on the bottom of your shoes didn't melt and stink up the car. — This is what you did before you got into the car. You wiped your shoes. That way, the mud and grime on the bottom of your shoes didn’t melt and stink up the car.

The interior is spartan, but then again, most interiors were until the 1950's. However, this interior was considered to be range-topping in the 1930's. — The interior is spartan, but then again, most interiors were until the 1950’s. However, this interior was considered to be range-topping in the 1930’s.

It's a rare two-door model. Two-door Fords from the 1930's always command a large premium over the four-doors for some inexplicable reason. However, they are a dime a dozen. — It’s a rare four-door model. Two-door Fords from the 1930’s always command a large premium over the four-doors for some inexplicable reason. However, they are a dime a dozen.

All I know about this truck is that it is a retired fire truck from a local magazine called Make. I have no idea as to who made it or converted it to a big shop truck. If you know, PLEASE let me know in the comments section! In any case, it’s cool.

Who do you call when you have a mechanical failure with a various gadget? If you answered Ghostbusters, close this page right now and find the nearest brick wall. Then, bang your head against it. You call Make magazine!

Do you know who made the car that has these wheels? If you don't, they belong to a 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. I love the wheel arch cover thingy. — Do you know who made the car that has these wheels? If you don’t, they belong to a 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. I love the wheel arch cover thingy.

Blast off into outer space? Maybe not. But, you will win a drag race against a current-generation Chevrolet Camaro. With the V6, that is.

Notorious for being hard to handle, yet rewarding, the Datsun 710 started life as an economy-oriented family sedan in Japan and Australia. Soon, they were bombing around the Outback and Africa in rallies. Accidents were common, but they were mostly due to driver incompetence.

The only leather in the interior is on the steering wheel. The rest of the interior is either vinyl or chrome. The radio is bone-stock.

If you need a tractor for something, you should definitely try and find a 1946 McCormick Farmall Cub like this. We have a Cub Lo-Boy, but not nearly in as good condition. However, in a few years, we will take the blue ribbon. Just watch.

The reason the main part of the tractor is so far to the left is because you can see where you are going, and not run over crops or small animals. And, yes, the lady sitting in the camping chair is the owner. She restored it with her husband on the weekends.

Farmall made the tractors, but McCormick made a lot of the running gear, so they are McCormick-Farmall Cubs.

All tractors should have this rather severe warning. Remember, BE CAREFUL!!!

This sticker deserves to be on here. All of them do. They belong to the beautiful 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that will be shown after this picture of the stickers.

This 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR is one of a handful remaining. It was bought new in 1968 by a young captain in the U.S. Army. He drove it for a year, before never returning home from Vietnam. The car was garaged and driven weekly until 2011, when a complete restoration took place. It's a fitting tribute to somebody who loved his car so much. — This 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR is one of a handful remaining. It was bought new in 1968 by a young captain in the U.S. Army. He drove it for a year, before never returning home from Vietnam. The car was garaged and driven weekly until 2011, when a complete restoration took place. It’s a fitting tribute to somebody who loved his car so much.

If you’re a fan of opulence from the 1930’s, then you’re in luck with this 1934 Lincoln Continental. It originates from Chicago, where it was bought new by a little old lady. It ended up here in California in the late 1990s, where the current owner restored it with his friends. It’s simply spectacular. It commands a presence that no other car on the road today has.

This is the technical specs sheet printed up by the owner's son. The car was sold new in San Francisco in 1931, and has remained in Northern California since new. it commands a presence that no other car at the show or currently on the road has. — This is the technical specs sheet printed up by the owner’s son. The car was sold new in San Francisco in 1931, and has remained in Northern California since new. it commands a presence that no other car at the show or currently on the road has.

The interior might seem bare compared to a new Lincoln Navigator, but it was top-of-the line until the late 1960's, when leather became popular. Cloth was THE thing to have in your car for a very long time. The steering wheel is made out of burled walnut wood. It's spectacular how much work went into building this car. — The interior might seem bare compared to a new Lincoln Navigator, but it was top-of-the line until the late 1960’s, when leather became popular. Cloth was THE thing to have in your car for a very long time. The steering wheel is made out of burled walnut wood. It’s spectacular how much work went into building this car.

Wanna know why tires aren't made like this anymore? Because they don't offer much grip, but they offer looks. — Wanna know why tires aren’t made like this anymore? Because they don’t offer much grip, but they offer looks.

