Used & Classic

SVT Contours star at Spring Zing

Tue, 19 May 2009 13:57:42 -0500

Ford’s Tempo replacement in the mid-1990s only had a six-year production run, but when engineers from Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) got their hands on the Contour for the 1998 model year, few people could’ve anticipated the cult following that would follow. Ford ultimately sold just 11,445 SVT Contours during the model’s three-year run from 1998 to 2000, but it was enough for the Contour faithful to kick off an annual celebration of the car called Spring Zing. Initially a small, parking lot gathering in 1999, Spring Zing has since become the official convention for SVT Contour enthusiasts, hosted by the gearheads at www.contour.org and attracting owners from across the country for four days of racing, camaraderie, and celebration of what many consider to be the best-kept sport-sedan secret of the 90s.

This year’s festivities ran from May 14-17 in the rain-soaked West Michigan countryside, and though attendance was slightly dampened by an imploding economy, over 60 cars made the pilgrimage to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Enthusiasts exploited the Contour’s handling prowess with open track time at GingerMan Raceway on Thursday, followed by a rainy cruise and rained-out dragstrip event on Friday. Spirits rebounded Saturday thanks to a mobile dyno running in conjunction with the obligatory car show, all set against the country backdrop of the prestigious Gilmore Car Museum. The day capped with a catered banquet in which everyone in attendance received a modest door prize, with some lucky Spring Zingers winning such go-fast goodies as a cold air induction and nitrous kit in the after-dinner raffle. Convention-goers had an autocross at their disposal for Sunday, though most elected to begin the journey home and prepare for Spring Zing 2010, which is already rumored to be in the planning stage.

Show goers on Saturday were also treated to a different kind of show — or in this case SHO — thanks to a guest appearance by Ford with a 2010 Fusion Sport and a pre-production 2010 Taurus SHO. Mercury’s muscle car Marauder not withstanding, the new SHO and Fusion Sport represent Ford’s first effort to build a bona-fide sport sedan since the 2000 SVT Contour, and the Blue Oval would appear to be interested in capturing some enthusiast support. The initial reaction from the Contour crowd suggests Ford may be on the right track, but at the end of it all the question of the day was still, “Where’s the manual trans?” A very good question indeed.

Check out a few of Spring Zing’s highlights in our gallery above.

2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed Preview

John Beltz Snyder — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:56:10 -0500

The 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place July 3-5 in England. This year’s theme will be “True Grit – Epic Feats of Endurance,” and will celebrate the drivers and their grand moments in endurance racing history. Many racing greats will be in attendance, including Damon Hill, Jacky Ickx, Rauno Aaltonen, Richard Attwood, Guy Martin, and Michael Dunlop.

Audi will celebrate its centenary at the Goodwood Festival with a sculpture in front of the Goodwood House. Also featured at the festival, Lewis Hamilton will drive the 1988 McLaren-Honda MP4/4 turbo, as driven by Ayrton Senna, up the festival’s famous hillclimb. The Lewis Hamilton Foundation, which helps improve the lives of children living in ill health and poverty worldwide, will be the official charity of the festival.

Follow the link below for more information on the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the hillclimb, or other festival features.

+ Goodwood: Festival of Speed – Preview 2009

Classic Corvette and Tatra at the Fairfield County Concours

Leo Levine — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:28:45 -0500

Westport, Connecticut –

A 1963 Corvette and a 1938 Tatra were the principal winners in Sunday’s Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance, staged for the second time on the spacious grounds of the Fairfield County Hunt Club.

The Corvette, owned by Michael Schudroff of nearby Greenwich, and the Czech Tatra, T77a brought from Toronto by John Long, were awarded what the Concours called a “Grand Prix d’Honneur,” one of which was given to the best domestic entry and one to the best foreign-built vehicle. In the case of the Tatra, it was fortunate the award did not include the word “elegance.”

The event drew a 200-car field and a healthy crowd.

Question of the Day: What's Your Favorite Type of Classic Car Event?

Chris Paukert — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:36:09 -0500

With both the Woodward Dream Cruise and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance festivities having taken place this past weekend, we want to know: What is your favorite type of classic car event? Is it historic racing, a particular concours event, a swap meet, or just a cruise-in at your local ice cream shop? Recount your favorites in ‘Comments.’

Palo Alto Concours D'Elegance to Display Japanese Classics

Hardy Shen — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:01:31 -0500

The Palo Alto Concours D'Elegance, a competition between owners to be judged on their car's "elegant" appearance, will feature a small section of Japanese cars for the first time in its 42 years. Although the cars will not be eligible for judging and awards, it is a push towards recognition of Japanese classics.

The competition is stiff as the Concours D'Elegance usually has cars starting at six figures or more. This year's show will also include retired Indianapolis racecars, a supercar exhibit, and a special exhibit of custom hotrods done by Steve Moal.

