classic Archives | Page 2 of 3

Report: Cuba’s cadre of classic American cars in danger?

Filed under: Classics, Etc.

classic cuban car

Cuba has an interesting law when it comes to the purchasing and sale of automobiles. While European and Asian cars can be imported, only vehicles built before 1959 (the year of the Cuban Revolution) are allowed to trade hands on the open market.

This means that Cuba’s automotive landscape is filled with an excess of classic American iron. It’s a post-war plethora of beautiful automobiles in varying states of repair. This could all be changing, however, because the island nation is talking about reforming some of the laws that have been on the books for decades.

If Cubans are allowed to purchase modern vehicles, does that mean an end to the classics, which have come to serve as iconic fixtures of this communist Caribbean country? Not right away, according to a report by NPR. The classic cars are a treasured part of Cuba’s history, and folks feel that they will be sticking around even after modern vehicles begin to arrive. Only time will tell.

[Source: NPR via The Truth About Cars | Image: FDITG/Flickr CC 2.0]

Report: Cuba’s cadre of classic American cars in danger? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Cuba’s cadre of classic American cars in danger?”

Video: BMW Classic presents A Perfect Match

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Videos, BMW

BMW 1602

“A Perfect Match” – Click above to view full movie after the jump

“A Perfect Match” follows the story of Jack, a Los Angeles resident with a passion for his BMW 1602 and a desperate need for air conditioning. Though the oppressive heat of the L.A. summer has Jack sweating, he can’t trade his beloved ’02 on anything as stale as a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.

The resolution to Jack’s burning dilemma would warm the cockles of even the coolest car nut’s heart, but we won’t spoil the show for you. “A Perfect Match” debuted at the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards at the end of 2010, where it earned BMW Classic a Golden Dolphin award in the Corporate Films category. Check out the story of Jack and his 1602 after the jump.

[Source: BMW Classic via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: BMW Classic presents A Perfect Match

Video: BMW Classic presents A Perfect Match originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: BMW Classic presents A Perfect Match“

Gateway Classic Mustang to produce limited edition Steve McQueen Mustang

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Limited Edition 1968 Steve McQueen Signature Mustang

Gateway Classic 1968 Steve McQueen Signature Mustang – Click above for high-res image gallery

Making a limited edition Ford Mustang based off of a famous movie car is nothing new, but Gateway Classic Mustang is taking a different approach. The St. Louis-based company has partnered with the Steve McQueen Estate to produce a modern rendition of the 1968 Ford Mustang featured in the movie Bullitt.

Each car starts out as an original ’67 or ’68 Mustang fastback and is fitted with a 450-horsepower V8, Keisler five-speed transmission, Baer brakes, American Racing wheels and BFGoodrich tires. The suspension has been worked over as well, with adjustable coilovers front and rear.

Gateway Classic Mustang says that they are currently taking orders for the Limited Edition Steve McQueen Mustang, and although pricing isn’t listed, we imagine that they won’t come cheap. You can read more details about the car in the press release after the jump, and be sure to check out the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Limited Edition 1968 Steve McQueen Signature Mustang

[Source: Gateway Classic Mustang]

Continue reading Gateway Classic Mustang to produce limited edition Steve McQueen Mustang

Gateway Classic Mustang to produce limited edition Steve McQueen Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Gateway Classic Mustang to produce limited edition Steve McQueen Mustang”

Video: Inside Line pits 2011 Charger R/T against the General Lee, classic still cooler

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

1969 Dodge Charger General Lee versus 2011 Dodge Charger R/T

Charger versus Charger – Click above to watch video after the jump

When the folks at Inside Line got their hands on a 2011 Dodge Charger R/T, they decided to run a comparison test against an older Charger. No, not a last generation model – a 1969 General Lee that was actually used on the Dukes of Hazzard TV show.

The bright orange Charger was supplied by Bob Hartwig of Cinema Vehicle Services. It’s one of only 17 Chargers to survive filming, and it’s the only 440-equipped example to make it out unscathed. It’s slower, less agile and quite outdated compared to the modern Charger, but that doesn’t stop Inside Line from giving in the gold medal in this comparison.