The engine might look it just came out of Grandma's basement, but it is a 385 cubic-inch V8 that puts out 200 horsepower and an astonishing 450 lb-ft of torque. It is all cast-iron, however. — The engine might look it just came out of Grandma’s basement, but it is a 385 cubic-inch V8 that puts out 200 horsepower and an astonishing 450 lb-ft of torque. It is all cast-iron, however.

This is what Lincoln’s logo was until the early 1980’s, when Allan Mulally turned Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury around. I wish that it had stayed the same.

For those of you who still don't know what this car is, maybe this will help. — For those of you who still don’t know what this car is, maybe this will help.

I bet that this is the first AAA badge like this that you've ever seen. It tells the tow truck driver to take you to the nearest AAA-certified shop to fix your Lincoln. — I bet that this is the first AAA badge like this that you’ve ever seen. It tells the tow truck driver to take you to the nearest AAA-certified shop to fix your Lincoln.

Here's a picture of the whole car. It's long, coming in at 26 feet long. It's 7 feet tall, and four feet wide. Good luck getting it into a parking structure. It also happens to weigh 6500 pounds. Good luck towing it with your Honda. — Here’s a picture of the whole car. It’s long, coming in at 26 feet long. It’s 7 feet tall, and four feet wide. Good luck getting it into a parking structure. It also happens to weigh 6500 pounds. Good luck towing it with your Honda.

This 1958 Ford Thunderbird is a beauty. There’s no other way to explain it.

The interior is like a cave, typical of old T--Birds. — The interior is like a cave, typical of old T–Birds.

Many people confuse the Thunderbird with the “Screaming Chicken” of the 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am logo from 1979 is referred to by car buffs as the “Dunderbird.” Don’t ask.

Another piece of delightful Dearborn muscle is the 1959 Ford Ranchero that is in great condition.

I absolutely LOVE this logo. It’s cool, and modeled after a ox skull the VP of product design saw in 1958.

This is what the old Ford truck logo used to look like. Now, it’s all the same. Boo-hoo.

This is from the era of big, flashy chrome-plated vehicles. The Ranchero is a great of that.

It looks like an El Camino, doesn't it? It really does. It's based off of the full-size Fairlane, so it's cheap to insure. Ah, loopholes... — It looks like an El Camino, doesn’t it? It really does. It’s based off of the full-size Fairlane, so it’s cheap to insure. Ah, loopholes…

For hot rod fans, this is apt to satisfy. It did for me.

It's a luxurious, yet basic interior. Just the way I like 'em. — It’s a luxurious, yet basic interior. Just the way I like ’em.

I like the paint scheme. Also, I think that the wheels could be a bit taller. it makes the car look oddly proportioned.

These 1966 Ford Mustangs were made on the same day and bought by the same person. What a coincidence. The red one was owned by the father of the owner, who is recently deceased, and the cream-colored one belongs to the owner’s mother, who still drives the car weekly. Her daily driver is a 2006 Mustang GT Convertible. I envy her.

Both the Mustangs have identical running gear. This engine badge on the air cleaner identifies itself as a 289 cubic-inch V8 (4.6 Liters).

This pristine 1968 Dodge Charger R/T is in mint condition. It should be. It was restored in 1991 by the current owner’s uncle, who owns a local restoration shop. He’s put less than 1,000 miles on the car since then.

It looks so nice, because it is. The paint job is especially nice.

These wheels are so amazingly cool that it's impossible to describe my affection for them. They are 19-inch wheels. — These wheels are so amazingly cool that it’s impossible to describe my affection for them. They are 19-inch wheels.

It even has the legendary 426 cubic-inch Hemi, which dominated for many, many years. People still sing it's praises. This Charger can outrun a current-generation Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 in the 1/4 mile. — It even has the legendary 426 cubic-inch Hemi, which dominated for many, many years. People still sing it’s praises. This Charger can outrun a current-generation Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 in the 1/4 mile. I guess that good engineering pays off in the long run, right?

This kooky custom hot rod is driven all summer long. For everything bad about it, I can think of three good rebuttals.

It looks like a George Barris creation, but it's not. I wish it was, though. — It looks like a George Barris creation, but it’s not. I wish it was, though.

The interior is chrome, chrome, and more chrome. Same for the engine.

Talk about a sleeper. Who’d think that this mild-looking old Chevrolet business coupe from the 1930’s would take a shot of Nitrous Oxide. Our local Chevrolet dealer uses this as a ploy to bring customers in. It must work.

