BIRTH OF THE FORD GT40

BIRTH OF THE FORD GT40
Racing historian Mike Matune represented the CarGuyChronicles at the Simeone Museum’s BIRTH OF THE FORD GT40 Seminar, and produced this feature. For an oft-talked about and much analyzed subject like Ford’s iconic GT40, the amount of interest that it still elicits is amazing. A full-house crowd filled the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum near the Philadelphia, PA airport to hear a panel of renowned GT40 aficionados bring the GT40’s history into sharper focus. Gathered on the stag...
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CONCEPT: CORVETTE XP-819

CONCEPT: CORVETTE XP-819
The story behind the radical CONCEPT: CORVETTE XP-819, from Concept build to concours restoration by Kevin Mackay’s Corvette Repair and then to its showing at the 2020 Amelia Island Concours where it was photographed, below, by CGC’s Mike Matune. Chevrolet has come a long way – actually 67 years - since Zora Arkus-Duntov built the first mid/rear-engine Corvette. That was in 1953 when #856 EX-54’s stock Six was removed and the body and chassis modified to handle installation of a prototype Cadet...
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IN DETAIL: FLY LIKE AN EAGLE!

IN DETAIL: FLY LIKE AN EAGLE!
Both Steve Miller (Band) and Dan Gurney had chart-topping Eagles, but IN DETAIL: FLY LIKE AN EAGLE! zooms in on Dan Gurney’s AAR, the only constructor in the US to design and build winning F1, Indy 500 and sports car Eagles. For our second installment of “In Detail”, we  look at a pair of Eagles from the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance (AICE), up close and personal. These came from All American Racers (AAR), established by Dan Gurney who made many contributions to racing as a driver, owner, c...
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IN DETAIL: GENIUS OF HARLEY EARL

IN DETAIL: GENIUS OF HARLEY EARL
In these days of “Social Distancing” and “Stay at Home”, we have decided to offer our readers a new feature called In Detail. In these short-takes, we will examine cars (and sometimes their designers & engineers) up-close. These are cars our staff has found interesting. They may not always be mainstream as our staff is an eclectic lot with broad automotive interests, but they are cars they felt worthy of focusing on, starting with IN DETAIL: GENIUS OF HARLEY EARL. We hope you will find these...
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SPEED THRILLS: BRUMOS COLLECTION

Much more than a ‘Porsche Museum’, the Matunes take us on an historical trip through generations of racing orchestrated by a legendary name in Porsche sales and racing. It’s all about SPEED THRILLS: BRUMOS COLLECTION. Open less than three months; the Brumos Collection in Jacksonville, FL is already making noise on the automotive front as a destination worthy of any enthusiast’s bucket list. Before you even enter the museum, you are overwhelmed by the sight of a Porsche 918 and replica Bentley “...
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ROLLING BONES: HOT RODS

ROLLING BONES: HOT RODS
The Matunes bring us head-turning ROLLING BONES: HOT RODS, sharing the Amelia Island Concours show field with world-class classics, antiques, Concept cars and vintage racecars. In years past, The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance (AICE) has recognized hot rod builders Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Posies Rods & Customs. This year they chose to feature the Rolling Bones Hot Rod Shop in Greenfield Center, NY. They build very traditional hot rods, many finished in faded paint with great patina for th...
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DUNTOV’S DREAM: MID-ENGINE CORVETTES

DUNTOV’S DREAM: MID-ENGINE CORVETTES
Chevrolet has come a long way – actually 67 years - since Zora Arkus-Duntov built the first mid/rear-engine Corvette. That was in 1953 when #856 EX-54’s stock Six was removed and the body and chassis modified to accommodate a prototype Cadet II engine and transaxle. Unfortunately that car is long gone, but the Matunes showcase the modern Corvette transformation from front to mid-engine, culminating with the incredible C8. Zora saw the future in the past. Recalling the pre-war Auto Union GP cars,...
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SILVER SALUTE: AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS

The Matunes help us celebrate the silver anniversary of what has become THE ‘show of shows’ on the international Concours calendar, and honor Roger Penske. Few cars invoke the feeling of the Grand Sport Corvette, the only ’63 Corvette coupe (five or six built depending on who you ask) not to have a split backlight! There is just something about its brutal, purposeful lines and the untapped potential it represented that captures the imagination. Not surprisingly, Roger Penske fit into its history...
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ST. MICHAELS: CONCOURS ON CHESAPEAKE BAY!

ST. MICHAELS: CONCOURS ON CHESAPEAKE BAY!
Maureen & Mike Matune represented the CarGuyChronicles at the 13th annual St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance. Here are some highlights. This year was lucky number 13 for the St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance. Situated on the grounds of the Inn at Perry Cabin and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, it showcased the beauty and grace of classic cars and boats set among the splendor of Maryland’s Eastern Shore on a late summer Sunday afternoon. New this year was a gathering of the Senior Award winn...
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VIR: CLASSIC GOLD CUP!

VIR: CLASSIC GOLD CUP!
As summer begins to give way to fall each year, the vintage racing crowd heads to the picturesque VIRginia International Raceway in southern VA for SVRA’s Heacock Classic Gold Cup. CGC's Mike Matune brings us highlights. The challenging 3.27-mile-long VIR circuit welcomes all with its undulating, rolling pavement. The VIR: CLASSIC GOLD CUP! hosts a variety of activities that entertain automotive enthusiasts of all ilk and ages. Here Dave Roberts sets up for VIR’s Turn 12 before starting down the...
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