Just been dreaming...figured I'd share some of my all-time favorites.


1937 Cord 812


1957 Chevy Bel Air - 2 door hardtop


1969 Chevy Corvette - 427/435

Cool thread that I bet will get a lot of pix. I like your choices, especially the Cord. Classy. I don't have time to link to pictures, but for me the no-holds-barred car list would be topped by the BMW Z8. Saw that one at an auto show and it was stunning.

Like Ken, I also like the Ferraris and would love an old Magnum PI early 1980s red 308GTSi. Didn't like the Testarossa's styling, but the newer ones like the 1990s Modena and the new California are sweet.

I went to high school with a guy whose dad still owns a 57 Bel Air convertible. Not quite as nice as the one in the picture above, but still nice.

I have a deep respect for the real classics like those listed above, but in my heart, I am still a sports car guy.

I've got a few all time favorites.

1973 DeTomaso Pantera


Any year Dodge Viper (love to own, but I would get killed trying to drive this beast. This is also my wife's favorite sports car.)



I always keep a special place in my heart for my dad's car. He sold it to get a station wagon for "us kids." If I could afford it, I'd buy him one again.
1967 Pontiac Firebird Convertible (his had a black top/interior)


A couple of recent favorites of mine....

The Ariel Atom


And since I liked Lamborghini's since before most people even knew what they were, why not throw in the best of them all...

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

Is the Atom street legal? I have wanted one ever since seeing that Top Gear segment!

Likewise the '57 Chevy. That was my Dad's car.

Out of the cars pictured the '57 and the '67 Firebird would probably be my first choices *but* if I had the m-o-n-e-y, this would be my ride...

Here are some of my favs:


Ford GT40


I prefer the older Corvettes. Here's a '63 Stingray


The lines on the '67 Mustang Fastback exude power and cool.


Okay, don't laugh, but the VW Bug is one of my favorites. Over the years it has come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. No matter what you do to it, there will always be an underlying charm to the car. I drove a '69 Bug for close to 10 years. Still wish I had it.

The Ariel Atom IS street legal. I'd just be afraid of getting run over by some SUV.

Nice call on the GT40. I like the classic/original color scheme, but alas, I would need one of the ones from just a couple of years ago as the original was made for some really short drivers. Anyone over about 5'2" would bump their head when shutting the door.

I like the GT-500 (Eleanor) Mustang Fastback similar to the one above too!

Hey Rick, I think that you missed the title of this thread... "Dream Cars" Maybe it should be "Dream Rides" then you boat would fit in nicely!

I certainly wouldn't turn down a '63 vette either!

True.


My Dad had a '57 Corvette. He sold it right before he left for Vietnam. I guess it goes without saying he wishes he still had it.

right now I am just dreaming of a car that doesn't leak oil...

I like the older Corvettes... No disrespect for anyone that has a newer one, but we are talking dream cars here and the newer Vettes almost have become too common to be special like they used to be.

As for a car that doesn't leak oil, just look at it as your car is forcing you to give it fresh oil more often which is good, right? <rollseyes>

Chiming in from work so no pics, but the 427 AC Cobra is my dream car.

Just watched a show on green supercars and the boys at Shelby have made an electric Cobra and it was stated to be near the 427 in performance.

Staying with the electric car theme the Tesla would also work for me.

40+ years ago, my brother and I walked into a garage at the place where we used to keep our boat. Inside were 3, count 'em, three Cords. The guy was cannibalizing 2 of them to restore the 3rd. Been a Cord fan ever since.

In addition to the Cords, I've always had a weak spot for the 1941 Lincoln


The 1957 Corvette (or the '58, or the '59, or the '60}


And, just to be contrary, the 1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible. (apologies for the large pic, but this one was too beautiful to pass up0)

That Impala has presence! I like it.

I guess I dream about cars in which I can dream about cars in which I can dream about cars in which I can dream about cars in which....

Helpin' Jake out with a Cobra picture (another great car)...

That's car porn!

Very nice.

There is a guy here in town with a limo service that owns a 30s Bently with original paint! I wish I had a picture, its stunning.

If Fred had an iPhone he could take a picture of it for us.


. . .if. . . *sigh*

A '65 Pontiac GTO tri-power.

