NEW YORK CITY: FALL CLASSIC CAR SHOW!

Posted on September 16, 2018September 16, 2018 by MartynL

More than 150 muscle cars, hot rods, customs and vintage and modern Corvettes had signed up for Malba’s Annual Fall Classic Car Show. However, Mother Nature rained on their parade and only a quarter of the cars showed up. But the show went on. While the rain kept many of the high-profile open cars away, there was a high percentage of Corvettes and one of America’s most important historic racecars and winner of the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup races on Long Island, NY. Noted collector, historian...

FIFTIES FLASHBACK: LITTLE LE MANS!

Posted on September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 by MartynL

Lime Rock Park offered racers and fans a domestic, economical version of a downsized 24 Hours of Le Mans. If the name Little Le Mans rings a faint bell, you are probably not alone. In its seven-year history, the races attracted strong support from manufacturers, distributors/dealers and racers themselves. Frequent CarGuyChronicles contributor Mike Matune has penned an article on the subject for the Sep/Oct issue of Vintage Motorsport magazine. In it, he focuses attention on an important saga in...

JAGUAR XE SV PROJECT 8: FOUR-DOOR SUPERCAR!

Posted on September 14, 2018September 14, 2018 by MartynL

Jaguar’s Supercar-rivaling, supercharged XE SV Project 8 sets new track record to claim title, ‘World’s Fastest Four-Door’. Racer Randy Pobst, aka, The Rocket, lapped the 2.238-mile WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in the 600 horsepower, 200-mph road-legal sedan in 1minute, 37.54 seconds. It was almost a second faster than the previous production sedan record! The most extreme Jaguar yet produced, XE SV Project 8 is a sedan with genuine Supercar performance. Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Ope...

2018 RADNOR HUNT: CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE!

Posted on September 12, 2018September 12, 2018 by MartynL

The Matunes brave torrential rains to bring us coverage of one of the highest quality Concours in the U.S. For the first time in its 22-year history, the Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance suffered a rain event of epic proportions on show day. While boots, raincoats and umbrellas became de rigueur, and it may have dampened some of the enthusiasm among exhibitors and spectators, it certainly didn’t extinguish it. “This is fitting tribute to what Mike Tillson, the Concours Staff and legions of volun...

MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2018: THE PADDOCK!

Posted on September 11, 2018September 12, 2018 by MartynL

The pulsating paddock is the heart of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Its function is to create an adrenaline-rush by pumping fossil-fuel-burning machinery into an 11-turn, 2.238-mile arterial adventure. When functioning properly, factory race teams and privateers are able to “live life” in the way we were all meant to – behind the wheels of rare, expensive, and sometimes dangerous racecars, blogs photojournalist Jim Palam.Exploring the paddock is one of my favorite things to do during Monterey...

‘19 CADILLAC CTS-V: SUPERCAR SEDAN!

Posted on September 8, 2018September 8, 2018 by MartynL

It’s really a four-door Z06 Corvette blogs intrepid road tester, Dan Scanlan. True the ‘19 Cadillac CTS-V has the heart of a Corvette Z06 under that carbon-fiber-vented hood – a supercharged aluminum 6.2-liter V-8 with 640 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with alas, only a paddle-shift eight-speed automatic. There’s no manual transmission option unfortunately. But when a car that holds four adults also holds the road like glue en route to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, with a digital speedomete...

‘19 BENTLEY BENTAYGA V8: FEWER CYLINDERS, MORE FUN!

Posted on September 8, 2018 by MartynL

When it comes to Bentley's super-luxe Bentayga SUV, saving $64,000 can actually heighten driving joy, blogs Road Test Editor Howard Walker. If those three little words 'Money No Object' are in your lexicon of life; if you're a seeker of the supreme, the pursuant of perfection, then chances are you're not going to let a piffling $64,100 color your decision when seeking out the ultimate luxury sport ute. Want the best, then you'll not think twice about charging $229,100 to your Amex Centurion ...

MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2018: THE QUAIL!

Posted on September 5, 2018September 7, 2018 by MartynL

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is not your average 16-year-old. Yes, the swagger is there but it’s less arrogant, more confident. And if she exhibits any aggressive behavior it’s in the way she is determined to please all within her intoxicating embrace, blogs photojournalist Jim Palam. So how did I get so lucky to gather here in the manicured splendor of the Quail Lodge & Golf Course in Carmel, floating among the magnificent motorcars, bounteous buffets and beautiful people? Ah yes, I ...

PEBBLE BEACH: JAPANESE AUTOMOTIVE INVITATIONAL!

Posted on September 4, 2018September 4, 2018 by MartynL

A new event this year was the Japanese Automotive Invitational held on the grounds adjacent to the Pebble Beach Concours; the Matunes were on-site representing the Chronicles. A cooperative effort between Infiniti and Motor Trend Group, the JAI showcased significant milestones in the history of Japanese cars. Among them was Caroline & Tommy Kendall’s 1982 Malibu Grand Prix Mazda RX-7 racecar. In its competitive lifespan, it would garner five season championships for three different drivers ...

‘18 BMW M5: A TRUE CRUISE MISSILE!

Posted on September 3, 2018September 3, 2018 by MartynL

BMW’s newest M5 couples 600 horsepower with all-wheel drive to deliver a true Ultimate Driving Machine experience, blogs Road Test Editor Howard Walker I'm channeling my inner Tom Cruise. No, not the TC in tighty-whities and cotton socks, bopping to Bob Seger's Old Time Rock n Roll in Risky Business. This is action-man Cruise in full Ethan Hunt mode, at the helm of a 600-horsepower ‘18 BMW M5, slippin', slidin' and char-grilling rubber on the streets of Paris in the latest Mission Impossible ro...