Tag Archives: Classics

Richard Hammond Drives His Jaguar XK150 For The First Time Since Restoring It

October 28, 2021 admin

Richard Hammond is a very happy man. That’s because, for the first time since the body was taken off the frame, he can now drive his Jaguar XK150.

The car, part of a restoration that has been ongoing throughout the pandemic, was traded for a vintage Lagonda. Hammond reveals in his latest video, though, that when he got it, it was in a rotten state.

“It had been painted rather ugly dark red and underneath that dark red paint lurked, unbeknownst to me, a horror story,” explains Hammond. “It had had a hard, hard life. It had been crashed, bent, brutalized, and abused. And because, like a lot of these cars, it went through a phase of being worth two quid and a packet of crisps, it hadn’t been expensively repaired and restored. It had been bodged and lashed together.”

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Hammond and his team went through the process of painstakingly repairing it, which, since it’s an old Jaguar was hard. Millimetric precision wasn’t reality a priority for early postwar carmakers, not in the U.K., anyway. So, as Hammond puts it, there was as much building as restoration involved in this project.

With a completely rebuilt engine and hotter cam, a new diff, and better brakes the car drives brilliantly now, though. The only question is whether or not the decision to fit a slightly newer, but less precise transmission was a good idea.

To see him driving the car proudly really makes me wish I had a classic Jag of my own to toot around in, as well as some Amazon money kicking around to fund it and its restoration. Ah, to be a rich Brit.

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Renault 4L Electric Concept Inspired By Chic Hotels Celebrates The Model’s 60th Anniversary

October 23, 2021 admin

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Renault 4, of which more than 8 million were sold over 30 years, the automaker turned to French designer Mathieu Lehanneur to reinterpret the car. And what he delivered is a fully electric concept inspired by chic hotels.

The Suite N°4 concept is based on the Renault 4L but trades in the rear body panels for polycarbonate windows to offer passengers plenty of light. The roof, meanwhile, is covered in transparent solar panels to help charge the fully electric drivetrain that replaces the standard engine.

To reflect the fact that it’s now electric, the model’s traditional grille has been replaced by a polished aluminum sheet to give the car a fluid appearance. The paint, on the other hand, is designed to look more solid. Coated in three layers, it’s supposed to look like concrete, a nod to the design trends in modern architecture.

Inside, fabrics have been used to make the interior feel warm. The front seats and dashboard are covered in yellow velvet, while the back seats are finished in a thick, ribbed, chenille fabric to make them feel more robust.

The trunk has also undergone a big transformation, as it features a natural fiber floor covering and a wooden drawer that can be removed to provide sheltered seating when the hatch is open. According to Renault, all the materials were provided by high-end Parisian furniture makers.

“I wanted to merge the worlds of cars and architecture to create an open-air hotel room,” says Lehanneur. “Even better than the finest palatial suite, the car is exactly where you want it to be, whether that’s by the sea, in the middle of a field, or driving around the city you’ve always dreamed of.”

Those interested in getting a glimpse of the oncept can check it out this weekend when it will be on display at the Maison & Objet exhibition in Paris. It will then join the automaker’s collection at Atelier Renault starting in November.

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This Porsche 356 Aims To Go 356 Miles On Antarctic Ice And Set A Record In The Process

August 8, 2021 admin

Renee Brinkerhoff and the Valkyrie Racing Team have confirmed that they will be going to Antarctica this winter to complete their mission of racing on all seven continents before the end of 2021.

There, the team plans to drive Binkerhoff’s 1956 Porsche 356A 356 miles (573 km) over the Antarctic ice, completing the team’s mission. “Project 356 World Rally Tour” has already taken the car and its driver nearly 20,000 miles (32,186 km) around the world and if it finishes its final feat, Brinkerhoff will be the first woman to race on all seven continents and the Porsche will be the first classic car to do it.

In Antarctica, Binkerhoff’s navigator will be Jason de Carteret, a famed adventurer from the U.K. who has been to both the North and South Poles nearly a dozen times. Together, they’ll start their trek at Union Glacier in Antarctica in early December.