Mild? Nope. Wild is more like it... — Mild? Nope. Wild is more like it…

See? Here's proof that our local Chevy dealer owns this car! — See? Here’s proof that our local Chevy dealer owns this car!

Half of the interior is painted the same color as the exterior.

Don't spray people in the face with this stuff. It apparently hurts. It probably does, as N2O is the same stuff that goes into dry ice. It has to be stored at cold temperatures, so it must hurt - to some degree... — Don’t spray people in the face with this stuff. It apparently hurts. It probably does, as N2O is the same stuff that goes into dry ice. It has to be stored at cold temperatures, so it must hurt – to some degree…

Our local Chevrolet dealer also uses this 1969 Chevrolet Nova to bring people in. It’s a demo car that uses all of GM’s Goodwrench parts. It’s got a 502 cubic-inch V8 (8.1 Liters), and it’s certain to blow the pants off of any challenger.

Talk about fast. This car goes up to 190 mph. They tested it.

I like the Nova's coat of arms. That, and the body of the car are the only stock parts of the car. — I like the Nova’s coat of arms. That, and the body of the car are the only stock parts of the car.

It's got a Tranzilla T56 transmission, which is a six-speed manual. It's a durable, fast-shifting transmission that is popular in the hot-rodding world. — It’s got a Tranzilla T56 transmission, which is a six-speed manual. It’s a durable, fast-shifting transmission that is popular in the hot-rodding world.

This double-black 1969 Plymouth ‘Cuda is one of very few convertible ‘Cuda’s from 1969. It’s rare, fast, and a helluva lot of fun. I love it.

The grille is so amazingly cool that it will probably bring many of you back to the 1960's. For some, it might look like it's out of Vanishing Point, a 1974 movie about a man and a car. I won't tell more. — The grille is so amazingly cool that it will probably bring many of you back to the 1960’s. For some, it might look like it’s out of Vanishing Point, a 1974 movie about a man and a car. I won’t tell more.

That little piece of bailing wire works. It holds down the hood. It's a glamorous job. — That little piece of bailing wire works. It holds down the hood. It’s a glamorous job.

Those vents blast hot air out when the car is running.

This was one of the first 'Cuda's to get the 340 cubic-inch V8. It's a lucky car, and an even luckier owner. — This was one of the first ‘Cuda’s to get the 340 cubic-inch V8. It’s a lucky car, and an even luckier owner.

I like the faux-leather all over the interior.

The steering wheel is big. It makes the steering wheel on a school bus look small.

Here's a view of the 'Cuda. I wish it was an AAR 'Cuda. Google 1969 Plymouth AAR Barracuda. Then, we'll be talking business. — Here’s a view of the ‘Cuda. I wish it was an AAR ‘Cuda. Google 1969 Plymouth AAR Barracuda. Then, we’ll be talking business.

August 20, 2013 zoomvroom Biographies or "the who" in the auto industry, Uncategorized

Is This the World’s Fastest Riding Lawn Mower?

I’m sorry for the delay. Editors can be finicky. The editor apologizes for her tardiness in getting you this article. But, this article is worthy of being late.

Many of us know that Honda makes some pretty nice motorized gardening equipment. But, for Honda UK, a riding mower with a top speed of 8 mph simply wasn’t fast enough. This mean mower makes 109 horsepower at the wheels, which gives it an estimated top speed of 133 mph. That will certainly allow you a lot more time to do other chores. The mower reportedly gets to 60 mph in 4 seconds.

Of course, Honda UK needed help to build this monster machine. Honda UK’s British Touring Car Championship partner, Team Dynamics, the stock 2013 Honda HF2620 Lawn Tractor was re-engineered and redone in every mechanical way possible. The chassis was custom-built to take the stresses of zooming around at speeds over 100 mph and mowing at 15 mph. The engine is a 109-horsepower, 1000 CC engine that was pulled from a 2013 Honda VTR Firestorm motorcycle. The suspension and tires were pulled from a Honda ATV. The seats are custom-built Cobra Racing seats, a Scorpion exhaust system, and a steering rack was pulled from a wrecked Morris Minor (a 1960’s British economy car). Tipping the scales at a relatively light 308 pounds, the surge of power is sent to the rear wheels via a custom-made six-speed automatic that features paddle shifters.

