Posted by Peter on
December 11, 2009
A Rarity To Behold From Quattro GmbH – The Canadian RS6
With only 90 units sold in Canada, the C5-generation Audi RS6 is a special find indeed. And on the blustery streets of Edmonton, no less.
[Photo credit: Howie Edgecombe]
Posted by Peter on
November 30, 2009
Top Gear Says Lancia Is The Best Automaker. Ever.
Ok, that’s not an exact quote, but Episode 3, which aired last night, was the best of Season 14 thus far. If you haven’t seen it yet, go here and enjoy it. Am I the only one who noticed the increasing friction between Jeremy and James? If looks could kill, Jeremy would be deader than John Candy.
The episode feature saw Jezza and the Hamster testing Lancia’s notoriously poor reliability record in an endurance race before thrashing a Stratos and a Delta Integrale along UK’s stunning and picturesque coastal B-roads. The cinematography was its usual high-calibre and the banter was its equal.
This summer, I also had a Lancia experience. It’s below.
Posted by Peter on
October 31, 2009
Da Streetz: De Tomaso Pantera
The streets (or streetz) of Edmonton are rarely littered with anything of interest for car aficionados. But every now and again, something will snap your head and make you take notice. An early July day this past summer was just such a day when I came across the bastard love child of Italian coachwork and American muscle in a neighbourhood garage – the De Tomaso Pantera. Welcome to another episode of Da Streetz. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Peter on
September 30, 2009
Da Streetz: McMerc in Vienna Edition
Welcome back to another edition of Da Streetz, where we chronicle the various automotive wonders on the streets of Edmonton, Canada. Well, that’s what we normally do, but today we’re taking a trip to the one of the former capitals of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna (Budapest was the other capital of the Dual Monarchy).
Along the bustling Kärntner Ring road, one of the many ring roads in the expansive and sprawling metropolis, lies the luxurious Bristol Hotel. In front of the Starwood-allianced hotspot, one would expect to see a 1012hp hand-built Bristol Fighter T. Sadly, there were none to be found. Instead, all I could find was a convertible SLR McLaren. Disappointing, I know. So disappointing in fact, that I just had to take some pictures with my iPhone. Check them out below. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Peter on
July 7, 2009
Da Streetz: Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
Welcome back to another episode of Da Streetz, where I chronicle the lives of Edmonton’s cars. Today, I’ve found a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, the last (but not least) version of the previous-gen Gallardo. The Superleggera had an extra 10 hp, for a total of 530, compared to the Gallardo for normies. It was also 154 lbs lighter (the European version was 220 lbs lighter) thanks to carbon fibre this and carbon fibre that and even titanium wheel nuts. Having been only available in 4 colours, this owner chose the Telesto Gray; certainly a more subdued choice than, say, Borealis Orange.
I’m not entirely sure why anyone would want to bring a $300,000+ track-day special to the gym where I work out at, but that’s just me. With Edmonton’s abysmal roads, I’m sure I could have found the owner inside by looking for the guy (no way it was a girl) gripping his tailbone tenderly.
Posted by Peter on
June 28, 2009
Da Streetz: Datsun Fairlady 2000
Take a good look at the great-great-great-grandpappi of my car. The Fairlady, as it was known in Japan, was Datsun’s first sports car. This 2000 model was actually a member the last Fairlady generation before the introduction of the Z-cars with the 240’s debut in 1969. The first thing I noticed about this car is how “Datsun” it really looked – clearly the design language carried over. I immediately recognized the my favourite early Z-car feature on the 2000, the teardrop headlights.
The original Fairlady started with the 1959 “S211″, which boasted 36 hp from a 1.0L 4-banger, and culminated in the 2.0L 150 hp “SRL311″ with Competition package in 1970. This red example is a 2000, a.k.a. SRL311, but is most likely the 135 hp non-Competition package model. The Fairlady was originally designed to compete against the MGs and Triumphs of the day. Not only was Datsun successful in producing a viable competitor, but it did so at a lower price point than the Brits.
This 2000 that I found was, surprise surprise, at the golf club where I also found the ‘68 Jag E-Type and the extra-ugly BMW X6. A gallery is below. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Peter on
June 21, 2009
Da Streetz: Mercedes G 280 GE Cabrio (W460)
I’m an unabashed fan of the Merc G wagon. Ask me what SUV I would put in my driveway and I will blurt out “G500″ without hesitation. For a car guy, not an SUV guy, the connection I have with the G is not to be underestimated. For me, the X-factor is the heritage of a true off-roader that has scarcely changed in 30 years. You might call it a failure to engineer or just plain laziness. I call it brilliant.
The owner of the vehicle you see today claimed that it was a 1989 model and that the G intimidating me from across 99 st in South Edmonton Common was the only cabrio in Canada, although Craigslist Vancouver might have something to say about that. Maybe his was the only ‘89 cabrio with an automatic, Bosch light covers, and a dog in the back? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Peter on
June 5, 2009
Da Streetz: 1968 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Convertible
In the same parking lot where we found the completely tasteless BMW X6 with a bike rack, we find this well-maintained, British Racing Green, 1968 Jaguar E-Type. Also known as the XK-E, the E-Type is considered my many, Enzo Ferrari included, as the most beautiful car in the world. Being a 1968 model, this would have been the first year of the Series 2 prodcution for the E-Type. According to the Wikipedia entry, the Series 2 models featured “open headlights without glass covers, a wrap-around rear bumper, re-positioned and larger front indicators and taillights below the bumpers, better cooling aided by an enlarged “mouth” and twin electric fans, and uprated brakes”, when compared to the earlier Series 1 models.
There is a gallery of this diamond in the rough after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Peter on
May 31, 2009
Da Streetz: Lexus ES250
This is a new one for me. The Lexus ES250. I suppose this has something to do with my age, something to do with the length of time I’ve been following cars, and something to do with this car only being produced for 3 years, but older Lexuses are a bit foreign to me. No pun intended.
According to Wikipedia, it looks like this little gem started the Lexus onslaught in North America, along with the famously reliable LS400. The littlest Lexus wasn’t as popular as the big LS, though. This was probably due to the fact that the ES was Camry-based and the LS was on a dedicated (and all-new) platform. Who knew that Toyota’s Camry-platform-whorefest goes back some 20 years? (Note: Today, the Camry platform underpins the Lexus RX350, the Lexus ES350, the Toyota Venza, and maybe even some others)
I learn something new everyday.
And no, that brown stuff on the left part of the trunk isn’t the reflection of an overhead tree, it’s rust. There’s another pic of this cubic zirconia diamond in the rough after the jump.
Posted by Peter on
May 23, 2009
Da Streetz: 2009 Chevy HHR SS Panel
Today is Da Streetz: Collector’s Edition. And instead of finding this vehicle on the streets, it was in a showroom. Close enough, I say.
There are rare cars and then there are seriously rare cars. Paganis fall into the latter category, but there are some surprising cars that fall into the former category. Some are even made by domestic manufacturers. No, I’m not talking about 2010 Camaros, but another Chevy: The HHR SS.