The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 22 on the Stanford University athletic fields.

+ Japanese Nostalgic Car: Palo Alto Concours D'Elegance

Question of the Day: What Will Be Gracing the Lawn at Pebble Beach in 2058?

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:30:42 -0500

Like every era, the cars of today are represented by flawless classics, run-of-the-mill driving appliances, and out-right stinkers. But when the long view of history is able to provide prospective, which among them will be judged great? Fifty-plus years from now at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which contemporary cars will be on the lawn? Have you say in comments.

If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com

21st Annual Clubman’s All-British Motorcycle Show & Swap

Stan Baldwin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:00:46 -0500

In spite of the heavy cloud cover I pulled on a helmet and set off down hwy 101 to check out the annual gathering of folks infatuated with old English motorcycles at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds in San Jose, California. Fortunately the clouds did no more than threaten. The purists claimed the weather added to the authenticity of the event, but with global warming, maybe the famous “British Mists

Lotus to Hold 60th Birthday Party this Fall

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:00:17 -0500

Lotus is holding a birthday bash for over 15,000 of its closest friends this year, in celebration of 60 years spent executing founder Colin Chapman’s philosophy of “performance through lightweight.

The Segrave Club Opens its Doors in London

Dustin P. Walsh — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:30:13 -0600

London’s The Segrave Club is a supercar aficionado’s dream. The opportunity to drive the world’s most elite, and expensive, supercars without the burden of ownership – at a handsome cost, of course.

And, at the club’s opening night, the presence was strong, including the 27-foot long Golden Arrow, driven by Sir Henry Segrave at an average of 231.446 mph to break the world land speed record in 1929. The Golden Arrow was loaned to the club for the night and is estimated to be worth £15 million (over $29.5 million).

The club was inaugurated in front of 250 guests by the Golden Arrow’s owner Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and current land speed record holder Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, according to Classic Driver.

For a one-time fee of £5,000 ($9,800) and a £16,000 ($31,500) annual fee The Segrave Club’s members get access to drive some of the world’s most exciting and exclusive cars. The fleet includes: a Porsche Carrera GT, Mercedes McLaren SLR, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, Ferrari 599 GTB, and an Aston Martin DBS.

+ Classic Driver: The Segrave Club Opens in London

If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com

Williams F1 Celebrates Thirty Years with Anniversary Livery

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:30:53 -0600

Founded in 1978, the Williams Formula One team will begin its fourth decade of racing excellence with the 2008 season. To help celebrate this anniversary, which will see the team compete in its 500th Grand Prix in Italy this year, Williams unveiled a special edition racing livery today at Barcelona.

The Williams FW30 will wear the handwritten regards of the team’s seven world champion drivers, and the names of every driver ever to grace a William’s seat. Former champions for Williams include Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell (pictured), Alain Prost, and Damon Hill.

Comments range from Alan Jones’s “I was the first,

Joyeux Anniversaire! Citroen’s 2CV Celebrates 60th Anniversary at Retromobile

Evan McCausland — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:00:30 -0600

We've heard the "keep it simple, stupid" mantra time and time again, but we'd argue that the Citroen 2CV was the most extreme application of that credo in the automotive world (heck, even the earliest Volkswagen Beetles had a fuel gauge). That said, it worked - the deux cheveaux won the hearts of not only the French people, but many across continental Europe and even South America, serving as a surprisingly reliable workhorse for many.

Although the very last 2CV rolled off a Portuguese assembly line in 1991, 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the tin snail's launch at the 1948 Paris Motor Show. Although Citroen is mum on any official celebration (we'll bet a few examples make their way to the company's stand during October's Paris show), the jovial folks at Retromobile - the gigantesque celebration of all things automotive - will be celebrating all this week.

From what we understand, devotees of the 2CV are celebrating with their vehicles at the show, but one lucky visitor may win a tour of Paris in a chauffeured 2CV. If that's not haute couture, may we interest you in a Louis Vuitton-trimmed Tuk Tuk?

Until more photos emerge or Citroen announces any plans for an official celebration, have fun with our gallery filled with advertising images from the 2CV's six-decade-long lifespan. Salut.

+ Inside Line: Citroen 2CV, Classic Entry-Level French Car, Turns 60

First Ever Auctions for One-Off Fords at the Amelia Island Concours

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:30:39 -0600

Regarded by many as the "Pebble Beach East" of American concours, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will begin on March 7 at the Ritz-Carlton on the Florida island.

The concourse is set to be the first event that General Motors takes part in during its 2008 100-year anniversary. GM is said to be bringing a fair number of historic cars to celebrate, including a Trans-Am in honor of racing legend Parnelli Jones.

RM Auctions will be holding its 10th annual “Automobiles of Amelia Island