2011 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT: WORLD CLASS ROAD ROCKET

New GS offers the most bang-for-the-buck in its class and a platform that cries out for sporty car or drag track days!

                                 Racer Gary Savage: "The GS goes where you point it."

It was an offer I couldn’t refuse. Actually it was two offers.

The first was an invite from NEMPA (New England Motor Press Association) for their Ninth Annual Ragtop Ramble & Crustacean Crawl. NEMPA’s Majordomo of Events, John Lawlor, organizes this event, a major excuse for local area journalists and PR reps from carmakers to get together, drive the latest wheels and eat very well. And, it’s all on NEMPA. The media group pays for two days of activities, including chartering the Samuel Clemmens, an ex-Mississippi riverboat, for a dinner cruise around Boston Harbor and lobsters in Kennebunkport.

The second offer was from my son, Stuart, VP, Communications & Public Affairs at Jaguar Land Rover.

“Hey Big Guy. Get yourself up to NYC and we’ll drive to Boston in a new Range Rover Sport. I’ll pack the M&Ms, trail mix, beverages. We can have some fun and drive cool cars to Maine, where all the lobsters we can eat await us.”

How could I possibly refuse? With every carmaker from A (Audi) to Z (Nissan Z), including Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz, expected plus endless Maine lobsters, refusal was not an option. We drove, we partied and we inhaled lobsters!

SHOWTIME IN SOLVANG: DIVERSITY RULES!

Sixth Annual Wheels ‘N Windmills brings car guys together for fun and to raise money for local charities.

                                 Jerry Loriaux fires up the blown Chevy in his '23 Ford T-Bucket. Homebuilt rod weighs under-2,000 pounds!

Once a year the Danish village of Solvang, California, with its iconic windmills and traditional European shops, in scenic Santa Barbara County wine country hosts a diverse group of car guys. The Sixth Annual Wheel ‘N Windmills yesterday attracted more than 10,000 people who were treated to a truly diverse selection of hundreds of classics, customs, hot rods, sports cars and even some boats.

This year the show generated more than $10,000 in donations to local charities plus raffles were sold for a new GM Performance Parts 350 HO Deluxe Crate Engine. All proceeds from the raffle benefited the Santa Ynez High School Auto Shop. The legendary custom and hot rod builder, Sam Foose, whose son is Chip Foose, was this year’s Honorary Grand Marshall. Sam started building cars in the 1960s in Santa Barbara.

BMW 550i: JOY TO THE WORLD!

The new Sixth generation BMW 5 Series takes its chassis and big V8 from the flagship 7 for some added joy, writes Road Test Editor HOWARD WALKER

Ultimate Driving Machine. As advertising lines go, they just don’t come much better. A perfect, three-word encapsulation of the performance character built into every BMW. You can bet Mad Men’s Don Draper would have poured himself a double had he come up with that gem.

But forget all about Ultimate Driving Machines. Now it’s all about Joy. Which seems pretty strange when you think that most people associate Joy with donning a pair of rubber gloves and doing the dishes!

BMW is Joy. OK, I get it. It’s all about the joyous feeling you get when you slide behind the wheel and try to change radio stations with the still-dysfunctional iDrive control. Maybe not that kind of Joy.

CORVETTE ZR1 ENGINE BUILD EXPERIENCE: FIRST RESPONDER

Syndicated Talk Show host is first to sign up for Chevrolet’s new hands-on ultimate car guy option.

Todd Schnitt’s fifth Corvette, a 2011 Cyber Grey ZR1, will be unlike any he has had before. This time he will personally help build its 638-horsepower supercharged small block engine on August 30 at the GM Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI.

As part of the $5,800 Corvette Engine Build Experience option, a special Chevrolet concierge is coordinating all arrangements with Schnitt. Upon completion, the engine will be tracked and sent to the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, KY. where Schnitt’s ZR1 will be assembled with his engine.

“To build my own engine is over the top,” said Schnitt who hosts the Tampa, FL-based MJ Morning Show and nationally syndicated Schnitt Show. “When my dealer told me about the option it was like ‘Of course, I’ll do it, sign me up!’ I can’t wait to get there and build my own LS9. It will be the ultimate personalization. I’m anticipating it being one of the coolest things I’ve done in my life.”

LAND ROVER WRITES THE BOOK ON LUXURY!

Finbar McFall, Vice President, Marketing, Land Rover North America, blogs about the new Autobiography Black SUV.

It was fascinating to spend the day at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, during the Pebble Beach weekend, introducing our new flagship, the Range Rover Autobiography Black limited edition. This was a highly affluent audience to whom total luxury in a vehicle is a basic requirement. They enjoy bespoke luxury and craftsmanship in their sedans and sports cars and want, no expect, the same standard in their SUV. 

