Entries from January 2008 ↓

Seriously, who knew that a combination of an 85 year old car genius, million dollar cars, Elvis impersonators, and Red Bull and Vodka could be so awesome and so devastating…

Last night was one of the best experiences that I have had in the automotive world. I got to see one of the greatest living automotive legends of all time, Carroll Shelby. You know, the guy who invented the Shelby Cobra. It was truly an honor to share in his 85th birthday (and if he reads this I wish him many more.)

But the night was not solely about Carroll Shelby and the impact that he has made to the performance of American cars. It was a celebration about one of the greatest car auctions in North America.

Allen and Laura

As Austin, my wife Laura, and I drove to the Auction I sat in silence not knowing what to expect my stomach was churning butterflies and wisps of adrenaline flowed into my veins. Even the parking was great. I followed a brand new BMW M5 into the parking lot and had the opportunity to park behind a Bentley Continental GTC which probably cost over $200,000. (There was another one for sale inside that was stickered at $209,000.) But that wasn’t the “Ice Breaker”, it was the fact that my wife seemed to think that her Hyundai Sonata wasn’t going to be safe in the parking lot. Bentley or Hyundai?

As we walked into the doors I was simply amazed by the sheer size of the event and apparently so was my wife. She actually was very entertained to be there. I was a little bit skeptical at first but she started snapping off photos and took some great shots.

[Austin] The evening was very nice. You walk in past 15 Shelby GT500s into a room with another dozen new and concept Ford vehicles. As you walk through the main vendor floor, you come to a giant black tent with people stamping hands and taking invitations. Inside was completely shocking. Not only was it huge; not only was it packed; but my invitation said “elegant attire” and Elvis was on the stage. I immediately felt overdressed, and I was just in a tie.

[Allen] Well, I don’t want to ruin too much for our readers because we are going to be blogging and shooting a few videos on vendors and key vehicles that are there, but the new ZR1 supercharged Corvette is there, as well as the first production Dodge Challenger, as well as a number of vehicles that will auction significantly over the $500,000 mark, and I can’t wait to talk about them.

As far as Devastating, that was the wicked combination of Red Bull, Vodka, followed by 5 hours of sleep and the 6:30 AM time I have to be at work..

[Austin: Just a note, but I didn’t get home until 1:30 and had two Red Bulls, two Cokes, a double espresso (yeah I found some) not to mention all of the earlier caffeine of the day and I slept like a baby]

Booze and Cars (Note: Austin’s is the empty one)

Sean Connery or is it?

This isn’t a joke, this guy was going around with a Scottish accent doing a mock Sean Connery.

The other day was my birthday and I believe it is generally the onset of most mid-life crisis; depression, countless hours of video games, and complete discouragement as to how my life has been thus far. I want to reach for greater things, bigger things, and things that excite me. I determined that I need the ultimate vehicle for the mid-life crisis.

First off I don’t want anything blatantly over the top. I need something refined and respectable. Something that gets great gas mileage but also performs; the vehicle has to make a subtle statement.It only has to carry two people because, frankly, it is my mid-life crisis and kids don’t have to be involved.

I was thinking the new Corvette because it gets a sensible 27 miles per gallon. The Corvette is the epitome of Mid-Life Crisis solutions, but it is just not going to work for me.  I don’t like to follow trends, I like to make them. As a result the Mustang and all of it derivatives are just plain out. Don’t get me wrong, both cars are great and I wouldn’t mind owning either, but this is a mid-life crisis not high school. (There was one kid at my high school who had a Vette and several with Mustangs.)

I want a car that gives me the feeling of doing great things…like a Miata. It has two seats, a fuel efficient engine, a hideaway hard top, and it is one of the best enthusiast cars out there. Downside is that it is a…Miata. (Austin: i.e. a womans mid-life crisis car)

I’ve got it! I want a Porsche. I’ve always had a fascination with these cars since I was a child. The 911 Carrera is refined, glamorous, and subtle enough to be over shadowed by the Italian super cars and be considered particularly trendy. It has the power and excitement to keep me entertained. Not to mention, people will recognize it and know I have overcome my mid-life crisis. Of course the gas mileage is not going to be to good but who cares it is a Porsche!

