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Video: A vengeful Fangio in a Saab SPG?

August 7th, 2010

Peter Peter Hughes as Fangio. Click above to watch the music video after the jump.

An entire concept album born from a 23-year-old song imagining Juan Manuel Fangio piloting a Saab SPG through the Andes on a mission to assassinate former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet? The plot sounds like some mythical collaboration between Terry Gilliam and Sergio Leone. In fact, the artist behind it all is Peter Peter Hughes, whom you may know from his work as a member of The Mountain Goats.

The first two songs off Hughes’ new solo project, Fangio, will be released on August 10, both digitally and on vinyl (the 7″ will be available via Fayettenam Records). The complete LP follows on September 7 (vinyl again available via Fayettenam — and dig that album artwork). Preceding all that, however, is the music video for the track, “My God is an Angry God.” Directed by our great friend (and Jalopnik O.G.) Davey G. Johnson, the video – shot in true guerilla style using locales in upstate New York including the old Watkins Glen GP circuit – stars Hughes as Fangio and Hughes’ personal Saab SPG as itself.

Follow the jump to watch the video, and be sure to pick up the record once it’s officially released. For additional updates, you can follow Peter Peter Hughes at his website, Fivetools.com, and also be sure to check in on Davey at his place, the excellently-named Sofaleggera.com.

[Source: Fivetools.com, Sofaleggera.com]

Continue reading Video: A vengeful Fangio in a Saab SPG?

Video: A vengeful Fangio in a Saab SPG? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:32:00 EST.

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Spy Shots: Mysteriously sexy Lancia Stratos redux spotted working out

August 3rd, 2010

Mystery Lancia Stratos revival – Click above for image gallery

What appears to be an updated version of the showstopping Fenomenon Stratos concept car of 2005 has cropped up in a couple of previously unseen spy shots. Essentially an updated version of Lancia‘s all-conquering World Rally hero of the 1970s, the Fenomenon Stratos debuted back in 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show, where it went down a storm. Limited production was expected to follow in 2006 and 2007, but aside from images of an open-topped variant making the rounds, the car fell off the radar.

Taken by an anonymous photographer, these shots were allegedly snapped on a Fiat test track near Milan, though it isn’t immediately clear when the images were taken. ItaliaSpeed indicates the pics were taken on June 21, but firm information seems scarce, and it’s possible they could actually be older images just now coming to light. What’s perhaps most interesting is that the car in these photographs boasts a different, more conservative front fascia (perhaps for better aerodynamics than the somewhat lift-happy look of the concept), and the split-screen windshield has disappeared, suggesting that there have been further developments on the project since it was last shown. Like the original, plans called for the Fenomenon Stratos revival to rely on Ferrari power, albeit with two extra cylinders. At the time, it was understood that the mid-mounted V8 from the 360 Scuderia would find its way into the engine bay, although we have no indication as to what’s powering the car in the photos.

Does this mean that Lancia itself has taken up the torch on this car? Or has a wealthy benefactor kick-started life into a stillborn project for a tasty one-off (as suggested by Italiaspeed) – à la James Glickenhaus? Or has development been proceeding all this time? Or are we just getting too excited over the prospect of one of our all-time favorite supercars getting back out on the road, if only in spirit? Have a look at the shots below and let us know what you think.

[Source: ItaliaSpeed]

Spy Shots: Mysteriously sexy Lancia Stratos redux spotted working out originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:27:00 EST.

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Video: The 1970 12 Hours of Sebring completely ruled

July 16th, 2010

1970 12 Hours of Sebring film – Click above to watch video after the jump

If we had a time machine, we’d set it for 1970 and never look back. And once we landed, bought some new threads and scored one of the amazing cars in production at the time, we’d road trip it to Sebring so we could see that year’s 12-hour enduro in person. Why? Because as good as modern sports car racing is, Sebring ’70 is special. From the cars and drivers (a who’s-who of legends including Mario Andretti, Jo Siffert, Pedro Rodriguez, Dan Gurney, Henri Pescarolo, and yes, Steve McQueen, who co-drove his Porsche 908 with Peter Revson despite having his broken left foot in a cast at the time), to the the overall atmosphere, Sebring, Florida on March 21, 1970 was very much the place to be.

Sadly, there’s no time machine to take us back there, but there was a brilliant race documentary made of the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring. Follow the jump to see the story play out in five parts. Unfortunately, the embedded YouTube clips don’t include the film’s seven-minute intro section. But that’s okay, because you can catch that part over at the State Library and Archives of Florida, which has the 22-minute movie posted in its entirety.

So, follow the jump and see the drama unfold as the Gulf-Porsche 917s battle the Ferrari 512S trio led by Andretti while McQueen and Revson try to pull off an unimaginable upset. Forty years after the checkered flag dropped, this is still an absurdly exciting and entertaining race to watch, even if you already know its storybook ending. Need a spotter’s guide before you hit play? No worries, just click here. Thank you, 1970, for being so incomprehensibly awesome.

