Archive for May, 2009
Video: More Impressive Rally Driving with a Surprising End
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
This is an extremely impressive bit of tarmac stage rally driving in a Porsche Turbo. Lots of great in-car footage, and notice how short the gearing is, with the car topping out in top gear several times. The ending is a bit of a shock too.
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Fantasy Junction News: Arriving Soon
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
An Alfa Romeo SZ, 1989 Ferrari Testarossa, 1968 Porsche 911 T/R with twin plug 906 engine, 1970 Mercedes 280SL, and barn find Austin Healey 3000 have arrived at Fantasy Junction.
On the longer term, the follow cars are also in the works:
2008 Tesla Roadster
1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa recreation
Perfectly Set Up 240Z Rebirth
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
This 1972 Datsun 240Z is available on eBay out of Campbell, California. The car is a “rebirth” model, purchased by Nissan and restored, and then sold by franchised Nissan dealerships in 1998. It is impressively set up with tasteful modifications, which are visually subtle but mechanically worthwhile. The car has a great look, with headlight covers (which would have originally been illegal in the United States), front and rear spoilers, lowered ride height by Ground Control suspension, and 15″ Panasport minilight replica wheels, which are allusions to the extremely rare and desirable JDM performance models such as the 240ZG and Z432. (more…)
Why We Love Old Cars: The Sense of Touch
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
This is another excerpt from the paper, talking about the experiential aspects of cars discussed previously. In particular, it covers the aspects of cars relating to the sense of touch.
Touch is another highly important sense that provides a pronounced differentiation between old and new cars. At the core of this difference is the fact that new cars are extremely plastic-intensive, whereas most classic cars predate the widespread use of plastic in industrial applications. Therefore, there is a certain “honesty” of materials present in old cars—the feel of a wood-rimmed steering wheel, (more…)
Attractive and Fairly Original Italo-American Hybrid
Friday, May 15th, 2009
This 1965 Iso Rivolta is available on eBay out of Houston, Texas. The seller reports that the car is original aside from a repaint and the car appears to be well-preserved. The front is perhaps the least successful aspect of these cars aesthetically, but they are otherwise good looking and interesting cars that enjoy the traditional benefits of Italian styling and American drivetrains. (more…)
FJ News: Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Arriving Soon
Thursday, May 14th, 2009
A 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 is in a truck on the way to Fantasy Junction from the East Coast, and will be arriving shortly. Click here for more info.
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