That’s why there was so much interest in our new Autobiography Black limited edition. Created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Range Rover, this is simply the most luxurious Range Rover model we’ve ever built. It sets a new standard in SUV interior craftsmanship and quality.

BUGATTI TAKES CALIFORNIA: THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Some of the most incredible four-wheeled works of art prove that cars were built for driving!

                                 Veyron entering Santa Barbara Mission. (Jim Palam photo)

The 2010 International Bugatti Rally, hosted by the American Bugatti Club, wrapped up today at a brunch in Malibu on California’s Pacific Coast. It signaled the end of Monterey Madness vintage automotive activities, following a week of signature events that included the Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca and the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach. The Rally toured some of California's most beautiful scenery: A drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, winding through the Santa Cruz Mountains, touring along the cliffs of Big Sur overlooking the Pacific Ocean and meandering back roads of California's wine country.

2011 INFINITI M35h: HIGH-PERFORMANCE HYBRID

Unique hybrid stops, steers and performs like a true sports sedan!

The M35h “driver’s hybrid” from Infiniti, will showcase world-first steering and braking technologies when it goes on sale next year. The unique systems and innovative “one motor/two clutch system” have been designed to deliver both environmental benefits and enhanced driving feel.

Like the drivetrain, which couples a V-6 engine with a 50 kW (68 PS) electric motor built in to the seven--speed automatic transmission, simplicity was key in the development of the steering and brakes of the high performance luxury sedan.

BMW G-POWER M5: WORLD’S FASTEST SEDAN!

Michelin-shod 800-horsepower G-Power M5 earns ultimate bragging rights.

 A G-Power Hurricane RR BMW M5, riding on 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport tires, just set the world speed record for the fastest sedan at 232.5 mph! Built by German tuning specialist G-Power, the Hurricane RR is powered by a modified, yet streetable, twin supercharged V10 engine producing 800 horsepower.

The engine in the record-setting M5 was blueprinted and fitted with larger ASA T1-316 superchargers, lower-than-stock compression Mahle pistons, special HP rods and complete fuel and spark re-mapping. Other modifications include special G-Power brakes, adjustable RS coilover suspension and Highline body kit.

G-Power’s technology partner, Michelin, provided high-performance Pilot Sport tires for the record runs: 255/35 ZR 19 at the front and 305/30 ZR 19 at the rear. For everyday use the G-Power Hurricane RR runs on 20-inch rims with 245/35 ZR 20 and 285/30 ZR 20 Michelins front and rear.

The G-Power Hurricane RR not only set new performance standards for top speed, but also delivers outstanding acceleration: 0 to 62 mph in 4.35 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 9.5 seconds.

For more information about G-Power upgrades for BMWs in the U.S., please visit
http://www.precision-sport.com/

ALFA ROMEO BAT 11: LATEST FROM THE BATCAVE!

Great Italian cars, food and wine take over Saratoga Springs, NY this Fall.

The dramatic Alfa Romeo BAT 11 Design Study will be a featured exhibit at the 2010 Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York September 10-12.

Heritage of Italian Design is the focus of this year’s Saratoga festival, which will feature Ferrari and 100 Years of Alfa Romeo. A design seminar hosted by Andrea Zagato, current head of the iconic design house (Zagato Stile) founded by his grandfather Ugo Zagato in 1919, is scheduled at 1:30 pm Saturday, September 11. Piero Rivolta, who manufactured Italian-designed Iso Rivolta cars (Rivolta GT, Grifo, Lele and Fidia) powered by American V-8 engines and designer Jason Castriotta are currently scheduled to join Zagato. The Italian Trade Commission is the Presenting Sponsor of the seminar.

XJ75 CONCEPT GOES PLATINUM!

Jaguar’s XJ Concept is all about celebrating 75 years of Jaguar and sparking emotion, blogs Ian Callum, below, Design Director, Jaguar Cars.

Jaguar is about surprise these days and celebrating 75 years of the Jaguar name. That’s why we created a design concept based on the all-new XJ that would really surprise people.
When people saw our XJ75 Platinum Concept on the Pebble Beach concept car lawn this weekend, we got quite a reaction. When enthusiasts came up to me and said they're not sure about what we've done, well that's great, because “not sure” means it's sparking some emotion. It’s making them think.

The idea behind the car was for the Jaguar design team to explore the versatility of the original XJ design and show the car's potential for customization and personalization.

1933 DELAGE: BEST OF SHOW AT PEBBLE BEACH

Rare streamlined 1933 Delage D8S roadster with coachwork by De Villars was judged best of the best at the 60th Concours d'Elegance!