RickF,

That is a nice boat, but I'd rather have one that is more accomodating for passengers and entertaining. I don't like the seating arrangement in those style boats, but the speed would be nice.

Lots of classic car lovers here.

While I appreciate a nice classic, my dream car would definitely be something modern. I'm a car nut, so I could rattle off a dozen or so 'dream' cars that I'd love to own, given unlimited funds.

But currently, the #1 dream car for me would be the new Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Not the most expensive, not the fastest nor quickest car out there. But I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

Coupe:


Convertible:

Picture Police!

Here is an example (not a great one, but hey) of DG's 1965 GTO Tri-Power...


Peter, that 8C is a nice machine. I've liked the looks of it since I first saw it on FLD, and you are right, it isn't the fastest or whatever, but who cares. There is more to a machine than just function, you've gotta have form...

Yeah, lots of classic car fans here. Me?

Ferrari F40 (loved it since it came out). It's a little dated now, but still very, very quick.


Ferrari 250 GTO
(need I say more?)


Viper GTS (drove one for my bachelor party, thanks Peter!)

And I know there's one other that's running around these days, a Porsche, I think, but I can't summon it right now. Too tired.

I'm not a fan of most Ferrari's ever since Miami Vice made them somewhat "everyone's favorite" (I wanted different), but you picked out a couple of nice ones, particularly the 250 GTO. Very nice (even for a Ferrari )

Porsche has consitantly made a solid performing vehicle, too bad that they look amost the same as they have in what seems like forever. Then you take the Porsche, slightly change a couple of things, and it looks like an Audi TT... Change a couple of more things and you have a VW Bug... (of course Sean probably likes that since he still dreams of his old VM)

But if you take the RUF GTR3 Porsche, THEN you've got something...


I just remembered another car that is dated, but I loved the styling on... The Vector W8. Maybe I liked it because it had some styling cues from that era Lamborghinis...


Of course, for a lot of cash, you can have performance, styling, and luxery with the Bugatti Veyron (no convertible for me, but it is an option at $2.2M)

Ken, thanks for the nice pic of the 250 GTO. I searched for a pic, but couldn't find one. I had a model kit of it when I was younger and have always loved the look of that Ferrari.

Man, I love this thread. I like so many cars...

Saleen S7


MacLaren F1


There are some ultra-high performance cars out there that I respect, but don't have enough unique styling to them for my tastes.
The Koenigsegg CCR, and the SSC Ultimate Aero TT are two, and another one, the Pagani Zonda, performs well, but I am not sold on the styling. So since they aren't on my list, I'm not going to post pictures, but if someone else likes them, cool!

Yeah, it's one of the Porsche supercars--it was on the cover of R&T awhile back. I'll have to do some digging. I just remember that it's gorgeous.

I know that this link will expire and eventually be lost to the historians who will dig through these threads as part of their cyberarchaeology studies, but for now, it is a quick way for me to show off my other dream car, the Maserati Gran Turismo.

eBay auction

The styling, both interior and exterior, hits me just right, with plenty of sexy curves and bold colors. I think I'd take one over a BMW Z8, even.

The Gran Turismo, yes. However, I remember driving through a parking garage, looking over, and thinking, "Hmm, is that the new Hyundai luxery car? Oh wait, that's a Maserati Quattroporte." Bad sign. I think they've improved the design since then (about 2 years ago), but at the time, they really needed to step up.

OK, I found some time to Photobucket the pix, so here is the sexiest car in my universe. Behold!

2008 Maserati Gran Turismo









nom nom nom !!!

Of course I had to throw this in



But my serious all time favorite, the Ferrari-F430 Spider

That's mine too..... ten years ago, you could pick one up for a measely 350K. Now they are selling for 1.2M and up. I’ll have to ‘settle’ for a kit.

You'll have to visit a place like Factory Five Racing to get your kit. I'm sure someone sells turnkey versions somewhere.

My dad worked 2 jobs so my he could buy his dream car in 1955. My mom had to sell it when he passed away a couple years later.

Wow, didn't know the story about your Dad. That sucks.

He had great taste in cars, though. Hope he enjoyed the heck out of it for those two years.

I am not so sure a kit is even within my grasp! I fear it will always just be in my dreams.

You can get Shelbys of all sorts and parts from Shelby Automobiles Carroll's own company.

Re: Cobra...