Click past the jump to watch the two vehicles in action and listen to some insight from the General Lee’s owner. Then be sure to head over to Inside Line to read about the head-to-head test.

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Video: Inside Line pits 2011 Charger R/T against the General Lee, classic still cooler

Video: Inside Line pits 2011 Charger R/T against the General Lee, classic still cooler originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Inside Line pits 2011 Charger R/T against the General Lee, classic still cooler”

Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason headlining classic car investment group?

Filed under: Classics, Earnings/Financials, Celebrities

Nick Mason drives the 1937 Auto Union Type D at Goodwood

Classic rock fans recognize Nick Mason as the drummer from Pink Floyd, but classic car enthusiasts know him just as well for his automobile collection and regular column in Octane magazine. Now the musician/car nut is headlining a different kind of group: an investment fund.

Based on the growth in value of some of the top collector cars the past few years, IGA Automobile is putting together a portfolio of historically significant and highly collectible cars for its investors. The new investment fund targets raising $150 million in capital and turning it around over the course of seven years to earn its investors a 15% profit. To get there, IGA is looking at buying cars like Ferrari 250 GTO, Aston Martin DB4 Zagato, Ford GT40, McLaren F1, Shelby Daytona Coupe and Porsche 917 and selling them at a profit.

The fund has solid basis for its financial projections: record prices have been fetched in the past few years by such exemplary automobiles as a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa ($12 million), a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder ($11 million) and a 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic (~$35 million). Overall, Hagerty’s “Cars That Matter” index rates prices for collectible postwar automobiles as having gone up 67% from 2006 to the end of last year, compared to the S&P 500 Index, which dropped 5.9% over the same time period.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason headlining classic car investment group? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason headlining classic car investment group?”

Royal Enfield shows off two new Classic Chrome and Bullet for U.S.

Filed under: Classics, Motorcycle

Royal Enfield Classic Chrome – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Royal Enfield camp is abuzz with interesting news. The ~~British~~ Indian motorcycle manufacturer has just whipped the sheets off of two new models that are destined for U.S. shores starting this April.

The Classic Chrome is appropriately draped with enough shiny stuff to signal the space station on a clear day, and while we typically don’t go all gooey-kneed at the sight of copious brightwork, this bike is officially on our do-want list. The Classic Chrome looks to share more than a few bloodlines with the popular C5, though the eagle-eyed among you will likely note a kick start lever. The U.S. C5 is currently only available with an electric starter, though we’d expect that omission to soon be rectified.

Royal Enfield also showed off its new Bullet 500 – a bike that heralds to the Bullet 350 that’s been a staple of the Indian moto scene for half a century. Company CEO Venki Padmanabhan said that the future’s looking bright for larger displacement version of this bike soon. Royal Enfield just showed off a 600cc café racer concept at the India Auto Show, and there have been whispers that the manufacturer is also hard at work on a new parallel-twin engine displacing between 750 and 1000cc.

That’s right, parallel, not V-twin. Meteor, anyone?

Of course, for us, we’re equally as interested in the rumors surrounding a new adventure bike from the company powered by a multi-fuel adventure touring bike. Such an engine could swill down diesel, kerosene or gasoline as needed to get you where you’re going. Sounds like a perfect vehicle for the impending Zombie apocalypse, no? Thanks for the pics, Wes!

Gallery: Royal Enfield Classic Chrome and Bullet 500

[Sources: Indian Cars Bikes, Royal Enfields, Visor Down]

Royal Enfield shows off two new Classic Chrome and Bullet for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Royal Enfield shows off two new Classic Chrome and Bullet for U.S.”

Barrett-Jackson 2011: Mr. Norm’s Cuda Convertible melds classic style with modern metal

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Chrysler, Dodge

2009 Cuda Convertible by Mr. Norm’s at Barrett-Jackson – Click above for high-res image gallery

You’ve seen the car featured on Autoblog before… Mr. Norm’s 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible is a modern Dodge Challenger taken to an extreme level. Under the hood sits a 6.1-liter Hemi that pushes out 650 horsepower at the crank. The steel roof has been replaced with a drop-top and the black and yellow paint scheme screams classic muscle. The large “HEMI” graphic on the rear fenders helps a bit too.