"There are so many things about this car that are special," said owner Jim Patterson, who founded Long John Silver's restaurant and contributed to the founding of the Rally's Hamburger chain.  "We've won (with other cars) at a lot of concours, but never here.  This win at Pebble is the ultimate.  This is the one win that really matters."

Competitors from 33 states and 14 countries brought their prized automotive possessions to Pebble Beach for judging in 29 classes.  

"This Delage owned by the Patterson Collection in Louisville, KY has a short wheelbase that makes it look more rakish, but it still has a long and elegant look," said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. "It did 110 miles-per-hour in its day; it could race and was stunningly beautiful.  This car could do it all; it embodied style, speed and comfort."     

Delage added the sports version to the D8 range in 1930. To make the S more aerodynamic than its predecessors, a new radiator shell was used, which required a special hood and firewall that made the D8S even more visually distinctive. Patterson's D8S graced the 1933 Salon de Paris at the Grand Palais. It was owned during the 1950s by the Grand Hotel Velasquez in Madrid, Spain and was used
as transportation for its more discerning guests.  Now it's one of 60 Pebble Beach Concours Best of Show winners.

Proceeds from Concours’ raffles, auctions, sponsorships and ticket sales helped contribute more than $1 million to charity for the fifth consecutive year.

For more information about Pebble Beach, please visit http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/

XKSS JAGUAR: COMING OUT PARTY!

To see 12 XKSS Jaguars parked neatly in a line is a truly magnificent sight, but to see and hear 12 roaring down a California back road can bring a car enthusiast to tears, blogs Tony O'Keeffe, below, curator of Jaguar Heritage.
 

Visitors to Sunday's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance saw the cars on display today, but on Thursday (August 12, 2010), we arranged a very special tour so that the owners could enjoy the thrill of driving their cars on the road in convoy. This historic gathering was the first time the cars have all been together in the same place at once, since coming out of the factory.

Starting at the Pebble Beach Lodge, we threaded our way through Carmel, down Carmel Valley Road and over the soaring Laureles Grade to Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway.

INDY 500 CLASSICS CELEBRATED AT PEBBLE BEACH

Jim Clark’s Indy-winning Lotus-Ford is the centerpiece of this year’s Indy 500 Centennial Class.

The history of the Indy 500 will be honored with a special class at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 15; and the new logo for the 100-th Anniversary of the race will be unveiled just prior to the event.

The #82 Ford-powered Lotus 38 that revolutionized open-wheel racing will be on display at the Concours. It has just been restored to running condition and original as-raced appearance. Several cars from the Indianapolis Hall of Fame Museum and individual collectors will also be exhibited.

Scotsman Jim Clark drove the Lotus chassis 38/1 to victory in the 1965 Indy 500. It was the first mid-engined car to win at Indy. To this day, Clark remains the only driver to win both the Indy 500 and the Formula One Championship in the same year, cementing his legacy as the dominant driver of his era and one of the greatest ever. After its debut at Pebble Beach it will return to its home at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI, to become a centerpiece at its planned Racing in America exhibition.

"Jimmy Clark drove this Lotus race car to a truly historic victory," said Ken Gross, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Selection Committee. "It was the first time Indy had been won by a mid-engine car, the first time a British car won there, and it was the first win for a Ford engine. This car revolutionized racing at Indy, and no front-engine car has won the race since."

2011 JAGUAR XKR175: ANNIVERSARY PRESENT

Production is limited to 175: top speed limited to 174 mph!

                                 Jaguar XKR175 with ex-Steve McQueen 1945 Stearman.

Jaguar debuted its limited edition, 75th anniversary 2011 XKR175 coupe today at the McCall’s Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Jet Center. It was the kickoff of celebratory events being held at Pebble Beach, Laguna Seca and around the Monterey peninsula. It was the first appearance of the exclusive sports car in North America.



Powered by a supercharged V-8 rated at 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, the XKR175 has a top speed  (electronically limited) of 174 mph. To ensure that the XKR175 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic package has been installed. It incorporates a new front air dam, new side sills, a new rear diffuser and a larger rear spoiler providing increased balance and lift reduction. New 20-inch Kasuga 10-spoke alloy wheels, red brake calipers and Ultimate Black exterior paint are standard.

Inside, "XKR175 – 1 of 175" doorsill tread plates greet the driver and passenger. Interior appointments include Warm Charcoal leather with Cranberry stitching and Piano Black wood veneer trim.

Production of the XKR175 is limited to 175 vehicles at an MSRP of $104,500 (including destination). There will be 15 Jaguar XKR175 models reserved for the Canadian market.