There are very few cars that are as utterly & wickedly cool as a Cobra. I wouldn't want a real one, as they're so precious you couldn't drive it. But a nicely done replica, now that would be incredible to own.

I have never ridden in one but my father did. Back in the early 70's, one of his best friends bought one. My dad was a car nut and was certainly eager to see it. My dad often used to tell me that one of the most exciting things he had ever experienced in his life was a weekend he spent riding around in that Cobra & flying down Lake Shore Drive at 3am in the morning at 100+ mph, to the sound of that marvelous engine.....

Around the same time my dad also bought a brand new 1971 Corvette SS with the 454. He loved the car but hated the motor. He always said that it spent more time in the shop that on the road. Go figure.

Lots of beauties being posts. I'd never heard of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione or seen one, but man-oh-man, that's stunning!

OK since this thread is about Dream *Cars*, I'll have to cast my personal vote for this one...



I'd really love to have a badass Cobra.

Randy, the pictured 36' Yellowfin is built specifically for fishing and that's exactly what I'd use it for ... I don't do well around crowds anyway.

There, Rick, that wasn't so hard now was it?

I think like most, when you see a big boat moving fast like that one, the first assumption is that it is for cruising people around. My grandpa always used to tell me that his fishing boats needed big motors so that you can get to the fish faster. I'm guessing it is the same with the one you picked out.

This is like the car I had way back in the day. I would love to have another. A 1969 Firebird 400.

Funny you should mention that. I’m on their mailing list. I’ve been trying to save up for the carbon fiber rolling chassis option. My lofty goal was to drop a crate LS-7 (Z06 engine) and six speed into it….. Total cost with paint and instrumentation should run around 65K. Ho-hum…. One of these days.

Since it's only a dream...

Zonda

Enzo

A bit more realistic, Hemi 'Cuda

McLaren F1 for me, Nick posted pics on page 1, that by far is my dream car...I think there are less than 70 models left in the world...you can get them for a measly 1.5 million I think. To this day car makers have trouble trying to best this car on the track (13 years later).

Joe, just be careful with that Enzo that it doesn't rip in half if you get in an accident....

I believe it was about 25 years, the last 427 was in 67? and it was sometime in the 90s before the 427 Cobra was matched 0-100mph-0, IIRC.

Jason,

are we talking about the same car? I thought the McLaren F1 ceased production in '95? perhaps I am mistaken..

The exotics are nice but I still prefer the old school North American muscle

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=uJdDbSMRp6c&feature=related

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=mGcFMmXqG34

You guys are making me drool. I also prefer old school American muscle. I've been watching the Mecum Auto auctions and pining over some of those cars.

Mid 60's split window vettes
Hemi 'cudas
Yanko Camaros
one of my all time favs: 67 convertible GTO
Ferrari 250 GT: http://www.ketchamimports.com/images/62_Ferrari_250_SWB_Ca_Spy2.jpg

Sorry Robb, not a very clear post was it ( I must remember not to post when discussing other matters while at work). I was refering to your statement that the Mclaren has stood up for 13 years, while the 427 Cobra has really stood the test of time at ~25 years with its own performance. The original 427 AC Cobra had the best 0-100-0 time for ~25 years right up until the early 90s when supercars were starting to be built again, of which the Mclaren was one. I consider the 427 Cobra the original super car.

The 'family' dream car for us is an Auburn - Ian and I were at a hotel one day that was having a get-together for the owners and we lost our hearts (same company that made the aforementioned Cords, also gorgeous). They are so elegant!



But if I were to get my very own dream car, it would be an E-type convertible.

Yeap, the E-type convertible is my favorite too...

Does the E stand for "Everyone's going to look at you?"

Shagalicious baby! Ohhhh yeah!

When Julie sees cars like that E-Type, she rightly says "I'd look good in that" (as would Amie)

I think it stands for 'Escape'! Instead of looking at the other seven lanes of traffic trying to head north with me, I can picture myself in my velour Valentino leisure suit, motoring through the english countryside . . . that's a harder stretch to make in the ole' Jeep

Realistically, it will probably be around the same time Valentino starts making velour jumpsuits that I start motoring around in an E-type anyway

Maybe if Ian sold the private jet then you could get one!

Or traded in the helicopter, you know, since he doesn't need it to fight crime any more.

