I Love These Angles

by Mike -

Some cars look better from a certain angle. A few cars look great from every angle. I like the front view of these cars. There seems to be a masculine aurora around them.

Maybe next time we will take a look at the back or the side view.

Click on the images for a larger view.

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Indy 500 - In 1958

by Mike -

The Epperly, No. 99, was built by Quin Epperly in California and was originally owned by Norman C. Demler of New York.

The first driver was George Amick who nearly won the Indy 500 in 1958 coming in a close second place. George Amick was awarded rookie of the year at Indy that year. Unfortunately he was killed at Daytona in 1959.

It has an Offenhauser 255 cid engine.

In 1959 Paul Goldsmith came in fifth at Indy in No. 99 and again he drove this car in 1960 to third place. In 1961 the Epperly blew a piston and was a DNF coming in 22nd place.

In 1962 a series of accidents in time trials eliminated the car from the race.

In 1966 a General Electric turbine was added and No. 99 was one of the first turbine powered cars to race at Indy. Driven by Al Miller and Bill Cheesboug the car was very fast but was declared unsafe because of the brakes.

This car was restored in 1998 by Quinn Epperly, the original builder, and Phil Reilly & Company. These pictures were taken at the Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance on May 15, 2011.

Click on the images for a larger view.

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Update: My Car Quest Chronicles Volume 1

by Mike - 

Thank you to all who have downloaded a free copy of My Car Quest Chronicles Volume 1.

You can all download a free copy (before June 10). Let me know what you think. Use this coupon code: RV23C.

I am still learning about ebook publishing. I think this format is best for reading on the computer: Online Reading (HTML).

This format is for the Apple iPad, ibooks: Epub (open industry format, good for Stanza reader, others).

This format is for the Amazon Kindle (also good on the iPad): Kindle (.mobi).

This is for the Sony Reader: LRF (for Sony Reader).

This is a collection of my favorite articles from My Car Quest. Because I have more space in an ebook than on a blog I have added more information, so these articles are not identical to those posted on My Car Quest.

For readers of My Car Quest there is a 100% discount, so it is free, until June 10. Use this coupon code: RV23C.

Click on the images for a larger view.

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My Car Quest Chronicles Volume 1

by Mike - 

My ebook, My Car Quest Chronicles Volume 1, is now available on Smashwords, in most ebook formats; Kindle, etc...

This is a collection of my favorite articles from My Car Quest. Because I have more space in an ebook than on a blog I have added more information, so these articles are not identical to those posted on My Car Quest.

For readers of My Car Quest there is a 100% discount, so it is free, until June 10. Use this coupon code: RV23C.

Let me know what you think.

Click on the images for a larger view.

1966 Shelby GT 350H - The H is for Hertz

by Mike - 

Was the GT 350H really a good idea for Hertz? They bought 1,002 Shelby GT 350H cars for use in the Hertz rental fleet. As you can see in the advertisement below from July 1966 they were eager to rent them. They also pointed out the performance features of the GT350. Look at this picture from the ad!

However, many came back wrecked or with the high performance engine replaced with a standard Mustang engine. In the end Shelby bought the entire Hertz lot of GT350s back at a reduced price according to Mike Mueller's book on the Mustang.

This does not seem like a good strategy for a rental car company. The rental cost was $17 per day or $70 per week plus $0.17 per mile. What a bargain for a race car!

Most GT350Hs were black with gold stripes but some were other colors like this beautiful white with gold stripe car that was at the Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance on May 15, 2011.

Click on the images for a larger view.

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Bizzarrini GT 5300 Out Racing

by Mike - 

The video below is a Bizzarrini GT 5300 during qualifying, filmed at Zandvoort in Holland and was uploaded to You Tube by ruudmobiel on Sep 20, 2010.

This looks like chassis number BA4 0106 which I wrote about here.

Oh, what fun this must be!

Click on the images for a larger view.

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Hood Ornaments - Art Created For The Car

by Mike - 

Hood ornaments were at one time much more popular than they are on modern cars today. By hood ornaments I mean three dimensional sculptures on the front of the car, not the nose badge.

Lalique, the great crystal maker, made hood ornaments starting in the 1920s for some of the worlds great classic cars. Next time you go to a car show look at the hood ornaments and let me know your favorites.

This Lalique sculpture below is called Victorie.

Even though I took this picture below I do not know what it is called, or even if it is Lalique, but it is beautiful.

1934 Pierce Arrow 840A Silver Arrow Coupe.

Stutz S16.

An American custom.

Iso Rivolta GT, a horseshoe on the grill.

1955 Chrysler Imperial Newport Coupe. Does that look like a thunderbird?

1954 Bentley, the flying B.

1968 Iso Grifo, a Griffon below the grill.

Click on the images for a larger view.

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Bizzarrini For Sale And A Bizzarrini Sold

by Mike - 

This is a 1968 Bizzarrini GT America. The selling dealer, Classic Cars West, says: "This car was originally owned by Carey Loftin of Bullitt fame."

"This particular car chassis #286 has been used sparingly by its current owner since he took possession in 1987. There are also strong indications that this may have been the car used in the opening credits of Bullitt."

This may indeed be a Carey Loftin car and it is possible that it is the Bizzarrini that was parked in that garage in the opening scene of Bullitt. Perhaps Steve McQueen actually saw this car in person!

The green Bizzarrini GT 5300 below sold at RM Auctions at Villa d'Este on May 21 for €400,000 ($570,800).

After the auction fees are added I believe this is a world record price for a Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada at public auction.

Click on the images for a larger view.

Above is the Bullitt scene - the Bizzarrini, to the right, is difficult to see but it is more clear when you watch the movie.

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