Supercars spotted, some rarities (vol 6)
Discussion
Sitting pretty by danjama, on Flickr
2014-11-06_11-25-54 by danjama, on Flickr
2014-11-06_11-20-29 by danjama, on Flickr
2014-11-06_11-19-18 by danjama, on Flickr
DSC_0469 by danjama, on Flickrautofocus said:
Hi there,
Spotted this parked up just off Deansgate in Manchester. Had to have a wander down for a closer look.
Quite simply stunning
Also a baby blue Gallardo spider on Deansgate itself, I did get a picture (well of sorts, not my finest ever image)
Regards
Tim
Hey Tim, I was on the adjacent corner (outside House of Fraser) when the baby blue went by, didn't see the Huracan though, where was that?Spotted this parked up just off Deansgate in Manchester. Had to have a wander down for a closer look.
Quite simply stunning
Also a baby blue Gallardo spider on Deansgate itself, I did get a picture (well of sorts, not my finest ever image)
Regards
Tim
I thought it was a light that would never go out. But, amidst the sudden and heavy downpour, it flickered.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross talked of the five stages of normal grief that we may experience when death, dying, comes.
1. Denial & Isolation
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
Recently I was very kindly invited to experience a gentle unveiling of the new S63 AMG Coupe. Lineal descendant of the W140 Coupe, the W215 CL55 AMG and the W216 CL63 AMG. The latest in Mercedes-Benz's most opulent, luxuriant coupe range. And with that AMG branding, the new Zerstörer of the autobahn.
When rampaging from Dresden to Zwickau say, you'll see all sorts out on the east German savannah. 911s (read: hyenas) not great-looking, bit of a hump, but hell of a bite, boxer engine note chattering away; DAF XFs (elephants) sweeping an arc from Ostrava to Antwerp, bullying the slow lane; a harem of Audii (plains zebras) thundering around in packs, all going from one sales conference to another; the odd M6 (cheetah), quick sprint then always out of breath.
The CL, however, that's always been the apex predator. The lion that dozily lays in the long grass, until it is hungry (have to be in Cologne by 6.25pm), and that poor eland (Ford Mondeo) or buffalo (diesel Panamera) just happens to be nearby.
Everyone knows who the alpha is, and when he roars, minions scatter. That used to be the CL63/5 AMG. Used to be.
Back to Kübler-Ross: after the unveiling, and the inevitable oohs and aahs - as it is visually impressive car up close, like an inquisitive lioness padding around your living room, shoulders flexing with each stride - my friend and I were advised that we were going to be the first of the group to drive it. And at the moment I suspected the passion wilted. Key in, turn, the softest of warbles. That must be the double-glazing, cosseting my ears, I thought (stage 1a - Denial).
Then, I wound the window down, and pumped the gas to allow the engine to sing. Hmmm, a bit quiet no? 'Don't be daft, tigerkoi, it must be your ears' (stage 1a - Isolation).
After wending our way from the base station to discover some clear roads and familiarise myself with the controls, time to clear its throat and dispatch some minions. Foot down, but the thunderous roar was no more. 'Ok...What...the...****!' (stage 2 - Anger).
And you can work through the rest. Stage 3 - Bargaining. Salesman, "...oh certainly sir, but due to the turbo 5.5 it of course is muted, and we feel that we're in tune with our customers needs, sir".
Stage 4 - Depression. The deep realisation that the passion has melted away, the roar has gone, and digitally piped engine sounds and exhaust ear muffs are just where its at these days.
Then stage 5. Acceptance. Painful acceptance that everything has changed, and this is but one manifestation of the world going round and round, feebly entitled....progress. Emissions, regulation, dB levels...and the lion's roar is no more. Things just aren't what they were.
4th generation Lincoln Continental 1967 7 litre
Details, details. Like Van Halen, brown M&Ms and the notorious "Article 126", there is a school of thought that says Lincoln, when it used to be a genuinely important car maker, festooned its saloons with details simply to test if people noticed.
Unsure of the veracity, but its said that the '61 Lincoln was the last time a single person was individually responsible for the entire design of a production car. The early Lincolns are generally perceived as the true classic across the generations. In the 20s, they were loved by the police and actually marketed and sold as "Police Flyers". And they had it all: four wheel braking, spot lights, up to 3/4" thick bullet resistant glass, gun racks, and whistles that worked off the exhaust. For the Mark II Continental, QC was exclaimed as beyond anything any other manufacturer was attempting. Every motor was assembled, dyno-ed, then partially re-assembled, inspected and put back together. They chromed the MKII in places that weren't even on show, but where engineers deemed it necessary. For the finish, the body panels were mounted on a false chassis, removed, body sealed, one primer coat added, and then hand sanded with water before baking. Another surface coat, more hand sanding, then baked again, two coats of lacquer, hand oil sanded, further baking, two more coats of lacquer, hand buffing, and then polished by hand. After being inspected, re-inspected, and inspected some more, the Mark II was then protectively wrapped in a fleece-lined cloth cover, wrapped in a large plastic bag, and then sent on to sale.
