So just as there have been posts about the rich getting richer and a number of new members to the tawdry millionaires club so too has risen the number of exotic and high performance sports cars. Those cars that exceed 500+ horsepower and lure their new and often inexperienced drivers into an added sense of invincibility. As the number of super cars on the road reach new heights it only seems logical to some that so would the percentage of super cars involved in accidents.

A Wall Street Journal article that based its information off of CNW Marketing Research said that there were 8,400 “ultraluxury” exotic sport cars sold just this last year. As they stated, that is over three times as many that were sold in 2003. Accidents in California in that same class of cars alone rose 81% over the number of reported accidents for such in 2002. Is this to say that not only are the number of rich drivers increasing but those “New Rich” are getting stupider… or as they put it nicely, more “immature.”

This eBay find of the week comes off the heels of a recent De Tomasoannouncement written about here by David Allen. It looks as though the company is going to start producing cars again, which makes this weeks eBay find a true black gem.

One persons treasure is an auction-able object soon to fulfill another personsdream. That is the case for this finely restored Pantera that by this time has reached its closing without finding a bid above its reserve. After investing more than $50,000 and countless hours into bringing this one-time fastest production car in the world back to life who can blame him for protecting that investment. But it would seem certain a reasonable offer post-bidding would be considered.

Can you not just see yourself strapped inside that black cockpit feeling the rumble of that Ford 351 Cleveland engine nestled snuggly behind you?

Finding a Pantera in such prestine shape is rare and serves as evidence of what a magnificent addition this car would be to any collection. If there was room in my stable and an extra stash of cash to spare the bidding would have been over by now. Instead it will just have reside in my very crowded mental auto museum.

Be sure to head over to eBay and give this De Tomaso Pantera some appropriate loving.

In a recent article the boys at Motor Trend took a test spin in a new 2008 Maserati GranTurismo and the results were more than pretty but less than exilarating. The name Maserati commands classy flowing lines in a body that stem from a richly shaped history and a finely stitched Italian interior. In the fit and assembly and in its first glance appeal the GranTurismo lives up to its builders name. However, as pointed out in the test drive, the GranTurismo is turning its competitive focus away from the Porsche, Ferrari crowd and zeroing in on the Luxury BMW and Jaguar class who are inching in on Maserati’s territory.

The Mini Clubman is set for release on November 10th of this year and what buyers and gawkers alike will find is a Mini that is not a far stretch from the model it is designed from. The majority of the design cues that differentiate the Clubman are visible to the naked eye and do very little to take away from the very Mini within. So why bother making it to begin with some may ask?

Now that Porsche has their hands on VW there are some mighty motivated execs looking to redesign the most iconic car in the VW line. It seems there intention is to make a line-up based on the Beetle’s good name that could involve another convertible, a small crossover vehicle, a truck model and a modern restyle of the 2-door. But what they are toying with could be something close to sacrilege. When you are manipulating the lines of a car that has over 70 years of history and only two designs that are not that dissimilar in shape some delicacy is required.

In a recent interview with Forbes Autos Ben Harper discussed America’s love for their cars and his own desire for an ecological balance to satisfy his functional needs in a car with the hope for a hybrid solution. It seems in this case that the eclectic musician is wrestling with the same conflict that many of us have: how do we satisfy our auto lust with an environmental ride emphasis?

The initial surge for camping came in the 1960’s when numerous brands and models were readily available for those anytime pursuits. In those free-wheeling days there was no need for reservations. Just toss the kids in the car, hook-up the trailer and into the great unknown you go.

The Air Stream brand epitomized the style and fashion of the late 50’s and early 60’s. With its rocket sleek shape and modern interior the Air Stream became a badge of honor and owners became as tight a group as Jeep owners or Harley riders are today.

To demonstrate the freedom of the Air Stream the magazine that promoted the brand and its image of limitless exploration took the camper to Pharaoh country. Maybe they took a wrong turn at Albuquerque. Could be they just wanted to give the Sphinx a “What the… ” moment. Or, who knows, it is possible Air Stream was hoping to gain a new market with the nomadic tribes of Africa. Whatever their justification was it seems reason enough to share a genuine “What the… ” moment with all of you. Enjoy!

Growing up I would often hear someone say, “what is old is new again.” When you are a child those words mean little to you because you had never experienced the old. But as you grow.. *gulp*.. older those sayings seem to gain in meaning. There have been a number of revivals of the small car, so this latest trend in small car designs should really come as no surprise.

The first small car to become a multi-continental success was the Volkswagen Beetle. Originating out of Germany as the Peoples Car the Beetle was a tough, go-anywhere, efficient (for its time) auto that really captured the hearts and imaginations of many.

[At this point I am going to refrain from any Herbie the Love Bug references because I do not want to read any comments from people who do not know what that refers to.]

Instead we are going to take a look at some of the marketing for the old Bug that was. Do you see any resemblances with our modern cars and the marketing used to move them?

GM has been working since 2004 with BMW and DaimlerChrysler on what is now being called the Hybrid 2Mode system in their trucks and SUV’s. The first example to reach the market place will be the 2008 GM Yukon and Tahoe. While the technologies involved in the very technical and costly engine are a vast advancement, their net gain from cost-to-efficiency may be questioned. Maybe over time and with further research more positive gains will be realized.

Initially GM reported the Hybrid 2 Mode was expected to achieve a 20% gain in fuel efficiency from the standard gas alternative. Well now they have come back to announce that their prior report was too conservative, and a 40% improvement in fuel mileage is expected. Meaning this behemoth of a sport-ute will be expected to average 19 to 20 mpg.

Callaways latest rendition of the Corvette strips away all barriers between you and the road with its open cockpit design. The new Callaway C16 Speedster shares the redesigned lines of the C16 but with far less glass and much more punch beneath the hood. The first production Speester will be delivered to its buyer at the Pebble Beach Conours de’Elegance that runs August 15th through the 19th.

Like all Callaway cars the new buyers of the C16 Speedster can make their choice of color and interior leather for the car, but all cars come with the supercharged 6.2 liter engine. Not only will the driver of this car have the wind in his or her hair they will also have the power of 700-hp pushing them headlong into that wind. That is an 85-hp increase from the regular Callaway C16 already on sale.