F-TYPE: RALLY ‘ROUND THE JAG!

Posted on November 20, 2018 by MartynL

The one-off F-TYPE rally cars also pay homage to the legendary Jaguar XK 120 ‘NUB 120’ that, in the early-1950s driven by Ian Appleyard, completed three consecutive Alpine Rallies without incurring a single penalty point. And, won the RAC and Tulip. Both rally-spec F-TYPE convertibles are powered by Jaguar’s 300PS 2.0-litre Ingenium four-cylinder engine. With modifications overseen by Jaguar Design and Engineering, both cars were built to FIA specification, with uprated brakes and suspension fi...

SPECIAL EDITIONS: CORVETTES THAT MATTER!

Posted on November 14, 2018November 14, 2018 by MartynL

Recommended reading from Keith Cornett, CorvetteBlogger and founder of VetteFinders. Not only a ‘pretty face’, CORVETTE SPECIAL EDITIONS is an invaluable resource for information about iconic and collectible performance models. At first glance, Keith Cornett’s new book is a little misleading. The title does not reveal the wealth of photography and information that goes well beyond Special Editions. To many, Special Editions often refers to Indy Pace Car replicas, commemorative models celebratin...

’19 COPO CAMARO: SPECIAL EDITION GOLD!

Posted on October 30, 2018 by MartynL

Chevrolet celebrates the golden anniversary – 50 years strong – of the legendary COPO Camaro at the SEMA Show. An anniversary-themed ‘19 COPO Camaro racecar introduced today at the SEMA Show celebrates the 50-year milestone of the special order, ultimate performance models and launches the 2019 COPO Camaro program. “Chevrolet is proud to celebrate 50 years of the COPO Camaro legacy,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “It’s one of the most endu...

’19 FORD GT CARBON: LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT!

Posted on October 30, 2018October 30, 2018 by MartynL

New ‘19 Ford GT Carbon Series is the lightest in the GT lineup, saving 39 pounds thanks to carbon fiber wheels and a poly-carbonate engine cover. Ford’s new Carbon Series GT is the lightest of the road-going Ford supercars. Unlike its sibling racer, however, this one can be driven home from the racetrack. The new limited-edition model drops 39 pounds thanks to new carbon fiber wheels, a titanium exhaust, titanium wheel nuts and a lightweight poly carbonate rear hatch with additional venting. ...

ZIPPY BRITS: CALIFORNIA HEALEY WEEK!

Posted on October 23, 2018October 23, 2018 by MartynL

Zippy Brits beautify Solvang during California Healey Week 2018. British car and bike enthusiast Jim Palam was on the scene. It was just a green dot when I first spotted it moving rapidly towards me, flickering in and out of the Cedar shadows along Highway 246 in Solvang. As the throaty British roadster whooshed by me the driver shot me a big smile and I in-turn shot him a thumb’s-up. “Nice!” I thought, “…an early Healey 100, maybe ’57 or ’58. Man, I wish I had bought one of these beauties w...

‘19 VOLVO S60: ONE SWEET SWEDE!

Posted on October 22, 2018October 22, 2018 by MartynL

There's really only one criticism you can level at Volvo's latest, built-in-America S60 sedan: It's not an SUV, blogs Road Test Editor Howard Walker. As you've probably heard, sales of once much-loved four-door sedans are going the way of CD players, fax machines, Sears department stores and Charlie Sheen. Who would have thought that the Ford Motor Company, mass-producer of once mega-sellers as the Taurus, Fusion, Focus and Fiesta would announce the termination of all its sedan models in the U....

SHORT TRACK RACING: HOMAGE TO A FORGOTTEN SERIES!

Posted on October 11, 2018 by MartynL

Hard to believe it's been nearly 20 years since the Championship Auto Racing Series (CARS) ran exciting, wheel to wheel stock car races on short tracks around Indiana. This series was distinct from and should not be confused with today's southeastern CARS series that descended from the old Hooters ProCup series, blogs Stephen Cox. The original CARS series was Indiana-based, founded by former ARCA driver Morris Coffman. The concept was built around a spec stock car chassis powered by 305 cubic i...

‘18 BMW 640I GRAN TURISMO: SUV LITE!

Posted on October 9, 2018October 9, 2018 by MartynL

We embrace the unusual with BMW's quirky blend of sport-ute and sports sedan. It’s ‘practical magic’ blogs Road Test Editor Howard Walker. Behold a unicorn. Only this one carries a BMW badge. Just like the mythical pony with the pointy horn, BMW’s 6 Series Gran Turismo shares some of the creature’s astonishing rarity.Trust me, the likelihood of you spying one in the parking lot of your local Trader Joe’s is slim to non-existent. It’s what happens when you create a vehicle that’s neither a tr...

PROTOTYPE ENGINES: OLDSMOBILE ‘ROCKET’ SCIENCE!

Posted on October 4, 2018October 4, 2018 by MartynL

These lightweight multi-carb, four-cam and even Hemi engines were being developed for future production engine research and, in some cases racing projects. Between 1969 and 1970, Oldsmobile Engineering was responsible for creating powerful ultra-efficient 350 to 455 cubic-inch V-8 engines rated up to 700 horsepower! Some were naturally aspirated and fitted with single Quadrajet four-barrel or Weber carburetors; others were fuel-injected and turbocharged. Most had aluminum blocks and heads. It w...

ASTON MARTIN: GLOBAL JAMES BOND DAY!

Posted on October 3, 2018October 3, 2018 by MartynL

Seven iconic James Bond Aston Martins will be in central London to celebrate ‘Global James Bond Day’ this Friday.

Seven iconic James Bond Aston Martins will be in central London on Friday, October 5th to celebrate ‘Global James Bond Day’ . Aston Martin Lagonda (AML) has teamed up with EON Productions and Sky to celebrate Global James Bond Day on Friday, October 5th. There will also be a prize draw for fans, giving them a chance to win a wide screen television and Sky Q package. Aston Martins are driven by James Bond in eleven 007 films: Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), On Her Majesty’s Secret S...