[Source: State Library and Archives of Florida, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: The 1970 12 Hours of Sebring completely ruled

Video: The 1970 12 Hours of Sebring completely ruled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:24:00 EST.

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Senate designates July 9, 2010 Collector Car Appreciation Day

June 20th, 2010
Cruise Night

Cruise night is America – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’re a collector-car owner, or simply one of the millions of Americans who celebrates the hobby by attending local car shows, weekly cruise-ins, and the like, you might want to make a special point of hitting your favorite Friday-night old-car haunt three weeks from now. That’s because the United States Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 513 last month, officially designating July 9, 2010 as Collector Car Appreciation Day.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Richard Burr (R-NC), states “that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” Moreover, the text of the resolution points out that the hobby and the myriad related businesses supporting it provide jobs for people across all 50 states.

In observance of the occasion, the resolution “encourages the people of the United States to engage in events and commemorations of `Collector Car Appreciation Day’ that create opportunities for collector car owners to educate young people on the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of the United States, including through the collection and restoration of collector cars.”

It’s easy to dismiss resolutions like this as pure frivolity, especially in the face of more pressing matters facing the nation. That said, these things get passed all the time in both houses of Congress, and Sens. Tester and Burr have a point. Not only does the collector car hobby help preserve important bits of Americana, those weekly cruises and shows encourage new generations to get involved and keep the pastime going (along with the industry that exists as a direct result of it).

So, on July 9th, grab your family and friends, head to the local cruisers’ gathering point, and celebrate what those men and women are preserving. It’s American history: the kind you don’t generally learn in schoolbooks.

[Sources: SEMA, OpenCongress.org, The Library of Congress]

Senate designates July 9, 2010 Collector Car Appreciation Day originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:03:00 EST.

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Recap: 2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

June 13th, 2010

1957 Corvette

2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance – Click above for high-res image gallery

The first weekend in June is always circled on our calendar, because that’s when the annual Greenwich Concours d’Elegance goes down in tony Greenwich, CT. So, instead of catching some rays at the beach, or mowing the lawn, or tending to the vegetable garden, we drop the top and head down Interstate 95 to spend the better part of two days gawking at cars exotic and otherwise, always ready for whatever surprises are on hand to add a little variety. Follow the jump for a quick recap of this year’s show, after which you can hit the galleries to ogle the staggering variety of metal that the organizers assembled.

Continue reading Recap: 2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

Recap: 2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:20:00 EST.

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Motorcycles at the 2010 Greenwich Concours

June 13th, 2010
Bikes at the Greenwich Concours
Motorcycles at the 2010 Greenwich Concours – Click above for high-res image gallery

One thing the organizers of the Greenwich Concours do well is ensure that motorcycle aficionados don’t feel left out. This year was no different, as Sunday featured row of bikes diverse in both chronology and purpose. No matter your interest, if two wheels were your thing, you were covered by a range of offerings that included everything from rarities like the Honda NR750 to a 1917 Harley-Davidson that pretty much embodied the definition of “patina.”

It was obvious that the majority of these bikes weren’t babied garage queens. Most appeared to see regular action, and their owners were eager to share them with the crowd. “C’mon, take a closer look!” was a common phrase uttered to anyone pausing to show interest in a particular bike. It’s that kind of camaraderie that makes Greenwich feel as accessible as any local enthusiasts’ gathering, even though it’s a serious Big Deal concours with million-dollar vehicles littering the grounds. Hit the gallery below for a look at the motorcycles and scooters that were on hand this year.

Photos by Alex Núñez / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Motorcycles at the 2010 Greenwich Concours originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EST.

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Immaculate Volga’s Cold War style elicits warm smiles

June 12th, 2010

Volga!

1976 Volga GAZ-24 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Sometimes, it’s the unlikely stuff that gets the best reactions. At a show where the supercar circle boasted the likes of a Schuppan 962CR and James Glickenhaus’ Ferrari P4/5, across the field, car of decidedly more modest origin was cultivating an equally-delighted group of fans for itself. Yes, it is the opposite of a supercar, but this ’76 Volga GAZ-24 was easily one of the highlights of the show, if you ask us.

Wedged between a grey Facel Vega coupe and a delectable Citroen DS, the deep red Volga was beautifully turned out, with blinding whitewall tires, velour-accented seats, neat logo mudflaps, airbrushed hammer-and-sickle art on the hood, and probably the most appropriate vanity plates ever. The car was even wore its own fur hat.

When we asked the owner to open the hood for us so we could grab a quick photo, he apologetically said, “Oh, there’s not much to see,” as he lifted it to reveal the clean inline-four. “Besides, if I keep it open, no one can see the artwork!” Smiles all around as folks gathered to ogle this Cold War curiosity, which you’re just about as likely to see on the road as any of the exotics that were parked a few hundred feet away. In its own way, it’s every bit as cool.

