Tag Archives: 2017

Car show, Uncategorized

Cars and Coffee Explodes in Scottsdale

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Okay it didn’t like explode and cause a mess. But the Cars and Coffee monthly show held in “Scottsdale” is growing every month. They outgrew their previous location and moved to an even larger parking lot at Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard. (It’s actually in Phoenix but old habits are hard to shake).Cars and Coffee

Cars and Coffee Selection

They have always had a large showing of exotics and high-end cars. So of course a new Ford GT will be there. Cars and Coffee Ford GTAnd a LaFerrari is at home at this show as well. But there are always plenty of classic iron to enjoy, like this split window Corvette.Cars and Coffee Split Window 63 Corvette

The folks that put this on do it as a labor of love. Lots of volunteers are in place along with a few paid security forces. The crowd is respectful and the mood is always friendly and inviting. Got a Dave Kindig built Nomad? Bring it. Want to bring out a nice truck, they always have room.Cars and Coffee Dave Kindig Build

Cars and Coffee Monthly Show

So if you are coming out for some winter warmth and relaxation, remember the first Saturday of the month cars and Coffee is held “near” Scottsdale! Otherwise keep an eye out for our updates and twitter postings.

Auctions, Uncategorized

Silver Auction in Arizona Changes Hands

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Silver Auction has been a presence in the Phoenix, AZ region for years. They typically hold three auctions a year at the Fort McDowell Casino and Hotel. They run a low key affair and have friendly staffing. The cars they consign are nice, vary from current models to classics and generally are more affordable than other high end sites. So the cars might have some blemishes or flaws but are still solid pieces of steel.

We have monitored the auctions for years and spotlighted some of their offerings.

Selected Silver Auction Coverage

Green Day’s Impala

Green Day’s Ford Panel Truck

Silver Auction Process

 If a car is offered at auction on reserve and doesn’t sell, the auctioneers typically hint at what the bid price might need to be to buy the car. Frequently the deals are made after the car rolls off the auction block.

If the bidding for a car meets the reserve the auctioneers are quick to announce the fact, a multicolor “disco” light turns on and the crowd gets energized knowing the car will sell.

Silver Auction Trading Hands

Now Mitch Silver has sold off the Arizona portion of his auctions to Emmett Rice. Rice is a car dealer from Amarillo, Texas, owning Vintage Autohaus & Imports. Rice has staged his own auctions there and is ready to take on the Arizona scene. Joining him will be Andy Stone, who formerly worked at Leake Auctions, and Jason Rose from the Barrett-Jackson  powerhouse.

Next Silver Auction

Their first auction will fire up after Thanksgiving on November 24-26, 2017. Here’s hoping they continue the success that Mitch Silver struck in Arizona.

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Auctions, Uncategorized

Turbos Are Old School Like 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire

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Turbos

While car manufacturers have been releasing new models with turbochargers as power adders, they have actually been around for quite awhile. Recently turbos were added to the Ford Focus and Fiesta engines, and even the trucking F-150. Turbos gain their power by using the exhaust gases to spin a turbine to help compress the incoming air to the engine. The denser the air, the more power the engine can make.

With the right engine, today’s shade tree mechanic could add their own turbocharger to easily increase the power. Completely spec’d kits are available, or you could piece out the individual parts.

Grand National TurbosBuick Grand National Turbo

Buicks made a case for the turbos with their 1984 Regal Grand National and gained quite a following, until they stopped production in 1987. Another early innovator was the Corvair, that offered a turbo in 1962 to help polish their “sporty” image. The turbo charged Spyder engine made 150 horses as an option for the Corvair Monza coupes and convertibles.1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Club Turbo

Jetfire Turbos

But Oldsmobile rushed out their Jetfire to be the first turbocharged engine offering to the American motoring public in 1962. The Jetfire was a spin off on the F-85 Oldsmobile hardtop. It came with a 215 CI V-8 engine with a Garrett turbocharger making 215 horses (one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement). To avoid deadly detonation, the owners had to blend in a water and methanol mixture of “Rocket Fluid”. The other performance engine from Olds, without the turbo, was the same 215 CI engine but with just a four barrel carburetor. it could only offer up 185 horsepower.1962 Oldsmobile Turbo Jetfire

A 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire was recently offered on eBay and the red exterior mimicked the sales brochures from the day. The owner indicated it is a ground up restoration but with a few items still needing a look at. The owner installed a new turbocharger and added in air conditioning for comfort.Jetfire Turbo Engine

So when your neighbor pops the hood on his Ford Fiesta ST and brags about his beastly turbo on his three cylinder engine, you can tell him that turbos are old school too.

