2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Unveiling

It’s been said that the third times a charm and I have to say this statement is very true.  I got the invite to attend the launch party and unveiling of an all-new vehicle at Century (Jaguar Huntsville, AL).  It was time for the F-Type roadster to meet his older and more powerful big brother…..the 2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe.  Century had just received two coupes for this debut event and they were the stars of the evening.  You could even say they were like celebrities because everyone wanted a photo of the cars and then one with each car.

The showroom was milling with 40-50 guests including several members from the North Alabama British Motoring Society.  The buzz in the showroom from many of the car enthusiast was how much this car resembled the classic E-Type from the 1960’s with its long nose and flowing bubble rear end. (Trust me looks are where the comparisons stopped)

(Jaguars Hydroforming Lightweight Aluminum make this Coupe 80% more rigid than the Convertible)

As the evening progressed guests were welcomed by General Manger-Century Automotive Group, George Jones as he mingled with old friends and familiar repeat customers.  They could be overheard reminiscing about the cars they had driven and current experiences they had shared.  As always the guest were treated to food and drink as they strolled around the showroom taking in all the sights and sounds of this new beast that Jaguar was ready for the world to see.  During each of these events the Jaguar Huntsville salesmen are on hand to answer any questions you have or sign you up for a test ride in one of the many new cars on sale.

I've already read many of the early reviews and write-ups of this new car and I've heard words like; fearsome, loud, fast, intense, a turn-on, smooth, powerful, and even sexy, so I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I was told that I was going to get to experience driving this finely tuned machine for myself!  

The following week I was invited back down to the dealership to judge for myself if the car could live up to these lofty terms being used to describe Jaguars new coupe.  Recent ads running on TV and the internet used the catch phrase “It’s Good to be Bad” and the villains boast about driving Jaguars……well it was time for me to be bad and drive like a villain! 

As I pushed the start button on the Ultimate Black 2015 F-Type R Coupe to begin my test drive I knew something special was about to happen.  The exhaust note was even more powerful when you are sitting behind the wheel……it begs you to blimp the throttle, and I was ready to oblige!  

Seriously this car revs like a street bike and turns heads at every red-light.  I opted to keep the active switchable exhaust mode in “Sport” for my test spin (or should I call it test flight?).  I overheard one of the salesmen talking about how Ducati engineers had tuned the exhaust on this car which now explains the powerful and unique sound it produced at will.  It was like music to my ears as it snarled, gurgled and popped as if it was a ferocious lion waiting to pounce on any victim within striking distance.

(Did I mention that the Super Performance Brakes had 15" rotors?)

As I hit the road I immediately noticed the comfortable ride this sport coupe possessed which surprised me due to the fact that this is Jaguars most powerful model ever.  Usually the terms comfort and most powerful don’t’ go together but Jaguar has seamlessly blended those in this new car.  The steering response was quicker than any car I've ever driven and it felt as if you were on one of those slot tracks that you raced your RC cars on as a kid……it ran like as if on a rail.  If you pushed it, the acceleration and torque was seriously scary and I loved every minute of it.  Just being in control of this much power and commanding the car to go where you wanted was almost like flying a jet fighter.  All I needed was my Tom Cruise aviators and some Top Gun theme music playing on the Meridian 12 speaker, 16 channel Class D DSP amplified entertainment system!  Just to make sure I was taking full advantage of the experience, I quickly adapted to the use of the steering wheels mounted paddle shifters.  I felt like a Formula 1 driver blazing down the streets of Monaco, but I came to my senses and switched on the fly back to the automatic mode and never missed a beat.

Because this car has just hit the showrooms, it was turning heads everywhere…..even the soccer moms in mini vans stopped  to see what and who had just blasted by them.  The Black Bullitt as I coined it was pure joy to drive and the only negative experience I had was having to get out of it and turn the key fob back in.

