RideLust

We all dream of owning vintage iron, of rumbling along in a piece of automotive history, of being the envy of car nuts everywhere we go. Well, we can. There are truly affordable classics out there. And I’m going to find them. Welcome to Classic Review.

Don’t fear the MGB GT. It is not a finicky piece of questionable British engineering possessed by the Prince of Darkness, Joseph Lucas. It is a beautiful little beast, a punchy and snarling sports car with the refined manners of a grand tourer.

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Passion. That’s what it takes to own an old street rod. They take time, patience and in the end, a love for all things automotive. Some may think that these are just cheap old cars that are held together with duct tape and zip ties, and let’s face it, sometimes they are. More than that though these cars are a lifestyle choice that are kept in service by a certain demographic of people who simply don’t give a shit about modern conveniences and would rather live life on their own terms. This bagged 1953 Lincoln is a perfect example of this, and in our opinion is f*ckin’ brilliant.

Source: RalfBecker.com
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Even if you’re not a fan of classic cars and pre-war racers, I dare you to watch the video below and not come away wanting to drive Jay Leno’s Bugatti Type 51. I’m in agreement that the car’s supercharged, 2.3-liter straight eight engine is one of the best sounding mills ever created, and the direct mechanical connection between car and driver is strangely appealing. Value of the car aside, you’re not going to be texting behind the wheel of a Bugatti Type 51, since keeping the car running will demand your full-time attention. Read More…

My Grandmother used to have this green carpet in her house that was perfect for rolling my Matchbox and Hotwheels cars around on. It was low cut and green and for some reason it left imprints of the wheel marks in it when I would run them through it. That was over 35 years ago and believe it or not but that carpet helped cement me as a die-hard car enthusiast. It’s funny what gets us into cars. Perhaps a particular event in time sparks our interest. Or maybe it was a person or situation. Other times though it could simply be the sound of a well tuned engine. The following video is the story of Roger Gisseman and his love of British cars. Gisseman is the type of enthusiast who not only keeps the hobby going strong, but thanks to his eclectic taste, makes it a bit more enjoyable for everyone by throwing in a little variety.
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Over the years automobile manufacturers have spent millions upon millions of dollars with ad agencies trying to figure out how to pimp their latest and greatest to the masses. They’ve used explosions, catchy jingles, scantily clad women and of course, good ole’ rock and roll. Sometimes the hit with a true winner, other times however they simply screw the pooch and produce something like the ad you’re about to see here. Back in 1967 Chevrolet released one of the most iconic cars to ever grace the tarmac. It was the Camaro, and back then it took the automotive world by storm. It had a stout bulldog stance, multiple high performance engine choices and a beautiful shape which in turn helped it to become an instant automotive icon. What’s even more amazing however is that this is the ad that Chevrolet used to debut the car 44 years ago… man how times have changed.
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Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

 

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There’s just something about cars from the 1930′s, 40′s and 50′s that’s magical. Seeing those cars today makes one think about a time when life was less complicated, when automotive innovation actually meant something, and when the spirit of the open road was alive and well here in the United States. The 1939 Lincoln Zephyr is one of those cars and when viewed in person the only thing it evokes is pure emotion. Today’s automobiles, while packed with reliability and technology simply don’t, in my opinion, possess the same amount of style and flare that their bygone brothers do. It’s a shame really, but in a society where cost is key and styling is secondary, automotive manufacturers really have no choice but to compromise on everything. That’s where custom shops like Regal Roadsters of Madison, WI come into play. These guys recently took the aforementioned 1939 Lincoln Zephyr and get this… fitted it with an Aston Martin V12 engine, full airbag suspension and Magnaflow exhaust. We think the result is simply stunning, but just to make sure click play on the video and decide for yourself.
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I hadn’t originally planned on covering this year’s Gooding & Company auction at Amelia Island, but I found myself with some down time and headed over to the show to preview the cars. Unlike last year’s event, which was dominated by a few best-in-class cars expected to fetch jaw-dropping prices (which they did), this year’s Gooding & Company event was more subdued. There were more cars, but most weren’t the show-stoppers I tend to associate with Gooding. In fact, only the Lamborghini Muira SV prototype, a 1990 Ferrari F40 and a 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale caused me to fall to my knees exclaiming, “I’m not worthy”. Below are my thoughts on a few cars and the prices they commanded. Read More…

It had the longest hood of any car in 1969, it was comfortable, luxurious, loaded with options and hauled some serious ass when you mashed the go pedal. It wasn’t a Camaro, Mustang or Charger, nor was it a GTO, Corvette or Barracuda, in fact and for all intense and purposes, it wasn’t even a muscle car. That however didn’t stop Pontiac’s new 1969 Grand Prix SJ from going down in history as one of the baddest executive saloons on the planet. We all know that buying a car is a very personal statement. It gives others insight into who we are, what our economic bracket is and how we view ourselves. If you’re a professional for example, then odds are you won’t be driving up to the office in a Subaru STI with a big wing on the back. However, you may opt for something like an Acura TL. It’s classier, and while not as nimble, it still has plenty of grunt and paints a different picture to the world around you.
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Some of you may laugh, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Pontiac Trans Am is an icon of American pop culture. From its humble beginnings as a Trans Am series race car, to its starring role in Smokey and the Bandit, the Pontiac Trans Am is the stuff that childhood dreams are made of. Over the years the Trans Am went through a bunch of different changes. In the late 1960′s it was released as Pontiac’s answer to the then new, Chevrolet Camaro. Then in the early 1970′s it evolved into a full blown stump pulling muscle car, with models like the 455-SD Trans Am and Formula 400. By the time the 1980′s came around though, the Trans Am was slow and running on borrowed time. Designers tried everything to keep the public interested, but alas, in 1981 the beloved second generation Trans Am took its final bow and called it quits.
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