Alfa Romeo 8C Road Test

Test Vehicle: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Coupe

The hardest part of this review is knowing where to start. This car is as rare as hen’s teeth.

There are to be only 500 made of the Alfa Romeo 8C, and only about 50 to make it to the US, so the fact that I am about to drive this is not lost on me. Pictures have circulated on the web and their various tubes for a while of this car, but *sigh* good god, it is jaw dropping in the paint.

If there was a naked woman on the 8C’s bonnet, you’d want her to get off it. Honestly, it’s just ridiculous.

Curves everywhere. The body is carbon fiber and is draped over the chassis to create the most delicious shape on the road. Its like Christina Hendricks on wheels, and if you don’t know who that is, Google her (Note by Adnan: Megan Fox on wheels would do the trick too). Christina’s a red head too, so it’s fitting that the red metallic paint accentuates them all, and those wheels look tremendous. Giant circles reminiscent of the wheels on the VW GTi a little.

The way the front centers around the grill is a thing of beauty, with a little circle of white LEDs in the grill.

The rear end reminds me of the old racing Porsches, and the circular rear lights are the perfect touch. I am a little besotted by the looks of this thing as you can probably tell.

It is now my favorite looking car on the road, beating the Aston Martin DB9. I never thought that phrase would ever come out of my mouth…

The interior is also just breathtaking. The leatherwork in the seats alone is something to study, the aluminum on the wheel and the dash, and the long aluminum paddles behind the wheel are in just the right places. The twin cowls on the main gauges separated with a red screen with a number of other supplemental gauges set off the interior beautifully, and the carbon fiber center console just adds to the overall experience. Its a sense of occasion that can barely be explained.

It was the sexiest car I had ever clapped my eyes on…

…and then I started it up.

Holy mother of god, who tuned that exhaust note? That can’t be legal, surely.

A throttle blip rendered me speechless for about a minute. There are loud cars that are just too loud, and then there are cars that you could listen to all day. I’ve never heard a rumble like this outside of a pit lane. It is intoxicating. A low rumble, with the 8 cylinder 4.3 liter engine just bellowing down the exhaust pipes with no regard for public safety.

After some time to compose myself, I put this thing in sport mode, put it in gear, and released the little electric handbrake, and off I went.

It felt a little light to start with, but then I got used to it. Accelerating towards the first corner, the noise is off the charts, but its a beautiful noise. I let my foot off the accelerator for a moment, and the exhaust just cracked and popped in a way that reminded me of the Panoz race cars, crack, pop, rumble…what road car makes that noise?! Oh, this one. I don’t care how many miles to the gallon this thing was getting, that noise had me accelerating and lifting off more times than I should. I was probably waking the dead in nearby cemeteries and people within a 5 mile radius, but it was an orchestra. They probably woke, listened to it, and smiled. How can you not?

Aside from the the noise, the gearbox was great. Changes up and down were smooth, lots of power, great acceleration, not as tight around the corners as the Gallardo, but still a level above virtually all other cars on the road. Its a taller car, even though its still a small car, so there is lots of headroom and shoulder room. Good visibility out all round. Seats were comfortable and held you in place really well as it went over dips and through curves.

The brakes were good too, as you would expect on a car like this, but moving your foot from one pedal to the other caused the thunderclaps out of the exhaust, so I sort of forgot about the brakes to be honest with you. The aural rewards were far outweighing the driving experience.

The team at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo deserve a medal the size of a large dining table for getting this on the road. If this doesn’t get Alfa noticed, then nothing will. An incredible experience. Not the finest drivers car on the road, but if you want to make a statement, this is the one to get, and being one of only 500 will make it an even rarer proposition. I know its basically a Maserati under the skin, but its a totally different animal and improves (if that’s even possible) on the looks of the Gran Turismo.

Hyundai Introduces Equus Long-Wheelbase, Armored Versions

The Equus first surfaced around the beginning of this year. At the time, most thought it was a vehicle slated for Hyundai’s home market of South Korea only. Given Hyundai’s relentless drive upward though, it has proved to be much more than that.

Hyundai tested reception of the car in our market by displaying it at the New York Auto Show and placing the car in various Hyundai dealerships around the country.

One thing that should have came through with all the recent vehicles Hyundai has been launching – they aren’t messing around. Most proper luxury sedans in the segment offer two wheelbase lengths available, standard and extended. As such, Hyundai recently let drop images of the the extended wheel-base model of the Equus, dubbed the Equus Limousine, or VL500.

Now the company hasn’t confirmed if it will be coming to the United States or not, but if the past is any guide of the future I’d say there is a good chance. Imagine, it could be like a bargain Maybach! The neat thing though is that Hyundai is even getting into producing armored versions already.

Three armored Hyundai Equus VL500 were built and provided to the Korean Presidential Security Service for use at the G20 summit held in South Korea next year. The three limousines are the first armored cars to be built in the country.

They’re up to snuff too, able to withstand the blast of 15 kilograms of TNT, a level similar to that of Mercedes-Benz and BMW’s armored vehicles. I’m not sure if there will be an armored Equus that is sold to the public, or if they are just made for the country’s leader. Either way, Hyundai is going all-out with the new Equus.

Chrysler Brand to Sell Fiat 500 in U.S.

Since it's unveiling many people in the U.S. have been hoping that the Fiat 500 would eventually be sold here. Well now that Fiat and Chrysler have hooked up our wish has come true. Its been confirmed that the Fiat 500 will be sold through Chrysler dealerships when it is released and it will be the only Fiat badged model in the U.S.

Chrysler brand CEO and head of sales for all Chrysler Group brands, Peter Fong stated that the Fiat 500 will likely have a dedicated corner in Chrysler showrooms rather than its own retail network like the Mini. Eventually four versions will make it to the U.S., the hatchback, convertible, a wagon and a high-performance version.