For more information about Jaguar vehicles, please visit http://www.jaguar.com/us/en/#/

OPTIMA REDTOP: PACKAGED FOR PERFORMANCE!

Optima’s RedTop delivers higher levels of performance, reliability and durability than a conventional replacement battery in street and track Corvettes and other luxury, sports and high-performance cars.

Back in the day of carburetors and distributors, replacing an OE (original equipment) battery was a no-brainer. Carmakers offered standard and high-performance replacements, as did aftermarket suppliers like Sears, Excide and others. If you were a GM guy you probably bought a Delco Energizer, GM’s captive brand. Sears built a great reputation for its DieHard line by participating in all major motorsports events.

Beyond brand loyalty, battery choices were often made based on cost, warranty range, crank amps and reserve capacity. Availability ranged from low-cost batteries branded for local auto parts stores to premium branded and priced high-capacity models. High-performance cars powered by modified, high-compression engines and competition cars obviously required increased cranking power. Choosing the right battery was not rocket science.

PORSCHE 911 GT3 RSR: LONG HAUL CHAMP

Porsche cleans house at Spa and Romain Dumas is first to win 24-hour races at Spa and Le Mans in one year since Luigi Chinetti in 1949!

Porsche teams and drivers were rewarded with a double victory in the overall classification and the GT3 class win at the 2010 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). Works drivers Joerg Bergmeister, Romain Dumas, Wolf Henzler as well as former Porsche Junior Martin Ragginger pocketed the overall win in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (#23 BMS Scuderia Italia).

Only 76 seconds later, the 911 GT3 RSR of the IMSA Performance Matmut squad piloted by Richard Lietz, Patrick Long, Patrick Pilet and team owner Raymond Narac was the second car to cross the finish line. In the GT3 class, Dr. Jürgen Häring, Taki Konstantinou, Gilles Vannelet and Arnaud Peyroles took the lead after 20 hours in a 911 GT3 R run by Mühlner Motorsport and held the top position to the flag.

After Spa, Romain Dumas wrote motorsports history. The 32-year-old Porsche driver, Romain Dumas from France, scored overall wins at both the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps and in Le Mans this year. The last racer to write his name in the history books winning both classics in one year was the Italian-born American, Luigi Chinetti in 1949.

For more information about Porsche vehicles, please visit
http://www.porsche.com/usa/
http://www.suncoastporsche.com/

ISO GRIFO: THE PERFECT STORM!

AUTOMOBILE magazine profiles the Iso Grifo and Chronicles Editor Marty Schorr’s Series I 1967 Grifo.

 In the early-mid-1960s, Iso’s founder, Renzo Rivolta, created the perfect storm: A Giorgetto Giugiaro styled GT/Sports road warrior with an over-engineered platform by Pierluigi Raggi and Giotto Bizzarrini (Ferrari 250 TR and GTO) and Corvette V-8 power. Badged Grifo, it became Iso’s highest profile, flagship vehicle. After Renzo Rivolta passed away in August 1966, his son, Piero, continued the tradition. Under his watch, Iso produced the Series II Grifo, Fidia four-door sedan, 2+2 Lele and Varedo Concept. He was responsible for Iso’s Formula One racing program with Marlboro and Ford.

Between years 1962 and 1974, Iso produced approximately 1,669-1,699 vehicles, depending upon how you interpret the model-by-model breakdown in Winston Goodfellow’s excellent book, ISORIVOLTA The Men, The Machines. In 1972 Iso started powering cars with Ford 351-inch Cleveland engines.
Iso went into bankruptcy in 1972, changed hands and then closed its doors two years later.

LOTUS EVORA GT4: A COUPE FOR THE CUP!

Powered by an engine co-developed by Cosworth, the Evora Cup GT4 is a turnkey FIA racer.

 The Evora Cup GT4 racecar has been developed by Lotus Motorsport to be competitive in European GT4 racing. It will be eligible to compete in a number of different national and international racing series, with options for endurance and sprint racing. Powering the Evora racer is a new dry-sump-lubed 4.0-liter V6 competition engine, still under development, producing approximately 360 horsepower.

Mated to a six-speed sequential paddle shift “dog” gearbox, the mid-mounted engine was designed for international competition. “Performance through lightweight” is a long standing Lotus philosophy and the Evora Cup racecar has been pared down to less than 2,645 pounds. It is more than 400 pounds lighter than the production Evora!

The Evora Cup racecar will come with adjustable competition dampers, six-piston front brake calipers with two-piece aluminum “belled” discs, and all relevant FIA compatible performance and safety equipment.