If Ian had a private jet would I be sitting in seven lanes of traffic?

Hey, where on earth is FordPrefect in all of this? I think we talked cars for an hour the last time we were together!

I'm so simple minded, this IS my dream vehicle!

Don't be so hard on yourself Mark. You're not simple minded, you're just a dork.

*chuckle*

mdrew is the Sam Kinison of these boards, methinks.

Mark, not even your marvelous aesthetic can save a minivan in this context. What, you had to find the most square-shaped car you could to go along with your listening room or something?

I win on squareness of dream-ish car:


Volvo T5-R

I have an 850 Turbo Wagon, but I'd love me a T5-R. Love those wheels.

"Love those wheels." What about the wipers for the headlights? Now that's what makes that car!

Eh, they work ok, but the rubber wears out.

After 14 years or so. Maybe I should replace it.

Are you working for Honda, or something? I'd put those photos in a brochure if I were them.

That car is hideous in yellow.

I prefer the black version, yes, but the yellow goes better with the wheel color.

+1 on the ugly yellow color.

Here's a red one... WITH a spoiler... Oooooo.... Ahhhhhh...



Oh, and look.... Someone has a racing version...

Hey, those were winners in the 90s in DTM, I believe.

My wife has a late model S80, best car she's ever owned and she's had her share of 'em. I only did the trucks until diesel got outrageous, now I'm Corollin' it back and forth to work ... the one car that will most certainly make Mark the absolute top dog in his minivan.

After all those posts, I have to say that our 850 has cost us a small fortune in repairs and whatnot, creaks like a wooden sailing ship, and has rock hard suspension.

Accelerates pretty well, though.

Rick, you sound like my father-in-law. He's got a F250 diesel, but ended up buying a used Corolla for commuting.

Without getting too nit-picky, and since 0-100 numbers would be hard to compare given all the various conditions involved in tests like that, but I'd say the 427 would have held the record less than that, probably until the mid 80's. Off the top of my head, I'm sure a 1984 Ferrari 288GTO, 1987 Ferrari F40, and the legendary 1986 Porsche 959 would beat it. And probably a RUF Yellow Bird too, if that counts as a production car.

I'll throw my hat in with a Porsche 959 as an ultimate dream car, mainly due to its ahead of its time groundbreaking technical innovations, and the mystique of no one being able to legally own one in the US during, and long after its prouction run.

Seriously? I wasn't kidding about the van being "a".... (maybe not "the").... dream vehicle.

I NEED a van for my business, like it or not, and I've never had a vehicle with heated leather, power moonroof, MP3-capable 6-disc changer with XM, backup camera, a certified low-emissions rating, a decently powerful engine that shuts down cylinders as needed for a real-world 28MPG, Tri-zone digital temp, etc., etc... I love this thing.

OK, OK, I could be persuded by an SLR McLaren:


Or a Jaguar XK XKR:


Now you guys made me unhappy with my new van!


Bastards.

This one's pretty sexy...Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

I'd take a 67 vette or a stang for it's classy lines anytime somebody wants to give me one but I have to say I don't know if I could have any more fun than I do with my current vehicle.

I know I'll be made fun of but here is me, livin the dream in my 03 Jeep Rubicon with a moderate, yet still stable and roadworthy lift and a bunch of other mods and goodies.

Well this would keep me happy for a decade or two..........

wow...of all the amazing cars posted so far, I'm sorry to say Ford, that is one fugly car. What is it?

Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and admittedly it's no Ford Prefect

I think it's gorgeous. It's a Talbot-Lago, here is a lot more info on it. http://www.supercars.net/cars/1787.html

Hey, Ford, I bet you would have liked these if they had made it to production:




The Chrysler 300 concept from 1991. I was an Autoweek subscriber at the time this was introduced, and I thought it was the most beautiful concept car I'd ever seen. Remember that in 1991 cars were a lot more blocky than they are now, so these curves were even more beautiful by comparison then. I couldn't find any pix of the interior, but it had a beautiful arcing front element. This car looked like something Batman would drive.

Hard to tell from the pix, but this car was waaay long in the wheelbase, at least for the time. I think it spurred their longer wheelbases that they brought out with the Intrepid a few years later.

