Top Nice Cars: Classics

Showing posts with label Classics. Show all posts

Supercharged 1968 Camaro Meets Supercharged 2011 Camaro SS on the Track

One of the first things most publications did after the presentation of the latest crop of pony cars from Detroit's Big Three were to compare them with their 1960 and 1970s predecessors.

So, what's new about Insideline's latest test between a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro and its modern-day namesake? Well, the difference here is that both models featured in the video have been heavily modified.

When you hear the term “classic” car, you surely think of something old but rare and most likely expensive, like an Aston Martin, a Ferrari or perhaps even some good ol' American iron.

The sole Japanese model that fetches serious money in the classic car market is Japan’s first supercar, the Toyota 2000GT. Collectors pay more than US$400,000 for the road versions while a 2000GT racer is currently being offered for US$1.7 million.

Whatever you think about the insane prices that some people are willing to pay for them, you would never apply this term to 30-year-old run-of-the-mill Japanese compact cars.

Here's a quick question. Who do you think is zanier: Pascal Prokop that replaced the passenger seat of his 1990 Volvo 240 station wagon with a… wood-burning stove or the Swiss authorities that approved the car and allow Prokop to use it on public roads?

While you think about it we'll tell you that Prokop told news reporters that he opted for the stove over an electric heater because he could keep former burning long after he turned off the car.

Back in the early 1990s when the Japanese auto industry went sports car crazy churning out models like the third generation Mazda RX-7, the Mitsubishi 3000GT, the Nissan 300ZX and Skyline GT-R, and the Toyota Supra, one vehicle stood out from the rest and that was the Honda / Acura NSX.

The NSX taught American and European car manufactures a lesson or two on how to build a high-performance sports car that not only looked good but also was reliable and reasonably priced for what it had to offer.

The fact that it remained in production virtually unchanged for 15 years from 1990 to 2005 is a testament to the innovation of its original design.

True, it's been close to two months since the world's most expensive car pileup took place in Japan destroying more than two dozen premium models including eight Ferraris and a Lamborghini with an estimated combined cost of US$4 million, but one of our readers pointed us this to video which we hadn’t seen before.

The clip shows some of the supercars involved in the accident including the white Ferrari Testarossa and several F360s at a parking lot somewhere in Japan. Apparently, this is where the cars were taken to after the mishap.

A whole lot of crumpled metal follows in the video below.

Before you go all Newt Gingrich on us, allow us to explain that NASA is an acronym for the National Auto Sport Association. With that of the way, we can now tell you that Nissan and NASA have just announced the creation of an all-new Spec Z racing series for all trim variants of the 350Z from the 2003-2008 model years.

The single make series has the support of Nissan's Motorsports division, which will offer a contingency prize program that rewards the top three finishers at each regional competition weekend with up to $850. The top finishers of the season will also be eligible for a prize of up to $6,500 in cash support.

If you happen to be a European owner of a classic BMW and either prefer to shop original parts directly from the automaker or you need a specific component that can't be found anywhere else, the German company has some good news in store for you.

BMW announced today that it has launched a new online shop dedicated to its classic models offering customers the opportunity to buy parts straight from their computer.

Currently, the BMW Classic Parts website is available only for customers in Germany but the service will be expanded to further European markets in April.

One of the most famous movie scenes from the 1980s is from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" when Bueller's buddy Cameron accidentally pushes his dad's 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California out of the window and goes, "What did I do? What did I do?", and Bueller replies, "You killed the car."

It's been almost 26 years since the movie became a cult hit for an entire generation of teens and 20-somethings, and today, a mystery video appeared on YouTube showing a middle-age Mathew Broderick reprising his role of Ferris Bueller.

On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the official BMW Car Club GB will host its first ever "Z-Fest" gathering at this summer’s Silverstone Classic from July 20 to 22, promising to bring together hundreds of Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8 sports cars, all of which will participate in a special parade lap on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

“We wanted to do something spectacular to mark our anniversary and staging the UK’s first Z-Fest at the world’s biggest classic racing festival certainly fits that bill,” said Steve Miller, general manager of the BMW Car Club (GB).

Even though the name Datsun Sports (or Datsun Fairlady in Japan) may not ring a bell to many readers, the series was a very important model for the carmaker, which we know today as Nissan, as it led to the creation of the Z series starting with the 240Z in 1968.

The Datsun Sports line was introduced in 1959 as an inexpensive alternative to the MG and Triumph roadsters, borrowing many styling cues from British models.

The first model, codenamed S211, used a tiny 1.0-liter engine with just 36-horsepower but the lineup gained momentum and in 1967, the Japanese carmaker introduced the last version of the series, the SR311/SRL311.

It was fitted with a much more potent 2.0-liter inline-four producing 133HP in normal guise and 150HP with an optional package featuring dual Mikuni/Solex carburetors and a special camshaft, linked to a five-speed manual gearbox which was uncommon for the time.

In 1987, BMW made history with the presentation of its first ever V12 automobile (the company had made V12 engines before but they were used on aircrafts) and the first 12-cylinder German car in almost half a century, the 750i and its long wheelbase sibling, the 750iL from the E32 series.

Codenamed M70, the 5.0-liter V12 engine produced an output of 300bhp (304PS/224kW) and a peak torque of 450 Nm (332 lb·ft) and was linked to a four-speed ZF automatic transmission. The same powertrain also found its way under the hood of the 850i in 1989.

With more than two decades on its back and a hefty price tag at its time, the E32 750i / 750iL is not an easy find today - let alone in pristine condition, which makes this 1989 750iL that's up for grabs on eBay all the more interesting.

Located in Florida, the burgundy colored 750iL has only a mere 3,000 miles (about 4,800 kilometers) on its odometer, which virtually makes the car brand new!

This is not the first time we've shown you footwear inspired by the world of automobiles, but unlike the rendered Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera heels and the one-off, promotional Opel Agila pumps, the tail finned high-heels from Prada seen here will soon go on sale. And that's not all.

In fact, Prada's entire haute couture line for spring and summer 2012 is a tribute to the fabulous 1950s and especially the American automobile industry with Cadillacs and hot rods taking a center role.

Among the more impressive offerings from an automobile perspective are the high heels, wedges and pumps with flame designs, chrome trims, tailfins and cone-shaped tail lamps!

However, don't go promising your other half a pair of Cadillac Coupe de Ville heels unless you're willing to put your hands deep into your pockets as these babies are expected to cost as much as $1,450 a pair. More photos after the break.

Top Nice Cars

Supercharged 1968 Camaro Meets Supercharged 2011 Camaro SS on the Track

Vintage Japanese Cars Gaining a Strong Following in the U.S.

Swiss Volvo Driver Keeps Warm the Traditional Way – with a Wood Burning Stove…

Honda Takes a Look at the Past and Future of the NSX Sports Coupe

The Ferrari Graveyard from Japan's $4 Million Supercar Pileup

Nissan and NASA* Launch New Spec Z Race Series for 350Z

BMW Classic Opens Online Parts Shop for Cars and Motorcycles Built from 1960 to 1990

Ferris Bueller is Back in a Mystery Super Bowl Teaser

BMW Car Club GB Announces its First Ever 'Z-Fest'

eBay Find: Fully Restored 1967 Datsun Sports 2000 Roadster

1989 BMW 750iL V12 with Only 3,000 Miles but an Asking Price of $48k

Prada Burns Some Rubber with 1950s Cadillac and Hot Rod-Inspired Collection