Lotus will show its full-blown GT4 racecar and reveal the new Lotus 125 ultimate consumer track car and restyled 2011 Elise SC RGB next week in Monterey.

For more information about Lotus cars, please visit http://www.lotuscarsnorthamerica.com/

PORSCHE PANAMERA SPORTEC: FOUR-DOOR SUPERCAR!

 Swiss super-tuner Sportec releases 560 & 575 horsepower street performance packages for the twin-turbo Panamera.

Based in Höri, Switzerland, Sportec CH engineers and manufactures performance, dynamic and styling upgrades for a large range of Porsches sold in North America, the EU, and Far East. State of the art technical facilities and a dedication to precision and quality allows Sportec CH to develop exclusive, innovative upgrades, as showcased in the Stage One and Two Panamera packages and new 858-horsepower Porsche SPR1 supercar.

LeMAY MUSEUM: COMING TO LIFE!

Excavation, below, right, has started on the $60 million project that will be the largest auto museum and attraction in the world.

It is estimated that more than 400,00 visitors annually will travel to Tacoma, WA to visit America’s Car Museum. Based on the LeMay Collection, currently consisting of over 2,300 cars, the new Museum will ultimately house 500 diverse vehicles, spanning a century of automotive history and the future of our transportation system. 


Located just thirty miles south of Seattle, in the heart of the technology-rich Pacific Northwest, the Museum campus sits on nine acres, adjacent to the Tacoma Dome. The 165,000 square foot building, left, will include a collector car center, 3.5-acre show field, galleries, banquet hall, meeting space, car storage facilities, café and restaurant and administrative offices.


For more information about America’s car Museum, please visit  http://www.lemaymuseum.org/

 


MASERATI MC12 ON PODIUM AT SPA!

Four MC12s, showcased by the Mueller/Heger entry that nailed a Second, finish at Spa-Francorchamps.

 After an exciting recovery, Triple H Team Hegersport's #33 Maserati MC12 nabbed second place at the Spa Championship Race on Saturday, just behind Zonta/Kechele's #25 Lamborghini. After their recovery in the Qualifying Race, Mueller/Heger, who started off from twelfth place, finished second and earned a spot on the podium. It’s Altfrid Heger's second consecutive podium position after his third place at Paul Ricard.

Vitaphone Racing Team's two Maserati MC12s also performed well. The Bernoldi/Ramos duo, which started off from eleventh place, was able to recover and finish fourth. 

Bartels/Bertolini's #1 Maserati MC12 finished in seventh place. The car started off from the back of the group due to a forced withdrawal from the Qualifying Race. Thanks to a perfect pit stop and the safety car's appearance for a few laps, Bartels and Bertolini earned important points that will let them keep their leadership in the drivers' standings.

Triple H Team Hegersport's Belgian drivers, Longin/Verdonck, were just behind them, thus rounding out a positive racing day for the Trident's cars, which all earned points.

For more information about Maserati cars and heritage, please visit  http://www.maserati.com/maserati/en/en/index/models/GranTurismo.html

FERRARI:THE COLOR OF DREAMS!

No matter how you spell it, Rosso Corsa or Ferrari Red coats nearly 40 percent of all new Ferraris sold in North America. The second most popular color choice may surprise you. 

 

 The first step in personalizing a Ferrari comes with color choice, and it might come as a surprise to some, but Ferrari offers many more choices than red! For the record, the official name of the color that some in the media and public have dubbed "Ferrari Red" is Rosso Corsa. This highly popular choice, which nearly four in 10 North American clients choose, comes from the standard color palate.

After red, black (Nero) is the next most popular color for Ferraris, worldwide and in North America, accounting for about one in five cars. It, too, is from the standard palate. Purchasers can choose colors from two other groups, metallic colors and "1950s and 1960s" colors, and they can also request special-order colors. The silver/gray (Grigio) families, found on the metallic color palate, make up the third most popular Ferrari color group. The metallic palate also features some stunning blues, including the extra-cost Azzuro California, which was the launch color for the California model; it is featured in many official factory photos and videos.

1902 MERCEDES: ROAD TRIP TO PEBBLE BEACH!

Oldest Mercedes still on the road will travel 1,500 miles on the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic to compete in the Concours d’Elegance

                                  Mercedes Simplex competed in 1902 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

For the past 60 years, Pebble Beach has been the destination of choice for those who show the finest collector cars in the world. Some of these cars are delivered to California's central coast by plane, others by boat or commercial transport, and many are actually driven. This year a Mercedes well into its second century will be among the cars taking on the challenge of the open road.