The car, as you might anticipate, is not exactly stock. Modified to be lighter than the original, the Porsche will also feature tracks for its ice challenge.

Brinkerhoff and her car have previously raced in the Peking-to-Paris, the East African Safari Classic, the Targa Tasmania, and the Carrera Panamericana rallies. In the Carrera Panamericana, she became the first woman to win her class.

Those races have already seen Binkerhoff race across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania, leaving just Antarctica for the team to tackle.

“The real goal is to use our racing to amplify our voice for human trafficking and find a means to help as many victims as we can—through rescue efforts and separately, providing support through education and funding to aid global shelters,” said Brinkerhoff.

Indeed, the racer has already raised more than $400,000 through her team’s fundraising arm, Valkyrie Gives, a Colorado-based non-profit. Together with her daughter Christina, who helps run the foundation and is her mother’s racing manager as well, they hope to raise more than $1 million for their cause.

Patrons who donate $356 to Binkerhoff’s Antarctic Ice Challenge will have their name signed on the inside of the Porsche’s hood, with 100% of the proceeds going to organizations that are fighting human trafficking.

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Bright Pink Cadillac Coupe de Ville Is A Surefire Way To Turn Heads

July 23, 2021 admin

A 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville has popped up for sale on eBay and while bidding is approaching the $80,000 mark, it could be worth every penny.

The listing doesn’t provide all that many details about the car, but it has been upgraded and restored. The seller states that it “gets more looks than a Lamborghini” and thanks to the pink paint and the car’s road presence, that’s probably true.

Helping transform the look of the car is an Accuair air suspension system that means the ride height can be easily adjusted, perfect for when you want to lower it for a show or raise it up to get over a speedbump. The exterior of the car also includes custom wheels with whitewall tires and the white roof nicely contrasts the pink paint.

Extensive work has also been done on the interior of the Cadillac as all the seats and the trunk have been re-trimmed in white leather. The cabin also features blue ambient lighting and there is now a digital instrument cluster that displays things like battery voltage, oil temperature, speed, revs, temperature, and fuel levels. A new Bluetooth audio system has also been fitted so you can blast your favorite tunes while cruising up and down Rodeo Drive.

The listing notes that the Caddy has 53,000 miles (85,295 km) on the clock and is located in Riverton, Utah. While bidding was sitting at $76,100 at the time of writing, the reserve hadn’t been met.

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Some See Art, Others See Crime In This 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Art Car

April 30, 2021 admin

All Porsche 911s are special but the exterior paint finish of this particular 1989 Carrera makes it even more so.

This 911 art car was created as part of the Art Cars Project run by the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec in Canada and is being offered from a dealership in California with an accident-free Carfax report and an Arizona title. Responsible for the unique paint scheme were artist Dominic Besner and collaborator Yves Thibeault.

The front of the 911 depicts a bull with a nose ring with its horns extending over the front fenders and onto the doors. The rest of the paintwork combines elements of orange, red, yellow, brown, blue, white, black, and turquoise. Completing the striking exterior look are black 16-inch Fuchs-style wheels with custom-painted center caps complete with Porsche crests shod in 205/50 front and 225/50 rear Pirelli Cinturato tires.

Found in the interior are seats clad in tan-colored upholstery complete with matching floor mats and carpets. Key features include air conditioning and a Kenwood CD player.

Powering this 911 Carrera is a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated flat-six pumping out 217 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, and the Bring A Trailer listing adds that the oil and battery was replaced in May 2020.

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Ultra-Low Mileage Jaguar XJ220 Is One Underappreciated Gem

April 13, 2021 admin

The Jaguar XJ220 managed to set a top speed record as well as a fastest production car lap at the Nurburgring, yet the fact that the British company chose a turbocharged V6 engine, instead of the V12 of the 1988 concept, along with the recession of the early 1990s, meant that it was a commercial flop.