Seven years later they teased us some more with another concept that didn't see production:




The 1998 Chronos concept car. I didn't see this one at the time, but looks like the concept builders at Chrysler share your love of the long curves.

I rather like the Talbot Lago.

Cool, Murphy, another wheeler. I've got an '07 FJ with 3" OME/Toytec lift and Demello rails. Unfortunately, only had a chance to take it out once. Handles like a dream.

Like the no door approach.

But you need to look into this...

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/earthroamer-xv-jp-only-camper-to-conquer-rubicon-trail/

I've seen a few modded Jeeps, the new 4 door ones. I don't like the stock look but mudders, lift, "real" bumpers, etc really make it nice.

Thanks! FJ's are another very capable rig, right out of the showroom. Center and rear lockers paired with a traction control system that actually works offroad instead of hampering. (so many of the fancy pants traction control systems actually ruin a rig offroad) Throw in your extra 3" of clearance (plus bigger tires I'm assuming) and your rocker protection and I bet you can go just about anywheres!

My doors pop right back on in seconds when the trail day is done. One of the things I like about Jeeps.

I don't know what to say about that Jeep RV thing. Interesting read, but honestly, I just don't know if I want to like it or make fun of it. Thanks for the link though. I'll be posting that on our Jeep Club web page. I know it will spark lots of discussion.

Yeah, right off the show room floor I traded the stocks for 285 BFG ATs, muds might've been too noisy for a daily driver. Haven't gone to steelies yet. Definitely is a jump to get in now, considering I'm only 5'7".

I actually like that Jeep. Though I can't imagine the cost adder would ever be worth it.

I do like the lines on that '91 300, very smoooth. Not as keen on the '98 although the dual center exhaust gives it a nice touch.

That '91 300 looks like a good concept for a next gen 'Vette.

Man, I hope not.

The corvette hasn't changed all that much since 1984...it's long over due for a complete change in look.

I missed this thread initially...an my #1 fav is the 427 A/C Cobra. There's a kit factory in a city next door and lots and lots of them around. The guy in my neighborhood with one drives it around a lot and for some reason he always has a goofy grin??

I got to drive my favorite dream car a couple years back but unfortunately, after driving it, it was no longer my favorite. It was an excellent car and I got to drive it on an excellent road (The road to Whistler) but I guess I'm more of a American Muscle guy. I'm in the drivers seat with the goofy grin this time.


Another I've always loved,


The one I would get if I won the lottery,


The one I almost bought for my first car, the one I've been bugging the wife to let me get, the one I regret not buying when I was single, the one I will eventually get, the one I never get sick of...of course these rims are ugly.


Plain, clean, small, good power, sound good and fun to drive.

My wife had a white '92 Mustang 5.0 convertible ... that thing was bad ass but she didn't like it, she didn't like my '75 Corvette I had whenever we got married in '81 either, said it felt like her ass was dragging the ground (wasn't that the idea?) and she had to use a pillow behind the seat so she could reach the pedals.

I bought a new Cessna 172 in '83, so from that day forward all of my personal ground toys were history.

HAY -

Two things:

1) The road to whistler, what a road... both the road and the scenery are unreal. Granted, I've only ever made the trip in a series of different rental cars on our way up to a frequent summer vacation spot, but still, the drive is truly memorable.

2) The 5.0 Mustang - my first car (yes, I was spoiled) was a 1990 Red Mustang that looked just like the one above, with much cheaper rims and a mighty 4-cylinder engine... [though of course I still had the 5.0 markers on the side of the car to belie the mousetrap engine under the hood.] I think my single exhaust tailpipe that was about as big as a toilet paper roll probably gave me away, but I still thought the 5.0 magnets were cool.

I'm afraid I've never liked the Gen4 (or 3, or 2) Mustangs. If you're going to build a muscle car, make it look like a muscle car, not a 2 door Escort. They finally got a clue with the last couple generations, particularly the current one. However, I have to agree, the V8s always had a great sound.

I agree, though as a 16-year old with that ride, I wasn't voicing many complaints.

I would have loved to have had a Mustang-anything at 16, instead I had one of these hand-me-downs...



A freaking chick magnet, man!

My first car.

My Dad had a couple of those VW wagons whenever I was a kid ... they were cool, even back then!

It was a good runner, I beat the heck out of that thing and it just kept on going.