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Manufacturer news

Honda’s Minnie Van Is Pink Cuteness

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Okay I’ll admit it.  I like cute.  And sometimes a car comes along that is just darn cute.  The folks at Honda put some sugar on their new 2018 Honda Odyssey van and overdosed on cuteness.  Throw in a tribute to Disney and bam you have total cuteness to the nth degree. Thanks to their Minnie Van

Honda Minnie Van

Minnie Van

Each year Disney fans gather for the Disney D23 Expo.  Think of it as Comic Con for Disney fans.  So Honda crafted a Minnie Van that they displayed at the show.  Of course a Minnie creation had to be in pink polka dots and sport some ears and a sporty bow.

Honda Odyssey Minnie Van

The new Honda Odyssey matches well with the target audience of soccer moms and dads needing to haul a bunch of tykes to here and there.  The new 2018 version builds on the best selling minivan in America and is made in the USA. The Odyssey has been the top selling van for the past seven years and this new build increases the ride and looks of the minivan segment.

Honda Minnie Van Front

So my guess is the Minnie Van will be making the rounds around the country, putting some smiles on lots of faces and maybe a Mickey van will soon appear?

 

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Car show, Uncategorized

SEMA Collector Car Appreciation Day Is Today

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Any day is a good day to drive a classic car, but Friday July 14th will be exceptionally good.  That is the day that SEMA will celebrate their annual Collector Car Appreciation Day.  This will mark the eighth year that SEMA seeks to acknowledge the vital impact classic cars and their owners contribute to America.

The US Senate has passed resolutions noting the collector car  celebratory day each year.  SEMA is encouraging collector car owners to set up special cruises or events to mark this day (or even the whole month of July, since many might not be able to participate on a workday.)

So expect an interesting view in the employee parking lots this Friday.  And if you don’t have a classic to drive consider these three iconic cars. They’ll always be popular and cool

32 Ford Deuce

The truly iconic looking roadster has been celebrated on US stamps and is an eye catcher, although driving “topless’ in July’s heat may not be the best choice. A roadster by definition has no top and no side windows.  It was designed to be fast and look cool. Mission accomplished. 

Corvette convertible

Hard to go wrong with any year of America’s sportscar.  To down weather is here and the Corvette’s are meant for the open road.

 

57 Chevy

57 Chevy post
1957 2 door sedan

The display of chrome and sharp angles is a classic look for the late 50’s and reflects our interest in the upcoming Space Age.  The 1957 model was the last year of the “tri-five” Chevys and some might say it was the best of all three years. There are always a ready supply of parts for these Chevys and plenty of reference materials. Plus restored vehicles are readily available.

Some may say that any day is a good day to drive a classic.  Plus driving these cars are good for them and you!  So take a cruise in a classic today and everyday!

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Manufacturer news, Uncategorized

Dodge Demon Delays Dealership’s Shake Downs

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Dodge Demon Smoking the TiresKudos to the suits at Dodge that established a production system that will punish dealerships that opt to sell the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon with outrageous dealer premiums.  Last week Dodge announced how the monster 840 horsepower Dodge Demon  will be allocated.

Dodge Demon Allocation

The Dodge dealerships will be parceled out the limited run of 3,300 Demons based on objective criteria including:

·         Sold at least one Hellcat in past twelve months

·         Allocation will be based on how many Hellcats they sold (60%) and their sales of the “regular” Chargers and Challengers (40%)

Dodge Demon MSRP

To prevent price gouging, those Dodge Demons sold at MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) or less will be produced first.  So the dealerships wanting to rocket up the price and their profits on these limited edition speedsters will be the last to the party.

In case you were wondering the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon starts at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $84,995 (including $1,700 gas guzzler tax, excluding $1,095 destination); Demon crate unleashes full power for $1.  So spring for the extra buck and get the full package!

Dodge Demon

In case you were sleeping under a rock the Dodge Demon is designed for the strip and is the fastest quarter-mile production car ever.  It will be delivered in the fall of 2017 as a 2018 model year Challenger. It has been clocked at 9.65 seconds for the true quarter mile at 140 mph, with sticky tires.  And yes it raised the front wheels off the ground.  When’s the last time you saw that at the local drag strip.