Let me give the technical crowd all the specs of the two cars on display at Century;

·     Engine: F-Type S Coupe (Super-charged 380hp V6)

                       F-Type R Coupe (Super-Charged 550hp V8) with 502 lb-ft torque.

·        Transmission:  8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

·        Performance:  S Coupe V6: 0 -60mph (4.8 sec)

                                  R Coupe V8: 0-60mph (4.0 sec), both with a limited top speed of 186mph!

·        Base prices:     V6 S Coupe $77,000

                                   V8 R Coupe $99,000

Price as tested (V8 Supercharged 550hp) $104,625 with the following optional features:

·     20” Gyrodyne Alloy Wheels-Black

·       Panoramic Glass Roof

·       Vision Pack 3: Adaptive & Intelligent Front Lighting

                                   Front sensors & rear parking camera

                                   Blind spot monitor

Before the evening came to a close I began to see how this new F-Type R Coupe has ignited a spark among loyal Jaguar buyers and has piqued a strong interest in new car buyers who are discovering this brand.  I noticed a poster in the showroom that had the British flag draped behind the new F-Type R Coupe and the slogan said “Our New Crown Jewel” and it truly is a jewel to behold.  Jaguar is leading the pack as they charge into a new generation of car enthusiast that want more from their car than just a nameplate and a means of transportation, they want to feel something each time they get behind the wheel.  You can stand in the showroom all night long and not get the rush or the experience of what I am referring to unless you take a test drive. 

The sexy new look of this F-Type Coupe will draw you in but when you feel the adrenaline of the power from under the hood of Jaguars newest cat, you will start asking where do I sign the paperwork.   And if the new cars don’t draw you in maybe the award winning sales and service department will.  Jaguar Huntsville has won the “Pride of Jaguar” award back to back in 2012 and 2013.  This award is only given to the top 16 dealerships in the US based on customer sales and service satisfaction by surveys and sales.  Visit Jaguar Huntsville today and experience the passion and soul of this car for yourself.

55 Hot-Rod Chevy

I recently had the pleasure to interview a good friend of mine and his wicked 55 Chevy……I wanted to share some photos and a video with you and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.  The best part is Joe drives his car to all the shows including the Cruisin' the Coast event at the Mississippi Coast for the last 15 years!

Its great to see a young guy who enjoys taking his classic hot-rod on the road and sharing it with other classic car fans.  I also like the fact that he modified it to fit his taste but also kept the classic look of the 55 Chevy.  Joe the paint on your ride may be 20 years old, but it looks GREAT!!  Keep it between the Ditches my Friend and thanks again.

1955 Chevy (2 door post) owned by Joe Laxson (Athens, AL)

·         Engine:  Corvette LS1 V8, Dyno @ 425 HP, tuned by Shane Culbert from Guntersville, AL

·         4L60E automatic transmission , Aluminum radiator with twin electric fans

·         Vintage Heat and Air

·         Tubular upper and lower control arms with QA1 coilovers front and shocks rear ,1"1/4 sway bar on front

·         373 posi-gears rear end

·         18 gallon stainless gas tank

·         20" wheels on rear and 18" on front

·         chrome tilt column with chrome steering wheel

·         Dakota digital dash instruments and clock

·         5 1/4 " touch screen pioneer stereo with pioneer speakers and amp

·         full custom leather interior by David Lewellen from Cleveland, TN

4 wheel disc brakes and power steering

Enjoy the Video: (Courtesy of ZTV-11)

More Photos:

Let's Go CruZin and check out a Wicked 1963 Split Window Corvette from Lucky's Restorations!!

Resto-Mod vs. Classic?

I recently met with a builder that had just completed a 63 “Split Window” Corvette Stingray; the car was an awesome display of muscle, then he tells me that the car has a full 2006 Z06 under carriage, chassis, and suspension. He describes how it performs like a new ‘Vette and gets 27 (MPG) miles per gallon.  Now to me that sounds exciting to know that this car has classic looks but will drive and handle like a new car with more modern technologies.  I imagine that there are the purists out there reading this article that will cry “foul” and say this is not how a classic sports car should be treated. 