I shopped around for one of those, Rick--that and a fastback version--but couldn't find one for a decent price. Opted for the regular Bug, instead.

I had a 78 Malibu (yes, the horrible CA V-6 one), kind of. It was my parent's car, but no one but me wanted to drive it. Then the timing belt broke.

I kinda just fell in love with the Bentley Continental GT Speed.



It's got a twin turbo W12 engine that can take it to over 200mph.

I was behind a Bentley Brooklands on the way home this evening and couldn't help but notice the very neat space age digital stop lights on the lower part of the rear window ... I *could* see me driving that car.

In the more affordable realm, I just became aware of the next-generation BMW Z4:



Now it has a motorized hard top (to keep up with the Joneses) and will be made in Germany, not South Carolina. European delivery, anyone?

very awesome looking.

Fit for a Kitty King.

Hey, that's my stripper name, heh ...

My first car (in '88) was a '78 Pontiac Firebird. Fun 350 V8. But at the time, my father had a '68 Shelby GT 350 Convertible, that looks 100% identical to this:



It has been hard to find a car to satisfy the itch this car left. The new Shelby's just don't do it for me. Sadly, it left the garage in one of the worst decision I have seen. Now the damn thing is worth its weight in gold.

I saw one of these the other day, and I must say that in person, it is one of the best looking cars I have seen in a long time.

That car is HUGE!

Another:

Wow! I didn't know AIG was headquarter'd there.....

I'm not a picky person, I'd be happy with the Mazda Furai to replace my RX-7.

That's the kind of car I wouldn't even mind being run over by.

Impossible. If anything it would run under you.

I transform into a ramp now. I was tired of being a stepping stone for people, so I showed them by having a procedure done.

Do people call you "sweet jumps"?

Sometimes that, sometimes "prelude to injury."

Man, if ChiPs ever has a second life, you'd be set for life!

That show had cars flying in the air for parking lot fender benders!

Plus, you'd get to meet Ponch.

Aw, look honey, it's Mark's first man-crush! Remember how Mark used to stare, hypnotized at the TV?

It would be sort of a backhanded compliment, though, when I'm the major addition and they call the new show "CHiPs and Dip."

Don't worry. I'd always pictured you as the Dumb, not the Dumberer.

That makes you the funny, not the funnier.

I skipped Mean and went straight to Meaner.

Grr.

Speaking of dream cars, anyone interested in the 24 Hours of Le Mans may want to see this show, airs tonight (Friday March 20th) at 8 P.M. est.

Truth in 24

You are a god, Rick. I've been waiting for that to come around ever since I read the article in R&T. Unfortunately, I don't tend to pay attention to TV listings.

Awesome Rick. Some day I want to head over to La Sarthe and see that race. Hopefully the ACO will stop catering to the diesel powered cars, and some of the bigger names will get back to the top class (LMP1). Audi has had little competition since they altered the rules for the diesels, at least until the Puegeots entered the fray. I would like to see them get back to the production based race cars like the GT1's in the late 90's and the Silhouette cars of the late 70's in the top classes too.

I'm still angry about the 1992 rule change disallowing variable-length intake runners for rotary engines.

Don't forget, they let the Mazdas run alot less weight than the 4 stroke powered cars.

But penalized their displacement by a factor of 3, rather than the 2x which would expected when compensating for the 2-stroke like function of the rotary.

Mazda was at a disadvantage when they won in 1991, and that disadvantage was only widened more the next year.

Rotary engines are kind of an anomally, I think the rule makers had alot of problems trying to level the playing feild. Rotary engines generally make twice the power per displacement but also use more fuel doing so. The '91 cars were at an ADVANTAGE as they were allowed to run 375 lbs lighter than Porsche, Jag and Mercedes which is a considerable amount on a race car. You are partially correct re the engine size if you are using a Jag as comparison but Porsche used only a 3.2L four stroke vs Mazdas 2.6 Rotary. Cheers.

I should add that the Jags were N/A engines.

Mazda's 2.6 was also NA, but classed as a 7.8L NA. The reason Mazda had to use the variable length intake was because of that classing. In order to get their power output up to competitive levels they had to achieve unheard of volumetric efficiencies, and without forced induction. The only way to get enough air into the engine at full scream was to cut huge intake holes into the side of the block. But at lower revs these ports would stall.