1967 was first year for:
- StereoSonic Tape System that was not linked to a radio
- Optional Speed-Actuated Power Door Locks
- Dual Hydraulic Brake System with a warning system
- Four-Way Emergency Flashing lights
- Reclining Passenger Seat with power headrests
Most cars go through a reasonable amount of gentle revision between MY. However, between 1966 and 1967, Lincoln made 643. 643. It is easily one of the most appraised cars ever made, simply because of all the little details.
Glorious.
Alpina B3S.
Veni. Vidi. Vanquished.
Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato. Lovely, little thing, glistening in the sun.
Nazgûl. Wraith.
Ford Galaxie 500. made my day.
Alpina B7 Biturbo.
Bandeirante. The Toyato J40 Land Cruiser. Nice find.
I was wandering down a street, as I had to see a man about a dog. I came across a dilapidated old Leyland van. It had been repainted an extremely awkward shade of blue, with the tires completely sunken. Something drew me in, as it wasn't a model I'd seen before and therefore wanted to take a closer look.
Whilst I pored over it, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that I was being watched. This little old guy then poked the rest of his head around the corner of the van, and asked what I was doing. I acted as disarmingly as I could, and we soon got talking about the vehicle. He was originally from Hungary, had moved here 40 or so years ago, and was a retired mechanic. He was going to do it up one day and take his wife to Devon.
I nodded. I looked back over at the state of it, looked back at him, then nodded again. 'Good luck!'
I then realised that strewn across the street were some other really interesting curios and dusty diamonds. They were all his. I then noticed the BMW E3, the New Six. A 3.3Li, the absolute boss of the range back in the mid-70s. I asked if I could take some pictures, and he kindly waved me on.
Falling in love tends to an instant thing for me, and I offered him a price there and then, but he wasn't for turning. I'm not a heathen, so we continued to chat, but when I got home pulled out the old fountain pen and wrote him a handwritten letter politely pushing a greater offer and to indicate that if he changes his mind, he knows where I am. I would cherish it.
But we will see.
I first saw this - partially, as it was under cover - back in Vol I or II as I remember. Quite quickly after posting then, a few people got in touch to ask where it was and who might own it; a potential rescue was the reason offered. I'm not sure what's happened to this car since after all these years, but between errands, I was meandering down Cheyne Walk, and came across this long lost ruby.
It's not any old Chevelle SS. Its a 427. The sort of car when you floor it makes you unsure if a tectonic shift happened or the car is about to go like mission STS-51-L.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. I hired one of these once in Arizona. Big burly fun.
Mercedes-Benz R129 SL60 AMG. Superb car, enormously rare, and lovely to behold.
Maserati Quattroporte I.
Range Rover classic 2-door. The Telegraph, back in 2012, noticed their coming status. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to how these now go for? This looked relatively unmolested...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufactur...
...and the S63 AMG Coupe. Maybe I am being harsh. I loved the interior. I was awed by the tech-fest inside. The dynamic lumbar had me at the 1st corner. On any number of levels it is a pinnacle of modern car making. But if you blindfolded me, and said I was in the new S500 Coupe, then great, perfect.
What a wonderful, wonderful, car I would think. But an AMG? No, an AMG has to give me an existential crisis. It has to make me question if I can live without it. I'm not sure how they are doing their strategic brand differentiation, but AMG should always be seen as a car apart from the rest of the M-B stable.
Ciao.
Love the S1 Quattroporte above...
Continuing the Tokyo spots:
Cool Mustang:
MGR V8, these were popular over here:
Loved the colour of this one:
SLS:
Modded Aston Martin V8:
Toyota Sera, gullwing mini-coupe built for domestic market:
Ginetta G4:
Fabulous Integrale:
Would love a 550 Maranello in this colour:
Alpina D5 Turbo:
Fantastic C63 Black Series:
Maybach 57S:
Continuing the Tokyo spots:
Cool Mustang:
MGR V8, these were popular over here:
Loved the colour of this one:
SLS:
Modded Aston Martin V8:
Toyota Sera, gullwing mini-coupe built for domestic market:
Ginetta G4:
Fabulous Integrale:
Would love a 550 Maranello in this colour:
Alpina D5 Turbo:
Fantastic C63 Black Series:
Maybach 57S:
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