Photos by Alex Núñez / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Immaculate Volga’s Cold War style elicits warm smiles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:10:00 EST.

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This is what the first-ever Porsche 911 Turbo looks like today

June 12th, 2010
1973 Porsche 911 Turbo Factory Prototype
1973 Porsche 911 Turbo factory prototype

Some people attending the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance last weekend walked past this Porsche 911 Turbo, giving it nary a glance. After all, it was tucked a little out of the way, and even with its tweaked bodywork and decals, if you’ve seen one 911 Turbo, you’ve seen them all, right? Well, no. Anyone who paused long enough to read the info card owner Murray Smith placed front of the car learned that, in fact, this Turbo is more special than others. You see, it was the prototype – the first factory-turbocharged Porsche 911 road car, period.

As the story goes, it began life as a regular ’73 911S company car driven by Porsche chief engineer Helmuth Bott. From there, it won the Porsche genetics lottery when it was sucked into the automaker’s experimental program to serve as the basis for the Turbo. As such, it became the first roadgoing Porsche 911 to get the turbo engine, along with the now-famous widebody treatment and whaletail.

Once its developmental role was complete, it became the 911 Turbo display car for the Paris, Frankfurt, and Tokyo motor shows, but the story doesn’t end there. Following a subsequent factory RSR conversion, this 911 Turbo was raced by Aussie Porsche importer Alan Hamilton during the mid-1970s. The icing on the cake for us came at the day’s conclusion, when we got to hear the car fire up and get in line for the procession past the podium. It sounded like God on speakerphone. For a 911 with this provenance, that seemed entirely appropriate.

Photos by Alex Núñez / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

This is what the first-ever Porsche 911 Turbo looks like today originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:03:00 EST.

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Tupolev 007: Attention, cosmonauts – Your ride’s here

June 6th, 2010

Tupolev 007

Tupolev 007 aerosled at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance- Click above for high res gallery

We’ll provide a full recap of the 2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance later, but this morning, we wanted to share one of the cooler vehicles on display with you – and while it has gullwing doors and is as exotic as it gets, it’s not even a car. While Cold War-era American astronauts were fished out of the drink by the U.S. Navy after splashdown, Soviet cosmonauts at the time faced a different set of risks when their spacecraft returned to Earth – namely, the possibility of landing in the Siberian wilderness. As such, a recovery vehicle was needed that could traverse varied terrain, operate in sub-zero temperatures, and move fast. Enter Russian aviation legend Aleksei Tupolev. His solution is seen here: the Tupolev 007 aerosled.

The shallow-draft craft is powered by a 9-cylinder Vedenyev M14P radial aircraft engine generating 365 horsepower. Its interesting double-propeller is actually fixed, with the rear prop drafting the front blades to increase efficiency and make operation quieter. At speeds above 50 mph, the driver can engage a flap to lift the nose, allowing the 007 to skim the surface, meaning it can race across lakes, marshes, and snow with equal aplomb. The design reportedly won Tupolev the Diploma of Finest Engineer in the USSR (give the Soviets this: they had a flair for super-impressive-sounding awards), and you can go see it yourself if you’re within easy travel distance of Greenwich, CT.

Day 2 of the 15th Annual Greenwich Concours d’Elegance runs today from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT, with foreign cars the featured element. Admission at the door is $25 (proceeds help benefit AmeriCares), and believe us, it’s money well spent. We’ll be there later today as well, and you can follow our tweets from the show by searching on the hashtag #GCDE.

Additional info on the Tupolev aerosled sourced from Gizmag, Hemmings Motor News.

Tupolev 007: Attention, cosmonauts – Your ride’s here originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:31:00 EST.

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Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa unveiled at Villa D’Este

April 24th, 2010

Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Zagato-designed Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa has been unveiled at the Villa D’Este concours, and frankly, it’s spectacular. Driven by the Alfa 8C Competizione’s V8, the TZ3 is very much in keeping with its 60s-era predecessors, the TZ1 and TZ2, sporting similar detail elements and the same near-breadvan profile. Also like the originals, this is a legit racing car. Unlike its forbears, however, the new machine wears aluminum bodywork stretched over a tube frame and carbon-fiber chassis. Power, as indicated before, is also of thoroughly modern origin.

Zagato says the TZ3 was commissioned by German collector Martin Kapp as a special celebration of 100 years of racing from Scuderia Ferrari, Alfa Corse, Autodelta, and Scuderia Zagato. On that “special” bit, we think it’s safe to say, “mission accomplished” – with class and panache to spare. Official PR pics are in the gallery below, and a full live gallery is posted at OmniAuto. Be sure to pay them a visit as well. Thanks for the tip, Claudio!

[Source: Zagato (PDF link) via OmniAuto.it]

Continue reading Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa unveiled at Villa D’Este

Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa unveiled at Villa D’Este originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 09:13:00 EST.

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