So the runners would extend at pit speeds to allow the inertia of the air flow to keep the ports from stalling, but in the higher RPM range the long runners would become a restriction so they would pull back.

Classed as a 7.8L Mazda needed to be making nearly 800 HP to be competitive. They got 750 out of this little 2.6L naturally aspirated block.

Long live the 787B!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9675TKafw3g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1BWv7iPFUg

EDIT, PS: I'm a total rotor head, and have owned four different RX-7s, but am down to two now. One coupe, and one convertible. The convertible is getting a new engine installed (this is a more expensive project than my home theater), but I have the block.

Many races are won in the boardroom when they draw up the rules. The ACO, as they are doing now, alter the rules in favour of one or another type of engine construction to either promote a different technology or bring in new competitors, not necessarily fair to the stallwarts of the sport. This is why there has been Audis winning year after year, because many manufacturers simply don't build deisel engines that the ACO has made the flavour of the month. I'd like to get back to the late 90s type competition where we saw BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota, Nissan, McLaren and Ferrari going at it. That was some great racing as were the great battles between the Porsche 917s and the Ferrari 512s decades ago.

I don't know if I've posted this video before, but this is my dream vehicle. The van that I currently have is getting old and I hit my head on the roof every time I enter or exit it because I have grown since I purchased it. At around $100,000 Canadian it's a steep price for independence, but independence doesn't have a price tag.

$100,000 and NO AFTERBURNERS Cam??

The afterburners kick in when my arm spasms and I pin the gas lever foreword uncontrollably. Actually, that's a scary thought

I don't know that I'd call it my dream car, but the Saab 9-X Air has a certain cool factor.

Those screens are certainly uncommon.

12 Hours of Sebring today, and I get to watch it (happy dance!). Yes, on the TV, but I just got my Speed channel yesterday. Good timing, by accident. Still fiddling with the cable box, but today I'll just let it tape how it tapes, for 12 hours. Of my favorite racing series. So excited!

Crap!! my free trial on Speed Channel just ended recently...it's not being picked up by any of the other networks is it?

Not as far as I know. Of course, they interrupted the race to do 2 hrs of Nascar preview and qualifying--WTF? (knew it was coming, but it still bugs me a bit.)

I would prefer that Speed Channel would just call itself what it really is...The Nascar Channel...and let other networks pick up the other races. Geeszzch! I used to like SpeedVision years ago.

Yeah, I'll probably drop it after the F1 season ends this year, then pick it up when it starts up again.

We get F1 on other stations here.

Lucky. I don't get the Beeb.

According to the 'net, Audi and Peugeot are going at it pretty good.

They've been back and forth all day, it's going to be close but the Audi's are looking good right now.

Aaaa! I've only watched 10 minutes of the race! Guess I'm going to have to avoid this thread for a few days...

How is Acura doing in P1, Rick?

They have had a couple of issues, spun out and brought out a caution a couple of hours ago and problems with the power steering. Commentators are saying the car produces so much down force that it's extremely hard on the power steering, something 5k pounds on the front wheels. Wow.

Audi's are looking good right now, all afternoon I thought the Peugeot's were going to pull the win but the Audi's are stepping it up now.

Don't know if I'm going to make the finish, I'm slated to work tomorrow and have to get up at 3:30 in the morning. With our new DirectTV I now have the Speed channel in HD (awesome) but no DVR (really sucks!).

Sebring really punishes cars, that's for sure. Peugeots always seem fast initially but tend to run into reliability issues on the longer races. If I'm not mistaken, the Acura got the pole position didn't it?

Ended up being a close race, had the Peugeot not ran into the tire problems with three or four hours to go I believe the outcome would have been in their favor. I bet the Acuras are going to tough on the tight smoother tracks, those cars look mean on the cornering.

On a side note I was talking with the fellow I work for and although I knew he dabbled in SCCA a few years back I didn't know that he has actually ran both the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 hour race at Daytona running a Porsche 911 and finishing both races. He was telling me the turn coming onto the straight at Sebring is very brutal, off camber, fast and extremely bumpy with a concrete wall that fills up the windshield in a hurry.