A 28-horsepower 1902 Mercedes-Simplex, the oldest Mercedes-badged car still on the road today, will travel 1,500 miles around mountains, through valleys and along the ocean on its way to compete in the Pebble Beach Concours. It will be one of about two dozen cars participating in the 2010 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic, the ultimate road trip for vintage automobiles.

GOODWOOD VINTAGE: A DRIVE DOWN MEMORY LANE!

Iconic cars to headline at Goodwood’s celebration of five decades of cool British culture.

A vintage Chrysler 300 will share space with a Jaguar E-Type, Aston Martin DB5, Lotus Espirit Turbo, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, American inspired hot rods, Minis, Police cars and even Mod and Rocker scooters and motorcycles at the inaugural Vintage at Goodwood. The celebration of five decades of British cool, from the 1940s through the 1980s, takes place on August 13-15.

Vintage at Goodwood will bring together and celebrate the music, fashion, film, art, dance, design and vehicles from the most culturally influential era of the 20th Century to create an experience like no other. As well as top fashions, dance, design, DJs, art, and a vintage High Street, there’s great live music with dozens of top bands and artists performing. The Faces, Sandie Shaw, Earth Wind and Fire, Heaven 17 and Joy Division are on the program.

For more information about Vintage at Goodwood, please visit http://www.vintageatgoodwood.com/home.aspx

2011 CAPRICE PPV: CHEVY’S BACK ON THE JOB!

Police-only cruiser will be coming to a speed trap near you next year. Can a hot-rodded civilian version be far behind?

 

                                  This is not what you want to see in your rear view mirror!

Chevrolet finally has the right stuff to make an impact in the lucrative law enforcement fleet marketplace that had for years been owned by Ford. The 2011 Caprice Patrol Vehicle PPV) is a full-size, V-8-powered, rear-wheel-drive sedan that should set a new performance standard for production cruisers. The 6.0-liter, 355 horsepower V-8 bolts up to a sport-shift-calibrated six-speed automatic transmission. It is ideally suited for jurisdictions that include high-speed interstates.

Hot rodders have always been fascinated by Police-only models and Chevrolet, like other carmakers; have been supplying special options and models for decades. Those options usually included with heavy-duty chassis/suspension components as well as interior appointments that make the conversion to Police equipment easy. In 1959 Chevrolet offered a Police-only model that really appealed to performance enthusiasts. It was a Biscayne powered by a high-performance 348-inch that was good for 135 mph. In 1965 Chevrolet raised the bar and offered law enforcement agencies special model powered by a single-four-barrel 396 big-block. That continued into the muscle-car-rich 1960s.

WORLD LAND SPEED RECORD CHALLENGER

Boasting the “power” of 180 F1 cars, BLOODHOUND SSC pilot Andy Green is shooting for 0 to 1,000 mph in just 42 seconds!

 The BLOODHOUND Project is a World Land Speed Record attempt with a secondary mission: Inspire young people to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. They are showcasing them in the most exciting way possible – by building a racecar capable of reaching 1,000 mph. To date, 1.5 million school children are enrolled in the BLOODHOUND Education Program.

An EJ200 engine will be used to power BLOODHOUND SSC during 0 to 300 mph desert testing in 2012. Prior to being put on show recently, it was driven to full power on reheat in a series of controlled bench tests, producing a maximum thrust of 90 kN (20,000 lbf) with no problems.

Having completed its life as a development engine for the Typhoon program, it is now on loan to the BLOODHOUND Team. It will partner the largest hybrid rocket ever designed in Europe to produce a combined thrust of 212 kN (47,500 pounds) – the equivalent of 180 F1 cars – and propel driver Andy Green from 0 to 1,000 mph in 42 seconds.

“Seeing our EJ200 run on the test bed was an amazing sight, and marks a significant milestone in the development of BLOODHOUND SSC,” said Mark Chapman, Chief Engineer. “There's a feeling in the team that everything is starting to become very real and that BLOODHOUND SSC no longer exists just on a computer screen.”

For the latest on BLOODHOUND SSC, check out
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/07/bloodhound-ssc-unveiled/

For more information about the BLOODHOUND SSC Engineering Adventure, please visit http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/

FERRARI DOWNSIZES: 2011 JUNIOR (F430) GT!

Do well in Junior GT and you’re guaranteed a ride in a scaled down F1 Ferrari. 

 Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s attractions have been designed to tell the Ferrari story: Passion, excellence, performance and technical innovation to families and fans of all ages. More than 20 rides will offer thrills and amusement for a complete Ferrari experience. Here’s what you can expect to experience at this phenomenal facility in the United Arab Emirates.

RIDES & ATTRACTIONS: 

Formula Rossa – The world’s fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds of almost 150 mph. 

