Exquisite.
Images by MCB guest contributor Kevin McCauley
You can see more of Kevin’s work here, and of course, learn more about Singer here.
Epic comparo from yesteryear
•November 19, 2013 • 14 Comments
You can see it here.
There’s not a loser in the bunch (okay, maybe one). How would you rank them? Here’s our crack at it:
Fifth: Viper
Nothing wrong with them necessarily; they’re just not our thing. We’re guessing they’re not yours, either— and if they are, then you’re probably reading this website right now by accident.
Fourth: Esprit
This is a tough one. We actually like the Julian Thomson Esprit, but the Giugiaro still feels like the one to have. Plus the NSX is (probably) the better car, even if there’s less exoticism to it. We’d probably give it a tie for third if we could, but that feels like a cop-out. So we’re reluctantly placing the Esprit at fourth.
Third: NSX
It’ll make you feel like Senna— but it won’t make you drive like him.
Arguably the best road car that Honda ever made. Not sure there’s even much to argue— we’d be interested in seeing someone take the opposite side of that argument. This particular car loses some points for the T-top, but would we kick it out of the garage? Heck no.
Second: 911 Turbo
The pinnacle of the aircooled 911… but alas, it’s still not a Ferrari. Plus AWD and forced induction somehow feel less exciting and ‘pure’ than RWD and natural aspiration, respectively (though we’ll be the first to admit bias; we know what we like).
But make no mistake: we’d still kill to have one. It’s one of our most favorite cars— ever.
First: F355
Along with the 550 Maranello, we still think it’s the last truly good-looking Ferrari ever made. The naturally-aspirated mid-mounted V8 and the song that it sings are icing on the cake.
Just make ours anything but red.
With the benefit of hindsight, we also wonder if the folks at C/D would have ranked these any differently than they had back in 1995.
The big racing car that could
•November 14, 2013 • 1 CommentHas any car in recent memory undergone as dramatic a transformation as this Bentley Continental GT has from its street car to its race car manifestation? This is a 1300 kg (~ 2900 lbs) Bentley. 2900 lbs. Bentley.
The street car weighs 2300 kg (5100 lbs).
Road trip to Pebble Beach in a CS coupe and pair of 911s
•November 14, 2013 • 7 Comments
MCB friend and guest contributor Julien Thiebaud shared these photos from a road trip earlier this summer that took their convoy from San Diego to Monterey (home of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance) and back— in total, they logged some 1300-odd miles round trip. Looks awesome! As nice as the destination may have been, we probably would have savored the journey just as much— if not more.
Road trip time— cue practical transportation:
They were not without some mishaps— the ’69 coupe had to bow out early (failed fuel pump).
Sitting shoulder to shoulder— but not claustrophobically so, thanks to the CS coupe’s remarkably airy greenhouse.
We’ve all been in this situation.
Like hunters lying in wait.
Accommodations.
Getting close to the final destination. Can you tell?
You meet the nicest people on a Honda in a Rally Fighter.
’69 is back on the road.
That silhouette…
There’s really nothing like the open road— and what sweet company this is. Thanks to Jul for sharing this journey.
1975 Peugeot 504 V6 Cabriolet
•November 8, 2013 • 10 CommentsIt’s official, we want one. Would prefer a coupé, but certainly wouldn’t turn this beauty down. No way.
Images by kompressed
A Caterham with steel wheels?
•October 30, 2013 • 7 Comments
Well this is new. We have to say we kinda like it! The idea of a downmarket, ‘poverty-spec’ Caterham on skinny tires, er, tyres doesn’t repel us in the slightest— far from it. Just look at it. Wouldn’t you?
From the horse’s mouth:
BACK TO THE FUTURE: CATERHAM LAUNCHES SEVEN 160
– Priced from £14,995 or 17,995 fully built
– Suzuki-powered 660cc Seven with new live-axle will be ultimate in ‘accessible fun’
– UK variant named Seven 160; EU gets 165
Caterham Cars has opened the order book for the Seven 160 – its new entry-level variant of the iconic sportscar, powered by a super-compact, turbocharged Suzuki engine.
Priced from £14,995 in component form, the car’s live-axle rear suspension, compact engine and low weight embody the pioneering spirit of early Sevens and represent a new entry-point to the Seven range.
The Seven 160 – EU customers will get an altered version, called 165 – produces 80hp from its 660cc, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine, enabling it to accelerate to 60mph in a brisk 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 100mph.
With fleet-of-foot charm and handling finesse, rather than outright performance dictating the driving experience, the new car redefines the budget sportscar segment while introducing new levels of efficiency and value for money to the Caterham range.
Caterham Cars CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “As the Caterham Group as a whole grows and expands into new sectors and industries, our commitment to keep evolving the Seven is very much alive.
“The 160 offers something truly different to the entry-level market. It’s more economical, more accessible and every bit as fun on the road as other Sevens but has its own unique personality.”
The new rear axle, a throwback to early Sevens in terms of simplicity and purity of design, complements the Suzuki Motor Corporation engine and lower overall body weight, while delivering Caterham’s acclaimed, intuitive handling experience and a balanced yet playful chassis.
To meet the desired performance criteria, the Caterham Group’s engineering consultancy, Caterham Technology & Innovation (CTI), fine-tuned engine performance from its standard output of 64hp to 80hp, while boosting fuel economy and reducing vehicle emissions. The vehicle conforms to EU5, EU6 and JC08 emissions regulations.
Macdonald continued: “The engineering challenges we faced when developing the new vehicle were significant. The engine, suspension and the overall dynamics all needed to work in harmony and the various arms of the Group have been successful in pooling facilities and expertise to achieve that.”
The number five at the end of the EU spec car’s moniker signifies that the vehicle complies with the EU5 emissions standards, allowing it to be sold across mainland Europe and beyond.
Production of the Caterham Seven 160 and 165 is expected to begin in January 2014, with first deliveries later that Spring.
Motoring Con Brio 