But hold on before you throw this resto-mod crowd under the bus.  What’s wrong with a muscle car with modern car flair…….Isn't that taking a classic and making it better??

I understand that the true “old school” collector wants to restore the timeless classic to an all original condition and try their best to find period correct or OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) parts to bring their baby back to its original state.  Sometimes a car or truck cannot be restored to original condition and that is prime time for a resto-mod.  Many times a barn find is simply missing too many parts or they have rusted away with time.  Before we go much further, let’s define “resto-mod”:  a combination of the words “restore” and “modify”, which is a perfect way to describe what takes place.  The builder/collector decides to fully restore a vehicle but to modify it to meet his or her taste.  During this rebuild, it’s the perfect time to upgrade some of the parts and make the car more like new.  There are many after-market vendors out there today who cater to the builder who is looking for newer technology, ways to make their car handle like todays newer sports car, and provide a safer ride as well.  Another added bonus to this type of build is the quality and reliability of the newer parts.

These resto-mod builds can range from mild to wild and it basically depends on how deep your wallet is.  You can just add a few suspension goodies or install a whole new drivetrain and power plant!  The possibilities are endless and can reach as far as your imagination takes you.  I've recently seen some wild combinations that deserve a second look.  The crate engine packages that Ford and Chevy offer these days make it simple to drop instant power and torque into your ride.

In just the last few years there are companies offering retooled sheet metal that give you a giant leap forward in your build.  For instance, Dynacorn International Inc. now offers steel replacement body shells and chrome trim pieces for the classic Mustang and Camaro that will simplify your project and save you hours of labor and sweat!

I’m not trying to sway you away from restoring your favorite classic hot rod and bringing that “numbers matching” classic back to life, but if you find a non-original vehicle that is calling your name, then consider a resto-mod and make it your own.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy seeing a fully restored classic in its original condition because it has that fresh off the showroom look and can give you a sense of what the car looked like when it was new.  However, it is always cool to see a 67 Camaro with a LS7 Corvette engine, all new gauges, and a Z06 suspension or 67 Mustang with a 429 Crate engine and custom exhaust system under it.

Hopefully I've given you some insight on your next build or maybe you have been inspired to consider a resto-mod project, but just remember whatever you do, make it your own and enjoy the journey along the way. 

Mustang.....it's a Family Affair!

Reggie’s dad started buying and selling Mustangs in the 80’s and 90’s and at one point he must have had 15 Mustangs ranging from 1964 ½ to 1969.  He would purchase them and his son (Ronnie) would rebuild them to sale to the public. 

Reggie’s son James inherited the family’s love for Mustangs at a very early age.  He told his son “you can have most of the things you want in life if you are willing to put in the work to earn them”.  When he was about 12 years old James asked his dad what he needed to do to earn a Mustang, so Reggie gave him three requirements: (1) Obtain the Rank of Eagle Scout, (2) Memorize the entire Bible book of James (his namesake) (3) Make a 33 or better on the ACT test.  Now Reggie did not know if he could obtain these goals but knew it would set him on a good path and keep him out of trouble.  Here is how James set about achieving these goals.

James was active in his scout troop advancing in leadership from Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Senior Patrol Leader.  He went to all three of Scouting’s high adventure bases –Philmont, Seabase, and Northern Tier.  He had leadership roles on each of the high adventure outings and he was the Expedition Leader in a 150 mile canoe trip in the Canadian wilderness.  In just a short period of time, he had completed all the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank.

Reggie began working with him to memorize the book of James.  At the end of most every day, James and his dad would memorize a portion of the book.  Progress was slow at first, so he began to learn additional portions in secret.  On his next birthday, he surprised his parents by reciting the entire book of James from memory……they were floored.  They shared the story with their Pastor and he asked if James would recite the book for the Church.  Each Sunday, James would get on stage and recite a chapter of the book, and the Pastor would follow up with the sermon.

