CLASSICS Archives

1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham – Meet the Original 4-Door Coupe

February 12, 2019February 6, 2019 by Tom Burkart

Is this my favorite Cadillac of all time? YES! I love the Eldorado Brougham for all its quirks, but most of all for its incredible design and packaging. Here is a fairly compact — for the era — machine with low-slung lines and width to take up an entire freeway lane. Hidden rear suicide doors are truly invisible until you know where to look. Then once these all open you discover a pillarless layout! That makes it unlike nearly all other coach-door classic cars and quite special in my book. The other really coupe-like element that ties the design togehter is the bubble hardtop roofline. By eliminating rear glass and with shorter rear doors than proper sedans, the Eldorado really has the proportions and design elan of a proper coupe. The design details are a flashy mix of Jet Age with a heavy swirl of Art Deco detailing — especially …

Flawless 1994 Toyota Supra Twin-Turbo Targa 6MT – RM Amelia 2019 Preview

February 12, 2019February 6, 2019 by Tom Burkart

The excitement for this summer’s hottest new sports car is palpable since the Supra bowed in Detroit last month. Base price from $50k, a turbo straight six and handling that is sure to be a purist’s delight — that is the promise from Toyota for the 2020 Supra. Even before the forthcoming Gazoo Racing ‘GR’ pack comes along with its stiffer springs and giant wing out back. What better time to appreciate and remember the Supra tha really cemented the badge’s reputation among performance enthusiasts: the Mk 4. This example is the best and most unmolested example we’ve seen in years. Most Supra’s are beat up with mods by this time in their lives — and getting them back to OEM is a huge undertaking. This car has only done 11,200 miles since new. It was delivered to a Chicago customer before being shipped abroad to Europe to mature gracefully. Now …

Subtlest RUF Ever? 1990 Porsche RUF BTR Carrera 4 Turbo – RM Amelia 2019 Preview

February 12, 2019February 5, 2019 by Tom Burkart

Who says RUF can’t make some refined and restrained posh models along with their wild bodykits and slantnoses of the same era. This 1990 model was a classy AF upgrade in its day. So much so that the inhouse name for the 425HP stunner was The Ultimate. This beauty’s condition today more than two decades later is nearly as good — and surely a drive feel that is a lot more rare. 1990 Porsche RUF BTR Carrera 4 Turbo RM | Sotheby’s – AMELIA ISLAND 2019 Full RUF BTR conversion with 425 hp; dubbed the “Ultimate” Built at the request of Frank, Marylyn, and Steve Beddor Noted hill-climb and track competition history Features EKS RUF electronic clutch system Extensive recent servicing By the late 1980s, Alois Ruf’s eponymous German firm was no longer a mere Porsche tuner. Granted full manufacturer status by the German government, the tides had …

Porsche 911 Wide Track Speedster by DP Motorsport

February 12, 2019January 10, 2019 by Tom Burkart

These German tunes are endlessly interesting, aren’t they? The cars usually have a long provenance before this latest transformation … and this Porsche is definitely no exception. And with its menacing, machine-grey finishes it is no angel. This beast actually started life as a Targa but new bodywork and a sawzall to the roofline make it a unique basis for a Speedster mod. The Targa platform would at least be a bit more rigid than most Carrera hardtops. This Speedster captures the ethos of a stealthy throwback supercar that has timeless appeal. Monochrome paint for the bumpers over flat black for the details help keep this Speedster looking young as ever. Photos beside what appears to be an old Dassault Mirage F-4 Phantom jet fighter are a nice touch too! Porsche 911 Wide Track Speedster by DP Motorsport PORSCHE 911 SPEEDSTER BY DP MOTORSPORT Photos: Jordi Miranda THE Porsche tuner per …

2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Expected to Earn $8 Mil at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2019

February 12, 2019December 22, 2018 by Tom Burkart

1500 miles and the value of this machine has more than doubled since originally delivered less than two years ago. It’s as if the universe is paying you to own and drive these hypercars, and not the other way around! The Aperta is clearly the LaFerrari to own. Its electronic roof panel flips and tucks so discreetly that there would be no reason now to even go for the coupe. That is perhaps a slight down-side to the Aperta versus other ultra-exotics that have popped their tops — notably any from Pagani — and have a totally different style and appeal versus their hardtop siblings. Even the name ‘Aperta’ slightly cues you to the fact this is not a ‘Spyder’ in how open the cockpit experience really is. Regardless, as far as specification and provenance go, there are few pre-owned Ferraris of any type that are as desirable as this LaFerrari …

Insider: What To Get A Car Lover Who Has Everything

February 12, 2019December 4, 2018 by Auto Industry Insider

Christmas is fast approaching which means that now is the time to start thinking about gifts for loved ones. If you are looking to get something for a car lover who seems that have everything that they need then it can be difficult to know what to buy as you will want to get something that they genuinely like and appreciate. Car enthusiasts can often be difficult to buy for particularly when they are fussy or have every gadget under the sun, but there are a few gift ideas which they are sure to enjoy and will be relevant to their hobby. With this in mind, here are a few suggestions for gift ideas for car lovers: Racing Experience Any car enthusiast will certainly love the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a race car as this will deliver a thrilling and blistering driving performance that you cannot get …

The Best States to Own a Car In

February 12, 2019November 30, 2018 by Scott Huntington

You can own a car in any state in the country, but some places are better than others when it comes to car ownership. If you’re thinking of moving shortly, you may be wondering about the best states to own a car in. Here’s our list of the seven best states for purchasing a vehicle, ranked from lowest to highest. 7. Oregon The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place if you don’t mind some cold weather. Oregon, in particular, is a great place for car owners — especially if you’re purchasing a new or new-to-you car. Purchasing fees and taxes in the Beaver State are among the lowest in the country, averaging one percent and rarely exceeding $150. If you’ve got your eyes on an expensive new luxury car, this is the state for you. 6. Utah If you’re going offroad, take a trip to Utah. Moab, Utah is consistently …

Product Review – SLIME Cordless Tire Inflator

February 12, 2019November 4, 2018 by Tom Burkart

Very quick take on this product? A huge thumbs up and big yes. What is it? A solution to maintain perfect tire pressure easily, at home and on the road. Who needs one? Anyone with a nagging Tire Pressure Monitoring System alert, for one. And another would be folks living in coastal or mountain climates where natural changes in the barometrics are said to slowly deflate tires. And finally, those folks who know they have a wonky tire situation of some kind — and are dead sick of dumping quarters into the gas-station Vac/Air station. On the other side of car-dom, extreme drivers or track hounds will love how precisely pumped this Inflator will keep all four paws. How does it work? This cordless tire inflator is about the size of a drill and has lithium-ion battery power that is both potent and pretty light. It automatically inflates tires, sports …

Introducing the INFINITI Prototype 10

February 12, 2019August 27, 2018 by Scott Huntington

Electric cars are quickly becoming the wave of the future, and most car manufacturers are joining in this revolution. The latest car manufacturer to explore introducing an electric car to their ranks is Infiniti. Let’s take a closer look at the InfinitiPrototype 10 and what it hopes to bring to the table. Introducing the Prototype 10 These sleek little electric cars are designed to mimic single-seat formula one racecars, with a solid frame design and an open-air cockpit. Instead of a passenger seat, the cockpit features a large air vent to cool the electric motor and batteries in the rear of the car. In the driver’s seat, you’ll only find ergonomic controls, a 4-point racing harness, the brake and accelerator pedals and of course, the steering wheel. The steering wheel is unique. Instead of a large steering column taking up space in the front of the car, the steering wheel …