Ferris Bueller Ferrari Heads to Auction

"A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile."

Movie and car buffs should be aware that the Ferrari 250 GT California used in the classic 80’s flick "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" was a replica. That doesn’t make it totally uncool - it's just not original and not worth tens of millions of dollars. But the replica would still be great fun to own and this August it’s heading to the auction block in Monterey, California.
The replica was built by Modena Spyder California and the movie’s producer, John Hughes, personally chose the car to star in the movie.

A total of three film cars were built: the "hero" car, a stunt car, and a rolling fiberglass shell that eventually went out the garage window. The hero and stunt cars survived, but not without some suspension damage courtesy of the scene featuring the two parking garage attendants going for a joyride.

The hero car has since been fixed and even has a new tan leather interior. There are also vintage Smith instruments and a wood-trimmed Nardi steering wheel. It was built on a steel tube-frame chassis and has an independent front suspension, solid rear axle and a fiberglass body. Power comes from a Ford V8 that produces 500 horsepower. All told, the hand-built car tips the scales at 2,650 lbs. It’s being offered by Mecum Auctions and we have no doubt some movie fan out there is more than willing to pay top dollar to own it. The diaper to rub it down with is not included.

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Posted in Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GT, Ferrari 250 GT California, Ferrari 250 GT price, Ford V8

2015 Ford Mustang GT V8 Roars to Life

The next-generation Mustang GT was caught testing on public roads. It's V8 still sounds absolutely wonderful.

The next-generation Ford Mustang may not have its premiere until next March at the New York Auto Show, but the automaker is actively testing prototypes these days. We’ve already seen some spy shots of the next pony car in heavy camouflage, but today comes this new video of a test mule in action. The best part is that this isn’t the base V6 model or even one with the expected 2.5-liter turbo four. This is the V8-powered GT. There’s no mistaking that engine note for anything else. More than likely, this is the same 5.0-liter V8 that powers the current GT.

We know that Ford is planning to improve the engine somewhat in terms of performance and fuel economy, but exact details are scarce at the moment. For now, just rejoice by the fact that a V8 will return to the lineup of the new Mustang.

 

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Posted in 2015 Ford Mustang GT V8, Ford, Ford Mustang, Ford Mustang GT V8

Ford Shows Off A Very Early And Very Different Mustang

The original Mustang concept was a completely different kind of car.

It is a little-known fact (except, perhaps, among gearheads), that the Ford Mustang was originally meant to be a far more exotic vehicle. The roofless, two-seat, mid-engine and four-cylinder powered roadster made it as far as the concept phase before someone at Ford remembered that the original Thunderbird, also a roadster, hadn’t sold all that well. The concept was scrapped, and instead, Ford debuted a massively successful car which also created the pony car niche.

The only element of the original car which carried over to the production vehicle were the air intakes, located behind the doors, which were transformed into nonfunctional styling cues. In fact, the concept probably has more stylistically in common with the original Corvette Grand Sport than it does with the original production Mustang. Ford recently released some old period photos of the original concept which are really quite interesting. Though the actual car was an undeniable success, it would have been interesting to have gotten this car as well.

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Posted in Ford, Ford Mustang

Stop What You're Doing, This Playmate Needs You

Apparently this former Playmate is having a brain fart regarding what to call her new car.

Naming your car can be a real challenge. So difficult that you might have to reach out to cyberspace to plea for help to come up with the next “Kit”, “General Lee”, or “Bumblebee." If you can’t tell I’m being sarcastic. Most of us could care less about naming our vehicles, yet this former Miss October 2011 is actually asking for suggestions. Granted she is hot as hell, but the only name I can think of for her new Audi S5 Cabrio is: I.M. Vain.

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Posted in Audi, Audi S5 Cabrio

Pogea Racing Tunes Unsold Alfa 4C

The Alfa Romeo 4C isn’t even in showrooms. But that hasn’t stopped Pogea Racing from unveiling an aftermarket package for the low-slung sports car.