Even though it has a lot of cool modifications, the mower can still mow – kind of. Thanks to two electric motors on the cutter deck, the steel cutting cable will spin around at 4000 rpm. Earplugs are advised. So is a helmet. I’m not sure of where the grass will go – the fuel tank is inside of the grass bag. While it can reach an estimated top speed of 133 mph, mowing can only happen at speeds up to 15 mph (twice the speed of the stock unit!).

All in all, the mower is an interesting mix of Honda, British economy car, and custom racing components. It’s simply diabolical. I want it. Make that, need it!

August 14, 2013 zoomvroom Car Culture, World News

Quickest Off of the Line!

Lamborghini recently hit a milestone with their Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 – they have produced 2000 Aventadors’ in the short time span of two years. That comes out to five cars a day. The 2000th example is Nero Nemisis (black), bound for the U.S. AT&T’s Chief Information Officer, Thaddeus Arroyo. He also happens to own a Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder, according to Lamborghini.

In case you’ve forgotten, the Aventador is powered by a 6.5-liter V-12 engine good for 700 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through a seven-speed single-clutch transmission to all four wheels via a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The Italian supercar is good for a top speed of 217 mph.

Here’s a picture of the proud Lamborghini crew posing in front of #2000. Congratulations, Lamborghini. I can’t wait to post on #10000!

August 10, 2013 zoomvroom Car Reviews, New car info, World News

Yeah Baby

For those of you who remember seeing the little Dodge Omni’s tuned by Shelby in the 1980s will remember that their name, the Omni GLH fitted them. Very well. Before his death, Carroll Shelby bought a Ford Focus ST. Why? It reminded him of the old Dodge/Shelby Omni GLH-S’ from the disco days. He brought it to the factory, where they immediately started tuning it. This magical 2014 Ford Shelby Focus ST will cost $14,995 (on top of buying a $25,000 Ford Focus ST), but those dollars might be well-spent. The car gets: GT500-spec brakes, a Ford Racing suspension, Borla cat-back exhaust, an upgraded interior, new wheels and tires, and your choice between three graphics packages. Power is still the stock ratings, but Shelby is working on a 30-60 horsepower/torque upgrade that will still allow the car to use pump gas. All the while still being emissions-legal in all 50 states. Many enthusiasts will ask why it’s not called the GLH, but the reason is that there is still too much of a connection to Mopar for that. Sources at Shelby tell us that we can expect to see a new Shelby debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, and it won’t be based off of a Mustang! Secretly, I am hoping for a Transit Connect panel van tuned to produce a lot of power and looks. Drool over the picture of the Shelby Focus ST. It’s definitely NOT a sleeper! That is, unless you live in a town with a LOT of hot rods…

August 7, 2013 zoomvroom World News

Some Lucky Buyers!

A stable of 11 of the world’s fastest super cars recently sold at auction for 3.1 Million Euros in France (about $4 Million USD). Originally, the cars belonged to Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. What a mouthful. The cars were seized in 2011 by French authorities under the alleged suspicion that Teodoro stole public funds to buy the cars and other items. While that’s bad, I’m more interested in the cars (sorry). Law’s not my calling.

When French authorities raided Mangue’s 101-room mansion near the Champs Elysees in Paris, France. The cars seized had little to no mileage on them, and they are: Two Bugatti Veyrons, a Ferrari Enzo, a Maserati MC12, a Porsche Carrera GT, a Ferrari 599 GTO, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, a Maybach 62S Landulet, an Aston Martin One-77, and a pair of Bentley’s (a Mulsanne and a Continental SuperSports).

International Business Times reported that international auction house Drouot sold the cars. Considering the fact that a Bugatti Veyron, even a used one will set you back at least $1 Million, the winning bidders made themselves the deal of a century.

Other items seized and sold at the auction were vintage wines, rare jewels, and paintings by artists such as Degas and Renoir.

Court documents revealed to the press that the cars were part of a fleet of 26 rare and expensive cars shipped to France from the U.S. in 2009 at a total cost of $12 Million. The remaining 15 cars were shipped to Equitorial Guinea in 2010. These same documents reveal that an arrest warrant has been issued to countries such as the U.S., France, England, New Guinea, Australia, and Germany. The grounds? Misused public funds. International Business Times also reports that Equitorial Guinea is appealing the case to the U.N. and have the investigation blocked because of diplomatic immunity. They claim that the Paris mansion is part of the country’s embassy. Only time and a U.N. court will give the verdict.