James had always been a good student.  He won several awards with the Math and Debate Teams and because of his earlier academic performance; he had been invited to join the Talent Identification Program (TIP) from Duke University.  This program gave him the opportunity to take the actual ACT exam starting in the 8^th Grade.   In his first attempt he made a 26, in the 9^th grade he made a 32, and it became clear he was closing in on his goal.  At this point, Reggie started making plans to fulfill his part of the deal.  James ultimately made a composite score of 35 which earned him scholarship offers from many Universities.

At this point, Reggie started looking for James a Mustang.  After talking to his brother Ronnie, who has always been a Mustang enthusiast, they began to put the plan in action.   Ronnie has rebuilt many Mustangs over the years and had always wanted to build a Mustang using the Cervini C-500 kit.  Since this kit comes with many exterior body panel parts; hood, front bumper kit, ducktail rear wing, upper window scoops, lower quarter scoops, and an upgraded side exhaust system with side skirts and rear valance, Ronnie suggested looking for a 2006 or 2007 that had been involved in a minor accident.  He quickly found a 2007 coupe that was being auctioned off and it had minimal front end damage.  It only had 37K miles, a well-kept black and gold interior and a V6 engine.  Mechanically, it was in very good shape and Ronnie knew he could rebuild it, so he purchased the wreck for $4600.  Most of the front end damage would be replaced with the new parts from the Cervini’s C-500 body kit.

Ronnie started work on this project car in August and enjoyed it so much that he had most of the work completed by the middle of October.   Reggie knew it was going to be a good looking Mustang but had no idea it would turn out as good as it did!  It was hard to keep the car hidden from everyone so word would not get back to James, so a big surprise party was planned as part of their yearly family Thanksgiving feast.  After the meal, they blindfolded James and took him out to meet his new car.  It was a day they all will remember for the rest of their lives.

The car and the goals Reggie set for James to obtain became a driving force for him.  It set him on a path that kept him out of trouble through his teenage years and laid a foundation for his future.  Because of his ACT scores and his Eagle Scout achievement, he received many college scholarship offers.  He ultimately accepted a Scholarship to Auburn University.  The scholarship was worth almost $50,000. Total expenses on the car were $17,000.  (Reggie came out way ahead!) 

As James walked out to the car blindfolded that day, his dad was excited to show him a special touch they had added to James’s Mustang.  On the side of the car, the normal kit has a “C-500” emblem.  We changed that emblem to read “C-323.”  The C-323 stands for Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”  Every time he approaches the car, James sees this reminder of how he should live his life.

(James with his Mustang)

For more info on having a custom car built or restored, call Ronnie Spivey at 334-441-6109

(This article is also in the May 2014 Issue of "Mustang Times" a publication of the MCA.)

Thanks, Joseph

The 2015 Mustang...is the 50th too European?

When most folks turn 50 years old it’s celebrated with black balloons and gloomy tombstone markers, but the Ford Mustang is still alive and running free as it always has.  To celebrate the Golden years of this pony car, Ford has decided it is such a big occasion that they needed to have two simultaneous events.  Beginning on Thursday April 17^th, Mustang fans from all over the country will flood into Charlotte, NC and Las Vegas, NV to participate in four days of nothing but Mustang pandemonium!  If you drive a Mustang or are just a fan, you do not want to miss these once in a lifetime events.

(Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

Now that the 2015 Ford Mustang has been revealed and the photos are everywhere, I wanted to address the styling/design and some of the negative feedback that is all over Facebook and the forums.  Some fans out there are totally not interested in this all new look that the Mustang is sporting.  To those folks, I say…….wait a minute!

Let’s go back a few years and reflect for a moment.  I was reading one of my numerous Mustang coffee table books the other night and I read some intriguing quotes I had never heard before.......John J. Telnack who was a designer with Ford from the 60's thru the 80's.  (He also had a successful career with Ford lasting some 39 years).  He tells a story of how he helped design the all-new European influenced 1979 Fox Mustang.  When he showed a "sneak peek" of the design to Henry Ford, He did not like the direction they were proposing.  John asked him to just think about it and they would do a few variations.....and the 2nd time he showed it to Henry he said "Boy.....I've got to tell you, it really works.....let's go with it".