Jaguar built just 281 examples of the XJ220 from 1992 to 1994 and this unit, which is for sale at Canepa, is number 237. It was delivered new to a customer in Switzerland and later traded hands to another Swiss-based businessman in 1999. Not long after buying the iconic British supercar, its owner reached out to Jaguar to see if it would be possible to get it to the United States.

Watch Also: A 200 MPH Attempt In A 30-Year-Old Jaguar XJ220 Sure Takes Some Guts

Eventually, the car was exported to the U.S. by Sun International Racing in Manhattan Beach, California that had previous experience importing cars such as the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Renault R5 Turbo, and the Series 1 Lotus Elise. The car ultimately touched down in Los Angeles on June 28th, 2001 under the ‘show and display’ exemption.

The listing states that the car remained in a private collection for the next 14 years until it was sold by Canepa in 2015. In the six years since, it has been driven just 242 km (150 miles) and is now being sold by Canepa yet again.

While under the possession of Canepa, the XJ220 underwent a comprehensive detailing regime and is said to be in excellent mechanical shape. As it stands, the Burgundy-colored XJ220 has 1,817 km (1,129 miles) on the clock.

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The 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo Was A Genuine World-Class Sportscar

March 7, 2021 admin

There’s nothing like watching a review from 1994 and hearing words that you’d expect to hear from modern cars today.

Indeed, most of the improvements made to the 1994 Toyota MR2 in this Motorweek Retro Review came in the form of its suspension, which had two-way valve dampers and minor geometry changes. That’s the kind of technology that automakers might celebrate today and it helps explain why John Davis was so positive about the MR2’s handling, as tested at Roebling Raceway.

In 1993 the MR2 made a leap forward. As Car and Driver wrote, “Early [MR2s] favor the bold—beware of snap oversteer — but Toyota corrected that in 1993 with a revised suspension and larger wheels and tires.”

Everything about later MR2s stands out, especially the price according to Motorweek. Indeed, the fully kitted-out car they had on the show cost $32,411. Although that might not sound like much today, inflation means it’s the equivalent of about $56,000 in 2021.

More to the point, the MR2 cost only about three grand less than an M3 in 1994. By comparison, Miata prices at the time started at around $17,000, making the Toyota significantly more expensive. With 200 hp coming from its 2.0-liter turbo, though, the MR2 was way more powerful than the Miata of the day. That said, the MR2 was down on power compared to the M3, which in US-spec made 240 hp.

Despite the price, we’re glad Toyota found a way to keep producing this world-class sports car for another five years.

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The Kaiser Darrin Was Ahead Of Its Time And One Is Now Up For Grabs

January 19, 2021 admin

When you think about interesting and innovative cars, Kaiser doesn’t exactly spring to mind.

That’s understandable, but there’s no denying the 1954 Kaiser Darrin 161 earned its place in history as it became America’s first fiberglass sports car.

As the name suggests, the model was a joint effort between Kaiser and designer Howard Darrin. Darrin had worked for the company on occasion, but the relationship was said to be rocky as the designer reportedly quit multiple times over styling disagreements.

Also Read: Stunning 1955 Jaguar D-Type Tipped To Sell For Up To $7.5 Million

Despite parting ways with the automaker, Darrin created a roadster based on the Henry J and built a prototype on his own. Once the model was completed, he invited Kaiser officials to take a look at the car.

Darrin was likely taken aback by the response as Henry J. Kaiser was reportedly upset about the project and told the designer “We are not in the business of selling sports cars.” While the two argued, Kaiser’s wife reportedly said “This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen” and urged her to husband to build it.

This changed Kaiser’s mind and the project was green-lighted. The car was reportedly unveiled in September of 1952, before making a splash at the 1953 New York Auto Show. Production was slated to begin that fall, but was delayed as negotiations to use a GM-sourced engine failed and a modified Kaiser J engine was deeded impractical.

However, the car arrived in time for the 1954 model year and was a revelation as featured a fiberglass body as well as sliding doors. The latter moved forward and would partly tuck into the front fenders.