Paperwork for Dodge Demon To avoid shenanigans, the dealership will have to submit a notarized sales order.  The owner must also sign off on some safety/technical notes that will probably help Dodge when the inevitable lawsuit emerges after the first collision from a Demon.  Hopefully not at a Cars and Coffee event.
Last week was the beginning of the ordering period.  My guess is the available Dodge Demons will go quick.  

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Manufacturer news, Uncategorized

Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series – Fastest Yet

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911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Driver's Side View 

Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series

Porsche announced a limited edition of the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series.  How exclusive is this Porsche 911?  Just 500 units are being hand made for worldwide distribution.

How fast is the Porsche 911?  With a special tune the powerplant is cranking out 607 horses.  These Porsche 911’s will be hand finished by the new Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur at the headquarters in Zuffenhausen. Previously called “Porsche Exclusive”, this in-house workshop focuses on  tailoring unique cars to customer wishes, as well as being producing these limited-edition series.

Porsche 911 Engine

The six cylinder flat 3.8 liter biturbo engine helps the 911 go 0-60 in under three seconds, with a top “track” speed of 205 MPH.  The 911 comes with the active sports chassis and the Sport Chrono package as standard.

That paint job you see is an exclusive Golden Yellow Metallic, highlighted with some carbon fiber pieces. But the car can come in other paint choices. The sport seats are eighteen way adjustable, just in case you need to get the kinks out during the drive.

 But Wait There’s More!

For the first time ever, Porsche 911 customers can have a matching chronograph from Porsche Design configured in the same design as their sports car. The exclusive watch made of lightweight titanium, and its black titanium carbide coating reinforces its sporty design. The carbon dial face is based on the carbon weave stripes on the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series and finished in the actual paint used on the vehicle.911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Chronograph

But Wait, There’s Even More!!

Customers can also order the leather Exclusive Series luggage set that has been developed especially for customers who buy a vehicle from the limited production run. The luggage set of four pieces (two hold-alls, the day bag and the suit bag) are the perfectly fit for the luggage space available in the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series.911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Luggage

Be curious how long it takes to see one at a Cars and Coffee?

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Manufacturer news, Uncategorized

BMW Art Car -Worth the wait for #18 ?

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BMW Art Car #18BMW Art Car #18 Top View

BMW released their latest art car last week and Chinese artist Cao Fei made a stunning offering. This was the 18th version of a BMW Art Car. She used technology, including an app, to allow an interactive approach to the artwork. Ironically the 19th BMW Art Car was released earlier than this version. You can’t rush artists I guess.

Cao Fei is quoted as saying, “The #18 Art Car questions the existence of the boundaries of the human mind. We are entering a new age, where the mind directly controls objects and where thoughts can be transferred, such as unmanned operations and artificial intelligence.”

The chassis itself is a BMW M6 GT3 racecar with the original carbon black. The car is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine with twin turbo’s. That translates to 585 hp with a six-speed sequential racing transmission.

It took three years to develop the car after she was selected as the artist. But this art work doesn’t just sit on a gallery floor. It will be raced by BMW works driver Augusto Farfus at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau in November, 2017.

The BMW Art Car Collection

BMW Art Cars started as a formal tradition in 1975 and Alexaner Calder crafted a BMW 3.0 CSL that subsequently raced at 1975 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. BMW houses the cars in a Munich, Germany museum. Notable artists include Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and others.

BMW Art Car #19BMW Art Car #19 Driver Side

In November, 2016 a BMW GTLM was unveiled by artist John Baldessari as another BMW Art Car (#19) and it raced at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January, 2017.

Many companies sponsor art competitions or have artwork at their companies. But not many go to the extent that BMW does. We always look forward to their next release.

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Car show, Uncategorized

Jaguar XKE Hearse – Can You Dig It?

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Our friends at Petrolicious recently previewed an interesting Jaguar that you might “die for.”  Sorry couldn’t resist.

1967 Jaguar XKE

1967 Jaguar XKERecently Ken Roberts from Arizona built a recreation of the original Jaguar hearse from the  cult classic “Harold and Maude”.  In the movie the lead actor is obsessed with death and so converts a Jaguar to be a hearse.  In the movie they used a 67 Jaguar.

It took this build four years to complete, starting with a 2+2 coupe.  The owner is having a good time showing this hearse around the country. He is a bit secretive about the build and who built the original movie car.1967 Jaguar Hearse Side View

Local Showing for the Jaguar

We got a chance to see it at a small, local show (Catch A Wave) in Tempe, AZ and was quite impressed with the build.  Of course you have to be of a certain age to even know about the movie, but the black beauty was a top notch build.

Hope you enjoy our death defying shots of this “digger”.

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