What's very interesting is that the other design they were more strongly considering from the other competing design team was "Very-Very American and very boxy"  He goes on to recount how they decided to go with the design that was more European and how successful it became and still is today!!  It’s neat to hear those behind the scenes talks that go on to make history with good and bad design decisions.  I’m just glad that Henry Ford decided to let Lee Iaccoca act on his vision and proceed with production of the Mustang.

(Here is a custom version of the 1979 Mustang Indy Pace Car Edition)

I personally don't have any issues with a European designed 2015 as long as it keeps the American look with a slight European twist- like an Aston Martin-Vanquish look!

The Ford Mustang having a European influence is nothing new and it’s been a part of the car for a large portion of its history.  I think there were some classic Mustangs with some European design influence (maybe one-offs), and more recently there was the Giugiaro Mustang Concept from 2006.

This car did give us a few hints at what the 50^th Mustang might look like, but it was a one-off custom built concept car to stir the interest of Mustang fans worldwide.

Speaking of worldwide, Ford has made no excuses for the worldwide market they are trying to reach with this all new Mustang.  They are pushing the car into some of the Asian markets that have always been off the radar until now.

There will always be those Mustang purists who just will not warm up to this new 2015 design, but I feel like I need to share my experience to bring out an interesting perspective.  I am president of a very active Mustang car club in my local community and most of my friends know that I am Mustang Crazy!  In the months and days leading up to the “Official” reveal of this all new Mustang, many of my car club buddies and close friends kept asking me what I thought it was going to look like and did I think it would be too European and not “American looking”.  I continued to tell each one of them that Ford would deliver on this one and we would all love it.

Now after the photos of the car were posted and all the major news networks covered the big reveals, it was amazing to me to hear the feedback from my friends.   Of my friends who were “car guys” and Mustang fans, there were only about 50% who liked the new 2015 design, but of my friends who are not into cars or Mustangs at all, the numbers were almost 90% who loved it and even said, “WOW, I think I want one of those when it comes out!”  Now I’m not a numbers or marketing guy, but I would say that Ford has hit another homerun if they can get folks who had not previously even looked twice at buying a Mustang to now say they are seriously considering purchasing one. 

When the fanfare is over, the 50^th Mustang Celebration is finished, and the car has hit the dealerships, we will truly get a feel for how the public has responded to this worldwide Mustang.  Personally I feel most will be quick to fall in love all over again with this new Pony car just as they did back in 1964 when it was released.  The only question that will remain is…..”What color do I want to order it in”? 

Don’t forget you heard it here first-when Ford releases the next wave of special edition Mustangs (which rumor has it will include an all-new 2016 Mach I that will blow your socks off)…Ford will fill every order and might have to consider building even more to meet demands! 

Happy 50^th Birthday to the Ford Mustang…….keep running strong for another 50 years!!

Car Show vs. Cruise-in...what’s the difference?

I get this question all the time, so I decided to fill you in and then you will know what to expect.

A cruise-in is a more laid back type of event where you just drive your ride in and park, there is no fee to park and show your ride, there are no trophies given, and it is typically held on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon/night.  These cruise-in events are sometimes called “Show & Shine” because that’s all you do-shine your ride up and show it off.  There is sometimes music and door prizes but it’s just a little more easy going that a full blown car show.  Typically the cruise-in will only have 25-50 cars/trucks where everybody just wants to stroll around and see the vehicles and chat for a while.  Most of the time a cruise-in is held near or in the parking lot of a restaurant or business, that way the women can shop or the family can eat while they are there enjoying the rides.  Cruise-in’s typically only last 3-4 hours.