The 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible uses actual parts from the classic ‘Cuda. The taillights, rear panel and fender gills are from a 1971 model. Inside, Mr. Norm’s two-door convertible sports all the modern amenities you would expect in a new Challenger, such as Bluetooth connectivity and a Boston Acoustics sound system.

Check out the official listing page for Mr. Norm’s 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible and be sure to keep an eye on the live streaming feed at Speed.

Are you playing Speed’s Online Fantasy Bid Game? If not, test your auction pricing mettle by guessing what a series of featured vehicles will end up bringing at the auction block – you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad. Enjoy!

Gallery: 2009 Prototype ‘Cuda Convertible by Mr. Norm’s Garage at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Barrett-Jackson 2011: Mr. Norm’s Cuda Convertible melds classic style with modern metal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Barrett-Jackson 2011: Mr. Norm’s Cuda Convertible melds classic style with modern metal”

Classic Mashup: 2011 Range Rover vs. 1993 Range Rover

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, UK

2011 Range Rover vs 1993 Range Rover

The shape may be very similar, but the technology underpinning a modern Range Rover is light years ahead of what you will find propping up an older model. Inside Line was able to line up two examples of the Range Rover; a 1993 model and the 2011 version. The two were then put through their paces at legendary Eastnor Castle, which sits at the border of England and Wales.

Eastnor is the site where many a Land Rover has been put through difficult off-road situations. Today, the castle serves as the headquarters for the Land Rover Driving Experience and is the perfect place to find out how old and new compare with one another.

Sure, coil springs have been replaced by an adjustable platform that literally rides on a cushion of air and the engine has changed from an old Buick to one sourced from Jaguar, but how do the two off-roaders stack up when the going gets really tough? Head over to Inside Line to read all about it.

[Source: Inside Line | Image: Lee Brimble]

Classic Mashup: 2011 Range Rover vs. 1993 Range Rover originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Classic Mashup: 2011 Range Rover vs. 1993 Range Rover”

Nicholas Brawer decanters replicate classic radiator grilles

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Bentley, Bugatti, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Grille Flasks by Nicholas Brawer

Grille Flasks by Nicholas Brawer – Click above for high-res image gallery

Let us go on the record once again as stating that we at Autoblog don’t condone drinking and driving. But to suggest that those who love cars can’t also enjoy the occasional adult beverage is another matter entirely. For such a crowd, craftsman Nicholas Brawer has just the thing.

Joining a collection that includes a replica mahogany wind tunnel model of an aerial bomb and a portable roulette wheel comes this unique set of collectables – a selection of ornamental decanters styled after the radiator grilles of classic Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar automobiles. All five come in the set, each crafted to scale from chrome and glass. They assuredly don’t come cheap, but they may just do the trick for the discerning enthusiast on your shopping list.

Gallery: Grille Flasks by Nicholas Brawer

[Source: Nicholas Brawer via Luxury Launches]

Nicholas Brawer decanters replicate classic radiator grilles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Nicholas Brawer decanters replicate classic radiator grilles”

2010 Art Center Car Classic celebrates Freedom of Motion

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

2010 Art Center Car Classic

2010 Art Center Car Classic – Click above for high-res image gallery

Pasadena, CA can get particularly hot during the summer, so we thought it was an excellent idea when the Art Center College of Design moved its annual car show from July to the middle of October. While the event, which happened last weekend, did escape the heat, it still couldn’t catch a break from Mother Nature. The inaugural autumn edition of the show was hampered by rain throughout the day.

Still, the Art Center managed to put on an excellent event to celebrate this year’s theme, “Freedom of Motion.” The best part of the show has always been the eclectic selection of cars on display, and this year was no disappointment. Everything from the 2010 X-Prize winning Peraves X-Tracer to the new 2011 McLaren MP4-12C could be seen on the grass. The Mullin Museum was gracious enough to bring out the famous 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, and the Petersen brought out a few of its cars as well. You can see all of our photos from the event in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Art Center Car Classic

2010 Art Center Car Classic ICON Light Sport Aircraft

2010 Art Center Car Classic celebrates Freedom of Motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2010 Art Center Car Classic celebrates Freedom of Motion”