Remember The Foundation
Sometimes it's not the achievement itself that's substantial, but the groundwork laid before that's most critical.
Car Spotlight / Svelte Vette
As I've mentioned before, over the last several years I've grown to appreciate the American cars that I used to dismiss while I was younger. One of the hardest cars to get over was the Corvette, especially given its stigma among some car enthusiasts. To put it simply, I do not fit the 'Vette demograph by any stretch of the imagination, so it was easy for me to be "put off" by many of their owners.
However, over time I learned to manage the subcultures among car enthusiasts, as well as disassociate them and let the cars speak for themselves. And it is then where the C2 really shined for me. It has been stated many times that the original Sting Ray is one of the greatest designs in automotive history, or at the very least American car history, and I full agree with such a bold claim.
There is not a single angle on this car that doesn't ooze with style (ok, the wheel caps are pretty weak, but that can be easily fixed). Like most great designs, this was clearly created by one man's vision, not by a design team like many modern cars often are. Even though this particular model wasn't the ultimate split-window model, it still grabbed and held my attention better than many classic European cars could.
Also didn't hurt that the C2 generation had such a successful racing history. In fact, it was probably more successful than any other Corvette generation until Pratt & Miller came in with their C5 and C6 domination.
It's also the only Corvette I'd ever associate the word "classy" with. Every generation that followed seemed to have a stronger emphasis on getting more bang for the buck, both in terms of visual treatment (C3 Sting Rays) and performance (C4 ZR1, C5/6 Z06). Not that that's a bad thing, and maybe the "classy" association is due to the C2 being a product of the 60's, but I always felt the C2 had that perfect balance between sport and composure that no other Corvette was able to achieve.
Racing, class, bold styling, American roots. Small wonder why it's an icon among icons.
Morning Victory
Back when Triumph made more than just bikes. If there was any British marque I could resurrect, it'd probably be them.
Blue Thirty Two
Wish the rear wheels were a little wider and while these Mooneyes Speed Masters fit amazingly, I'd want a second set of wheels with simple black steelies. Otherwise, this is PERFECT.
Seriously, this and an all black 32 I spotted at Monterey Historics are my top all time favorite hot rods because this is exactly how I'd want one. .
Tangerine Muscle
Some people seem to think the new Z/28 can't be good for track use because it's just a Camaro, but they seem to forget Camaros have always been on the track ever since the very beginning.
Gorgeous In Red
There's many good reasons why Ferrari 250 GTO's are now the most expensive cars in the world demanding no less than 8 figures. Some say that sort of money should never go to a car, only things like art work, but then you'd have to see the car in person to realize, it is.
Dreamin' 356
The coolest little Beetle.
London / A Brief Tuesday Evening Stroll
During the week Michelle and I spent most of the days working, so there wasn't too much exploring at the time, but after we were done we would still stroll around for someplace to grab some food. Here's a few shots of our neighborhood.
It's all about one-upping someone else.
Though you'll always find someone who's untouchable.
Piccadilly Circus, the mini-Times Square.
Invasion of the mediocre American chains!
Oh British Chinatown, why can't LA's be like this? Full of cheap restaurants, markets and bakeries.
The glamorous green hole-in-the-wall on the right has been our go-to spot for cheap Japanese food (and just cheap food in general).
Pork buns all day everyday!
The most hardcore MINI of them all, the John Cooper Works GP.