But there are two problems. A) Where am I going to get the kind of money to by a Porsche? I’ll have to take out a second mortgage. B) I don’t have a house to take a first mortgage out on let alone the second.

Hmm…maybe 25 years old is too young to have a mid-life crisis? Guess I’m stuck with the Corolla for a little while.

Austin: Our little Allen is growing up.  I also had my birthday the other day (one day after) and I got a drill, but I wouldn’t mind a Porche.  I wouldn’t mind a Miata either.  I am actually in love with them.  Though not as much as the Exige.

The Balancing Act

I’m still trying to figure out what TL stands for? It definitely is not for Totally Lame, because the Acura TL-S falls in the category of a Man’s Sedan. That’s not to say that women will not like it, but only to say that men will and do.

Acura is the Luxury division of Honda just in case you were wondering, and the TL-S is what you get when you take a Honda Accord and put it on steroids. This car balances performance, luxury and style much like a Tight Rope Acrobat at a Circus without a safety net. The whole time you’re thinking why, is that safe, or is he crazy? But the truth is when it is all said and done, Acura gets across the rope and the whole event is unforgettable.

The body is beautifully refined with smooth curves and a body lines similar to ones that you would find in a BMW. The standard TL comes equipped with a 3.2 L V-6 engine that puts out 258 HP with Honda’s clever VTEC system and is priced at $33,725 to start. Not to shabby, you know, if money was a concern.

But since I’m dreaming and I don’t like telling my wife that there is an option for less horsepower, let’s look a the TL-S. First off this comes with a few different options such as a 5-speed automatic, if your the sensible type or a 6-speed manual trans, if your the enthusiast type like me. Six gears, six times the fun, right? Both options of the TL-S are equipped with the 3.5 L V-6 engine (also equipped with VTEC) that produces a whopping 286 HP all for $38,225. The more horsepower, the better. Don’t ask why? It just always is! The price is the same with an automatic transmission or manual and there is a $200 extra option for performance tires.

Now there is one thing I don’t like about Tight Rope Walkers, well several because they work for the Circus, but one main huge reason. Spandex, tight pants, you know, tights. Well as it happens there is one thing that I am not terribly keen for on the TL-S and it just won’t be of my personality if I didn’t mention it. It is front wheel drive (cue the dramatic music). But honestly, I really don’t think that it will hinder the enjoyment of driving the car… Yeah, I’m going to leave it at that until I actually get to drive one.

To sum up, it is a great car that your girl will like. Oh, right “The Man’s Sedan”. The TL-S has the power, comfort and looks that will get your friends talking and make them jealous. It will have the similar affect of a stealth fighter by flying low and attacking quick to put the shock and shame to all guys everywhere. I humbly induct it into Man Sedan grouping, club or whatever it is.

I got an email back from Corvette regarding the Skull logo on the ZR-1 and I have to say that that the story behind it IS actually quite interesting.

Short story is this. It is an homage to the ZR1 Corvette’s racing heritage. It is the official logo of Corvette Racing. Long story is as follows.

The smirking skull is called “Jake.” The Corvette Racing team had been using various ’skull’ iconography for a while in various ways, but the guys at BadBoyVettes.com felt that there was a need for a proper logo. This is a scan of the original napkin design from that came from a night at the bar after the 2004 LeMans drawn up by Bad Boy Vettes while sitting with the Corvette Racing team. Since then the logo has been on the C6.R b-pillar as the official “mascot.”

According to BadBoyVettes, Chief Engineer Tom Wallace, “saw the crossed flags on the ZR1’s supercharger along with the conventionally placed ones on the nose and the intake snorkel he balked at the 3x arrangement. His solution? Honor the ZR1 connection to its racing roots and replace one set of flags with the embossed Corvette Racing skull.”

What is really cool is that later they invited the guys from BadBoyVettes to see a preview of the production ZR1 and popped the hood to show them their logo on the air intake. The full story can be found here. Congrats guys. Very cool to find your design inside of the fastest production American muscle car ever.

Interior and Header photo courtesy and © General Motors
The napkin is © BadBoyVettes.com
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