Norman Timbs was a gear head, just like you and I. Trained as a mechanical engineer, Timbs wanted to create a unique ride for himself, from a blank sheet of paper. He began work on his dream car in 1947, and finished it in 1948. The car was ahead of its time in both style and function; starting with a tubular space frame, Timbs used aluminum for the body to reduce weight. Despite the car’s length of nearly 18 feet, it weighs a surprising light 2,300 pounds. Put this in perspective; a first generation Miata was about 13 feet long and weighed in at 2,100 pounds.

More pics after the jump.

There are times in life when you just need to ask yourself the question: Why? All to often in the automotive world customizers and tuning companies try and strut their stuff to see if they can improve on what the manufactures put out. Some succeed and others fail miserably. Choosing the car to put under the knife is an even bigger challenge as some car companies produce automobiles that are so good that they really don’t need any improvements.

Unveiled at the Geneva International Auto Show the Bentley Continental Flying Star is one hell of a head turner. The custom fabricated uber-wagon was build by Italian Car maker Touring Superleggera at the request of one very persuasive customer and the end result is simply stunning. I love this thing… it’s big, muscular and in your face with the power to back up the attitude. Don’t believe me? How does 560 hp / 479 lbs. tq. grab ya’.

Turning your passion into a career is something that very few people on this earth get to do. Whether you enjoy medicine, automobiles or accounting it simply doesn’t matter. Artists have always amazed and intrigued me. They see things differently than you or I and through their own vision of creativity, get to show the rest of the world their vision through whatever medium they choose. We’re all on this website because we love automobiles and they fulfill a part of us that would otherwise be left empty.

This next list is not a listing of who’s who in the art world. It is more so a list of artists who present us with their amazing visions of what the automobile is to them. Now take a look at some very cool visuals and make sure you pay their sites a visit because this is only the tip of their creative icebergs.

1. Christophe Desse

http://www.xtrm3d.com

With a face like that, I hope she can cook.

Remember when Lincoln was the stodgy, conservative branch of FoMoCo? The brand preferred by bankers, accountants and tax attorneys everywhere? Here’s a front pic of the 2011 Lincoln MKT wagon / crossover; sadly, the Skeletor theme continues with their 2011 MKX, the Lincoln equivalent of the Ford Edge. Did anyone in management sign off on this look? What the hell is your styling department thinking?

Answering the question, “What kind of Hyundai can I get for $60k”, here’s the Hyundai Equus on display at a local auto show. Despite the state of the US economy, Hyundai still has plans to bring in their BMW 7 series fighter by year end.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Blitzed to the public during the 2009 Super Bowl, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe represents a significant effort on the part of the Korean automaker to improve their brand image. Previous efforts from Hyundai, such as the S’coupe and Tiburon, could be called “sporty entry level coupes”; they could not be called sports coupes.

When the Genesis Coupe concept was unveiled in 2007, it was clear that Hyundai intended to target a different audience and buyer. Initially aimed at the Ford Mustang, Hyundai appears to have set their sights higher by targeting the performance luxury market. The Genesis Coupe is now squared off against the Infiniti G37 and the Nissan 370Z.

The Delta Wing Racer Indy car concept soared into the Chicago Auto Show this week riding currents of outrage rising off Indy Car racing fans. It’s been called heretical, toy-like, Batmobile, and just plain ugly. But I think it’s amazing. Here’s why:

1. It looks like a spaceship.

I’ve been waiting for a chance to fly a Wipeout-style antigravity racer since the ’90s and the Delta Wing is probably as close as I’m gonna get. And those spectacular spaceship looks serve a purpose. The thing is designed like an aircraft for extremely low drag and tons of downforce just where you need it. See how the back end is shaped like the space shuttle? That puts maximum downforce on the middle of the car, providing supreme stability at speed. The shape is so slippery and stable it can conceivably hit 236 miles per hour at Indianapolis Speedway.

Ah, the Auto Show season is in full swing, and starting this week, all eyes will be pointing to the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva, and there will be some significant debuts at this show, starting on March 4th.

There are some cars at auto shows that just stand out as the preverbal “Nice Car”. They have a blend of styling, presence and overall appeal that targets the masses, not just one segment of the buying populous. Buick, has tried time and time again to do this with cars like the Regal, Lacrosse and Lesabre.