(Cruise-in a Dreamland BBQ in 2013)

Car shows are typically a lot larger in size and offer more for the serious car guy or gal.  The major differences are that there is usually a cost or entry fee to show your car and they usually judge the cars/trucks in some type of classes and give a few trophies at most shows.  A car show will also typically have vendors selling food/collectibles/parts/etc to help draw in a larger crowd. 

Most of the time a car show will attract more folks who just come by to see and admire the vehicles, as where a cruise-in is mostly just the folks who bring their rides.  At a typical car show, participants will arrive early to get their car/truck registered and then begin an hour (or longer) process of detailing their ride.  They will setup their chairs to relax in later in the day, but upon arrival they spend a good bit of time putting the final touches on the car/truck to make sure it’s ready for the judging.  A car show will typically last from 8:00 am till 3 or 4:00 pm.  The registration ends and judging begins at most shows around 12 to 1:00 pm.  Door prizes and other giveaways are always an attraction at car shows…….in fact a few of the larger show across the country give away an engine, a $5000 tool chest, or even a nice used car to help attract more folks.  Another great bonus to these events is that many shows are now charity events where most if not all of your entry fee is given to a local charity for a very worthy cause.

(Car Show in Somerset, KY in 2011)

Car show season is in full swing now that the weather is finally turning warmer, so now you have no excuse not to know the differences in car shows and cruise-ins.  The only question is now…….which one are you going to attend and when??

Joseph

“I Feel the Need……..The Need for Speed”

What is our fascination with speed?  It doesn't matter if its cars, motorcycles, planes, or even the latest track stars, we all love to see something go fast!  Maybe it’s a guy thing but we always want whatever we are driving to go faster…….we never seem to be satisfied with how fast it will go, we always want more.

The year was 1986 and a popular movie was released by the name of "Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise and it portrayed a Navy fighter pilot who loved to go fast and show out.  One famous line in the movie has been quoted for years by car guys everywhere……”I feel the need, the need for speed”.  Fast forward a few years and a new video game was released for the PlayStation and Sega called “Need for Speed” and it featured you in a role play game where you were behind the wheel driving some of the fastest cars of all time.  With each new release of the game, it allowed you to blast down the road in the most popular and exotic super cars of the world!  I can remember waiting for the next version of the game to come out each year, because you always wanted to see which new super cars would be on it.  A few years later they even had an edition call “Need for Speed-Hot Pursuit” where the goal was to drive it like you stole it and outrun the cops after they began chasing you.  (Note…..don’t try this in real life!)

Hollywood has now made a new movie called “Need for Speed” that tells the story of an underground street racer who was framed and has now been released from prison.  He joins a cross country race event to get revenge on the man who set him up.  Needless to say there will be lots of high speed car chases and tons of awesome looking cars.  There was even a specially designed 2014 Mustang custom built for this movie and it promises to do some stunts that will take our breath away.  Just in the last couple of weeks it has been revealed that the newly released 2015 Ford Mustang will also make a cameo appearance in the movie.  I’m sure this movie will pay tribute to all the classic car chase movies of recent fame (Bullitt, Gone in Sixty Seconds) that also featured famous Mustangs.

Now back to my original question……what is up with our obsession with speed?  The Bugatti Veyron has held the title of fastest production car for the past few years, but that record was just broken this year by a newcomer.  The Hennessey Venom GT set a new world record of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h) for a 2-seater sports car.  Hats off to the Hennessey Performance team for such an incredible run and such a spectacular looking car!  I can’t wait to see what will break the record next.

So it matters not if you are driving a car, flying a plane, racing a horse, or even the neighborhood foot race…..everybody wants to be the fastest.  Some say it’s the adrenaline rush or just the thrill of going faster than what seems humanly possible.  I say that as long as people are traveling in some type of vehicle even if it’s in personal Spacecraft’s one day……..it’s always going to be a race to see who is the fastest as they satisfy their “Need for Speed”!

It’s almost time for car show season!