German tuning house Pogea Racing has managed to create a comprehensive aftermarket program for the Alfa Romeo 4C even though the hotly-anticipated sports car has yet to hit the showroom floor. And its holistic approach starts with a bump in performance for the 1.75-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine. By adding new turbos, a tubular exhaust manifold, a new exhaust system and a remapped ECU, the tuner claims a power hike from 250 hp and 260 lb-ft to 415 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

To keep all that extra power in check the chassis is enhanced with suspension kits developed with KW, DCC and Clubsport, and special edition 19- and 20-inch wheels. Pogea has also created a carbon-fiber aero kit and a custom interior made of carbon-fiber, leather and aluminum.

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Posted in Alfa Romeo, Alfa Romeo 4C

M3 CSL Owners Still Thrilled After 10 Years

When your baby turns 10 and her name is BMW M3 CSL you party like it's 2003.

Since its inception in 1985, few sport sedans have been able to match the all around package that is the BMW M3. There have been a host of variations of over the years, yet few have been as rare to own as the CSL. With little more than a 1,000 produced a year, and nil for the US, the CSL was really something special due to the fact that its entire focus was on reducing curb weight and initiating a new era of BMW lightweight and high performance technologies.

Recently 50 M3 CSL owners received the call from BMW to come get their 10th anniversary groove on at an event sponsored by the German automaker. One can only imagine how many high fives and back slaps went down during this small gathering of a fortunate few.

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Posted in bmw, BMW M3

Tony Hawk's Peeps Pimp IS-F for Pikes Peak

Lexus and the Tony Hawk Foundation have joined forces this year to create a fan-based decal that'll be featured on the IS-F CCS-R.

This year’s Pikes Peak international Hill Climb is just around the corner and Lexus is once again entering the IS-F CCS-R driven by Ken Gushi to compete. But the CCS-R will look a bit different than before as Lexus has teamed up with the Tony Hawk foundation in an effort to create a community-based decal that’ll be placed on the car. The automaker and the skateboarding great’s foundation are asking fans to enter their names via a Lexus Facebook post, Twitter, Instagram or a comment on a YouTube video using #Lexus14K.

In turn, up to 14,000 names will be featured on the CCS-R which will be shown at the annual Fan Fest, a pre-race event in Colorado Springs just before the race. For those who don’t recall, the IS-F CCS-R is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 416 horsepower and 371 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Other unique features include a carbon fiber hood, door handles, front fender, front and rear spoilers and 18" wheels. The Hill Climb itself will take place on June 30.

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Posted in Lexus

Lexus IS Hatchback Makes the CT Look Like Crap

This rendered Lexus IS hatchback is a huge improvement over the existing CT hybird hatch. Now only if Lexus would build it.

Sadly, this Lexus IS hatchback is just a rendering created by the always talented Theophilus Chin. And it proves just how ugly the automaker’s current hatchback, the CT, really is. The CT also doesn’t win any points due to the fact that it’s a hybrid. But the new IS sedan is really a solid-looking car, no doubt one of the best things to have ever come out of Lexus’s design studio. And judging by these renderings it’d look great as a hatchback too.

Instead of the CT’s puny hybrid drivetrain, the IS hatch would pack either a 2.5- or 3.5-liter V6. But what we’d really like to see is a new IS F sedan as well as an IS F hatch. So is anyone from Lexus reading this? We certainly hope so, because even an IS 350 hatch with 306 horsepower sounds enticing. 

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Posted in Lexus

Abarth 500C is a Topless Little Wonder

With a starting price of just $26k, the Fiat 500C Abarth has Italian performance passion and an open top roof. What's not to love?

What’s got a rear diffuser, twin exhaust pipes, a unique convertible top that drops in 18 seconds, a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and bases for just $26,000? No, this ain’t the Mazda MX-5, but the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio. Sure, it may not have the same sex appeal as a Ferrari, but this little pocket rocket may just represent the best combo of power, driving feel and affordability on the market today. Still not convinced? Join Justin Bell, who's also a professional racing driver, in the latest episode of "The World’s Fastest Car Show".

He gets behind the wheel of the 160 horsepower pocket rocket and simply can’t get enough of it. Can’t afford that Ferrari? This may just be the best Italian alternative.

 

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Posted in Fiat

Fiat Fridge Makes Your Beer So Much Cooler

Wanna chill your beer in a Cincqueccento-shaped cooler? Now you can.