Speed of Magic – A fantasy 4-D journey following the adventures of a young boy as he travels through a kaleidoscopic dreamscape of natural and phenomenal environments, where no Ferrari has gone before. 

Made in Maranello – A virtual trip behind the walls of the factory in Maranello, taking guests through the process of making a Ferrari. 

V12 – An exciting flume ride to the heart of a 12-cylinder engine. 

G-Force – A thrilling tower ride that will shoot thrill-seekers through the red roof and more than 200 feet in the air before plummeting back to Earth. Riders experience the actual G-force of a Ferrari, in a seat directly inspired by the Ferrari Enzo. 

Scuderia Challenge – Cutting edge racing simulators similar to those used by Scuderia Ferrari drivers in training.

MERCEDES E550 CABRIO: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

AirCaps and AirScarves make top-down driving in Merc’s new E-Cab much less of a hair-raising experience, says Road Test Editor HOWARD WALKER

I know all about sexy four-seater convertibles. I have a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible taking up every inch of my garage at home. Think of it as a Carnival cruise ship on wheels. With the top down, side windows raised and AC blasting, driving it on a balmy Florida night is one of the great joys in life.
   
But ask a couple of friends to share the joy from the comfort of the Caddy’s massive rear bench seat, and the smiles last maybe, er, a quarter-mile. That’s because at speeds over 40 mph, it’s like sitting with the back of your head to a Delta 767 jet on take-off. Follicles fly every-which-way like Janis Joplin with static!
   
The folks at Mercedes-Benz know all about hair, or rather air, management. The brand new 2011 E-Class Cabriolet, hitting showrooms right around now, simply annihilates back-seat bad hair.

PERANA Z-ONE: CORVETTE IN AN ITALIAN SUIT!

Designed in Italy, developed in South Africa, and coming to a Superformance dealer near you.

Nori Harada’s mission for South African vehicle manufacturer, Perana Performance Group, was a challenge: Create a new, avant-garde high-performance sports coupe that would showcase Zagato’s trademark styling and could be competitively marketed as a low-volume specialty car. Harada is the head stylist at Zagato Design. The result: The simple, light and aerodynamic Perana Z-One.

Shown first as a concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the Perana Z-One received rave reviews from both automotive press and the public. Perana Performance Group was then invited to attend the premier European concours event, the Concorso d’ Eleganza at Vila d’Este on Lake Como in Italy, where the Perana Z-One received much acclaim.

PETER MAIER: LARGER THAN LIFE!

Ultra reality artist and consummate car guy Peter Maier turns a classic custom Merc into ‘Jaws.’

The former General Motors designer who brought us the incredible full-scale painting on aluminum of Bill Mitchell’s 1959 Corvette Sting Ray racecar, is at it again. Now he’s working on a redder-than-red Merc with “teeth.”

In 2007 Pete Maier was with his friend Karl Weiler at the huge Rhinebeck, NY (Dutchess County Fairgrounds) Hot Rod Show and was mesmerized by a stunning customized Candy Apple Mercury.

“I saw a shark in it. By blocking out the windshield, headlights and lower bumper, I visualized the lower lip of the hood curling under like a Great White and the vertical grille as teeth. The results: Jaws,” said Maier.

“As red as this piece is, there are no reds used! To achieve this ‘eye-burning’ effect, I applied oranges layered over with custom magenta paint. At 56 x 84 inches, it overpowers the viewer which is exactly what I’ve tried to accomplish,”

If you plan on viewing it, you had better bring sunglasses!

For more information about Peter Maier and his unique automotive art, visit  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Maier/111083838782?v=photos

Also check out  http://www.carguychronicles.com/2010/02/peter-maier-next-generation-of-realism.html

2010 MEADOW BROOK CONCOURS: MOTORAMA REDUX!

Joe Bortz’s one-of-a kind GM Motorama Concept Cars from the 1950s headline at the Concours d’Elegance of America.

                                       1955 Chevrolet Biscayne Concept Car (1955 GM photo).

                                  1954 Pontiac Bonneville Concept Car (1954 GM Photo)

More than 230 cars and motorcycles will vie for coveted trophies and awards on Sunday, July 25 on the spectacular grounds of Meadow Brook Hall, Oakland University Campus, Rochester, MI. Legendary drag racing cars, unique GM concept cars and and high-profile show cars will share the magnificent grounds with two of the most luxurious automobiles of the 1930s, a pair of 1937 Type 57 Bugattis.

Headlining this year’s Concours are four of Joe Bortz’s one-of-a-kind concept cars. These cars were some of the most popular  attractions at General Motor’s Motorama auto shows during the 1950s. It will be the first time these four cars have been seen together, with the 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne in restored show condition, in over 50 years. It’s going to be Motorama at Meadow Brook this year!

