Chevelle SS

Lotus: like Punxsutawney Phil but for supercars

Love the color of this gorgeous Lotus Elise, it's definitely the season for exotics to stray forth and delight us with their tuned exhausts and sensuous styling. I'm looking forward to more and more of these as the warm weather develops.

Need to wash my windows.

Chevy Malibu

This sweet Chevrolet Malibu was parked near the VA hospital. It has most likely been restored recently, as evidenced by the shiny paint (in hot-rod red with stripes) and clean chrome.

Kawasaki Bobber

When leaving the local pub last weekend I happened upon this Kawasaki bobber. It was  very dark so my phone's flash had to work overtime on these photos. Nevermind the dorky scooter in the background.

Red spokes, always a hit with the hot rod crowd.

Solo seat.

The best part was the lace paint job on the tank, despite this photo the paint was more of a root beer color than red or pink.

Off-Roadie

I recently took a trip to my favorite surplus store, and upon leaving found this beast of a sand-rail/dune buggy parked out front. This is clearly a fairly high-dollar off-roader, all the paint and chrome, the high build quality, and the registration (not simple to get for these vehicles) point to a deep wallet or an un-cluttered schedule.

Plug plug plug.

Major suspension at work.

It's only two wheel drive.

All-business two-seater cockpit.

Plenty of lighting.

Fuel cell and cargo area behind the seats.

Exposed controls ahead of the cockpit.

Hipster Bike

Because it's my blog and I'll write about what I want, but also because bicycles ARE vehicles and should be respected on the road more.
Anyway, I saw this single speed bike on campus recently, it has some sort of shiny silver paint and very wide handlebars.

The front fork also seems stretched forward significantly, I didn't have the opportunity to measure the trail but I guessed it as long.

I don't know if it's a true fixed-gear but I'm glad to see brakes at least on it.
The oddest feature though is the tires, with a diamond/scale pattern painted on them and what appears to be drawer lining glued to the contact area. I've never this before, and I hope it's not a new trend.

From the Archive: Dodge Polara

This is a Dodge Polara coupe I saw in early 2008. I was instantly attracted to this car with its green paint, dark tinted windows, wedge-shaped taillights, and aggressive nose-down stance. The body style indicates that this car was made between 1970 and 1973, but the grill isn't like any I've been able to find.  This style was made for a relatively short period of time, making them mildly uncommon now. I think this is one those overlooked, almost classic vehicles that everybody would want if they knew it existed. I know I want one.

Flaming Jeep

Saw this cool Jeep Wrangler with a flaming paint job on our way to the junkyard the other day.

Ferrari in California

Sent from a reader, a beautiful Ferrari.

 Thanks Laurie!

Another cherry Volvo

Just like the gorgeous Volvo wagon, I saw this great P1800 near The Frontier restaurant. It has the same shiny red paint and modern seats inside.

Chevrolet Nova

Great looking Chevy Nova with green paint and a vinyl roof. The big pimp wheels aren't even all that bad.

The Supernationals: the Hot Rods

Always one of my favorite and most under-represented kind of car is the hot rod. These pre-1940 cars were lightweight and cheap after the war, and in the late forties and fifties many returning soldiers looking for excitement got themselves an old Ford, Chevy, Dodge (or Other) coupe, took out all the unnecessary junk, tuned the engine for performance and went racing. Early hot rodders were considered a menace (the term 'hot rod' was a pejorative originally, referring to the high performance crankshafts being installed), due to their dangerous street racing, eventually many of them were forced to start early dragstrips and retreat to the salt flats to meet their racing needs. In the 1960s, following the rise of high chrome and fancy paint schemes from the factories, hot rodding moved towards the 'show car' mentality, hot rods were painted wild colors, given gobs of chrome (chroming the frame of the car even became standard eventually) and some were built with themes, Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth was one of the most influential and prevalent members of this time period. The hot rod culture has swung back and forth ever since, frequently depending on the economy to dictate which style is in fashion.

The 1932 Ford roadster is considered by many to be the epitome of hot rods, it was the first factory V8 available and sold in such great numbers that they were affordable all the way into the 60s. They are such an icon of motoring that numerous songs have been written about this one car, and they are still being produced as fiberglass replicas.

Commonly called 't- buckets' these cars were built with the body of a Ford Model T, which was essentially a steel tub with seats in it. These are good examples of the stripped down but still high dollar show cars that became popular in the sixties.

Here is an example of an excellent Ford Model A coupe, with a modern Chevrolet V8 powerplant in front.

Classic post-war influence.

A newer trend in hot rodding is the so-called 'volksrod.' As with the early trend setters, Volkswagens are affordable and easy to work on. This one has a chopped roof, suicide doors and the fenders have been removed. The moon covers on the wheels are a classic salt flat racing accessory.

Dig the upholstery.

This wild car is a perfect example of the excesses that come with purpose-built show cars. Every surface is either chrome or deep black. The 'body,' which resembles a t-bucket, is actually steel bars forming a cage, which is also fully chromed, a theme that carries over to the grill. The engine is another modern Chevy small-block, with a huge chrome supercharger and twin chrome carburetors.

Notice the mirror under the car, so you can see the various chromed and painted under-surfaces.

Outside the show we saw this cool themed hot rod, inspired by a hearse. The body is most likely fiberglass, the suspension is all chrome, the interior has a pleasant style to it, and there are many fun details such as the taillights to discover on your own. It's also for sale!

Groovy Mystery Car

Funky and cool sedan, I've seen this one before but never been able to identify it. I'm sure it's European, and from the late 50s to early 60s. Love the two tone paint scheme and the fins.

Prowler

Nicely maintained convertible Plymouth Prowler near Artisan's Supplies, great big wheels and the gorgeous purple paint caught my eye immediately. This is also the first time I've noticed the bulges behind the cab over the trunk, very attractive. 

I had the R/C version of a Prowler way back when they first came out, I thought they were the way all cars would look in the future, but poor sales shot that dream down. Too bad they never made a V8 version.

Beautiful Z car

Saw this great first generation Z at the supermarket tonight, aftermarket chin spoiler, racing buckets, a general air of sportiness, and the red interior drives me wild.