While the car was interesting, it featured a questionable front end and a reported price tag of $3,668. That’s the equivalent of $35,517 today and made the model more expensive than the Corvette.

To make matters worse, the engine drama meant the Kaiser Darrin was powered by a 2.6-liter six-cylinder engine pumping out just 90 hp (67 kW / 91 PS). Given its high price, low performance and a handful of other issues, the roadster was a slow seller and sales were discontinued after a single year that reportedly saw 435 units built.

That brings us to this particular roadster which is being sold by Throttlestop. It has been subjected to a “complete nut-and-bolt” restoration and features a champagne white exterior as well as red interior as it was “restored true to factory specifications.”

The listing goes on to say the car has 15,933 miles (25,642 km) on it and features a three-speed manual with overdrive. The listing also claims the car “runs, drives and performs beautifully.”

It’s certainly interesting and something you don’t see every day. However, it comes with a $160,900 (£118,036 / €132,695) asking price.

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Picture credits: Throttlestop

VW Type 4/411 Was A Beetle-Based, Rear-Engined Compact Car That Failed To Achieve Success

October 11, 2020 admin

Fueled by the massive success of the iconic Beetle, Volkswagen wanted a roomier car based on the same platform and they came up with the Type 4.

Also known as the 411, it entered production in 1968 as a two-door and a sedan (which was the first four-door VW), featuring independent suspension and a rear-mounted flat-four engine.

The boxer unit had twin carburetors and a capacity of 1,679 cc, making 76 HP at 5,000 rpm and 93 lb-ft (126 Nm) of torque at 3,300 rpm. It came paired to a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission.

Other highlights of the Type 4/411, which was marketed as “The big one from Wolfsburg”, included the draft-free air circulation, thermostat-controlled auxiliary heat system, six-way adjustable front seats and front and rear crumple zones, as well as collapsible steering column and steering wheel with padded spokes that improved safety.

Despite sharing its roots with the Beetle, it didn’t really catch on, with just 20,000 units sold in the first year and 48,000 in 1969. VW expanded the lineup with a three-door wagon, but that didn’t help either.

Not discouraged by the poor sales numbers compared to the Bug, the German automaker then launched the Type 4/411 in the United States in 1971 and facelifted it the following year. The revamped model, named the 412, gained a higher-output engine in 1973, while production ended altogether in 1974, with the car unable to pass the 80,000-unit mark.

While the Type 4 never gained traction, the K70, which is the forefather of the Passat, did. It came out in 1970 as part of the brand’s new era of water-cooled, front-engined cars and was produced in the hundreds of thousands.

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Legendary 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Could Sell For Over $13 Million

August 29, 2020 admin

This 1934 Bugatti Type 59 may be covered with scratches and scars from its racing days, but it is a piece of Bugatti history and is expected to sell for over £10,000,000 ($13,194,750).

What makes the car so special? Well, this Type 59, fitted with engine no. 5, was initially part of the Bugatti works Grand Prix team during the 1934-1935 seasons. It was raced primarily by René Dreyfus and secured a 3rd place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix as well as a race win at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

When the French car manufacturer withdrew from Grand Prix racing, it transformed this Type 59 for sports car events and opted to remove the supercharger while also fitting a new dry-sump gearbox, revising the chassis and bodywork, and giving it a new identity as chassis 57248. Driven by Jean-Pierre Wimille, the Type 59 Sports dominated its rivals during the 1937 season, according to the Gooding & Company listing.

The following year, the car was retired from competitive racing and purchased by King Leopold III of Belgium. It has since been under the possession of four other owners and is being sold in its original condition that provides a hint of the vehicle’s hard racing life and, inevitably, adds to its value and desirability.

Slotted beneath the minimal bodywork is a 3.25-liter inline eight-cylinder with twin Zenith carburetors. Back in the days where it had a supercharger, the racer was good for 250 hp at 5,000 rpm, which was pretty impressive for its era. The classic Bugatti also has a 4-speed manual transmission, mechanical drum brakes at all four corners, a solid front axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and De Ram shock absorbers, and a live rear axle.

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