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Car Crap From The Past

— Lamborghini LM002 — The “Rambo Lambo”

Before the Hummer, there was another badass SUV that gave no consideration to fuel efficiency or other road-going vehicles it shared the road with. It was the Lamborghini LM002. Instead of being able to climb over anything like the Hummer, the LM002 was more of a ultra exotic battering ram for the ultra rich. It was owned by rock-stars, business tycoons, and Saudi Sheiks. Although spawned from the military, this was a luxury vehicle (from the 80′s). It had power windows, door locks, Air Conditioning, and plenty of leather throughout. Now? Why would Lamborghini think this was a good...

Formula One is returning to the US. To support this highest from of sports car racing in the world, some enterprising businessmen decided that the US needed a new dedicated racing circuit, that will be called Circuit Of The Americas. The site chosen is in Elroy, which is just outside of Austin, Texas. After making requests to the Circuit Of The America (COTA) staff. They got back to me properly fast and after a week of rainy days, and a week of drying out, I was given a date and time to be there. After meeting up...

I finally got around to watching the long awaited (and multiple award winning) documentary, Senna. The documentary follows the racing career of the great Formula One driver, Ayrton Senna. From his start in Kart (Cart) racing to his debut in Formula One. This leads to his first Championship in 1988 through to his death during the Grand Prix of San Marino, Italy (Imola). Although the setting is Formula One, even if you’re not a fan, you should watch it because this is the story about a person striving to be the best in his field; including the tribulations he...

In what was considered to be the most technically advanced production car at the time (and is still high-tech by today’s standard), Porsche created the 959. The 959 was in production from 1986 to 1989. It was designed largely as a Rally car. Just like Lancia’s Stratos, it was sold in order to make the 959 legal on the rally circuit. Porsche was required to produce and sell at least 200 cars on the open, auto market for the 959 to be considered “production” by the World Rally sanctioning body (FIA) . Porsche utilized one of its existing engines,...

In the pantheon of carriages, trains are efficient at carrying lots of passenger between cities. Trains can reliably stop at numerous locations along a railroad and “work” 24 hours a day. Although much of the American train industry is dying (or dead), trains are a prime means of moving millions of people per day throughout the world. As far as looks are concerned there are several trains that stand out from the rest. Obviously the Bullet trains (generically) from Japan, Europe, and China are amazing, but back in the 50′s there was another. The GM Aerotrain. Back in the...

The Lancia Stratos was the first car to be designed from the ground up to be a Rally car and when the Rally Championships for Lancia. The actual name of the car was the Lancia Stratos HF (High Fidelity). In order to get the car into the racing series, all cars are required to sell 500 units (or be considered a purpose-built race car for a different series). It was designed to win the championships. The 195 horsepower Ferrari (Dino) engine was placed in front of the rear wheels. This mid-engine configuration ensured stability as the vehicle transferred its...

The 1966-1972 Lamborghini Miura was a groundbreaking piece of hardware. It sported Lamborghini’s v12 engine that produced about 350 -380 hp depending on which year and version you picked up. The Miura was the first “ROAD GOING” production car built in the mid-engine (engine behind the driver/in front of the rear axles) configuration. The Miura was by all accounts a success that forced Ferrari to make thier mid-engined cars. The Miura ensured that even today, supercars are mid-engined. It was a beast; in all its disk-brake, rear-wheel drive mayhem. It was able to jump to 60 mph in under...

— The Porsche 356 — Really The First “Porsche”

Germany was in search of a small car. The German Government put out the call for such a car and eventually the car that would be approved is the peoples car (folks car/ VolksWagen) Beetle. This was in 1933 and that’s when the world saw the first proof of concept (or Concept Car). Although seemingly different, the cars… are brethren. The “Kafer”, or Beetle would share much of their under-body components to include Transmissions, Rear/Air Cooled engines. The differences are basically skin deep. Why? Because the Beetle was designed by an Automotive Genius. Herr Dr. Ferdinand Porsche would take...

— Remember the Pontiac Aztek — Ugliest Car That Ever Was

Now, I love Pontiac! “Loved” Pontiac, I guess since she is now gone. Just the thought of Bonneville’s, GTO’s, and my personal favorite, the Firebirds! But alas, everyone makes mistakes time and again… And with a few other models, Pontiac’s main mistake that is damn-near unforgivable… It is the ass-ugly Aztek. The Pontiac Aztek is an abomination of good design. Despite how utilitarian it is, and admittedly it is, it should not be on the streets of a civilized country. I don’t know if there are Feng Shui rules for cars, but I’m telling you, the Aztek is breaking...

— Avtech Vector — American Supercar Royalty

Do you remember the Vector? Ahh, It was an American Supercar made in ‘believe-it-or-not, southern California. Many a young boy had the poster of a white Vector on his wall, right next to the posters of Lamborghini Countach’, Porsche 959′s, and Ferrari F-40′s. The company was started by Gerald Wiegart. He planned, designed, and built the cars until he was back-stabbed and removed from his own company. Mr. Wiegart was a brilliant designer (from all accounts) but perhaps he wasn’t the greatest businessman. We (C&C) was not there but the suggestion is that he did not want to compromise...

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— Lamborghini LM002 — The “Rambo Lambo”

— Cirtuit Of The America (COTA) Visit — 12 Jan 2012

— Senna — The Documentary — A Must See!!!

— Porsche 959 — Technical Perfection; Before It Was Cool

— Aerotrain — General Motors And Its Train

— Lancia Stratos — Rallycar Royalty

— The Lamborghini Miura — A Groundbreaking Auto

— The Porsche 356 — Really The First “Porsche”

— Remember the Pontiac Aztek — Ugliest Car That Ever Was

— Avtech Vector — American Supercar Royalty

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