Warmer weather will be here before you know it and you will see local car shows and cruise-in’s everywhere.  Are you plugged into your local car show scene??  If not you might be asking what’s the big deal with car shows and why would I want to go to one?  Local car shows are always a great family friendly way to get outside and see some remarkable classic cars and trucks as well as the late model muscle cars of today. 

Going to car shows is one of the most fun memories I have spending time with my dad.  We would walk around and I would listen intently as he reminisced about the cars and hearing stories of which ones he had owned.  I would not trade those day with my dad for any amount!

These shows usually offer some great music and good food to enjoy as you stroll back in time and relive what my dad calls “the good-ol-days”.  Many times the local cars shows are raising money for a local charity or organization and they offer a great way to support your community.  It is wonderful to see money raised to help clubs or organizations in your town when in need.

A few years ago you had to search far and near each month to find a good car show to attend, but now days its hard each weekend to decide which show or cruise-in you are going to go to.  Sometimes there are multiple shows to attend the same day…….can you say road trip?

So if you have a classic car or truck get it shined up and ready to hit the shows and if you don’t, grab the wife and kids, get out and take in the sights and sounds of your local car show scene.  Kids are so into video games these days, it will be a great change for them to get out and experience an up close look and sounds of an American V8 engine as it fires to life!  It is such a wonderful site to see a family at a car show with the little boy in tow with his dad and the mom pushing the baby stroller and everyone having a great time as they enjoy the classic cars and trucks at a local car show………are you making plans to attend one now?

Buying a Classic car……..Hind sight is always 20/20!

The old saying “Hind sight is 20/20” is so true and when it comes to buying a classic car for an investment, you better do your homework.  If we only knew then what we know now!  Just think for a minute at the cars that were just average drivers that became an investment goldmine.   I still hear stories of guys who are cashing in their 401K plans to buy classic cars and sit on them as they increase in value.  I’m not sure if I’m ready to go that far with my retirement plans but the numbers do support this as being a smart move in some cases. 

CNN Money just posted an article listing the top 10 dirt cheap collectible cars.  The article outlines the idea that you don’t have to be rich to buy cars that are increasing in value.  The author says with as little as $5000 you can purchase a few cars today that will make decent money in the near future.  One of the examples he gives is the 1985-93 Fox Mustangs equipped with the 5.0 liter V8 engine.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/autos/1002/gallery.cheap_collector_cars/index.html

(1993 Cobra Mustang in rare Teal color)

Time coupled with the laws of supply and demand can change the value of a car in good ways and bad, but having forethought at which cars are going to be the most sought after ones is not an easy game to play.  Most of the articles I have read recently say the classic car market is on the move up again after skids over the last three years or so.  This rebound in the market may be due to the baby-boomers being able to go out and purchase the cars they wanted while in high school and college, the difference is now they can afford to buy one fully restored.  Better yet, they can buy one that has the gadgets and toys they wanted to have on it back in the day.

Again I remind you that hind sight is always 20/20 and we all know the cars now that we should have bought.  Many experts suggest that you buy a classic car today that is a good value, but that you also love and can enjoy as you wait for the value to increase.  Another article quoted stats on the 1970’s Porsche Turbo cars fetching approximately $20,000 over what they did just three years ago.  Classic pickup trucks have also been doing very well in the automobile auctions and seem to be bringing more money than ever. 

With all the tools we now have with the internet and websites devoted to collector cars and values, everybody can be an expert.  Collector car auctions like Barrett Jackson, Mecum, and RM Auctions have also kept buyers and sellers informed as to which cars are bringing the most and what type cars are not selling as well.  The only disadvantage to attending these auctions in person is that the excitement and passion can cause to you to make an emotional buy and not the wisest from an investment perspective.

Now I’m not advising you go out and cash in your retirement funds to go buy a classic car, but you might want to consider it as an option.  The more difficult task may be convincing your spouse that the classic Mustang or Camaro you are buying is purely for an investment!  (Good luck with that)

Ala. boy with cancer, 9, gets dream visit to Mustang plant - Fox 2 News Headlines

Ala. boy with cancer, 9, gets dream visit to Mustang plant - Fox 2 News Headlines

My Dream Team…….do you have one?