For video coverage of Joe Bortz’s Motorama Concepts, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikC51J9-LAY

For more information about Meadow Brook 2010, please visit
http://www.meadowbrookconcours.org/general-info

2010 PEBBLE BEACH: 50th ANNIVERSARY BERLINETTA BASH!

Ferrari’s iconic 250 GT SWB (actually eight!) will be honored at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Ferrari’s cars and racing heritage have been examined, considered and written about repeatedly and in detail. Yet even in this rarified world of records and wins, automotive excellence and power, there are a few cars that have gained more significance than the rest. The 250 GT Short Wheelbase Berlinetta is one, and it will be celebrated at Pebble Beach on August 15.
 
Racing great Sir Stirling Moss, who serves among the Honorary Judges at the Pebble Beach Concours, drove a 250 GT SWB Berlinetta to four victories on racing circuits across Europe in 1961 and has high praise for the Berlinetta

"It was beautiful to drive, reliable and stunning to look at. It always amazed me that the car had such an uncomplicated rear suspension. Although it was only three liters, I cannot think of any car that was better to drive, especially on difficult roads. It was one of those cars, that the more you drove it, the better she became,” said Moss.


"It was such a civilized car, that Rob Walker fitted the one I drove with a radio. This allowed me to tune in to the BBC and listen to not only my race, but also to hear how my competitors were doing!"

TEHRAN CAFÉ RACERS: IRANIAN CAR GUYS WHO LUNCH!

Car Guys having fun transcends politics, ideology, and decades of conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

                                 Diversity is the key to a successful Cafe Racers lunch group.

After more than five years, Sarasota Café Racers has developed into more than just a car guy lunch group. It has morphed into a destination, where people who savor life in the fast lane and worship at the temple of torque can come together and break bread with citizens of the right lane. And, they’ve starting to build a worldwide car guy community!

The first Café Racers satellite group is up and running not where you might expect. It’s in Tehran. That’s right, Tehran, Iran! Tehran Café Racers organizer, Ramin Salehkhou, drives a documented “export” ‘74 Baldwin-Motion Phase III Camaro powered by a 454-inch big-block. Joel ‘Mr. Motion’ Rosen had built and shipped this 500 horsepower Camaro to Tehran in 1974. It has already been featured in the Chronicles. It's seen below inhaling an Alfa on way to Cafe Racers lunch!

GOODGUYS: STREET ROD OF THE YEAR

Blower guru Jerry Magnuson’s ‘Magnitude’ wins Classic Instruments Street Rod Of The Year at the 13th Annual Goodguys PPG Nationals.

 Jerry Magnuson’s sleek and stylish ’32 Muroc roadster designed by Chip Foose and handcrafted by Marcel was crowned Street Rod Of The Year at the Goodguys 13th PPG Nationals presented by Bridgestone. It’s been a great season for Jerry and ‘Magnatude’ on the Goodguys event tour, having won the Street Rod d’Elegance Crown this spring at the Goodguys Del Mar Nationals.

Magnuson is well known for his Magnacharger supercharger kits. His Muroc roadster, powered by an LS1 Chevy topped off with an intercooled Magnacharger, also features a Tremec six-speed speed, polished Kugel nine-inch rear and a custom Kugel chassis with independent front and rear suspensions. Custom touches include chopped Carson top, DuVall windshield, hidden headlights, custom dash by Magnuson, Jim Griffin upholstery, tunneled seats and countless other subtle tricks.

GOODGUYS: STREET MACHINE OF THE YEAR

Top Street Machine honors go to Karen Leisinger’s 1967 Camaro ‘Scar’ at the Goodguys 13th Annual PPG Nationals.

Built by Lakeside Rods & Rides in Rockwell City, Iowa, this radical all-steel Gen I Camaro ‘Scar’ took home the Goodguys 2010 Ridetech Street Machine of the Year award.

“I wanted a car that featured extreme performance while combining the looks of a 1967 with some of the design and style elements of the new 2010 Camaro,” said Leisinger.

Working from an Eric Brockmeyer sketch, builders Roger Burman, Marshall Starrett and the Lakeside Rods & Rides team did an incredible job on the PPG Hyper Orange Camaro. It was nicknamed ‘Scar’ from all the cuts and modifications required to get the desired look! Lakeside completely redesigned the cars aesthetics by extending the wheelbase two inches. They then grafted a 2010 Camaro roof skin, raised the rear quarters 2.5 inches, added a custom carbon-fiber hood and created the front and rear ends.