Why, yes; that is an entire row of Porsche 917s you're seeing.

Sunday, March 14, was the 15th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which yours truly attended for the third year. The event has grown from a regional show to one of international merit, and the cars seem to get better every single year. No matter what era or type of car you’re into, you’ll find the best examples at Amelia Island; it’s become the Eastern U.S. equivalent to Pebble Beach.

I’ll be putting up articles about some of the cars featured over the next few weeks, but here are a few teaser shots. Ever wondered what a party with 18,000 of your closest gear head friends would look like? How about if they brought 275 of the finest classic, street and race cars ever produced. Well, it would look something like these pics, after the jump:

Beware fellow autonauts, for this be a forsaken land full of sorrow and heartache. Even the bold tremble and quake at the horrors that lie beyond these gates. If you choose to enter, be forewarned. You may not return.

2006 Dodge Magnum SXT

Not all classics are old, as Ron Small’s 2006 Dodge Magnum illustrates perfectly. Like our own Mr. Angry, I’ve got a place in my heart for these cars, grossly underappreciated when new. Built on the Chrysler LX platform (shared by the successful Chrysler 300), Magnums were available in models ranging from ‘grocery getter’ (SE, with a 190 hp V6) to ‘holy crap what the hell just passed us’ (SRT-8, with the 425 hp Hemi motor). For added versatility, AWD was an available option on SXT and RT models, making the car more appealing to buyers in northern states. Manufactured for only four model years, Chrysler declared that the Magnum was not “earning its keep” and halted production in March of 2008. Magnums are destined to be collectible, as they represent one of the high points in the joint venture between Daimler and Chrysler.

Thanks to M. Espinosa for supplying pics of his silver ice metallic 2010 Camaro SS. The 6.2 liter motor cranks out 426 horsepower in stock form, more than enough to light the 275/40-20 tires at the rear.

Photo: Joe Stevens

There was once a time, before minivans and SUVs, when full-sized vans ruled the streets. Ford Econoline, Dodge Tradesman, ChevyVan, GMC VanDura: these names were the stuff of legend. Outlandish airbrushed murals, most with some kind of sci-fi theme, graced the sides of these rolling motel rooms. Shag carpet, disco balls and (of course) folding mattresses filled the interiors.

Because I’m a sucker for late 60’s Chevy’s, here are a few pics of reader Zane Regan’s ride. It’s a black on black Chevelle with a 350 small block, COMP cam, Hooker headers, Flowmaster exhaust and an Edelbrock carb. I’m guessing those are Cragar SS wheels, which just look RIGHT on pre-1970 Chevelles. More pics after the jump.

If you’re an auto enthusiast, I’ll warn you in advance that the following pictures (courtesy of Hemmings Auto Blogs) are graphic and powerful enough to make a strong man weep.

A major storm swept the Scottsdale Russo and Steele auction on Thursday, January 21, collapsing several tents that held cars to be auctioned. Insurance adjusters were onsite within 24 hours, and the damage is still being documented. The pictures below represent a fraction of the total damage, which (thankfully) resulted in only minor injuries to a single person.

I’d make this out as a ’65 Mustang convertible. I hope the damage was limited to the hood.

Another mid ‘60s Mustang, which didn’t fare as well as the first. Looks like damage to the roof, rear window, passenger door and right rear fender.

A Shelby GT 500, I think. Damage to the roof, rear window, and spoiler.

A late 60s El Camino (1968, I think). Crushed hood, crushed fenders, (sniff)…
Damn, I have a weak spot for pre 1970 El Caminos.

Porsche (356, I think), proving that it wasn’t just American sheet metal that wound up on the losing end of collapsing tent frames.

A 1970 Plymouth Superbird. Mr. Angry, you might want to sit down for this one. My condolences to you, sir.

Same car, another angle.

A Plum Crazy Dodge Challenger, maybe a 1970. That will most definitely NOT buff right out.

Update: This was not just a General Lee replica, but stunt car #2 used in the production of the 2005 movie. Thanks to Russ for pointing this out.

More images of storm damaged cars can be found here: Hemmings Auto Blogs

Classic Porsche 911s have been in the midst of a retro-mod renaissance lately, with lots of money going into taking fuzzy, sentimental visions of grainy oversaturated ’70s awesomeness and transforming it into a real-world rolling art. R-Gruppe cars, love ‘em or hate ‘em, are the ultimate Porkers in this genre. However, Singer Vehicle Design of Los Angeles has jumped into the fray, seriously reworking an air-cooled long-wheelbase 911 into a modern performance car, doing what Porsche couldn’t (as they switched to water-cooling with the 996). As Singer puts it, “… have the evolved water-cooled 911’s proven more enjoyable? Is the drive more fulfilling? What of the magic behind the wheel?” It’s inarguable that the package Singer has put together answers all of those questions. Click through for a HUGE gallery of pics and more info.

If you put the Hyundai ix-Metro concept car up against the “slightly horrifying” Renault Twizy Z.E., we don’t know which one wins the psychotropic designer-spasm award. All we know is that the Korean designers are finally beginning to dip into those great drugs the French apparently have, and the resulting ix-Metro is yet another whacked-out city car. More and a big gallery below.

Lamborghini originally denied the development of a Reventón roadster, but these pics surfaced online to prove otherwise. The exterior is crazy, with edges sharp enough to keep away from a depressed emo hipster. Inside, magnates will find loads of alcantara and carbon fiber. Power should come from the same 6.5-liter V12 producing 650hp and 487 lb-ft of torque, so I suggest you avoid the 200+mph top speed with the top down lest you be sucked out of your own whip. Price will be roughly $1.75 mil. FUN FACT: The Reventón’s exhaust system is coated with plasma-sprayed, zirconia-based ceramics, the same material used to protect the insides of nuclear reactors.