With the Winter Olympics approaching this week I began to reflect on some of the most memorable moments and the one that stands out to me as being the best has three words; “The Dream Team”.  The 1992 Olympic Basketball team was known as “The Dream Team” and was one of the best basketball teams that have ever been assembled.  This team had it all; it was the best of the best.  They had all the big names and the team was stacked with skills at every position.  You already knew the names and everyone was excited to see how they would perform together.  The team had Jordan, Bird, Magic, Barkley, Stockton, Pippen, and Ewing just to name a few.  They overwhelmingly won the gold medal and made us proud to be from the USA.

By now you may be asking “What does this basketball team have to do with cars”?  Reminiscing about this team caused me to think about what if I was trying to assemble a team, who would, I choose.  After thinking about it for a few minutes I decided it would be more fun to try and assemble my Dream Team of cars!

After some time of research and decision making, here is my “Dream Team” of my favorite cars and why I would want to own them.  (They are not in any particular order)

(1965 Shelby 427 Cobra)

1. 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra – The Shelby name alone makes everyone want to own one of these, but this car may be on everybody’s list.  In 1965 this car was reported to have run a speed test from 0-100 mph, back to zero in 14.5 seconds…….I wonder how many cars today to beat that?  This car is loud, very small and most likely not the most comfortable car you will ever drive, but in spite of all those negatives……you still want one!
2. 1955 Chevy Bel-air – The 1955 Chevy was a departure from the look and style of the early 50’s cars and Chevy was ready to show it off.  It gained the V8 engine option and the ad campaign called it the “hot one” and that was a fitting name for this classic styling home-run that is still one of the most popular classic cars.  At car shows and cruise-ins today you still see younger kids gather around and admire these beautiful cars.  Like this car or not you have to respect the styling and classy lines of this Hot-Rod Chevy.
3. 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed – Seriously….the name of the car has speed in it, what else can I say, well with a 6.0 liter W12 (you will have to do your own research on that one) Twin Turbo engine with all-wheel drive, it has lots more to say.  This car will allow you to ride in sophisticated modern style and blow the doors off of most any car on the road with its 602 HP, 553 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60 mph in the 4.3 sec.  Oh and in case you are still wondering why this made my list, it also boasts a 202 mph top speed!
4. 2005 Ford GT – This was the first mid-engine “super car” offering from Ford and it lived up to all the hype.  The car pays tribute to the Ford GT40 that gained so much fame during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the late 60’s.  This two-seater came equipped with Ford’s 5.4 liter V8 and it was supercharged to boost the horsepower up to 500 and also 500 lb-ft of torque!  This car was capable of a 0-60 time of 3.5 sec.  From a collect-ability aspect, they only made 4038 of these cars, but if I owned one, I would drive it every day.
5. 1969 Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet – If you know me very well, you knew I could not leave this one off of my list.  This Mustang just had all the tough guy/muscle car goodies you could want.  From the hood pins to the flat black trim, this Mustang looked like it belong on the race track straight off the showroom floor.  It came with a front and rear spoiler that gave a hint to the beast under the hood.  The 428 Cobra Jet engine would shake and rattle as you revved the engine thanks to its ram-air shaker hood scoop.  Ford rated these cars at 335 HP but it’s been speculated for years that they were grossly underrated.  It may not have been the fastest car at the track on Friday nights, but it scored big with its looks. 

I had to cut my list off at five and I’m sure your list of “Dream Team” cars will be totally different, but if you are a car guy then I’m sure I will love yours also.  I tried to cover all the bases on my list but I could have easily made it a top 10.  Feel free to post up your list for us to drool over.  I guess I need to start my garage expansion plans before I start looking for my list of cars.  

Thanks, Joseph