Japan Trip / Rides 1
So now that I've wrapped up the general travel pics, I gotta of course mention all of the amazing cars and bikes I encountered while in Japan. I didn't spot anything too exotic, but for such a metropolitan city that frankly doesn't require any sort of personal transportation to get around, there's an amazing amount of interesting rides. So, that said, here we go!
Subaru, please! If you're not going to give us a hatchback Impreza WRX, then for the love of God, please bring over the Levorg! Honestly I'd prefer the Levorg, and if I were going to push myself for a new car, this would be the one car that I'd immediately jump for.
Why yes that's a Lancer Evolution IX Wagon with an older diesel G-Wagon in the background. That's Tokyo for ya.
Car Spotlight / More Than You Can Afford Pal
No, really. Unless you have the sort of money that can comfortably purchase at least a dozen houses in SF, you really couldn't. But that's not gonna stop me from drooling over this immaculate blue Ferrari 275 GTB-4 NART Spider.
That mouthful of a name really boils down to 2 important points.
1. 275 GTB - The successor of the 250 GTO, the GOAT Ferrari in terms of racing pedigree, value, and for most people (myself included) looks. The 275's weren't as raw as the 250, giving way to a more graceful and elongated shape. The proportions grew and while it may have lost a little of the athleticism the earlier models had, there's no denying those body curves are still among the best ever sculpted in the automotive world. And with a 3+ liter V12 under that long hood, it wasn't exactly a slouch in the performance department.
2. NART - aka, North American Racing Team. Ferrari had a growing market in the US, which would soon becomes Ferrari's largest market worldwide. As a result, the American dealers wanted to try to offer something unique for their Freedom-loving customers and that often meant turning coupe models into open-tops. As a result, 25 of the 275 GTB models were ordered without a roof, though only 10 were ever made resulting in a car that's even rarer than the 250 GTO or 250 California, both the Long and Short wheelbase models.
Needless to say, this car is kind of a big deal for collectors. Especially given it's non-traditional blue which personally I'm always a big fan of. As weird as it is, blue is often my favorite color for a Ferrari.
It wasn't my favorite car or Ferrari at the show, nor was it even my second favorite (that'd be that wonderful F50 I showcased earlier). But man did it still grab my attention and give the audience a shape that IMO easily out-shined the latest and greatest from the Maranello brand. Speaking of which, keep an eye out for a post on that in the near future!
Stay Golden
A genuine Carrera 3.0 with a few touch-ups. Normally I feel 911's with the added "whale-tail" can look a little cheesy, but this narrow body nailed the looks dead on.
LITTLE CHERRY WAGON
I've encountered this little 410 a couple times already and each time I can't help but admire how great this little wagon is. Like the VW Squareback, it carries some charm that no wagon (or hatchbacks as it'd be marketed) today can pull off.
LONDON / PORTOBELLO MARKET
It's not too often London gets sun, so when it comes, you gotta seize the day! Off to Portobello Market! First thing first though, the automotive round up!
First we got an Overfinch Ranger Rover. Overfinch is a "tuner" for Land Rovers, best known for make a model with a built-in mohagany gun and whisky storage in the back. Because nothing says manly like shooting little birds in your 4X4 with summer tires...
Next up a Smart Roadster (which has a ton of tuning potential IMO) and an E92 M3 (M's seemed to be a lot less common than AMG's).
Speaking of, there were these two GT bruisers. A CL63 AMG and a Bentley Continental GT (Bentleys everywhere!).
You know what's unfair? That Europe gets the best version of an American icon. Give the US Wrangler a diesel already Jeep!!!
This sweet little GTV was a nice sighting. Even with that dent, Alfa's cars are easily some of the best looking "consumer cars" around. Pretty might not be the best description, but they definitely all have a style that most other cars in their range lack.
A cool Morris Wagon looking properly British.
A 135i M Sport getting buried under trash. Kinda ugly little thing, but a Golf R/S3 killer.
And the best for last, this classic 901. Black exterior, tan interior and Fuchs wheels: simply perfect.
Heh, little white socks on his back feet. Here's some more pics.
The Color Of Envy
The wheels are strange, like an alternative Fuchs Mag model I haven't seen before, but the rest of the car was dead on perfect. If I'd have a long nose, I hope it could be just like this green one.
Gorgeous In Red
There's many good reasons why Ferrari 250 GTO's are now the most expensive cars in the world demanding no less than 8 figures. Some say that sort of money should never go to a car, only things like art work, but then you'd have to see the car in person to realize, it is.