The Fiat 500 is expected to be produced at Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico facility in late 2010 or early 2011.

Ferrari announces the F458 Italia Spider

According to the latest reports, it appears that at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Ferrari president a.k.a. Luca di Montezemolo announced the new F458 Italia Spider. There is a bad news though: the production version of the F458 Italia Spider, which will feature a stylish soft top, will have to wait a couple of years because, according to its CEO, Ferrari has to recover after the financial crisis. Of course, if you can’t wait the convertible you can choose the new F458 Italia Coupe which will go on sale in January 2010.

Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger to Live on Until Late 2012

The Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger midsize sedans were pretty much dead under Chrysler's former owner, Cerberus Capital Management, but now that Chrysler has a new owner, the sedans have a new lease on life.

Cerberus had originally planned to kill the Sebring and Avenger at the end of 2010 and close the Sterling Heights, Mich., factory where they are built. The factory could still be closed, but the sedans will continue to be produced until the end of 2012.

The Sebring is slated to get an extensive face-lift in 2011, while the Avenger is slated to get a milder refresh, which may bring it to the market sooner than the Sebring.

El Camino 09 Part 2

It took me so long just to do the swap meet, that by the time I made it back to the show area, many of the bikes were loaded and gone. Most of the bikes left belonged to guys waiting to hear if they had won anything.

If your into Antique MC's , you probably know this fella. Mike's done bikes for big shots such as Jay Leno.


This '66 returned but this time with a side hack.


Too flashy for me and likely for the judges as well.


Craig Taylors exceptionally clean '61.


I heard he took it all the way to Davenport.


You had to see this BMW's color in person to really appreciate it.


Nice '51. I love black wheels but not with whites. If your into flash and want to run whites wouldn't it make more sense to have chrome wheels?


Interesting but too much flash (and red), for my taste. All that work, so why the funky and torn '80's Sportster seat?


A simple Chief. It may have been the only Indian in this groups line up.


Pepper Red and Ivory White. Yes, the factory really did this simple form of two tone for '54.


This funny little Powell was the last (scooter class), bike standing when I came back. It appears the seat and rack are sprung by those 3 springs in the back.

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Red Color

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Picture

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Motorcycle Wallpaper

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Touring Bike

2010 Yamaha V-Star 950 Black Series

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 First Look

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Front Angle

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Wallpaper

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Image

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Rear Angle

An Indian for Irish Rich....

and other Indian Motorcycle lovers... well sort of... it's the P-61 American Rocket

For 1951, it's quite the Hot Rod. Although it looks the part, it's really too heavily modified to be considered a Bobber. Pierce hoped it would become a factory model.


I like the "H-D parts dept." gag.


Old time cyclist seem to always come up with clever slogans for putting down other makes.

For more on this scooter click on this:
http://irishrichcustomcycles.blogspot.com/2009/09/american-rocket-p-61.html

EL CO 2009 Part 1

If you live in So Cal and are into vintage iron, then you probably look forward each year to the El Camino Classic MC show and swap meet. Now that both the Ventura and Del Mar shows are no more, it's our only truly vintage venue. But, if we are to only have one, it's the one to have... and we almost lost it too!


Projects looking for the right caretaker.


This knuck featured a poorly done Faux patina paint job that just ain't working. It looks like black paint was rubbed way too evenly over it's entire surface. It needs to be a bit more random with some rubbed thru areas, chips, etc. to sell it.


A tidy Pan in the "Noise" space. I chatted with the owner and T-Bone (who assisted with the build), and complemented their work. It has some very clean mid controls set up. You really need to see the shifter side. It also featured a glide handlebar clamp nicely integrated into the top tree.


Mike (Born Loser), Davis had a space and was promoting the upcoming Born Free show.


Interesting take on stuffing a Knuck in a VL. Nicely done, but the seat, tank, and whole stock looking fork, fender, horn, light and bars aren't working for me. I'd like to see a more aggressive bobbed look.


Looks better from this side, but who has 35k for a toy these days?


I'd guess '20-'23. Wheel rims don't appear to be originals.


This Sport Twin is looking for a new home. Harley was literally going in a quite different direction with this "Opposed Boxer Twin" design. Looks like half a VW turned sideways. It also may have the longest intake manifold in all of motorcycling, and yes, that casting includes the exhaust manifold too. It's heat makes up for the loss of atomization the long path creates. I suppose VW's have those pre-heater tubes for the same reason. I believe they had a run from 1918 to 1922.


I hope this Knucklehead gets some paint and isn't left rusty and bare.


Nice to see old cases are still available, but I shudder to think their cost.


When I was a kid, Hodaka was a magic word.


This well built 45 from Biltwell was being offered for 7k.


You'd be hard pressed to build one for that.


This chopped one has a nice stance. I didn't ask the price.


Since the clutch lever needs to be modified and a sharp bend is required, you don't see too many up sweeps of this type on 45's.


A decked out UL.


I prefer riders like this to pristine show bikes.


KR top on a WL bottom stuffed with WR goodies.


Any color you want, as long as it's Black!


H-D singles are pretty rare. Unless it's an overhead racer, you really shouldn't call them Pea Shooters. The twin lights probably makes it a '28.


I hadn't seen Grace McKean at El Camino for some time. She told me it had been 15 years! Sneaky Paparazzi stalks behind the Indian.


Stay Young... Ride a Bike. Grace stands proud with her 45. She purchased it new in '51 at the tender age of of 17. You do the math.


The old gal is holding up real good... You decide.

So far, these shots are just from the swap meet area. I'll post more later.