Agreed, that is the best value on the market. Cool car even for us walkies. If I lost my "walkiness" I think this would be my first DIY project. Oh, that could be trouble! My projects usually don't go off without a hitch, and I don't normally hurl them down the interstate at 70 mph, but screw it, I'd have to try it, at least once! I can see it now in my mind.......[harp music, fade out to pic]






Oh! I don't like what I saw in my mind's eye.

Tesla's new sedan

I'd drive it.

Beautiful lines. I really like it which automatically means it will cost much more than I can afford.

Aston Martin and G35 offspring.(re Tesla)

More info on that Tesla sedan.

It seats 7!

The seven dwarfs?

Not for two to three years, as it is scheduled to enter production in late 2011.

Otherwise, an intriguing choice. If I had the money, and if I'd fit in it, I'd consider the Tesla Roadster, and now this one scores higher on the WAF. Decisions, decisions.

Here's another car I would be caught dead in.

Morgan Aero SuperSports

Wow, between you, me, and Adrian, it's a very feline neighborhood in the car lot.

Because it looks like a casket?

The Morgan looks like it could have been what a Viper would have looked like, had it been built in, say, 1935.

To me the Morgan looks as though it could easily transform into the Batmobile at the press of a hidden button on the instrument panel.

Anyone know if Speed is going to be airing Les 24 Heures du Mans this year? I can't find anything on any official site...

I'm rooting for Lightning McQueen.

Ken from this guy's site it looks like Speed Channel 'On Demand' will have live coverage ... Chiff.com

If you don't want to pay for On Demand, perhaps 90 minutes worth of rally car crashes will tide you over?

SpeedTV will have at least some coverage of the LeMans 24 hr as they have done, the last few years. It'll probably be mixed in with some swamp buggy racing or the like.

Awesome. I'm gonna keep that window open all day and watch a few in between patients as a pick-me-up. Thanks!

Some of us watch racing for the racing, not the crashes... that said, rallycar is insane and a blast to watch. As my wife was describing it yesterday: "Look, they're on their hood again, whoop, they're driving on 3 flat tires, and 6 cars in a row have missed the turn!"

Put a new lift kit on my Jeep over the weekend. I had a bent rear control arm and it was almost as cheap to buy a new lift kit as it was to buy just one set of heavy duty, adjustable control arms. An extra inch of clearance will be nice for the trails this year too.

Your probably thinking this doesn't fit here but for me it does, My Jeep is already my Dream car. I'm just lucky enough to already own it. I know, low expectations for dreams but life is more satisfying that way.

You're going to have to break it in by playing "Real Good Looking Boy" from my Axiom Mix while cruising the neighborhoods in your short shorts and tank top.

Ha ha. Ya, it's a bit redneck, but I've tried to keep it at a happy medium between daily street driver and capable trail vehicle. When I go to organized trail runs, I'm actually still the 'little guy'.

Well, I finally broke down and got one of the cars off my list above. After careful deliberation though I decided not to go with a late 80's early 90's and went with a 2006 for the creature comforts and extra power

I've only had it a week and love it, this is why I haven't been on the boards the last week. I can't believe I waited this long but it was worth it. I need to get some better pics but these will do for now.

The previous car left it's mark on the drive way...grr

Summer Rims & Tires


Winter Rims & Tires


I'm thinking of selling the Summer Rims & Tires to use the Bullitts instead as they're gorgeous!

Only 6 months or so until I can drop the top....I can wait....sigh

LOVE it, Graeme!

But why wait so long to drop the top?

I've been enjoying my convertible so much lately that I feel like I should have bought one twenty years ago. If it's not actually raining, the top is down.

Enjoy!

Very good, Graeme; enjoy.

So then, Tom, that's about one day a month?

Bravo Ford Prefect. The Talbot Lago. Beautiful.

Congrats on the new car, Graeme!! Looks awesome!

You guys and your convertibles. . . .I'm SO jealous!!

John, I'd delighted that you chose to crush the softball I lobbed you. However, with the exception of last week, the weather here has been truly outstanding over the last couple of months. It was sunny at ~65F most of this week, and my attitude was well adjusted. That being said, I am well aware that every day with the top down could be "the last one" until, umm, well, we usually have three nice days in February. And it doesn't always rain in June.

Sean, I'm jealous of your weather.

I see a lot of convertibles around here. Good weather for it! Now is the perfect time--warm, but not too much.