From fast cars to sharp suits, the Italians are the masters of style. The modern Cincqueccento might be the exception to this rule, but the classic 500 is a good looking thing. And thanks to a collaboration with SMEG, it’s never looked better. Reshaped and reworked into an ice box it represents the ultimate man cave appliance. Part of the Fiat 500Design Collection, the SMEG 500 refrigerator comes with sliding doors, removable bottle holders, a shelf just for cans and at one-third the size of an old 500, it'll fit snuggly into most garages.

 

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Posted in Fiat

GM Exec Hints at Possible New El Camino?

Although the rumors have flared up again, the likelihood of the Holden Commodore Ute coming to the US still isn't good.

Don’t get too excited by the title here, as the likelihood of the Holden Commodore Ute pickup coming to the US as the Chevy El Camino aren't good. However, internet rumors have been flying over the past few days because of a photo released by GM showing its North American President, Mark Reuss, behind the wheel of the car while lapping the Nurburgring. Holden also recently stated that there’ll be a big announcement about the car next month. Some people then interpreted these as a sign the Ute is coming stateside.

According to several reliable sources, however, that ain’t gonna happen. For a small group of enthusiasts, having the chance to have a V8-powered semi-pickup sounds wonderful, but an even smaller percentage would actually buy one. In other words, despite the enthusiasm online, GM doesn’t believe the US market for the Ute truly exists. Along with a weak US-Australian dollar exchange rate and the notorious chicken tax, the Commodore Ute is simply too much of a niche product that even with a Chevy badge and the El Camino nameplate wouldn’t churn a profit. Business is business, after all. 

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Posted in Chevrolet

2014 Chevy SS Will Cost Close to a Stingray

Chevrolet releases official pricing for the new SS high-performance sedan, but it doesn't cost much less than a new Corvette Stingray.

First and foremost, the good news is that the US once again has a big, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered sedan with the Chevy bowtie badge proudly displayed on its front grille. Picking up where the old Pontiac G8 left off, the Chevy SS may be built on the same platform but it comes with a host of improvements. Thing is, that’ll come at a price. Chevrolet has officially announced that the 2014 SS will carry a base sticker price of $44,470 and that includes the $995 destination charge.

 However, if you compare that number to the new Corvette Stingray, you’ll discover that the SS costs only about $7,500 less.Compared to the outgoing C6 Corvette, the SS is roughly $5,000 less. So the big question now is whether the Chevy SS is worth it, but consider this: it comes with a standard 6.2-liter V8 that produces 415 horsepower and can go from 0-60 mph in about five seconds. Options are limited to just a $900 sunroof and a $500 spare tire package. When compared to the Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series the SS is still a bargain, but for not much more dough, you could also be the proud new owner of a Stingray. Just something to ponder. 

 

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Posted in Chevrolet

Cadillac Donates First CTS VSport

The first performance version of Cadillac's new sports sedan will be auctioned off for charity.

It may still be a while before a new CTS-V comes along, but in the meantime Cadillac is keeping us interested with the VSport version of its latest CTS. Packing a twin-turbo V6 with 420 horsepower, the CTS VSport is equipped with 18" alloys, upgraded steering, Brembo brakes, an electronic differential and more. With all that kit, you can bet that fans of the Art & Science brand will be clamoring to get their hands on one. So who will get the honor? That depends on the outcome of a Barrett-Jackson auction to take place later this year

 

GM donated the car to the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Foundation after its senior VP for product development Mary Barra was honored with the organization’s Industry Leadership Award – the first woman to receive the prize in its 25-year history. The proceeds from the car’s sale will go towards the foundation’s outreach programs that seek to educate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

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Posted in Cadillac

Cadillac Day at Larz Anderson Museum

Over 100 Caddys, from classics to customs, turned up for Boston museum's opening lawn event of 2013.

The lawn event season kicked off over the weekend at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, and, as always, Cadillac Day was the opening event. Sponsored by the New England Cadillac & Lasalle Club, the show attracted over 100 cars from a 1933 LaSalle Cabriolet to a custom 1962 Cadillac wearing a custom paint job and air ride suspension. Upcoming shows at the museum, which recently paid host to a Cars and Coffee Boston meet, include Corvette Day, British Car Day, Extinct Car Day and Porschefest, all of which we hope to cover. Pictures come courtesy of Joshua Sweeney.

 

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Posted in Cadillac